Chapter 9: Do You Know Rasengan?
"Do you know your Chakra nature?" Kakashi asked, his voice calm but curious as he stood in the quiet woods, the sea breeze rustling the leaves around them.
Unfortunately, he didn't carry Chakra paper—a tool to test one's elemental affinity. To teach Renji and Sakura Ninjutsu, he needed to know their Chakra natures, a critical step for tailoring their training.
Sakura blinked, caught off guard. She knew what Chakra natures were from her Academy days—Fire, Wind, Lightning, Earth, Water, plus the elusive Yin and Yang—but she'd never tested hers. With a sheepish shake of her head, she admitted, "No, Sensei. I've never checked."
Kakashi sighed, his visible eye drifting to Renji. "What about you?"
Renji opened his mouth, ready to shrug, because Danzo, of all people, wasn't the type to fuss over something like Chakra natures. As if that old fossil cared about my potential, he thought, a smirk flickering in his mind. But before he could respond, the familiar electronic chime rang in his head.
[Ding!]
[Chakra Natures: Fire, Wind, Lightning, Earth, Water, Yin, Yang.]
[Note: Yin and Yang natures cannot be detected by Chakra paper.]
Renji's lips curved into a confident smile, seizing the opportunity to play his part. "I have Fire, Wind, Lightning, Earth, and Water natures," he declared smoothly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Kakashi's eye widened slightly, a rare crack in his composed facade. Five natures? Like the Hokage himself? The claim was bold, almost unbelievable, but Renji's calm delivery made it hard to doubt. "Alright, then. We can start your Ninjutsu training right away."
He turned to Sakura, his tone softening. "Sakura, since we don't know your Chakra nature and I don't have Chakra paper, your Ninjutsu training will have to wait until we're back in the village."
Sakura nodded, her expression understanding but tinged with disappointment. "It's okay, Sensei. You can teach Renji first. I'll go protect Tazuna-san and the others on the bridge." She flashed a bright smile, waving cheerfully. "Renji, practice hard! I'm off!"
"Mm," Renji replied, waving back with a practiced grin, his mismatched eyes glinting with calculated warmth. As Sakura's figure vanished into the dense woods, he and Kakashi turned their attention to the training ahead.
"Kakashi-sensei," Renji said, his voice brimming with ambition, "I want to learn the strongest Ninjutsu."
Kakashi's mind immediately flashed to Chidori, his own creation—a lightning-fast strike that could pierce anything. But he hesitated. Is it too soon for a kid like Renji? Despite Renji's ties to Danzo, Kakashi had grown fond of him, seeing him as a true student. "Why not start with something simpler, Renji? Ordinary Ninjutsu to build your foundation?"
Renji shook his head, his expression resolute. "No, Sensei. I want to challenge myself."
Total lie, he thought. The truth? He'd seen the Naruto series. Great Fireball Jutsu or Water Dragon Jutsu might impress civilians, but they didn't kill powerful ninja. Sharingan, Rasenshuriken, Chidori—those were the techniques that ended lives. And Renji aimed for nothing less than the top.
Kakashi sighed, sensing Renji's determination. "Alright, but don't push yourself too hard."
"Do you know Rasengan?" Kakashi asked, tilting his head. As a ROOT operative under Danzo, Renji likely knew of the Fourth Hokage's signature technique.
Renji nodded, his face a mask of sincerity. Thank you, Danzo, for being my convenient excuse. "Yeah, I've heard of it."
Kakashi's eye crinkled slightly. "Chidori is a Lightning Release Ninjutsu I developed in my youth. My teacher, the Fourth Hokage, created Rasengan. I tried to infuse Lightning Release into it but failed, so I made Chidori instead—a technique that combines speed and power. Which one do you want to learn more?"
Renji's expression turned sly, his stitched smile widening. Only kids choose one or the other. "Can't I learn both?" he asked, his tone innocent but his eyes gleaming with greed.
Kakashi paused, then chuckled softly. "You can, yes. But spreading your focus might mean mastering neither. Powerful Ninjutsu requires refinement to unleash its true potential."
Renji's expectant gaze didn't waver, and Kakashi relented, recognizing the boy's maturity. He's not like Naruto or Sasuke. He'll figure out what he needs through experience. "Fine. Let's start with Rasengan."
Kakashi cleared his throat, mimicking his old sensei Minato's teaching style. "First, you do this. Then this. And finally, this! Done!" His hands waved vaguely, as if that explained everything.
Renji stared, dumbfounded. If I hadn't watched Naruto, I'd be reporting this guy for fraud. Compared to Jiraiya's detailed lessons, Kakashi was practically winging it. Luckily, Renji's memory of Jiraiya's teachings kicked in. Rasengan's principle was simple: concentrate Chakra in the hand, make it flow in irregular directions, compress it into a palm-sized, non-elemental sphere, and unleash it.
Step one: gather Chakra in his palm. Renji focused, and a faint glow formed. Success.
Step two: maintain a stable, continuous release of Chakra. The glow steadied, swirling in his hand. Success.
Step three: materialize the Chakra, compressing high-density energy into a small, spinning typhoon. The sphere took shape, humming with power. Success.
Renji aimed at a tree trunk and released. Boom! A gaping hole appeared, the wood splintered and smoking. By breaking down the complex into simple steps, his soul guided his body to act instantly. Once understood, the technique was his forever—no need to repeat the process.
He's a monster! Kakashi thought, stunned. He didn't know any other ninja who could master a technique this quickly. Maybe it's tied to that bizarre Bloodline Limit of his, he mused. The thoughts flashed through his mind like lightning, but he didn't let them show. Instead, Kakashi clapped, his eye crinkling with approval. "That's it! Just like I taught you!"
Renji suppressed a laugh. Sure, Sensei. You taught me so well. "Kakashi-sensei, let's learn Chidori next!"
Kakashi nodded, pleased by Renji's enthusiasm. "Chidori combines Chakra nature and shape transformation. You concentrate Lightning Release Chakra into a high-intensity current in your hand, then use the speed of a thrust to pierce your target." He raised his hand, and crackling electricity formed, emitting a piercing chirp like a thousand birds—hence the name. "But there's a drawback. The speed can blur your vision, leaving you open to counterattacks. It's best used with Sharingan—or Byakugan for perfection."
Renji stroked his chin, unfazed. Counterattacks? Useless against me. His Idle Transfiguration made him immune to physical harm unless his soul was targeted. An opponent's counter would just deliver them into his hands, ripe for a piercing Chidori. "Don't worry, Sensei. I'll keep the drawbacks in mind."
Kakashi sighed, sensing Renji's confidence bordered on recklessness, but began the lesson. "Focus Lightning Release Chakra in your hand. Condense it into a high-intensity current."
Renji followed, his right hand sparking with purple light and silver electricity. The air crackled, the sound sharp and wild. He dashed forward, his speed a blur, and thrust his hand through a thick tree trunk. The wood shattered, the tree collapsing with a groan.
Another one bites the dust, Renji thought, feeling a twinge of guilt for the forest's destruction. His Rasengan had already ravaged the area; now Chidori was adding to the carnage.
"Let's rest, Renji," Kakashi said, noting the sweat on Renji's forehead. "You're pushing hard."
Renji nodded, sitting against a tree trunk, closing his eyes. It wasn't exhaustion—just a sudden urge to nap in the cool evening breeze. The grass was soft, the sunset's afterglow painted the sky in warm hues, and the air carried a fresh, earthy scent. Perfect napping weather.
Kakashi sat beside him, his voice soft but probing. "Renji, your abilities outshine Naruto's and even leave Sasuke in the dust. Why don't you aim to become Hokage?"
Renji kept his eyes closed, savoring the moment. "Because being Hokage sounds exhausting." Endless paperwork, constant disputes, never-ending responsibilities—he wanted no part of it. I'd rather perform on my own stage, collecting Malice Values and growing stronger.
Kakashi chuckled, rubbing Renji's blue hair. "That's a wise answer. You see the burden behind the title." Unlike Naruto, who shouted about becoming Hokage without understanding the role, Renji's clarity was refreshing. "Rest up. Don't miss dinner."
As Kakashi walked toward Tazuna's house, Renji lingered for a moment, then stood, worried he'd fall asleep if he stayed longer. Halfway back, he spotted Naruto and Sasuke, still practicing their tree-climbing exercise, their progress marked by kunai scratches on the trunks.
"Hey, Naruto, Sasuke! Still at it?" Renji called, eyeing their marks. Sasuke's were higher, but Naruto was catching up, the gap shrinking since morning.
"Renji!" Naruto bounded over, eyes sparkling with excitement. "What did you learn from Kakashi-sensei? Some crazy powerful Ninjutsu?"
Renji nodded, his stitched smile playful. "Yeah. He asked about my Chakra nature, then taught me Rasengan and Chidori."
"Rasengan? Chidori?" Naruto's face scrunched in confusion. "Never heard of 'em!"
Renji chuckled, shifting focus. "You two are making great progress, though." Sasuke's marks were precise, Naruto's more erratic, but both showed improvement.
Naruto's face fell, and he slumped to the ground, dejected. "It's so hard! I can't do it as easily as you and Sakura, dattebayo!"
Sasuke stayed silent, his tense expression mirroring Naruto's frustration. Clearly, he felt the same sting of falling behind.
"Any secrets to share, Renji?" Naruto asked, grabbing his hand, his eyes pleading. "I asked Sakura, but I'm still messing it up!"
Renji paused, scratching his chin. Tree climbing was second nature to him—his soul's absolute control made it effortless. But Naruto's eager face and Sasuke's subtle glance demanded an answer. "When you climb, don't overthink it. Don't focus on 'I have to succeed.' Clear your mind, let go of distractions, and just feel the Chakra flow. That might help."
He pointed to the sky, now a deep blue streaked with stars. "But we should head back for dinner. You don't want to miss Tazuna's cooking, right?"