The Road to Becoming a Jinchuriki!

The Old Clan Head, who had always been resourceful and wise,

was left somewhat dazed by Nara Kaikei's torrent of words.

Only after a long while

did he barely come back to his senses, though he still stammered a little when he spoke.

"Kaikei, um, what you said was good. Very good."

Nara Shikano continuously stroked his beard, gradually sorting out his original train of thought.

"In my understanding, no one in the Nara Clan should have a deeper grasp of the Shadow Secret Technique than you do.

"But that is not the answer I wanted."

To keep Nara Kaikei from spouting nonsense again, such as "the Shadow Secret Technique is actually equivalent to genjutsu,"

Nara Shikano simply cut to the chase and directly stated his thoughts.

"In my view, the greatest advantage of the Shadow Secret Technique is that, during use, it can bypass the limitations of the body's Chakra Pathway System.

"In theory, as long as there is enough Yin Release Chakra, the power of our clan's Shadow Secret Technique has no upper limit!"

Listening to him was like listening to him.

Nara Kaikei pursed his lips, unsure how to mock the Old Clan Head's claim.

Overwhelming strength could overcome all obstacles—it truly was one of life's great truths.

But the problem was, where would an ordinary person find that much "strength"?

Take fire-based abilities, for example.

Some people with insufficient energy reserves could not wield fire as well as others wielded magma.

And some people with absurdly overflowing energy reserves could use a single Great Fire Sword to burn through an entire world!

Returning to the Nara Clan's Yin Release Secret Technique—

Everyone used Yin Release, but no matter how thoroughly the Nara Clan studied the Shadow Secret Technique, could it surpass the Uchiha Clan?

Not even mentioning ultimate genjutsu like Izanagi or Izanami.

Just look at the Little Gundam that came standard after the Uchiha Clan awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan—Susanoo.

Could the Nara Clan compare?

They could not!

They did not have that kind of ability—bloodline, understand?

Still, setting that last sentence aside, the first half of the clan head's words made a great deal of sense.

Moreover, that description involuntarily reminded Nara Kaikei of the A-Rank unsealed, non-elemental ninjutsu that the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, would develop in the future—the Rasengan.

As a special ninjutsu used from beginning to end by the Child of Destiny, it was difficult for Nara Kaikei to overlook its existence.

Previously, Nara Kaikei had not taken Rasengan training seriously purely because his own Chakra amount was insufficient.

If he could not even use the Basic Three Body Techniques smoothly, he should not dream of an A-Rank unsealed ninjutsu.

But now...

If I have the time in the future, I could study the Rasengan.

Nara Kaikei silently thought to himself.

Even if I cannot incorporate it into my own combat system, I can at least use this A-Rank Ninjutsu and its subsequent derivative techniques to increase [Sage Wisdom] and improve my overall strength.

Nara Shikano looked at the absent-minded Nara Kaikei.

"Kaikei, do you think there is anything wrong with my view?"

"No."

Nara Kaikei came back to his senses, shook his head, and answered frankly.

"Although the last sentence has some problems, I still agree with the first half."

The last sentence...

"Ahem, I already said that was only in theory."

After thinking back for a moment, Nara Shikano coughed lightly.

"But did you really understand what I said before that?"

"The part about the pathway system?"

Nara Kaikei raised a brow and repeated the Old Clan Head's earlier words according to his own understanding.

"Human cells, and even the primary substances surrounding those cells, are interwoven with a vast and complex pathway system. This system allows Chakra to flow smoothly to every corner of the body.

"Generally speaking, when a ninja performs ninjutsu, they first mix Physical Energy and Mental Energy to create Chakra. Then, through the pathway system, they transport the Chakra to a designated part of the body and release it outward through the Chakra Acupoints in that location.

"Mm, ordinary ninja primarily release Chakra through their fingers, toes, and mouths. The Hyuga Clan is an exception.

"The volume of Chakra flowing within the body is strictly restricted by the Eight Gates, preventing excessive Chakra flow from damaging the inside of the body.

"Genin and Chunin generally do not study the body's pathway system to such a deep extent.

"But for Jonin, who are proficient in Chakra Nature Transformation, after extracting Chakra, they retain nature-transformed Chakra within their bodies for a longer period to ensure the power and effects of their ninjutsu.

"However, even Jonin cannot store too much Chakra within their bodies, because the Chakra flow that the Chakra Pathway System can contain at any one time is limited.

"Unless they open the Eight Gates...

"As for the Shadow Secret Technique, although it can be regarded as 'Yin Release Nature Transformation,' its Chakra is not stored within the body, but within the shadow.

"The human pathway system restricts Chakra flow, but shadows contain no cellular tissue and therefore have no pathway system. They can thus contain Chakra without any upper limit.

"That is what you meant, Clan Head... right?"

After listening to Nara Kaikei's lengthy explanation,

Nara Shikano suddenly let out a wistful sigh.

"Kaikei."

"Hmm?"

"How about we stop being ninja?"

"Huh?"

"Let's become pure researchers instead!"

"What?"

"Even I cannot find the slightest flaw in what you just said. It is far too professional and detailed!"

Nara Shikano scratched his head with a complicated expression.

"How exactly is that brain of yours built?"

Nara Kaikei glanced at the clan head, raised his index finger, and pushed down his glasses.

"Clan Head, have you forgotten how I got these eyes?"

Smack!

Nara Shikano slapped his forehead.

"My mistake, my mistake. In the end, I still treated you like a child..."

While Nara Shikano reflected on himself,

Nara Kaikei silently pushed his Sunglasses back up.

That long explanation he had just given had also provided him with quite a bit of inspiration.

For example, the Hyuga Clan.

Because they possess the Byakugan, the Hyuga Clan can see through both their own and their enemies' pathway systems. That is why they have a matching taijutsu capable of directly attacking the pathway system—Gentle Fist.

Nara Kaikei's thoughts began to wander.

I cannot see through an enemy's pathway system, but the Lazy Ghost Panel has provided me with a complete model of my own pathway system.

In other words, theoretically speaking, I also possess the basic conditions to use Gentle Fist!

And not just Gentle Fist, but the Eight Inner Gates Formation as well...

As they talked,

Nara Kaikei and the clan head ventured deep into the forest, where the fresh scent of nature washed over them.

"Clan Head, is the Temple of Fire inside this forest?"

"That's right."

Nara Shikano replied.

"And the second special reward I mentioned earlier is hidden inside the Temple of Fire as well."

Nara Kaikei glanced at the clan head.

"So, Clan Head, after saying all that, what do that knowledge and the second special reward you mentioned have to do with each other?"

"They are indeed related."

Nara Shikano nodded.

"Since we just mentioned the Shadow Secret Technique, you should understand just how significant a secret technique that can bypass one's own pathway system and store Chakra beyond the usual limit is in actual ninja combat.

"At the same time, there is another method that has a similar effect to bypassing one's own pathway system.

"Kaikei, have you heard of the term 'Chakra Resonance'?"

"Chakra Resonance?"

Nara Kaikei frowned.

The term was indeed rather obscure.

Seeing his expression, the Old Clan Head secretly sighed in relief.

He had finally managed to stump this little fellow!

If Kaikei once again rattled off a whole pile of words that he could not find fault with, where would that leave his dignity as clan head?

But at that moment—

"Clan Head, are you talking about the B-Rank Ninjutsu developed by the Second Hokage—the Shadow Clone Technique?"

Nara Kaikei asked uncertainly.

"Chakra Resonance occurs between the original body and its clones, allowing them to transfer Chakra to one another."

"Kaikei, have you learned the Shadow Clone Technique?"

Nara Shikano was momentarily stunned, recalling the scene when Nara Kaikei fought Homura Oyashiro.

"No! Could it be... the Shadow Humanization Technique?"

The Shadow Humanization Technique was a B-Rank Clone Technique developed by the Nara Clan based on the Shadow Clone Technique. Its specific effect was to use one's Yin Release Chakra to create a special Yin Release clone capable of becoming tangible.

As for its actual usage, the Shadow Humanization Technique was similar to the Shadow Clone Technique.

But compared with the S-Rank Jutsu Shadow Clone Technique, those two B-Rank Ninjutsu were far inferior.

"When I went to Deer Cry Pavilion before, I did read quite a few ninjutsu research scrolls related to the Shadow Humanization Technique," Nara Kaikei replied.

"O-okay..."

The corners of Nara Shikano's mouth twitched a few times.

"But when I mentioned 'Chakra Resonance,' I was not referring to the Shadow Clone Technique or the Shadow Humanization Technique. I meant another kind of relationship.

"Tailed Beasts and Jinchuriki."

Nara Kaikei stopped dead in his tracks.

He looked at the Old Clan Head, then at the Temple of Fire not far ahead, and sucked in a sharp breath.

"Clan Head, the second special reward you mentioned... is a Tailed Beast?"

"How could that be possible?!"

Nara Shikano's intense reaction made it clear that Nara Kaikei had guessed completely wrong.

"How could the Nara Clan possibly have the ability to capture a Tailed Beast?!

"Though the greatest dream of my life is to touch the Five-Tails' Big Horn with my own hands..."

What the hell?

Nara Kaikei wore an expression full of question marks.

"Ahem, ahem."

Nara Shikano coughed twice again.

"The second special reward is not a Tailed Beast.

"But if used properly, it can achieve an effect similar to that of a Jinchuriki.

"Kaikei, do you know the First Hokage?"

B-Big Pillar?

Nara Kaikei's breath this time was not much lighter than the last.

Hashirama Cells?

In terms of practical effects, that thing really was not much different from a Tailed Beast!

Nara Kaikei involuntarily lowered his voice.

"Clan Head, are you saying..."

"One of the ninja tools used by the First Lord in the past."

Nara Shikano stroked his beard and smiled.

"Chakra Crystal."

This chapter contains quite a lot of theoretical material, but it was basically written in strict accordance with the manga's content.

Also, regarding the Chakra Resonance between Tailed Beasts and Jinchuriki, I vaguely feel like I saw it somewhere, but I have forgotten exactly which chapter it was in.

If anything is incorrect, please point it out, and A Xin will revise it promptly.

Also, an explanation of when Minato—the Fourth Hokage—developed the Rasengan.

Known fact 1: Minato took three years to develop the Rasengan. (According to Jiraiya)

Known fact 2: Minato developed the Rasengan based on the principle of the Tailed Beast Bomb. (According to Killer B)

Known fact 3: The only Tailed Beasts Minato encountered were the Nine-Tails—his wife—and the Eight-Tails—his enemy. (Those not mentioned in the original work are assumed not to have been encountered.)

Considering that Kushina Uzumaki could not possibly casually release the Nine-Tails to accompany Minato Namikaze in developing ninjutsu—transforming into the Nine-Tails and firing a Tailed Beast Bomb every time they worked on it—

Conclusion:

During the Third Shinobi War, Minato Namikaze repeatedly faced Kumogakure's A and B. After witnessing the Eight-Tails' Tailed Beast Bomb firsthand and feeling that his own offensive power against A and B was insufficient, he spent three years developing the A-Rank Ninjutsu, Rasengan.