"Generally speaking, nature transformation and shape transformation can be divided into three types. The first is when the technique itself changes. Take Fire Release, for example: Fire Style: Ash Pile Burning falls into this category. It doesn't simply turn chakra into flames; it turns it into gunpowder, which then explodes.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson is a typical example of shape transformation. Its flames cling more strongly than ordinary fire, which is why they can be attached to shuriken.
"That's why, although Ash Pile Burning and Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson are only B-rank techniques, copying them requires the Three-Tomoe Sharingan or a Two-Tomoe Ninjutsu Eye. 'Secret techniques' are techniques that demand too much in the way of transformation for the Sharingan to copy directly.
"The other two types involve the user changing the nature of the technique. Take the Great Fireball Technique: when I use it and when my father uses it, the temperature and range are completely different. That's not just because of how much chakra we put into it; it's also because my father changed the nature and shape of the Great Fireball Technique...
"One type changes a specific technique like this. The other changes the nature of the user's chakra itself. Afterward, every Fire Release technique they use will burn hotter.
"Actually, the third type—fundamentally changing the nature of one's own chakra—is already the basis for the birth of a Kekkei Genkai. If the change in someone's chakra reaches the level of a 'secret technique,' it can cause changes in the body, and those changes may be passed down through reproduction," Fugaku explained.
After hearing Fugaku's explanation, Akaseki had a much clearer understanding.
One type was learning a special technique from someone else, which was the easiest. Another was modifying a specific technique oneself; taken to its limit, that could produce a "secret technique" that broke away from its original nature. The third was a transformation of one's own chakra that affected every technique of that nature. Taken to its limit, it could create a new chakra nature and alter the body in a heritable way—that was a Kekkei Genkai!
Akaseki had known about chakra-based Kekkei Genkai for a long time.
In the eyes of the Uchiha Clan, a Kekkei Genkai that only involved chakra nature transformation was naturally "not worth a single Sharingan."
But across the Shinobi World, even the most ordinary chakra-based Kekkei Genkai was enough to earn someone's respect.
Akaseki asked in puzzlement, "I remember reading somewhere that this kind of Kekkei Genkai requires mixing two types of chakra, right?"
Fugaku corrected him. "Usually, mixing two chakra natures is what causes such a drastic change, but there are examples of a single nature undergoing a mutation, too... In theory, the Uchiha Clan could even have a Scorch Style Kekkei Genkai. It would come from a mutation in Fire Style chakra alone.
"But because Kekkei Genkai techniques can't be copied directly, clan members usually don't put much effort into pursuing them." As he spoke, Fugaku shook his head helplessly.
It was true. With so many Fire Release users in the Uchiha Clan, probability alone suggested that, over the generations, they would eventually develop a Kekkei Genkai branching off from Fire Release...
But Uchiha clan members generally weren't interested in that, so the trait had remained latent, only surfacing now and then.
After all, when you could copy Fire Release techniques by the batch, who would bother thinking about Scorch Style?
"Usually, to train in nature transformation, you either find techniques that already use it and learn from them, or you practice and think it through..." Fugaku returned to the subject of training.
Akaseki immediately focused. If there was a "usual" way, there had to be an "unusual" one!
Sure enough, Fugaku continued...
"For our Uchiha Clan, though, there's actually an easier... or at least a different way." Fugaku paused, as though he wasn't sure whether it counted as "easier," then continued, "The Sharingan is the power of the heart, the power of emotion. Naturally, the Sharingan's Dojutsu Power can also influence the nature of chakra."
Akaseki was struck with admiration—as expected of our great Uchiha Clan!—and hurriedly asked, "How do you do it?"
Fugaku shook his head. "This is already a fairly advanced technique, especially because it consumes so much Dojutsu Power. Even within the clan, it hasn't been systematized the way our basic abilities have. I can only share a few pointers.
"In general, when your emotions are stirred, activate your Sharingan and visualize the type of chakra you want to change. Over time, the chakra of that nature will be affected...
"Based on the clan's accumulated experience, when it comes to Fire Style chakra, the four emotions—Joy, Anger, Sorrow, and Happiness—can all change its nature and shape.
"Joy can increase how quickly Fire Release spreads; Anger can increase its temperature; Sorrow can make the flames it creates harder to extinguish; Happiness can increase its range."
This method of training took a heavy toll on the eyes, and...
It required long-term accumulation, not something that could be achieved overnight. Having one's emotions constantly stirred could also harm the mind, so it wasn't widely practiced in the Uchiha Clan. Naturally, they hadn't accumulated much knowledge about it.
The Uchiha Clan had more Fire Release users than any other kind, so they had the most detailed insights into that nature.
After thinking it over, Akaseki asked, puzzled, "Brother Fugaku, what's the difference between Joy and Happiness?"
"'Joy' leans more toward genuine contentment and delight; 'Happiness' is more like a momentary rush. You can think of it this way: Joy is a knowing smile; Happiness is an inexplicable burst of laughter," Fugaku explained.
"I see!" Akaseki thought it was a very clear example.
At the same time, Akaseki thought of something else...
The clan's Fire Release techniques generally weren't very good at hitting their targets. Some people even privately claimed that the Uchiha's Fire Release couldn't kill anyone.
Now he understood: they weren't fast enough!
But their range was always impressive, especially the Ancestor, Madara Uchiha. Supposedly, one of his Fire Release techniques could burn down an entire city!
Akaseki hadn't thought much of it before, but Fugaku's explanation made everything click. The clan had plenty of "Uchiha hysterical laughter," but hardly any "Uchiha knowing smiles"...
At the same time, the Uchiha's Fire Release was usually all about "hotter is fiercer, bigger is stronger"... It seemed that was just a reflection of their personalities.
After hearing Fugaku's "little trick for using the Sharingan to change Fire Release's nature and shape," Akaseki's thoughts churned...
After dinner, Akaseki ran to an empty training ground and eagerly tried it out.
Of course, he didn't just laugh hysterically for no reason. Instead... he entered the "Immersive Short-Drama Experience Platform"!
Akaseki wanted to know: in an immersive experience, when his emotions were forcibly led along, could those thoughts serve as fuel for nature and shape transformation?
Even though he was curious, Akaseki still forced himself to train in Taijutsu first, exhausting his stamina so none of it went to waste. Then he entered "Immersion."
During "Immersion," Akaseki couldn't gain complete control. He couldn't even hit anyone, and his Sharingan was even less effective. But... it wasn't that he couldn't activate it; it simply wasn't shown in the "short drama." He could activate it physically, and likewise, he could quietly train his chakra control during that time...
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