"As expected!"
Seeing the result, Shiro Akira's eyes lit up. "I really gained the Lightning attribute! That means I can start learning Lightning Release: Thunder Sphere next!"
"Once I've mastered it, I can try comparing it with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's abilities. Then I can figure out whether I can replace stamina consumption with chakra… or use stamina to replace chakra consumption? Maybe even convert the lightning generated by the Rumble-Rumble Fruit into chakra?"
Shiro Akira felt this was something worth researching carefully.
If he could fully understand it, his strength would undoubtedly take a huge leap forward.
"Mm! No need to think that far ahead for now. Let's start with lightning body tempering first!"
Shaking his head, Shiro Akira immediately sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and focused inward. He began carefully mobilizing the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's power, starting from his fingertips, cautiously tempering the cells in his fingers.
Enel's experience included knowledge of lightning-based body tempering, and Shiro Akira could finally put it to use.
At first, he proceeded cautiously, worried about lack of control.
But once he realized he could actually control the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's power well enough to temper the cells in his fingers, Shiro Akira gradually expanded the process across his entire body, simultaneously refining his skin, muscles, and even bones.
As for his internal organs and brain—they were far too fragile, so he didn't dare touch them.
"Grrr…"
Half an hour later, Shiro Akira was awakened by the growling of his stomach. He stopped the tempering process.
Opening his eyes, he felt extremely weak—and incredibly hungry.
"Damn! The consumption is insane!"
He immediately grabbed a few fruits from the fridge and devoured them to fill his stomach temporarily, then took out ingredients and started cooking.
Once the meal was ready, he devoured what would normally be enough for three people, only then feeling about eighty percent full.
Staring blankly at the empty plates on the table, Shiro Akira smiled wryly. "That was just half an hour… At this rate, I'm going to turn into a bottomless pit."
"If this keeps up, the money at home won't last long. I'll have to find a way to earn money and secure food supplies."
At present, his remaining funds—including what his parents had left behind and the village's compensation—amounted to just over a million.
With this kind of appetite, it probably wouldn't even last a year.
"If only my next exchange could get me a pile of gold…"
Shiro Akira fantasized.
But then he quickly shook his head. "No, no. Gold isn't a circulating currency here. If I get too much, it'll be hard to sell—and it'll definitely attract attention."
There were very few fools in this world. On the contrary, there were plenty of schemers lurking everywhere.
"Better think of another way."
Having made up his mind, Shiro Akira spent the rest of the day in the courtyard practicing Lightning Release: Thunder Sphere.
There was also a limit to how long he could perform lightning body tempering each day. Overdoing it would damage his cells, and Shiro Akira wasn't about to take that risk.
Trying to rush things would only backfire.
After exhausting his chakra, he took out the Senju Swordsmanship Notes and began reading through them.
…
Early the next morning, Shiro Akira got up and started running laps around the village.
Since he had decided to train his stamina and physique, it was best to begin as early as possible.
"The air is really fresh…"
As he ran, Shiro Akira couldn't help but sigh.
Before he had even completed half a lap, he suddenly heard footsteps running up from behind.
Turning around, he saw two figures dressed in green jumpsuits with bowl cuts.
Who else could they be but Might Guy and Might Duy?
When they noticed Shiro Akira turning around, the father and son were slightly surprised.
Might Guy immediately recognized him. With a bright grin that flashed his dazzling white teeth, he gave a thumbs-up and said, "Yo! Shiro Akira! You're training too? Have you finally realized the true meaning of youth?"
Shiro Akira: "…"
What the hell is the "true meaning of youth"?
Still, Shiro Akira had already planned out his future path yesterday, and Might Guy and his father were among the people worth interacting with.
At the very least, he could learn some taijutsu from them.
So he smiled and raised a hand in greeting. "Morning, Guy! I just feel like my stamina is lacking, so I wanted to train a bit."
"I see!"
Guy nodded in understanding, quickly catching up to Shiro Akira. With excitement in his eyes, he issued a challenge, "Then let's have a match! Shiro Akira! Let's see who can run faster and farther!"
His fighting spirit was overflowing.
"Uh…"
Shiro Akira's expression stiffened. He shook his head rapidly like a rattling drum. "Let's not, for now. My stamina and physique are nowhere near yours. Training should be gradual—if I push too hard and injure myself, that wouldn't be good."
"You and your father should go ahead. I won't delay your training. When I get the chance later, I'll come ask you both for guidance in taijutsu training—hope you won't mind."
He'd have to be crazy to compete with Guy in running.
This guy was a monster in that regard—running dozens or even hundreds of laps around Konoha wasn't a problem for him at all.
Completely incomparable.
"Is that so?"
Guy looked a bit disappointed at first, but quickly perked up again. "Then it's settled! You're always welcome to train with us!"
With that, he accelerated and dashed off in a blur.
Might Duy ran past Shiro Akira as well, flashing his teeth and giving a thumbs-up. "Keep it up, young man! I'll always welcome you to explore the path of youthful taijutsu with us!"
Then he sped up and chased after Guy, leaving behind a trail of dust that forced Shiro Akira to step aside into a nearby grove.
"Initial contact complete. Not bad."
Shiro Akira smiled slightly.
After finishing one lap, he ended his morning training, bought some breakfast, and then headed to the academy.
Entering the classroom, he found that several students had already arrived.
Kakashi Hatake sat there with a black mask covering his face, his expression indifferent. He glanced at Shiro Akira briefly before withdrawing his gaze, no longer paying attention.
He knew Shiro Akira. Not a dead last—but just an average, middle-to-lower-tier student in the class.
The only noteworthy thing about him…
…was that he had an excessively handsome face.
Kakashi felt that, in terms of looks, Shiro Akira could already compete with him. (￣^￣)