Bloodline Limit

Liuyu remained silent for two seconds.

Then, he smiled faintly, a look that was distant yet gentle.

When in doubt, blame it on the Kekkei Genkai; it was a fabrication of his own making anyway.

"It is another application of the 'Eye of the Heart', sensei."

His tone was casual, as if explaining the simple principle of a ninjutsu:

"My Kekkei Genkai can manipulate the five senses, which naturally includes the 'perception' and 'reshaping' of my own chakra.

Through extreme sensory control, I can complete the nature transformation and shape transformation of chakra within my body, bypassing the need for hand seals.

As for that just now—"

He pointed to the charred trench:

"It is a variant technique I released after compressing fire-attribute chakra to its limit.

I call it the 'Red Fire Cannon'."

The explanation was reasonable and logical.

Using the ability to "manipulate the five senses" to control one's own chakra and achieve seal-less casting.

It sounded plausible, even "scientific."

Yet, the chill in Matsumoto Ryūichi's heart did not diminish in the slightest.

Because Liuyu's explanation exposed an even more terrifying fact—

To what horrifying level had this boy's control over chakra reached?

To complete two types of transformations within the body using pure mental energy without the guidance of hand seals, and to compress it to that degree...

How much precise control did this require? How much immense mental energy? How much... inhuman willpower?

And what were those chanted syllables?

Were they merely "mystification"?

Matsumoto Ryūichi stared fixedly into Liuyu's eyes, attempting to discern something from that calm, dark brown depth.

But he could see nothing.

Liuyu's gaze was clear and composed.

It even carried a hint of that perfectly appropriate focus, the kind a young boy shows when "waiting for a teacher's evaluation."

A perfect disguise.

Or perhaps, he simply didn't bother to disguise himself at all.

"Red Fire Cannon..." Matsumoto Ryūichi repeated the unfamiliar term, slowly putting away his kunai. "I have never heard of this technique."

"I created it myself," Liuyu said candidly. "It is still in the development stage, and I haven't quite mastered the power control yet. Please forgive my clumsiness, sensei."

Created it himself...

The corner of Matsumoto Ryūichi's mouth twitched.

A ten-year-old genin had created a seal-less ninjutsu with power comparable to a B-rank, or perhaps even near an A-rank, fire style.

And he called it "not quite mastered"?

If this was "not quite mastered," then what were other ninjas doing? Playing house?

But he did not say it out loud.

He simply looked at Liuyu deeply, for a long time.

Then, he turned and walked toward the corpse that was now only half-intact.

"Haruno Kazuya, Fujiwara Itsuki, clean up the scene.

Liuyu, you take point."

"Yes, sir!" Haruno Kazuya and Fujiwara Itsuki snapped out of their daze, scrambling to their feet to begin using sealing scrolls to collect the remains and clear the traces.

Yet their movements were stiff, and their eyes dared not look at Liuyu again.

Liuyu picked up the cat cage and walked to a higher mound nearby, standing quietly as his gaze swept across the surrounding dense forest.

In his spiritual pressure perception, the two fleeing rogue ninjas were already miles away.

They were sprinting without looking back, and they likely wouldn't dare return anytime soon.

He looked down at his palm.

When he released the Red Fire Cannon just now, he had deliberately suppressed its power and used Kyōka Suigetsu to make a subtle "visual adjustment."

In the perception of Matsumoto Ryūichi and his two teammates, he had indeed "not used hand seals."

But in reality, he had performed a hand movement.

Combined with the chanting, it created the illusion of "seal-less casting."

This was a necessary disguise.

Performing jutsu completely without hand seals was too shocking and would invite unnecessary attention and suspicion.

After all, Minato's Rasengan was still in its nascent stages, and seal-less casting remained the domain of the First and Second Hokage.

The explanation of "achieving seal-less casting through a Kekkei Genkai," while still astonishing, at least fell within the established cognitive framework of the ninja world.

Kekkei Genkai were, by nature, existences that defied common sense.

As for the incantations... those were an inherent setting of Kido, and he had no intention of changing them for the time being.

To him, this was an excellent opportunity to show off.

In other words, a display of divinity before the masses?

"Ryūha."

Matsumoto Ryūichi's voice rang out from behind him.

Ryūha turned around.

Matsumoto Ryūichi walked to his side, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him, and gazed toward the distant sea of trees.

The setting sun began to sink, dyeing the horizon in shades of crimson gold.

"Your Eye of the Heart," Matsumoto Ryūichi said slowly after a moment of silence, "is... more dangerous than I imagined."

"Power itself has no good or evil, Teacher," Ryūha said calmly. "It lies in the one who wields it."

"Is that so?" Matsumoto Ryūichi turned his head, looking at him deeply. "Then tell me, what is it you seek such power for?"

Uchiha Ryūha adjusted his glasses, the lenses reflecting the afterglow of the setting sun.

"To stand in a place high enough to see a more authentic scenery."

He paused, then added softly:

"And also... to ensure those who should live do not die in meaningless darkness."

Matsumoto Ryūichi was stunned.

He suddenly recalled the timing of Ryūha's strike—it had been the very moment Haruno Kazuya was about to be killed.

Precise, decisive, without a hint of hesitation.

This boy was not cold-hearted.

He simply... protected what he believed should be protected in a way others could not comprehend.

Matsumoto Ryūichi remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he patted Ryūha on the shoulder.

The pressure was heavy.

"Write two reports when we return." He turned and walked toward Haruno Kazuya and Fujiwara Itsuki, who had finished clearing the scene, his voice trailing back:

"One regarding the failure in capturing the cat."

"The other regarding the principles, consumption, and potential improvements of the Red Fire Cannon."

"This is the Hokage's request."

Ryūha watched Matsumoto Ryūichi's retreating figure, the corners of his mouth curling slightly upward.

"Yes, Teacher."

The setting sun sank completely below the horizon.

Team Seven began their journey home.

But this time, the atmosphere within the team was entirely different.

Haruno Kazuya and Fujiwara Itsuki walked two steps behind Ryūha, not daring to get too close.

Their eyes were filled with awe, curiosity, and a trace of indescribable reverence.

This was different from the graduation battle, where they had merely been spectators.

Today, they had fought side-by-side.

Matsumoto Ryūichi walked at the very front, his spine held perfectly straight.

Yet, in his mind, he kept replaying the image of that crimson fireball tearing through the darkness.

And the gaze from deep within those calm eyes when Ryūha chanted, as if a god were looking down upon the world.

"Uchiha Ryūha..."

He whispered the name in his heart.

This genius he thought needed "polishing" had, in fact, already reached a height he could not comprehend.