A Special Lesson

"Your chakra transformation affinities are Fire Style and Earth Style?" Jiraiya asked Akaseki, whose Dojutsu Power had just run dry.

"That was the case when I was born. A recent test also revealed Lightning Style. I don't know when it awakened," Akaseki answered honestly.

Jiraiya was only mildly surprised by this.

"Hmm, among your Uchiha Clan, nearly everyone should have Fire Style chakra, with Lightning Style being the next most common, right?" Jiraiya asked.

"That's right." Akaseki nodded—this was no secret, something everyone knew. Jiraiya had not brought it up to pry into anything.

Jiraiya then asked, "Do you know the difference between Fire Style and Lightning Style, versus Earth Style and Water Style?"

Akaseki was taken aback for a moment before replying, "Generally speaking, Fire Style and Lightning Style are emission-type chakra, while Earth Style and Water Style are tangible-type chakra."

As for Wind Release, it possessed traits of both.

(In the technique section of the setting guide Book of Formations, the description of Uchiha Counterattack mentions the concept of "emission-type ninjutsu." These two classifications were developed from that and are not completely made up.)

Jiraiya nodded when he heard Akaseki's answer—this had already gone beyond the Ninja Academy curriculum and was clearly part of the Uchiha Clan's internal teachings.

"That's right. Some also believe that emission-type chakra transformations are closer to Yin Style, while tangible-type chakra is closer to Yang Style... but let's not discuss things that have not been proven.

"After awakening the Sharingan, you can directly copy ordinary ninjutsu. That is indeed convenient, but if you neglect training because of it, then it merely becomes a matter of 'having to expend additional Dojutsu Power to use ninjutsu,' which instead puts you at a disadvantage.

"Ninjutsu cannot simply be 'learned,' nor is it enough to merely become 'proficient.' To bring out its power, you must add special transformations. Generally speaking, when training ninjutsu, you must first be able to barely succeed during practice, then be able to use it skillfully in actual combat...

"For the Sharingan, everything up to that point can be copied. But trying to create 'transformations' is not so simple.

"That is why ninja generally only cultivate elemental ninjutsu suited to their own transformation affinities. Otherwise, not only will they get half the result for twice the effort, but if they cannot delve into the levels of nature transformation and shape transformation, they simply cannot learn more advanced ninjutsu, nor can they raise its power.

"Generally speaking, emission-type chakra more easily achieves nature transformation, while tangible-type chakra more easily achieves shape transformation.

"Take Fire Style, for example. In terms of nature transformation, it can become hotter or harder to extinguish. In terms of shape transformation, it can attack a wider range or adhere to targets more easily...

"When training ninjutsu, Fire Style and Lightning Style can first focus on nature transformation, while Earth Style should prioritize shape transformation. Having both Fire Style and Earth Style is also an advantage for you. It will allow you to adapt more quickly to both nature and shape transformations, eventually mastering both."

Jiraiya had pointed Akaseki toward a clear path in ninjutsu training, rather than simply telling him to become more proficient.

As Akaseki listened, he recalled Ranwu's performance from earlier...

"Ah! So Ranwu's Water Style earlier..." Akaseki revealed a look of realization.

"That's right. Ranwu's transformations of Water Style chakra have already reached the level of penetrating its essence. That is actually very difficult; many Jonin cannot accomplish it." Jiraiya nodded.

He had just said that Earth Style and Water Style found it relatively difficult to achieve nature transformation, while shape transformation came more easily.

Worried that Akaseki still did not take it seriously enough, Jiraiya deliberately added, "Once you master nature and shape transformations, enhanced ninjutsu is completely different in power from merely 'learning' it or becoming 'proficient' with it.

"Moreover, some ninjutsu inherently possess transformations in shape and nature. You can only learn them after reaching a certain level of attainment in these areas, such as the two Water Style techniques Ranwu used earlier...

"Taking it a step further, techniques of this kind are classified as secret techniques, meaning they fall into the category that even the Sharingan cannot copy. That is also an important reason why some A-rank ninjutsu can be copied by the Sharingan while others cannot."

To make Akaseki take it more seriously, Jiraiya deliberately emphasized the Sharingan's limitations, lest Akaseki make the same mistake as most Uchiha who had awakened their eyes: relying too heavily on the Sharingan and ultimately becoming a "Sharingan display stand."

After receiving a "special lesson" from Jiraiya, Akaseki returned to the clan grounds. He spent two hours "watching short dramas," obtained a trial Eye Protection Device, and recovered his Dojutsu Power before going to find Fugaku again.

After that, he continued copying ninjutsu and Taijutsu movements from Fugaku...

This way, Fugaku did not know that Akaseki had only recently attempted to copy three B-rank ninjutsu and had successfully copied two of them, so he was not overly shocked by Akaseki's recovery speed.

Seeing Akaseki's enthusiasm for learning, Fugaku specifically reminded him, "Overdrawing the Sharingan's Dojutsu Power can cause irreversible damage to your eyes. Be cautious and moderate in your training."

Although it did not cause permanent damage every time it was used like the Mangekyō Sharingan, an ordinary Sharingan still could not be overdrawn frequently.

"Don't worry, Brother Fugaku. I specifically reviewed the clan's texts. As soon as I show symptoms of second-level fatigue, I'll stop training my eye techniques," Akaseki declared solemnly.

Fugaku nodded at that, and Akaseki then brought up the matter of the earlier "special lesson."

Although Teacher Jiraiya had explained it very clearly, there was still something...

Akaseki needed to confirm whether the Uchiha Clan had any better training methods!

"Hm? Lord Jiraiya believes you can already begin learning nature transformation and shape transformation?" Fugaku was somewhat surprised.

"He only explained a little..." From what Akaseki understood, Teacher Jiraiya had merely intended to give him an introduction and did not mean for him to immediately begin training.

On the other hand, those two, Minato and Ranwu, seemed to have already mastered such techniques!

Minato's Gale Palm was not only incredibly fast, but also unusually sharp, while the ninjutsu Ranwu used required nature transformation techniques as a foundation to begin with.

"It seems Lord Jiraiya has high expectations for you. This is already material that Jonin come into contact with. At the Chunin stage, one generally only explores the characteristics of chakra attributes and uses elemental ninjutsu compatible with one's own affinity." Fugaku regarded Akaseki even more highly.

Fugaku then continued, "Speaking of nature transformation and shape transformation, our Uchiha Clan does indeed have some specialized techniques... techniques that only clan members who have awakened the Sharingan can perform!"

Akaseki's eyes lit up at those words. Just as I thought! My great Uchiha Clan is number one!

"Speaking of the differences of our Uchiha Clan—or rather, Sharingan ninja—you must first understand how ordinary ninja generally train nature transformation and shape transformation..." Fugaku began explaining those techniques in detail.

Clearly...

Fugaku had been very modest before!

He had just said that this was something Jonin—or at least those beginning to strive for Jonin-level strength—would only start considering, yet he himself already understood all of it...