Time slipped into August; the scorching sun of midsummer blazed like fire.
For the past two days Gekko Yun Jian and the other two had wandered in a daze, unsure whether it was the heat or the shock of watching someone Cultivate the legendary Bloodline Limit right in front of them.
They simply couldn't tell anymore—was this still the Ninja World they knew?
Since when had the coveted Bloodline Limit become something that looked so easy?
Ten days—only ten days.
By the Six Paths Sage, are my teammates even human?
Higashino Shin had no real explanation; he could only shrug and say, "That's how cheaters roll. Look at Naruto—once they stuffed other Tailed Beasts' Chakra into him, he started flinging Magnet and Lava Releases along with his Spiraling Shuriken without a second thought."
All he'd done was use the miraculous perception and fine control granted by cultivating White Natural Energy to analyze and reproduce an Ice Release.
More than that, he was intrigued by the changes this fused Chakra brought once Ice Release appeared.
First, his total Chakra climbed a bit faster; second, the Ice Release Chakra seemed to etch itself into his body, lowering his body temperature slightly.
In other words, once a Bloodline Limit forms, the body records it—and it can be inherited.
When he grows up, if he has children with a woman, the kids might awaken Ice Release directly, sparing them the grind of cultivating two Chakra natures and decoding the unique Ice Release oscillation.
Classic case of the ancestors plant the tree, the descendants simply enjoy the shade.
The Second Defense Line was far easier than the First—open flames were allowed, and there was far more time to train.
Beneath the shade outside the outpost, Team Four of Team Three were resting and brewing tea.
When the freshly boiled tea was poured into cups, Gekko Yun Jian and the other two, as if on cue, held theirs out to their companion whose eyes were closed.
Higashino Shin, sensing the change, opened his eyes, speechless, and slowly swept his hand over their cups.
Cold mist gushed out; the scalding tea turned ice-cold in an instant. The three downed it in one go, sighing in bliss—nothing beats iced tea in the field under a blazing summer sun.
Higashino Shin: "…"
Damn it, I busted my ass to Cultivate Ice Release just so you guys can have cold drinks?
Yūgao Uzuki exhaled contentedly. "Ahh, refreshing. Whatever Ice Release's combat power, at least we won't need to buy a fridge."
Gekkō Hayate, still lost in thought, asked, "Shin, I've got Wind and Water Chakra too, but after training with you these days I tried and never felt anything like what you described."
The three had grown up together; they asked whatever came to mind without hesitation.
Higashino Shin pondered. "You want to learn Ice Release? Well… first you have to let both natures coexist in your meridians.
Then suppress the Water Chakra's oscillation as low as possible while guiding the Wind nature's light, flowing property to whirl around the Water at high speed…"
Gekkō Hayate, Yūgao Uzuki, Gekko Yun Jian: "…"
Are you even speaking human? Simultaneously converting two natures to coexist, controlling them to run in different ways—who can do that?
Is that humanly possible?
Gekko Yun Jian sighed. "Hayate, I advise you not to aim too high. As your teacher, my counsel is to Master what Shin and I passed on to you first.
"You're still young. Chakra-Fusion Bloodlines in the Ninja World were almost all developed or awakened by accident; they're not replicable. Do you understand?"
Gekkō Hayate fell silent; he was young, his knowledge not as broad as his father's, and many of the Ninja World's secrets still eluded him.
The headstrong boy had always believed that if someone else could do it, so could he—just lacking effort or the right method.
Curious, Yūgao Uzuki asked, "Teacher, isn't there any Bloodline Limit that can be taught?"
Gekko Yun Jian thought. "Maybe. They say the Third Tsuchikage learned Dust Release from his Master, the Second Tsuchikage.
"But that's only rumor. You know how Ninjas prize secrecy; no one knows if it's true."
He glanced at Higashino Shin. "One thing is certain: Bloodline Limits can be inherited through blood. If Shin has lots of kids in the future, Konoha might gain a brand-new Bloodline clan."
Yūgao Uzuki's face flushed; she lowered her head.
Gekko Yun Jian, Hayate: "…"
Why are you blushing while brewing tea! Way too obvious, silly girl!
Gekkō Hayate looked at his father. "Will you report this? Is it good for Shin?"
Ironically, Yun Jian, a veteran of Anbu, didn't put the Village first; his priorities were his Family first, then the small alliance of Gekko, Uzuki, and Higashino.
Seeing Shin's growing Genius, his first thought wasn't full disclosure but to use it to boost their clout in the Village.
Shin was still young; once he matured, their trio would be a force even the Hokage couldn't ignore.
He was past thirty; he cared nothing for the so-called will of fire—only that in the Ninja World, power is truth.
So he didn't answer his son, turning instead to his Disciple: "Shin, what do you say?"
"No need to report. I just want to train in peace."
"Fine. But for now, don't use that power in front of others until you feel you can resist pressure from above. Understand?"
Higashino Shin said calmly, "I understand, teacher. Don't worry—I Cultivate Ice Release out of curiosity and to deepen my grasp of Chakra natures; it won't change my fighting style."
"Good. Then this is Team Three's secret." Yun Jian set the tone, then suddenly told Yūgao, "If the Village finds out, to get more Ice Release Bloodlines they might pair Shin with lots of wives!
"The Uchiha and Hyuga might not care, but the Sarutobi, Yamanaka, and Nara would line up to introduce pretty girls to him."
The girl snapped to attention. "Rest assured, teacher—whoever learns this secret, I'll kill them!"
Gekkō Hayate: "Teacher, is it really that serious?"
"My boy, you underestimate what a heritable Bloodline means to a Village or clan. If you ever gain one, you'll understand."
Gekkō Hayate: "…"
Hmph! I refuse to believe it—I'm gonna figure one out myself.
Just then Higashino Shin said, "Someone's coming."
The three fell silent at once; they trusted Shin's perception.
On the Second Defense Line Shin didn't actively deploy sensing—it wasted Chakra—but passive awareness was always on, covering a modest range.
Right now, a squad was heading toward their outpost.
Soon three Chunin in green vests appeared. After exchanging code phrases, the leader asked, "Is this Team Three under Jonin Gekko Yun Jian?"
Gekko Yun Jian: "Yes. Orders from HQ?"
"Command orders Team Three to return immediately; we'll take over defense here."
He handed over a scroll. Yun Jian scanned it and told his students, "Confirmed. Our garrison duty ends early—let's head back."