Ignoring Kurenai's exaggerated reaction, Seiryū slightly furrowed his brows and pondered inwardly.
"I have all five elements, so it's not because I lack Lightning Release chakra nature. Then why can't I use Hado #4: Byakurai?"
"I don't need an incantation, and I know the specific method and principles. What exactly am I missing?"
Now the problem became clear.
Before, he had thought the issue was a lack of Lightning Release chakra nature. But now that was ruled out. So why was he still unable to cast Hado #4: Byakurai?
"Hado #1: Shō is a technique that applies spiritual pressure. In this world, it can be replicated with chakra. Hado #4: Byakurai is also a relatively basic Kidō, but it adds the factor of elemental nature…"
"Do I really need to first master Lightning Release nature transformation?"
Seiryū thought about it and recalled that in the original records, Naruto had undergone Wind Release nature transformation training when developing Wind Release: Rasenshuriken.
Being born with a chakra nature and being able to directly use it were not the same thing.
The reason he could not use Byakurai likely lay here. Seiryū had not yet begun nature transformation training at all, like having nine out of ten points figured out but missing the last one.
Still, he always felt something was off.
Why could Uchiha Itachi perform the Great Fireball Technique with hand seals after seeing Uchiha Fugaku use it once?
Did Fire Release nature transformation not need to be learned?
Or was it that the Uchiha clan truly possessed some kind of Fire Release saint body, allowing them to instantly grasp and master Fire Release Ninjutsu?
Ah, Seiryū suddenly understood.
This had to be a setting added later, just like a rubber man suddenly becoming a sun god. It just happened.
Seiryū accepted it. This was very normal.
Understanding aside, if you do not know something, you ask someone who does. The ancestors said that one should not be ashamed to ask questions, and not always assume oneself to be amazing or a genius.
Among three people walking, there is always someone who can be my teacher.
So Seiryū voiced his question.
"Uncle Shinku, I have all five elements. Does that mean that as long as I know the hand seals for a Ninjutsu, I can use it?"
"What do you think?" Shinku glanced sideways at Seiryū, feeling that this kid was daydreaming.
Then he explained, "Unless you already know how to perform chakra nature transformation, even with a Ninjutsu scroll, you still wouldn't be able to learn it."
"Shape Transformation and Nature Transformation are the foundations of using Ninjutsu. To successfully perform a Ninjutsu, both are indispensable."
"However, for you, it won't actually be difficult. Whether it's Shape Transformation or Nature Transformation, they both come down to chakra control."
As before, he no longer doubted Seiryū's talent. He estimated that as long as he explained the principles, Seiryū would grasp it very quickly.
In terms of chakra control, Seiryū was no worse than him, a Jōnin.
"Oh, Uncle Shinku, then please teach me Lightning Release chakra nature transformation first."
"Why Lightning Release? Water and Fire Release are easier than Lightning Release."
"Because Lightning Release is cool. Think about it. Raise your hand, shout 'Lightning, come,' and a bolt of lightning strikes down from the sky. That's way too cool."
"…All Ninjutsu are released using the chakra within the body. There is no such method as what you described. What you're talking about isn't Ninjutsu at all."
"Uncle Shinku, you don't understand. You can use Fire Release to rapidly heat the air. The heated air accelerates the condensation of water vapor, forming cumulonimbus clouds. Then we use Lightning Release to guide the lightning from those clouds to strike. I've even thought of a name for it. Lightning Release: Kirin."
"Don't indulge in fantasies, kid. That kind of thing is impossible. Perhaps only the Six Paths Sage from legends could accomplish something like that."
"Then when I develop this Ninjutsu in the future, please call me Sage Seiryū."
Seiryū felt that the other party simply lacked imagination. How could it be impossible?
This was a Ninjutsu he had "copied," or rather, borrowed.
There was clear evidence that it was an S-rank Ninjutsu. He had seen it in a manga called Naruto.
Shinku chuckled. "Alright. If you really develop such a Ninjutsu, then not only will I call you Sage Seiryū, I'll even declare you the strongest, stronger than the Hokage."
This kid's imagination was too wild. Just hearing about it sounded unreliable.
Seiryū's expression turned strange. "Uchiha Madara?"
Damn it, could "I'll declare you the strongest" really be said so casually?
Was he some kind of Uchiha clone hiding in the Yūhi family?
"Uchiha Madara?" Shinku naturally did not understand the reference and interpreted it differently. He laughed and said, "You even know that name? Hm, if you develop that kind of technique, you'll definitely be stronger than Uchiha Madara."
"…"
Seiryū silently signaled that he should stop setting flags.
That old man was not dead yet.
Even White Zetsu might still be disguised as an old woman in Konoha. Konoha was practically their backyard, coming and going as they pleased. They had been watching Uchiha Obito since very early on.
If those words spread and reached certain ears, the consequences would be serious.
Seiryū did not want to attract that old monster's attention, so he decisively changed the topic.
"Then let's begin."
Shinku froze for a moment, his tone hesitant. "You're not actually going to make me guide you in that Lightning Release: Kirin, are you? Let me say this first, I don't have that ability. And are you really trying to become Sage Seiryū?"
Seiryū looked completely confused. "???"
"Pfft…"
Seeing the expressions on Shinku and Seiryū's faces, Kurenai could not help bursting into laughter.
"Hehe, Father, you're too silly. Seiryū wants you to start teaching him Lightning Release chakra nature transformation. How did you end up thinking about Lightning Release: Kirin? Hahaha…"
She laughed so hard she was almost out of breath.
How had she never noticed that her usually serious father could have such a foolish moment?
And Seiryū's expression was utterly bewildered. He clearly had not expected her father to say that. It was truly hilarious.
"Uh…" Shinku finally came back to his senses and realized he had gone completely off track.
After giving a dry laugh, he began explaining the essentials of nature transformation to Seiryū.
"Lightning Release nature transformation is about taking chakra, doing it this way, then that way, and finally this way…"
Although he did not have the lightning attribute and had not personally trained in Lightning Release nature transformation, he had guided Genin before and was familiar with the theory.
Teaching Seiryū was no problem.
Seiryū listened attentively, nodding repeatedly. "Mm, oh, so it's like this, then that, and finally this. I understand."
Listening to Shinku's explanation, Seiryū did not feel it was particularly difficult.
It was nothing more than changing the nature of chakra.
This was not an empty statement. It really was just that.
Changing chakra into the nature of electricity was Lightning Release nature transformation.
As someone experiencing life as a ninja for the first time, Seiryū admitted that he did not know how to explain the principles of chakra nature transformation in a way others could easily understand.
First this way, then that way, and finally this way.
Shinku summed it up very well. There was no problem at all.
(To be continued.)