"It was during a practical combat assessment about two years ago. I saw Asuma-kun highly condensing and stably attaching Chakra to his pair of blades while fighting an opponent, forming glowing blue Chakra blades of incredible power."
Shinichi recalled:
"At that time, I thought that since Chakra could be so highly condensed on weapons, would it be possible... to directly compress and condense it highly in the palm without relying on external objects, forming a brand-new, bare-handed Ninjutsu?"
Asuma?
Highly condensed?
The Third Hokage suddenly realized, remembering the pair of Chakra blades he had given his son as a birthday gift—the Shinichimonji.
Immediately after, a trace of lingering fear and reproach rose in his heart: This child is too bold!
Asuma used specially made Chakra metal blades as a carrier and guide, yet he actually dared to use his flesh and blood body to try and simulate that high-density Chakra shape transformation. If one control went wrong... Although thoughts were churning in his mind, the Third Hokage's face remained peaceful. He didn't interrupt Shinichi but continued to listen intently.
"Once I had this idea, I started trying. It was very simple at first, just trying to gather Chakra in the center of my palm, but it was scattered and formless, with no power. Later I thought that Chakra needs constraint and form... I tried using water balloons, letting the Chakra move chaotically and violently inside the sealed water balloon until it burst from the inside."
The Third Hokage nodded slightly. The logic of this first step was clear and correct, touching upon the basics of Chakra shape transformation.
"After the water balloon was successful, I felt the stability wasn't enough. So I switched to a tougher rubber ball. The goal was to maintain a certain amount of Chakra output and make it exist in the palm as if it were physical, continuously impacting the inside of the rubber ball until it burst. This stage took a long time and required very fine control," Shinichi continued.
"After the rubber ball was also successful," he paused, seemingly recalling the predicament at the time, "I felt something was still missing, as if there was always a layer separating me from the stable condensation I imagined. Later... I thought of using a harder iron ball."
An iron ball?
So that was it. Only now did the Third Hokage understand why this child, whom he watched closely, had suddenly developed the habit of fiddling with iron balls over a year ago.
He had originally thought it was just a hard-working way to train finger and wrist flexibility to assist with hand seals, but it turned out there was a deeper purpose.
This child's talent far exceeds my expectations.
The Third Hokage suppressed the shock in his heart and affirmed in a still peaceful tone:
"I see. Drawing inspiration from observation, daring to practice, and being able to come up with such a step-by-step cultivation method are very precious qualities and talents."
He changed the subject, "However, Shinichi, from my observation, the fist-sized Rasengan you first showed has actually reached a very stable and exquisite balance in terms of Chakra shape transformation and control. One could say this Ninjutsu is already very mature and successful."
"Mature? Successful?" A look of obvious astonishment and confusion appeared on Shinichi's face, as if he completely hadn't expected to receive this evaluation.
Seeing his reaction, the Third Hokage immediately understood the crux of the problem and couldn't help but laugh and shake his head: "It seems, Shinichi, you have developed some kind of misunderstanding. In your view, the later larger Rasengan and the earlier small Rasengan are two forms of the same technique—or rather, the former is an unfinished product, and the latter is a completed product you strengthened to make up for shortcomings, right?"
"Two Ninjutsu? But Lord Third Hokage..." Shinichi frowned deeply, his face written with confusion as he explained urgently:
"That small Rasengan, while powerful enough, doesn't condense fast enough and has a limited attack range. In my own view, the flaws are obvious; it can't be considered a successful Ninjutsu that can be used in actual combat at all. That's why I thought about whether I could forcibly expand its volume and range of influence by injecting more Chakra to cover up these flaws, but it's too unstable."
The Third Hokage listened quietly until he finished. With a gentle and wise smile on his face, he slowly shook his head.
"Shinichi, this isn't a problem with the technique itself." His voice was calm, yet it carried a convincing power: "The problem is that you are still too young."
Shinichi was slightly taken aback.
"Your total amount of Chakra is still insufficient relative to the requirements of this technique. Your level of fine Chakra control is also still growing." The Third Hokage elaborated patiently, explaining the principles of this Ninjutsu:
"When you get older and your body and spirit grow further, your Chakra volume will naturally increase, and your control will grow with cultivation and experience. At that time, you will naturally be able to condense it faster in battle, even achieving something close to instantaneous casting. As for that larger Rasengan, as your Chakra increases and your control improves, it will eventually become stable and controllable."
He paused, his eyes showing a vision for the future, and his tone took on a hint of encouragement:
"Not only that, with this Rasengan as a foundation, when your understanding of Chakra nature transformation is deep enough in the future, you can completely try to inject nature transformations like Wind or Fire into it. At that time, the Rasengan will truly evolve into an ultimate S-rank Ninjutsu! I have high hopes for you on this path."
The confusion in Shinichi's eyes was gradually replaced by realization and shock, which then turned into a burning passion from being encouraged. He took a deep breath and nodded solemnly: "I understand! Thank you for your guidance, Lord Third Hokage. I will continue to work hard and move toward that direction!"
The Third Hokage nodded with satisfaction. But then his expression became a bit more serious, and he exhorted earnestly: "Shinichi, you are a rare Genius with creativity and the courage to practice. This is good. But independently developing high-level Ninjutsu, especially those involving high-density Chakra shape transformation, is extremely risky."
"If you have new ideas in the future or encounter difficulties in your cultivation, don't always keep your head down and drill into it alone. You can consult the teachers at the academy or the seniors in the village. If you really encounter something you can't solve..."
The Third Hokage looked into his eyes and said gently but clearly: "...you can also come and ask me."
...That evening, in the Hokage Office.
"You will regret this!"
Bang!
No one knew why Advisor Danzo Shimura had met with the Hokage. They only knew that in the face of a certain request of his, the Third Hokage had rarely flown into a true rage, heartlessly telling him to get out immediately without leaving any room for negotiation.
A few days later, Minato Namikaze, who had just returned home from a mission, was visited by Jiraiya, who happened to be in Konoha.
"Minato, I heard that a child's idea coincided exactly with your original concept. He..."
Jiraiya recounted the whole story of how Shinichi Higashino developed the Rasengan. Minato Namikaze listened quietly, surprise and admiration gradually shining in his eyes.
After listening, he sighed from the bottom of his heart: "That child really is an incredible Genius. However... although the name Rasengan is very good, it doesn't seem quite fitting enough."
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow and asked with great interest: "Oh? Then what do you think it should be called?"
Minato Namikaze thought seriously for a moment, his eyes shining as he said word by word: "Shinichi Higashino's Light Blade Initiation - Howling Dance Spiraling Sphere."
"Hmm... I should add a'Super' in the middle—Shinichi Higashino's Light Blade Initiation - Super Howling Dance Spiraling Sphere."
Jiraiya: "..."
...