Fire Release: Rasenshuriken

As Neji had expected, the remote training ground was practically deserted. He wondered whether Kirigakure's so-called blood mist policy was to blame. It wasn't just this training ground—even the others had hardly anyone training in them.

All of Kirigakure felt lifeless to Neji, without a trace of vitality.

Obito Uchiha certainly had a talent for wreaking havoc.

Neji entered the forest in the training ground, activated his Byakugan, and created a Shadow Clone to begin training.

The Rasengan, a ninjutsu requiring neither hand seals nor an elemental nature, had enormous potential for development. It could become not only Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, but also a corresponding Rasenshuriken infused with any other chakra nature.

This time, Neji intended to train in Fire Release: Rasenshuriken.

Neji had completed his Fire Release: Rasengan more than half a year ago. Now, he intended to apply Sasuke's experience training in Wind Release: Rasenshuriken to take his own Fire Release: Rasengan a step further, evolving it into Fire Release: Rasenshuriken.

Fire Release: Rasenshuriken was somewhat more difficult than its wind counterpart, because fire-nature chakra was harder to maintain in that stable, spinning shuriken shape.

It required even finer chakra control.

Like Sasuke, Neji began with a miniature Rasenshuriken. This was Kirigakure, after all, so he would keep as low a profile as possible. Ideally, he would make others underestimate his strength.

In the silent, deserted training ground, Neji dispelled his Shadow Clone as night approached. He wasn't Naruto, who had the Nine-Tails to bear the cost of his Shadow Clones. For Neji, balancing work and rest was the best way to train.

Once the Shadow Clone dispersed, a heavy wave of exhaustion immediately washed over Neji.

Fighting back his drowsiness, Neji bit his finger and pressed it to the ground. "Summoning Technique!"

With a pop, Orange Flame,