Peach Tea and Theory-Crafting

NAO YAMANAKA

Months of training this boy and his brilliance still continues to blind Nao—all of the elders, for that matter.

How can it be that a five-year-old is almost on the same level as him mentally? How can it be that his mind was able to come up with these…fantastical jutsu, with theories and concepts to materialize them into this world? How can it be that this boy learns anything after the first time he's taught? How can it be—

"Elder Nao?"

Nao, brought out of excessive rumination, peered down over the top of his thin frames at the Yamanaka heir—the blessed child is what they've come to quietly view him as. He had all the features, qualities, and characteristics of those in the clan, but it was obvious Satoshi stood out from the rest.

"Hm?" Nao intoned. "What is it, Satoshi?"

"The jutsu," said Satoshi. "What do you think?"

His face was calm—always calm. But after getting to know Satoshi, it became easy for Nao to spot his facial cues. The almost imperceptible twitch of his right eyebrow when he was irritated. The tapping of his left pinky when he was in deep thought or when he tilted his head to the right when intrigued.

All subtle. But there, nonetheless.

Haruto has done somewhat of a decent job teaching him perfect facial and body control, but it appears the boy requires more tutelage.

"Oh, well," Nao started as he moved his gaze back to the neat stack of papers Satoshi gave him. That was another characteristic of Satoshi—his neatness. Almost as excessive as his cleanliness.

The duo was seated at a decent-sized wooden table in Nao's study, the room lit with incense and the windows surrounding them were open, wafting in the (cacophony) symphony of chirping birds and a crisp breeze.

Over the months, Nao was tasked with teaching Satoshi ninjutsu, genjutsu, and the clan's techniques. He was well aware of Satoshi's genius. But what he didn't expect was for Satoshi to engulf all the knowledge Nao taught him like a starved Akimichi—like a glutton.

Nao thought their sessions would prioritize learning pre-established jutsu. But even if Satoshi didn't say it, Nao assumed he looked down on the jutsu he taught him. As if they were… beneath him.

Mind Body Transfer, D-Rank Hijutsu—Satoshi learned it after watching the hand signs once from Akira.

Mind Body Disturbance, D-Rank Hijutsu—Satoshi successfully performed it the first time after reading its application and learning the hand signs.

Body Flicker, D-Rank Ninjutsu—Satoshi learned it after watching it be performed twice.

Gale Palm, C-Rank Ninjutsu—Satoshi performed it after listening to its principles and watching Nao perform it once.

Substitution Technique, Shadow Clone Technique, Transform Technique, Rope Escape Technique—Satoshi learned them in three minutes.

That's not even considering what else he's learned. What else he created. 

Written on the stack of papers in front of him were jutsu Satoshi 'Theory Crafted' or so he called it.

Nao began reading.

[Genjutsu: Ekō (Echo) - Tentative]

'An evolving genjutsu, hints the name: Ekō (Echo).' Satoshi's notes read.

The characters, his handwriting… it was perfect. There was no deviation from stroke to stroke. It was all uniform; it was art.

'It can reapply itself without constant input, or what I have coined a 'Self-Reinforcing Genjutsu.''

Nao's lips curved ever so slightly in intrigue. Genjutsu has obvious weaknesses: one must have a high intellect, be detail-oriented, and have a great imagination to use it successfully. And once detected, it was easy to remove.

But the initial concept seemed promising, so Nao continued reading.

'Once the initial genjutsu is planted by infusing chakra into sound (footsteps, the woosh of wind, talking, kunai dinging, et cetera), it perpetuates itself.'

Nao had to pause to remind himself a five-year-old wrote this and not an old man.

'As long as there is sound, the genjutsu continues to echo, reinforcing itself in waves.' Satoshi had written.

"… Interesting," Nao said, but offered no more words. He was immersed in the concept.

'Each time the target escapes, Echo reactivates, adding a new layer or amplifying the illusion. With each new layer, the genjutsu grows stronger, more disorienting, deepening the target's confusion. Making it nearly impossible to distinguish between reality and illusion (note: requires testing, of course).'

Reading further, Nao realized Satoshi separated his theory neatly into categories, hitting the important points.

'Even if a shinobi realizes they are in a genjutsu and successfully breaks out of one layer, the genjutsu reactivates (as long as there is sound) with the next, stronger layer. Giving the target a false sense of security, believing they've escaped when they're still deeply trapped.'

Nao had to stop his body from involuntarily shuddering. Satoshi was sounding like Masaru as the days passed—analytical. Efficient. Calculated. Strategic, absolute victory at all costs.

His thinking—his mindset, was not of a five-year-old with words like 'false sense of security' or 'deeply trapped.'

But Nao supposed that was just the fruit of Masaru's teachings.

'As Echo, or at least the concept of said genjutsu, continues to layer, the target begins to lose their grip on reality. They no longer trust their senses. Can't tell friend from foe. Think they disrupted their chakra flow, when in reality, they didn't—the genjutsu made them think they did.

'Theoretically, paranoia… fear should be side effects, as the target might never know the reality they are experiencing is but a minor genjutsu.'

Signed, Satoshi Yamanaka

Minor? Nao couldn't help but exhale. "When—what made you theorize this?"

Satoshi, now meeting Nao's gaze, said with a casual air, "I was just thinking about how I wanted to focus my specializations as a shinobi. Genjutsu was one area I deemed fit for my attention."

Deemed fit for my attention? See—that's what Nao was talking about.

"Genjutsu has weaknesses, and this,"—Satoshi motioned with his finger to the paper—"technique was just something interesting I came up with. Nothing special."

Nao had to do his best to stop his brows from creasing.

Satoshi didn't know it (or maybe he did), but some things he said rubbed people (people being Nao) the wrong way. If everyone could create jutsu, there would be more S-Rank shinobi frolicking around, causing havoc, and disarray, and death, and any and everything they wanted.

This. Was. Not. Normal.

"Uh-huh…" Nao muttered." Well, at first glance, it appears like a promising idea—this is a derivative of False Present, I presume?"

Satoshi grabbed his cup of peach tea—Nao's favorite of his blends. Heavenly to the taste. Everything Satoshi made was Heavenly. That's probably why Kagami's—an Uchiha the elders had… history with—child activated his Sharingan after taking a bite of Satoshi's food.

"Correct."

Nao nodded, slow and steady, re-reading Satoshi's notes, the comments he made in the margins of the paper. 

"Because False Present is the foundation, it shouldn't take long to create." Said Satoshi. "The hardest part is figuring out—"

"How to have it consistently reactivate."

"Exactly."

"Well," Nao motioned to get up. "Let's get to working it out, then."

"Before that," Satoshi nodded at the paper, "Can you take a look at the other jutsu idea I had?"

Nao sat back down on the wooden chair beneath and flipped to the next page.

[Ninjutsu: Fūtei (Wind Platform) Tentative]

"Wind Platform? What is…" Satoshi's face was molded in its usual calm. Nao sighed internally and decided to appease him.

'How would it feel to stand amongst the clouds?' Nao read. An intriguing first line.

'That was the thought that then formed my intention for this jutsu, Wind Platform. To create solid air 'platforms' using wind.'

Another… interesting jutsu. Nao was interested in seeing where Satoshi was going with this.

'The purpose is to have the ability to create wind platforms at a—or multiple—desired point that can serve a myriad of functions: supporting my body in the air, altering trajectory mid-air, launching allies, enemies, or objects with controlled propulsion.'

Nao had to stop reading for a moment to gather his thoughts.

Inhale… Exhale…

Then, he continued. 

'I hypothesize that the Wind Platform can be created by compression of air to a density that mimics the solidification of matter. With controlled chakra flow, I believe it is also possible to adjust the density not to be just a solid platform that can hold more weight but to have a lighter input, creating a softer, spring-like platform for rapid propulsion or redirection.'

"…The principle is… intriguing," Nao started, running his finger along the grain of the wooden table. "But compressing air like this?" Unheard of.

"I think it's doable."

I hummed in lieu of scoffing at his confidence.

The foundation of the jutsu had potential and sounded at least like something that would add value. But the chakra control required for something like this would be astronomical.

Regardless, Nao continued reading on.

'For application, I wanted to create a jutsu so I could stand in the air, high above the battlefield, but I believe, through my previous analysis, it would allow me (and others) an obvious mobility advantage.

'By creating platforms in quick succession, I can dash through the air, shift trajectory, avoid attacks, or traverse difficult terrain. Another facet is propulsion. By molding the density in a way that makes the platform malleable, propulsion could be possible (Note: requires testing).

'Lastly, this technique could be used defensively: Air shields, the propulsion of an enemy airborne, and path deterrents, amongst various other applications.'

Signed, Satoshi Yamanaka

Nao let out a long breath between his teeth, taking in what he read.

"So," Nao paused, gathering his thoughts.

He—the elders—has long since learned of Satoshi's (unhealthy) unwavering dedication to his goals.

Whether it be learning jutsu, perfecting his taijutsu, or developing whatever seal he and Akira have been working on, Satoshi never gave up once he set his mind on something. A blessing… and depending on the situation, perhaps a curse.

"Which one do you want to work on first?" Nao asked.

He didn't waste time. He got right to it. Why would he? Satoshi has achieved everything he put his mind to thus far.

What were two never-before-seen jutsu to him?

Satoshi took the last sip of his tea, setting the pristine porcelain down against the aged Mahogany.

"Let's work on..."

===

[A/N] First cliffhanger of the series. Lol, had to do it. 

[PLEASE READ]

From the suggestion of a wonderful reader, I created an auxiliary chapter as a home base for ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu, fuinjutsu, and miscellaneous ideas. It's a place we all can go to theory-craft instead of the ideas randomly spread throughout the chapters.

The auxiliary chapter is called: Ninja Techniques Workshop 

There are no bad ideas, so please theory-craft with me! They can be as grand or as minuscule as you want. If they end up in the story, I'll definitely give you credit!

If you like the story, please leave a review!