Chapter 44: Changes in the Nature of Fire Style

After mastering the second stage of the Spiritual Activation Technique, one can maintain a heightened state of focus in all activities—whether it's learning, practice, or battle.

The third stage brings a new level of spiritual energy, so powerful it can overflow, allowing one to sense everything in the surroundings with almost divine clarity. This level of perception feels similar to the "divine consciousness" concept in novels.

Kato Suan believed that reaching this point, paired with sensory ninjutsu, would make one a top-tier sensory ninja. Unfortunately, none of his students had fully achieved this stage, except for Jiraiya, who barely brushed against its edges.

As for the fourth stage, the overflowing mental power becomes potent enough to influence reality itself. Kato Dan reached this level, which he considered the point where one could safely learn the full Spiritual Transformation Technique.

However, these stages were far from where Haruto stood. He was still in the first stage, though his ability to concentrate had significantly improved. The dual souls within him likely provided a boost in spiritual strength, allowing him to advance quickly in practicing the Spiritual Activation Technique.

Aburame Nami had barely reached the first stage, while Inuzuka Yu had made no progress—he couldn't sit still for more than ten minutes. Just like now, he gave up meditating after nine minutes and instead went off with Tetsumaru, his ninja dog, to practice his clan's techniques.

Haruto, having completed his morning exercises, sat quietly under a tree, comparing the three training scrolls in his hands. These were fire style training scrolls given to him by Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Retsu, and Kato Dan.

"The properties of high temperature or explosion?" Haruto mused. "High temperature is the most common property change in fire style, but the Uchiha clan has evolved it further, mastering an explosive nature through years of experience. Only the Sharingan can control such volatile changes."

The more Haruto read, the more amazed he became. The fire nature changes taught by Kato Dan were mainstream in Konoha, but those from the Uchiha clan were more potent and harder to control. The explosive property change, rooted in the high temperature, was unique to the Uchiha and required Sharingan mastery for full control.

"It's like Earth Style," Haruto thought. "The mainstream use is to enhance its density and strength, but Iwagakure has developed the Light-Weight Rock Technique, which alters the density to make people fly. Every village has its own unique evolution of techniques—just like Jiraiya's oil or the Black Lightning of Kumogakure."

Haruto's mind wandered as he flipped through the scrolls, eager to apply his newfound knowledge.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

An orange-red fireball erupted in the distance, briefly distracting Inuzuka Yu, who was practicing his taijutsu nearby. Aburame Nami, however, tried to remain unaffected, focused on her own training.

Part of mastering the first stage of the Spiritual Activation Technique was learning to maintain stillness amidst chaos.

"The flame's color changes with temperature," Haruto noted. "Starting from red, then orange, yellow, and eventually white and blue at the highest temperatures. The goal is for the core of the fireball to turn white to signify mastery over the chakra nature transformation. For the explosive change, the core should be blue."

Haruto crouched, deep in thought. A jonin who mastered fire style's nature change would show distinct flame colors, especially at the core.

For the rest of the day, Haruto dedicated himself to practicing fire style, completely absorbed in refining his techniques. It wasn't until late at night that he finally returned, exhausted, to rest.

The following morning, news from Inuzuka Yu signaled the end of their peaceful days.

After Konoha allied with Amegakure, Iwagakure and Sunagakure suffered defeats against the combined forces of Hanzo, the Sannin, and Kato Dan. Konoha now planned a large-scale offensive against Sunagakure to solidify its advantage in the Rain Country. The goal was to drive Sunagakure out entirely, leaving only Iwagakure to face.

Such a large battle required all available ninjas, including Haruto's team. Although they had been relatively unknown before, their performance in the last battle—where they killed multiple chunin and held their ground against formidable foes—had earned them a place in the upcoming offensive.

They had only one day to rest before being mobilized to the front lines.

"In such a large war, we're just a small ripple," Aburame Nami said, watching a wave splash in the nearby river as her insects buzzed around her.

"True," Haruto sighed. "But as Konoha ninjas, it's our duty to fight for the village. We just need to focus on surviving. Hopefully, Kato-sensei and Lady Tsunade can offer us some protection so we don't face the enemy's elite forces head-on."

Despite their worries, Haruto knew his team had made great strides. After their trial by fire on the front lines three months ago, all three members of Kato's team had grown significantly. Now, after further honing their skills, they had solidified their abilities, with each of them at or above chunin-level.

Haruto had refined his fire style and learned the basics of the Spiritual Activation Technique, while Nami had improved her insect techniques. Even Inuzuka Yu had made progress, although he still struggled with meditation.

"Tomorrow, we head to the front," Haruto thought, gripping his scrolls tightly. "We're stronger now, but the battlefield is unforgiving."

He stared at the sky, determination setting in.

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