Inside the Training Space.
"System, summon a projection of the Fourth Raikage, A."
[Consuming 'Low-Rank Projection Card' and 'Mid-Rank Random Taijutsu Card'.]
[3… 2… 1…]
[Projection successfully generated!]
In an instant, a towering, muscle-bound hulk of a man materialized before him. Masahiko, having already changed into the standard attire of a Kumo shinobi, bowed respectfully.
"Raikage-sama."
The Fourth Raikage glanced around, his eyes scanning the environment. Seemingly understanding the nature of his existence within this simulation, he sat down heavily and crossed his arms. "What do you want to learn?"
"Please take a look at this." Masahiko handed over a prepared list.
The projection of 'A' took the paper. As he read, the muscles on his face twitched visibly. Had this been the real world, the desk might have been smashed by now, but fortunately, the simulation held his temper in check. After finishing the list, he fell into deep thought.
A minute passed before A finally spoke. "Reaction speed in high-velocity combat… when it comes down to it, you just have to train. Take enough hits, and your body will remember."
It was simple, unadorned advice. Brutal, but practical, Masahiko mused inwardly, though on the surface, he remained the picture of a respectful subordinate.
A continued, "As for the Lightning Style Chakra Mode, show me your current level first."
"Yes, sir!"
Masahiko stood up and began channeling his Lightning Style chakra. He stimulated his nervous system, the electric current surging through every cell in his body to heighten his activity levels.
With his cells activated, his body began to squeeze out even greater amounts of chakra. This was the inherent advantage of the Lightning Style; techniques like the Chidori and Raikiri were built upon this very foundation.
A flicker of surprise passed through A's eyes. "Your Lightning Style technique is highly proficient, and your chakra reserves are impressive. I didn't expect Kumo to be hiding a genius like you!"
Then, his expression turned serious. "However, you know the how, but you don't know the why."
"What do you mean?" Masahiko asked, ignoring the praise to focus on the critique.
"Your Lightning Style chakra has indeed activated your cellular activity, but you aren't utilizing that activation," A explained, pausing for emphasis. "Once your cells are active, you must exert further control over your muscles, skin, and bones. You need to make your body harder, more durable… essentially, make yourself tougher to kill."
'Damn, the Raikage is actually teaching the real deal!' Masahiko was enthralled. He immediately grabbed a pen and paper to take furious notes. Although he couldn't take physical objects out of the System space, he could memorize the notes once the projection vanished.
After the Raikage finished his initial explanation, he paused. "What part don't you understand?"
"How exactly do I control the membrane of the muscles and skin? Are there any shortcut techniques?" Masahiko asked.
The Raikage shook his head dismissively. "There are no shortcuts for this. It relies entirely on practice. You train until the technique becomes instinct. Once it's instinct, you can handle any situation naturally." He paused for a moment before continuing. "In the Lightning Style Chakra Mode, everyone has a focus that suits them best. You need to dig deep and find yours… For example, I excel in speed, whereas my father leaned more heavily into defense."
He began to break down the finer details of the difference.
Masahiko nodded repeatedly. "The Strongest Shield. Of course, I've heard of it."
"That's about the gist of it. Come on, give it a try. I'll see where you need pointing out." The Raikage's voice was booming and spirited.
Masahiko stood up to demonstrate. Truthfully, he hadn't researched Lightning Style deeply; his current proficiency was the result of cramming over the last few days.
"A" watched from the side. After a few minutes, he shouted, "Enough."
"Your problem is still that you lack muscle mass, and your control over your cells is insufficient. Keep training. There is no quick fix." "A" shook his head. "As for Nintaijutsu…"
"Our Nintaijutsu is built upon the Lightning Style Chakra Mode, or rather, it is the incorporation of Lightning Style techniques into the foundation of Taijutsu."
Speaking, he stood up to demonstrate. He didn't use overly complex moves, just a display of raw mechanics. His muscles and tendons moved like interlocking gears, shifting and coordinating perfectly. As he threw a punch, arcs of lightning wrapped around his fist and forearm.
BOOM!
The punch landed, cracking the ground and leaving a deep, smoking crater.
"A" straightened up and began to explain the mechanics of Nintaijutsu application, starting from the smallest details.
Two hours later, the projection vanished.
Back in the solitude of the training space, Masahiko mentally reconstructed the phantom notes he had taken. He cross-referenced them, verified the logic, and after memorizing them completely, began his analysis.
The key to the Chakra Mode lay in two things: Chakra Volume and Chakra Control.
According to the Raikage, control involved a critical factor—Chakra Points (Tenketsu).
The human body has numerous Tenketsu. Ordinary ninja struggle to utilize all of them, though Jōnin can typically master more than Chūnin or Genin. The Hyūga clan, through their Gentle Fist training, can expel chakra from every single point in their body—this is the principle behind the Rotation.
Kumo doesn't have the Byakugan, so their method is simple and crude: Grind.
Train until you drop. As long as you don't die, you train harder. In the harsh, mountainous environment of the Land of Lightning, this is how they have survived and thrived.
'People who start with Taijutsu rarely seem to prioritize theory,' Masahiko thought, mentally roasting the philosophy.
It made sense, though. If they prioritized theory, most would probably give up before they started.
He spent the rest of his time in the training space experimenting with the Lightning Style Chakra Mode, and then attempting to fuse its principles into his Fluid Mantle theory to create a Water Style equivalent.
The next day.
Masahiko went out for his morning training as usual.
He hadn't fully cracked the code for a "Water Style Chakra Mode" yet, but the session wasn't without rewards.
In an abandoned training ground on the outskirts of Konoha, Masahiko stared at a wooden training post. He molded his chakra, infusing it into his muscles and body structure. He closed his eyes, sensing the rhythm of his own biology.
In the next second, he snapped his eyes open and delivered a violent horizontal chop.
Crack!
The solid wooden post shattered instantly.
The prototype for this move was the Lightning Oppression Horizontal, one of the techniques "A" had taught him yesterday. Masahiko hadn't used Lightning chakra this time; he relied solely on the physical amplification of standard chakra, combined with the precise muscle control he'd learned. The destructive power was still significant.
If he were to incorporate Lightning Style, the power would theoretically skyrocket.
[Skill Update: Lightning Oppression Horizontal — Proficiency: Skilled]
The Lightning Style Chakra Mode was essentially applying this explosive effect to the entire body. The difficulty was immense, but so was the payoff.
Masahiko continued to test and refine his movements.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted him.
"You're researching Kumo's Nintaijutsu?"
Masahiko turned around, feigning slight surprise. "Kakashi-senpai?"
Kakashi stood there in his standard ninja attire, looking relaxed but attentive.
After his initial shock, Masahiko nodded frankly. "I am. Kumo's Nintaijutsu is world-renowned. Naturally, it's an important reference point for my own development."
"Any results?" Kakashi asked curiously.
He had researched Cloud techniques himself in the past, but he found that the raw physical boost wasn't as effective for him as the focused lethality of the Raikiri. Over time, he had abandoned that path.
"I don't know much about Kumo's internal secrets, so a lot of this is just conjecture. I'm not sure if it's exactly the same, but for now…"
Masahiko didn't finish the sentence. Instead, he abruptly threw a punch.
BOOM!
The remnants of the wooden post exploded into splinters. Interestingly, the flying debris was damp, marked with traces of water.
"Collapsing Torrent? No… the power is lower, but it's faster. The physical backlash should be smaller, too," Kakashi analyzed instinctively.
Realizing he was slipping into captain mode, he quickly added, "Sorry, force of habit."
"It's nothing. Techniques are created to be used; if it works, it'll get noticed sooner or later," Masahiko said, retracting his fist.
As Kakashi had observed, Masahiko had infused Water Style chakra into that punch. The raw power was weaker than his signature Collapsing Torrent, but the speed, consumption, and side effects were all significantly reduced. In a normal skirmish, combined with the Body Flicker Jutsu, this version was actually more practical.
A glint of appreciation appeared in Kakashi's visible eye. "That's impressive."
He stared at the shattered wood for a moment before speaking again. "Actually, I came here specifically to find you. I was a bit worried before, but now… looking at this, I think as long as you master the Lightning Nature Transformation, the mission shouldn't be a problem."
"You knew about that?" Masahiko asked, putting on a mask of surprise mixed with awkward embarrassment.
Kakashi nodded, his voice calm and matter-of-fact.
"I am an Anbu Captain, and I specialize in Lightning Style. Danzō-sama has to consult me on matters like this. There's no way I wouldn't know."
"Then…"
"I'll give you a training method. With your talent, you should be able to master it quickly." Kakashi sounded slightly resigned. "Originally, there wasn't such a rush, but I received news this morning. The delegation from the Capital is arriving today."