Konoha: I Have a Gravity Training Room

As he spoke, he slowly formed hand seals. The next second, with a bang, an extra pair of hands appeared on his shoulder blades.

"Ah! Xia Mu turned into a spider!"

Tenten curiously leaned in and even poked the extra arms with a finger, seemingly fascinated by their structure.

Xia Mu simply grabbed Tenten's hand with one hand while the other pair nimbly danced through hand seals, proving that they were not illusions and could be controlled flexibly.

Shino nodded repeatedly. "Looks like your idea worked!"

Xia Mu looked utterly matter-of-fact. "Of course it did! If I failed, wouldn't that mean I'd let down your trust, Shino?"

As he spoke, the hands on his shoulder blades began forming seals. Then, with another bang, a tiny pair of hands sprouted from the back of his neck. They were even smaller than a kitten's paws, yet they could still form hand seals with ease.

Tenten and Shino's eyes lit up.

Anyone with half a brain could understand the use of this move.

The conjured hands might not have much offensive power, but they could hide in inconspicuous places and form seals in secret. That way, the user's actual hands would not need to form seals at all. They could attack with taijutsu while casting ninjutsu right in the enemy's face. What could the enemy do then?

Tenten immediately said, "Xia Mu, Xia Mu, I want to learn this move!"

Shino added, "Let's begin the lesson now."

Faced with two enthusiastic students, Xia Mu naturally could not refuse. "Alright, alright, I'll teach you now."

What followed was one-on-two instruction. Xia Mu also taught Tenten the Shadow Clone Jutsu along the way, since learning the Shadow Clone Jutsu first would make the Four Demon Technique easier to learn afterward.

However, Xia Mu was not exactly honest. Using Tenten's unfamiliarity with hand seals as an excuse, he taught her hand in hand and openly took advantage of her.

Fortunately, Tenten only glared at him and did not refuse.

Shino had already memorized the hand seals and silently went off to practice, quietly leaving space for the future couple. He had no need to stand there and be fed dog food in person.

However, the three of them failed to notice that the shop owner's head was quietly poking out from the front entrance as he watched.

Seeing Xia Mu openly take liberties with his daughter, he angrily bit down on his handkerchief. Yet he did not come out to stop them.

As a doting father, he could naturally see what was going on. His precious daughter was not only passionate about training, but also held great affection for Xia Mu. All that was missing was for Xia Mu to call him Father-in-law outright.

But he could not stop them. Even if he did not like Xia Mu, he would respect Tenten's choice.

Besides, after observing him these past few days, he understood that Xia Mu possessed extraordinary talent. Even the son of the Aburame Clan head had immense faith in him. If such a genius liked his daughter, Tenten would receive plenty of care and support. Once she became a ninja, her safety would have even greater protection. Only then could he truly rest easy.

Fine, fine. This brat may be annoying, but I'll just pretend I didn't see anything.

By the time the shop owner thought this, he had bitten his handkerchief to shreds, yet he still had no choice but to return to the shop.

When mealtime came, the shop owner prepared food to entertain them. Though he claimed that he could not neglect the son of the Aburame Clan, he did not skimp on Xia Mu's portion in the slightest. He even "accidentally" gave Xia Mu a few extra pieces of meat.

Tenten saw it all and covered her mouth as she giggled. In truth, she was delighted as well.

Since her father did not object, she had even less reason to hesitate. She could not let a wonderful match like Xia Mu slip away!

Thus, she took the initiative. "Xia Mu, the Shadow Clone Jutsu is a little difficult. I still haven't mastered it, and I haven't even gotten anywhere with the Four Demon Technique. Can you come to my house after school every day to teach me from now on? My family will provide meals."

Naturally, Xia Mu agreed. "Of course. As long as you and Shop Owner Uncle don't find me annoying."

The shop owner snorted but ultimately did not object.

Shino tactfully said, "Xia Mu, then I won't wait for you after school from now on. I'll practice on my own first. Once I've become proficient, I'll come find you for sparring."

What a reliable brother!

Xia Mu shot Shino a grateful look, making Shino look smug.

Tenten nearly burst out laughing when she saw it, but she had to hold it in because a certain someone still did not know that she had already figured out what he was thinking.

Over the next half month, Xia Mu went to Tenten's house every day after school. He was practically treating it as his own home. His relationship with Shop Owner Uncle also became much more harmonious, because Xia Mu cooked once and thoroughly won him over. The only downside was that the uncle often asked Xia Mu to cook.

What could Xia Mu do? His future father-in-law wanted to taste his cooking. How could he dare refuse?

Fortunately, Tenten was somewhat biased toward Xia Mu. She often used training as an excuse to keep Xia Mu from cooking, though in reality, she was simply getting affectionate with him.

Still, Tenten truly was serious about training. Under Xia Mu's one-on-one guidance, she had successfully mastered the Shadow Clone Jutsu and the Four Demon Technique. Combined with her already proficient Tree Climbing and Water Walking, her Chakra control had reached an extremely refined level. Her current strength was roughly that of a genin.

Although being a genin at seven or eight years old was not particularly impressive, even a genius like Sasuke probably did not yet possess genin-level strength at this point.

Tenten herself was not especially talented. Reaching this level at her age was already remarkable.

Besides Xia Mu's careful instruction, the biggest reason was Tenten's own hard work. Hardworking girls were truly beautiful. At any rate, Xia Mu liked Tenten more and more.

Chakra Version of the Six Styles

Time vanished little by little, just like members of the Senju Clan.

Several months slipped by unnoticed amid classes and dismissals. Looking back, it all felt like a dream.

Xia Mu underwent several more rounds of ninjutsu development in the Special Laboratory State. However, his research on Water Style: Vortex Boiling Water had hit a bottleneck, and there had been little progress.

Fortunately, he was not solely focused on that project.

Occasionally, to change his mood, he would study other techniques as well.

For example, after mastering Water Nature Transformation, he developed several simple and practical techniques.

Water Style: Telescope Technique: Chakra was used to gather moisture from the air, forming convex and concave lenses to create a telescope out of thin air. At its farthest range, it could observe conditions up to two kilometers away.

This technique was tremendously helpful to Xia Mu.

Xia Mu had always had a weakness when it came to reconnaissance. He had neither Shino's insects nor the support of the Byakugan. Even after learning Chakra sensing, his detection range remained quite limited.

With the support of the Telescope Technique, he could easily scout anything within two kilometers.

Water Release: Magnifying Water Lens: Chakra was used to gather moisture from the air and form a large convex lens, concentrating sunlight to cause burns or even explosions.

This move had appeared in an anime-original episode. However, that villain had not possessed a Water Nature; he seemed to have had an Ice Nature.

Oh, right. That villain seemed to have used the Telescope Technique too.

It had to be said that although anime-original characters were not particularly strong, the techniques they came up with were truly imaginative and worth learning from.

What was even more worth mentioning was that Xia Mu had completed the Six Styles.

Previously, he had treated Transformation Jutsu: Kami-e as the Six Styles' Kami-e, and the Body Flicker Technique as the Six Styles' Soru. The other four styles had seen no progress.

Then, one day, Shino suddenly threw a pile of scrolls at Xia Mu. He said they contained some low-level ninjutsu and told Xia Mu to study them. Once Xia Mu produced any results, he had to share them.

Shino, seriously, I'm going to cry!

Xia Mu felt that becoming good friends with Shino was the best decision he had ever made.

Naturally, Xia Mu tearfully accepted Shino's kindness, took the ninjutsu scrolls, and began even more research.

The ninjutsu scrolls Shino gave him were mostly Water Style, Lightning Style, and Earth Style techniques. Shino had mainly considered Xia Mu's Chakra affinities, so at the very least, they would be much easier for Xia Mu to learn. They included Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu, Earth Style: Hardening Technique, Water Style: Water Wall, Water Style: Iron Cannon, Lightning Style: Ground Running, and more. There was also Genjutsu: Hell Viewing Technique and even Medical Ninjutsu.

Xia Mu did not actually have much of an impression of ninjutsu rankings. Many techniques in the original story had never been strictly categorized.

However, these techniques were frequently used in the original story. They were not low-level ninjutsu at all; the lowest among them were C-rank. Shino was lying through his teeth, and he was truly generous.

What could Xia Mu do besides feel grateful?

He could only work hard on his research and share the best results with this friend of his.

Fortunately, Xia Mu could imagine the status of these ninjutsu within the Aburame Clan. After all, the Aburame Clan mainly relied on the Insect Control Technique and generally would not practice such ninjutsu. Still, it was normal for them to collect some while carrying out missions. Even if they simply gathered dust at home, it was better to have them than not. At worst, they could be sold when times were hard.

Moreover, not everyone in the clan was a genius at insect control. Some clan members could certainly learn these ninjutsu instead.

And since Shino was the clan head's son, no one would object to him taking out copies of these unwanted ninjutsu. Especially since Shino might have already sought the opinion of his father, Shibi Aburame.

Then there was no problem.

Still, Xia Mu could not simply take such kindness for granted. He had to repay it.

Thus, after several months of research, the Six Styles were finally completed.

Iron Body: Using Earth Style: Hardening Technique as a reference, Chakra was used to help the body absorb the properties of iron kunai, turning parts of the body into iron.

Finger Pistol: The fingers were turned to iron with the Iron Transformation Technique, then used to launch rapid attacks through finger strength.

Moon Walk: Chakra was used to gather moisture beneath the feet, allowing the soles to gain leverage and enabling the user to run through the air.

Tempest Kick: Chakra was used to gather a large amount of moisture, which was kicked out with leg strength in the shape of a crescent. The moisture was compressed to form a crescent-shaped slash.

It was not that Xia Mu did not want to research other moves or that he was stubbornly fixated on developing the Six Styles. The truth was that the Six Styles already formed a complete system, integrating offense, defense, and evasion. When he had an assignment he could copy directly, why waste his brainpower inventing something else?

This Chakra version of the Six Styles might not be as exaggerated as the pirate version, but it was still extremely practical.

Take Iron Body, for example. In the Shinobi World, where offense was high and defense was low, it was truly useful. At the very least, one would not have to fear being stabbed to death by a kunai. Moon Walk, meanwhile, genuinely allowed a ninja to fly briefly.

No matter what others thought, for the Aburame Clan, who struggled with taijutsu, this was absolutely a delightful surprise.

One day, Xia Mu brought Tenten to visit Shino's home.

Originally, Xia Mu had wanted to invite Shino to his own house so that he could teach him the Six Styles. However, Shino instead invited them over, and his reason was quite compelling.

He said that he had always eaten at Xia Mu's house and Tenten's house before, so now it was his family's turn.

Xia Mu did not object. He happened to want to meet Shibi Aburame as well, though he had no particular agenda. He mainly wanted to express his gratitude.

After all, Shino had given Xia Mu so much ninjutsu for free. Not only had Shibi Aburame shown no objection, he had even helped keep it secret. That was a great kindness as well.

Others might not care, but Xia Mu could not treat it lightly.

Thus, Xia Mu and Tenten brought a box of cured meat to the Aburame Clan, where they received a warm welcome from Shibi Aburame.

"Hahaha! You must be Xia Mu and Tenten. Shino mentions you often. Especially Xia Mu—you've known each other since Shino's first day at school, and you've always had a great relationship. As his father, I'm truly grateful to you. Shino has never been good at communicating with others. Having you as his friends is truly wonderful!"

As Shibi Aburame spoke, moisture even seeped from beneath his sunglasses.

His fatherly love nearly drowned Xia Mu and Tenten. He did not seem bad at communication at all.

Xia Mu hurriedly said, "Uncle Shibi, you're too kind. Tenten and I should be the ones thanking Shino. He has helped us so much that we don't even know how to repay him."

Tenten followed up, "Yes, Uncle Shibi. Shino has helped us so much. Being friends with him is our greatest honor!"

"No, no, I should be thanking you..."

"No, no, we should be thanking you..."

The three of them went back and forth at the entrance, while Shino stood beside them in silent speechlessness.

Fortunately, he stepped in to interrupt them in time. He then led Xia Mu and Tenten inside and put away the box of cured meat.

This was cured meat Xia Mu had personally made. Shino had eaten it a few times and loved it, so naturally, he had to store it carefully. That way, he could eat it at home in the future as well.

Returning a Peach with a Plum

Shibi Aburame had Shino show the guests around, saying that he would arrange the meal himself.

Shino was actually a little nervous. This was the first time friends had visited his home. Even though he had a close relationship with Xia Mu and Tenten, he still cared greatly about it.

He showed the two of them the insect-rearing room and the vegetable garden.

The Aburame Clan was famous for its Insect Control Technique, so it was normal for them to raise insects at home. It just was not particularly friendly to those with trypophobia.

Xia Mu and Tenten were not afraid, since they were already very familiar with Shino.

Whenever they trained together, Shino would release a large number of insects. Over time, they naturally got used to them.

Still, watching densely packed insects chew through vegetable leaves while making crunching sounds was not pleasant at all. Anyone who was not from the Aburame Clan would find it hair-raising.

Afterward, Shino brought them to the training ground in the backyard.

Xia Mu also got down to business. "Shino, I've created a form of nintaijutsu called the Six Styles. It includes the Kami-e I taught you before, as well as Soru, which I worked out myself and is similar to the Body Flicker Technique. The remaining four styles are Iron Body, Moon Walk, Finger Pistol, and Tempest Kick. They should greatly make up for your shortcomings in taijutsu. Now, create a few Insect Clones and fight me. I'll demonstrate them one by one."

"Alright. I'm looking forward to it."

Shino did not refuse, just as Xia Mu had not refused when Shino tossed him a pile of ninjutsu scrolls.

With a raise of his hand, a swarm of insects gathered together into three Insect Clones. All of them held kunai as they charged at Xia Mu.

"Soru!"

Xia Mu vanished from where he stood with a swish.

When he reappeared, he was already behind one of the Insect Clones. The index finger of his right hand suddenly turned pitch-black as he thrust it straight into the clone's heart.

"Finger Pistol!"

The Insect Clone exploded, but the other two stabbed at him with their kunai.

Xia Mu did not even dodge. He casually formed several hand seals. When the kunai struck his body, only the sound of metal clashing against metal rang out. They did not harm him in the slightest.

"This is Iron Body! Next is Moon Walk! After that comes Tempest Kick!"