Chapter 2 : direction of growth

Authors note: Difference between assigning the letter before the numbers depicting the mastery.

1] Needle Jizo [A-rank] : 102/1000

Here, it means the Needle Jizo is an A-rank jutsu

2] Tracking : 145/1000 [ C-rank]

It means the tracking can only exert the C-rank effect as a skill.

—Inuzuka grounds—-

GRRRR

I dodged the bite for my throat by leaning back slightly and went for a clawed slash with my hand.

SLASH

I don't if it is because my Inuzuka Taijutsu is low in mastery or the Ninken are just made different. My claws only gave a superficial wound.

WHOOO

"HOW DARE YOU?"

I am puzzled that the other kids seem to overeat when their ninken gets injured. Perhaps it was because of the difference in maturity and experience. I know that war or fighting means getting injured and putting one's life on line.

The kids who share their everything with their ninken partners seem to cannot bear such situations and leave a glaring weakness. Thankfully, I don't have such a problem.

Looking at the claw of the opponent that is heading at me like a wild beast, I put my feelings on my face by yawning.

CRUNCH CRUNCH

Before the clawed hand came for me, the bites of my puppies. No, Ninken caught both of his legs exploiting his unstable mind filled with anger.

"AHH!"

Not caring about the pain he shows, I punched his face.

Again.

Again.

Again.

"The match is won by Kiri. The next opponent, be prepared."

I took a deep breath to calm my adrenaline filled body and conserve as much chakra as possible.

The Inuzuka main branch did not take my stunt lightly. However, they couldn't punish me up to their wishes because I proved my talent by bonding with 2 ninken.

Most importantly, war is on the horizon.

Anyone with a bit of brain, which is a large percentage of Shinobi, can process that the increased cost of war materials, decreased age of academy, the sudden rush of foreigners, especially around the senju compound making enquires into Hashirama.

Hence, my punishment is painful and an effective training. Fights. Only fights, except for food and sleep to maintain my training results, no breaks are given.

"Still, the continuous fights for the last 3 months showed their results rather fast."

[Chakra : 600 800]

Chakra control : Leaf exercise -100/100; Tree walking : 150/1000 [D]]

[Inuzuka Taijutsu : 45 97/ 1000

Inuzuka Tracking : 572/ 10000 [C] ]

As expected of the inuzuka clan, their tracking skills inheritance is out of the world. I can say that they are the best, even better than the Hyūga and Aburame.

I had to let AI allot 10,000 to the upper limit on the skill, otherwise it was tough to see the improvement I made daily. This allotment of numbers to my skills and chakra is rather abstract considering they are based on the knowledge I have/access to. Still, I did so because it helps process my growth and motivates me to push myself more than my peers.

My generation [Existing shinobi of this time, stands out as the most dangerous in Konoha's history.

We've inherited the fierce skills and training from the Warring Clans Era, which pushed us to prepare for battle from the moment we were born.

This intense preparation, combined with the peace under Hashirama's leadership, has made our generation of shinobi exceptionally strong.

We are even more formidable than Naruto's generation—if you set Naruto and Sasuke aside.

Currently, Konoha boasts around 30,000 shinobi. These shinobi are the most dangerous army in the world in the past, present and future. They are the fuckers forged in the cruel times of Warring Shinobi Era.

Of these, 5,000 are private forces from various clans and aren't listed in the official Shinobi registry.

Another 5,000 are dedicated to maintaining Konoha's security and fulfilling other crucial roles.

This leaves us with about 20,000 shinobi available for combat. I'd estimate that at least half of them are at a special Jonin level. Yes, you heard that correctly—half.

Taking part in war fosters the evolution of shinobi abilities.

Despite the early casualties caused by the Warring Clans Era, those who survived often flourished in their shinobi development, with many progressing to become Chunin and even reaching the rank of Special Jonin.

[Special Jonin: An unofficial rank for Chunin who has a skill that poses a significant threat to Jonin-level shinobi.]

I am going to face hardened killers of previous and rising prodigies from my generation in the first shinobi war.

Hence, I have to be smart about the direction I grow in the future.

I am an Inuzuka, meaning I will have an A-rank Taijutsu inheritance, a powerful body with lots of potential to grow and an above average chakra reserve.

Of course, my two ninken who obviously give me a lot of space to maneuver around. Perhaps because of my words on the future of the shinobi world. They are the most motivated Ninken puppies in the entire clan.

AI, show Naru and Sasu's profile.

[Naruto [Naru] :

Age: 3 years

Physique : mid genin

Chakra: 800

Chakra control : E

Inuzuka Tracking : 572/ 10000 [C] ]

[Sasuke [Sasu:

age : 3 years

Physique : Low genin

Chakra : 400

Chakra control: D

Inuzuka Tracking : 572/ 10000 [C] ]

There is a reason I named both of them as such. Naru is timid and excitable, with abundant chakra highly interest in tearing apart our enemies.

Sasu is cunning and calculative, with a lot of talent in Chakra control.

Hence, the current direction in my direction to grow in the short term is fixed—

Naru- Ninken Taijutsu techniques and Standard Inuzuka skills

Sasu- Ninken Genjutsu Techniques and Standard Inuzuka Skills

Me- Standard Inuzuka Skills, Medic Training, Fire nature transformation.

—-Academy —

Unlike the future generations, the current academy is in infancy but also quite strong in training for combat.

"Increase the chakra supply."

"But the generated lightning will be far too much."

"Then you have to bear it, kid. The Lightning nature is said to be the toughest to train among the 5 natures. Force your body to adapt to the increasing amount of current flowing through it."

I saw that the academy instructor Senju Tonto guiding my best friend, Sakumo Hatake.

That's right, the same white fang whose reputation will one day scare the shit out of an entire Shinobi village and suppress the monster trio.

Looking at him, electrocuting himself in the cruel second stage training of lightning nature transformation, I felt that the lightning users are true masochists.

WHOOOF WHOOOF

Sasu seems to agree with me but Naru is on the hand, excited at seeing the flashy lightning.

"You know, you are leading my ninken astray by your flashy show off."

Sakumo stopped the training and looked at me with a small smirk, "Like I said to you many times, the lightning style is the best for the close combat shinobi like you and me, especially like little Naru."

It says something about your relation that Naru happily climbed onto Sakumo's lap.

I could only shrug and say, "I have no other choice but to delay Naru's training in it. Ninjutsu training is different for us, Inuzuka."

Instructor Tonto snorted and said, "It is because of you guys' fixation of Human Beast combination technique. You know, you could just train into a squad on your won with different disciplines for each of your dogs and you, but no, your clan wants to waste chakra to combine. What's the point if the result is just an elite jonin from 3 jonin levels? I rather would like to see a trio Jonin with the highest teamwork than a single Elite Jonin."

Here the comes criticism from the instructor. Well, he is not the only one. Everyone holds the same idea. You see nature transformation leaves a mark on the user's chakra network, the kind that makes the human beast's transformation hard to achieve because of the difference in both human and ninken who mastered two different natures. Especially for me who has two ninken.

Hence, both Sasu and Naru can't touch Ninjutsu until we complete the Human Beast transformation. The growth from the combination is not that much better when compared to a 2 jonin level ninken who mastered a nature each with me who mastered 2 natures.

1. This delay in starting their ninjutsu training will put most ninken at a disadvantage, as they won't be able to match the pace of the shinobi.

I shook my head and said, "You don't understand, teacher. The human-beast transformation is the just right for the inuzuka. In a way, the Sharingan is for Uchiha. Our training and inheritance is centered on them. Besides, the Human beast transformation combined with 2 ninken will give me triple the chakra even at Jonin, maybe even give me a chance to hit the Clan leader's level of strength. I guess you can understand the two paths laid before me, one with a guaranteed increase in strength, the other a chance to reach clan leader level."

Clan leader or S-ranks are the true cream of the top. A feat that none of the Inuzuka achieved because there has never been a single successful case of an inuzuka fusing with 2 different ninken.

Even Kiba, in the future, used his shadow clone, essentially keeping the transformation at the same level.

Not a true combination of three beings.

SIGH

Senju Tonto seems to have given up on trying to convince me and said, "Alright! Let's get started with your training. The medical Ninjutsu, in simpler terms, is a Yang chakra transformation, with a hint of Yin Chakra to control the healing yang chakra. Now, the best way to stimulate your yin chakra is this."

He pointed at his brain and said, "The more will or knowledge you have, the better you can use the Yin chakra to guide the Healing Yang chakra."

I nodded at that with a smile and lit my palm up with my chakra. Looking at Sakumo, I imagined the extent of burns to him and his nerves.

A feat that is easily done for me, who was a neurosurgeon in the past life.

I guided my chakra to his wounds and started thinking about the healing of the wound.

Inflammation, regeneration of tissue ..

Each step I know with ease from my lifetime's worth of study of medical books.

Then, I felt it. MY chakra changing. My intent seems to have gathered at the wound an almost merging with the chakra, producing a new chakra- Yin Chakra.

This hint of Yin chakra seems to shout at the rest to move and work, turning the rest of the chakra into greenish energetic chakra- Yang Chakra.

Sakumo exclaimed in response, "AH! Fuck, that feels cold and warm at the same time."

I smiled as the slight burns on the tips of Sakumo's fingers healed under the effect of the Yang Chakra.

[ Warning !

Chakra reserves: 300]

Hmm, As expected, my chakra control is not enough, there was a lot of waste. Most importantly, the medical ninjutsu is far too imprecise.

Meaning everything in medical Ninjutsu is up to the user's will and talent in Yang nature, not even bothering with the knowledge side.

Even Hashirama who could regrow a limb did it out of sheer talent and his will to heal others.

AI, How much is the progress?

[Processing …..

Project Diagnostic Ninjutsu [C] : 43%

A Medical Ninjutsu that scans the Patient health status.]

Healing blindly is simple, but is also crude. With this diagnostic jutsu, while just a C-rank can easily help the medic nin to give precise treatment in a shorter time and efficient chakra usage.

Of course, this is on the basis the medic nin is knowledgeable about the human anatomy and the effects of various chakras on it.

Thankfully, the Inuzuka are the next best to Senjus and Hyūga in Medic Knowledge because of their emphasis on raising the ninken.

TCH

I heard the clicking of sound from Tsunade, who finally arrived at the academy with the rest of my classmates.

Just like that, Sakumo and my early teaching sessions with the instructor Tonto ended.

I can see some are jealous of us both for receiving instruction form a jonin but I could only sneer in my mind, 'You brats, if you want to be taught to be a diligent student and be early in the morning and ask for help. If the student himself doesn't express his interest in learning, how can a teacher teach?"

Me and Sakumo could be considered the best students in our batch, always working and asking for instructions to grow strong despite our clans teaching on the side.

BOOOM

But, we are not the strongest students.

Looking at Tsunade, who causally knocked Jiraya into the ground that left cracks on both Jiraya and the ground, I could only smile wearily.

I felt even more tired when I saw Tsunade setting the broken bones of Jiraiya and healing the swelling in a few minutes. Making my feat of healing slight burns look like a joke.

As expected of the Senju Tsunade.

Sakumo, who was beside, snorted and said, "Looks like she crushed in this as well. That leaves with Tsunade and you at 18-0."

I could only retort back, "Not like you are much different. You and I are 50-50 wins and losses right now. Which means you will be the same if she forces you to compete with her."

He happily smiled at my misery and said, "Not like she will. After all, that honour belongs to you. I don't mind sharpening my tanto and lightning style in the meantime and challenge her when I master it."

As expected of him, to have such a confidence. You must know, at our stage, the talent from bloodline gives an overwhelming advantage which can't be easily bridged.

The key work is 'easy'. Meaning the day Sakumo combines his Lightning style with his Hatake Kenjutsu, the new skill will cross the distance. The same way my Human-Beast transformation will help me cross the distance between us. But that is in the future.

Just like that, the morning classes continued in perpetual sparring, curses.

It is from the afternoon class that the true shinobi training skills began- Traps, Tracking, intelligence gathering, Torture, education…

The skills went on and on, with each day teaching a different one, and expecting it to be mastered by the next class.

It was when the sun set down that the instructor gave us our leave and the daily test.

"All right brats. Today, the test is on your information analysis. Find the idiot who had spinach today and plans to have the same tomorrow."

Jiraiya, being the joker of the class, asked everyone wanted to know, "How the hell are we supposed to find that? The lunch was long over."

Nara Shinrai and Orochimaru coldly expressed their feelings towards Jiraiya, "Idiot!"

Instructor Tonton chuckled and said, "You could either have remembered the clues I left during the day or be a shinobi and analysis the mission, and the situation. DISMISS."

WHOOSH WHOOSH

It took not even a second before everyone dispersed onto the trees, using their half-baked skill in tree walking to run on the trees.

I waited in my same spot, thinking it was a pity Sakumo's clan was quite rigid in monitoring his Kenjutsu .

Well, Kenjutsu is a skill that requires such systemic dedication and hard work to truly prosper.

"I really wanted to be the cool guy, waving his sword, but it seems it is not possible."

"I really didn't expect you to be a fool like Jiraiya. You have your clans Taijutsu perfected over the centuries to suit you and your Ninken."

I looked towards the second friend I have, also the most probable shinobi of the year, Orochimaru.

Our batch comprises all the kids who didn't attain genin. We are expected to graduate in a year and given to the jonin. This kind of fast track is like the way clans used to replenish the numbers in Warring clan eras.

Kids are trained from the moment they can, prepared until they are needed to kill.

"I just thought it would be interesting to learn the skill. It is the same way with Genjutsu, all the nature transformation. I am sure you feel the same, Orochimaru."

Orochimaru nodded with a snakey smile.

Yes, Snakey, that is the only thing I can say about the smile. I am definitely sure this guy has some relation to the Ryuichi cave-one of the three sage lands.

I shook my thoughts of the snakes and threw him a scroll, "This is the fire nature jutsu- red claw. It is used as part of our Taijutsu, heating our claws with the Fire chakra and crudely claw our enemies into a sizzling meat. An C-rank jutsu."

His eyes light up at the jutsu but his greed for ninjutsu shined, "You know, I was expecting much more from this deal, not the half-baked jutsu that can only be used by the Inuzuka."

You see, Jutsu themselves can be performed in 3 steps.

1- Forming the chakra and sending it to the site of execution

2- Supporting the body to withstand the jutsu

3- Using the jutsu

The second step is completely customized in the clan library for the budding Inuzuka Shinobi, making them an incredible resource.

SCOFF

"No offense, Orochimaru. It just means a few days of hard work for you to learn how to support your body. I even threw in a few tips based on my perspective as a budding med-nin."

Orochimaru nodded while looking through the scroll. "Alright! Time for me to handle my end of the bargain. Come on, my dear student."

WHOOF

To my shock, even till this day, Naru, who was the most frightened by the mention of Orochimaru on the day of storytelling, ran to him to train under him.

Leaving me and Sasu alone to train on our own training. Sasu is on edge around Orochimaru, a normal reaction after what I told him.

"Now, Orochimaru might be insane in the future, but it can't change the fact he is an unparalleled genius. With his help, Naru already crossed us both in physique and even his Chakra reserves exploded."

WO

Sasu looked at me lazily, almost as if saying, 'You are expecting me to match the muscle head.'

I smiled and said to him, "There is a reason I named you as Sasuke, I feel that the most suitable path for you is Yin-chakra side. Unlike Naru, whose interest is in using his body to tear apart enemies, you detest grinding your body into sweat and pain. Hence, you better focus on Yin-nature."

With that, we begin the Yin-nature training, Genjutsu.

[ Ting.

Chakra units consumed : 100 units.

Illusion map for Genjutsu: Dog bite [D] uploading into Host]

The illusion map is nothing but the imaginary scenario crafted by the AI that is the skeleton of the Genjutsu. I just to add muscles that is my chakra.

Tiger Rat Inu Ram

As expected of the ingenuity of Indra, the hand signs dragged and guided my chakra in performing the first step of Jutsu, also the toughest without the hand signs.

"Inuzuka Genju: Dog Bites."

In a second, my Chakra used the sound of my Jutsu call as a medium to enter the sensitive ears of Sasu and had it experience the dog bites all over its body.

[ Chakra consumed : 400

Genjutsu maintanence : 10/second]

WHOOOF WHOOOO WHOOO

I continued sending the chakra to my Ninken to maintain the illusion of many dogs biting into him, not backing down because of my love for him. I need him to get used to use his brain to solve the problems and also cast the Genjutsu.

Even though I am talented in Genjutsu due to using the AI as a crutch to make the illusion map, my chakra is limited right now. Even more so, my time to train is limited. Considering both of the ninken can't start the training in Ninjutsu yet, I have to be the one to train in that.

WHOOOOOOOO

I felt myself flatter when I heard Sasu's shouts of pain but hardened myself again, thinking of the encountering such situations in the war.

Sasu used my single moment of indecision to allow his chakra to rampage in his Chakra network and purge my Genjutsu away.

"AGH! Fuck, this feeling is far too uncomfortable."

The anime seems to have failed to mention the small backlash for the genjutsu users whose genjutsu is dispelled by the target. Another reason, I have to avoid training it now.

Even if I can learn to deal with it with time and experience, I can't afford such a weakness in the war when I am still weak.

WHOOF WHOOF

Looking at the exhausted Sasu, I smiled and took him to the shade of a tree. "Good boy. I am sorry for being such a cruel master buddy, but we have no other choice."

WHOO

I have been directly getting him started on Genjutsu disruption, an advanced skill that consumes the chakra to purge the foreign chakra out of the system.

Genjutsu dispels while more effective requires knowledge about the Genjutsu, a mind numbing task that is difficult for the Ninken race who, despite their intelligence, aren't humans who thrive on knowledge.

In this way, the chakra disruption suits him better. Now, that I think about, even I can't dare use that technique until I become a Jonin or have mastered water walking (B-A).

[Ninken Sasu

Genjutsu : Dog Bite [D: 36/100

Genjutsu disruption : 80/1000 [C-rank]

WHOOF WHOOF

I looked at the source of shouts to see Naru who is running towards me.

I caught the little one and asked Orochimaru, "How did the most impressive ninken in fighting do in the training?"

Orochimaru answered while licking his dry lips, "Hmm, he got more proficient in Needle Jizo. You know, you could give me that jutsu. In exchange, I will give you my wind nature training."

While Orochimaru is an authentic genius, he is still a 7-year-old and has not surpassed the weight of the inuzuka clan's library in terms of knowledge.

My silence seemed to be the answer for Orochimaru, who took it in stride and went back with a minor disappointment.

I shook my head to clear the thoughts of the lonely Orochimaru and looked at Naru.

[Ninken Naru

Inuzuka Needle Jizo [A] : 132/ 1000]

Needle Jizo makes the fur on Naru hard and spiky, acting as both as a defensive and offensive Jutsu.

An incredible jutsu with great potential for a close combatant like Naru. Now, I can't afford to fall back. Time to get to my training.

"Naru, time for you to eat."

WHOOH WHOOF WHOOF WHOOF

Looking at the happy Naru who is rolling around in happiness, I smiled.

I took out the coal, famed for its abundance in the land of fire.

I took a deep breath and made my chakra move on the coal. Then got to the important step- making my chakra keep on energetic, thinking of the fire.

Then formed the Ryu sign as a crutch to light the coal on Fire.

[Data gathering on Fire nature transformation- 1..3…4…5…]

This is the reason I use the Ryu sign, even though it is a crutch and hinders the progress of Fire nature mastery. It allows me to get more data and use the ninjutsu library available to me in the clan.

SIZZLE

Looking at the burning coal, I kept one hand in half Ryu and the other to keep a pan on top. Then took out the raw chicken meat stored in salt and spices and started frying it.

Naru dragged the exhausted Sasu to me, dripping with saliva, which spread all over Sasu's fur.

'idiot,'

AI, record the data.

[ Ting

Recording the advancement in Ninken compatibility.

Naru-72%

Sasu- 74%]

I smiled like a loon as I cooked the food for us with one hand. Just a year or more before our acceptability breaks 90%, then I can train for human beast combination.

There is a reason the clan seems to look after me despite my stunt. It is the rather close relation I have with Naru and Saru. Far better than most of my peers.

After all, even the pairs that lived for decades as a partner can hide some secrets or opinions. I, on the first day we met, leaved my heart and mind bare for them to see.

That made the relation with them both soar like a tiger with wings.

Naru is focused on his body/Taijutsu representing the Yang nature, Sasu is focused on Genjutsu/min representing Yin.

I am focused on the 5 nature- Fire, water, earth, lightning, and wind.

I could already see a future where me who mastered 5 natures, combining with Naru who mastered the yang nature, Sasu who mastered Yin nature. Breaking through the limits of S-rank, standing on par with Hashirama, Madara….

[Chakra exhausted.

Fire nature data gathering completed.]

As I fell back on the ground heaving for breath, I wearily realized such things are too far for me.

I'm grateful that the inuzuka's physique/ Yang nature helped me. It's kept my chakra exhaustion mild. If not, I'd be in severe pain like a civilian with chakra exhaustion. Clans have an advantage with their bloodline developing protection mechanisms over generations of using chakra, not extracting chakra like Civilians and stop the usage at right point out of sheer instinct. Things that civilians struggle to learn are as easy as breathing to us.

Speaking of breathing, let's see if my inspiration from demon slayer is paying off in my breathing technique.

[ Processing the data from Fire nature transformation, Human lungs, Oxygen effect on Fire nature…]

[Task started-Inuzuka Breathing method : Fire

Progress- 1%]