Chapter 40: The Path to Mastery
His second chakra nature was Earth.
A mix of emotions swirled in his chest. While Earth Release was undoubtedly powerful and had great defensive capabilities, it wasn't what he had secretly hoped for. He had wished for Wind or Lightning—something he could integrate into his Rasengan to create a devastating, unique variation.
Still, Earth Release had its advantages. It would compensate for his lack of defensive abilities, providing him with a sturdier foundation in battle.
Yet, one question lingered in his mind.
Would his gacha system allow him to acquire jutsu from chakra natures he didn't naturally possess?
It was a question without an answer… for now.
But one day, he would find out.
---
Back to the Present…
Kenshiro studied Kiyoshi with an expectant look. "So? What's your second chakra nature?"
Kiyoshi met his gaze. "Earth."
Kenshiro nodded thoughtfully. "That's a solid affinity. If you're ready, we can start incorporating Earth jutsu into your training as well."
Kiyoshi hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "I still want to improve my Fire Release first."
Kenshiro raised an eyebrow at his response. "That's rare," he mused. "Most young shinobi try to learn as many chakra natures as possible, thinking it makes them stronger. But they end up spreading themselves too thin. I've seen too many people stagnate because they never mastered even one element properly."
He folded his arms, considering something. "Since you're serious about mastering Fire Release first, let me explain something important."
---
The Stages of Chakra Affinity Mastery & Chakra Control
Kenshiro took a step back and began explaining, his tone shifting to that of a seasoned mentor.
"Mastery of a chakra nature isn't just about knowing techniques—it's about refining your control over the element itself. There are four main stages."
1. Chakra Affinity Awakening (Basic Affinity Test)
How It Works: A ninja discovers their elemental affinity through the chakra paper test.
Fire: Paper burns to ash.
Water: Paper becomes damp.
Earth: Paper crumbles into dirt.
Wind: Paper splits in half.
Lightning: Paper wrinkles.
How to Improve:
✔ Learn basic elemental jutsu (e.g., Fireball Jutsu for Fire users).
✔ Train chakra flow by manipulating small objects (e.g., making a candle flame flicker without touching it).
Kenshiro smirked. "This is where you stand with your Fire affinity. But you still need to perfect it to move to the next stage, which is—"
2. Chakra Nature Manipulation (Intermediate Control)
How It Works: A ninja refines their chakra flow, shaping and controlling their element with greater precision.
How to Improve:
✔ Elemental Meditation – Strengthening one's connection to the element (e.g., Fire users meditating near flames).
✔ Elemental Endurance Training – Exposing oneself to extreme conditions to build resistance (e.g., standing in heat for Fire Release).
✔ Small-Scale Manipulation – Creating elemental effects without forming hand seals (e.g., producing a controlled flame in one's palm).
Kenshiro nodded toward Kiyoshi. "If you're focusing on Fire Release, this is the stage you should be improving next. Next is—"
3. Advanced Elemental Control (Shape & Power Refinement)
How It Works: At this stage, a ninja can modify the form, size, and intensity of their elemental jutsu at will.
How to Improve:
✔ Training with higher-rank jutsu (A-Rank or S-Rank).
✔ Merging shape manipulation with elemental manipulation (e.g., forming a dragon-shaped fire attack instead of a simple fireball).
✔ Infusing weapons with elemental chakra for more devastating attacks.
4. Combining Elements (Kekkei Genkai & Kekkei Tōta)
How It Works: Some shinobi are born with the ability to combine two or more elements, creating unique advanced elements. Examples include:
Lava Release (Fire + Earth)
Ice Release (Water + Wind)
Wood Release (Water + Earth)
There has only been one true Wood Release user—the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
How to Improve:
✔ Perfecting chakra balance between two elements.
✔ Studying under someone with the same Kekkei Genkai.
✔ Special conditions (e.g., Jinchūriki of a Tailed Beast with elemental influence).
Kenshiro sighed. "That last stage is something only a handful of shinobi ever reach. I've never encountered a Tailed Beast myself, so I can't say much about that aspect."
---
After absorbing all this information, Kiyoshi took a moment to process everything. Finally, he spoke.
"I'll focus on improving my Fire Release for now… but I'd still like to learn a few Earth jutsu if possible."
Kenshiro chuckled. "That's a good balance. Just remember not to overdo it."
Kiyoshi smirked. He had no intention of overdoing it. But he wouldn't slow down, either.
With a renewed sense of purpose, he clenched his fists. His path to mastering chakra had only just begun.
While on his way home, Kiyoshi mulled over Kenshiro's explanation, but deep down, he already knew more than what was commonly taught about Chakra Affinity Mastery. Most shinobi believed that Kekkei Genkai or Kekkei Tōta were the pinnacle of elemental mastery, but very few knew that there was an even higher stage—one that transcended conventional elemental fusion.
True Mastery: Natural Elemental Absorption & Creation
This was the realm where users didn't just control an element; they became one with it. They could absorb it from nature or generate it from nothingness, turning the battlefield itself into a weapon. It was an ability seen only in Sage Mode users or beings on the level of the Otsutsuki.
Kiyoshi had already gathered insights on how to train for this:
✔ Sage Mode Training – Absorbing natural energy to enhance elemental control.
✔ Pure Chakra Element Creation – Generating elements without hand seals (e.g., Madara creating Perfect Susanoo's fire blades).
✔ Elemental Terrain Manipulation – Reshaping the battlefield itself, much like how Hashirama could create entire forests with his Wood Release.
That last point was what had always intrigued Kiyoshi. Unlike the artificial Wood Release created through combining Earth and Water chakra, Hashirama never had to "merge" anything. He simply willed trees into existence. That was True Mastery.
It made sense why so many powerful figures—Danzo, Hiruzen, Orochimaru, and even Madara—were obsessed with uncovering the secret behind Hashirama's cells. Over the years, countless experiments had been conducted to replicate his Wood Release, but all had failed—except for one. And that was also a partial success.
Tenzo. Or as he was later called, Yamato.
Even Orochimaru, the mastermind behind the experiment, initially believed it was a failure. But when he discovered that Yamato had survived, it was already too late—Danzo had taken him, adding him to ROOT. Later, Hiruzen had intervened, pulling Yamato from Danzo's grasp and placing him in ANBU.
As Kiyoshi thought about Yamato's fate, an idea took root in his mind.
Could he save Yamato?
If he interfered before Danzo got his hands on him, he could change Yamato's entire future. But how would this affect the Special Event Spin? And more importantly, how much would it disrupt the original timeline?
Kiyoshi's steps slowed as he pondered the possibilities. He still had nearly a decade before Orochimaru's secret experiments would be exposed, forcing Yamato to flee from the laboratory. But when that moment came, Kiyoshi would be ready. He wouldn't let Yamato fall into Danzo's hands.
This was not just because he wanted to change Yamato's fate, but also to try to get the Legendary Spin from the Special Event Spin.
And if it came down to it… maybe he'd kill Danzo himself. This will also be interesting to see whether this will trigger the Special Event Spin too or not. But Kiyoshi will have to eliminate Danzo when he does get the opportunity.
That man was like an unpredictable insect—one that could bite at the worst possible moment. If left unchecked, he would become a major problem.
Kiyoshi clenched his fists.
He had time.
But he had already decided.