"If I could find a way to save the Uzumaki Clan, I wouldn't just gain access to their vast sealing techniques…"
"I might also win a loyal ally."
"Unfortunately, I might not have enough time!"
"Even if I convinced my father and the clan to help, the Third would never allow it!"
"And the Uzumaki wouldn't trust the Uchiha without facing an actual extinction threat."
"After all, they're kin to the Senju—hardly friends of ours."
Riku shook his head helplessly. "The only feasible option is to have Father secretly send someone to monitor the Land of Whirlpools;"
"And when the time is right, maybe rescue a few survivors—and acquire part of their sealing legacy."
Of course, if he had more time and could develop his combat strength further, he might achieve even more.
But for now, the priority was getting his father to send someone to investigate the exact timing of the Uzumaki's fall.
"No more dwelling on that! Right now, the quickest way to access high-level sealing arts is still to become Tsunade's disciple and learn from Uzumaki Mito."
Until he created a safe method to refine chakra seeds, Riku didn't feel it was right to teach the Chakra Circulation Method to his family.
"Just a bit longer—it won't be too long."
Having sorted out his thoughts, Riku ran another chakra cycle and discovered the time for one full Great Circulation had already dropped to 15 minutes.
With more practice, he was confident he'd shorten that to under 10 minutes.
"Right now, without the Heaven-Earth Bridge opened, I still can't absorb natural energy directly from the world. The chakra circulation still relies on consuming cellular energy."
"Which means there's a limit to how many cycles I can run in a day."
"I mustn't overdraw from my cells."
"This is similar to the Daoist principle of 'refining essence into energy'—"
"Only, in this case, it includes mental energy to form chakra."
He realized that to open the Heaven-Earth Bridge and begin absorbing nature energy, he'd need to:
Accumulate a sufficient amount of chakra in his middle dantian,
Expand and strengthen his Eight Extraordinary Meridians to withstand nature energy's impact,
Strengthen his spiritual power enough to suppress and refine that energy safely.
Only then could he attempt it.
Sensing that his cells were nearing exhaustion, Riku stopped the technique and chose to rest.
...
The Next Morning
"Huh? Big brother's not home today?"
While eating breakfast, Riku looked around curiously and asked his parents.
"He's on a mission outside the village. Won't be back for a few days."
"You miss him already?" his mother teased with a smile.
"Miss him? Hardly!"
Riku rolled his eyes. "Just didn't see him at the table and got curious."
"Anyway! Dad—I'd like to read the clan's materials on sealing techniques. Is that okay?"
As for having his father send someone to monitor the Uzumaki, Riku decided it wasn't the right time.
He didn't have a justifiable reason to explain how he knew the Land of Whirlpools would soon fall.
So it would have to wait.
"Huh?"
Nobuhiko blinked, then frowned. "Why are you suddenly interested in sealing techniques again?"
"That stuff is hard. Not easy to learn."
"Besides, your chakra's up, your refinement technique's mastered—"
"It's time to start learning ninjutsu!"
"Don't be too greedy! Even geniuses shouldn't waste energy on everything. Don't push yourself too hard, got it?"
Just recently, his son had:
Optimized the Chakra Refinement Method
Created a martial arts system
Talked about modifying meditation to awaken the Sharingan without stimulation
Started learning medical ninjutsu
He felt like Riku was pushing himself to the limit.
It wasn't the life a 5-year-old should have.
Ever since his spiritual awakening, Riku had grown mature at an alarming rate.
The hunger for power he exhibited made it feel like something terrifying was chasing him from behind.
It made Nobuhiko worried.
"Relax!"
Riku chuckled, warmth blooming in his heart. "I know my limits!"
"My refinement technique's basically done. From now on, just one or two hours a day to maintain it."
"Same with martial arts—I'm already on track and confident I'll reach Bright Strength within a month. No need to invest more time there."
"As for medical ninjutsu—"
"I've already mastered the Mystical Palm Technique."
As he spoke, Riku raised his right hand—"Wong!"—a soft green glow of medical chakra radiated from his palm.
"HIIISS…"
Nobuhiko and Kokomi both gasped in unison.
They rushed over, seriously inspecting the chakra.
Once they confirmed it was real Mystical Palm, their shocked expressions only deepened.
"You just taught him that technique yesterday, right?"
Nobuhiko turned to his wife.
"Yes!"
Kokomi nodded with certainty, then turned to Riku. "Riku, be honest with Mom—how long did it take you to master it?"
"Hmm..."
Riku tilted his head, thinking for a moment, then held up one finger.
"One hour?"
Kokomi's eyes widened.
"Nope!"
Riku shook his head and wagged the finger. "I got it on the first try!"
"This jutsu's actually pretty simple!"
"As long as your chakra control is precise enough and your understanding of Yang Release is sufficient, it's not hard to learn at all."
Kokomi: "..."
Nobuhiko: "..."
Do you even hear yourself right now?
This was an extremely advanced medical technique!
Even most jōnin couldn't meet the control requirements.
Let alone understanding Yang Release.
It was no wonder that even in Konoha, with Tsunade around, those who truly mastered the Mystical Palm Technique could be counted on one hand.
And yet, Riku had mastered it in one try?
A true monster!
The couple exchanged looks in silent disbelief.
Finally, Nobuhiko exhaled, looking a little numb, and waved his hand.
"Fine! You can study sealing techniques!"
"I'll inform the elder of the archives later."
"You can go whenever you want."
He wasn't going to intervene anymore.
Ever since his son's awakening, Nobuhiko felt he could no longer comprehend him.
There was no point judging him with normal standards.
He believed Riku knew exactly what he was doing.
(End of Chapter)
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