"I think that, with the knowledge I've taught you over the past few days, you should have a general understanding of the chakra natures possessed by ninjas. Let's start by talking about how they interact and counter one another."
Jiraiya gestured toward the diagram on the blackboard, where he had drawn the five natures—Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, and Lightning—in a circle, and continued explaining. Chiba and the others took notes attentively.
"The importance of a ninja's chakra natures goes without saying. These sheets are Chakra Test Paper, made specifically to measure which natures your chakra has. The results will determine the path you take and how far you can go."
"Jiraiya-sensei, how do you use this paper?"
Yahiko stared at the Chakra Test Paper in his hand. It looked no different from ordinary paper.
"It's simple. Send your chakra into it, and the paper will change in different ways depending on your nature."
"Fire-nature paper will burn, Wind-nature paper will split down the middle, Lightning-nature paper will wrinkle, Water-nature paper will get wet, and Earth-nature paper will crumble. Simple, right?"
As he spoke, Jiraiya pointed at Nagato.
"Right, let's begin the test. Nagato, you go first."
"M-me?"
After a brief pause, Nagato nervously sent the tiny amount of chakra he had just awakened into the paper.
A moment later, all sorts of changes appeared.
First, it split down the middle. Then the four corners showed four different effects: burning, getting wet, wrinkling, and crumbling.
Jiraiya's expression changed at once, and excitement he could barely contain filled his face.
This child had already given him far too many surprises.
Nagato's display of all five chakra natures only strengthened Jiraiya's conviction that he was the Child of Prophecy from the legends.
Chiba, too, couldn't help feeling envious.
Yahiko and Konan might not yet understand what this meant, but Chiba had learned enough from his past-life knowledge and Jiraiya's lessons over the past few days to realize just how powerful this ability was.
With all five natures enhancing one another, Nagato's ninjutsu would become much more powerful. His chakra recovery and growth would also improve, while his chakra consumption would decrease.
And the advantages in battle, from countering opponents to complementing his own techniques, were countless.
So, if you didn't count Zetsu's secret schemes, Nagato really did seem like a heaven-blessed protagonist with a talent that bordered on invincibility.
He had the Uzumaki Bloodline, with its vitality and enormous chakra reserves; the Rinnegan, the ultimate form of the Sharingan; all five chakra natures; and, in the future, the powerful Yin-Yang Release unique to the Sage of Six Paths.
He had so many advantages that he barely even needed to work hard. His future status as practically unrivaled in the Ninja World was already set.
Once he had calmed his excitement, Jiraiya pointed at Yahiko. "You're next, Yahiko."
Yahiko's Chakra Test Paper quickly split down the middle, and the two halves showed signs of getting wet and burning.
"Fire, Wind, and Water. Yahiko, you have three natures! You really have given me a lot of surprises."
Yahiko scratched his head, looking a little confused.
"Jiraiya-sensei, is that really impressive? I only have three natures. I'm nowhere near Nagato."
Hearing Yahiko's emphasis on "only," Jiraiya rolled his eyes.
"Nagato's abilities probably come from his bloodline, so they're special. In truth, the vast majority of ninjas in the entire Ninja World have only one nature. Those with two are very rare, and most of them can become elite jonin."
"Someone with three natures is a genius among tens of thousands. Almost all of them can become elite jonin, and the best among them can even reach Kage Level."
As he spoke, Jiraiya picked up the Chakra Test Paper Yahiko had used and checked it once more. "And your three natures work well together. Fire fuels Wind, and Wind gives rise to Water. Your Wind Style and Water Style will be very strong in the future."
"Really? I'm that impressive?"
Seeing Yahiko's excitement, Chiba finally understood.
No wonder Yahiko had later been able to pressure Hanzo so badly that he had to join forces with outsiders and resort to a dirty trick to deal with him.
Yahiko had been born with three natures and was practically guaranteed to become a Kage-level powerhouse. He also specialized in Water Style, and in the Land of Rain, where water was never in short supply, he could practically do as he pleased.
"Next is Konan."
Konan sent her chakra into the Chakra Test Paper. It split down the middle and caught fire.
"Hmm, Konan's talent is very good too. She has the Wind and Earth natures. They're difficult to combine when performing ninjutsu, though Earth gives Wind some boost. And with your talent for mental techniques, Konan, there's no doubt you'll become a strong ninja."
Hearing that her talent was good, Konan brightened with delight. Before Jiraiya could say anything, she tugged at Chiba.
"Chiba, Chiba, it's your turn! Come on, hurry!"
With everyone watching, Chiba nervously sent his chakra into the Chakra Test Paper.
Inside, Chiba kept shouting, I'm not greedy. Five natures would be nice, but four would be fine too. If that's too much, I can accept three.
A moment later, under everyone's watchful eyes, the Chakra Test Paper in Chiba's hand crumbled to pieces.
And that was it.
Chiba immediately felt as if he'd suffered a devastating blow.
He had only one nature. And it wasn't even Wind, the rare nature that was so convenient for exploiting loopholes.
For a moment, Chiba couldn't help cursing inwardly.
Heaven really does want to screw me over. You sent me to this world without a powerful cheat or a bloodline limit, and now you won't even give me more than one chakra nature. How am I supposed to survive in a world where everyone has a cheat?
His physical abilities were average, his mental strength wasn't exceptional, he had only one chakra nature, and he had no bloodline limit or secret techniques. However he looked at it, he was just a glorified cannon fodder.
For a moment, Chiba felt utterly bleak.
As Yahiko, Konan, and the others tried to comfort him, Jiraiya picked up the Chakra Test Paper Chiba had tested and examined it closely.
"Hmm, that's not right."
Before you continue