Chakra Nature Transformation

Uchiha Shingen propped up a pillow against the headboard and settled back against it. Then he picked up the Earth Release scroll he'd just received and began reading it carefully.

He'd only meant to skim through it and see what sort of personal teachings his cheap teacher had slipped in.

But as the scroll unfurled, Uchiha Shingen gradually sat up straighter.

The casual look in his eyes vanished, leaving only an indescribable seriousness.

"That old geezer really went all out this time!"

Jiraiya was one of the most powerful shinobi of Konoha's era, as well as one of its greatest Earth Release users. The Earth Release techniques he'd passed down in secret were bound to be extraordinary.

Uchiha Shingen had expected as much, but he'd never imagined that Jiraiya's scroll would cover so much!

"What's written here is less a collection of Earth Release techniques and more Jiraiya's understanding of Earth Release."

"And it's not even limited to Earth Release!"

"This is an in-depth guide to Chakra Nature Transformation and shape transformation!"

Uchiha Shingen felt a little moved. He silently resolved to tease Jiraiya behind his back less often and call him an old geezer a little less.

Now that he understood the scroll's importance, Uchiha Shingen no longer took it lightly. He threw on a robe, got up, and sat down at his desk.

He read and took notes at the same time.

As he did, his understanding of Chakra Nature Transformation and shape transformation gradually deepened.

"Nature Transformation refers to the five basic elements—Water, Fire, Wind, Lightning, and Earth—as well as the rarer Yin and Yang."

"Beyond those, some people are born able to fuse two different chakra natures, producing chakra with a special nature."

"For example, the First's Wood Release, the Yuki Clan of Kirigakure's Ice Release, Iwagakure's Explosion Release, and Sunagakure's Scorch Release..."

"This ability, passed down through bloodlines, is what's known as a Kekkei Genkai."

At this point, Uchiha Shingen set his pen down.

He thought of his own Kekkei Genkai—or rather, the Uchiha Kekkei Genkai: the Sharingan.

The Sharingan didn't arise from fusing chakra of different natures. It was formed by a mutation in a part of the user's body.

There was a clear difference between the two!

After thinking it over, Uchiha Shingen added a note beside the line:

"Kekkei Genkai should be divided into at least two types."

"The first is the ability to fuse chakra with two or more different nature transformations, giving rise to a special nature transformation."

"The second is a mutation in certain parts of the body, like Konoha's Byakugan and Sharingan."

Uchiha Shingen continued reading. The section on chakra shape transformation came into view.

"Shape transformation is the ability to mold chakra into a desired form. It determines a technique's range, shape, and power."

"The simpler the nature transformation, the harder its shape is to control. Lightning and Fire Release techniques, for instance, are mostly unstable in form."

"Conversely, the more difficult the nature transformation, the easier it is to shape. Earth and Water Release are prime examples."

"Because Earth and Water Release are difficult to transform, using their techniques often requires drawing on elements already present in nature."

"As a result, their power is heavily affected by the environment."

"When conditions are favorable, even a small amount of chakra can give a technique astonishing destructive power and range."

"But if the environment is unfavorable, the difficult nature transformation will greatly reduce a technique's power."

"They're less versatile than Lightning and Fire Release."

"Still, compared with lightning, whose power is fierce but which is just as difficult to tame, flames are easier to control... Is that why the Uchiha ancestors chose Fire Release?"

Uchiha Shingen seemed to realize something.

From this perspective, his Saturation Fire Strike Tactics would need to be adapted to the situation in actual combat.

He should develop as many chakra nature transformations as possible, then choose the best one in battle.

The more he read, the more engrossed Uchiha Shingen became.

It wasn't until sunlight fell across his desk that he realized he'd stayed up all night again.

But he didn't regret it.

In just one night, his Earth Release Mastery had advanced a level.

And it was all thanks to Jiraiya's Earth Release scroll.

If he'd relied on training alone, it would've taken months to achieve the same result.

Clearly, Jiraiya had put thought into helping his student, whose identity was so unusual.

Uchiha Shingen would remember this kindness.

Uchiha Shingen opened the Check-in Device's panel. A pale blue window appeared before him:

[Uchiha Shingen]

[Rank—Chunin]

[Position—South District 4 Third Squad Captain, Konoha Military Police Force]

[Abilities:

--Three-Tomoe Sharingan (Kekkei Genkai) Level 5

--Chakra Level 5

--Fire Release Mastery Level 3

--Earth Release Mastery Level 2

--Taijutsu Mastery Level 3

--Genjutsu Mastery Level 3

--Ninja Tool Mastery Level 2]

[Ninjutsu: Sword Leap Flame, Shadow Clone, Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique, Mirror Heaven and Earth Change, Fire Release...]

[Evaluation—A: A versatile Jonin with a Kekkei Genkai advantage, capable of leading a tactical squad on missions.]

[Remaining Skill Points—1]

Uchiha Shingen had spent over a month training hard, and the results were naturally impressive.

He'd nearly finished learning all the ninjutsu scrolls he'd received from Uchiha Fugaku.

Uchiha Shingen had mastered Sword Leap Flame, Shadow Clone, and two genjutsu techniques that worked in tandem with the Sharingan.

Thanks to the advantage of his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, he'd also made rapid progress in Ninja Tool Mastery and Genjutsu Mastery, each advancing a level.

And with Jiraiya frequently sparring with him, his combat ability had improved by leaps and bounds. His overall strength was now incomparable to what it had been a month ago.

But...

The memory of being hunted by Root crushed any trace of pride in Uchiha Shingen's heart.

This level of strength wasn't enough. Not nearly enough.

Besides, even if he could deal with Root, Konoha was still far from safe.

After all, Root wasn't the only threat in the Shinobi World. Plenty of people in Konoha alone could threaten him.

Jiraiya and his senior, Minato, wouldn't hurt him, but Orochimaru and Tsunade, both renowned alongside Jiraiya, might have their own agendas.

Danzo was watching from the shadows, and there was no telling when he might try the same thing again.

And the Shinobi World was vast. Konoha wasn't the only village out there.

If he wanted to truly relax without a care, he still had a long way to go!

But Uchiha Shingen wasn't in a hurry. He was certain that, with the Check-in Device in hand, all he had to do was keep his head down at the Police Force and wait for that day to come.

However...

Uchiha Shingen hadn't expected that, before he could settle into an easy life at the Police Force, something would happen to the Uchiha clan.

Uchiha Setsuna, imprisoned ever since the Second Hokage's administration, had been released early.