Graceful Figure Under the Moonlight

Strictly speaking, the Vapor Explosion is a Water Release Ninja Technique, and the foundation of this technique is the Water Clone Technique.

However, just like Sasuke's Kirin, which is a true Lightning Release Ninjutsu, it doesn't carry the prefix of Lightning Release, similar to Chidori and Lightning Blade. This is mainly because the Kirin technique involves a lot of elements. Sasuke uses the Great Dragon Fire Technique to create thunderclouds, observes the speed and direction of the lightning with his Sharingan, and finally guides the lightning to attack the enemy using Chidori or other Lightning Release Ninjutsu.

This technique involves the Sharingan, which theoretically makes it impossible for outsiders to learn. However, the fact is that this technique is rated as S-class, meaning it is within the realm of what can be learned.

Without the Sharingan, one can use sensory abilities or other capabilities as substitutes. In this technique, the Sharingan is not an absolute necessity.

The same goes for the Vapor Explosion. Creating a water clone, hydrification, and oilification—the first step of this three-step technique, creating a water clone, is not difficult for Ino.

In terms of clone techniques, Little Mustache cannot compare to the Shadow Clone Technique developed by the Second Hokage.

Separating one's own chakra into a water clone is something Ino can also do, and she does it with ease.

The second step, infusing the water clone with hydrification chakra, is where it gets difficult.

Chakra that has undergone the nature transformation of water is the foundation of many Water Release Ninja Techniques, but this chakra cannot be maintained for long. Once used, it's gone. For example, Ino's Water Dragon Bullet is a one-time surge. She can hold the last hand seal and continue to maintain the water dragon with her own chakra, but this method is quite clumsy and was something Old Man Kosuke figured out on his own.

Water attribute chakra cannot exist within a water clone for long, so the chakra needs to be transformed into water.

This involves the Water Transformation Secret Technique, which is difficult to master. Fortunately, Ino's level in Water Release and her Ninja Skill are both sufficiently high. Little Mustache explained the hydrification aspects of the Vapor Explosion in great detail that day, and she has made some detailed adjustments herself. Now, she can achieve partial hydrification.

Ino stretched out her arms and slowly submerged herself into the pond.

The cold water enveloped her, and she mobilized the chakra within her body, allowing it to transform into water first, and then hydrating her own body.

Ino's left arm merged with the water, and the entire dissolution process lasted about forty-five seconds. She then deactivated the hydrification and raised her left hand to examine it closely.

The palm that had been pierced by Haku's Samurai Sword originally had a somewhat terrifying scar. Even after applying the Yamanaka Clan's Elixir, the scar was still visible. Now, with partial hydrification of her body, the injured area underwent a cellular-level reorganization.

To Ino, it seemed as if the scar was slowly fading. She performed hydrification two more times, and when her left hand began to ache slightly, she knew that her cells had temporarily reached their limit and needed rest.

Under the moonlight, she examined her palm.

She estimated that after two more sessions, or when she fully mastered hydrification, the scar would completely disappear.

Ino submerged herself entirely into the pond, focusing on repairing the scars on her abdomen and back.

The wound on her lower abdomen was manageable, but the scar on her back from Chojuro's Hiramekarei slash was quite large. She had initially thought she wouldn't be able to wear backless outfits anymore. Despite the water being cold, it gave her an incredibly soothing sensation, as if the entire pool had become an extension of her body. Ino closed her eyes, feeling as though she had returned to the womb, carefully attuning herself to the unique rhythm of the water.

Tonight's experience was exceptionally comfortable. Ino didn't need to breathe or think; the surroundings were utterly silent, as if nothing existed in the world except herself. The damage inside and outside her body was slowly healing, and her cells seemed to hum with joy. She felt so at ease that she drifted into a light sleep right there in the water. She had no idea how much time had passed when a somewhat noisy splash disrupted her state of harmony. Annoyed, she wondered, Who is it? Who's out here playing in the water in the middle of the night? Ino's gaze pierced through the water's surface, and she saw a girl standing on a large rock, practicing her punches.

The moonlight was bright, and the girl's expression was resolute. Every move she made was executed with great care. The only issue was her attire, which seemed far too light for the environment. Ino was speechless. Hinata, aren't you supposed to be on duty? She guessed that Kurenai must have gone to closely monitor Hanare. Kurenai had been extremely proactive lately, working with fiery enthusiasm, so it wasn't surprising that she had given Hinata some time off.

Ino sighed inwardly. You're given time off, and instead of resting, you come here to practice punches in the middle of the night? You're really addicted to this, aren't you? And aren't you worried about catching a cold dressed like that?

From her position in the water, Ino could see things she normally wouldn't. Should I go out and say hello? she wondered. As fellow girls, meeting in this situation would probably be awkward for Hinata. But if I stay here and keep watching, that doesn't seem entirely appropriate either. Torn, Ino decided to maintain her hydrification state and continue observing. What's big? What's white? She didn't care about such things.

Her vision, enhanced by the Vapor Explosion technique, was now exceptionally sharp. Ninja techniques, body techniques, and genjutsu were categorized into three distinct types, but in practice, they still shared some commonalities.

She could tell that Hinata was practicing her clan's Gentle Fist. The reason she was dressed so lightly was likely to allow her chakra to flow swiftly through the numerous chakra points in her body, enabling her to release chakra from these points and create the unique defensive effect of the Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven.

Too much clothing would weaken the ability to release chakra, or so it seemed. The girl was drenched in sweat, spinning rapidly in the Gentle Fist stance while channeling her chakra outward for defense. Her determination was strong, but the Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven was simply too difficult for her.

Neji Hyuga had mastered this technique without any guidance, relying solely on his own understanding. Hinata, despite having her father's teachings and the accumulated knowledge of her predecessors, still struggled to grasp it. It had to be said that her talent indeed fell short of Neji's.

But as those in the know would understand, in the world of the Hokage, genius was cheap, and external advantages were what truly mattered. Without such advantages, one wouldn't even qualify to play a minor role in the final showdown.

Ino continued to observe from the water.

Hinata practiced the Eight Trigrams Palms, her body constantly spinning and swaying, making her feel dizzy. She didn't think Hinata had the qualifications to participate in the final battle, but for now, she could still lend a hand.

Suddenly, a stream of water appeared beneath Hinata's feet, resembling a human hand that grabbed her ankle and pulled her down. The stones here had been repeatedly smoothed by the flowing water, making them very slippery. Hinata lost her balance in an instant and with a "plop," she fell into the pool.

Thinking it was just her own slip, she didn't pay much attention and grabbed onto a stone, trying to climb back up.

Two seconds later, she noticed something unusual.

The pool was cold, but not bone-chillingly so; instead, it felt quite comfortable. There seemed to be something like Chakra in the water.

What could it be?

"Byakugan!"