Tsunade wasn't entirely satisfied with her new jutsu, after all, she hadn't managed to defeat Aoba. However, Aoba was more than pleased.
In his eyes, Tsunade's technique had immense potential. There weren't many jutsu in the ninja world that could directly interfere with an opponent's chakra flow.
The most famous was Gentle Fist, but it had severe limitations. It required direct contact, and not just anywhere, it had to strike precise chakra points, which was quite impractical in real combat.
Tsunade had taken a crucial step forward, her jutsu could disrupt an opponent's chakra without even touching them. This development shocked Aoba.
The most puzzling part was that Aoba couldn't figure out how it worked.
Interfering with someone else's chakra wasn't impossible, but chakra had affinities. Every ninja had an innate chakra nature.
While elite shinobi could train to master all five elemental affinities, even the weakest genin was born with at least one.
Typically, to disrupt someone's chakra, you would need to inject your own chakra of the opposing nature, essentially counteracting it.
But doing that was pointless, you might as well just stab them instead.
However, Tsunade's technique was completely different. The moment she approached her target, the interference began. It defied Aoba's understanding of chakra mechanics.
"How did you do it?"
Although asking about someone's secret jutsu was generally impolite, Aoba couldn't help himself, he was too curious.
"It's both simple and complicated," Tsunade replied. "If you want to know, pay the tuition first."
"Tuition?"
Before Aoba could react, Tsunade pinned him to the ground.
"Uh… this is the training field."
"I know. I sealed off this area before I came in. No one is going to interrupt us."
"… I meant, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
Aoba tried to resist.
"If you think it's inappropriate, then consider this a direct order from the Hokage. Now, obey your Hokage."
"…!"
By the time Tsunade was satisfied, an entire afternoon had passed. Aoba had paid his "tuition" to the last drop.
Finally, Tsunade let him go and explained her technique.
"My initial idea was to fuse all five elemental affinities to create a Five-Element Force Field. But it failed. Controlling five chakra natures simultaneously was too difficult, even the old man probably couldn't do it.
"So, I changed my approach. Instead of combining elements, I did the opposite, I removed all elemental attributes from the field, creating a pure, non-elemental force field. The result was far more effective."**
"…A return to the fundamentals?" Aoba murmured, frowning.
Something about this concept struck a deep chord within him. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't quite grasp what it was.
Chakra affinities were something all ninjas pursued. Even Aoba, in his early days, had sought to master all seven known chakra types.
At this point, he had essentially achieved that goal, he possessed all seven affinities. His next objective was to merge them, a step he planned to take after completing his tailed beast chakra fusion.
Unlike the Ōtsutsuki clan, Aoba had no inherited divine bloodline. If he wanted to reach the Six Paths level, he had to build himself up from the ground.
By becoming a "human Ten-Tails," he would gain the immense chakra of the Six Paths. This, in turn, would enhance his body, granting him the physical attributes of a true Six Paths being.
And by mastering the fusion of all seven chakra natures, he would finally gain access to the Truth-Seeking Orbs, the signature ability of a true Six Paths-level ninja.
Now, Aoba was on the verge of completing the first step. His ascension was within reach.
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Currently on Chapter 342 - A Proposal to Madara Uchiha