Lying back down, Hoshita Shūichi calmed himself.
The [Sealing Master] title was far more challenging to obtain than [Fire Release Master] or [Swordsmanship Master].
Developing sealing techniques was inherently more difficult.
Finally, his gaze settled on the last effect of [Sealing Master], and a thought struck him:
"Is the Adamantine Sealing Chains a Bloodline Limit?"
"I remember it being a secret technique."
"But the Adamantine Sealing Chains are deeply tied to the Uzumaki clan's physique—it must qualify as a Bloodline Limit."
Shaking his head inwardly, Shūichi dismissed the idea.
While the Adamantine Sealing Chains were formidable, if he could earn the [Sealing Master] title, converting his own sealing technique into a Bloodline Limit would be far more fitting.
"In fact, I could design a sealing technique specifically to evolve into a Bloodline Limit..."
As the bathwater cooled, Shūichi stepped out and headed to his study to review his sealing knowledge.
Reviewing the old to understand the new!
The next morning, after his training, Shūichi returned to find a scroll and a note on his table.
Picking it up, he saw it was from Namikaze Minato.
Unrolling the scroll, a single jutsu caught his eye:
Darkness Genjutsu!
A visual-based illusion that robbed enemies of their sight—an ideal counter against ocular techniques.
After storing the scroll in the sealing scroll gifted by Ten'un, Shūichi freshened up and headed to Konoha Hospital.
In the days that followed, Shūichi's sealing lessons shifted from Minato to Uzumaki Kushina, held at Minato's home.
Time flew, and soon it was July—the annual Chūnin Exams had begun.
Learning that Kakashi was participating, Shūichi made sure to attend the second and third rounds to watch.
As expected, Kakashi passed with ease, becoming Konoha's second six-year-old chūnin.
His birthday wasn't until September—he was still six!
To celebrate, Shūichi suggested a gathering, but Kakashi countered:
"How about a full-on spar instead?"
Shūichi raised an eyebrow, then grinned. "Your call today!"
Kakashi nodded. "First round: a race to the training grounds. Fastest wins."
Might Guy immediately interjected, "Such a fiery challenge can't exclude me!"
Soon, the rest of their peers—Uchiha Obito, Sarutobi Asuma, Yūhi Kurenai, Shizune, and Nohara Rin—joined in.
With everyone lined up, Shūichi gave the signal, and the group blitzed forward using Body Flicker Techniques.
Within moments, the race split into tiers:
Tier 1: Shūichi, Kakashi, and Asuma, neck-and-neck.
Tier 2: Guy and Obito, trailing slightly.
Tier 3: Shizune, Kurenai, and Rin, bringing up the rear.
But when Shūichi activated his Fire Release Body Flicker, he instantly pulled ahead.
Then—zzt!—a crackle of electricity echoed behind him.
Glancing back, Shūichi saw Kakashi's body flicker with lightning.
"He's already applying Lightning Release chakra nature transformation to enhance his speed. Impressive!"
Asuma, watching the gap widen, gritted his teeth.
Damn it—I can't catch up!
He resolved to seek training from his elder brother, Sarutobi Shinnosuke.
Round 1's winner? Shūichi, no contest. Kakashi's Lightning Release application was still rudimentary.
Round 2: Riverbank Duel.
Under their friends' watchful eyes, Shūichi and Kakashi clashed at blinding speeds.
Fists, kicks, kunai—sparks flew with every exchange. Their movements were so fast that Shizune and the others could only see afterimages.
"Too fast!" Kurenai gasped.
Suddenly, Shūichi disarmed Kakashi's kunai—only for Kakashi to draw his sword, forcing Shūichi to abandon his own kunai.
Out came the Skyblade.
Short sword vs. short sword!
Steel rang against steel, sparks scattering like fireworks.
But soon, Guy and Asuma noticed Kakashi faltering.
Retreating, Kakashi flipped backward, sheathed his blade, and blurred through hand seals.
Lightning Release?
Shūichi responded with just two seals—then spat a Fireball Jutsu, interrupting Kakashi's technique mid-cast.
Obito's jaw dropped.
"A Fireball Jutsu with only two seals?!"
Shūichi didn't let up, hurling shuriken to keep Kakashi dodging. Yet Kakashi still finished his seals.
Lightning Release: Earth Flow!
Electricity surged across the ground toward Shūichi.
Leaping skyward, Shūichi countered with Dragon Flame Jutsu, obliterating the lightning.
Before landing, he unleashed Phoenix Sage Fire, merging shuriken with fireballs.
Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson!
Kakashi dodged frantically.
Shūichi touched down—two more seals.
Fire Release: Spontaneous Combustion!
Flames erupted on Kakashi's body, forcing him to dive into the river.
Shūichi charged across the water—kunai at Kakashi's throat the moment he surfaced.
Poof!
A log substitute.
Behind Shūichi, the real Kakashi emerged, hands already sealed.
Lightning Release: Earth Flow—AGAIN!
Forked lightning lanced at Shūichi's back.
BOOM!
The river exploded, mist billowing—but Shūichi was gone.
"Too fast!" Kakashi's eyes narrowed.
The mist parted—three Shūichis streaked toward him.
Three Crescent Moon Dance!
No time to counter.
On the riverbank, the spectators watched as Kakashi was overwhelmed, forced to yield.
Speed, taijutsu, kenjutsu, ninjutsu—Kakashi was outmatched in every category.
The battle left Shizune and the others stunned. This was light-years beyond academy spars.
"This is a chūnin's strength? The gap's huge!" Kurenai murmured.
Shizune and Rin nodded fervently.
Next, Guy, Obito, and Asuma took turns sparring with Shūichi and Kakashi, experiencing firsthand the power of a chūnin.
As the sun set, the group dispersed. Shūichi walked Shizune home.
Passing a flower shop, Shizune paused. "Lady Tsunade's flowers need replacing. Let's get some now."
Shūichi followed her inside.
The shopkeeper was watering wilted blooms. As Shūichi watched the petals unfurl, he froze.
Shizune, holding her chosen flowers, noticed his stare. "Shūichi, do you like morning glories?"
Snapping out of it, Shūichi smiled. "Yeah. They might be my lucky flower."
Shizune made a mental note. "Then let's buy them!"
Shūichi paid for both bouquets.
After dropping Shizune off, he rushed home, placing the flowers in a vase.
The morning glory's blooming motion had inspired him—what if Fire Release's shape transformation mimicked a flower's bloom?
The unfurling petals mirrored explosive propulsion.
But theory wasn't practice. Step one: master dynamic shape transformation—simulating a flower's bloom in real time.
Easier said than done.
After dinner, Shūichi studied the morning glory, experimenting.
Palm up, he conjured flames, then molded them into a flower.
Hours passed. By 10 PM, exhausted, he called it a night.
July waned.
In Konoha Hospital, after finishing a surgery, Shūichi smiled in the break room.
Finally.
Basic Healing Jutsu, Mystical Palm, Extraction of the Poisonous Core, Healing Resuscitation Regeneration, Chakra Scalpel—five medical jutsu mastered, unlocking his [Medical Expert] title.
Activate!
Instantly, his medical ninjutsu talent and chakra control doubled.
The difference was palpable.
Storing chakra in his Strength of a Hundred + Eight Trigrams Seal required precise control—far more delicate than combat chakra usage.
Previously, Shūichi had barely met the standard. Now, he could feel individual cells.
"This is amazing."
Grinning, he opened his eyes and raised his right hand.
After a month of trial and error, he could shape Fire Release chakra into a morning glory—but dynamic transformation remained elusive.
With his newfound control, he had to try again.
Orange flames bloomed in his palm, petals unfolding slowly.
Just then, Tsunade walked in—and stopped mid-step.
Shūichi looked up. "Lady Tsunade, what do you think?"
Tsunade stared at the flickering fire-flower. "Fire Release shape transformation?"
"But why a flower?"
Fire Release shapes were typically spheres or dragons.
A flower? Was it just... pretty?
(It was pretty.)
Shūichi explained, "It's for my Fire Release Body Flicker."
"Body Flicker?" Tsunade's confusion deepened.
"See for yourself."
Dispersing the flames, Shūichi led her to his training grove—littered with charred craters.
Tsunade's eyes gleamed with realization.
Shūichi took a breath—then shot forward, leaving afterimages.
Tsunade's gaze locked onto him—and she gasped.
Mid-air, with an explosive burst, Shūichi kicked off nothing, propelling himself again.
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