4 Volume I: Beginning Chapter 4: Chakra Nature

"You have to keep that promise you made me got that?" Uncle said to me with a menacing eye.

"Yep. My lips are sealed." I told him playfully.

This is because, as I suspected, he declined to teach me any of the natural techniques and told me to study the shadow technique for two years but I declined to use my trump card which was his adult books. I blackmailed him into teaching me and he's a bit sour about it, all because it took away his nap time.

Looking at me said, sighing "I will start with the explanation so that you can understand what this is all about."

"Alright."

"The Five Basic Natures are the five elemental chakra natures, which are the foundation of all elemental ninjutsu. They are so vital to the shinobi lifestyle that each of the Five Great Shinobi Countries is named after one of the five. You got that?"

"Yep."

"Now you know that, but there's an important thing that you should know and that is the weakness and strength of each element.

Fire is strong against Wind but weak against Water.

The wind is strong against Lightning but weak against Fire.

Lightning is strong against Earth but weak against Wind.

Earth is strong against Water but weak against Lightning.

Water is strong against Fire but weak against Earth.

If an elemental technique is put against another elemental technique of the same level, but of a stronger nature, then the technique with the superior nature will prevail. However, a technique with a weaker nature can overpower a technique with a stronger nature if the former is of a higher level. For example, fire can overpower a water technique if it is first strengthened by a wind technique.

A similar principle applies to how techniques of the same element interact, which is called counterbalancing. If two techniques of the same nature and the same level are used against each other, they will cancel each other out.

However, if the two techniques have different levels, the higher-level technique will not only prevail but will grow stronger from interaction with the weaker.

In general, every person's chakra has an affinity toward one of the five basic nature transformations. Affinity can at times be genetic, or at least common to a particular family; most members of the Uchiha clan have an affinity towards the Fire nature. One's affinity can be determined using pieces of paper made from a special type of tree that is grown and fed with chakra. When this so-called "Chakra Induction Paper" is exposed to even the slightest hint of chakra, it reacts according to the chakra's latent element." Saying that he gave me a price of paper and said "This is the chakra induction paper, now feed your chakra so that we can understand what type of nature chakra you have."

Nodding to him I supplied some chakra to it, and first, it got split into two. One part turned into ash after igniting, another part started to wrinkle. From seeing this I knew what my elements are but feigning ignorance I looked at him.

Seeing this uncle started to speak "Well, you have an affinity towards three elements.

Fire: the paper will ignite and turn to ash.

Wind: the paper will split in two.

Lightning: the paper will wrinkle.

Earth: the paper will turn to dirt and crumble away.

Water: the paper will become wet/damp."

"So that means I have an affinity towards Fire, Wind and lightning?"

"Yes. And it's rare to have three different elemental affinities. Shinobi have an easier time learning to create and control a chakra nature that matches their affinity, although even then it may take several years. Shinobi are not limited to the nature they have an affinity for, and it is common for Jonin to have mastered two natures. Although it is technically possible to master all five natures, it is very rare because how all individuals are naturally less inclined to certain elements, requiring much more training. So, you will need to work triple the usual training done by a Jonin to master your elemental affinity."

"I'm up for it."

"I know, let me finish first. Aside from the five elemental nature transformations, two nature transformations are the source of all non-elemental techniques, such as the Shadow Imitation Technique, Multi-Size Technique, medical ninjutsu, genjutsu, etc.

There is Yin Release, based on the imagination and spiritual energy of a shinobi, and Yang Release, based on the vitality and physical energy of a shinobi. Together, they are used to perform Yin–Yang Release.

The transformation of Yin and Yang has to do with altering the balance between spiritual and physical energy in chakra.

As you are a Nara from your mother's side, you have Yin nature and if my calculations are correct, you would also have the Yang release."

"Let me guess, from my father?"

"Yes."

After that, there was an awkward silence, and the sighing uncle continued "Now you know what your natural chakra is, it's time to learn the basic Ninjutsu. Go to the clan library, and learn Fire ball jutsu, and Gale palm jutsu. As for lightning jutsu, we don't have any on our hands, so you would have to make new ones for it."

"Alright."

"And don't forget to learn the shadow techniques."

"Okay. Thanks uncle." I said that with a smile.

"How troublesome." Saying that he went to his room to take his nap.

As for me, I helped myself to find the jutsu mentioned by my uncle and went out to practise it.

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