Land of Hot Springs.
Aokawa scouted ahead, leading the group as they fled deeper into the Land of Hot Springs.
"Iroha, let's switch," Aokawa said, turning his head.
Ever since the outpost was breached, Aokawa and Hinata Iruha had been alternating scouting and leading the way.
Although there wasn't much danger heading deeper into the territory, having a Byakugan user to scout along the way was relatively safer.
"Alright, Aokawa, you get some rest." Hinata Iruha was quite happy, cheerfully running to the front, activating his Byakugan, and leading the way.
Aokawa, meanwhile, retreated to the middle of the group.
He split off a portion of his consciousness and immersed it in his Sea of Consciousness, where lines of text appeared.
"Working together, resisting the enemy, leading companions to retreat at the first opportunity, avoiding greater losses, you have received a blessing."
"Basic Kenjutsu Experience *1"
"Your Basic Kenjutsu has been upgraded to Proficient Level."
"Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu Experience *1"
"Your Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu has been upgraded to Proficient Level."
"Vacuum Blade (Skilled Level) *1"
"Konoha Shunshin (Proficient Level) *1"
"Lightning Release Chakra Stimulation Body Forging Method *1"
"energy crystal *600"
Oh-ho!
So most of this blessing was reaped from Shirakumo Hayama, huh.
Shirakumo Hayama only had a few famous secret techniques, and they were all reaped by him.
And a Lightning Release Chakra Stimulation Body Forging Method!
He had read it quickly just now, thinking it was the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
But after feeling the information, it was a method based on Lightning Release to stimulate the body over a long period, thereby increasing physical strength.
It should have come from Nii Yugito.
The most basic requirement for a Jinchuriki is a strong physique, so it's normal for her to know the famous body forging method of the Land of Lightning.
This was also very suitable for him; the physical training method he learned from Guy was now a bit too simple for him.
Lightning Release Stimulation Body Forging, however, was an excellent supplement.
Moreover, with his background as a Medical Ninja and his Quincy's ability to precisely control energy, he could accurately grasp the degree of stimulation.
He wouldn't need to rely on pain signals from bodily damage to judge, unlike others.
He would start practicing this body forging method as soon as he returned.
But what about the Vacuum Blade?
As for Konoha Shunshin, since Shirakumo Hayama had given him a cultivation scroll before, he could explain that he learned it himself.
But the Vacuum Blade, as far as he remembered, only Shirakumo Hayama knew it.
How should he explain its origin?
Even if he claimed to be exceptionally talented and learned it from Shirakumo Hayama's recent battle.
That would still be considered secretly learning a technique.
While it wasn't a big deal in the Ninja World, judging from Shirakumo Hayama giving him Konoha Shunshin, it was clear he was someone with a sense of boundaries.
To openly learn his technique like that wouldn't be good.
He had to find a way to make Shirakumo Hayama teach him the Vacuum Blade to legitimize it... As the group rushed into a forest, Uchiha Hachidai noticed that everyone's condition was deteriorating.
Especially the ordinary guards.
They had been on duty all day, fought consecutive battles with Kumogakure, and then fled such a long distance; their bodies were probably already at their limit.
He frowned, looking around. Seeing the dense forest, it seemed like a suitable place to rest.
He took a few strides past Hinata Iruha at the front, rushed to the very front of the group, and raised his hand, saying, "Everyone, rest here in this forest!"
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions relaxed. Some people, almost as soon as Uchiha Hachidai's words fell, collapsed ungracefully by the trees.
Shirakumo Hayama picked up his water bottle, took a big gulp, and let out a comfortable sigh.
He turned to see Aokawa sitting under a tree, looking distressed and sighing repeatedly.
He couldn't help but smile inwardly: "He's still just a young boy, after all. Even with astonishing strength, he hasn't experienced war, so he becomes preoccupied and sighs at the slightest trouble."
As his Senior, he should go and comfort him, give him some encouragement.
He screwed on the water bottle cap and walked over to Aokawa in a few steps: "War isn't such a big deal, really. With your strength, you'll surely shine in future wars!"
Aokawa looked up at his words, his furrowed brows not easing: "Sohma-sama, I'm not worried about the war; I have something I can't figure out."
"Oh?" Shirakumo Hayama raised an eyebrow: "Would you like to tell me about it?"
"It's about kenjutsu. Some Moves I just can't understand."
"Kenjutsu!" Shirakumo Hayama immediately became interested: "If it's kenjutsu, perhaps I can offer some advice."
"Really!" Aokawa's expression brightened.
He moved, and his Ninja Blade was drawn from its sheath.
The entire movement was fluid, without a single wasted motion.
The blade's gleam wove a dense net around him, and the sound of it cutting through the air hissed.
The entire set of Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu in his hands was steady, precise, and ruthless.
His strikes landed perfectly, and the blade's force penetrated deeply.
This clearly indicated that he had completely mastered Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu, internalizing it in his heart.
A hint of surprise flashed in Shirakumo Hayama's eyes: "This kid indeed has great talent for kenjutsu. It hasn't been long since I taught him, and he's already catching up to me."
The essence of the Moves was also deeply understood by him, to the point where Shirakumo Hayama felt it was as if they were carved from the same mold.
With this thought, Shirakumo Hayama couldn't help but feel curious and asked, "Aokawa, your Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu is already mastered to perfection. Where is it that you find difficulty?"
"I've found that I can't advance any further."
Shirakumo Hayama was somewhat speechless at his words.
Is this what a Genius is like? Constantly thinking about how to improve further.
However, Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu, mastered to this extent, was pretty much at its limit, as it was only a general-purpose kenjutsu.
Next, he needed to develop his personal style based on this foundation.
Thinking of this, Shirakumo Hayama stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and spoke like a teacher:
"Aokawa, to have mastered Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu to this extent, you have already surpassed many people. If you want to go further, you must develop your own personal style."
"Personal style?"
"Yes, Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu is a systematic expansion of basic kenjutsu; it contains all the key points of kenjutsu, you could say."
"And to further develop kenjutsu, kenjutsu masters will combine their own sword-wielding experience with their personal characteristics to develop their own new kenjutsu."
"For example, I once saw a Senior combine Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu with Genjutsu. When he wielded his Ninja Blade, he could make enemies fall into Genjutsu, then seize the opportunity to kill them."
"There's also Nidaime(2nd)-sama's Flying Thunder God Slash, which combines Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu with the Flying Thunder God Technique, and the Gekko family's Dance of the Crescent Moon. These are all advanced applications of Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu."
"Sohma-sama, you are so formidable, also a kenjutsu master, you must have your own advanced kenjutsu too." Aokawa asked excitedly.
Hearing "kenjutsu master," Shirakumo Hayama's face showed some self-satisfaction, as geniuses rarely worship others.
He reached out and took the Ninja Blade from Aokawa's hand, smiling as he said, "The advanced kenjutsu I developed is called Vacuum Blade!"
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"