15 Chapter 15: Elemental Affinity

Like every day, he was meeting with his team, Tekku completed his normal training routine, working on his Puppet Control. When the others arrived, they would start their sparring sessions. Usually, after completing their weekly D-Rank mission, their fifth overall to be precise, the team would have been normally dismissed, but Inoichi had a different plan today.

Inoichi once again invited them to his house. Ino was still in the Academy at this time, but his wife Yumi was at home and offered them fresh drinks. All four of them sat together at a table as their sensei began. "Well, it's been almost five weeks since we started, and I feel inclined to discuss a very important subject with the three of you. It is my job as your sensei to guide you and train you into becoming accomplished shinobi and kunoichi. However, that does not mean that I can simply decide what I believe is right for any one of you to focus on. You three have a great deal of different skills to choose from, and it's important to consider them all so that you can choose just which type of shinobi you will be in the future. For example, I chose to focus on training my clan's ninjutsu and to develop a unique fighting style using it, while I also trained my ninjutsu affinities to have a vast arsenal of techniques. While it was adamant that I learn other skills as a jounin, I have always stayed true to my choices as a shinobi."

All three genin nodded as their sensei explained, while sipping on their drinks from time to time. Hana's three ninken were meanwhile heard playing in the backyard.

"That being said, I understand that Hana has clan techniques to fall back on, but that doesn't mean you cannot learn different skills. I believe that it would be prudent to focus on at least another area, since most of the clans of Konoha are well known for their techniques. That's also the reason I learned Earth and Water Style Ninjutsu, if my Mind Techniques wouldn't work and even created some combination techniques. With your clan's style, you are generally a close to mid-range fighter, Hana. Which is a good balance, so some form of supportive skill would be good for you, something that supports your ninken in some form maybe." Hana nodded as she heard Inoichi-sensei's analysis.

"That is true, Sensei. You are completely right," agreed Hana. The conversation was indeed important.

"So, I would like to hear you first, Hana. What would you like to learn to further your abilities?" asked Inoichi, interested.

"I was considering for a while now to learn medical ninjutsu. Not only could I heal my ninken if they get injured, but it would make me a valuable asset for any team I am part of," said Hana, as this topic was something she had thought about for a while. Also, she could take on the role as one of her clan's veterinarians, taking care of the ill ninken in the future.

"Iryojutsu, huh… an interesting choice. You can use your clan techniques as primary offense and support your team with healing. Not bad. I guess I can give you the basics, and then you can visit the hospital. They are offering lessons for willing shinobi."

Though Inoichi thought that genjutsu would also be a viable choice to expand her arsenal with more ranged options. Healers were already a rare commodity in any ninja village and would be valuable. "What about you, Haruto? Any ideas? You have a heavy close combat focus with your kenjutsu and taijutsu," asked Inoichi, now the next member of the team.

"Well, I think learning elemental ninjutsu would be a good idea to expand my arsenal on ranged attacks. Also, I have heard of the Chakra Flow Technique, which seems to be a good combination with my kenjutsu," decided Haruto, as he didn't have to think long about it. Flashy jutsu would be cool to have. Just the Academy hadn't much stuff in that direction which sounded interesting to him.

"Ninjutsu, a good idea for you. And indeed, there is the Chakra Flow technique. Each element has an advantageous effect, but the most fitting ones are Wind and Lightning, followed by Fire and Water, and lastly Earth, which just hardens your weapon. Though we will have to test you for your element first to see how we proceed," explained Inoichi as he nodded.

"And lastly, Tekku. What are you thinking about? You have your Puppeteering, but this is something nobody in Konoha can really help you with. I already requested all the notes, puppets, and parts we have in Konoha for you. They will be here in a few days, as they have to look for them. You can probably guess from that they are not much used. So you are pretty much alone in that area and will have to continue with that in your own time. But you can ask me anytime for help. If I can, I will assist you. But what would you like to learn that I can assist you with?"

Tekku nodded at that explanation and was pleasantly surprised. He didn't even think about asking anything about Puppeteering from the Shinobi Administrative Office. Even if it isn't much, it should help to analyze how Suna Puppets were working since he created his own based on his experience in Engineering. "Well, I would like to learn more about Fuinjutsu and also learn about my Elemental Affinity. Fuinjutsu is so far a very good supportive skill, allowing me to enhance my puppets and giving me a wide range of options. Ninjutsu is something that could expand my options if I don't have the option of using my puppets and based on my element, also support the skills there."

'And is the main fighting style of most shinobi, who are putting anything in that category that isn't genjutsu and taijutsu. Important to learn for many of my future ideas. Genjutsu is worthless without a Sharingan or a special Kekkei Genkai, only takes out fodder characters, so no point for now. Taijutsu will remain part of my training, but as it is the skill that keeps every shinobi fighting, it won't be my main focus. The only taijutsu skill useful for beyond Kage level are the Eight Gates, which take a tremendous amount of effort to train in. Effort that isn't worth it for me,' thought Tekku as he nodded.

"Fuinjutsu, I can't help you with, and from what I hear, you are already beyond most people I know. Which book from Jiraiya's book series are you on?" asked Inoichi, curious.

"I've read all seven I have access to, but I am currently mastering the techniques in the fifth one, the one about Barriers."

"As I expected, most people that could help you are either out of the village or part of the Anbu and hard to get to train you since they are very busy," nodded Inoichi. "So you will have to study on your own. But I can give you some pointers for your barriers since I studied Ninjutsu-based ones. As for your elemental training, that is something I can easily help you with. In fact, we can start right now," explained Inoichi as he pulled three pieces of paper from his pocket.

"These are Chakra Papers. All you need to do is to channel your Chakra into it, and it will tell us your affinity. Here, Hana, take one as well. I was planning to test all of you anyway since knowing your affinity didn't hurt," said Inoichi as he handed each of his students one of his papers.

When Haruto channeled his Chakra into the paper, it crinkled. Hana's began to burn and turned into a pile of ash. Following their example, Tekku also channeled his Chakra into the paper. His turned brown and crumbled onto the table. 'Earth affinity, I see.'

"Hmmm, so Hana has a Fire affinity. Good to expand your arsenal with some destructive ranged attacks, but only learn it if you have the time. Focus more on your Medical Ninjutsu. Haruto has the Lightning Style, perfect for your plans with the Chakra Flow technique, but you can also add some mid-range attacks into your arsenal. And Tekku, the Earth element, the strongest defensive element with good supportive techniques. Should be a good element to combine with your Puppet technique, but you will have to try it out yourself," nodded Inoichi as he noted down their elements.

"So, I will get the basic Medical Ninjutsu Scrolls for Hana. If they should be a thing for you, go register yourself at the hospital. If you want to learn the Fire element, come to me. I will see what I can do. Haruto, I will get you the basic instructions for the Lightning element and look for someone who can teach you, since I have a different affinity myself. Meanwhile, Tekku, I will teach you myself since, besides my natural affinity Water, I also mastered the Earth Element," finished Inoichi before he dismissed the meeting. They had a concrete plan on how to proceed in their training from now on, as each of them had the basics down.

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