Chapter 102: Thermal Imaging, Power of Bonds!

In the yard, Shūichi attempted to incorporate Wind Release chakra into his current state, causing the Fire Release chakra cloak around him to become unstable for a moment.

Shūichi quickly heightened his focus again.

The chakra cloak stabilized rapidly and began to change.

It became more solid, with a flowing quality to it, and the temperature increased, with the blue deepening in color.

Soon, three minutes passed, and the effects of "Flash of Insight" faded.

However, the chakra cloak on Shūichi's body fully solidified, transforming into a high-collared cloak with lotus-shaped patterns.

His hair turned blue, floating backward as if in a breeze, and his eyebrows burned like blue flames.

His eyes also glowed brightly in a fiery blue, resembling a pair of fire-lit eyes.

Around him, the air distorted from the heat.

Yet, Shūichi noticed that his vision wasn't affected—there was no distortion in what he saw, although the colors were no longer what he was used to.

When he looked at Asuka, he realized he was seeing her in thermal vision.

"This is… infrared thermal imaging!"

Shūichi was surprised and delighted.

So, this was likely a form of sensory perception, right?

He immediately checked the Tag Tree.

Sure enough, it was acknowledged by the Tag Tree.

After thinking it over for a moment, Shūichi mused, "If it's just this thermal imaging vision, I don't need to maintain this mode to achieve it."

"I should test whether it's purely a Fire Release technique or if it requires the fusion with Wind Release."

"But it's likely the latter."

With that thought, Shūichi continued to carefully sense his current state.

Besides the change in vision, his body had also become much lighter, with a faint feeling as if he might start floating.

Shūichi's heart stirred, "If I manage to complete the Scorch Release Chakra Mode, I should be able to fly, right?"

"For now, let's test my speed."

With that, Shūichi moved in a flash, disappearing silently from his original spot.

"So fast!"

Asuka gasped instinctively, only able to see a distorted afterimage.

The afterimage was due to his incredible speed, and the distortion was caused by the heat bending the light.

Asuka quickly tried to locate Shūichi, but all she could see were distorted afterimages and charred footprints wherever he had stepped.

The temperature was so high that with each step, the ground burned black.

Realizing she couldn't keep up with Shūichi's movements, Asuka closed her eyes and activated Kagura's Mind Eye, finally locking onto Shūichi's presence.

"In this mode, Shūichi's speed is so fast that only a Jonin might be able to react in time."

"And he hasn't even used the Fiery Lotus Steps technique yet."

Just as she thought that, Asuka sensed Shūichi's speed suddenly increase again, making her exclaim, "Is that Fiery Lotus Steps? Why isn't there any sound of explosions?"

At this moment, Shūichi's body wasn't just sprouting lotuses from his feet, but from all over his body. Blue lotuses bloomed, emitting high-temperature jets of air that propelled him at high speed.

This was far more discreet, efficient, and flexible than the original Fiery Lotus Steps.

Not only did it enhance his movement speed, but it could also increase his sword-drawing speed and strength, though at the moment he hadn't drawn his blade.

Moments later, Shūichi returned to his original position, silently reflecting, "The combination of Fire and Wind Release is truly excellent, but in this state, using the Blue Flame Sky Blade is not ideal. I need to develop a sword technique that combines Fire and Wind Release, one that has both extreme heat and unmatched sharpness."

With this plan in mind, Shūichi dispersed the chakra cloak and returned to his normal state.

For now, the Fire Release Chakra Mode wasn't something he could use for extended periods.

Yes, even though it included the power of Wind Release, Shūichi still referred to this mode as Fire Release Chakra Mode, since Wind Release merely amplified the effects, allowing better control and higher temperatures.

"So, this thermal imaging vision… should I call it 'Blue Eyes'?"

"'Fire Eyes'?"

"'Blue Flame Eyes'?"

Shūichi felt that none of these names were great, so he gave up, shrugging it off, "Forget it, I'll just call it Thermal Vision for now!"

After naming it, Shūichi let out a long breath, and then fatigue swept over him.

At this moment, Asuka's voice came through, "Shūichi, are you finished?"

Shūichi immediately smiled, "Yes, it's done. The new technique is complete!"

Asuka breathed a sigh of relief and smiled brightly, "Amazing, that's great!"

Shūichi was also happy but exhausted, "But right now, I just want to sleep. I'm so tired!"

"Huh?" Asuka exclaimed in surprise, quickly stepping forward to support him, "Then let's get you to bed, quickly!"

"Do you want to take a bath?"

Leaning against Asuka, Shūichi replied, "I just want to sleep right now."

"Understood!"

With a serious nod, Asuka effortlessly scooped him up in a princess carry and, using the Body Flicker Technique, swiftly brought him to the bedroom. She laid him on the bed and covered him with a blanket.

Shūichi closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep, and he slept like a log.

When he opened his eyes again, it was already the last day of Year 42 of Konoha.

In other words, he had slept for two full days and nights.

Asuka reported while Shūichi was washing up, "Shūichi, Minato-sensei, Lady Tsunade, Shizune, and others came to see you."

"Shisui, Kakashi, and Guy too."

"Captain Shinnosuke and Chihiro also dropped by."

"Oh, and Tenka-san left you a gift, saying it's your New Year's present in advance."

"Sister Nonō sent a return gift on your behalf, a medical scroll."

"She's also prepared more gifts for you to personally deliver when you're feeling better."

...

Shūichi listened to all of this while bathing. Once he finished and felt fully recharged, he set off with a large number of gifts.

His first stop was at Hiruzen Sarutobi's home, as Sarutobi Shinnosuke had yet to move out.

Next, he visited his teacher, Minato Namikaze, and found Kushina Uzumaki there as well.

Shūichi couldn't help but smile and ask, "Sensei, when will you and Kushina-san officially get married?"

Kushina smiled shyly and looked over at Minato, "I'll go along with whatever your sensei decides!"

Minato scratched his head and chuckled, "Next year! We'll both be 18 by then."

This made Shūichi pause for a moment, realizing something.

Next year would be Konoha Year 43, not far from the start of the Third Shinobi World War.

And only six years from Konoha Year 48...

"What's wrong?"

"Haven't you fully recovered, Shūichi?"

Kushina, noticing Shūichi's momentary daze, asked in concern.

Snapping out of it, Shūichi smiled quickly, "It's nothing. I just realized how fast time flies."

Kushina nodded in agreement, "It really does!"

"So, tell us, what technique did you develop that left you so exhausted?" Minato asked, curious as well.

Shūichi didn't hide it from them and said, "It's the Fire Release Chakra Mode."

"Plus, I added the nature transformation of Wind Release to make the Fire Release easier to control."

Kushina's eyes widened in surprise, "Fire and Wind Release? Is that Scorch Release? A Kekkei Genkai?"

Shūichi shook his head with a wry smile, "Not quite. I'm still far from a Kekkei Genkai. It's more like the Cloud Ninja's Lightning Release Chakra Mode."

Minato chimed in, "So, the Yin Seal and the technique you developed with Lady Tsunade were both for the Fire Release Chakra Mode?"

Shūichi nodded, "For now, yes, that's the case."

Kushina, however, frowned with concern, "It's important to get stronger, but you can't push yourself to the point of exhaustion like that, Shūichi. Everyone was really worried about you."

"Besides, you're not even 10 yet, and you're already so strong! Minato wasn't even as powerful as you at your age!"

Minato nodded in agreement, "That's true."

Kushina continued, "Why don't you leave the ANBU? It's too much pressure for you."

"And for the New Year, give yourself a break! Don't just focus on training all the time."

Minato agreed, "Kushina's right, Shūichi. I can talk to the Third Hokage about it."

"Or you could travel with Jiraiya-sensei. What do you think?"

Feeling touched by their concern, Shūichi quickly replied, "Minato-sensei, Kushina-san, don't worry. I'll make sure to rest properly."

"As for leaving the ANBU, it's really no trouble. The missions are light now anyway."

"And honestly, instead of traveling with Jiraiya-sama, I'd rather study the Four-Tails' powers in the lab. I promise I'll be in bed by 10 every night."

Kushina put her hands on her hips, "It's a deal then! I'll have Nonō-san keep an eye on you. If you don't stick to it…"

She raised her fist in a mock threat, grinning fiercely.

...

After leaving Minato-sensei's house, Shūichi headed straight to Tsunade's place.

Tsunade's suggestion was almost identical to Kushina's — she proposed transferring Shūichi out of the ANBU and back to Konoha Hospital. After all, if she made the request, the Third Hokage would surely agree.

But Shūichi politely declined again.

He stayed at Tsunade's house for about an hour, mainly to keep Shizune company.

Afterward, he visited Shisui, Kakashi, and Guy, delivering gifts to each and assuring them that everything was fine.

When he finally left Guy's house, Shūichi let out a long sigh.

Unknowingly, there were now more people in this world who cared for him, not just Nonō Yakushi.

However, sometimes that concern felt like a type of pressure.

"Bonds..."

Shūichi suddenly understood the power of such connections.

"Although it's pressure, it's also my motivation!"

Feeling encouraged, Shūichi made his way to Tenka's shop.

Sure enough, Tenka was there.

"Tenka-san!"

Shūichi entered the shop.

"Shūichi!"

When Tenka saw him, she was overjoyed. She rushed over, grabbing Shūichi and inspecting him all over, almost as if she were about to undress him.

Shūichi blushed slightly and quickly said, "Tenka-san, I'm fine now. I just overworked my brain a bit."

Tenka sighed in relief, "That still had us all really worried."

"How about quitting being a ninja?"

"Come live with me!"

The words slipped out quickly, and Tenka blushed slightly, but she still looked at Shūichi confidently.

Shūichi, on the other hand, was stunned.

Is she trying to keep me as a "sugar baby"?

Back when I was in the orphanage, I would've hugged her leg without hesitation.

But now... well, it's not entirely out of the question. Living off someone wouldn't be too bad!

Though these thoughts crossed his mind, Shūichi kept a serious expression and said, "Tenka-san, I admit that I am indeed very handsome and quite exceptional."

"And you, Tenka-san, are also very beautiful, truly captivating."

"But... I'm only 9 years old!"

Seeing Shūichi like this, Tenka couldn't help but tease him even more. She leaned in close and whispered in his ear, "I can wait until you grow up~"

Shūichi felt a tingling sensation all over his body.

This is bad; my resolve is wavering! This enchantress is messing with my training! He set down the gift, turned, and ran away, saying, "Tenka-san, I will remember your words."

Inside Tenka's shop, she laughed so hard she nearly lost her balance, but afterward, her ears turned red with embarrassment.

Even though she was speaking to a child, saying such things was still quite embarrassing!

...

After escaping from Tenka's shop, Shūichi couldn't help but feel a bit regretful.

He thought he should have pounced on her and tasted the sweetness of her lips back then.

Unfortunately, now that he thought about it, the moment had passed.

"Ah, I really wasn't bold enough."

Shūichi sighed to himself.

"Huh?"

Suddenly, Shūichi saw Jiraiya and Orochimaru drinking in a shop.

He stopped in his tracks, watching them from afar, and sighed again, "I wonder if we'll see scenes like this in the future..."

He resumed walking, hands in his pockets, slowly heading home, leaving a trail in the snow.

By the time he entered his house, the snow was falling heavily, and his footsteps were soon covered.

(End of Chapter)

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