Before, Shirakumo Aoba only knew a few basic chakra usage techniques, like walking on water or climbing trees.
So he was genuinely amazed by the method Yamanaka Yamanaka was showing him now.
Seeing Aoba's astonished gaze, Yamanaka couldn't help but smile.
"This is a technique only jōnin usually master," he said. "It's not normally taught to genin."
The knowledge blockade in the ninja world was severe.
In this world, people were judged first by their background, then by talent.
When it came to chakra nature, most clan ninjas learned about it very early.
For example, someone like Uchiha Sasuke had already mastered the Fireball Jutsu before entering the academy.
But most commoner ninjas didn't even know about chakra nature until after graduation, and even then, they might only know the basics.
Or if an elder had a high position and strong ability, they might access advanced ninja knowledge earlier.
In Aoba's case, he had an elder who took the time to teach him.
For others, a genin had a genin-level understanding, and a jōnin had a jōnin-level understanding.
Even in the original story, Naruto Uzumaki didn't truly understand chakra nature until much later—when he learned the Rainbow Rasengan.
Aoba picked up a branch and tried to infuse chakra into it like Yamanaka did.
But his branch only got wrapped in a faint blue chakra. It had none of the sharpness Yamanaka's branch had.
He looked at Yamanaka with a puzzled expression.
Yamanaka smiled again.
"Understanding chakra nature changes takes training," he explained.
"You also need a strong chakra reserve to support it. Right now, your chakra is only at the lower end of genin level. It's just barely enough to reach the threshold."
"So how do I train?" Aoba asked.
Yamanaka rubbed his chin, thinking about how to teach him.
"First, you need to find that cutting sensation."
He pulled a weed from the ground.
Without any visible movement, the weed suddenly snapped in midair, splitting into two pieces and drifting down to the ground.
"Did you learn it?"
After demonstrating, Yamanaka looked at Aoba seriously.
Aoba blinked, confused, then gave a look that clearly said, You're joking, right?
He had only said "find the cutting sensation," and then snapped a weed. And now he was asking if Aoba had learned?
It was like saying, "Now that you know what uranium is, go build a nuclear bomb."
"Uh…"
Yamanaka could see Aoba's thoughts and realized his explanation was abstract.
But Yamanaka had been on the battlefield since he was twelve. He'd learned these techniques through experience, without a good teacher, so he didn't really know how to teach.
"Honestly, some things can't be explained clearly," he said. "It's just a feeling…"
"You just keep trying with these weeds. Keep searching for the cutting sensation. Over time, you'll understand."
"Your sister Yuyaka learned the same way."
He felt his explanation was too abstract, so he used a rare successful example from his own experience.
Aoba frowned and pulled out a weed, beginning to try.
This kind of thing was hard to explain—like "sword intent" in old martial arts novels. If you've comprehended it, you understand without being told. If you haven't, no explanation will help.
So he spent the whole morning holding a weed, occasionally infusing chakra, trying to find the cutting sensation.
When his chakra ran low, he rested. When it recovered, he tried again.
He kept going until afternoon.
After lunch, he returned to the courtyard and continued practicing.
Yamanaka watched his great-nephew's effort with satisfaction.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!
A sudden knock sounded at the door.
Aoba looked up curiously. Who could it be at this hour?
Standing outside was a familiar figure.
"Aoba, long time no see. Didn't expect you'd stay home today instead of going out to play with your little girlfriends."
The fifteen-year-old Uzuki Yuyaka was full of youthful energy. Her purple hair was silky and smooth, tied simply to add a touch of elegance and strength.
She wore a chūnin-style flak jacket, meaning she had just returned from a mission.
But her face was smiling, and her brown eyes held undeniable surprise.
She stepped into the courtyard and opened the iron gate.
These waist-high gates in detached courtyards were meant to keep out the uninvited, but they were no real barrier.
"It's not like it's been a long time," Aoba said, rolling his eyes. "It's only been a few days."
"Sigh—"
"You've already been enchanted by the girls outside. So soon you've started ignoring your sister."
Yuyaka looked hurt as she approached Aoba, who ignored her and continued battling the weed.
Speaking of Yuyaka, she was Aoba's lifesaver.
During the Nine-Tails Incident, ten-year-old Yuyaka had pulled Aoba out from under a collapsed building.
If not for her, Aoba might have been trapped in hell from the start.
To repay her, Yamanaka took her in as his disciple.
After that, whenever Yamanaka went on missions, Yuyaka was the one who took care of Aoba.
It wouldn't be wrong to say Aoba grew up under Yuyaka's watch.
But after she graduated from the academy, especially after becoming a chūnin, she had missions and saw Aoba less often.
"Eh—"
Yuyaka gasped, watching Aoba continuously infuse chakra into the weed. Her eyes widened slightly.
"Aoba, have you started practicing chakra nature changes?"
"Yeah," Aoba said, frowning. "But I still don't understand what the cutting sensation is."
Yuyaka paused. It seemed she suddenly remembered something, and her mouth twitched.
"Is that how your teacher taught you?"
"Uh? Yuyaka?"
Aoba hadn't answered yet when Yamanaka came out of the house, hearing the commotion.
Seeing Yuyaka's slightly resentful expression, he asked, confused, "Is there something wrong with how I taught you? I remember you learned the same way, right?"
Yuyaka's expression became even more resentful.
"That's why I practiced for so long."
She pulled a strand of her smooth purple hair and held it out in front of Aoba.
"Aoba, put your hand on mine and feel the chakra."
Aoba obediently placed his hand on her wrist.
Even though she was a ninja, he could feel how soft and delicate her skin was.
He suddenly remembered Tenten. Even though she practiced throwing techniques every day, her hands were still soft and gentle.
Maybe that was chakra.
He didn't let his thoughts wander for long. A sharp sensation suddenly interrupted him.
The strand of Yuyaka's hair snapped.
"Aoba, do you feel it now?"
Seeing Aoba still a bit stunned, Yuyaka asked with concern.
She had slowed her chakra conversion to the minimum.
Aoba nodded slowly. He hadn't fully mastered it, but he understood the general idea of the cutting sensation.
Yuyaka's mouth curved into a smile. She seemed genuinely pleased.
"Your chakra strength still isn't enough. It's better to practice using hair for now."
"I understand."