Chapter 87 - Nature Transformation - Earth

Daichi sat down under the tree and looked at the leaf in his hand. He then looked up at Kensei.

"Any advice gramps?"

Kensei thought about it for a few seconds and then replied. "Every element is unique. For earth the goal is to turn the leaf into earth to the point it crumbles. When you're focusing your chakra I want you to combine your chakra. Instead of spreading it out, combine it and harden your chakra. You've used several types of earth jutsu. So you know what your earth nature chakra would feel like. Concentrate on that."

Daichi nodded and placed the leaf between both palms. He remembered how his chakra nature changed and felt when he used earth jutsu. He concentrated and focused his chakra into the leaf. He kept up his concentration and continuously poured chakra into the leaf. After a minute he heard the familiar sound of the system message notification.

Daichi opened his eyes and looked at the leaf. A tiny portion of the tip of the leaf had turned to earth. He smiled and then looked at the new skill he got.

[A new skill is created with a specific action.]

[Earth - Leaf crumbling technique - (Active/Passive)(LV. 1): An earth chakra affinity training skill obtained through continuously focusing chakra to a leaf to turn it into dirt. A basic technique to help the user increase the strength of their earth nature chakra.]

[Note: increasing the level of this skill will increase the level of the skill 'Earth Affinity.']

[Effects:]

[1% increase in Earth Chakra control.]

[CP cost : 30/sec.]

'Interesting. So this skill increases my Earth Affinity skill too huh. Makes sense now that I think about it… I thought there would be more effects to this skill.'

Daichi then mentally opened the skill page and went through the skill list until he found what he was looking for.

[Earth Affinity - (Active/Passive)(LV.24): Earth Release is one of the five basic nature transformations. It is commonly affiliated with Tiger hand-seal. At higher levels the user can control the several minerals saturating the earth. Once this skill crosses Level 90, the user can combine it with other nature affinities which have also crossed Level 90. Primary affinity of the 'Player'.]

[Effects:]

[48% Increase in earth attack jutsu.]

[48% Increase in earth defense jutsu.]

[40% Increase in success when creating earth style jutsu.]

[20% Decrease in Chakra cost when using earth style jutsu.]

'So training the leaf control technique increases this skill which in turn increases the power of my Earth nature.'

"You already picked it up I see! That's impressive. But it will still take a while for you to master it." Kensei sat down on the porch and watched his adopted grandson train.

Daichi agreed with that statement. "I know. Even with my speed, it will take a long time if I go like this. But fortunately I have a shortcut." He said with a grin.

Kensei raised an eyebrow at that.

Daichi made the hand seals for the shadow clone jutsu and created 4 clones.

One went to mediate a little ways away from the group. The other 3 along with Daichi picked up a leaf and started training.

Kensei's eyes widened as he saw this. 'To think his chakra had already grown to such a point. To create 4 clones and have them train… Impressive… The chakra of the shadow clone will return to the user when it is dispelled. And along with it the memories and… experiences. Since he uses 3 clones then his training time will be reduced by 3 as well. This is an ingenious training method. But… Thinking about it… there is also a risk to this type of training. Along with the experience he will also feel their combined fatigue. Of that I'm sure. It will push him to his limits.'

At that moment Kensei looked at the clone meditating and his eyes widened in realization. 'He knows?! He figured out the draw back and created a countermeasure. He's using his clone to combat the fatigue as well. And after fighting him I can say that his body and mind are abnormally strong. Seems he knows what he's doing.'

Kensei didn't say a word and was content with watching Daichi practice.

Daichi's control over his chakra was far superior than anyone currently in the village. He also had the skill Absolute Chakra Mastery to aid him. Daichi was making slow but steady progress with the technique. He trained until a little after midnight before deciding to rest.

[Skill Earth - Leaf crumbling technique's level has risen by one. x12]

[Skill Earth Affinity's level has risen by one. x2]

Daichi then looked at the clones and had them dispelled one by one with a few minutes of interval between them. As the experience and fatigue came, Daichi wobbled and fell to his knees. His eyes clenched shut as if he was in pain. But it only lasted for a couple seconds.

[+1 STAMINA]

Daichi looked at the stat point he just got. 'Unexpected but not unwelcome.'

He was breathing hard and then dispelled the last clone. The one that was meditating and it rejuvenated Daichi by a small margin.

[Skill Meditate's level has risen by one.]

He took the leaf he trained last and showed it to his grandfather. A small portion of the leaf was missing and the edge was covered in dirt.

"You're progressing faster than I expected. Still… Don't over do it and strain yourself."

Daichi nodded. "You didn't have to stay up with me you know."

"Don't take me for an old man who has a bedtime and needs to be tucked in, you brat."

Daichi smirked at that response. "Thank you."

Kensei merely nodded. "Come on. Let's get something to eat. I'm starving."

—-

Daichi created 4 shadow clones and trained the earth nature control technique. While he was in class instead of training he would try and meditate. He didn't want the class to see him exhausted and out of breath while doing nothing. Combined with his clones, he would spend over a total of 50 hours a day training.

Several of his skills improved along with his Earth Affinity. And his stamina, vitality and chakra stats also gained some points. Several days went by with the same routine. But Daichi does take a single day break every 5 days or so to mentally recharge himself. With his gamer ability he could train everyday without any problems but Daichi didn't want to do that. Even he had some limits.

—-

Daichi meditated most of the time and Shikamaru noticed Daichi's odd behavior. The young Nara narrowed his eyes as he saw Daichi crossed legged and meditating during the lunch time.

'Strange! Is he… Is he meditating? For a guy who spends every free second reading or training this is surely strange. He's doing nothing except meditating. He's doing it in class too. Wait! I heard that meditation improves chakra control. Could that be it? Is he doing a chakra control exercise?'

It wasn't just Shikamaru who noticed Daichi's behavior. Naruto and the others also took note of Daichi's new behavior.

The future Rookie 8 was having their lunch and were chatting about one thing or another. Suddenly Naruto and Kiba came up with an idea to prank Daichi.

"Hey what if we throw a water balloon at him? Do you think he'll be able to catch it?" Naruto asked with a devilish grin.

"Probably. But if we do it when he's not expecting it then we might be able to get him."

"You guys better not go disturb Daichi with your stupid pranks." Ino narrowed her eyes at the two.

"Come on Ino! It'll be fun… Besides I bet if his clothes got wet you'd be able to take a closer look at his body. Don't you want that?" Naruto said with a teasing grin.

Ino was flustered hearing that. Her cheeks went red as she imagined that scene. "Yes…N-No… I mean No!" She vehemently shook her head.

"Naruto you're gonna pay for that." Ino yelled at the whiskered boy embarrassed.

"I can't believe you got her. Here!" Kiba handed a candy to Naruto who happily took and ate it.

"You tricked me!?" The blonde Yamanaka realized.

"We made a bet. And I won. You're so easy to fool when you're angry. Hahaha…" Naruto and Kiba laughed at Ino's furious face.

"Why you…" Just as she was about to walk over to the two and give them a piece of her mind, Shikamaru spoke up. He had an unusually serious demeanor.

"Hinata!" He looked at the Hyuga girl.

"Y-yes Shikamaru?"

"Can you use your Byakugan?" Shikamaru asked her.

"Umm… Yes. But not for long." Hinata answered meekly.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and focused on Shikamaru. He then turned his attention to Daichi who was meditating on the other end of the academy ground.

"I need you to use your Byakugan on Daichi right now."

"Umm…" Hinata was hesitant to use her visual power to spy on a classmate.

"What! No way. Hinata, don't do it." Ino protested.

"I just need her to confirm something for me Ino."

"No way. I won't allow it." Seeing Ino's adamant refusal, Shikamaru gave up.

"What a drag…" He let out a sigh.

"Why do you want Hinata to use her byaku… whatever?" Naruto asked in confusion. Hinata's entire head turned red as she heard Naruto talk about her.

"I have a feeling he's doing a lot more than just sitting around... I think he's training."

"What? Really?"

"You believe he's doing chakra control training. Why? Because meditation helps strengthen the mind and thus the spiritual aspect of chakra." Shino spoke up.

"Ghaa..!" Naruto and Kiba were slightly startled. 'Forgot he was even here.'

Naruto then got excited. "Hey Hinata. Can you really tell if he's training with your eyes?" He asked the blushing girl.

"Umm…" Hinata, not having any words simply nodded her head.

"Come on. Can you do it? Please…" Naruto looked at her with a big smile.

"Absolutely not Naruto…" Ino was against the idea of another girl peeking at her crush.

But Hinata, unable to resist Naruto's charm and plea, made a hand sign to activate her eyes and looked at Daichi.

A second later shock was evident on her face. "No way…"

Everyone seeing Hinata's reaction got extremely curious.

"Well don't leave us in suspense now!" Ino slightly yelled at the girl.

"He's molding his chakra at the center of his belly and then running it throughout his body… And Daichi's chakra is increasing at a steady rate and… It's in perfect harmony." Hinata said.

"What do you mean?" Shikamaru asked.

"His m-mental energy and physical energy are in perfect harmony… and his control over his chakra… It's… I don't know how to say it except it's… perfect… It's even beyond anything I've ever seen… Not a single ounce of his chakra is being wasted. Not… Not even my father has such precise control over his chakra network."

Shikamaru thought about what Hinata just said. He then asked her "How large is his chakra?"

"His chakra reserves are huge. I've only seen adult ninjas with his chakra volume. And his chakra coils… They're much bigger than the normal person's." She fibbed as she said the last part. She had seen one other person amongst them with a greater chakra reserve than Daichi. And he was the blonde sitting right next to her.

"That much!?" Sakura and Ino were shocked.

"He is the number one in class… And he did beat those 3 adult ninjas a few days ago. I guess we should have expected this." Choji said, munching on his chips.

"Just as I thought. He's doing chakra control exercises." Shikamaru was slightly confused. 'But I thought he would start on the change in chakra nature or change in chakra form training… Did he give up because of its difficulty or… No. Daichi isn't the type to give up… If he really is training in that, then this meditation must be a part of it.'

As the group was discussing their findings there was another person who was listening to their conversation unseen by everyone else.

Sasuke clenched his fists as he looked from the group to Daichi. 'No matter how much I train, I can't get close to him. And… and the gap only seems to widen… Now his chakra reserve has already reached Jonin level?... How is he getting so strong so quickly? Is there some shortcut or is his talent that much better than mine?... He's just like…'

Sasuke gritted his teeth and quietly walked away. 'No matter how hard I have to train, I will defeat you one day, Daichi. And then… I'll come for you, Itachi! And I will make you pay.'