Talent (Part 1)

PS: Seeking favorites and recommendations...

Little Whale is writing fanfiction for the first time; please excuse any lack of experience.

"Ouch, I can't take it anymore, I can't take it anymore!"

After Uchiha Fukuyama had been attacking for about five minutes, Suifeng could no longer hold on, crying out, "I'm..."

"Bang!"

With a heavy kick, Suifeng flew backward five or six meters, crashing into the ground with a thud.

"Teacher Uchiha Fukuyama, I told you, I can't hold on anymore!"

Uchiha Fukuyama did not answer immediately, instead reflecting on the sensation of his attacks landing on Suifeng.

Pain. Dull pain. Extremely painful!

Suifeng had stood there completely unable to block his attacks, yet in the end?

He had unleashed almost all the chakra and power a Chunin could muster, yet Suifeng remained standing. That final strike had even contained Jonin-level power, which was the only reason he had been kicked so far away.

"How long can this technique of yours last?!"

"It depends entirely on physical fitness!" Suifeng rubbed his backside and stood up. "The stronger the physical fitness and the better the control over one's body, the longer one can persist!"

"Not bad!" A flash of joy crossed Uchiha Fukuyama's eyes.

The effect of this technique far exceeded his expectations; it was completely beyond his imagination. For such a young child to develop such a taijutsu—no, this wasn't just taijutsu, it was a ninjutsu-taijutsu hybrid.

A ninjutsu-taijutsu hybrid that could significantly strengthen defensive capabilities. From the battle just now, he could easily judge that the practicality and value of this technique were even greater and more powerful than what Suifeng had previously described to him.

No hand seals required, super-strong defense, fast activation speed, and a low threshold for cultivation—these four characteristics alone were enough to prove that the value of this technique was no less than an A-rank ninjutsu.

In fact, in terms of potential, the value of an A-rank ninjutsu couldn't even compare to this ninjutsu-taijutsu hybrid. More accurately, this was a ninjutsu-taijutsu hybrid approaching S-rank.

For a newly graduated Genin to create a ninjutsu with such superior practicality and potential—if this wasn't genius, what was?

Thinking further, if the clan could possess this ninjutsu-taijutsu hybrid, would their strength not increase dramatically?

After all, the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan was inherently adept at chakra control. As long as one had awakened the eyes, cultivating this technique wouldn't be difficult. It could be said that everyone could practice it.

Once he imagined every ninja in the Uchiha clan practicing this technique, then the strength of the Uchiha clan...

Such a scene was thrilling even just to imagine!

But, it was merely imagination.

The value of this ninjutsu-taijutsu hybrid was immense, but precisely because it was so immense and had such astonishing potential, it was destined never to be popularized. At most, it would circulate secretly among the upper echelons of the Uchiha clan.

Moreover, given the current relationship between the Uchiha clan and the village, once the village learned of this information, they would inevitably be even more wary of the Uchiha, making the clan's position in the village even more awkward.

"Hmm, I must admit that the technique you developed has considerable value!"

Uchiha Fukuyama instantly grasped the crux of the matter and said to Haku and Hideki, "From this moment on, keep this matter sealed. You two must never speak of what happened just now. Furthermore, the technique Suifeng developed is strictly forbidden from being disclosed, understand!"

"Yes!"

Hideki and Haku had long been shocked by the battle between Suifeng and Uchiha Fukuyama. Uchiha Fukuyama was an elite Jonin of the clan; if he went all out, the two of them wouldn't even last five seconds. Yet Suifeng had held on for a full five minutes. If he hadn't been exhausted and relaxed, he probably could have lasted even longer. Is this all the benefit brought by that technique? Haku and Hideki exchanged glances, looked at Suifeng with envious eyes, and silently exited the training ground.

"Are you planning to offer this technique to the clan?!" After Haku and Hideki had disappeared, Uchiha Fukuyama turned to look at Suifeng.

"Of course I want to offer it to the clan, but this technique hasn't been fully developed yet. It's only a preliminary version. Is it okay to hand it over to the clan like this?!"

"No, of course it's fine!" Uchiha Fukuyama said. "Your technique has unique merits, and the boost to the strength of the clan's ninjas will be obvious. As long as you hand it over, the clan will surely reward you heavily."

"Alright, then should I just hand it directly to you, Teacher?!"

"Of course not. There will be a clan meeting tomorrow, and I will take this opportunity to announce the new type of ninjutsu-taijutsu hybrid you have developed. However, before that, secrecy is paramount. This is also for the sake of your safety!"

"I understand!" Although Suifeng had already guessed this, he outwardly displayed shock and confusion. "You are still young; you don't understand the trouble involved!"

Uchiha Fukuyama sighed softly. "Come with me!"

A moment later, the two arrived before the Great Elder's residence.

The Great Elder was somewhat surprised by their sudden arrival, but he still received them as quickly as possible.

"An S-rank ninjutsu-taijutsu hybrid? What are you talking about?!"

Ten minutes later, after the Great Elder finished listening to Uchiha Fukuyama's account, he felt unwell, as if he were listening to a ridiculous fairy tale. "You're saying Suifeng developed an S-rank ninjutsu-taijutsu hybrid that can enhance defense and power on his own!"

"Yes, Great Elder!" Uchiha Fukuyama said earnestly. "I tested it myself; the effect is truly astonishing!"

"He didn't just tie Iron Body to his body again, did he?!" The Great Elder looked at Suifeng with an unreadable expression and asked uncertainly.

"Great Elder, I am speaking the truth!" Uchiha Fukuyama looked up. "I know this is incredibly unbelievable, but I prefer to believe this was the product of an accident. Suifeng had told me about his concept before, but it didn't have such powerful effects then. This time, it must have been the product of an accident."

"The product of an accident, hmm, that is possible!" The Great Elder stroked his short beard, lost in thought.

Stumbling upon the development of a powerful ninjutsu was not impossible; such precedents existed. Moreover, this explained many things. Of course, before confirming this, he still had to see if the technique the kid developed was as miraculous as Uchiha Fukuyama claimed.

"Uh, well, Great Elder, actually, this time it's not just the development of a technique!" At this moment, Suifeng, who had been standing beside Uchiha Fukuyama like a wallflower, suddenly raised his hand to speak. "The development of this technique did indeed involve an element of accident, one could even say a large element, but compared to that, I believe this was truly a coincidence, because this is not the only coincidental thing!"

"Oh, and what other coincidental things are there?!"

Suifeng did not speak this time; he simply stood up silently, walked to the window, looked at the empty courtyard, and performed hand seals, completing them within a second. The next moment, he opened his mouth wide, and golden-red light erupted, instantly shrouding the surrounding world in a red glow.

"This is... Lava Release?!"

The Great Elder's body stiffened, and he nearly fell to the ground!