Chapter 48: Practicing with Traps

However, even though Aoki could now use Natural Energy more effectively, he realized the limitations he had to adhere to. Overuse could strain his body, and Aoki preferred to conserve his strength for emergencies.

If he was not in danger, Aoki would not overuse Natural Energy, choosing to endure rather than get caught up in ambitions that could be destructive.

Two months passed quickly, and as three months after the contract ended approached, Aoki was ready to step into the next stage: practicing Mizu no Kokyu: Ni no kata: Mizu Guruma (Water Breathing: Second Form: Water Wheel). Aoki knew this would be a challenge in itself, and nervousness mixed with burning enthusiasm within him.

This practice demanded more than just mastery of basic techniques. Aoki had to jump and spin in the air, releasing attacks that flowed in circular movements, creating a spinning wheel of water around him. Although the jumping and spinning movements felt easy for Aoki, the true challenge lay in maintaining precision and concentration.

Every time Aoki tried, he felt deep frustration. The water that was supposed to flow beautifully often broke, not following Aoki's commands. Then Aoki had to learn to align his body, maintaining balance in the air while forming the perfect water wheel.

"This won't be easy," Aoki muttered to himself, staring blankly at the vast blue sky. Aoki knew that every effort he made now was a step toward greater achievement. With unwavering spirit, Aoki resumed his practice, ready to face any obstacles ahead of him.

After two months of almost frenzied training, Aoki finally managed to use the technique Mizu no Kokyu: Ni no kata: Mizu Guruma well and steadily. Now, three months had passed since Aoki's contract with Kuroshiro ended, and Aoki's relationship with Minato had grown closer.

Minato often shared his creative process in developing new Jutsu, which meant Minato was working on developing the Rasengan. Aoki could not miss this opportunity. With burning enthusiasm, Aoki offered his help to Minato, providing some suggestions and ideas that came from his thoughts.

However, while considering the complete method used by Naruto, Aoki quickly realized that it would rob Minato of the chance to create the jutsu. "If I do that, wouldn't I be stealing the opportunity that should belong to Minato to create the Rasengan?" Aoki thought. With a firm decision, Aoki discarded the idea, choosing to only provide guidance and let Minato handle the rest. After all, Minato was indeed known as a genius—he would surely find the best way to realize the jutsu.

Time continued to pass, and six months had gone by since the contract ended. In the last three months, Aoki continued to practice the more challenging breathing technique: Mizu no Kokyu: San no kata: Ryūryū Mai (Water Breathing: Third Form: Flowing Dance). This practice required Aoki to swing his sword with movements that mimicked the waves on the surface of the water, a task that was not easy.

At first, Aoki struggled. The movements he had to perform were so complex—Aoki had to be quick, stable, and flow like the waves. Each time he tried, Aoki felt deep frustration as his movements did not meet his expectations.

However, one day, while reflecting in the silence of the forest, a thought crossed his mind. If Aoki had to move like the waves, perhaps he needed to feel that movement within himself. With that idea, Aoki was determined to create a trap in the forest.

Then Aoki closed both of his eyes with a cloth, imagining the vast ocean before him. In that darkness, Aoki began to move, dodging and slashing at every trap that came toward him, as if he were the wave itself—flowing, evading, and dancing among the obstacles.

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