Attribute Transformation

The sky was turning pale, and the first light of dawn was about to spread across the land.

Six people stood at the gates of the Hidden Leaf Village.

Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru wore combat uniforms and Konoha forehead protectors, brimming with spirit.

Hiruzen Sarutobi wore the Hokage's hat. Senju Nawaki clutched his sister's necklace and wept, while Xuanhui stood silently beside them.

Xuanhui had just given Jiraiya a contract. This way, Jiraiya could also summon the wooden door, making it easier for Orochimaru to enter the library during his free time to conduct research.

That would prevent a situation where Orochimaru entered the library, only for someone else to summon away the wooden door and leave him unable to return to the battlefield.

Xuanhui had nothing much to say. After all, he and Orochimaru might still meet at night.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not have much to say to his disciples either. He simply watched them with satisfaction.

Only Nawaki clung to Tsunade's leg, crying and shouting that he wanted to go with his sister.

"Alright, stop making a fuss, Nawaki. Your sister will be back soon. Train properly in the village during this time. If there's anything you don't understand, just ask Brother Xuanhui and Grandpa Sarutobi."

"Grandpa? Am I really that old...?"

After that overly sentimental farewell, Jiraiya and the other two exchanged glances. Just then, a ray of light descended and fell across their faces.

The three nodded, turned around, and set off down the road, sprinting toward the light.

"They've all grown up..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked to the side. Senju Nawaki was sitting on the ground, clinging to Xuanhui's leg and sobbing his heart out.

"You two haven't had breakfast yet, have you? Come on, my treat!"

"Breakfast can wait. Teacher Hiruzen, could you first peel this guy off my leg?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi spread his hands, indicating that there was nothing he could do.

Xuanhui could only darken his face and drag Nawaki and Hiruzen Sarutobi back toward the village...

After the three had a simple lunch, Nawaki suddenly seemed to be filled with boundless energy. Declaring that he would never disappoint his sister's expectations, he vanished in a flash.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and remarked that being young was wonderful.

Then he looked at Xuanhui.

"Little Xuanhui, your senior brother Orochimaru... before Teacher Orochimaru left, he asked me to teach you more ninjutsu.

Let's go to the training ground and take a look. I need to assess your strength."

"Alright, let's go."

"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"

"Lightning Release: Earth Current!"

"Fire Release: Head Mincing!"

"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"

A vast sea of flames and bolts of lightning erupted across the lake's surface. Even Hiruzen Sarutobi, known as the Professor of Ninjutsu, could not help but praise him!

"Earth Current for close-quarters combat, Dragon Flame Jutsu for mid- to long-range targeted strikes, and Head Mincing and False Darkness for long-range coverage.

You've learned quite a broad range!"

Honestly, with just these four ninjutsu and the bloodlines of the four clans within Xuanhui, he could easily pass the Chunin Exams!

"Xuanhui, today I'll teach you some interesting ninjutsu.

After the First Shinobi World War ended, this was one of the armistice compensations from the Hidden Cloud Village to Konoha. They gave us several basic Lightning Release ninjutsu."

As he spoke, he swept both hands downward, and deep-blue lightning appeared in his palms.

He turned toward a wooden post. The lightning in his hands instantly took the form of a leopard and lunged forward, tearing into it.

"Lightning Release: Black Panther!"

After the wooden post was struck, arcs of electricity burst over its entire surface. It then turned to charcoal, looking as though it had gotten a full-body tan.

Xuanhui recognized it at a glance.

This was the technique Darui had used in the original work. The Third Hokage actually knew Hidden Cloud Village ninjutsu!

But upon closer inspection, there were still differences.

The Black Panther Darui used in the original work could stimulate Lightning-nature chakra throughout his entire body, transforming it into leopard-shaped lightning.

Hiruzen Sarutobi only used his hands, and he even seemed to be struggling somewhat. It appeared that the Hidden Cloud Village had still held something back.

But there was one thing Xuanhui did not understand.

"Teacher Hiruzen, why is your Lightning-nature chakra this color? It feels different from everyone else's."

When Hiruzen Sarutobi used this Lightning Release ninjutsu, it was deep blue! When Darui used it, it was black!

The Hidden Cloud Village's version was definitely more authentic, but what caused the difference?

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Xuanhui in surprise, then threw back his head and laughed.

"What a sharp boy, Xuanhui! No wonder Orochimaru sings your praises!

Today, I'll begin teaching you about chakra's attribute transformation!"

So it was attribute transformation! He had wanted to learn this for a long time!

"But after I explain the theory today, you must diligently practice it yourself! First—"

"Wait! Teacher Hiruzen!"

Xuanhui suddenly spoke up, interrupting Hiruzen Sarutobi's impending lengthy lecture.

"What is it, Xuanhui?"

Xuanhui still wore a puzzled expression.

"I remember that although Teacher Sarutobi has trained in ninjutsu of every attribute, aren't you best at Fire Release? Why are you starting with Lightning Release?"

"Good question! Xuanhui, as a teacher, one should help a student find the path that suits him, rather than make him follow one's own path.

I am indeed better at Fire Release, but for Fire Release techniques suited to you, you should learn the secret Fire Release techniques of your Uchiha Clan!

They include both attribute transformation and a whole series of ninjutsu. They are a trump card that can help you win! I hope you can obtain them.

If you have difficulties, I can help raise the matter with the clan."

That would also help ease the conflict between the village and the Uchiha Clan.

Xuanhui was a child who thought like a Hokage. Raising both his strength and social standing would greatly benefit the village's harmony!

As long as he showed that he valued Xuanhui, the Uchiha Clan would definitely support him.

"Uh... if possible, Teacher, you should probably step in a little..."

Xuanhui unexpectedly looked troubled!

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, suddenly sensing that the matter was not so simple.

"What do you mean? Are you having difficulties within the clan?"

"There are... I suppose..."

Several dark lines appeared across Xuanhui's forehead as he lightly tapped his cheek with a finger.

"When my grandfather was young, he beat up every boy his age in order to pursue my grandmother...

Some were trying to get her attention, while others were rivals in love...

As a result, whenever Grandpa walks through the clan compound, people always glare at him resentfully... and he takes pride in it... strutting around every day.

Everyone who tried to get revenge on him got beaten up by him again...

So with his standing in the clan, getting those ninjutsu might be a little difficult..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened as well.

He had even wondered whether Xuanhui might have suffered bullying at home, whether his family had rejected him.

He had not expected that his entire family was the one bullying the other clansmen...

"I'd better write a letter myself... You don't need to worry about it anymore."

"Alright."