SWNOVELXO Chapter 36: Chapter 36: The First Step Towards Sage Mode!
Chapter 36: The First Step Towards Sage Mode!
Staring at the brightly displayed [Sage Clan Guidance Technique] on the panel, Nara Keisuke admitted that the words he had just been thinking were probably, possibly, maybe a little too loud.
Right now, all he wanted to do was drop into a squat at the speed of light, place his hands on Chiriku's shoulders, and exclaim with sincere urgency, "Little Master Chiriku, are you alright?"
Taking the opportunity to shake Chiriku's shoulders, Nara Keisuke quickly skimmed through the details of the [D-rank Technique: Sage Clan Guidance Technique] recorded on his panel.
'So it's not the Sage Art or Sage Mode I was imagining.'
'That makes sense! How could a secret art on the level of Sage Mode possibly come from a D-rank scroll?'
Keisuke ran through all the information from the technique scroll in his mind. 'The panel's description of the [Sage Clan Guidance Technique]'s effect is a bit mystical, but in reality, it's just a method of meditation and breathing.'
'The final effect is to allow a person to clearly perceive the existence of natural energy!'
After Browse the specific content of the [Sage Clan Guidance Technique], Keisuke's heart was filled with mixed joy and worry. It was, after all, just a D-rank [Shinobi Secret Scroll]; to be able to get a technique of this quality was already the result of his luck exploding. This was the source of his delight.
But correspondingly, as a D-rank technique, who knew how long one would have to cultivate the [Sage Clan Guidance Technique] to be able to sense natural energy. If it took tens or hundreds of years, then he might as well research other ways to sense it!
But regardless, the [Sage Clan Guidance Technique] was, in the end, a training technique that could be used to sense natural energy. And being able to perceive the existence of natural energy was the crucial first step in researching "Sage Mode"!
For now, Nara Keisuke put aside his unnecessary worries.
"Chiriku is this generation's 'Talent of the Sage Clan' at our Fire Temple. Not only is his natural talent outstanding, but he is also diligent and hardworking." Master Chūkaku approached without a sound and lightly placed a palm on Chiriku's forehead. "I thought he would be a worthy opponent for Young Benefactor Nara, but I didn't expect his combat experience to be so lacking."
Chiriku slowly regained consciousness. He looked at the abbot and his opponent right in front of him, and the scene of his defeat flashed through his mind. He did a carp flip, leaping nimbly from the ground, and bowed a full ninety degrees to Abbot Chūkaku. "I'm sorry, Abbot, I lost!"
"Don't worry about it, Chiriku." Master Chūkaku helped him up with a smile, then tapped him on the forehead three times. "You have a simple and honest character and are upright by nature. It's only natural that you aren't skilled in the deceitful combat of ninja."
Listening to this from the side, Nara Keisuke felt that something wasn't quite right. If Chiriku was honest and simple, did that mean he was cunning and treacherous? Was the abbot of this Fire Temple a little petty?
"This is just what combat between ninja is like, Chūkaku-dono," Nara Shikano interjected with a smile. "The essence of ninja combat is deception."
Master Chūkaku shook his head but didn't say much more. The ninja monks of the Fire Temple and the ninja of Konoha. Although both were "superhumans" capable of using chakra, their fundamental understanding of chakra was completely different.
"Young Benefactor Nara." Master Chūkaku looked towards Keisuke, the smile on his smooth, bald head unchanging. "The most outstanding novice monk in the Fire Temple is no match for you. Would you like to continue and face a formal ninja monk?"
A formal ninja monk?
Nara Keisuke glanced at the group of muscular bald men not far away and subconsciously wanted to nod. He hadn't originally paid much attention to the D-rank combat mission triggered by Chiriku. But he hadn't expected the D-rank scroll he received after the battle to contain a transcendent technique like the [Sage Clan Guidance Technique]! If a novice monk was like this, wouldn't a formal monk be even more amazing? If Keisuke could defeat a formal monk, he would definitely receive a higher-level reward. Perhaps he could directly get the Fire Temple's "little Gundam" ability...
Master Chūkaku was not surprised by Keisuke's decision and once again called out the name of another monk. A large, muscular, bald man emerged from the group of men. A C-rank ninja combat mission subsequently popped up on Keisuke's panel.
The muscular monk's taijutsu skills completely surpassed Chiriku's, and his experience and judgment were also far superior to the novice monk's. After a brief exchange, Keisuke confirmed that his own basic ninjutsu and taijutsu were completely unable to pose a threat to the opponent. In the end, he had to use his [Shadow Secret Techniques] to end the battle. The moment the muscular monk was controlled by the [Shadow Paralysis Jutsu], he basically lost all ability to resist and could only concede defeat.
Filled with anticipation, Nara Keisuke opened the newly acquired C-rank [Shinobi Secret Scroll].
[Opening...]
[Contents of this C-rank Shinobi Secret Scroll: Technique]
[C-rank Technique: Arhat Fist]
[Technique Description: A temple-Heritage, Strong Fist-style taijutsu.]
[Technique Effect: An overwhelmingly violent iron fist delivered with astonishing arm strength.]
[Technique Evaluation: The main thing is the unity of the waist and horse stance.]
"..."
Looking at the [Arhat Fist] that popped up on the panel, Keisuke was speechless for a moment. Getting a taijutsu ability from a C-rank [Shinobi Secret Scroll] was a bit rare, but not strange. The problem was, could it not have appeared at this time? He was looking forward to the "Welcoming Approach: Thousand-Armed Murder," and instead, he got "Arhat Fist." Keisuke was beginning to suspect that the [Sage Clan Guidance Technique] from before had completely used up his luck for the day...
At this time, the old clan head spoke up, "It seems there's no need to continue fighting." The moment Nara Keisuke used his [Shadow Secret Techniques], this competition had lost its meaning—at least, in Nara Shikano's eyes. The old clan head had hoped that Keisuke could use the sparring with the Fire Temple's monks to become proficient in using the advanced ninja tool, the [Chakra Crystal]. But he could also see clearly that when dealing with the Genin-level Chiriku, Keisuke could still win with chakra and tactics. But against a Chunin-level formal monk, Keisuke, limited to using only "physical stats" and "basic ninjutsu," was somewhat out of his depth and could only rely on his family's secret arts to win.
Hearing the clan head's words, Keisuke, though a bit unwilling, nodded. Although he still wanted to challenge even stronger monks to try and obtain a higher-level [Shinobi Secret Scroll], he had to admit that in a relatively fair, head-on confrontation, a pure taijutsu-style, Strong Fist Jonin could be considered his current "natural enemy"—provided he didn't reveal his [Shadow Doppelganger Technique].
'It seems my only gain today is one [Sage Clan Guidance Technique].' Keisuke took a deep breath, calming the agitation in his heart. 'That's still a pretty great reward!'
"Since Shikano-dono has said so, let's end the sparring match here," Master Chūkaku said, still wearing the smiling expression of a Maitreya Buddha. "However, Young Benefactor Nara, I see that you are young, and there is still a lot of room for improvement in your physical conditioning. Would you like to come to the Fire Temple for a few years of advanced study to train and strengthen your physique?"
The invitation from Master Chūkaku was quite unexpected. Nara Shikano also looked at Keisuke, waiting for his answer.
"Thank you for your generous invitation, Master Chūkaku." Nara Keisuke shook his head, frankly refusing the abbot's kind offer. "But I have a clear enough understanding of myself. My physical talent is insufficient, and my aptitude for taijutsu is not good enough. Investing too much energy in it would inevitably result in getting half the results with twice the effort."
Keisuke wasn't against practicing taijutsu, but he would never make it his main focus. What's more... the Fire Temple's Strong Fist style was really not a good path for him. Keisuke had no desire to turn himself into "Brother Nara."
Master Chūkaku looked very regretful. "Alright then..."
Just as Nara Keisuke and the clan head were preparing to pack up and leave the training grounds, a familiar, harsh voice reached the ears of everyone present.
"Old Monk Chūkaku, where are the two ninja who came from Konoha? Hand them over to me!"
Everyone in the training grounds looked in the direction the voice came from. Keisuke instantly recognized the other party—it was the same group of Guardian Ninjas who had blocked their path at the Daimyo's Residence.
"Kazuma, this is the Fire Temple, not the Daimyo's Residence," Master Chūkaku said, his usual smile gone. "This is not a place for you to throw your weight around."
"Old monk, I'm not here to cause trouble for you today," Kazuma said, looking at Master Chūkaku with a hint of fear. But the 'Fire' sash around his waist seemed to give him enough confidence. "Konoha ninja—I'm not talking about you!"
Nara Shikano, who was just about to step forward, was shouted down by Kazuma. "Right, you, it's you, the little brat, get out here!"
[B-rank Ninja Combat Mission Detected!]
[B-rank Mission: Twelve Guardian Ninja]
[Mission Content: Defeat/Kill Kazuma of the Twelve Guardian Ninja]
[Mission Reward: B-rank Shinobi Secret Scroll]
Nara Keisuke looked at Kazuma opposite him with some confusion. After Master Chūkaku's introduction earlier, he had already recognized the other's identity. Wasn't this the foolish Guardian Ninja who later planned to attack Konoha, only to be killed by Sarutobi Asuma outside the village?
'Whatever, it's a B-rank mission at least...'
Just as Keisuke was about to step forward, Master Chūkaku floated in front of him, raising a hand to protect him. "Kazuma, let me remind you again, you are no longer a monk of the Fire Temple! And you are not welcome here."
Seeing Master Chūkaku's stance, Keisuke weighed the situation and still chose to speed-run the mission.
[You have speed-run [B-rank Mission: Twelve Guardian Ninja]!]
[You have obtained one C-rank [Shinobi Secret Scroll]!]
Kazuma was about to say something more, but Master Chūkaku was unwilling to continue the conversation.
"Ninja monks of the Fire Temple!"
"Here!"
"Even the Buddha has a wrathful vajra form. Expel the traitor and restore tranquility to the temple."
"Yes!"
An overwhelming barrage of red chakra fists. That was the last thing Kazuma saw before he lost consciousness.
(Author's Note:)
The [Arhat Fist] is not an original creation; a character in the original manga also uses this taijutsu.
Jirōbō.
The enemy Akimichi Chōji fought during the Sasuke Recovery Mission.
And [Arhat Fist] really is a C-rank taijutsu...
(End of Chapter)
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