Chapter 17: Learning From Jiraiya

In the third training ground, Tatsuma and Minato perched on weathered wooden stumps, their attention fixed on Jiraiya standing before them. With a casual air, he began, "Now, when it comes to weaving Ninjutsu with hair, I've conjured up a pair so far. Naturally, I'm still toying around with a few more. The first, I've dubbed Needle Jizo, and the second is what I call the Wild Lion's Mane Jutsu. Both come with a hefty B-rank learning curve, a bit too steep for you two at this juncture."

The challenges posed by these two Ninjutsu techniques revolve around dual aspects. The initial hurdle lies in mastering Chakra control, demanding an intricate finesse to infuse Chakra into the individual strands of hair. The more precise the manipulation of Chakra, the greater the flexibility attained in the released Ninjutsu.

The second challenge concerns the quantity of Chakra involved. Needle Jizo, Wild Lion's Mane Jutsu, and the majority of Ninjutsu all share a common thread: the potency and reach of the jutsu hinge on the amount of Chakra seamlessly woven by the user.

When it comes to refining Chakra control, there are training methods at your disposal, like tree climbing and water walking. By the way, are you familiar with the intricacies of tree climbing and water walking training?"

Jiraiya inquired, and Tatsuma and Minato gave affirmative nods. Given Tatsuma's transmigrator background, he naturally possessed the knowledge, and Minato had gleaned the information from Tatsuma. Their acknowledgment momentarily surprised Jiraiya.

Reflecting on his own past, Jiraiya couldn't help but acknowledge that, at their age, he himself had been somewhat in the dark about Chakra. His attempts at Chakra refining were, to put it bluntly, chaotic, not to mention the intricacies of training techniques like tree climbing and water walking.

However, learning that both Tatsuma and Minato were already acquainted with the concept spared him the need for elaborate explanations. Jiraiya carried on, "Since you're already in the loop, I won't delve into the details. Let's shift our focus to the aspect of Chakra quantity."

You ought to be aware that Chakra stems from the fusion of physical and spiritual energy. Therefore, if you aim to amplify your Chakra reserves, the fundamental requirement is to bolster the strength of both body and mind.

For the physical aspect, engage in Taijutsu training. Regarding the mind, its fortitude can be gradually reinforced through pursuits like learning, reading, contemplation, and gaining diverse experiences.

Becoming a formidable ninja demands resilience in both physique and mind. Furthermore, this isa prerequisite for unleashing potent Ninjutsu – not only for my techniques but also for numerous others."

Observing the duo listening with keen attention and evident engagement, Jiraiya felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction. Allowing a brief pause for the two to absorb his words, Jiraiya continued:

"Now, it's time for you to witness the might of Ninjutsu – something you won't find in textbooks."

With those words, Jiraiya gracefully vaulted into the air, elegantly flicking his long locks before striking a pose that defied easy description. Without delay, he began weaving hand seals and exclaimed, "Ninja Art! Needle Jizo!"

The moment Jiraiya completed the intricate hand movements, his already waist-length white hair erupted in growth, rapidly enveloping his form to create a protective cocoon. Simultaneously, a portion of it swiftly delved into the earth below.

"Thud, thud, thud~"

Suddenly, strands of hair emerged from the soil surrounding the wooden stumps beneath Tatsuma and Minato, resembling Senbon needles as they skillfully pierced into the stumps.

In the midst of the protection within the hair, Jiraiya imparted, "Needle Jizo is a versatile Ninjutsu that seamlessly melds offense and defense. Its adaptability shines as it can be employed independently for either purpose, offering remarkable flexibility."

Uttering these words, Jiraiya's hair gradually retracted to its original state. As he observed the awe-struck expressions on Tatsuma and Minato, his contentment swelled. Without delay, he began weaving the hand seals for another Ninjutsu.

"Wild Lion's Mane Jutsu!"

With the completion of the intricate hand seals, Jiraiya swung his hair. The already dense mass seemed to erupt further, and the hurled strands embedded themselves into the wooden stumps beneath the duo.

Yet, the spectacle didn't conclude there. Jiraiya's hair persisted in its growth, extending outward and reaching into the nearby forest, spanning several dozen meters. The hair wove around tree trunks, pulling them taut and even causing a slight bend.

"Wild Lion's Mane Jutsu boasts a broad spectrum of applications. It excels in close-range, medium-range, and extends its prowess to long-range attacks. Additionally, it functions as a binding Ninjutsu, offering assistance to teammates or complementing other Ninjutsu.

Naturally, given its need to disperse hair in all directions, the defensive capabilities aren't as robust as Needle Jizo. However, it can be adapted in an alternative form to enhance defensive prowess."

As Tatsuma and Minato marveled, grappling with a mix of awe and confusion in response to Jiraiya's elucidation, a sudden low shout erupted from Jiraiya, "Ha!"

"Crackle~"

"Boom~"

In the distance, the colossal trees entwined by the cascading hair were either pulled apart or uprooted. Swiftly, several trees were summoned to Jiraiya's side, creating a formidable protective barrier around him. Jiraiya beamed with pride as he declared:

"Observe closely. This showcases the might of employing this Ninjutsu with precise Chakra Control. It can manipulate surrounding trees, rocks, and even adversaries to form an impervious defensive shield. You have the option to pull enemies directly towards you, anchor them in place, or seamlessly integrate it with other Ninjutsu, like..."

As he spoke, a collection of sizable trees assembled in front of Jiraiya. Once again, he swiftly formed hand seals and exclaimed, "Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"

"Boom~~~"

A colossal fireball erupted, engulfing the clustered trees in flames, reducing them to ashes. At this juncture, Jiraiya relinquished control over his hair, casually patting the few strands now adorned with flickering flames. He then directed his gaze towards Tatsuma and Minato, stating:

"These are the two Ninjutsu I aim to impart to you. Not immediately, though. In the coming days, I'll compile these techniques into scrolls and endeavor to guide you through them before my upcoming mission."

"Thank you, Jiraiya-sama."

"Thanks."

Both of them were brimming with a sense of excitement. The Ninjutsu demonstrated by Jiraiya might not have exuded a stylish or suave demeanor, but its undeniable potency presented a fortuitous opportunity for them to acquire such formidable techniques.

Moreover, Tatsuma harbored hopes of leveraging these newfound Ninjutsu to tackle the conundrum of his naturally curly hair.

Subsequently, Jiraiya shared invaluable insights—small yet pivotal pieces of knowledge omitted by the Academy but crucial for any aspiring ninja. These included nuggets such as Fire Release techniques often concluding with the Tiger seal, and Earth Release techniques typically culminating with the Snake seal.

Grasping the nuances of various nature transformations held the key to deciphering an opponent's hand seals, allowing them to discern the type of Ninjutsu in play—a crucial skill for maintaining composure in face-offs with real ninja.

Initially, Tatsuma and Minato were attentive, but Jiraiya's mature, uncle-like voice, coupled with the toll of last night's late study session and rigorous training, gradually wore them down.

As evening descended and the sun dipped below the horizon, Jiraiya settled on the ground, flanked by a slumbering Tatsuma on one side and a dozing Minato on the other. Gazing at the captivating scenery, the blend of twilight and evening glow, he couldn't help but feel a profound sense of melancholy settling in his heart.

"I have no clue where you two little devils live! Come on, wake up and find your way home!"

Ultimately, Jiraiya couldn't bring himself to rouse them. Instead, he opted to take them back to his own apartment. Settling onto the sofa, he sipped his drink and gazed at the stars.

The next morning, with the sky transitioning to daylight, a noise stirred from the bed behind him.

"This pillow reeks of an uncle's smell. Where am I?"

"Uncle?!"

Jiraiya, not fully awake yet, sprang to his feet, pointing at Tatsuma and declared, "Out! Get out of my house! I am absolutely not some uncle!"

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