Chidori and Nintaijutsu

Yamanaka Tohru's talent for Lightning Release was far inferior to his talent for Water Release. If [Chidori] had been Water-natured, he would have mastered it long ago.

After more than ten days of training in Konoha Forest, Yamanaka Tohru could finally use [Chidori]. However, the Lightning Release chakra gathered in his palm lasted far too briefly, making it impossible to achieve the long-range thrusting effect Kakashi and Sasuke had displayed in the original work.

The original work stated that Chidori had been developed for assassination, but Yamanaka Tohru had no intention of taking it in that direction.

In Yamanaka Tohru's view, learning [Chidori] and developing [Chidori Spear], [Chidori Blade], and [Chidori Stream] were all meant to help him master Lightning Release shape transformation.

The Lightning Release chakra from [Chidori] did not remain attached to his palm for long. Through experimentation, Yamanaka Tohru discovered that the problem was the amount of chakra. He had been focused on maintaining Chidori's stability while overlooking the need for a continuous chakra input.

Sure enough, when Yamanaka Tohru continuously fed chakra into [Chidori], the Lightning Release chakra attached to his palm gradually stabilized. The instant the technique was completed, it sounded like a thousand birds crying out, startling every bird in the forest into flight.

Yamanaka Tohru opened his Sharingan and dashed toward a distant boulder at high speed. "Crack!" The boulder shattered effortlessly. Yamanaka Tohru had finally mastered [Chidori]!

With the spirit of never forgetting the one who dug the well when drinking water, Yamanaka Tohru taught [Chidori] to Kakashi, its original creator.

"Kakashi, you'll graduate next year. I'm giving you an early graduation gift."

"What gift?" All children liked receiving gifts, and Kakashi was no exception. Yamanaka Tohru had specifically called him to Konoha Forest, so Kakashi was filled with anticipation for this present.

"An A-rank ninjutsu I developed myself—Chidori."

"You developed it yourself? And it's an A-rank ninjutsu?" Admiration appeared in Kakashi's dead-fish eyes. No matter how thick-skinned Yamanaka Tohru was, he could not bear being looked at like that by the original creator when he was merely a "plagiarist."

"Ahem. Kakashi, let's begin."

Kakashi's talent for Lightning Release surpassed Yamanaka Tohru's. In just three days, Kakashi had learned [Chidori]. However, four-year-old Kakashi had too little chakra and could use it only once at most.

In the original work, Kakashi had only developed [Chidori] after becoming a Jonin. Yet now, at the age of four, he had already learned the technique. By the time he became a Jonin, [Chidori] would likely shine brilliantly in Kakashi's hands.

Afterward, Yamanaka Tohru told Kakashi about the various derivative forms of [Chidori] from the original work. As Yamanaka Tohru explained, Kakashi's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Kakashi returned home and underwent Hatake Sakumo's usual training. Hatake Sakumo was still very strict with his son. Once Kakashi had finished his foundational exercises, he and Hatake Sakumo began sparring.

The Hatake Family's swordsmanship was not merely sword technique, but a form of Nintaijutsu. The Hatake Family's Nintaijutsu used Lightning Release to stimulate cellular activity and greatly increase speed, while channeling Lightning Release into short swords forged from chakra metal, allowing body and blade to become one.

As usual, Kakashi was completely dominated—dominated in every possible sense. With Hatake Sakumo's strength, Kakashi could not injure him no matter how hard he tried.

After Kakashi was kicked away by Hatake Sakumo once again, he climbed to his feet without charging straight in. Instead, he began forming hand seals: Ox—Rabbit—Monkey.

"[Chidori]!" The moment Kakashi completed the technique, he lunged directly at Hatake Sakumo.

"This technique?" Hatake Sakumo's expression finally changed. With his keen eyes, he could naturally tell that this technique possessed tremendous piercing power and a paralyzing effect. Moreover, Kakashi had not mastered it perfectly. The high-speed thrust had pushed Kakashi's dynamic vision to its limit. If his opponent moved, Kakashi would definitely lose sight of them. Exploiting this weakness, Hatake Sakumo dodged to the right and grabbed Kakashi's right hand.

"Kakashi, what is this technique?"

"This is [Chidori], a new ninjutsu Tohru developed. He said it's an A-rank ninjutsu. It was an early graduation gift from him."

Yamanaka Tohru had developed an A-rank ninjutsu himself and even taught it to Kakashi. Since when had A-rank ninjutsu become so cheap? Could Genin receive A-rank ninjutsu as graduation gifts?

"Kakashi, don't use this technique for now."

"Why?"

"Kakashi, this technique is incomplete for you. Just now, when you made that high-speed thrust, you couldn't see how I moved at the end, could you?"

Kakashi recalled what had just happened and nodded.

"A person's dynamic vision has its limits. When you use this technique, your eyes cannot keep up with your speed. If the enemy moves, you won't be able to detect it at all. So until you solve the problem with your dynamic vision, you should not use this technique."

Kakashi knew his father was right. He nodded and did not argue further.

"Father, what about Tohru? We should remind him too."

"There's no need. Yamanaka Tohru should have a way to solve this problem, but his method would not suit you. Continue your training. Tomorrow, bring Yamanaka Tohru here. There are some things I want to discuss with him." With that, Hatake Sakumo returned to the inner room, leaving Kakashi looking utterly bewildered.

After school the next day, Yamanaka Tohru followed Kakashi to the Hatake Family home. The two went straight into the inner room, where Hatake Sakumo was already waiting.

"Father!"

"Lord White Fang!"

"Kakashi, go outside first. I have some matters to discuss with Yamanaka Tohru."

Though Kakashi was unwilling, he did not defy his father's orders and went outside.

"Tohru, I should show some appreciation for saving my life last time, as well as for teaching Kakashi [Chidori] this time. Here are some of my studies on Nintaijutsu. I know you are learning Lightning Release shape transformation, but do you know the principles behind ninjutsu?"

Yamanaka Tohru shook his head, and Hatake Sakumo revealed an expression that said he had expected as much. He then continued, "The first step of ninjutsu is chakra shape transformation. The second is using hand seals to grant it an elemental nature. The Lightning Release shape transformation you are considering grants the elemental nature first, then adds shape transformation. This type of technique is the Lightning Release Chakra Mode used by successive Raikage—a form of Nintaijutsu."

Hatake Sakumo's words brought sudden enlightenment to Yamanaka Tohru. His understanding of techniques had been headed in the wrong direction. Nintaijutsu differed from ninjutsu, and Lightning Release Chakra Mode was a form of Nintaijutsu.

Hatake Sakumo's guidance benefited Yamanaka Tohru immensely. The moment he returned home, he eagerly opened Sakumo's notebook.

The notebook described Lightning Release Nintaijutsu in great detail. The Hatake Family had always specialized in Lightning-natured chakra, and Hatake Sakumo's notes opened the door to an entirely new world for Yamanaka Tohru.

Combining Hatake Sakumo's notes with his own understanding, Yamanaka Tohru gained a general direction for the further development of [Chidori] and for his own Nintaijutsu training.

The next day, Yamanaka Tohru began a new round of training in Konoha Forest.

A long time ago, I read an interview with AB. I vaguely remembered that White Fang's fighting style was similar to the Raikage's, so I automatically filled in the blanks and made it Nintaijutsu. If that is incorrect, everyone is welcome to point it out.