Naruto: The Hidden Shadow Style

After gaining a general understanding of how the development of ninja techniques truly worked, Haseo became quite enthusiastic about it. Now he felt like his time wasn't enough...

The Ninja Sect had existed for countless years, and the techniques left behind by previous generations of ninja could be described as endless as the ocean. Furthermore, nearly every ninja possessed the ability to create new techniques.

The difference lay merely in whether these created techniques actually held any function or value.

For commoner ninja, not having techniques to learn was an extremely frustrating matter. However, even those with abundant resources faced another form of frustration... Compared to the profoundness, obscurity, and sheer number of techniques, one's life was far too limited. The more deeply one immersed themselves, the more fleeting their life seemed.

That's why Orochimaru developed the forbidden technique known as Living Corpse Reincarnation—desperately trying to endlessly extend his lifespan. But this urgency of his was entirely unnecessary; when he started developing Living Corpse Reincarnation, he had still been very young.

At this moment, Haseo also felt somewhat similar emotions. Rather than going out on missions, he would prefer staying at Shikkotsu Forest focusing on research. Although he did feel a sense of urgency, he ultimately still understood what he should do.

As he had told Katsuyu, instead of pursuing overly ambitious new techniques, his focus should now be on mastering the remaining two elemental natures—becoming an elemental master like the Third Hokage.

Although Haseo had already mastered three different elemental chakra affinities, in truth, the only one he could truly be considered proficient in was Water Release. Due to Sansho's teachings, he had learned a vast number of Water Release techniques, including even advanced ones such as the [Water Dragon Blast].

Besides that, Haseo currently had no plans to delve deeper into Fire Release, keeping himself only at a level of general knowledge without seeking mastery. In his mind, no matter how much one played around with Fire Release, there wouldn't be many variations anyway—could it possibly surpass [Sage Art: Go-Eyamon]? Compared to that, even the Great Fire Annihilation couldn't compare.

Mastering either Fire Release or Water Release was sufficient; the other was simply meant to complement his unique hand seal method, used for catching enemies off guard.

As for Lightning Release, Haseo treated it more as a supplement to his taijutsu, making it unnecessary to overcomplicate things. Despite Lightning Release: Mikage being a completely different technique from Lightning Cutter both in design concept and practical effect, Haseo's Lightning Release: Kurigara bore a resemblance to both Lightning Cutter and Chidori Sharp Spear. Sometimes, for a ninja, the importance of an element wasn't about how many techniques they knew, but rather about the universal effectiveness of a single technique—for example, Naruto's [Wind Release Rasengan], which he used from beginning to end.

With just Mikage and its derivative technique Kurigara alone, Haseo was already qualified as among the top-tier Lightning Release users, so he saw no need for further in-depth study into Lightning Release for now.

Therefore, despite seemingly mastering three chakra natures, overall, Haseo was still most appropriately categorized as a Water Release user.

But this didn't mean Haseo had no need to learn the remaining two Elemental Chakra Affinities… He wasn't a descendant of Hamura, nor was he a Kekkei Genkai ninja. The only way for him to rise into the ranks of top-class ninjas was to master Multi-elemental Ninjutsu. Considering his unique hand seals and ninjutsu methods, he truly needed to control all five chakra natures to unleash their full potential. Only then could he become a fully developed ninja.

Therefore, the next challenge facing Haseo was Wind Release and Earth Release—but he hadn't yet decided which one to start with.

Considering practical effectiveness, Haseo should probably begin with Earth Release first. Overall, he already possessed sufficient offensive techniques, but defensively was another story—compared to Earth Release, Water Release simply lacked defensive power to some extent. Earth Release's defensive capabilities were undeniably powerful when used properly. For example, in some ways, the Sixth Hokage practically deserved to be called the Sixth Tsuchikage instead.

As for Wind Release, since it was the elemental type used by the protagonist of *Tales of the Ninja Realm*, detailed descriptions existed regarding its training methods. However, the problem was that Naruto naturally possessed wind-type chakra, and his learning of Wind Release was built upon this innate advantage. Haseo, on the other hand, didn't even understand what wind-type chakra really was at this point.

Thus, where exactly he should begin remained under consideration for now.

The Hokage and his personal squad were currently heading toward the Daimyo's Castle in the Land of Fire. While Haseo appeared focused on carrying out his mission, he was actually deep in thought. Suddenly, a Hyuga ninja from the advance Uchiha-Hyuga scouting team returned from ahead and quickly appeared beside the Hokage.

He swiftly reported something to the Hokage, who immediately issued new orders in response.

Then, after receiving these orders, the Hyuga ninja began relaying commands among other squads on behalf of the Hokage.

Haseo had naturally noticed this situation right away. When the Hyuga ninja approached, his squad quickly stopped atop a large tree. Immediately, Haseo asked him, "What happened?"

"There are signs of possible enemies ahead. Twelve individuals detected, located at bearing thirty-five degrees, forty-five kilometers away. The Third Daimyo has instructed us to surround them rapidly," the ninja replied quickly.

Looking at the slightly bulging veins on the messenger's face caused by Byakugan usage, Haseo muttered inwardly: descendants of Hamura weren't human—they could casually spot things nearly fifty kilometers away! With such insane scouting efficiency, there was no way ordinary scouts could keep up.

In comparison, Renjiro—the scout ninja within Haseo's own squad—must've been ready to crawl into a hole in embarrassment.

Perhaps not all Byakugans within the Hyuga clan reached such an extreme level, but the Main House definitely could accomplish such feats. And as long as the current Hyuga leader hadn't gone mad, at least one of the two Hyuga ninjas accompanying the Hokage must be from the Main House.

"Stay hidden and move out!" After receiving the command, Haseo ordered his three subordinates.

Under his leadership, the four-man squad quickly surrounded the area indicated by the Hyūga ninja, joined in their actions by two other squads.

As the distance between both sides rapidly closed, the hidden enemies soon sensed the presence of Konoha ninjas, and at this point they realized their operation had been exposed.

"Is that the Byakugan? Not really unexpected. Without the power of the First Hokage, the Third Hokage is definitely much more cautious."

"Sir, what should we do? Should we retreat?"

"Retreat? Why?"

The enemy leader countered his subordinate's question. His optimal plan for this mission was assassination, but if that wasn't possible, a direct ambush became the secondary option. As someone who had witnessed the First Hokage's might, he didn't think the Third Hokage had ever possessed such power.

By now, they had actually already lost the chance to retreat effectively. Konoha's three squads had already encircled them.

"Who's there? Show yourself!"

An Uchiha ninja shouted toward where the enemies were hiding.

"Don't get excited, Konoha ninja. We merely heard that the Second Hokage has died, and the newly appointed Third Hokage would be passing through here, so I just wanted to test whether he truly lived up to the legacy of the Hokage title... You know, no matter his strength, the Hokage's head is still worth a fortune." Upon hearing the threat from Konoha's ninja, the enemy leader actually stepped forward voluntarily, walking out from the forest.

The Konoha ninjas exchanged puzzled glances. Usually, the enemy would either flee or strike without warning. Why was he stepping out like that so openly?

And what exactly was he trying to say? Was he insane?

Indeed, the enemy leader clearly told the Third Hokage:

Come on out and face me like a man! If you don't step up, you're a chicken!

PS: Earlier chapters—I said there were four four-man squads protecting the Hokage, so why did I count them as only twelve people??

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