Chapter 24: Team Asuma's Final Choice

Chapter 24: Team Asuma's Final Choice

It wasn't until Kushina stood before them that the storm ceased its assault.

Team Asuma was finally able to open their eyes and look forward.

Kushina seemed to have created an invisible wall in front of them, blocking the storm and protecting them from its fury.

Beyond this point, the ground, sand, grass, and soil were swirling wildly, completely blocking their vision.

The sound of the howling wind filled their ears.

This deafening roar lasted for several seconds before gradually fading away.

After another long moment, the hurricane-force winds died down, revealing a massive crater with a diameter of over 200 meters and a depth of several tens of meters.

Team Asuma stood there, mouths agape, stunned into silence by the sheer size of the crater.

"What's wrong, everyone? You shouldn't be hurt, right?"

Empire Mizukage approached them slowly, a look of confusion on his face as he regarded the silent group.

"You idiot, Mizukage! Can't you tell? They're just shocked by your Wind Release: Chakra Senpuu Sky Flash Shuriken!"

Kushina walked up behind him and slapped him hard on the back, making him grit his teeth in pain.

"This is a bit too over the top, don't you think, Mizukage-senpai?

Even S-ranked ninjutsu shouldn't be this powerful."

Yamato forced a bitter laugh.

The combination of qi and chakra was truly formidable!

"This level of power... even the Tailed Beasts' Bijuu Dama pales in comparison, right?" Sakura gasped.

She recalled the terrifying Tailed Beasts from the first Chunin Exams.

Even those monsters didn't seem to have techniques as powerful as what they had just witnessed from Mizukage.

How could a human possess such a devastating move?

"You're so sneaky, Mizukage-senpai! Using an SS-class ninjutsu to show off and then telling us not to use our best moves."

At some point, Empire Guy had also joined them, and he now glared at Mizukage with a plaintive expression.

"Mizukage-dono's Wind Release: Chakra Spiral Sky Flash Shuriken is incredibly strong!

I wouldn't be able to defend against a technique of this caliber; it's just too powerful!"

Little Lee marveled, his hands roaming over his muscles as he spoke.

"Ahahaha... I apologize... I didn't mean to go that far." Mizukage scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.

"Amazing! It's too amazing, Uncle Mizukage! I want to learn it! I want to learn this move! Teach me, please!"

Finally processing what had happened, Uzumaki Naruto jumped up and down, rushing to Mizukage's side and tugging on his hand eagerly.

"Good eye there, Naruto. If you want to learn Wind Attribute breathing techniques, I can indeed have Mizukage teach you this move."

Kushina smiled warmly at Team Asuma.

"I want to learn it! Please, I beg of you, Kushina-neechan! Uncle Mizukage!"

Naruto pressed his palms together and begged the two of them.

In his mind, he was already planning how he would use this move to scare the heck out of that stuck-up Uchiha Sasuke.

He wouldn't dare to stay so aloof and act all high and mighty once he saw this! Hehe!

"There's no need to rush, Naruto. We still haven't witnessed the Mental Martial Arts yet." Sakura reminded him.

"You already got a taste of the Mental Martial Arts just now."

Kushina chimed in with a smile.

"Huh? We did?" Sakura was taken aback, and the others shared her confusion.

Their faces wore puzzled expressions.

"When I blocked the Wind Release: Chakra Senpuu Sky Flash Shuriken just now, I was utilizing the power of the Mental Martial Arts!"

Kushina explained.

"So that was Mental Martial Arts?" Naruto murmured.

"But... why can't I understand it at all?" Naruto scratched his head in confusion.

"Mental Martial Arts, when cultivated to a profound level, can influence reality and alter the stance of your surroundings," Kushina explained. "Just now, I created a circle of windless stance around us, a domain strong enough to resist the raging wind. Additionally, I can generate gravity stances, impact stances, electrostatic stances, and more. Anyone who steps into these domains will be affected by the corresponding elements."

Team Asuma finally began to understand.

After comprehending this new concept, the four of them contemplated the potential of Mental Martial Arts. It seemed incredibly powerful, but it might be more suitable for illusionist ninjas. For their team, the other three techniques might be a better fit.

"I still want to learn the Wind Attribute breathing technique!" Naruto declared resolutely.

However, Sakura and Sai beside him looked hesitant.

Sakura wasn't particularly talented in cultivating general attribute ninjutsu; her forte lay in physical strength, which wasn't a good match for breathing techniques. She was well aware of this, and she knew that if she tried to learn attribute breathing techniques, her progress would likely be limited.

Sai's Super Beast Scroll technique was also incompatible with attribute breathing techniques.

Empire Mizukage noticed the hesitant expressions on their faces and spoke up, "The Wind Attribute breathing technique is indeed suitable for Naruto, but it's not a good fit for Sakura and Sai. For them, the Martial Arts Six Forms would be a better choice."

"Ah! I almost forgot about that! I'm sorry, Sakura, Sai! Let's learn the Martial Arts Six Forms instead!" Naruto exclaimed, coming to a realization. He quickly apologized to his teammates.

"It's fine, Naruto," Sakura reassured him. "Any of these techniques would be great for us. While breathing techniques are indeed very suitable for ninjas like us, learning the Martial Arts Six Forms will also help us teach and improve the skills of the other ninjas in Konoha."

"Then..." Naruto hesitated, unsure.

"It seems like you're having a hard time deciding," Empire Mizukage said gently. "Why don't you all learn the Martial Arts Six Forms, and Naruto, since you seem quite skilled with Shadow Clone Jutsu, you can create a few clones to follow me and learn the Wind Attribute breathing technique and Wind Release: Chakra Spiral Sky Flash Shuriken."

"Ah! Uncle Mizukage, you truly are the best person in the world!" Naruto exclaimed, jumping with joy.

"Hey! Now you're only thinking about Mizukage's good side? What about me?" Kushina teased, pretending to be upset.

"Sister Kushina, you're also the best person in the world!" Naruto quickly added.

"Hehe, that's more like it!" Kushina chuckled.

"Mizukage-senpai, Kushina-senpai, thank you so much," Yamato expressed his gratitude.

"No wonder Uncle Mizukage is so popular in this world," Sakura thought, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Empire Mizukage. It was only after Kushina coughed lightly that she turned her face away, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Uncle Mizukage is such a great man. I wish Sasuke could be more like him, Sakura thought to herself.

"Then it's settled!" Empire Mizukage declared happily.

"Woohoo! Yes! We're learning the Martial Arts Six Forms! As expected, everyone loves training their bodies the most!" Little Lee exclaimed, punching the air in excitement, thrilled that his display of the Martial Arts Six Forms had won over the team.

"Do your best, boys from another world! If you diligently uncover the power of your bodies, you'll gain strength beyond your imagination!" Might Guy encouraged Team Asuma, giving them a thumbs-up.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end