Chidori!

Two Level 10 Chakra Nature Transformations, plus Level 10 Chakra Control.

With such conditions and a clear goal, how difficult could it be to synthesize a Kekkei Genkai?

The facts proved it.

The difficulty... wasn't great!

In less than four days, Asuma had already synthesized Scorch Release.

The moment it was synthesized, he very clearly felt changes in his body.

The changes were extremely subtle, but they were real.

What delighted him, however, was that he had gained another achievement: Self Created Bloodline Limit. He received 1 Attribute Point, 1 Skill Point, and a Skill Pack.

He assigned the Attribute Point to Constitution as usual, saved the Skill Point for now, then opened the Skill Pack and accepted its infusion.

A moment later, the infusion ended. Asuma's expression remained calm.

The Skill Pack had given him Pakura's Scorch Release Ninjutsu: Over-Evaporation Kill.

It started at Level 3.

Setting that jutsu aside for the moment, Asuma made new plans.

"Development of Scorch Release Ninjutsu will begin with Scorch Release Chakra Mode—or rather, a Chakra Cloak. This process will also steadily raise Scorch Release's level."

Mastering Scorch Release abruptly shifted the focus of Asuma's training, and his mind became fully immersed in it.

In the blink of an eye, another day passed.

At nine in the morning on the 17th, Asuma and Kurenai arrived together at the first examination site for the Chunin Exams: the Ninja Academy!

This stage of the exam was a competition.

Asuma swept his gaze around the classroom and saw many familiar faces.

There were Kakashi and the others who had graduated in the same class, as well as Mitarashi Anko and the others who had graduated two classes later.

"What a flourishing generation!"

Asuma remarked happily. Then he saw Uchiha Obito clutching his head in distress and could not help laughing.

The written test happened to be that guy's weakness.

Soon, the examiner arrived. After announcing the rules, he handed out the test papers.

Asuma took his paper, glanced over it, and immediately began writing at breakneck speed.

A moment later, he stood and handed in his paper.

Kakashi rose to his feet at almost the same time.

The two exchanged smiles and walked out of the classroom amid countless admiring gazes.

"Kakashi, how's the development of your Lightning Style Ninjutsu going?"

After leaving the classroom, Asuma asked.

Kakashi immediately replied, "I just finished it not long ago. Want to see it?"

"Of course!"

Asuma's eyes lit up. "Come on, let's find somewhere."

As he spoke, he had already vanished. Kakashi hurriedly used the Body Flicker Technique to follow.

Asuma led Kakashi to the place where he often trained and said, "Kakashi, hurry up and show me!"

Kakashi nodded and immediately formed Hand Seals.

Very soon, amid a crackling sound, lightning appeared in Kakashi's right hand. Then the Electric Light suddenly surged, accompanied by the chaotic cries of a thousand birds.

"Asuma, I call this jutsu Chidori."

Kakashi said.

"A very fitting name!"

Asuma retreated some distance, created a Shadow Clone, and smiled. "Let's test it out!"

"Alright. Be careful!"

Kakashi nodded. As soon as he finished speaking, he broke into a sprint and charged at Asuma's Shadow Clone at incredible speed.

"His speed really has increased a lot!"

Asuma watched closely.

He had sparred with Kakashi, Might Guy, and the others plenty of times, most recently a month ago.

Compared to then, Kakashi's current speed had improved by a huge margin.

Lightning Style's enhancement to speed truly was astonishing.

"However, at such speed, if his eyes can't keep up, he may not be able to notice the enemy's movements—especially against fast enemies!"

Asuma thought.

The next moment, the two figures clashed.

The Shadow Clone only wielded a Chakra Blade in response. In the blink of an eye, the two had crossed paths five or six times, yet Kakashi failed to hit the clone.

Dust billowed as trees crashed down one after another.

Chidori was indeed ferocious, capable of effortlessly piercing thick tree trunks.

But Asuma could see that the Shadow Clone was not having much difficulty dealing with it.

In his eyes, Kakashi's current speed was indeed fast, but it was still far inferior to Hatake Sakumo's.

Moreover, Kakashi did not possess Hatake Sakumo's astonishing reflexes and perception.

Suddenly, Kakashi stopped.

Asuma focused his eyes and saw the Shadow Clone's blade pressed against Kakashi's armpit.

Kakashi had lost by a single move!

Dispelling the Shadow Clone, Asuma stepped forward and said, "Kakashi, that's an impressive jutsu!"

Kakashi shook his head. "Its flaws are obvious too. When I move too fast, my vision is affected as well."

Asuma nodded. "You could say that's a problem with the ninjutsu, but you could also say it's a problem with the person."

"The issue of perception can be compensated for through long-term training. With your talent, it shouldn't be a problem."

Kakashi nodded after hearing that, then said, "Maybe it can still be further refined."

As he spoke, he took out a scroll and handed it to Asuma.

Clearly, he had prepared it beforehand.

Asuma accepted it and opened it. Inside was the development process for Chidori, its Hand Seals, and Kakashi's own training insights.

After reading it carefully three times and closing his eyes to contemplate for five minutes, Asuma raised his hand.

The next moment, Electric Light bloomed in Asuma's hand beneath Kakashi's stunned gaze.

Then lightning burst forth, accompanied by the cries of a thousand birds.

Kakashi was too shocked to speak. It had not even been half an hour, had it?

He had actually learned the newly developed jutsu so quickly.

Most importantly—

Asuma had not formed Hand Seals!

This guy is even this skilled with Lightning Style!

Kakashi was secretly astonished.

Previously, he only knew that Asuma was exceptionally skilled in Wind Style and Fire Style. He had never expected him to be so formidable with Lightning Style as well.

Kakashi was a genius, but Asuma was a genius among geniuses!

However.

What Kakashi did not know was that Asuma could master Chidori so quickly, and even use it without Hand Seals, for two reasons.

First, he had already been familiar with Chidori.

Second—and this was the key to using it without Hand Seals—he possessed powerful Chakra Control, along with Lightning Style Chakra Nature Transformation that had reached Level 5.

Feeling out the Chidori in his hand, Asuma thought for a moment and used his exceptional Chakra Control to manipulate the lightning around his hand.

The originally radiating Electric Light continuously contracted, while the sound of Chidori rapidly diminished.

Under Kakashi's gaze, the Electric Light soon covered only Asuma's palm. Not a trace radiated outward; instead, it was as though his hand had been wrapped in a layer of light.

"What astonishing control!"

Kakashi was stunned once again.

He had long known that Asuma's Chakra Control was extremely strong. Their teacher, Namikaze Minato, had praised him for it, and Kakashi had witnessed it during their training sessions together.

But clearly, what he had known before was only the tip of the iceberg.

Meanwhile, as Asuma looked at his right palm wrapped in a thin layer of Electric Light, he suddenly thought of Kumogakure's Lightning Style Chakra Mode and the Third Raikage's ultimate technique.

Without even testing it, Asuma knew this possessed greater piercing power than Kakashi's Chidori while consuming less Chakra.

Of course, it also provided no boost to his speed.

But if it covered his entire body, Lightning Style Chakra Mode?