Chapter 5: Magnet Release

Year 27 Konoha Calendar

A four-year-old boy was seen darting through the marketplace.

"Good morning, Raito-sama! How far are you planning to run today?" A monk with a long mustache greeted Raito at the gate.

"I'm going to run to the sand mountain behind the village today, bald monk!"

"Be mindful of the sandstorm out there," the monk smiled at Raito's playful banter. Raito dismissed the kind warning, knowing well that a covert squad of ANBU was discreetly guarding him at all times. Regardless, Raito has started to grow some liking to the bald monk that can always be seen around the gates. He bumped into him a few times to find out that people call him monk Bunpuku. Bunpuku seems to be very well liked amongst the villagers due to his kind nature. 

Back to Raito, over the past six months, Raito's peaceful life had come to an end. His mornings were dedicated to three hours of cardio exercises, alternating between endurance and interval running. Running on the sand helped improve his balance and stamina. Afterwards, he would engage in basic shuriken, kenjutsu, or taijutsu training with his father until lunchtime.

After a well-deserved lunch, Raito would spend an hour practicing calligraphy and two hours training with Chiyo in medicine. According to Chiyo, Raito had already reached an intermediate level in calligraphy, and he would need another year to become an advanced calligrapher. As an Iryo-nin trainee, he had memorized and comprehended the medical books provided by Chiyo, which granted him permission to begin learning the mystical palm technique. Chiyo often complained about his exceptional speed in grasping medical knowledge, unaware that Raito possessed 25 years of medical experience within his mind.

The mystical palm technique was the first ninjutsu Raito learned in this world. It involved applying gentle chakra to a wounded area, enhancing the body's natural healing process. Due to its high chakra control requirements, it was categorized as an A-rank ninjutsu. Raito had practiced the technique on approximately 500 fish over the past five months, witnessing improvements in their survival on his operating table. He believed he would achieve significant progress in the mystical palm technique in the upcoming months.

Speaking of ninjutsu, his father had introduced him to the basic starting E-rank techniques, and Raito displayed initial mastery over them. He could create three clones with bunshin-no-jutsu, substitute himself with nearby objects using kawarimi-no-jutsu within a 10-meter range, and maintain a body transformation for up to 15 minutes.

His ninjutsu training would continue until dinner with his family. Raito looked forward to this time every day. Since his heartfelt conversation with his father, he felt that this was his true family. His father possessed a stoic yet warm demeanor, while his mother was kind and loving. Raito considered himself truly blessed in this life. He vowed to protect his family, even in the face of the accursed fate of the Kazekage clan and the future ninja wars. His love for them strengthened his resolve not only to survive in this world but to shield his loved ones from the impending darkness.

After dinner, Raito dedicated his time to private study. He would spend an hour reading and several hours training his chakra control until exhaustion. He had progressed from water walking exercises to practicing the Rasengan. He had transitioned from using water balloons to using rubber balls. Raito was confident that within the next three months, he would be able to burst the rubber ball and move on to compression training.

I'm sorry, Minato, for preempting your future accomplishment, but you're yet to be born, and I need to ensure my survival. I'll find a way to make it up to you later. I believe I'll be able to master the Rasengan during my first year at the academy.

The academy would commence in six months. Raito's father had granted him permission to attend, and he was ready.

…

(two months later)

"Raito, let's finish our kenjutsu training early today. I have something to show you," his father announced.

Raito thoroughly enjoyed kenjutsu. While he had dabbled in kendo in his previous life, it paled in comparison to what he was learning now. His father had provided him with a standard katana and a short sword for his training. Though his father wasn't a kenjutsu expert himself, he possessed enough knowledge to instill the basics of sword movement in Raito. Additionally, Shamon occasionally invited ANBU kenjutsu experts to offer advice. However, Raito was aware that Suna wasn't renowned for its expertise in kenjutsu.

'I may need to ask Father to send me to the Land of Samurai in the future,' Raito thought to himself.

His father led him into the training hall, where his mother had been patiently waiting.

"Today, we're going to test your chakra nature using this chakra paper. Your chakra nature will determine which elements suit you best and provide the most potential for mastery. A Jonin is expected to have mastered at least two chakra natures before promotion. Do you have any questions before we begin?" his mother explained.

"Hiruzen is called the professor because he can master all chakra natures. I wonder if I have a talent for that," Raito mused silently.

"Besides the five basic chakra natures, are there other natures?" Raito asked.

"Yes. The Yuki clan from the Land of Water is renowned for its Ice Release Kekkei Genkai, which combines water and wind natures. The Senju clan is also famous for its Wood Release, which combines earth and water natures. However, Kekkei Genkai abilities are limited to one's bloodline, so even if you master earth and water elements, you won't possess Wood Release," his mother explained.

"Do we have any special bloodline in our family?" Raito wondered if he had been granted a special advantage.

"Yes, our clan does have a unique affinity for earth and wind releases, creating a magnetic-like power. However, there's still much to uncover about this power. In fact, it has been my research focus for the past three years, and I believe I'm on the verge of a breakthrough," his father revealed with a smile.

Despite being the Kazekage, Shamon had a true researcher's heart. Behind their house was a restricted compound where his father sent his clone every day for research.

"So, if I possess wind and earth release, would that mean I have magnet release?" Raito inquired eagerly.

"We'll have to wait and see. Magnet release is unique in the sense that it doesn't directly manipulate nature like wood or ice. Instead, it manipulates magnetic forces to move objects. But first, you need to master the basic nature transformation of wind and earth elements," his father explained, looking at him with encouragement.

"I see. Well, no rush. I already have so much on my plate, and the Academy starts in four months. Hopefully, I can make progress in my nature transformation by then," Raito thought optimistically.

Raito's fingers glided over the chakra paper, his excitement barely contained. The room was hushed, save for the soft rustling of the paper and the steady breathing of his parents, Shamon and Chibi, who watched with keen interest.

"Remember, Raito," Shamon began, his voice a blend of authority and encouragement, "this will help us understand your elemental affinities. Concentrate and channel your chakra into the paper."

Raito nodded, taking a deep breath. He closed his eyes, feeling the familiar surge of chakra flow through him. As he directed his energy into the paper, he felt the material react almost immediately.

The paper split into three distinct sections: one corner crinkled and burned slightly, another corner turned into dirt and crumbled, while the final section sliced cleanly down the middle.

Shamon's eyes widened slightly. "Lightning, earth, and wind," he murmured. "You possess three affinities, Raito. This is extraordinary."

Chibi stepped closer, her face a mixture of pride and curiosity. "Raito, you have the potential for a very rare and powerful Kekkei Genkai. With your wind and earth releases, we should test you for magnetic release."

Raito's heart raced. He had read about the unique abilities possessed by his clan, but to potentially inherit such power was beyond his wildest dreams. "What do I need to do?"

Shamon handed him a small iron filing. "Channel your chakra into this, and try to feel the magnetic field. If you succeed, you will be able to manipulate it."

Raito took the iron filing, focusing his chakra as he had done with the paper. He felt a tingling sensation in his fingertips, a subtle pull and push, as if the metal was responding to his will. Slowly, the filing began to lift, hovering in the air before him.

Chibi gasped softly, and Shamon's stern expression softened with a rare smile. "You have it, Raito. Magnetic release."

Raito's eyes sparkled with excitement and determination. Next, he is going to focus his all on chakra and ninjutsu training. 

…