Nuclear Release Kekkei Genkai Is Hard and Dangerous; A Ruthless Man Trains in a Forbidden Place

Haotian sat cross-legged on his bed, quietly sensing the surging nuclear power within him.

The power surged through his meridians like crashing waves. It was formidable, but he could clearly feel that every time it circulated, it drained a great deal of his energy and stamina.

His brows knitted tightly, and his eyes grew solemn.

His thoughts drifted to Ghidorah's mysterious atomic reactor organ.

In his memories, it was the source of Ghidorah's power, a formidable organ capable of producing nuclear energy without end.

He knew he didn't have such an organ, yet he had acquired the Nuclear Release Kekkei Genkai entirely because of Ghidorah.

As he adapted to the power, Ghidorah had been like a stern but conscientious mentor, helping him endure an adjustment period that had felt like purgatory.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help feeling fortunate—fortunate to have been so lucky, and fortunate that Ghidorah was there.

He slowly closed his eyes, trying to sense the mysteries of this power more deeply.

The air around him seemed to be affected by the nuclear energy, growing somewhat oppressive.

He could hear his own labored breathing. Each inhale and exhale felt like a delicate conversation with the power.

The power throbbed within him. He could vaguely "see" a faint, ghostly green glow flickering through his meridians, as though revealing its might and mystery.

"Even with Ghidorah's help, mastering the Nuclear Release Kekkei Genkai will still be incredibly difficult," Haotian murmured. He clenched his fist, and a flicker of nuclear energy flashed across it before vanishing.

Haotian's eyes snapped open, and a bead of cold sweat appeared at the corner of one eye.

He remembered the first time he'd tried to develop this power, a year ago.

Back then, he'd been young and arrogant. Knowing next to nothing about the power, he'd rashly tried to use it.

The powerful nuclear energy had run rampant through his body, nearly tearing him apart.

He vividly remembered the agony: it was like being devoured by thousands of ants, or having his body sliced by countless sharp blades.

His skin had turned bright red and even started to crack, as if he might explode at any moment.

If Ghidorah hadn't stepped in to suppress the power in time, he would have already been reduced to ashes.

"That was a truly awful feeling..." Haotian gave a bitter smile and shook his head. He reached over to touch his chest, as if he could still feel the searing pain.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady his slightly labored breathing. Resolve gleamed in his eyes.

He understood that Nuclear Release was powerful, but dangerous as well.

One misstep, and he could be doomed beyond redemption.

It made him think of the ninjutsu the village had classified as Forbidden Techniques.

Every one of those techniques was tremendously powerful, but came with enormous risks.

"Nuclear Release... Forbidden Technique..." Haotian murmured. He tapped his fingers lightly against the edge of the bed, his expression thoughtful.

He had experienced the power of Nuclear Release firsthand. It was every bit as formidable as any Forbidden Technique.

Its danger was just as impossible to ignore.

"Perhaps Nuclear Release should be classified as a Forbidden Technique, too..." Haotian lifted his head and gazed out the window. "But since I possess this power, I can't let it go to waste." He stood and walked to the window, pushed it open, and took a deep breath of the fresh morning air.

In the distance, Konoha spread out before him, peaceful and serene.

"I have to master this power and protect the village, protect the people I love..." Haotian clenched his fist, then turned and walked to the bookshelf. His eyes fell on a thick book: Collected Works of the Third Hokage.

"Perhaps I can find some answers in here..." Haotian took the book down, dusted it off, then went to the table, sat, and opened to the first page.

"Seriously, what kind of nonsense is this..."

Haotian found a secluded spot in the woods, sat cross-legged beneath a sturdy tree, and opened Collected Works of the Third Hokage.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves. Dappled light fell across the pages and illuminated Haotian's impatient expression.

The pages rustled as Haotian skimmed the writing at a glance, his frown growing deeper and deeper.

"'Changing the nature of Chakra requires meticulous control, like a silkworm spinning silk, without the slightest carelessness...'" Haotian curled his lip in disdain. "Easy for you to say. Why doesn't this old man explain how to control it? It's all empty platitudes, not a bit of use!" He irritably scratched his head, his scalp suddenly itching.

The densely packed words on the page looked like tadpoles to him, wriggling back and forth until his head spun.

He rubbed his eyes hard, trying to clear his head.

"'The essence of Fire Release lies in transforming Chakra into flames and giving them form and direction...'" Haotian rolled his eyes. "Who doesn't know that? The question is how to transform it! This old man sure has an easy time giving advice!"

He closed the book and sighed heavily, feeling utterly helpless.