"Alright, now, everyone, please come up and claim a textbook based on your Chakra affinity," Qingshui said, watching the ninjas approach the podium and take their books. "This is a special Nintaijutsu I developed that can boost explosive power and physical fitness. There are five types, corresponding to the five Chakra affinities. Of course, you can also combine two affinities, similar to a Kekkei Genkai, using a mixed Breathing Style."
"These textbooks can only be read here; you're not allowed to take them home. Similarly, unless you have permission from me or the Kazekage, you are not allowed to discuss the Breathing Styles with anyone else. This is because Breathing Styles, much like Puppetry, will become a crucial part of our village's ninja heritage and cannot be leaked."
"First, I'll explain each of the five Breathing Styles…"
As Qingshui explained, he drew his sword and demonstrated.
He was naturally most proficient in Wind Breathing and Thunder Breathing, having nearly mastered both.
While he wasn't as skilled in the other Breathing Styles, he had briefly learned about them from the other Hashira when he was researching Sun Breathing.
With his broad understanding and ability to draw connections, he only needed a little more study to develop a good grasp of these Breathing Styles. Even if he couldn't instantly reach the Hashira level, it would be easy for him to guide others in the basics.
Furthermore, he could always refer to the notes and interpretations of every Hashira regarding Breathing Styles over the Demon Slayer Corps' hundreds of years, which was more than enough to instruct others.
As Qingshui explained, the Sand Hidden ninjas below him watched with shining eyes.
Though they hadn't yet learned the Breathing Styles, those with discerning eyes could see that this Nintaijutsu was applicable to almost all ninjas and would undoubtedly be powerful.
Any single Breathing Style among them would be enough to found a ninja clan as a hereditary technique. With all five, representing access for almost all ninjas, their integration could ensure the lasting prosperity of a major clan.
Yet, Qingshui was selflessly imparting this Nintaijutsu, which could serve as a clan's secret technique, to them.
Yes, selflessly.
Even though the ninjas attending this class had paid, the value of that money was nothing compared to a complete legacy. In their eyes, it was practically free.
What generosity of spirit!
"Breathing Styles... is that the distinct Nintaijutsu Qingshui used when he sparred with me before? Are these it?"
That evening, the Third Kazekage listened to a report from a Special Jonin who had attended the Advanced Swordplay Class. He seemed to recall something and pulled a stack of brand-new books from his drawer.
Qingshui had delivered them yesterday afternoon. Because there was so much content, the Third Kazekage had planned to look through them when he had more free time, so he hadn't yet opened them.
"Yes, Lord Third!"
"From your expression, this Nintaijutsu must be very good. Do you think you can learn it?" the Third Kazekage asked, stamping the documents in his hand.
"Lord Third, to be precise, anyone has a chance to learn it.
This is almost an entirely new Secret Technique. I don't know if its value can compare to the Cloud Hidden Village's Lightning Release Chakra Mode, but at least in the current Ninja World, besides Lightning Release Chakra Mode, I can't think of any other Nintaijutsu whose value can rival it, because it is highly accessible."
The Third Kazekage stopped what he was doing.
"Are you sure?"
"It's not particularly simple; it requires some sword training and a solid foundation in swordsmanship. Lord Qingshui spent several months training our sword skills first, and only began teaching the Breathing Styles after he determined everyone met the standard. As long as one has sufficient physical fitness and develops enough lung capacity, they can get started.
As for how to deepen one's mastery, I don't know yet, but based on my observations and inferences about Lord Qingshui, practicing this Nintaijutsu to a certain extent will be of great help, at least for Jonin who are proficient in sword arts.
As for its upper limit, I believe Lord Qingshui himself is an excellent example."
The Special Jonin spoke earnestly to the Third Kazekage.
The Third Kazekage leaned back in his chair, recalling Qingshui's performance when he had fought him.
Aside from the village's Puppetry, almost second only to Chiyo and Ebizo, what impressed him most was the Nintaijutsu, which combined with Separation Release, possessed incredibly destructive power.
Five Breathing Styles, paired with five Chakra affinities—even if their maximum power was half of Qingshui's, it would be enough to cultivate a very strong Jonin.
Combined with its versatility, it was almost another Secret Technique comparable in value to Puppetry.
It seemed the position of Kazekage was practically settled.
This achievement alone meant that every ninja in the Sand Village who practiced Breathing Styles would owe Qingshui a debt.
Not to mention the canal Qingshui oversaw the construction of, which greatly enhanced the Sand Hidden's foundation, the new Puppetry that significantly boosted the combat power of many Puppet Masters, and the large number of mission shares brought by the Chakra Energy Vehicle…
In just a few short years, Qingshui's accomplishments had reached a level that even the Third Kazekage found astonishing.
Moreover, everything Qingshui had done truly brought immeasurable benefits to the Sand Village. Even after ten, twenty, or thirty years, these things would continue to generate revenue for the Sand Village.
Even if more outstanding successors were to improve upon these things in the future, those achievements would only be possible by standing on Qingshui's shoulders.
It seemed the Fourth Kazekage position would have to go to Qingshui.
Because no one's contributions could surpass Qingshui's.
In a few more years, when Qingshui's achievements began to show their effects, no one would be able to overshadow him in terms of prestige either.
However, Qingshui was still one final, crucial step away from truly being qualified to become a Kage.
That was to lead the Sand Village ninjas to win a large-scale war.
Military achievements were one aspect, but more importantly, to become a Kage, you had to make everyone in the village believe that you could lead them and protect them.
This was the most basic and important requirement for being a Kage.
However, the war had only ended two years ago, and the current situation in the Ninja World was relatively stable. If nothing unexpected happened, it might be a few more years until the major ninja villages recovered their strength before the Third Shinobi World War began, reallocating interests.
The next morning, Qingshui was summoned by the Third Kazekage to the Kazekage's office.
In the past year, he had visited the Kazekage's office even more frequently than some department heads in the Sand Village.
The Third Kazekage's purpose in meeting Qingshui was actually very simple, just two things.
One was to record the Breathing Styles in the Scrolls of Sand, and the other was for the Third Kazekage to discuss with Qingshui a plan for cultivating related specialized talent.
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