Naruto Li Ke's Cultivation

"Yes, Lord Second Hokage."

Following the training method Senju Tobirama had described, Li Ke began to cultivate step by step.

"Hmph, circulate the meridians and nodes on your right arm more. Although your chakra meridians have been successfully reconnected, the connection points are still very fragile, so you must use this secret technique to strengthen them... Come, relax your control, I'll teach you how to heal chakra meridians."

The Second Hokage snorted coldly, but he was surprised to find that Li Ke was inexplicably proficient in circulating chakra within his body to interact with acupoints. However, according to his investigation, the Murata Clan had no similar cultivation secret techniques. This meant...

"Talent again?"

Thus, he became even more demanding.

The reason Li Ke was so familiar was also very simple.

The secret technique the Second Hokage gave him felt very much like the internal energy cultivation he had learned in Smiling Proud Wanderer!

But after careful circulation, he realized that while it had similarities to the internal energy cultivation in the martial arts world, like swordsmanship, these were only superficial similarities; there were many more differences.

The internal energy cultivation in Smiling Proud Wanderer primarily involved extracting true qi from the body and storing it in the dantian. Once depleted, as long as the meridians were undamaged and one had eaten enough, the true qi would naturally recover. Circulating the internal energy cultivation method could speed up true qi recovery by consuming one's physical strength.

The true qi within the dantian could be like savings or the electricity in a battery.

It could be stored when not in use and then utilized when needed, but there was a limit to this storage.

However, during normal practice, one wouldn't hoard all this true qi. It could be used to widen meridians, strengthen the body, and to break through acupoints to open up other meridians.

This was the same as what the Second Hokage was currently having him practice: using one's own energy to widen the energy circulation meridians, and then enhancing the nodes and channels for extracting, storing, and releasing energy, which were the acupoints and meridians...

The Second Hokage was currently having him strengthen the chakra meridians in his right arm, which was almost identical to the principle of healing internal injuries using qi circulation in the Smiling Proud Wanderer world.

But in the Smiling Proud Wanderer world, martial arts masters with fully unblocked meridians could continuously circulate the true qi in their dantian through their meridians. Others might only be able to store a hundred units of electricity, but you could store five hundred and recover five times faster than others.

In other words, after cultivating internal energy, you could convert the physical strength and nutrients obtained from being healthy and having eaten well into an energy called true qi, and then use it when needed.

But chakra was different. Once extracted, chakra would dissipate if not used promptly, resulting in significant loss.

Therefore, ninjas extracted chakra as needed, and ninjas with more chakra were powerful because they could freely extract a large amount of chakra into their bodies and use it at any time, allowing them to release ninjutsu and transition between techniques much faster than those with less chakra.

After all, no matter how fast the chakra extraction technique was, it still required concentration and time.

After comparing them, Li Ke dismissed the idea of using his internal energy cultivation method to circulate chakra.

However, it wasn't entirely without similarities to the internal energy cultivation in the Smiling Proud Wanderer world.

Tsunade's Yin Seal was a similar concept!

"Don't get distracted!"

The Second Hokage suddenly reprimanded Li Ke. While Li Ke was lost in thought, the chakra circulation in some of his acupoints had become too fast, which would affect the healing of his wounds.

But in reality, the Second Hokage was already very satisfied with Li Ke's training progress. He had expected it to take him a month to teach Li Ke this secret technique.

"This technique can greatly enhance your chakra extraction speed, chakra circulation speed, and the output capability of your chakra acupoints. Although each training session may seem insignificant, over time, it can make your attack speed much faster. However, only those with abundant life force and chakra like you can learn this technique; forcing it upon others will rapidly deplete their life force, leading to a decline in strength."

The Second Hokage spoke with some emotion here. In his youth, he had used all sorts of secret and forbidden techniques on himself, and in just twenty to thirty years, his physical condition and combat power had severely declined.

Even without the attack from Gold Horn and Silver Horn, given his condition, he wouldn't have lived much longer.

However, from the perspective of the Warring States period, he had lived a long life. In the end, he had died a worthy death, which was considered a good end among ninjas.

"Uh, am I okay then?"

Upon hearing this, Li Ke immediately stopped the secret technique. His desire to be a boss at home had subsided quite a bit because his cheat system had exceeded his expectations, but this kind of secret technique, which was the complete opposite of the internal energy cultivation in Smiling Proud Wanderer and essentially hastened one's death, he felt he should just forget about it.

Senju Tobirama was somewhat speechless, but he couldn't directly tell Li Ke, "You can use Wood Style, and I plan to cultivate you vigorously, while also seeing if you're suitable to be the next Hokage."

This was because he still needed to observe Li Ke's character.

"...You won't be harmed; on the contrary, it will stimulate your bloodline. Alright, with your condition today, thirty more repetitions will suffice."

Li Ke stopped talking and complied with Senju Tobirama's request, beginning to circulate his chakra to stimulate the chakra acupoints.

As he circulated the Second Hokage's secret technique, Li Ke did indeed feel his chakra meridians becoming a bit more resilient, especially the reconnected parts, which felt warm and very comfortable.

However, after he completed the thirty repetitions, the sky had completely darkened.

Glancing at his watch, Li Ke knew he wouldn't see Yuhi Kurenai and the others until tomorrow, so he closed his eyes.

But--

Senju Tobirama spoke again.

"Give me control of your body. I will cast an illusion, and we will spar within the illusion."

Li Ke was stunned.

"Ah? Lord Second Hokage, do we really have to do this? Also, do you really have such a technique?"

Senju Tobirama's tone was as cold as ever.

"I just created one. But don't worry about your mental state; I happen to have a technique that can quickly induce deep sleep in ninjas, so you don't need to worry about your sleep and mental issues."

He paused, then continued.

"Besides, your eyes currently don't have a suitable match. This is a good opportunity to train your combat skills in a lack of vision. Or, do you not want to improve your strength?"

Li Ke: "..."

Whatever you say, I suppose...

Li Ke closed his eyes. The next moment, the will of Senju Tobirama took over his body, and he began to weave hand seals with fierce intensity.

Li Ke only managed to grasp the first three seals before his vision shifted into a dense forest, where Senju Tobirama stood before him, his silver hair stark against the backdrop.

"Alright, kid. I will suppress my strength to match yours for this spar. If you're ready, let's begin."

Looking at Senju Tobirama, who stood with his arms crossed and a stern expression, Li Ke couldn't help but want to ask a question. He had clearly stated a few days ago that he didn't want to be a ninja anymore. Even if he did want to develop a bloodline limit to make his marriage with Kurenai more blissful, what did that have to do with this combat training?

Still, having the Second Hokage personally instruct me is a rare opportunity. I shouldn't overthink it.

With that thought, Li Ke took a deep breath and flashed a smile at Senju Tobirama.

"Of course, Lord Second, I am ready to dance!"

He smiled at the Second Hokage, the cocky remark slipping out before he could stop it.

Senju Tobirama's eyes widened instantly, and the faint smile he had worn vanished.

"Dance, you say?"

Li Ke realized his mistake the moment the words left his lips, and then he saw Senju Tobirama smile once more.

"So, you are ready to dance, are you?"

Li Ke sensed danger, but before he could react, several kunai flew toward him. Senju Tobirama appeared right in front of him in a flash, his gleaming ninja blade severing Li Ke's head in one clean stroke.

As the world spun, Li Ke heard Senju Tobirama's icy voice.

"What are you spacing out for!"

In the next instant, they were back at their starting positions. This time, Li Ke finally caught the movement of Senju Tobirama's hands as he performed a jutsu. He hurriedly wove seals and dodged, narrowly avoiding the initial Flying Raijin Slash.

However, three shadow clones of Senju Tobirama suddenly emerged beside the kunai that had landed on the ground, and the Dance of the Crescent Moon—a technique that had stunned Li Ke—was unleashed once again.

Only this time, he was the target.

Caught in the middle of his evasion, Li Ke couldn't react in time and was hacked to pieces by the shadow clones!

When did he cast those shadow clones?!

Li Ke was filled with astonishment. When the scene shifted again, he drew his long sword and kunai, throwing the kunai to deflect the Flying Raijin kunai Senju Tobirama had tossed, and charged forward simultaneously.

However—

"Water Style: Water Wall."

Senju Tobirama simply brought his hands together, and a vortex of water materialized out of thin air, slamming into Li Ke and dragging him into the current.

Senju Tobirama even found the time to offer a cold smirk before throwing a shuriken at Li Ke, who was pinned and immobilized by the 'defensive' jutsu, striking him square in the forehead!

Back at the start once more, Li Ke hurriedly raised his hands.

"Lord Second! This is just one-sided slaughter!"

Whether it was the speed of hand seals, the mastery of techniques, or reaction time, they were in completely different leagues. This wasn't training; it was just bullying!

Senju Tobirama's expression darkened, radiating an intense pressure.

"That is because your ninja training is insufficient! Too many openings! Do you think your enemies will only ever be Jonin?! And—"

With that, Senju Tobirama held up a single hand in a sword-finger gesture, and a vast darkness instantly engulfed Li Ke.

"—didn't you say you wanted to dance?!"

You really are taking that line seriously!

Li Ke scrambled to track the sound of footsteps in the dark, but it was useless; he was decapitated by a blade cutting through the air.

As his head hit the ground, Senju Tobirama's voice drifted over.

"You forgot about my Flying Raijin Slash. For a kid who wants to dance, this level of skill is far from enough."

Li Ke: "..."

I know that! But do I have the ability to defend against it?!

Still, Li Ke gritted his teeth and began the fight once more.

And so, through death after death, Li Ke's consciousness reached its limit. Sensing this, Senju Tobirama immediately ceased his genjutsu and cast a technique to force Li Ke into a deep sleep.

After all, this was Konoha; there was no need to worry about being attacked, and even if there were, he was there to handle it.

Although Li Ke's chakra was pitifully low, it was enough for him to exert thirty percent of his combat potential.

However—

When the sunlight streamed into the hospital room again, Li Ke opened his eyes, dazed. The first thing he did was reach up to touch his head and chest.

"Is my head still attached!"

Li Ke blurted out in a panic, only to feel his intact neck and the steady, healthy rhythm of his heartbeat.

As for why he reacted so strongly, Li Ke knew it wasn't his fault. If anyone had their head chopped off, a blade driven through their eye, or their legs broken before being decapitated repeatedly for three hours—only to pass out the last time a blade pierced their eye and severed their head—they would be just as curious about whether their head was still there.

Even if he couldn't feel the pain anymore, it was truly terrifying!

However, his sudden awakening also roused the girl who had been dozing by his bedside.

Yuhi Kurenai, with her flowing black hair, lifted her head from Li Ke's lap. Seeing his panicked expression, she hurriedly grabbed his hand to comfort him.

"It's alright, Qingtan, it's alright... You're no longer on the battlefield."

Li Ke was still dazed from waking, but the young girl assumed he was still trapped in the agony of his nightmares, so she chose the most effective remedy.

An embrace.

"There, there, don't be afraid. I'm here."

A fragrant scent filled Li Ke's senses. With Yuhi Kurenai pressing her forehead against his, he could clearly smell the perfume in her hair and see her slightly trembling lips and beautiful face; it all stirred a strange feeling within him.

Yet, they were only twelve.

Still, that warm presence and her reassuring demeanor made Li Ke unable to help but—

"Are you planning to call her 'Mother' instead of 'Wife'?"

Senju Tobirama's voice cut in, shattering Li Ke's rare moment of warmth.

"Lord Second, could you please not speak at a time like this? Also, the next time I'm with Kurenai, I'm going to shut off your five senses..."

Li Ke stated his intentions silently, his resolve firm.

But the cold-blooded Senju Tobirama was utterly dismissive.

"I am merely stating a fact. As a man, you should shoulder the burdens of a family. You should show strength at times like this; is a man really a man if he lets a woman see him acting weak? You should have firmly pushed her away and declared that you were fine!"

Li Ke: "..."

"Lord Second."

"What is it?"

"If I may ask, do you have a girlfriend?"

"No. I have no time to entangle myself with women. With that kind of time, I could develop more jutsu or analyze more intelligence... Why do you ask?"

"Nothing. Just curious."