After initially grasping the method to increase cellular activity, Chao YanQian immediately began the next stage of training—improving cell viability while in motion.
This method of enhancing cell activity greatly boosted Chao YanQian's strength at this stage. Not only did it improve the power of his taijutsu, but it also offered protection to his chakra pathways and muscles. At the very least, in future battles, Chao YanQian wouldn't suffer bodily harm from strong attacks or demanding movements.
However, with Chao YanQian's current level of chakra control, it would take some time before he could apply this method effectively in actual combat.
The first step was tree-climbing practice.
While working on enhancing his cell viability, Chao YanQian also had to allocate energy for the tree-climbing exercise. This dual-tasking helped him improve his chakra control.
To gain more attention from the village, Chao YanQian had to demonstrate exceptional talent, ensuring that the village leaders saw him as someone worth nurturing.
Chao YanQian knew his situation well. In a short time, he could make impressive achievements by using his mature mindset and strategic thinking to create the illusion of being a "genius."
However, there was a significant difference between Chao YanQian and Kakashi Hatake. Kakashi was a true genius, whereas Chao YanQian merely pretended to be one, relying on his mature outlook and knowledge of ninjutsu. He was, at best, a fake genius.
Although Chao YanQian's current accomplishments far surpassed those of his peers, he knew he wasn't a true genius. In his previous life, he had been an ordinary person. To maintain his advantage, Chao YanQian needed to learn more about ninjutsu, especially forbidden techniques, to elevate his strength in the future.
The fact that Tsunade was willing to teach him made him even more eager to learn her signature technique—the Heavenly Foot of Pain.
The thought of using Tsunade's earth-shattering punches was thrilling.
If Sakura could inherit Tsunade's teachings within three years, there was no reason Chao YanQian couldn't do the same.
His current challenge was convincing Tsunade to teach him the Heavenly Foot of Pain.
Boom!
Once again,Chao YanQian fell from the tree, shaking his head with a wry smile. He sighed softly.
It used to be easy for him to complete training in a short time. But now, it was a struggle. Maintaining chakra to enhance cell viability while simultaneously stabilizing chakra at his feet to keep him on the tree was proving difficult.
"Still training this late? You're working hard, but don't tell me you can't even handle basic tree climbing now?" Uenome emerged from the shadows, his tone light and teasing as he watched the disheveled Chao YanQian.
"Sensei Ueno!" Chao YanQian greeted, raising his chakra again as he rushed toward the tree.
One step, two steps, three steps... ten steps!
He fell once more but managed to twist mid-air, landing on his feet without an embarrassing crash.
"Sensei Ueno, why are you out here this late?" Chao YanQian asked.
"Noticed you weren't at camp, so I came to check. I didn't expect to find you here, practicing." Uenome remarked. "It's impressive you're training so hard at your age. But don't overdo it. We've got a mission tomorrow."
"Don't worry, I know my limits."Chao YanQian assured him, rushing back up the tree.
"You're practicing chakra control and multitasking, huh?" Uenome, being a seasoned shinobi, could easily tell what Chao YanQian was working on.
"Yes! I'm at a critical stage of my chakra control. I'm trying to break through this." Chao YanQian stretched the truth slightly, then asked, "Sensei Ueno, do you have any advice?"
"It's hard to say. Even many jōnin struggle with it. But if you stay focused, it can be done. I believe in you." Uenome smiled.
Damn! That's no help at all!
"Chao YanQian, seeing you practice so hard, do you have any ideals?" Uenome asked suddenly.
"Ideal? Of course!" Chao YanQian replied, "It's because I have an ideal that I work so hard. Without effort, an ideal remains a fantasy, never to be achieved."
"And what's your ideal?" Uenome pressed.
Huh?
Hearing this, Chao YanQian became wary.
Even though it seemed like a casual conversation, talking about "ideals" set off alarm bells. If Uenome was sent by someone to probe his ambitions, saying the wrong thing could have serious consequences.
"I want to become Hokage!" Chao YanQian declared firmly.
"Really? A lofty goal, but I believe you can do it," Uenome commented, "Why do you want to be Hokage?"
Chao YanQian knew he had to turn the conversationaround.
"What about you, Sensei Ueno? What's your ideal?" Chao YanQian asked in return.
"My ideal..." Uenome thought for a moment before calmly answering, "Once the world is at peace, I want to return to the village, get married, have a son, and teach him everything I know. When my son grows up, I'll look forward to having a grandson."
"A wonderful ideal!" Chao YanQian smiled.
"Wonderful? It's just an ordinary one," Uenome said with a self-deprecating laugh.
"I don't think so," Chao YanQian responded. "Wanting to return to a simple life after seeing the chaos of the world is something not everyone can achieve. There are too many temptations in life. By comparison, your ideal seems pure, while my ambitions are much more... worldly."
"That's not something a ten-year-old would typically say," Uenome remarked, impressed.
"I'm not a kid,"Chao YanQian muttered.
"Haha!" Uenome laughed, then continued, "But you still haven't answered me—why do you want to be Hokage?"
Damn! Still asking?
Chao YanQian was now sure Uenome was probing him on someone's orders.
But who?
Who in Konoha would care about his ambitions?
After some thought, Chao YanQian concluded that it must be the Third Hokage. Only someone aligned with the Hokage's interests would care about such a question.
Thinking this, Chao YanQian started to answer, "The reason is—"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions!
Before he could finish, a series of explosions echoed in the distance. In the quiet of the night, the noise carried far.