Learning Wind Release

Rip!

As Chakra flowed into it, the Chakra test paper in Naruto's hand split in half down the middle.

Naruto looked at the Chakra test paper that had split in two, blinked, and immediately turned a curious gaze toward Sarutobi Hiruzen.

The Ninja World's knowledge barriers were remarkably solid, with near-impenetrable divides from top to bottom. Chakra nature transformation was already knowledge at the jonin level, and ninja knowledge at the jonin level was almost never passed down. Thus, aside from ninjas from major clans, civilian ninjas rarely knew what Chakra nature transformation even was. This was one reason why so few civilians became jonin.

Besides bloodlines, knowledge was also part of a ninja clan's foundation.

Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled and began explaining. "If the paper splits in half down the middle, it means little Naruto's Chakra has a wind nature."

"Chakra is generally divided into five natures: fire, wind, lightning, water, and earth. Different natures produce different reactions on Chakra test paper.

Fire makes the paper burn. Wind splits it down the middle. Lightning makes it wrinkle. Water makes it wet. Earth makes it crumble. If someone possesses all five natures, then one section will burn, one will split apart, one will become wrinkled, one will get wet, and the final section will crumble."

"Does that mean the more natures you have, the stronger you are?" Naruto asked innocently.

"Of course not. Chakra nature is merely one method of using Chakra. If you possess the corresponding nature, you can transform neutral Chakra into the nature required for the ninjutsu you want to use while circulating and refining it within your body. For example, if you want to use Fire Release, you transform neutral Chakra into fire-nature Chakra. That is nature transformation."

"But the most important prerequisite for using the Five Elements Ninjutsu is still a ninja's own Chakra reserves. If you do not have enough Chakra, then even if you possess all five natures, it will still be difficult to use Ninjutsu. Moreover, Chakra natures can also be developed through later training."

"As for Chakra shape transformation, it is using Chakra externally, then controlling it to alter its shape. The Rasengan you practice is the purest form of externally released Chakra shape transformation, compressing Chakra into a rapidly spinning sphere."

"So, little Naruto, what suits you now is wind-nature Ninjutsu."

"Third Hokage Grandpa, how do I transform Chakra's nature?"

Naruto asked with an excited look on his face.

"The most outstanding trait of wind-nature Chakra is its cutting power. It possesses extremely strong offensive capabilities."

Sarutobi Hiruzen casually picked up a fallen leaf from the ground. As he released Chakra, the leaf was immediately cut in half.

"You just need to do this first... then that... Once you can easily cut through this leaf, you can begin learning Wind Release."

Naruto immediately picked up a leaf and tried it himself. However, after several attempts in a row, he still failed, and a troubled expression appeared on his face.

Sarutobi Hiruzen saw this and nodded as if it were only natural. Mastering Chakra nature transformation was a long process of training. Though he was now known as the Professor and could wield the Five Elements Ninjutsu with ease, it had taken him several years to thoroughly master even one Chakra nature transformation.

"Little Naruto, there's no need to rush. You're still—"

Before Sarutobi Hiruzen could finish comforting him, his words caught in his throat.

Naruto was now holding up the leaf he had cut in half with Chakra, staring at him expectantly with a delighted expression.

What a joke. Since it came from the system, even if it was not top quality, it could not possibly be defective. His reward back then had been Chakra Mastery, which could be said to have directly saved him years of training and spared him several years of detours. Not only did he not need to worry about interference from the Nine-Tails' Chakra, he could even make his Chakra become whatever he wanted it to be.

The reason he had failed a few times at the start was only to fool Sarutobi Hiruzen. He just had not expected his performance to still be too genius. He had thought Chakra nature transformation was not particularly difficult. After all, in the original story, Sasuke could breathe fire at the surface of a river for fun when he was five or six. So after trying a few times, he had simply shown success.

Sarutobi Hiruzen swallowed with some difficulty and forced out a smile.

"It seems little Naruto's talent is quite good."

Fortunately, Naruto's Will of Fire was pure enough, and he cared about the villagers. Otherwise, he would still not have felt at ease teaching Naruto ninja knowledge so soon.

At that thought, a satisfied smile appeared on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face again.

Feeling the change in Sarutobi Hiruzen's malicious intent, Naruto's heart skipped a beat. When it finally settled down again, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. After all, this meant he would not become a rogue ninja at such a young age.

"Third Hokage Grandpa, can you teach me a new Ninjutsu now?"

Naruto blinked his large eyes and looked up at Sarutobi Hiruzen, his face full of longing.

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and reached out with his withered hand to pat Naruto on the head. The calluses on his palm scraped against Naruto's scalp, making his head hurt.

"The Ninjutsu you have mastered so far are all close-range offensive techniques. Since that is the case, little Naruto, step back first. Today, Third Hokage Grandpa will teach you a wind-nature Ninjutsu for long-range attacks."

Naruto quickly retreated several steps. Sarutobi Hiruzen stood where he was and slowly formed three hand seals toward the gently flowing river.

Wind Release: Vacuum Bullet!

Chakra rapidly gathered in Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth. He immediately exhaled toward the river surface, firing the accumulated Chakra from his mouth like a bullet. Then he continuously spat out several short bursts of air, firing without pause like a machine gun.

The Vacuum Bullets quickly struck the river surface. Great splashes immediately erupted from the flowing water, and the calm surface became riddled with holes. The slowly flowing river suddenly became turbulent, only returning to calm after the many pits in the riverbed had been filled.

"So... so amazing."

Naruto's eyes sparkled.

"Alright, little Naruto. I'll explain this Ninjutsu to you now."

Sarutobi Hiruzen explained in great detail the three hand seals required for the technique. Though it was a B-rank Ninjutsu, it was not very complicated because it required few seals. The key was still Chakra reserves and proficiency.

Uzumaki Naruto quickly learned the technique. He walked to the riverbank, assumed Sarutobi Hiruzen's earlier stance, and then deliberately formed the three hand seals with great awkwardness.

Wind Release: Vacuum Bullet!

A large amount of Chakra immediately gathered in Naruto's mouth as he forcefully blasted it toward the river surface.

Yet the result was all thunder and no rain. Though he had clearly gathered a great amount of wind-nature Chakra, the Vacuum Bullet he released was only the size of a marble. It slowly drifted toward the river, and after sinking into the water, it merely created a tiny ripple.

The disappointment on Naruto's little face was plain to see.

"Haha, it's alright, little Naruto." Sarutobi Hiruzen came to Naruto's side and once again placed a hand on his little head.

"It is already quite good that you successfully released the Ninjutsu on your first attempt. You only need to practice diligently."

"I'll practice hard." Uzumaki Naruto's gaze was incomparably resolute.

"Mm, Grandpa believes in you." Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at the sky. The sun had fully risen.

"In that case, little Naruto, be sure to stay safe when practicing by yourself. Grandpa has things to do, so I'll be leaving first."

"Okay, goodbye, Third Hokage Grandpa," Naruto said somewhat reluctantly.

"Naruto, I'll come see you again when I have time."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled, then directly used the Body Flicker Technique and disappeared from the spot.

Naruto's smile did not fade in the slightest as he looked at where Sarutobi Hiruzen had vanished. Sensing the Anbu hidden in the shadows, the smile on his face became even brighter.

Today was a pretty good day.