"This kid..."
Tsunade's eyes widened in astonishment.
Meanwhile, mid-air, Hoshita Shūichi was elated.
However, the technique was still in its infancy—clumsy and unrefined. During his second aerial burst, he miscalculated the force and slammed into a tree trunk.
Fortunately, his reflexes kicked in, and he preemptively activated Healing Resuscitation Regeneration, escaping unscathed.
As he picked himself up, Tsunade was already at his side. "How did you pull that off?"
"Nature transformation combined with shape manipulation," Shūichi explained. "Fire Release's explosive properties, shaped to mimic a blooming flower. The blooming process is the Fire Release nature transformation—the explosion itself."
"The explosion creates a shockwave, and the flower's form channels that shockwave, propelling me forward."
"It's essentially an advanced version of the basic Body Flicker Technique."
Tsunade frowned. "Why a flower of all things?"
Shūichi grinned. "I got the idea when I saw flowers unfurling at the shop with Shizune."
Tsunade immediately recalled that day—Shizune had returned beaming, flowers in hand...
Unbelievable ninjutsu intuition!
She marveled inwardly before analyzing aloud: "This is remarkable. Aerial propulsion is something no other shinobi can achieve."
"With enough practice, you could even sprint through the air."
Shūichi nodded. "Exactly."
Tsunade declared, "This technique is undoubtedly S-rank!"
Nature transformation aside (most Fire Release techniques shared explosive traits), the shape manipulation required to simulate a blooming flower—let alone sustain a lifelike flame-blossom—was exceptionally demanding.
And Shūichi had done it without hand seals.
That meant... a seal-less Fire Release Body Flicker!
Shūichi agreed. By difficulty alone, it qualified as S-rank.
But the technique wasn't fully perfected yet, so his Skill Tree hadn't registered it.
Still, the hardest part—the foundation—was complete. Now, it was just a matter of refining the details.
And this Fire Release Body Flicker was only the beginning.
His ultimate goal was to integrate it with the Strength of a Hundred Seal, and perhaps even Tsunade's unfinished Creation Rebirth, to form a Fire Release Chakra cloak. This cloak would allow flame-blossoms to erupt from any part of his body.
Of course, that was a distant dream.
Mastering the Strength of a Hundred Seal alone would take years—let alone adding a second seal on his forehead.
But Shūichi was only seven. Time was on his side.
Under Tsunade's watchful gaze, Shūichi continued honing his technique.
Days later, another breakthrough:
Wind Release chakra nature transformation—complete!
This achievement was grinded into existence by his shadow clones' relentless training.
With it, the [Wind Release Expert] title unlocked, its conditions and effects mirroring [Fire Release Expert].
Now, Shūichi could finally "graduate" from his Konoha Hospital retreat.
Beyond acquiring Wind Release techniques from Minato, he needed real combat to refine his Fire Release Body Flicker.
That evening, packing for tomorrow's mission, Shūichi reviewed his progress.
By now, he was a bona fide Fire Release specialist.
But he hadn't forgotten his original purpose for developing the technique: swordsmanship. Speed was key.
Which brought him to Three Crescent Moon Dance—his signature kenjutsu.
"What if I used Fire Release clones for it?"
He recalled how Lightning Release clones could electrocute enemies upon dispersing.
So what would Fire Release clones do?
The mental image of a clone detonating into a blooming fire-flower sent a thrill through him.
"Do we even have Fire Release clones in Konoha?"
"No matter. Fire Release clones are just shadow clones infused with Fire chakra. For me, that's child's play."
"The real challenge is the explosive blossom effect..."
Glancing at the clock, he shelved the idea for now and retrieved his mother's old jutsu scroll.
Tonight's goal: master Wind Release: Gale Palm!
Dawn arrived without incident.
After morning training, Shūichi tested Gale Palm—execution was flawless. Now, it was just a matter of polish.
Learning Wind Release after mastering its nature transformation did make things easier.
"And I still need to work on genjutsu..."
Post-breakfast, geared up and scroll-laden, Shūichi headed out.
At the usual rendezvous, Team Minato assembled and departed Konoha.
En route, Shūichi broached his Wind Release training request.
Minato agreed instantly, teasing, "Shifting focus to Wind Release?"
Shūichi clarified, "The foundation for Fire Release is set. Now, it's about refinement through combat. That leaves room for Wind Release and genjutsu."
At "genjutsu," Kurama Sanyō perked up. "Looks like I get to play sensei!"
Shūichi played along, bowing dramatically. "All hail Sensei Sanyō!"
Uchiha Shisui chuckled. "Shūichi, don't hesitate to ask for help."
"Never." Shūichi grinned. "I've got zero shame when it comes to learning."
Watching their banter, Minato smiled. "With Shūichi around, the team's always lively."
During a rest stop, Minato taught Shūichi his first Wind Release technique:
Wind Release: Vacuum Bullets!
A B-rank jutsu that fired compressed air pellets from the mouth—a miniature version of the One-Tail's Desert Cyclone.
Shūichi remembered how this technique had wounded Mangekyō-wielding Uchiha Sasuke during his fight with Danzo.
"Wind fuels fire. Danzo... I will kill you."
Practicing Vacuum Bullets, Shūichi's jaw tightened.
Despite the peaceful lull, his grudges never faded.
September arrived swiftly.
Between missions and training, Shūichi maintained his routine.
Then, Team Minato received another assignment in the Land of Rivers.
Shūichi's instincts tingled. "Sensei, hasn't the Land of Rivers stabilized? Our presence might provoke Suna."
The Yellow Flash's reputation was spreading. Their last devastating performance would absolutely put Suna on edge.
"It is stable. This is just a routine garrison mission," Minato assured.
At least, that was what the Third Hokage had told him. No covert objectives—yet.
After their last clash, the Land of Rivers and Wind had conceded—ceding partial control of iron mines and escort duties to Konoha.
Previously, these had been exclusive Suna privileges.
Shūichi suppressed his unease.
At noon, near the Land of Fire's border, the team paused to rest.
Post-lunch, Shūichi unsheathed his Skyblade, its edge shimmering with Wind chakra.
"My Wind Release's nowhere near my Fire proficiency. Wind-enhanced blades are sharper, but still inferior to Azure Flame Skyblade."
Dispelling the chakra, his thoughts drifted to Pakura's Scorch Release.
Fusing two chakra natures birthed new properties—like Scorch Release's unparalleled control, or Storm Release's precision (where Water tempered Lightning's volatility).
Shūichi didn't expect to master Scorch Release soon, but combining Wind and Fire in jutsu—especially kenjutsu—was viable.
Originally, he'd envisioned Wind-enhanced tools for cleaner cuts—much like Danzo's Wind-imbued shuriken.
Now, he could replicate it—but his Fire techniques outclassed the results.
Yet combining Wind and Fire might yield higher efficiency—higher temperatures.
"Actually, Wind-Fire synergy would shine in the Fire Release Body Flicker."
Ideas swirled, but execution required patience.
An hour later, the team crossed into the Land of Rivers, reaching their destination by 4 PM:
A mine.
Their task? Relieve the current guard squad and protect the site for two weeks, periodically escorting refined iron to the port.
Officially, they were deterring bandits—or worse, rogue ninja seizing the mine.
But assigning Team Minato to such a mission felt... excessive.
Shūichi's suspicions were confirmed the next day when Suna scouts appeared.
News had leaked.
Minato remained calm. "Stay alert. No engagement."
Two days later, familiar faces emerged:
Scorch Release Pakura!
Magnet Release Rasa!
Old grudges ignited.
Spotting Shūichi alone, the duo hesitated—tempted.
Their companion, Matō, intervened. "Now's not the time."
As Pakura opened her mouth to argue—poof—Minato materialized beside Shūichi.
"Namikaze Minato..." Rasa's wariness spiked.
The Suna trio withdrew, with Shūichi and Minato shadowing them to a nearby town before returning.
Clearly, Pakura's team wasn't leaving—they were monitoring Team Minato.
That night, Minato received an encrypted missive from Konoha.
After reading, his brow furrowed.
Shūichi pressed, "Sensei, new orders?"
Minato nodded. "Two, in fact. We've already completed one."
Kurama Sanyō guessed, "It's about Suna, isn't it?"
"Yes. We're to divert their attention—and extract another squad at the optimal moment."
"Another squad?" Sanyō blinked. "Who?"
"Like the intel team in the Land of Rain?"
Minato shook his head. "Classified."
Sanyō gaped.
Uchiha Shisui deduced, "Then that squad's on an S-rank covert mission."
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