Anbu?

This is the result of one year of cultivation.

The Three-Tomoe Sharingan is now fully stabilized, with a chakra volume of 388 and a combat power of 155.

Analyzing it purely by the numbers, his combat power is already approaching the 200 mark of a Jōnin.

His chakra is nearing the 500 mark of an Elite Jōnin.

This is not because Jingxin's own constitution is particularly exceptional.

It is solely due to the system's Linear Potential.

He adopted the cultivation method used by Naruto in the original work, which is to use Shadow Clones to assist in training.

When Shadow Clones refine chakra, the total chakra volume increases.

Upon dispelling the Shadow Clones, the total amount of chakra gained during that process is transferred to the original body.

As the Shadow Clones refine chakra, the original body's chakra volume grows rapidly.

The greater the chakra volume, the more Shadow Clones he can maintain.

The more Shadow Clones there are, the faster the cultivation speed.

This is a virtuous cycle.

He can now maintain twenty Shadow Clones simultaneously for his daily training.

The price, however, is that at night, when the Shadow Clones are dispelled, the accumulated fatigue and experience of an entire day flood his mind instantly, causing him to collapse onto his bed.

It effectively solves the problem of insomnia.

Furthermore, Jingxin has noticed that his body's recovery speed from training fatigue is becoming faster and faster.

This is likely due to the combined effect of human resilience and the Linear Potential.

So much so that the recovery speed of injuries on Jingxin's body is now astonishing.

He has tested it; a half-centimeter cut takes only two days to heal completely, to the point where not even a scar is visible.

After showering, Jingxin returned to his bedroom, lay on the bed, and raised his hands to form seals.

The Shadow Clones training outside were dispelled.

Jingxin kicked his legs and passed out stiffly on the bed.

Kitsuchi, from next door, habitually pushed the door open, picked up Jingxin, and placed him into a medicinal barrel that had been prepared in advance.

Those mild medicinal herbs slowly restored Jingxin's body.

An hour later, Jingxin was placed on the bed by Kitsuchi, who tucked him in.

The tall man grumbled as usual: "Stronger than yesterday, and still as steady as ever. You really are a freak."

The next day.

Jingxin created Shadow Clones and began to research and practice the six scrolls given to him by Ōnoki.

One month later.

Tsuchikage Building.

Jingxin's footsteps echoed against the stone walls.

The guarding ninjas saw him and nodded in greeting.

The door to Ōnoki's office was open.

Jingxin walked to the doorway and knocked.

"Is that you, Kintsuchi? Come in." Ōnoki looked up, saw Jingxin, and a smile appeared on his face: "Have you encountered any difficulties? Don't be discouraged, though; this old man knows it is very difficult..."

Jingxin coughed dryly: "I believe I have mastered the prerequisites for practicing Dust Release."

Ōnoki: "?"

In Ōnoki's estimation, although Jingxin had extremely high talent and the assistance of Shadow Clones, it would take at least half a year to master these prerequisites; that was already the shortest timeframe he could possibly predict.

Ōnoki's expression turned serious: "It is not that I don't believe you, but hearing is one thing, and seeing is believing."

Ten minutes later.

Training ground.

Ōnoki watched as Jingxin demonstrated his cultivation results one by one, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, did he know this would happen?

Ōnoki took out a scroll and handed it to Jingxin, beginning his explanation: "Dust Release is a Kekkei Tōta formed by the fusion of Earth, Wind, and Fire chakra attributes."

"The principle is to mix the three chakra attributes in a specific ratio to form a stable chakra structure."

"This structure possesses the property of decomposing matter, capable of breaking down targets to the atomic level."

Jingxin listened carefully, not daring to miss a single word.

Ōnoki spoke about the cultivation method: "The training is divided into three stages."

"The first stage: simultaneously manipulate three types of chakra attributes and maintain balance."

"The second stage: attempt to fuse them using the correct proportions and structure."

"The third stage: stabilize the output to form the Dust Release ninjutsu."

"You must now begin the first stage. Manipulating three types of chakra attributes simultaneously is extremely difficult; their natures differ and they will interfere with one another. You need to find the equilibrium point and force them to coexist peacefully."

Jingxin sat cross-legged and began to attempt the simultaneous manipulation of the three chakra attributes.

As the earth, wind, and fire chakra attributes were drawn through his body and converged toward his palms, they began to interfere with each other due to their close proximity.

The balance was shattered almost instantly, and the chakra began to churn chaotically.

Bang.

The stream of chakra that had just begun to condense in Jingxin's palm suffered a miniature explosion, then dissipated into the air as white mist.

Seeing this scene—at once familiar and strange—Ōnoki comforted Jingxin just as his own master had once comforted him: "Do not be anxious. There are no shortcuts to Dust Release."

"It took me five years from learning the prerequisites to successfully performing Dust Release for the first time, and I failed nearly one hundred thousand times."

"Experience is accumulated slowly."

Jingxin was not discouraged and immediately began his second attempt.

Ōnoki nodded with gratification, a hint of mist even rising in his eyes: "If I could see a young man from Iwagakure use Dust Release even once, just once, I could close my eyes in peace."

As someone who had spent five years a day practicing Dust Release, Ōnoki did not lack patience.

But he had waited for far too long.

He was old, and an accident could happen at any moment.

In the village, let alone others who could use Dust Release, even the number of ninjas who met the prerequisites was scarce, and all of them had only barely reached that level after accumulating over fifty years of experience.

Kitsuchi did not lack talent, but he was still very far from Dust Release.

Kurotsuchi and Deidara were much better than Kitsuchi, but they were too young and possessed only a single chakra attribute. To learn the prerequisites, they would first need to learn the prerequisites for the prerequisites: attempting to draw out and familiarize themselves with the other two hidden chakra attributes within their bodies.

Seeing Jingxin truly practicing Dust Release now, Ōnoki was incredibly moved.

Jingxin felt a jolt in his heart; the emotions contained within those words were too heavy. It was the expectation of inheritance, the entrustment of an elder.

Jingxin became serious: "Lord Tsuchikage, it will not take that long."

"And you will surely live a long life, seeing with your own eyes as Iwagakure becomes even stronger."

This was not merely a comforting remark; after all, Ōnoki was destined to live a long life.

Ōnoki laughed heartily: "If only that were true. Regardless, I will take your kind words to heart and strive to live until that day."

After the laughter ceased, Ōnoki's expression turned serious once more: "There is one more thing. Your strength has reached a certain level, but practicing in isolation is not the way forward. A ninja requires combat experience and the tempering of missions."

Jingxin listened quietly.

"Although you have joined the Anbu, you haven't executed any missions yet," Ōnoki continued. "Considering that Konoha's actions against you have decreased significantly, we haven't seen their shadows within or near the Land of Earth for a long time."

"Therefore, I intend to assign you to an Anbu squad of three people. The other two will be experienced elite jonin."

"They will lead you to familiarize yourself with mission procedures and broaden your experience over the course of one month."

"However, there is no rush for this. Your teammates have not been finalized yet. You should focus on practicing Dust Release first; that is the top priority."

"If you ever encounter a bottleneck, go out to clear your head and change your perspective; it might have an unexpected effect."