Chapter 11: Chakra Flow

Although the Eight Gates Technique is simple to begin with, even a low-level ninja can develop it as a physical technique, it's not something Ryo could fully deduce in just a short time.

He had located the eight corresponding points of the Eight Gates Technique within his body, but how to exercise them to loosen up, and how to control their opening and closing, was the true key to the technique.

"Still need practice and experimentation..." Ryo murmured.

He was considering whether he should take a shortcut from Might Guy, thinking it would be safer to consult him. After all, despite its simplicity, this technique was still forbidden, and there could be risks during the development process.

The morning's test was a comprehensive physical test, with challenges like tree climbing and weighted runs, which weren't too difficult for the ninja school students. Even Obito passed the test with ease.

After the test, Ryo returned home.

After a brief tidy-up and a meal, Ryo left again to search for Might Guy and Might Dai in the village. Unfortunately, Might Guy seemed to be on a mission, and only Might Dai's son, Might Kai, was practicing in his usual spot.

Unable to find Might Guy, Ryo didn't rush. He returned home, grabbed his chakra blade, White Fang, and headed towards the village's back mountain.

"This should be it..." he murmured.

Arriving at his usual training ground, Ryo held White Fang and, after taking a deep breath, he didn't use shadow clones but directly began training with his main body.

After his fight with Kakashi the previous day, when he returned home and resumed practicing the Hatake Sword Style, he felt he was finally close to grasping the threshold of chakra flow!

The legendary Hatake Sword Style, known throughout the ninja world, has two stages.

The key to the first stage is chakra flow.

Chakra flow means that chakra within the body flows along a weapon, enhancing its sharpness and attack power. Once this ability is mastered, the sword style's power increases exponentially.

The core of the second stage is the advanced version of chakra flow—chakra's transformation. The flowing chakra becomes solidified, forming a sharp form, which greatly boosts the power of the sword style when used.

Regardless of a practitioner's level, mastering the first stage equates to reaching the level of a middle-ranked ninja. Mastering the second stage is the mark of an elite ninja!

As for advancing beyond that, it depends on individual talent.

Although mastering the complete Hatake Sword Style only marks the strength of an elite ninja, it is far superior to most common techniques, with the likes of the Flying Thunder God Technique being beyond the reach of most.

Ryo had never slacked off his practice of the Hatake Sword Style, as it involved a strong control over chakra. Moreover, it didn't conflict with other physical techniques, such as the Eight Gates or Sage Mode, allowing him to use the sword style even in those forms.

**Swish! Swish!**

Ryo kept swinging the blade, White Fang, and a faint white light seemed to flow along the blade, vibrating with every swing, leaving behind afterimages.

This practice lasted several hours before Ryo stopped. After returning to the village for a meal, he continued his training.

**Seven hours...**

**Eight hours...**

**Nine hours...**

In the three-times speed acceleration state, Ryo relentlessly practiced the basic Hatake Sword Style, incorporating the still-awkward chakra flow into it.

As time passed, his rough movements gradually became smooth, and the awkwardness turned into skillful control. Eventually, at a certain moment, Ryo swung his blade and felt that the chakra flowing along the blade perfectly aligned with the direction of the strike. Only then did he stop.

"This is it!" Ryo's eyes gleamed with excitement. He carefully felt the state he had just reached and then swung the blade again, achieving another perfect strike.

After several more attempts, confirming his skill level, Ryo took a deep breath and relaxed his body.

The first stage of the Hatake Sword Style was now complete!

"Let's test the power..."

After calming himself, Ryo approached a wooden post. With a flash in his eyes, he took a step forward and swung the chakra short blade. A white light cut through the air.

**Swish!!**

The wooden post, roughly the size of an embrace, was effortlessly pierced by Ryo's strike, and half of it silently slid down.

"Indeed impressive... With White Fang, against an opponent who hasn't mastered chakra flow, this should be able to cut through their kunai directly."

Looking at the power of his strike, Ryo murmured in approval.

With the completion of the first stage of the Hatake Sword Style, Ryo now possessed the strength of a middle-ranked ninja and might even have an advantage over other middle-ranked ninjas.

Ryo had long since reached the level of a middle-ranked ninja in terms of ninjutsu and taijutsu. Now, with the first stage of the Hatake Sword Style under his belt, he was already a top-tier middle-ranked ninja!

"Next... acceleration state."

Taking a breath, Ryo's eyes glinted.

The strike that just cut the wooden post was made in his normal state. In the acceleration state, the Hatake Sword Style would undoubtedly unleash even more power!

Without a sound, Ryo entered the three-times speed state.

From a distance, one would notice that Ryo seemed to be in a strange fast-forward mode, his movements and breathing frequencies appearing abnormal.

In this state, Ryo gripped the chakra blade, White Fang, and unleashed the chakra flow before suddenly striking at the wooden post.

**Swish!!**

In the three-times speed state, the strike was fast enough to leave an afterimage!

In the blink of an eye, one could see a white arc, like a sword's light, flashing and effortlessly piercing through the thick wooden post!

"This..."

Ryo's eyes widened in shock.

In this time-accelerated state, the range of his strike had extended far beyond the blade itself, creating a nearly one-foot long strike!

This was something only the second stage of the Hatake Sword Style could achieve!

Suppressing the shock in his heart, Ryo walked around to the back of the post and clearly saw a line running through the center of the post, splitting it in two, leaving a trace on the ground.

"The power might not reach the true second stage of the Hatake Sword Style, but in the time-acceleration state, relying on chakra flow and the sword style, I can indeed extend the strike range!"

Taking a breath, Ryo positioned himself to assess his power level.

Special elite ninja!

A speed-type special elite ninja!

While facing off against those skilled in genjutsu or with forbidden techniques might be tricky, against regular middle or elite middle-ranked ninjas, his incredible speed would allow him to wipe them out in a matter of seconds!

Moreover, speed-based power is not easily countered by multiple opponents.

While ninjas skilled in genjutsu or with certain forbidden techniques might struggle against three or four elite middle-ranked ninjas working together, Ryo, even without a quick kill, could evade and attack at will, moving in and out freely. 

**(End of Chapter)**

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An: You can read 30+ advanced chapters on patre-on

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An2: I'll keep releasing chapters till I hit 15k words, after that I'll release 1 or 2 chapters everyday

Plus extra chapters if we hit power stone marks.