Chapter 40: Progress
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Naruto asked, "Will focusing on my ontology accelerate the changes in my chakra nature?"
Kurama, the Nine-Tails, didn't bother to respond and simply closed his eyes. Deep down, however, he couldn't help but marvel at Naruto's talent. By all accounts, Naruto's single-minded training methods shouldn't have been so effective, yet his progress was undeniable. Whether it was mastering wind and water release, perfecting the Rasengan, or enhancing his physical strength, Naruto was improving at an astonishing rate.
Naruto muttered to himself, "Why is my wind nature improving so quickly?"
Kurama remained silent, choosing to ignore him.
Naruto persisted, "Mr. Nine-Tails…"
Kurama sighed inwardly. Sometimes, Naruto's relentless curiosity was exhausting. But in the end, the fox relented. He turned his head slightly toward Naruto and said, "Your body is naturally suited for wind release. While chakra nature transformation is influenced by mental energy, physical compatibility also plays a significant role. That's why your water nature lags behind—it's simply not as compatible with your body."
Naruto frowned. "So, merging new chakra natures isn't useless, but it takes time for my body to adapt?"
"Exactly," Kurama replied. "There's a connection between your blood and your soul. When your soul gains a new chakra nature, it gradually merges with your bloodstream, altering your body over time."
Naruto's eyes lit up. "Is there any way to speed up this process?"
Kurama's lips curled into a sly grin. "There is. For example, you could consume the flesh of someone who has already mastered the chakra nature you're trying to learn."
Naruto recoiled in disgust. "Eat people? No way!"
Kurama's grin widened, as if he had been hoping for that reaction. "If eating people is too much for you, you could try eating ninja beasts with the desired chakra nature. For instance, a wind-based ninja beast or a water-based one like the giant shark or Kakashi's old turtle."
Naruto considered this but felt it was still too far-fetched. "Isn't there another way?"
Kurama's expression turned serious. "Yes, there is. You can use external stimulation. Have someone who has mastered the chakra nature you're trying to learn use their chakra to stimulate your body. This method works best for water release, followed by earth, fire, and wind."
Naruto's eyes widened in understanding. "That's why Sasuke's lightning release improved so quickly! If I ask Kakashi to help me with water release, I can speed up my training!"
Excited by this revelation, Naruto nearly rushed out to find Kakashi. But he quickly realized it was too late at night and decided to wait until morning. Instead, he turned his attention to the blue-sleeved sword in his hands.
The sword was a masterpiece, crafted with precision and care. Its scabbard was made of blue-grained steel, adorned with precious wood that clung tightly to the blade. Only by infusing chakra into the scabbard could the sword be drawn. This unique mechanism ensured that only Naruto—or the blacksmith who forged it—could wield the weapon. To prevent emergencies where chakra might be unavailable, a special crystal embedded in the scabbard contained a reserve of Naruto's chakra. Crushing the crystal would release the sword, but the crystal could only be used once before needing to be recharged.
As Naruto held the sword, he couldn't help but feel grateful to the blacksmith who had poured so much effort into its creation. He unsheathed the blade and examined it closely. The steel gleamed like starlight, and there wasn't a single scratch or imperfection on its surface. Naruto remembered how the sword had clashed with the chakra armor of the Snow Country ninja. Despite the armor's ability to absorb chakra, the sword had held its own, proving its exceptional quality.
Naruto pricked his finger and let a drop of blood fall onto the blade. The sword absorbed the blood instantly, a testament to its living steel nature. The blacksmith had explained that this process would strengthen the bond between Naruto and the sword, making it an even more powerful tool in his hands.
With the sword resting across his lap, Naruto sat cross-legged and entered a meditative state. As the barge continued its journey, Naruto focused on his training, determined to grow stronger.
One Month Later:
After a month at sea, the group finally reached their destination. During the voyage, the Snow Country ninja had not reappeared, allowing Naruto and his companions to focus on their training. Upon landing, they were greeted by a welcoming party arranged by the three princes. The journey continued on land, with the group stopping to admire the scenery or taking shelter during bad weather. Another half-month passed in this manner.
During this time, Naruto's training underwent a significant shift. He reduced the time spent on physical conditioning and instead focused on chakra nature transformation. With Kakashi's help, Naruto's water release training progressed steadily. Meanwhile, the two hundred shadow clones that had been practicing water release shifted their focus to mastering the Rasengan.
The effort paid off. Naruto's control over his chakra improved significantly, and his wind release techniques became more refined. The blade of his sword, which had once produced a three-meter-long wind blade, now condensed its power into three to five concentrated lines. The reduced range was offset by a dramatic increase in cutting power. Naruto could feel that once he completed the fourth stage of the Rasengan, his control over the wind blade would reach new heights, allowing him to focus it into a single, devastating line.
Sasuke, too, had made remarkable progress. With the Sharingan's precision and his growing mastery of the Chidori, his speed and accuracy had reached new levels. Naruto couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and rivalry. While his shadow clones had yet to match Sasuke's prowess, Naruto was confident that his true self could hold its own in a fight.
Hinata, meanwhile, continued to refine her Gentle Fist techniques, focusing on the Sixty-Four Palms and the Air Palm. Her dedication was evident in every movement, and her progress was undeniable.
As the group prepared for the challenges ahead, one thing was clear: they had all grown stronger. But just as they began to relax, a cry broke the silence.
"Bad news! Princess Snow is missing again!"
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