Strictly speaking, Steam Impurities Explosion is a Water Release Ninjutsu, and the basis of this technique is the Clone Technique.
But just like Sasuke's Kirin, Kirin is a true Lightning Release Ninjutsu, yet, like Chidori and Raikiri, it doesn't have the Lightning Release prefix. This is mainly because the Kirin technique involves many elements: Sasuke uses the Great Dragon Fire Technique to create thunderclouds, his Sharingan observes the speed and direction of the lightning, and then he uses Chidori or other Lightning Release Ninjutsu to guide the lightning to attack the enemy.
This technique involves the Sharingan, so theoretically, outsiders cannot learn it, but the fact is that this technique is rated S, meaning it is within the scope of learnable techniques.
Without the Sharingan, one can use sensory abilities or other abilities as a substitute; in this technique, the Sharingan is not an absolute factor.
The same goes for Steam Impurities Explosion. Creating a Water Clone, waterification, and oilification—the first step of these three steps, creating a Water Clone, is not difficult for Ino.
In terms of Clone Technique, Little Mustache's is not comparable to the Shadow Clone Technique developed by the Second Hokage.
Separating her own Chakra into the Water Clone is also something Ino can do, and very easily.
The second step, infusing the Water Clone with waterification Chakra, is difficult.
Chakra with added Water Release nature transformation is the basis for many Water Release Ninjutsu, but this cannot be maintained for long; it's gone once used. Like Ino's Water Dragon Bullet, it's over after one surge. She can hold the last hand seal without letting go, relying on her own Chakra to continue maintaining the water dragon. In reality, this method is very clumsy and was figured out by old man Kosuke himself.
Water Release Chakra cannot exist long-term within a Water Clone, so the Chakra needs to be waterified.
This involves the Waterification Secret Technique, which is very difficult to learn. Fortunately, Ino's level in Water Release and her 'Ninja' skills are high enough. Little Mustache had explained the waterification content involved in Steam Impurities Explosion in great detail that day. She made some detailed adjustments herself and is now able to achieve partial waterification.
Ino stretched her arms and slowly sank into the pond.
The cold clear water enveloped her. She mobilized the Chakra within her body, allowing the Chakra to waterify first, and then to waterify her own body.
Ino's left arm merged with the clear water. The entire dissolution process lasted about forty-five seconds. She released the waterification and raised her left hand to examine it closely.
There was originally a somewhat frightening scar on the palm that was pierced by White with a samurai sword. Even with the Yamanaka Clan's secret medicine applied, the scar was still visible. Now, with partial waterification of her body, this injured area also underwent a cellular-level reorganization.
From Ino's perspective, the scar was slowly fading. She waterified twice more, and when her left hand began to feel a faint pain, she knew that the cells had temporarily reached their limit and needed rest.
Under the moonlight, she examined her palm.
She estimated that after two more times, or when she fully mastered waterification, the scar would completely disappear.
Ino submerged herself completely in the pond, repairing the scars on her lower abdomen and back.
The lower abdomen was fine, but her back had been cut by Chōjūrō with Hiramekarei, leaving a large scar. She had originally thought she wouldn't be able to wear backless dresses anymore.
Although the water was cold, it gave her an extremely secure feeling. The entire pond felt like a part of her body. Ino closed her eyes, as if returning to the womb, carefully experiencing the unique rhythm of the water flow.
Tonight felt very comfortable. Ino didn't need to breathe, didn't need to think. The surroundings were incredibly quiet, as if there was nothing else in the world but herself. The damage inside and outside her body was slowly repairing, her cells made joyful sounds, and she felt incredibly relaxed, directly entering a state of shallow sleep in the water.
She didn't know how much time had passed when a somewhat noisy splashing sound interrupted her state, which was similar to a union with nature. She was a little annoyed. Who was it? Not sleeping in the middle of the night, coming to the mountains to play in the water?
Ino's gaze penetrated the pond water, looking towards the surface, and saw a girl standing on a large rock, practicing punches.
The moonlight was bright, and the girl's expression was firm. She practiced each move with great focus. The only problem was her attire, which seemed a bit too revealing for the environment.
Ino was speechless. Hinata, aren't you on duty?
She guessed that Yuhi must have gone to closely monitor Ari. Yuhi was extremely proactive at this time, working with fiery enthusiasm, so it was not surprising that she directly gave Hinata time off.
Ino sighed inwardly, 'You're given time off and you're not resting? Coming here in the middle of the night to practice punches? You're really addicted, and in that state, aren't you afraid of catching a cold?'
She was currently in the water, and from her angle, she could see many things she normally wouldn't.
Should she go out and say hello now? As fellow girls, meeting in this environment, Hinata would also be very embarrassed, right?
Not going out, continuing to watch from the pond? That also seemed, probably, perhaps, possibly not very appropriate?
Ino was caught between two choices and finally decided to continue maintaining her waterification state. Continue watching!
What's big, what's white? She didn't care.
Her perception, developed through Steam Impurities Explosion, was already quite high. Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu, while categorized into three types when used, still had some commonalities in practice.
She could tell that Hinata was currently practicing her clan's Gentle Fist. The reason for her revealing attire was likely to allow Chakra to flow quickly through the many acupoints in her body, so that Chakra could be released from the acupoints to form the unique defensive effect of Eight Trigrams Palm: Rotation.
Too many clothes would weaken the ability to release Chakra externally, probably.
The young girl was covered in fine sweat. While striking Gentle Fist stances and rotating rapidly, she mobilized all her Chakra for external release as defense. Her determination was great, but this Eight Trigrams Palm: Rotation technique was simply too difficult for her.
Hyuga Neji, without any guidance, could comprehend this technique on his own. Hinata, with her father's teaching and the learning experiences of her predecessors as reference, was still unable to master it, which goes to show that her talent was indeed not as good as Hyuga Neji's.
However, those who know, know. In the Naruto World, talent is cheap; cheats are the most important!
Without a cheat, one wouldn't even be qualified to play a minor role in the final battle.
Ino observed from the water.
Hinata practiced Eight Trigrams Palm, constantly rotating and flailing, which made Ino dizzy. She didn't think Hinata had the qualifications to participate in the final battle, but for now, she could lend a hand.
A stream of water suddenly appeared beneath Hinata's feet, like a human hand, grabbing her ankle and pulling her down. The rock, repeatedly scoured by the water flow here, was already very smooth. Hinata immediately lost her balance and fell into the pond with a 'splash'.
Thinking she had just slipped, she didn't pay it any mind and grabbed the rock, intending to climb back up.
Two seconds later, she noticed something unusual.
This pond was cold, but it wasn't bone-chilling; rather, it was very comfortable. There seemed to be something like Chakra in the water.
What exactly was it?
"Byakugan!"
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