Crystal Lily

Inside the Konoha Ninja Academy...

Yano Koji was drawing hand seals on the blackboard. The hand seals were categorized as: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar. He explained in detail the relationship between hand seals and ninjutsu, as well as the different effects produced by various combinations.

Depending on a person's constitution, their body could generate power from Water, Earth, Wind, Fire, or Lightning attributes. Each hand seal corresponded to a specific gesture; by combining specific chakra flows with the corresponding gestures, one could unleash powerful ninjutsu!

The Second Hokage was an expert in the study of ninjutsu and hand seals. Throughout his life, he developed many techniques, such as various powerful Water Style ninjutsu, the Flying Thunder God, the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, the Eight Inner Gates Formation, the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu, the Reanimation Jutsu, and the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, among others.

Beyond that, Sarutobi Asuma's Lighter Technique, Kakashi Hatake's Chidori Current, and Sasuke's Chidori Sharp Spear were all self-created techniques, developed by building upon their own elemental affinities and integrating the connection between hand seals and ninjutsu.

The students below were listening until they were drowsy; they were interested in cool, powerful ninjutsu, not these dry and boring theories. Sato Hideaka, however, listened with great interest, as he was fascinated by the various ninjutsu that had been developed, and this was exactly the knowledge he needed to learn at his current stage.

Because he could not proceed with the exploration and research of the Lightning Style Chakra Mode due to cell damage yesterday, nor could he engage in strenuous exercise, he had experimented with the fusion of Earth and Lightning chakra attributes, forming a new Kekkei Genkai!

This was the result of his careful deliberation. While the immense destructive power of Lava Style gave him great offensive capabilities, he lacked defensive power, which was not suitable for comprehensive development.

If an opponent used large-scale Wind, Fire, or Lightning Style ninjutsu, he would find it difficult to dodge or withstand the attack. In other words, he needed to develop defensive ninjutsu to adapt to the combat styles encountered in complex battles.

Fire and Lightning chakra attributes were offensive in nature; even if fused, they were highly likely to result in an offensive or control-type Kekkei Genkai rather than a defensive one. Only by adding Earth-attribute chakra was it possible to produce a defensive Kekkei Genkai.

If Fire and Earth chakra attributes fused to form Lava Style, then what about Lightning and Earth?

Holding this question, Sato Hideaka conducted in-depth research. Following the six-four rule—six parts Earth chakra to four parts Lightning chakra—the two types of chakra fused in his hands, condensing into a bright, translucent, and crystalline red crystal.

This was the Kekkei Genkai of Guren, a subordinate of Orochimaru in the Naruto series—a Kekkei Genkai that could turn any non-chakra object into a crystalline substance. It possessed excellent defensive, sealing, and offensive capabilities, and some even speculated it was stronger than Ice Release!

After successfully fusing Crystal Release, Sato Hideaka immediately condensed a crystalline red Crystal Sword in his hand. He tested the sharpness of the crystal by hacking at a wooden square table, confirming that it was sharper than ordinary iron weapons.

However, for now, besides the ability to condense a Crystal Sword or Crystal Kunai through chakra, he lacked the domineering sealing ninjutsu Guren used to seal the Three-Tails Isobu, nor did he have the ability to condense a Crystal Wall in front of him through hand seals to block an opponent's ninjutsu damage.

After all, Lava Style: Hell Hound only required condensing Lava Style chakra on the arm and then utilizing chakra shape transformation. Large-scale ninjutsu that functioned like a "mage," requiring no physical contact, had to be completed through hand seals.

Yano Koji was lecturing very earnestly on the podium. Sato Hideaka was not only listening intently but also took out a notebook, continuously recording the content taught by the teacher and organizing it into a volume. He also planned to go to the Konoha library to look up knowledge regarding chakra and hand seals.

He would integrate this knowledge and then create his own Crystal Release ninjutsu!

Time passed quickly during his studies. Before he knew it, four classes had finished, and in the blink of an eye, it was noon. Sato Hideaka felt a bit of hunger in his stomach.

Just as Sato Hideaka stood up, intending to go outside the school to buy something to eat before returning to study these theoretical concepts, Yuhi Kurenai suddenly took an exquisite lunch box out of her bag and said to him in a crisp voice, "Hideaka, I specifically asked my mother for two portions today. There's green pepper, eggplant, beef, eggs, vegetables, and octopus balls... come and have a taste with me."

Sato Hideaka certainly wouldn't refuse Yuhi Kurenai's invitation, as the ingredients in her homemade bento were incredibly rich. Not only was there a great variety, but it was also visually appealing and delicious, a world of difference compared to the fast food outside.

He certainly wouldn't abandon such gourmet food for mere scraps!

The two of them were happily enjoying their lunch when Sarutobi Asuma looked at them with an expression of indignation. He always had an indescribable feeling toward the beautiful Yuhi Kurenai. Perhaps because they had known each other since they were young and were very close, he didn't like other boys getting close to her.

Yuhi Kurenai, adhering to a girl's reserve, rarely played with other boys, but ever since this transfer student—the five-year-old, handsome boy Sato Hideaka—arrived in the class, everything had changed.

Not to mention the two of them sitting together, they were actually eating from the same bowl in the same lunch box in broad daylight, right under everyone's noses! It was simply unforgivable!

If Sato Hideaka knew what Sarutobi Asuma was thinking, he would surely sigh at the maturity of the brats in the Naruto world; they were already getting jealous at seven or eight years old. He would even say to Asuma:

"Little brat, you're overthinking it. I'm not a beast; why would I be interested in a seven or eight-year-old girl? Don't be ridiculous!"

Under Sarutobi Asuma's angry gaze, Sato Hideaka and Yuhi Kurenai finished every bit of the food in the bento. After finishing, Sato Hideaka suddenly thought of something and said to Yuhi Kurenai, "Kurenai, thank you for the treat. I want to give you a gift!"

"What gift...?" Yuhi Kurenai asked, staring at Sato Hideaka with her jewel-like eyes.

Sato Hideaka cupped his hands together, raised his eyebrows, and said, "The moment of witnessing a miracle is now. This miracle is the gift I'm giving you—a unique, one-of-a-kind gift in this world. I'm sure you'll love it when you see it."

Yuhi Kurenai looked curiously at Sato Hideaka's hands, glancing left and right for a while. She couldn't help but feel a bit confused, as there was nothing in Sato Hideaka's hands.

However, in the next moment, her face, which had been furrowed in confusion, relaxed. Shock, joy, disbelief, and affection—countless emotions were released from those jewel-like eyes.

Visible on Sato Hideaka's hands, transparent, crystalline, gorgeous, and pure red crystals began to condense. The crystals slowly changed and took shape, with petals reflecting a brilliant red color unfolding one by one. Shining under the sunlight, it was truly a magnificent work of art!

Sato Hideaka held the crystal flower and said to Yuhi Kurenai with a smile, "This is a pink lily. The language of the lily is purity and elegance, and it also represents everything going smoothly and successfully. I hope you like this gift."

Actually, there was no need to guess; looking at the expression on Yuhi Kurenai's face, it was clear she absolutely loved this pink Crystal Lily. Even though she was only a seven-year-old girl, no woman could refuse things like crystals and gems.

The Crystal Release Kekkei Genkai would go on to earn him the title of "Asura" in his future battles. If those dead enemies knew that the first time Crystal Release was ever used, it was merely to craft a beautiful Crystal Lily for a girl, they would probably be so depressed they'd die all over again!