Chapter 38: Nature Transformation of Lightning Release
Chapter 38: Nature Transformation of Lightning Release
In an underground research facility, Feng Ye was in conversation with Orochimaru, seeking insight into the intricacies of ninjutsu and taijutsu.
Apprenticing under Orochimaru had its risks—the man was treacherous and unpredictable—but his mastery of an extensive array of ninjutsu and his relentless experimentation made him a veritable font of knowledge, unrivaled in his understanding of ninjutsu and the human body.
Feng Ye's encounter with the Cloud Ninja during the Chunin Exams had sparked ideas for developing his Rasengan, but his attempts had met with repeated failure, suggesting he was veering off course. After numerous attempts, he decided to seek Orochimaru's guidance.
"...Nature transformation of Lightning Release chakra, you say?"
Orochimaru, seated on a damp stone chair, paused momentarily upon hearing Feng Ye's question before extending one hand.
Crackle! Crackle!!
Chakra converged in his palm, swiftly transforming into lightning nature, with arcs of electricity dancing and undulating—a dangerous sight.
This display was not ninjutsu but merely a simple nature transformation of Lightning Release chakra.
Orochimaru, having learned from the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, coupled with his own extensive research, could be said to have mastered ninjutsu and taijutsu of all elements—Wind, Lightning, Fire, Water, Earth, as well as Yin and Yang Release.
Techniques like Cell Activation, which affected the physical body, fell under the category of Yang Release, while esoteric techniques that dealt with spirits and souls, such as Impure World Reincarnation, belonged to Yin Release.
"The characteristics of Lightning Release chakra are 'concentration' and 'paralysis,' which set it apart from the 'ferocity' of Fire Release chakra," Orochimaru explained in a slightly hoarse voice as he spread his palm, allowing the lightning chakra to weave and dance within. "The distinction lies in concentration..."
He elaborated on the control of Lightning Release chakra and the key to its nature transformation, his voice gravelly.
Each type of chakra had its unique characteristics and traits. Fire chakra had 'ferocity,' Wind chakra had 'sharpness' and 'cutting,' Earth chakra had 'heaviness,' and so on. The crux of Lightning Release chakra, however, was concentration.
Large-scale Lightning Release jutsu were far rarer than their Fire and Wind counterparts, and even when they did appear to be large-scale, they were actually being released in a concentrated linear form.
The Lightning Release: Kirin technique, which harnessed the power of thunderstorms, was an exception.
Feng Ye, deep in thought, spoke, "So, during use, one should pay attention to maintaining the concentration of chakra... However, it's incredibly challenging to perform fine control with Lightning Release chakra."
Unlike Fire and Earth Release, Lightning chakra, once nature-transformed, manifested as flickering arcs of electricity rather than remaining fixed in one spot. Achieving concentration under such circumstances was absurdly difficult, and even Feng Ye, with his high level of chakra control, found it a struggle.
"Hehehe..."
Orochimaru's laughter in response to Feng Ye's comment gave no indication of his mood. "You're on the wrong path," he said. "Why strive for fine control? Unlike Wind Release chakra, which moves in predictable patterns, Lightning Release chakra is inherently chaotic. That's not where the key lies."
As he finished speaking, Orochimaru slowly lowered his right hand, the lightning chakra in his palm gradually dissipating. He stood up and looked down at Feng Ye, offering a simple piece of advice.
Feng Ye froze for a moment, then suddenly felt as if a veil had been lifted from his eyes.
It was like the proverbial single leaf obscuring the view of Mount Tai. His mastery of the Rasengan had led him to rely too much on the control method it entailed, but that approach was more suited to Wind Release and actually counterproductive for Lightning Release.
Feng Ye nodded, "Yes."
After completing his Cell Activation training, he resumed his previous three-pronged approach to cultivation, with the development of the Chidori still on the agenda.
Before, he could only rely on his own thoughts and reasoning, but now with Orochimaru as his teacher, he could ask questions and gain insight, which was far better than wasting time on fruitless endeavors in ignorance.
Suddenly, Orochimaru turned his head to glance at Feng Ye.
Hiss!
In a silent instant, Orochimaru vanished from his original spot and reappeared at Feng Ye's left side, placing a hand on his shoulder. A look of slight surprise flashed across his face.
"In just over half a month, you've cultivated Cell Activation to this level?"
Orochimaru was well aware of the principle of not biting off more than one could chew in cultivation. Even for a genius, it was possible to cultivate several ninjutsu simultaneously as long as their natures were similar and could promote each other. However, Cell Activation and Lightning Release nature transformation were entirely different types of techniques.
In just half a month, Feng Ye had come to inquire about Lightning Release nature transformation, leading Orochimaru to think that he might be spreading himself too thin. But upon a simple probe, he discovered that Feng Ye's Cell Activation had already reached a profound level.
At this level, it would even be sufficient for cultivating his 'Soft Body Modification'.
['This speed...']
['It's probably a little faster than me opening the first gate at three times speed, and this might not even be Orochimaru's limit.']
['I still have a long way to go to reach such a level... Even with the third gate of the Eight Inner Gates, I'm still not qualified to be arrogant.']
Several thoughts flashed through Feng Ye's mind, but he maintained his composure and replied, "This technique isn't very difficult to cultivate... I recall you mentioning that the key to this technique is controlling the progress, right?"
"Indeed." Orochimaru stared at Feng Ye with keen interest for a few seconds before speaking.
It was unclear whether this 'indeed' referred to Feng Ye's correct answer or the impressive progress of his Cell Activation training.
"At this level of cultivation, you can also learn some of my techniques, but my techniques conflict with White Fang's swordsmanship and may not suit you."
Hatake's swordsmanship was a forceful style known for its speed and lethality, not a treacherous assassination art. It did not align with his Soft Body Modification, and cultivating it would not only fail to benefit Hatake's swordsmanship but might even have adverse effects.
Feng Ye was well aware of this.
After some thought, Orochimaru said, "Your cultivation is proceeding smoothly. If you have any other questions, feel free to come and ask me."
Feng Ye looked at Orochimaru and asked, "...Orochimaru-sensei, can you teach my brother, Kakashi, the Cell Activation technique?"
"No problem." Orochimaru chuckled softly, and a subtle gleam flashed in his snake-like eyes. "It's only natural to look after your brother. However, your brother doesn't have your ambition and may choose a path completely different from yours."
The atmosphere suddenly turned eerie as those words hung in the air.
(End of Chapter)
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