The odds were lower than winning the lottery jackpot, but there was no harm in letting Lei Dou hit a wall and give up.
He could also use the opportunity to demonstrate the miraculous power of Transparent Release, show the kid that his title of Special Jōnin wasn't just for show, and recover some of the dignity he had just lost.
"All right. Since you want to learn, I'll teach you."
With Hayate's approval, Lei Dou let out a long breath and fixed him with an eager stare.
"Hayate, let's see what you've got!"
Transparent Release's basic invisibility could be activated at any time, but being invisible to the eye alone wasn't really an extraordinary ability.
A powerful opponent with keen senses could pinpoint your location through air currents and chakra fluctuations, even with their eyes closed.
It had to be combined with Transparent Release's unique chakra circulation method to erase your presence as well, making you completely undetectable.
"Watch closely. First, I'll teach you the order of the hand seals."
"Then I'll teach you how to circulate your chakra. Whether you can learn it is up to you!"
Although they both belonged to the Shimozuki clan, Hayate didn't believe for a second that another clan member could possess the same mutated talent as him.
That was absolutely impossible.
[Host detected observing and learning a new skill] [Great Sage system: full power activated] [Performing in-depth analysis...] [1%...] [2%...] [3%...]
This time, the analysis progress bar moved exceptionally slowly, inching forward one percent at a time like a crawling snail. That glacial pace also confirmed something.
Analyzing something as advanced as a kekkei genkai was anything but simple.
"All right, that's the demonstration!"
"Do you have a rough understanding of how it works?"
Hayate had demonstrated the process once, but Lei Dou stole a glance at the progress bar in his mind.
[15%]
After all that explanation, the analysis had only gotten this far, and now the progress bar had stopped moving altogether.
"Hayate, please, I'm begging you! Could you explain it a few more times? I zoned out earlier and missed some of the details!"
Watching Lei Dou plead with his palms pressed together, Hayate felt secretly pleased. At last, he had regained a little confidence.
So this kid might have monstrous talent with a sword, but when it came to learning ninjutsu, he was just an ordinary person!
"All right, all right. Since you're so eager to learn, and we still have time anyway!"
So Shimozuki Hayate patiently explained the principles of Transparent Release, the details of its hand seals, and the method of manipulating chakra to Lei Dou over and over.
He went through it at least four or five times.
Hayate's mouth had gone dry, and he was starting to lose patience. If you can't learn it, stop forcing yourself. This kind of kekkei genkai isn't something you can acquire through effort anyway.
But Lei Dou was clearly stubborn as a mule, with no intention of giving up.
Talent wasn't a barrier you could break through just by banging your head against it.
"Lei Dou, there's no need to feel discouraged even if you don't have a talent for Transparent Release. Your unique talent with a sword is already enough to last you a lifetime. I can teach you some more powerful sword techniques..."
Just then, a heavenly sound rang out in his mind.
[Analysis complete...] [Congratulations! Host has successfully acquired a new skill] [Transparent Release (complete version)]
Holy shit! It actually worked!
I did it!
The analysis had been as painfully slow as constipation, forcing Hayate to repeat himself like a broken record for nearly an hour.
But the final result was perfect. The analysis had actually succeeded.
This proved that although kekkei genkai were tough to crack, the system could still conquer them given enough time!
Still, even a relatively weak kekkei genkai like Transparent Release had taken an hour.
What about higher-tier kekkei genkai?
How much time would legendary abilities like the Uchiha's Sharingan or the First Hokage's Wood Release take?
[Great Sage tip: the more completely the target skill is demonstrated, the shorter the analysis time will be]
Oh! So that's how it worked?
As long as the other person demonstrated the entire skill without holding anything back, it would go much faster?
Now Lei Dou was full of anticipation for what he would learn next.
"Lei Dou, don't be too disappointed. Kekkei genkai depend first on your bloodline, and second on mutation. In theory, they can also be acquired through training."
"If you really won't give up on Transparent Release, I can tell you how I stumbled into developing it when I have time."
"Who knows? With a little luck, you might succeed too!"
At that point, Shimozuki Hayate silently added the honest truth in his mind.
Although you could theoretically acquire one through training, it was harder than reaching the heavens. It was basically an impossible task.
Throughout the history of the Shinobi World, practically every kekkei genkai clan had originated from a genetic mutation in an ancestor.
Creating a kekkei genkai from nothing through your own efforts was nothing but a fool's dream.
"But Hayate, I think I've already learned it!"
"Of course you have. That feeling is perfectly normal... wait!"
Shimozuki Hayate had been about to offer a few casual words of comfort when he suddenly realized something was wrong. He whipped his head around and stared at Lei Dou. "What the hell did you just say?"
"I said, I think I've really learned it!"
Learned it?
This kid said he'd learned it?
Shimozuki Hayate froze for a moment, then his lips curled into a helpless smile.
Was this some kind of joke?
Transparent Release might not have been the strongest, world-destroying kekkei genkai, but it was still a rare kekkei genkai!
He himself had only awakened the ability by accident during an S-rank mission, when an enemy cornered him and the immense pressure of life or death drove him to do anything to survive.
This wasn't some common technique you could learn by practicing casually on a training field.
How could a kid like Lei Dou master it after listening to the theory a few times?
Hayate's smile practically said, "I don't believe you. You're messing with me."
Lei Dou didn't waste any more words. He simply formed a rat hand seal, and the chakra in his body instantly began flowing along a specific path.
The next moment, his body began to turn translucent and indistinct.
When Lei Dou vanished completely before his eyes, Shimozuki Hayate's smile froze. His calm expression gradually shattered into utter shock.
"This... how is this possible... you... you actually fucking learned it?"
The air rippled, and Lei Dou slowly reappeared, ending his transparent state.
He excitedly raised a hand and examined it. Using Transparent Release really did feel peculiar, as though a thin membrane had enveloped his entire body.
"Yep! I've definitely learned it. It feels pretty easy to use, too!"
Lei Dou answered casually, as though he had merely learned how to tie his shoelaces.
Watching Lei Dou show off with that nonchalant expression, Hayate felt his entire worldview shatter.
"No! That makes no sense! That makes absolutely no sense!"
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Hayate stumbled backward in fright, staring at Lei Dou as though he were an alien.
It made no sense! There was no explanation for this!
This was Transparent Release! Transparent Release, for crying out loud! How could he learn it after a single hour of instruction?
If kekkei genkai were this easy to learn, shinobi with them would be everywhere. Why even fight wars? Everyone could just sit down and teach each other instead.
Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
But as he watched Lei Dou use Transparent Release again, not only did his body vanish this time, but every trace of his living presence disappeared as well.
This was genuine Transparent Release, beyond any doubt.
He had truly and completely mastered the technique.
Hayate clawed at his hair in anguish. Could Transparent Release... really be a recessive gene hidden in the Shimozuki bloodline?
If word of this reached the clan, everyone would go crazy. They'd probably all throw themselves into developing Transparent Release!
If it wasn't hereditary, how else could he explain Lei Dou's outrageous feat?
Could he really have developed a kekkei genkai through his own deductions during that one hour of listening to me ramble?
Of those two explanations, Hayate would rather believe the former-that it was a gift from their clan.
If it were the latter, Lei Dou's comprehension was far too terrifying. Was he even human?
Lei Dou savored the power of Transparent Release. Although it was called a kekkei genkai, which chakra natures did it actually combine?
My only known chakra nature right now is water. Given my civilian background, that's probably the only one I have.
How could a single nature produce a kekkei genkai?
He would probably have to study that mystery slowly in the future.
Looking at Lei Dou after he reappeared, Hayate excitedly seized his shoulders with both hands and shook him hard.
"I don't understand how you learned it so quickly, but since you've mastered it!"
"With Transparent Release supporting that terrifying swordsmanship of yours, you'll definitely become one of Konoha's top assassins!"
"Lei Dou... the responsibility of reviving the Shimozuki clan rests on your shoulders now!"
On me?
Lei Dou smiled helplessly and nodded to humor him. "Don't worry. I'll work hard."
Suddenly, as though he had remembered something extremely serious, Hayate straightened and gave a few solemn coughs.
Then he looked at Lei Dou with a righteous expression, though his gaze abruptly turned sinister and his face darkened like a villainous boss.
"Oh, right! Now that you've mastered this technique, I need to give you a serious warning!"
"Never! Never use this ability for anything filthy like peeping! Do you understand?"
Lei Dou had thought he was about to reveal some crucial secret.
So that was what he was worried about.
"Don't worry, Hayate! I'm an upstanding guy. If I want to see girls, I'll court them openly and have them willingly let me look!"
Seeing Lei Dou's clear, honest gaze, Hayate froze instead, his expression turning rather strange.
"You don't have even the slightest urge to do that?"
"This is Transparent Release! The miraculous ability every man in the world dreams of!"
"With it, you can stroll into the women's bathhouse without a soul noticing. You'll never be discovered, and every beautiful woman's gorgeous figure will be laid bare before your eyes!"
Was that what Transparent Release was for?
No, that wasn't the point right now. Lei Dou stared at Hayate's sunken eyes and the dark circles as heavy as a panda's.
Coupled with that "heartfelt confession," it all clicked for Lei Dou.
No wonder this guy always looked so drained and exhausted. So he'd been...
"Hayate, you look so worn out. Don't tell me you often go peep-"
Hayate blanched and hurriedly clamped a hand over Lei Dou's mouth. "Shut up! Don't make things up! How could I do something like that? I'm a gentleman!"
Then he muttered under his breath, "I only... occasionally gather material..."
Huh?!!!
Lei Dou's gaze instantly filled with contempt.
He hadn't expected the respectable-looking Hayate to be one of those guys too. With such a handsome face, did he really need to resort to shady tricks?
Besides, if he remembered correctly, this guy had a pretty ANBU girlfriend!
At that thought, a wicked smile appeared on Lei Dou's face.
"Hayate, you have a girlfriend, don't you? Yugao?"
Hayate paused, confused. "Yeah! That's right. Why?"
Was it strange to have a girlfriend at my age?
"If Yugao found out you were using Transparent Release to peep into the women's bathhouse..."
At those words, Hayate instantly broke into a cold sweat, soaking his back.
Lei Dou gave Hayate a sinister look, like a little devil. "You wouldn't want your girlfriend to hear about these glorious exploits, would you? So... hehehe..."
"Hey, hey, hey! What are you planning, you little brat? This is blackmail!"
Hayate leaned back defensively and crossed his hands over his chest, staring at Lei Dou in terror like a frightened bunny.
How could this kid be so devious at such a young age?
"As long as you're willing to teach me the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, I think my ears might have been acting up just now. Maybe I misheard!"
He looked at Lei Dou rubbing his hands together like a scheming merchant.
Hayate breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he wasn't asking for money or anything else, that was fine.
Still, learning a B-rank ninjutsu like Shadow Clone was a little premature for Lei Dou right now.
At the very least, he certainly didn't have enough chakra.
"You want to learn Shadow Clone? Wait until you graduate from the Ninja Academy!"
"Hayate, if you're going to be that heartless, I'll have to go have a little chat about life with Yugao..."
"Oh, I just remembered! I have an urgent S-rank mission! I'm heading out. Keep training, and don't slack off!"
Whoosh!
A gust of wind swept past as Hayate used the Body Flicker Technique and vanished on the spot, fleeing faster than a rabbit.
"If you won't teach me the Shadow Clone Technique, at least teach me the Body Flicker Technique!"
But Hayate was already too far away to hear Lei Dou's shout. By now, he had probably fled several kilometers away.
Lei Dou spread his hands helplessly.
"Tch, even threats don't work? He sure runs fast."
Of course, Lei Dou wasn't actually going to snitch. After all, Hayate had treated him well and been a huge help.
Actually reporting him would have been utterly shameless-the act of an ungrateful bastard.
"Forget it!"
"There's plenty of time. I'll get everything out of him eventually."
Sooner or later, he would get his hands on both the Shadow Clone Technique and the Body Flicker Technique.
His main problem was still his limited chakra reserves, but since Hayate had already left...
Lei Dou decided to settle down and carefully study the Transparent Release he had just acquired.
Transparent Release could not only make him invisible, but even conceal his presence entirely.
If the original story's Hayate hadn't been unlucky enough to run into Baki and get killed off for the plot, how could someone with such an incredible ability have been discovered so easily?
With even his presence concealed, this was perfect stealth.
It wasn't as though everyone had a cheat like the Byakugan that let them see chakra pathways directly.