Chapter 11: Phoenix Fire and Crimson Claws, Dragon Fire Technique! The Great Elder's Decision
"Relax, sit down."
Setsuna spoke calmly, then pulled a shuriken from his ninja tool pouch and tossed it to Tsukasa.
Tsukasa caught it and examined it closely, finding nothing particularly special about it.
If anything, the Great Elder's shuriken was high-quality equipment—superior craftsmanship, even more durable than the kunai he used for blocking.
"Great Elder, what's this about?" Tsukasa asked, somewhat confused.
"Who taught you shurikenjutsu?" Setsuna inquired with half-closed eyes.
Tsukasa was immediately startled. He had made only basic moves against Seiichiro, not even utilizing the wire manipulation techniques of his advanced shuriken mastery, yet Setsuna had already sensed something unusual about his technique.
However, Tsukasa didn't know how to answer this question.
After all, this skill came from Setsuna himself. He couldn't exactly say, "I've long admired you. After watching the Great Elder's techniques for a year, I gained some understanding." That would be complete nonsense.
Someone of Tsukasa's low status couldn't even get close to high-ranking clan leaders like Shisui, let alone learn such advanced projectile techniques.
After a long pause, Tsukasa finally spoke honestly:
"Great Elder, I'm just a genin. Aside from the clan's basic ninja training courses, I have no other means of learning ninjutsu. I can only practice these fundamental techniques."
"Oh?" A flash of interest suddenly gleamed from beneath Setsuna's half-closed eyes.
So this kid is actually a hidden prodigy? No wonder that cocky young Shisui was interested in him.
"Is that so?" Setsuna pondered momentarily, then nodded and pulled another shuriken from his tool pouch.
Holding a shuriken in one hand, he formed the Tiger seal with the other.
A mesmerizing scene unfolded.
The Great Elder's shuriken, wreathed in flames, slowly levitated and began spinning rapidly.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson shares the same foundation as Phoenix Sage Fire, with minimal seal changes."
"The technique is simple. Like this—wrap the ninja tool with chakra, then form the Tiger seal to alter the chakra's nature, and throw."
The Great Elder explained calmly.
Tsukasa was taken aback, his expression bewildered.
Great Elder, are you actually teaching me?
Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson was an advanced Fire Style technique—a B-rank jutsu. Unlike the Phoenix Sage Fire's projectile fireballs, this technique enveloped spinning shuriken in flames.
This sharpened the weapons while the wind generated by their rotation amplified the fire technique's power.
"Here, try it," Setsuna instructed calmly, withdrawing his chakra.
He didn't even attempt to catch it, letting the scorching shuriken drop to the ground.
Tsukasa's eyes widened slightly in disappointment.
He'd expected the Great Elder to demonstrate some ruthless technique, but it seemed even a master like Setsuna was still mortal.
Tsukasa complied, placing his shuriken before him. With a serious expression, he formed the Tiger seal with both hands.
He attempted to channel his transformed chakra into the shuriken.
A faint flame flickered around the weapon as it lay on the ground. After a few weak sputters, it fell silent with a dull thud.
Embarrassment crossed Tsukasa's face.
Observing from the side, Setsuna narrowed his eyes slightly, nodded calmly, and spoke evenly:
"That's it. This demonstrates basic Fire Release manipulation. Remember this feeling."
"You can extend Fire Release to many applications, such as—"
The Great Elder threw another shuriken, embedding it in a nearby tree trunk. This time, however, it was connected by wire.
Then, seemingly casually, the Great Elder formed four hand seals with one hand. Tsukasa immediately recognized the sequence for Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique.
Snake - Dragon - Rabbit - Tiger!
A line of fire instantly traveled along the wire.
"This is the Dragon Fire Technique. Practice this first. Once you've mastered it, then work on the Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson. When you've achieved that, come find me again."
Setsuna instructed calmly, then threw another wire-bound shuriken.
This time, he formed only the Tiger seal.
Dragon fire erupted along the wire.
He had simplified the seal sequence to a single hand sign!
Tsukasa was stunned. Even an Uchiha could achieve such mastery.
Executing Fire Release with a single seal was only marginally inferior to Hashirama Senju's legendary "clap hands and anything happens" technique.
"Once you've mastered this, you'll understand Fire Release's nature transformation. And then..."
Setsuna frowned, then raised his head slightly, meeting Tsukasa's eyes. He shook his head and said coldly:
"Forget it. Focus on survival first. We'll discuss other matters later."
In just two minutes, Setsuna—a veteran from the Warring States era—had taught Tsukasa the fundamentals of Fire Release shape and nature transformation.
He was truly bold.
A normal shinobi would have been unable to comprehend Setsuna's teaching methods.
However, Tsukasa had already mastered Setsuna's expert-level Wire Shuriken Manipulation Technique and Seiichiro's proficient Phoenix Sage Fire.
The knowledge in his mind connected, and from this elevated perspective, he realized that Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson and Dragon Fire Technique were simply specialized applications. With his existing mastery, Tsukasa briefly attempted to replicate them mentally.
Then, with a sharp mental jolt, he discovered he had actually understood them.
[You have mastered Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique (Beginner Level, C-Rank).]
[You have mastered Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson (Beginner Level, B-Rank).]
Two system messages flashed before his eyes, and Tsukasa was stunned.
He then looked at Great Elder Setsuna with a resentful expression.
Stop teaching! Stop teaching! My brain hurts from learning so much! At this rate, I won't even reach the battlefield before completing advanced training. Is this even reasonable?!
At that moment, Seiichiro, who had been out setting perimeter traps, returned with a grave expression.
"Great Elder, there's a team of Yu-nin nearby conducting area searches. I think we should withdraw for now."
However, when Seiichiro saw Setsuna teaching Tsukasa ninjutsu, he couldn't help but stare in shock, his eyes reddening with anger.
He knew it! No wonder Setsuna had chosen Tsukasa for this mission. This smooth-talking kid was part of the hawk faction all along! Moreover, he had deceived Shisui-sama, making him think he supported the dove faction! This was outrageous!
"What did you say?" Setsuna frowned slightly, asking for clarification.
Seiichiro suppressed his displeasure and reported:
"There's a Yu-nin team ahead, apparently conducting purposeful patrols."
Then he offered a suggestion: "The Shinobi Handbook states it's best to avoid unnecessary engagements outside mission parameters."
"Also, Great Elder, given the current chaos in the Land of Hot Water, it's advisable not to make direct contact with them."
Tsukasa frowned slightly. He had heard Obito mention this the previous night.
It was a lesson Namikaze Minato had passed to his students: the Land of Hot Water was in turmoil, so be wary of several types of people on the road.
Minimize contact with shinobi unrelated to their mission.
One category was ninja from chaotic regions' homelands, because Yu-nin during this period might no longer serve Yugakure Village.
Of course, Tsukasa had nothing to fear. He actually looked forward to encountering rogue ninja.
However, unlike his previous proposal for nighttime border crossing, he lacked a compelling excuse to persuade the team to take such risks.
However, upon hearing this news, Setsuna's half-closed eyes suddenly snapped open, and his three-tomoe Sharingan began slowly rotating.
He kicked the campfire apart, drew his long sword from behind, and ordered in a cold voice:
"Prepare for battle."
"Seiichiro, lead the way. We'll eliminate that Yu-nin group you discovered first."
"Then we'll march rapidly and cross into the Land of Hot Water under cover of night!"
End of Chapter 11
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