"Hua Jingfeng, stay here and don't move. I'll come back for you later!"
"Yes, Teacher Datani."
Otani Yuto knew the importance of this matter, so he first calmed Hua Jingfeng down, then immediately notified the Anbu members stationed at the Ninja Academy to inform Lord Hokage that Hua Jingfeng most likely possessed a Bloodline Limit.
A long time later.
The Third Hokage arrived in a hurry and, led by Otani Yuto, met Hua Jingfeng.
"Lord… Lord Hokage!"
Hua Jingfeng was surprised and a little nervous to see Sarutobi Hiruzen, dressed in the Hokage's ceremonial robes, coming directly to see her, because the 'black substance' she had just controlled didn't actually belong to her…
"I heard Teacher Datani say you seem to have awakened a Bloodline Limit?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke directly; matters concerning Bloodline Limits were never trivial, especially since Hua Jingfeng might have awakened a Bloodline Limit never before seen in the Ninja World.
"Lord Hokage, I, I don't know…"
Facing the strongest ninja in the village, Hua Jingfeng was clearly flustered, her eyes showing fear, and her voice trembling slightly.
"Hua Jingfeng, show Lord Hokage the ability you just demonstrated."
Otani, seeing Hua Jingfeng's nervousness, immediately spoke to her gently. Sarutobi Hiruzen's serious expression also gradually softened, as the person in front of him was just a civilian child with ninja aptitude…
"Mm…"
Hua Jingfeng nodded obediently, then condensed an irregular, jet-black sphere in her palm, which wriggled around like a living creature.
"A Bloodline Limit with Yin Release properties…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen truly lived up to his title as the 'Professor of Ninjutsu'; he knew the main attribute category of the 'object' in Hua Jingfeng's palm just by looking at it.
"Hua Jingfeng, do you know how to control and use it?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked Hua Jingfeng. He had never seen such a strange thing, similar to a 'shadow,' and not knowing the capabilities of this Bloodline Limit, he naturally didn't dare to try it himself.
"Lord Hokage, I can do it."
Hua Jingfeng nodded, and then the jet-black sphere in her palm first transformed into a lifelike black lotus, then changed into a dark black rose.
"Hua Jingfeng, I mean, what are its specific abilities? For example, how do you use it against an enemy?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen knew Hua Jingfeng hadn't quite understood him, so he rephrased his question.
"It should be like this…"
Hua Jingfeng understood Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, and then, guided by instinct, she controlled the jet-black sphere in her palm. Under the gaze of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Otani Yuto, it slowly flowed from her palm to the ground like water, then merged with her shadow beneath her feet, making the shadow's color even deeper.
Upon seeing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately thought of the Nara Clan's Shadow Secret Technique, but there seemed to be significant differences between the two.
"Lord Hokage, I feel like I can also control shadows with it, just like this…"
As Hua Jingfeng spoke, the black shadow beneath her feet slowly rose from the ground, gathering like water to form a humanoid figure standing beside Hua Jingfeng. Its size was identical to Hua Jingfeng's, but it lacked facial features and distinct bodily characteristics.
After the shadow person appeared, it also moved under Hua Jingfeng's control, though its movements appeared somewhat clumsy. However, it didn't last long; Hua Jingfeng's forehead and face suddenly became covered in fine beads of sweat, and she looked exhausted. Immediately after, the shadow person reverted to a shadow, prostrating itself at Hua Jingfeng's feet…
"Lord Hokage, Teacher Datani, my head… is so dizzy…"
Hua Jingfeng felt a wave of dizziness. Before losing consciousness, she uttered these words and was about to fall, but Otani Yuto caught her, preventing her from collapsing to the ground.
"Lord Hokage, Hua Jingfeng, she…"
Otani Yuto looked worriedly at Hua Jingfeng in his arms, then inquired of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Don't worry, Hua Jingfeng merely overused her Bloodline Limit. She'll be fine after some rest."
Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke, reassuring Otani Yuto.
"Mm."
Otani Yuto felt relieved after hearing this.
"Hua Jingfeng's Bloodline Limit is somewhat similar to the Nara Clan's Shadow Secret Technique. For now, let's call it 'Shadow Release'."
Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke to Otani Yuto.
"Yes."
Otani Yuto nodded.
"Since Hua Jingfeng is too young, she cannot continuously use Shadow Release, otherwise it will put immense strain on her body… Therefore, you must continue to monitor Hua Jingfeng and prohibit her from overusing Shadow Release, to avoid leaving any hidden dangers to her body…"
Subsequently, Sarutobi Hiruzen further instructed Otani Yuto. This was a promising talent for the village, and she absolutely had to be allowed to grow properly, and by no means should her potential be cut short.
"Lord Hokage, Otani understands."
Otani Yuto responded. Even if Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't said anything, he would still do his best to monitor and care for Hua Jingfeng, not only because she had awakened Shadow Release, but also because she was his favorite student…
"…Then I'll be going. Oh, and… don't let this matter get out for now."
Then, Sarutobi Hiruzen gave a few more instructions before leaving.
After seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen leave, Otani Yuto placed the unconscious Hua Jingfeng on his nap reclining chair and thoughtfully covered her with a thin blanket.
"No wonder this child was acting strangely today. It turns out it was because she awakened Shadow Release…"
Otani Yuto carefully wiped the fine sweat from Hua Jingfeng's face and forehead, then muttered to himself.
"Perhaps with Shadow Release, you might even catch up to Mingxi and Ketsuna in the future…"
***
The day's tedious lessons at the Ninja Academy finally ended, but to Mingxi's surprise, Hua Jingfeng had not returned since going to Teacher Datani's office, skipping class until dismissal…
"Hey, aren't you worried about Hua Jingfeng?"
Mingxi nudged Ketsuna with her elbow, asking with a frown. Although many female classmates in the class were attracted to Ketsuna's mysterious aura, only Hua Jingfeng had bravely taken that step and formed an indescribable bond with Ketsuna.
"She's in good condition now."
Ketsuna glanced at Mingxi, then spoke with a smile. This was the first time he had smiled in front of Mingxi, which made the latter pause, because Ketsuna's smile seemed very infectious, like spring sunshine, making people feel very warm and instinctively wanting to lean closer to him…
"Did you just use genjutsu on me?"
Mingxi suddenly reacted, then she instantly moved away from Ketsuna, her face full of confusion. The fact that she had such thoughts just now was simply too embarrassing!
"Idiot."
Regarding Mingxi's paranoia, Ketsuna immediately dropped his smile, reverting to his usual cold expression. His concise words instantly broke Mingxi's composure again.
"Go to hell, you bastard!"