Lightning Style Training Method

"Kazuya, there aren't many Taijutsu-focused ninja in the Shinobi World." After a brief silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to be considering whether to teach him this technique. After all, its origins were questionable.

If it were discovered by the people from its original faction, it would become another political incident detrimental to the village.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the eagerly expectant Hyuga Kazuya before him, then considered his status as a direct disciple of the Hokage. He felt there was nothing wrong with teaching it to him. Investing in and winning over the village's younger generation was also something he, as Hokage, had to do.

After clearing his throat, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke again. "So, aside from the Eight Gates, the village only has the incomplete Lightning Style Training Method acquired from Kumogakure."

"The Lightning Style Training Method? And it's incomplete?"

No one knew how much effort Hyuga Kazuya had put into saying those words normally while wearing a disappointed expression. He had practically exhausted his entire acting career in that instant—and reached the peak of it as well.

Hiruzen Sarutobi subconsciously picked up the Pipe from the table and took a deep puff. Even though he wanted to use it to ease the awkwardness, he still could not hold back.

"How about you choose a different type of ninjutsu?"

Hyuga Kazuya was a little dumbfounded. He had overdone it.

I need to find a way to smooth this over.

"Hokage-sama, there's no need. With Taijutsu and archery, I can already handle most situations. There's no need for me to learn another type of ninjutsu."

"If there truly isn't anything suitable, could I save this opportunity for Teacher Minato or Kakashi later?"

Hyuga Kazuya's eyes widened until they looked misty, as though he had suffered an enormous injustice. Yet he still appeared exceptionally understanding and considerate of others.

Anyone who saw him would have to say, what an outstanding heir to the Will of Fire.

But in truth, Hyuga Kazuya was thinking, This is another tactic of advancing by retreating. Success would naturally be best, but even if it fails, I'll at least earn Hiruzen Sarutobi's high favor.

No matter what, he would not lose out.

And things were clearly heading toward success.

"How about this? I can give you both techniques. I know you're a genius, but these two techniques—one has side effects and an uncertain future, while the other is incomplete. So I hope you won't be reckless."

"Before you become a Jonin, I will only give you the methods for opening the first three Gates of the Eight Gates. As for Kumogakure's incomplete Lightning Style Training Method, proceed according to your abilities."

As Hiruzen Sarutobi instructed Hyuga Kazuya, he led him to the place in the Hokage Building where the Scroll of Seals was stored.

The Scroll of Seals was kept in an inconspicuous room within the Hokage Building. There was not even a Guard at the door.

If someone unfamiliar with the Hokage Building suddenly entered it and saw its countless similarly arranged rooms and doors, they would likely get lost among them and never find the room that truly stored the Scroll of Seals.

Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly formed several hand seals, and the door before him opened in response.

Upon entering, Hyuga Kazuya saw rows of bookshelves neatly arranged throughout the room. The air was filled with the unique fragrance of books, giving him a peaceful, tranquil feeling and reminding him of the libraries from his previous life.

Both recorded knowledge and preserved culture. The only difference was that the libraries of his previous life had been open to the public, while this place was not.

Come to think of it, such a large village as Konoha did not even have a library?

"Here, take it."

"Huh?" Pulled back from his thoughts by the Third Hokage, Hyuga Kazuya instinctively accepted the Scroll handed to him.

"This contains the portion of the Eight Gates that can be safely cultivated. Before practicing it, read the Second Hokage's annotations at the beginning. They can help you cultivate it more effectively."

Though he was speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not stop walking. He moved to another row of bookshelves, took down another Scroll according to the labels on the shelf, and handed it to Hyuga Kazuya.

"This is Cloud's Lightning Style Training Method. You still need to be careful. The fact that the village acquired it so easily means we cannot rule out the possibility that it contains traps we don't know about."

"Understood, Hokage-sama. I'll be careful."

Hyuga Kazuya also knew that the Third Hokage's repeated reminders came from concern for him.

"Don't forget to return them in three days."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Having obtained what he wanted, Hyuga Kazuya immediately bid farewell to the Hokage and hurried home without stopping.

When he returned home, Uncle was practicing calligraphy at the stone table in the front courtyard.

"Uncle, I'm back."

"It's good that you're back." Uncle merely looked up at Hyuga Kazuya before resuming his calligraphy practice to cultivate his character.

"Uncle, look what I got."

Waving the two Scrolls in his hands, Hyuga Kazuya proudly showed them off to Uncle.

"What are those? The village's Sealing Scrolls?"

In response to Hyuga Kazuya's display, Uncle subconsciously activated his Byakugan to inspect the Scrolls in his hands. He discovered that the seals on them were extremely similar to those on the village's Sealing Scrolls.

"How boring. You actually used the Byakugan to peek." Hyuga Kazuya curled his lip in disdain.

"Stop fooling around and get back to your room. Read the ninjutsu in those Scrolls carefully." Uncle said cheerfully, unconcerned by Hyuga Kazuya's disdain.

Being awarded Sealing Scrolls by the village showed just how difficult this mission had been. He did not want to delay Hyuga Kazuya's time reading them.

In Hyuga Yang's mind, the village rewarding someone with Sealing Scrolls could only mean they had been earned with their life.

"Got it, got it." Hyuga Kazuya had wanted to show off, but his act had been seen through immediately, leaving him in a poor mood.

"Go on, then."

That was how family was. Before you set out, they worried about everything. But as long as you returned safely, they never asked what had happened outside.

Because if things had gone well for you out there, you would naturally share the outside world with them. And if they had not gone well, there was no need for them to press you.

After bidding Uncle farewell, Hyuga Kazuya impatiently returned to his room to read the Scrolls.

He opened the Scroll of the Eight Gates.

At the beginning were the Second Hokage's cultivation notes.

Hyuga Kazuya read through them carefully.

This is a technique that removes the body's restrictions on chakra, releasing its excessive energy.

Within the chakra circulation system, the places that suppress and control the chakra inside the body are the Gate of Opening, Gate of Healing, Gate of Life, Gate of Pain, Gate of Limit, Gate of View, Gate of Wonder, and Gate of Death—the "Eight Gates."

These Eight Gates place limits on the amount of chakra within the body, but this technique allows chakra to forcibly surpass those limits, drawing out strength dozens of times greater than one's original power.

However, while gaining that power, the user also suffers damage. Thus, this technique is classified as one of the Forbidden Jutsu.

Overall, the Second Hokage's meaning was simple.

The Eight Gates were powerful, but their side effects were severe. They also demanded great talent and perseverance from the user.

The notes also included several small tips for opening the Gate of Opening. For example, when opening it, controlling one's chakra to undergo shape transformation could make it easier to break through the Gate.

For instance, promptly replenishing high-intensity nutrients after fighting with the Gate of Opening activated could effectively alleviate the physical weakness afterward.

There were also some combat tips. After all, the difference between fighting before and after opening the Gate was simply too great, so the notes explained how to seize the right moment as well.

Naturally, as Hokage, the Second Hokage had also written some ideas and directions for improving the Eight Gates technique at the end.

"Use chakra to forcibly help someone else open the Gates? Temporarily create a group of powerful ninja?"

"That kind of sinister idea really is the Second Hokage's style. But is it actually feasible?"

Stroking his chin, Hyuga Kazuya carefully considered the feasibility of this method.

"If it were a physically strong ninja, it might actually work. As long as I could perfectly control the flow of chakra within his body, relying on his own physical qualities, he could absolutely open the first few Gates of the Eight Gates."

"Furthermore, if his aptitude is good enough, he could fully rely on the chakra I supply to trace its path and master the technique of opening the Gates himself."

"The Second Hokage really was a genius."

Having figured out that the idea was feasible, Hyuga Kazuya temporarily put it aside.

He had not yet mastered the Eight Gates, so his current priority was to learn them first.

He skipped past the Second Hokage's annotations at the front of the Scroll and looked toward the true cultivation method of the Eight Gates at the back.