Fire

After completing the Nature Transformation training for the fire element, he decided to move on to the next level: learning a true Fire Style jutsu.

With his enhanced talent, his enthusiasm for training was through the roof. He was eager to push his limits and acquire a technique that reflected his progress.

However, after a full day of practice with shadow clones, his body and mind were exhausted. Although his physique, combined with the Kurama Ring, allowed him to recover quickly from physical fatigue, mental exhaustion was a more challenging obstacle to overcome.

Reluctantly, he had to accept that he needed to rest.

The next day, before dawn, he was already on the move.

Instead of heading to the academy, he decided to skip classes. Something more important awaited: learning the Great Fireball Jutsu.

Although classified as a C-rank ninjutsu, it had considerable power. Its effectiveness lay in its ability to concentrate a high-temperature flame, making it several times more powerful than other jutsu of the same rank.

Additionally, it offered versatility: the user could control both the size and distance of the fireball by adjusting the amount of chakra used.

This practicality was one of the reasons why the Great Fireball Jutsu was a secret technique of the Uchiha clan.

Many ninjas outside the clan also learned it because of its utility in combat. It was even rumored that Jiraiya himself had developed his personal version of the jutsu from this technique.

Kuro was ready.

He had studied the method for performing the jutsu in advance, so when he arrived at Training Ground 39, he wasted no time and began practicing immediately.

First, he chose a safe spot: an area by the river, ideal for preventing accidental fires.

Then he started.

He took a firm stance, closed his eyes, and began mobilizing his chakra.

'Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu'

As he inhaled deeply, he concentrated the chakra in his throat, transformed it into fire energy, and then exhaled forcefully.

Fush

A burning line emerged from his mouth, quickly condensing into a fireball in front of him. The fireball grew to over a meter in diameter, and the high temperature began to distort the air around it.

It's going to explode!

Kuro felt the heat building up rapidly, expanding the air and increasing the pressure inside the fireball.

With a snap decision, he cut off the chakra flow just before losing control.

The fireball shot out, skimming across the water's surface and leaving a trail of hot steam in its wake.

Finally, it exploded with a deafening roar, sinking the river's surface and scattering mud and water everywhere.

Kuro raised an arm to shield himself from the splashes, frowning as he assessed the result.

The explosion had been impressive, but...

"The fireball barely flew a meter before exploding."

Both Itachi and Kakashi could launch fireballs three to five meters in diameter without them exploding prematurely.

"It seems there's more to this."

Kuro reflected for a moment and came to a conclusion.

"The flame's temperature and its concentration... there must be a balance."

He had tried to increase the fireball's power by concentrating as much chakra as possible in a single point, but that had generated excessive pressure, causing the premature explosion.

"I took it for granted."

Ninjutsu, after generations of refinement, was already close to its limit. Trying to improve it without completely altering its form was impractical.

Determined to adjust his technique, he began to slightly disperse the chakra, reducing its concentration in the fireball's center.

The result was immediate: the fireball expanded to five or six meters in diameter. However, the fire was too dispersed and lacked the lethal intensity he was aiming for.

.....

Through repeated adjustments and practice, Kuro finally managed to stabilize it. The fireball formed precisely, maintained its ideal size, and didn't explode prematurely.

When he was confident in his control, he launched a fireball three meters in diameter. The sphere roared through the air, hitting the river and causing an explosion that sent up a column of steam and mud.

"Finally."

Kuro smiled as his breathing steadied.

While wiping sweat from his forehead, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.

"You learned it so fast…" Lian emerged from the trees, a look of astonishment on his face.

It should have been impossible to learn this jutsu so quickly, even with talent. During the Nature Transformation training, his progress was average. But now… he had mastered the Great Fireball Jutsu in such a short time.

Lian didn't know how to feel.

"Pretty good!"

Kuro wiped the sweat from his forehead and let out a satisfied laugh.

"Next, I'll learn a more advanced ninjutsu."

Lian frowned slightly before cutting him off, "Advanced ninjutsu… You should take it slower for now!"

"?"

Kuro looked at him suspiciously, confused by his comment.

"Ninjutsu is like a weapon. The same technique can yield completely different results depending on who uses it," Lian explained, crossing his arms.

"You mean how it's used?"

"Exactly."

Don't focus on the jutsu's power, the time it takes to execute, or even its purpose.

The important thing is how you use it.

Even the most basic ninjutsu can be devastating if employed intelligently.

Take Naruto, for example…

At first, his use of the Rasengan was limited, simply relying on shadow clones to form it. Its effectiveness was low, and its accuracy rate was even worse.

However, after training with Jiraiya and perfecting his strategy, he learned to use shadow clones not just to form the Rasengan, but also to create distractions and blind spots in his enemies.

This dramatically increased his effectiveness in combat.

"I understand, but…" Kuro looked up at Lian. "How can I improve this?"

Lian smirked slightly. "The use of ninjutsu can only be perfected through real combat experience."

Suddenly, a killing intent emanated from him, like an invisible torrent that enveloped Kuro.

"From now on, your training will include practical lessons. We'll fight with real swords and weapons."

For a moment, Kuro was surprised, but that surprise quickly turned into an excited smile.

"Understood."

The words had barely left his mouth when Lian lunged at him with astonishing speed. A kunai emerged from his sleeve, aimed directly at Kuro's chest.

Without missing a beat, Kuro reached into his ninja pouch, pulling out a kunai that spun in his fingers before blocking the attack.

Ting

The sound of metal clashing echoed through the forest, accompanied by a small shower of sparks.

Lian smirked slightly, nodding in approval. "Good reaction. You stay focused at all times."

"Well, after all, I had a ROOT trainer teach me the basics. If I couldn't master it, I'd have no right to be a ninja."

"That explains a lot…" Lian let out a dry laugh before revealing a cruel smile. "Alright. From now on, this will be like ROOT training. I'll suppress my strength to your level, but I'll fight with the intent to kill you."

Kuro displayed a defiant smile.

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

.....

Ting. Ting. Ting.

Kunai clashed repeatedly, their metal ringing loudly.

In the forest, Kuro and Lian's figures moved quickly, darting back and forth among the trees. Their attacks were fast, precise, and each movement carried deadly intent.

Shuriken, kunai, traps, feints, ninjutsu…

Both combatants used everything they had, pushing themselves to their limits.

Although Lian had said he would try to kill him, at first he held back slightly, ensuring he didn't target critical points.

However, when he noticed that even if Kuro suffered severe injuries, the Kurama Ring's regenerative effect healed him instantly, he stopped holding back.

Now, every one of Lian's moves was as lethal as in a true ninja battle.

Hiruzen, who occasionally came to check on Kuro's training progress, found himself amazed by his remarkable level.

.....

A year later.

Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, a year had passed since Kuro began his intensive training.

During the weekdays, he attended the academy, fulfilling his classes while gathering materials to forge new items with his system. But in the afternoons, he returned to Training Ground 39.

Each day, his life was marked by battles simulating life-and-death struggles.

For Kuro, that year wasn't just a period of physical and technical growth but also mental development.

He had learned to survive.

His swordsmanship, ninjutsu mastery, and ability to improvise in combat had reached a new level.

Day after day, he trained under the constant pressure of facing a much more experienced opponent. Each practical lesson pushed him to his limits, forcing him to perfect his skills.

Over time, his approach to swordsmanship changed.

He no longer attempted flashy moves or complex combinations. Instead, he focused on the essentials: simple cuts and blocks.

Although his movements were straightforward, each was executed with surgical precision, making him as effective as a kendo master.

Additionally, during that year, he not only perfected his swordsmanship but also mastered all the ninjutsu Itachi had left in his scroll.

Each technique, from the simplest to the most complex, could now be used by Kuro in real combat.

And now, he could wield them freely in a real fight.

________

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