Aokawa Clan Ninjutsu? Lightning Release: Mountain Thunder Seal! (3/4)

"It seems the situation is far more serious than we imagined." Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned deeply, his tone grim.

The jonin present all felt heavy-hearted. This was not merely serious—it had been serious for a long time already.

Since the forty-eighth year of Konoha, the ninja world had seen no large-scale wars, nor had there been any major friction between the nations and villages.

Yet even under such circumstances, Orochimaru remained one of the S-rank rogue ninja jointly designated by the five great nations. That spoke for itself.

As early as the second round of the Chunin Exams, Anko Mitarashi had reported it. However, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had not made a major move in order to preserve stability.

"Third Hokage, the situation may be far more serious than we imagined," Kakashi Hatake said. "Hayate Gekko's injuries look like they were caused by Magnet Release ninjutsu. Could it be..."

"The Land of Wind is an allied nation," Hiruzen Sarutobi said. "We cannot suspect those from Sand Village based on Magnet Release ninjutsu alone. Plenty of people can use that kind of chakra. Perhaps Orochimaru's subordinates are trying to muddy the waters."

Kakashi Hatake had nothing more to say.

Tianming listened silently from below. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was a very peculiar man.

Say that he was incompetent? During his rule, the Land of Fire ranked first among the five great nations, and Konoha Village was the number one ninja village. From ninja to civilians, everyone respected him.

Say that he was capable? Hiruzen Sarutobi was also a power-hungry and arrogant man. More than the position of Hokage, he possessed a politician's ambitions. Most of Konoha's upper echelon were his people, spread throughout the village while excluding dissidents.

Yet this complicated, two-faced man lacked the most important thing: strength. Hiruzen Sarutobi possessed all five chakra natures and knew many ninjutsu, but his strength had never been enough to dominate an era like the First and Second Hokage.

Even the Fourth Hokage, who came after him, had more dazzling achievements.

Beyond that, he could not see himself clearly, including the fact that Orochimaru's invasion of Konoha was no longer a secret.

Hiruzen Sarutobi still insisted on maintaining stability and saving face. Even when he died at Orochimaru's hands, he still left behind the image of a benevolent teacher.

"Aokawa Tianming, did you find anything else when you discovered the body?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.

"No." Tianming shook his head. Tell them about the Sand ninja? No chance. First, Tianming would not interfere in such a major historical event. Second, knowing Hiruzen Sarutobi's nature, even if he said something, the old man would still die at Orochimaru's hands. The outcome would not change in the slightest.

"Lord Third Hokage, Aokawa Tianming was fortunate. If he had encountered Orochimaru's people, he likely would not have returned either," Kakashi Hatake said.

"Mm, that makes sense." Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Tianming again, his eyes full of kindness. "You discovered Hayate Gekko and reported it. What comes next is the jonin's responsibility. Go back and rest well, then prepare for the third round of the exams."

Having received permission, Tianming turned and left the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was right. He only needed to worry about the third round.

After leaving the Hokage's office, Tianming did not return directly to the Aokawa Clan residence. Instead, he went straight to Team 7's training ground.

Standing beside the small river in the pitch-black darkness, a bright yellow aura suddenly coiled upward. Threads of electricity gathered in Tianming's palm.

This was the reward from his recent check-in: Lightning Release Mastery!

When Tianming had previously learned Kakashi Hatake's Lightning Cutter using Ultimate Chakra, he had merely altered the state of his chakra and imitated it.

But now, this was genuine Lightning Release ninjutsu!

With a thought, Tianming drew his chakra back into his body. He sat cross-legged beside the river, his eyes closed.

The ninja clans of Konoha all had more or less their own exclusive ninjutsu or secret arts. Though the Aokawa Clan was inconspicuous, it too possessed a ninjutsu scroll.

It was the Lightning Release: Mountain Thunder Seal that Tianming had used to prop up a table leg!

This technique was his father Qingchuan Daihui's signature ninjutsu. A single Mountain Thunder Seal condensed a colossal object from lightning-nature chakra, attacking with the crushing force of a mountain.

Overbearing and unstoppable!

Unfortunately, Qingchuan Daihui had been an ordinary ninja without a bloodline limit or dojutsu.

Lightning Release: Mountain Thunder Seal had not been particularly impressive in his hands.

Fortunately, it was now in Tianming's hands.

"Lightning Release: Mountain Thunder Seal!" Tianming breathed softly.

Thick lightning-nature chakra burst from his body, instantly spreading across a hundred-meter radius!

Within that hundred-meter range, lightning was everywhere. The intricate web of interwoven electricity was dazzling and magnificent!

Yet none of that lightning destroyed a single tree or blade of grass!

This was the terrifying control granted by Tianming's Ultimate Chakra!

"Condense!"

Tianming formed hand seals, and the lightning web spanning a hundred meters suddenly compressed and condensed into a towering mountain of lightning!

It worked! Tianming rejoiced inwardly, then waved his hand. The lightning mountain scattered apart...

He had learned a technique in one go and fully grasped it! No second person in Konoha could do that.

By then, dawn had arrived, and the sky was beginning to brighten.

Just as Tianming returned to the war orphan residential district, he saw black smoke rising from the Aokawa Clan residence.

"Has someone attacked Karin?"

Tianming turned into an afterimage and rushed back to the Aokawa Clan residence. Karin had not been kidnapped—she had blown up the kitchen?

"Karin, what are you doing?"

"I... I wanted to cook... and it turned out like this." Seeing Aokawa Tianming return, Karin Uzumaki pursed her lips, looking aggrieved.

"It seems the situation is far more serious than we imagined." Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned deeply, his tone grim.

The jonin present all felt heavy-hearted. This was not merely serious—it had been serious for a long time already.

Since the forty-eighth year of Konoha, the ninja world had seen no large-scale wars, nor had there been any major friction between the nations and villages.

Yet even under such circumstances, Orochimaru remained one of the S-rank rogue ninja jointly designated by the five great nations. That spoke for itself.

As early as the second round of the Chunin Exams, Anko Mitarashi had reported it. However, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had not made a major move in order to preserve stability.

"Third Hokage, the situation may be far more serious than we imagined," Kakashi Hatake said. "Hayate Gekko's injuries look like they were caused by Magnet Release ninjutsu. Could it be..."

"The Land of Wind is an allied nation," Hiruzen Sarutobi said. "We cannot suspect those from Sand Village based on Magnet Release ninjutsu alone. Plenty of people can use that kind of chakra. Perhaps Orochimaru's subordinates are trying to muddy the waters."

Kakashi Hatake had nothing more to say.

Tianming listened silently from below. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was a very peculiar man.

Say that he was incompetent? During his rule, the Land of Fire ranked first among the five great nations, and Konoha Village was the number one ninja village. From ninja to civilians, everyone respected him.

Say that he was capable? Hiruzen Sarutobi was also a power-hungry and arrogant man. More than the position of Hokage, he possessed a politician's ambitions. Most of Konoha's upper echelon were his people, spread throughout the village while excluding dissidents.

Yet this complicated, two-faced man lacked the most important thing: strength. Hiruzen Sarutobi possessed all five chakra natures and knew many ninjutsu, but his strength had never been enough to dominate an era like the First and Second Hokage.

Even the Fourth Hokage, who came after him, had more dazzling achievements.

Beyond that, he could not see himself clearly, including the fact that Orochimaru's invasion of Konoha was no longer a secret.

Hiruzen Sarutobi still insisted on maintaining stability and saving face. Even when he died at Orochimaru's hands, he still left behind the image of a benevolent teacher.

"Aokawa Tianming, did you find anything else when you discovered the body?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.

"No." Tianming shook his head. Tell them about the Sand ninja? No chance. First, Tianming would not interfere in such a major historical event. Second, knowing Hiruzen Sarutobi's nature, even if he said something, the old man would still die at Orochimaru's hands. The outcome would not change in the slightest.

"Lord Third Hokage, Aokawa Tianming was fortunate. If he had encountered Orochimaru's people, he likely would not have returned either," Kakashi Hatake said.

"Mm, that makes sense." Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Tianming again, his eyes full of kindness. "You discovered Hayate Gekko and reported it. What comes next is the jonin's responsibility. Go back and rest well, then prepare for the third round of the exams."

Having received permission, Tianming turned and left the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was right. He only needed to worry about the third round.

After leaving the Hokage's office, Tianming did not return directly to the Aokawa Clan residence. Instead, he went straight to Team 7's training ground.

Standing beside the small river in the pitch-black darkness, a bright yellow aura suddenly coiled upward. Threads of electricity gathered in Tianming's palm.

This was the reward from his recent check-in: Lightning Release Mastery!

When Tianming had previously learned Kakashi Hatake's Lightning Cutter using Ultimate Chakra, he had merely altered the state of his chakra and imitated it.

But now, this was genuine Lightning Release ninjutsu!

With a thought, Tianming drew his chakra back into his body. He sat cross-legged beside the river, his eyes closed.

The ninja clans of Konoha all had more or less their own exclusive ninjutsu or secret arts. Though the Aokawa Clan was inconspicuous, it too possessed a ninjutsu scroll.

It was the Lightning Release: Mountain Thunder Seal that Tianming had used to prop up a table leg!

This technique was his father Qingchuan Daihui's signature ninjutsu. A single Mountain Thunder Seal condensed a colossal object from lightning-nature chakra, attacking with the crushing force of a mountain.

Overbearing and unstoppable!

Unfortunately, Qingchuan Daihui had been an ordinary ninja without a bloodline limit or dojutsu.

Lightning Release: Mountain Thunder Seal had not been particularly impressive in his hands.

Fortunately, it was now in Tianming's hands.

"Lightning Release: Mountain Thunder Seal!" Tianming breathed softly.

Thick lightning-nature chakra burst from his body, instantly spreading across a hundred-meter radius!

Within that hundred-meter range, lightning was everywhere. The intricate web of interwoven electricity was dazzling and magnificent!

Yet none of that lightning destroyed a single tree or blade of grass!

This was the terrifying control granted by Tianming's Ultimate Chakra!

"Condense!"

Tianming formed hand seals, and the lightning web spanning a hundred meters suddenly compressed and condensed into a towering mountain of lightning!

It worked! Tianming rejoiced inwardly, then waved his hand. The lightning mountain scattered apart...

He had learned a technique in one go and fully grasped it! No second person in Konoha could do that.

By then, dawn had arrived, and the sky was beginning to brighten.

Just as Tianming returned to the war orphan residential district, he saw black smoke rising from the Aokawa Clan residence.

"Has someone attacked Karin?"

Tianming turned into an afterimage and rushed back to the Aokawa Clan residence. Karin had not been kidnapped—she had blown up the kitchen?

"Karin, what are you doing?"

"I... I wanted to cook... and it turned out like this." Seeing Aokawa Tianming return, Karin Uzumaki pursed her lips, looking aggrieved.

"It seems the situation is far more serious than we imagined." Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned deeply, his tone grim.

The jonin present all felt heavy-hearted. This was not merely serious—it had been serious for a long time already.

Since the forty-eighth year of Konoha, the ninja world had seen no large-scale wars, nor had there been any major friction between the nations and villages.

Yet even under such circumstances, Orochimaru remained one of the S-rank rogue ninja jointly designated by the five great nations. That spoke for itself.

As early as the second round of the Chunin Exams, Anko Mitarashi had reported it. However, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had not made a major move in order to preserve stability.

"Third Hokage, the situation may be far more serious than we imagined," Kakashi Hatake said. "Hayate Gekko's injuries look like they were caused by Magnet Release ninjutsu. Could it be..."

"The Land of Wind is an allied nation," Hiruzen Sarutobi said. "We cannot suspect those from Sand Village based on Magnet Release ninjutsu alone. Plenty of people can use that kind of chakra. Perhaps Orochimaru's subordinates are trying to muddy the waters."

Kakashi Hatake had nothing more to say.

Tianming listened silently from below. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was a very peculiar man.

Say that he was incompetent? During his rule, the Land of Fire ranked first among the five great nations, and Konoha Village was the number one ninja village. From ninja to civilians, everyone respected him.

Say that he was capable? Hiruzen Sarutobi was also a power-hungry and arrogant man. More than the position of Hokage, he possessed a politician's ambitions. Most of Konoha's upper echelon were his people, spread throughout the village while excluding dissidents.

Yet this complicated, two-faced man lacked the most important thing: strength. Hiruzen Sarutobi possessed all five chakra natures and knew many ninjutsu, but his strength had never been enough to dominate an era like the First and Second Hokage.

Even the Fourth Hokage, who came after him, had more dazzling achievements.

Beyond that, he could not see himself clearly, including the fact that Orochimaru's invasion of Konoha was no longer a secret.

Hiruzen Sarutobi still insisted on maintaining stability and saving face. Even when he died at Orochimaru's hands, he still left behind the image of a benevolent teacher.

"Aokawa Tianming, did you find anything else when you discovered the body?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.

"No." Tianming shook his head. Tell them about the Sand ninja? No chance. First, Tianming would not interfere in such a major historical event. Second, knowing Hiruzen Sarutobi's nature, even if he said something, the old man would still die at Orochimaru's hands. The outcome would not change in the slightest.

"Lord Third Hokage, Aokawa Tianming was fortunate. If he had encountered Orochimaru's people, he likely would not have returned either," Kakashi Hatake said.

"Mm, that makes sense." Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Tianming again, his eyes full of kindness. "You discovered Hayate Gekko and reported it. What comes next is the jonin's responsibility. Go back and rest well, then prepare for the third round of the exams."

Having received permission, Tianming turned and left the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was right. He only needed to worry about the third round.

After leaving the Hokage's office, Tianming did not return directly to the Aokawa Clan residence. Instead, he went straight to Team 7's training ground.

Standing beside the small river in the pitch-black darkness, a bright yellow aura suddenly coiled upward. Threads of electricity gathered in Tianming's palm.

This was the reward from his recent check-in: Lightning Release Mastery!

When Tianming had previously learned Kakashi Hatake's Lightning Cutter using Ultimate Chakra, he had merely altered the state of his chakra and imitated it.

But now, this was genuine Lightning Release ninjutsu!

With a thought, Tianming drew his chakra back into his body. He sat cross-legged beside the river, his eyes closed.

The ninja clans of Konoha all had more or less their own exclusive ninjutsu or secret arts. Though the Aokawa Clan was inconspicuous, it too possessed a ninjutsu scroll.

It was the Lightning Release: Mountain Thunder Seal that Tianming had used to prop up a table leg!

This technique was his father Qingchuan Daihui's signature ninjutsu. A single Mountain Thunder Seal condensed a colossal object from lightning-nature chakra, attacking with the crushing force of a mountain.

Overbearing and unstoppable!

Unfortunately, Qingchuan Daihui had been an ordinary ninja without a bloodline limit or dojutsu.

Lightning Release: Mountain Thunder Seal had not been particularly impressive in his hands.

Fortunately, it was now in Tianming's hands.

"Lightning Release: Mountain Thunder Seal!" Tianming breathed softly.

Thick lightning-nature chakra burst from his body, instantly spreading across a hundred-meter radius!

Within that hundred-meter range, lightning was everywhere. The intricate web of interwoven electricity was dazzling and magnificent!

Yet none of that lightning destroyed a single tree or blade of grass!

This was the terrifying control granted by Tianming's Ultimate Chakra!

"Condense!"

Tianming formed hand seals, and the lightning web spanning a hundred meters suddenly compressed and condensed into a towering mountain of lightning!

It worked! Tianming rejoiced inwardly, then waved his hand. The lightning mountain scattered apart...

He had learned a technique in one go and fully grasped it! No second person in Konoha could do that.

By then, dawn had arrived, and the sky was beginning to brighten.

Just as Tianming returned to the war orphan residential district, he saw black smoke rising from the Aokawa Clan residence.

"Has someone attacked Karin?"

Tianming turned into an afterimage and rushed back to the Aokawa Clan residence. Karin had not been kidnapped—she had blown up the kitchen?

"Karin, what are you doing?"

"I... I wanted to cook... and it turned out like this." Seeing Aokawa Tianming return, Karin Uzumaki pursed her lips, looking aggrieved.

"It seems the situation is far more serious than we imagined." Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned deeply, his tone grim.

The jonin present all felt heavy-hearted. This was not merely serious—it had been serious for a long time already.

Since the forty-eighth year of Konoha, the ninja world had seen no large-scale wars, nor had there been any major friction between the nations and villages.

Against this backdrop, Orochimaru was still one of the S-rank rogue ninja jointly designated by the Five Great Nations. That said it all!

As early as the second round of the Chunin Exams, Anko Mitarashi had already reported it. However, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had chosen not to make a major fuss in order to preserve stability!

"Third Hokage, this may be far more serious than we imagined," Kakashi Hatake said. "Hayate Gekko's injuries look like they were caused by Magnet Release ninjutsu. Could it be..."

"The Land of Wind is an allied nation," Hiruzen Sarutobi said. "We cannot suspect the people from Sand Village based on Magnet Release ninjutsu alone. Many people can use that kind of chakra. Perhaps one of Orochimaru's subordinates is muddying the waters."

Kakashi Hatake fell silent.

Tianming listened to their conversation below without saying a word. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was a very peculiar man.

You could say he was incompetent, yet under his rule, the Land of Fire ranked first among the Five Great Nations, while Konoha Village was the foremost ninja village. From shinobi to civilians, everyone respected him!

You could say he was capable, yet Hiruzen Sarutobi was also a centralized and conceited man. Compared to the position of Hokage, he possessed the ambitions of a politician. Most of Konoha's higher-ups were his people, spread throughout Konoha while excluding dissidents.

Such a complicated two-faced man lacked the most important thing: strength! Hiruzen Sarutobi possessed every chakra nature and knew countless ninjutsu, but his strength had never dominated an era like the First and Second Hokage.

Even the Fourth Hokage who came after him had more dazzling accomplishments than he did.

Beyond that, he failed to see himself clearly, including the fact that Orochimaru's invasion of Konoha was no longer a secret.

Hiruzen Sarutobi still sought stability and saved face. Even when he died at Orochimaru's hands, he still left behind the image of a kind mentor.

"Qingchuan Tianming, did you notice anything else when you found the body?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.

"No." Tianming shook his head. Tell them about the Sand ninja? No chance. First, Tianming would not interfere with such a major historical event. Second, knowing Hiruzen Sarutobi's nature, even if he told them, Hiruzen would still die at Orochimaru's hands. The outcome would not change in the slightest.

"Third Hokage, Qingchuan Tianming was fortunate. If he had encountered Orochimaru's people, he probably would not have returned either," Kakashi Hatake said.

"Mm, that makes sense." Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Tianming again, his gaze full of kindness. "You discovered Hayate Gekko and reported it. What comes next is for the jonin to handle. Go back and get some proper rest, then prepare for the third round of the exams."

After receiving permission, Tianming turned and left the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was right. He only needed to worry about the third round.

After leaving the Hokage's office, Tianming did not return directly to the Aokawa Clan residence. Instead, he headed straight for Team 7's training ground.

Standing beside the river in the pitch-black darkness, a bright yellow aura suddenly coiled upward. Strands of electricity gathered in Tianming's palm.

This was the reward he had received from signing in earlier: Lightning Release Mastery!

Previously, when Tianming had used Ultimate Chakra to learn Kakashi Hatake's Lightning Cutter, he had altered the state of his chakra and imitated it.

But this was true Lightning Release ninjutsu!

With a thought, the chakra returned to his body. Tianming sat cross-legged beside the river, his eyes closed.

The ninja clans of Konoha more or less possessed their own exclusive ninjutsu or ninja arts! Though the Aokawa Clan was insignificant, it also had a ninjutsu scroll!

It was Lightning Release: Mountain Thunder Seal, the one Tianming had used to prop up a table leg!

This ninja art was his father Qingchuan Daihui's signature technique! A single Mountain Thunder Seal condensed lightning chakra into an enormous object, attacking with the crushing force of a mountain!

Overbearing and unstoppable!

Unfortunately, Qingchuan Daihui was an ordinary ninja without a bloodline limit or dojutsu.

Lightning Release: Mountain Thunder Seal had not been outstanding in his hands.

Fortunately, it was now in Tianming's hands.

"Lightning Release: Mountain Thunder Seal!" Tianming uttered softly.

Thick lightning chakra burst from his body, instantly spreading across a hundred-meter radius!

Within that hundred-meter range, lightning filled every corner. The intricate web of intertwining electricity was dazzling and resplendent!

Yet not a single tree or blade of grass was destroyed by the lightning!

This was the terrifying control granted by Tianming's Ultimate Chakra!

"Condense!"

Tianming formed hand seals, and the lightning web spanning a hundred meters suddenly contracted and compressed into a towering thunder mountain!

It worked! Tianming rejoiced inwardly. He then waved his hand, and the thunder mountain scattered apart...

He had learned a technique in one attempt and fully integrated it! There was no second person like him in Konoha.

By then, dawn had arrived, and the sky was beginning to brighten.

Just as Tianming returned to the residential district for war orphans, he saw black smoke rising from the Aokawa Clan residence.

"Someone attacked Karin?"

Tianming became an afterimage as he rushed back to the Aokawa Clan residence. Karin had not been kidnapped after all—she had blown up the kitchen?

"Karin, what are you doing?"

"I... I wanted to cook... and it ended up like this." Seeing Qingchuan Tianming return, Karin Uzumaki pursed her lips and spoke in a wronged tone.