A New Technique

"Chiba, don't run! If you've got the guts, stand still!"

Yahiko chased after Chiba furiously, wishing he could pin him down and beat him senseless.

Chiba, meanwhile, ran off with a mischievous grin.

Yahiko was covered in heaps of black sludge, looking as if he'd just crawled out of a mud pit.

As time passed, the sludge on his body grew stickier and began to dry, causing Yahiko tremendous discomfort.

Just as Yahiko was about to catch up, Chiba secretly formed Hand Seals behind his back once more.

"Earth Style: Mud Ball Technique!"

In an instant, a huge ball of mud shot toward Yahiko.

Yahiko hurriedly raised his hands to block it, but there was no way he could stop the thing. It splattered all over him in an instant.

As it happened, this technique was something Chiba had painstakingly developed.

At first, Chiba had actually wanted to develop the Rasengan.

To be fair, the technique was simple to learn and powerful. And since he knew the detailed training method, it was undoubtedly the best choice to develop.

He might not be able to wield it as effectively in battle as the Fourth Hokage or Naruto, but no matter what, it was an A-rank ninjutsu—and a rare one that required no Hand Seals.

For now, it was definitely the highest-level ninjutsu Chiba could get his hands on.

What was more, later on, the technique could be combined with the nature transformation of any chakra element to create a unique Rasengan. It could even be mixed with Senjutsu Chakra and other special forms of chakra. It was practically a personalized technique suited to everyone.

After all, it was Naruto's signature cheat. Its many strengths needed no explanation. It was absolutely a technique one could use for a lifetime.

Even setting the future aside, developing it now would let him follow Yamato and Naruto's example and combine it with Yahiko's Water Style to create something like a Hurricane Water Vortex Technique.

A technique of at least A-plus rank would be an exceptionally valuable boost for a group that could only manage C-rank techniques at present.

However, after considering a few things, Chiba had put its development on hold for the time being.

The reason was simple: he wasn't qualified to develop the technique yet.

Chiba had no real understanding of the principles behind the Rasengan. Even though he knew roughly how it should be trained, if he actually developed it, Jiraiya might ask him how he'd done it. Wouldn't that leave him at a loss for words?

The Fourth Hokage had developed it thanks to his wealth of experience, solid theoretical foundation, and outstanding talent.

He'd even studied how Tailed Beast Chakra flowed.

And even then, it had taken the Fourth Hokage three years to create it.

But a child who hadn't even seen the basics of a B-rank ninjutsu, with no theoretical knowledge at all, had somehow developed such an advanced A-rank technique in just a few months? And one that required no Hand Seals, at that? It simply made no sense.

Jiraiya probably wouldn't press him for an explanation even if he couldn't say how he'd developed it. That was just the kind of person Jiraiya was. But Chiba still wanted to avoid arousing suspicion.

Of course, that didn't mean Chiba had given up on the technique.

He still intended to claim the rights to it. He'd just have to put it off for a while.

Jiraiya would be staying for another year and a half, so waiting a year, building up more knowledge and experience, and then unveiling the technique would undoubtedly seem much more reasonable.

The Mud Ball Technique Chiba was developing now was also preparation for that.

When the time came, he could just say he'd gotten the idea while rolling mud into balls. As for exactly how he'd gotten the inspiration, he could spin whatever tale he liked.

Of course, that wasn't the only reason he was developing the technique.

In Chiba's view, this simple technique of rolling mud into a ball had considerable potential.

After all, unlike other Earth Style techniques that relied on hard, solid earth, it couldn't be easily blocked or deflected with a weapon.

If he could make it stickier in the future, it would be useful both in a fight and when fleeing.

No matter what kind of opponent he faced, he could just shoot them in the face at the slightest provocation and hamper their speed.

It would be especially effective against Taijutsu experts.

And if he could mix in some poison or acid later on, that would be even better.

Besides that, Chiba had developed another application of Mud Style based on some knowledge Jiraiya had let slip, intentionally or otherwise.

It involved creating a swamp-like area on the ground, much like Jiraiya's Swamp of the Underworld.

His version was probably a weaker form of that technique, with much less power and a smaller range.

Of course, that didn't mean it was useless.

For example, during a fight or while being pursued, he could quietly create a mud pit beneath one of his opponent's feet.

Moving at that kind of speed, they might break their leg in the pit if they weren't careful.

It was a rather underhanded technique, to say the least.

But—

Chiba suddenly wondered whether he'd gone down the wrong path.

Hadn't he said he'd specialize in Earth Style, with its fierce offense and unrivaled defense? How had he ended up using it in such a devious way?

The Rock Pillar Spear that jabbed people in the crotch, the Foot-Trapping Pit that caught them by the ankles, and the Mud Ball Technique that was just plain disgusting...

Chiba was speechless for a moment.

He'd originally wanted to focus on defense, but now...

Th-this absolutely isn't my style! There's no way I'm such a devious person!

While Chiba and Yahiko were chasing and play-fighting, Jiraiya suddenly appeared in front of them.

"All right, that's enough fooling around. There's something I need to announce."

"Something to announce?"

Chiwa and Yahiko stopped at the same time.

Konan and Nagato, not far away, looked just as confused.

Jiraiya nodded. "Yes. I've been watching your progress throughout all this training, and I think it's time for us to move on to more advanced training."

"More advanced training? What does that mean? Are you going to teach us a new technique, Jiraiya-sensei?"

Jiraiya shook his head lightly and said calmly, "No. Your abilities are certainly impressive, and I'm pleased with your progress in every area, but you're still missing something very important."

"Something important? What is it?"

Yahiko and the others looked puzzled.

"Experience. You lack real combat experience."

Jiraiya looked at them solemnly. "From now on, I'll find opponents suited to your abilities. You'll have to be careful this time, because this won't be like my usual training sessions. This will be a fight to the death."