Rasenshuriken

Clearly, what Neji had used in front of Sasuke was the Rasengan, a Hand Seal-less Ninjutsu the Fourth Hokage had created by observing and imitating the Tailed Beast Bomb.

Of course, Sasuke knew none of this. He did not even know that the technique was called the Rasengan.

Neji smiled. "What do you think? This is the Hand Seal-less Ninjutsu created by the Fourth Hokage—the Rasengan. It's a difficult technique with an A-rank learning difficulty."

"So this is a technique the Fourth Hokage created," Sasuke murmured. Then he abruptly raised his head to look at Neji. "How do you know the Fourth's technique?"

"Heh, the Rasengan is a technique the Fourth created by imitating the Tailed Beast Bomb. Quite a few people know it, provided they understand the principle behind it. As it happens, my father, Hizashi Hyuga, was one of them." Neji made up whatever excuse came to mind.

"I have to admit, Neji, you really are a genius!" Sasuke sighed.

"Heh, genius my ass. This is nothing." Neji shook his head.

Sasuke did not dwell on such a meaningless question. He asked, "So that ultimate technique you mentioned is derived from this Rasengan?"

"Exactly." Neji nodded. "The Rasengan is a technique without an elemental nature. Its form gives it tremendous room for development. Infuse it with chakra of different natures, and it will evolve into different techniques."

"For example, watch as I infuse it with fire-nature chakra." Neji motioned for Sasuke to pay close attention.

As Neji spoke, flecks of crimson gradually appeared in the blue Rasengan above his palm.

As time passed, the crimson spread, then swallowed the entire blue sphere, replacing it with a ball of flame that glowed fiery red.

The crimson sphere spun erratically, bathing the entire basement in red light. The searing heat washing over Sasuke left his mouth and throat dry.

"You finished it?!" Sasuke could not hide the astonishment on his face. He stared at the sphere in Neji's hand, his eyes filled with shock.

Through his Sharingan, he could see that the originally non-elemental sphere had become Fire Release Ninjutsu. It was clearly more powerful than it had been in its non-elemental state.

He did not dare imagine how much of him would be left if that sphere hit him.

"It's not really finished yet. It's still a little short of what I envisioned." Neji shook his head and dispersed the Fire Release Ninjutsu he had named the Explosive Flame Rasengan.

Then Neji asked, "Did you copy the Rasengan with your Sharingan?"

Sasuke shook his head. "My Sharingan isn't quite up to it in its current state. The difficulty seems to exceed what these eyes can handle right now."

"That's a shame," Neji said regretfully. "Then you'll have to take your time practicing it."

Sasuke nodded. Being able to learn powerful techniques was enough to satisfy him. His Sharingan still had its shortcomings, but he believed it would eventually evolve into the three-tomoe form.

Sasuke asked curiously, "What did you envision? Wasn't that its final form just now? I think that form already qualifies as an ultimate technique with an S-rank difficulty."

Neji explained, "In my vision, the first chakra nature added to the Rasengan should be wind. Infusing it with wind-nature chakra would give it a spinning, cutting effect, and the sphere would evolve into another form resembling a shuriken. At that point, it would no longer be a close-range technique, but an incredibly powerful Wind Release technique you could throw to attack from a distance. Of course, other chakra natures could reach that stage too. I just think the wind-nature form is the best suited for throwing. Rasenshuriken of other natures might be harder to develop."

Just listening to Neji's explanation, Sasuke could imagine how powerful the technique would be. Compressed chakra would inevitably expand. If it exploded after being converted into wind-nature chakra, it would undoubtedly become a technique capable of widespread destruction.

"Wind nature?" Sasuke soon frowned. He did have that chakra nature, but he had not studied it much.

In fact, he had barely studied it at all. He had devoted his energy to his Sharingan, his family's Fire Release Ninjutsu, and their techniques for using concealed weapons.

"Don't you have wind nature?" Sasuke looked at Neji.

Neji shook his head. "I haven't developed that nature yet. Wind isn't one of my natural chakra natures."

"Then I'll give it a try," Sasuke said. "I still have plenty of time before graduation, anyway."

Neji nodded. Sasuke had talent. In the original story, after inheriting Kakashi's Chidori, he had developed Kirin while with Orochimaru. Letting him try his hand at Wind Release: Rasenshuriken was worth a shot.

He might not succeed, but what if he did?

"I'll have to buy some Wind Release techniques from Cat Granny. The village stripped everything clean and only left me a few Fire Release techniques." The thought made Sasuke grit his teeth in hatred.

"Mm, turning resources into strength is the best thing you can do." Neji had no objection.

"You'd better not get your hopes too high. I don't think I can develop this technique anytime soon either," Sasuke warned.

"Don't worry. Since you can only train in secret, I won't get my hopes too high." Neji had not expected much to begin with.

"It's a shame we'll only be able to use this technique at critical moments. Otherwise, we won't be able to explain it to the village." Sasuke felt regretful. Now he, too, understood what it felt like to have power he could not freely use.

Neji reminded him, "I'll tell you some pointers for the Rasengan, the Explosive Flame Rasengan, and Wind Release: Rasenshuriken in a moment. Right now, the most important thing is to unite Yin-Yang Polarity and obtain the power of all creation!"

At Neji's mention of Yin-Yang Polarity and the power of all creation, anticipation inevitably appeared on Sasuke's face. "We're about to begin."

"Summoning Technique!"

Bang! Smoke burst forth, and an orange cat appeared within it, carrying a huge scroll on its back.

Neji smiled when he saw the orange cat. "Sangbiao Mimi, you've put on quite a bit more weight."

The plump Ju Huo gave Neji a sidelong look and declared solemnly, "Boy from the Hyuga Clan, please address me as Lord Sangbiao. I'm tired of correcting your mistakes!"

"Ju Huo, stop messing around. Cat Granny told me your name ages ago." Sasuke unceremoniously rubbed the orange cat's forehead.

"Hmph!" Ju Huo looked defiant. "My name is Sangbiao, no matter what!"

Neji suddenly said, "Two bags of dried fish! Today, you're Ju Huo Mimi."

Ju Huo's green eyes widened, and drool dribbled from its mouth. It swallowed and declared solemnly, "Would I, Sangbiao, ever be such a weak-willed kitty? A mere two bags of dried fish? You think you can test a kitty with that?"

"Five bags!" As expected of the heir to a wealthy family, Sasuke more than doubled the offer the moment he spoke.

Slurp! Ju Huo sucked back its drool and immediately said, "Deal. Today, I, Ju Huo Mimi, am your kitty."

"Woohoo!" Ju Huo's plump body darted nimbly toward the dried fish in the corner.