Chapter 95: The Marvelous Uses of Superpowers in Ninjutsu

Hardy hadn't had a chance to learn this technique before.

Now was as good a time as any to try it out.

In the past, Hardy's talent for ninjutsu was only slightly above average—nothing compared to those geniuses who excelled at it.

Uchiha Itachi could breathe out a Grand Fireball after seeing Uchiha Fugaku demonstrate it once. Uchiha Sasuke wasn't quite as talented; after seeing the same demonstration, he could only produce a small flame, but after practicing for an afternoon, he mastered the technique.

Even though there was a gap between Sasuke and Itachi's talent, Sasuke was still undoubtedly a top-tier genius. Even without the Sharingan, by age seventeen, Sasuke's Lightning Release, Fire Release, and swordsmanship were already at the first-class level in the ninja world—far surpassing the average jonin.

Hardy felt that Pakura's talent was probably not much different from Sasuke's. The latter, with the help of Kagutsuchi and innate mastery of Amaterasu's perfect form, synthesized Blaze Release, while Pakura also managed to combine and create Scorch Release at a very young age.

Hardy had previously asked Pakura and Baki about this. With someone demonstrating, Pakura could learn a C-rank Fire or Wind Release jutsu in about a day.

Baki would take three to five days—still considered quite talented. As for Hardy, it would take him at least half a month, sometimes up to a month.

He unrolled the scroll and carefully read it from beginning to end.

The content was all there, just like in math: the material is fixed, but while some people can solve the difficult problems, others rack their brains and still can't figure it out.

Ninjutsu is the same; the knowledge is there, but whether you can use it depends on the person.

He recalled in his mind the demonstration Kazekaze Chiran had given, compared it with the contents of the scroll, and deliberately slowed down his hand seals as he tried it out.

Snake—Boar—Goat—Rooster—Monkey.

Five hand seals—Hardy actually paused for more than two seconds.

Lightning gathered along his arm, finally channeling through his fist and shooting out as a pillar of blue light crackling with electricity, shattering the massive boulder not far ahead.

A faint smile curled at the corner of Hardy's lips.

Very good. Looks like I'm a ninjutsu prodigy now, too.

If Lightning Release is already like this, what about Wind Release?

Hardy raised his arm slightly.

He had a feeling—as if the air around him had become an extension of his own body. With a single thought, the wind stirred at his will.

Even without using ninjutsu, he felt that the power of his wind-manipulating ability wouldn't be any weaker.

If he used Wind Release as a guide...

Hardy formed hand seals again.

"Wind Release: Chaotic Air Dance!"

Suddenly, a whirlwind kicked up, and the fierce currents swept up the weeds and sand from the ground.

In just a few seconds, a small tornado appeared before Hardy.

The tornado spun faster and faster, its area growing larger and larger, until at a certain moment, Hardy released his hand seals, dispelling the ninjutsu, and looked in a particular direction.

The sounds, scents, and other signals carried by the wind all told him—someone was coming.

Did I... make too much of a commotion?

Hardy glanced at the swirling, windblown leaves still dancing through the air and thought to himself.

Last time, when he sparred with Kazekaze Chiran, he had notified the patrol team in advance, but this time he had come out alone.

Every rotation, the camp's defenses would be handled by two jonin who currently had no missions. Hardy didn't know which two were on duty today, so he hadn't given any prior notice.

"Formation Four! Surround and secure the area!"

A familiar voice called out from not far away.

Shima Tsugio led a squad of Sand Hidden patrol shinobi, cautiously approaching.

"Hardy? What are you...?"

Shima Tsugio signaled with his hand, his face full of puzzlement.

"Ah, Senior Shima, I was just practicing ninjutsu here," Hardy nodded slightly to Shima Tsugio. After giving the proper code and token to confirm his identity, Shima Tsugio finally relaxed a little, but still ordered his team to remain on alert in the area.

"That Wind Release just now? That's a ninjutsu I haven't seen before. Pretty wide range, but I wonder how powerful it is."

"Uh..."

Hardy scratched his head, not sure how to answer.

Chaotic Air Dance was a ninjutsu that every wind-style ninja could use, but the tornado just now clearly didn't match the usual effect of that technique.

Even if he explained, would anyone believe him?

Seeing Hardy's awkward expression, Shima Tsugio filled in the blanks himself.

"Such a powerful ninjutsu—must have been taught to you by Elder Chiyo, right? I won't pry any further."

"Ah, yes, yes!" Hardy quickly agreed.

"All right, then. Just don't make too much noise," Shima Tsugio said with a wave, bidding Hardy farewell after chatting a bit longer.

He still had patrol duties to attend to.

After seeing Shima Tsugio off, Hardy looked up at the sky and decided to continue practicing for a while.

It was a rare day without rain, though the sky was still overcast.

However, in Hardy's perception, the air pressure in this area hadn't dropped noticeably, so it probably wouldn't rain.

Shima Tsugio's words just now had reminded him.

There were still two crucial ninjutsu that Chiyo had taught him which he hadn't yet mastered.

One was the Wind Swift Technique, and the other was the Shadow Clone Technique.

The Wind Swift Technique was Chiyo's unique secret wind-style ninjutsu. In a sense, it was the prototype for the Wind Release Chakra Mode, greatly enhancing the user's speed. Although both were B-rank ninjutsu, the Wind Swift Technique was a bit more difficult than the Shadow Clone.

The importance of the Shadow Clone Technique needed no explanation. Hardy had spent some effort on it as well; its main difficulty lay in chakra allocation.

Since Hardy could already control his chakra at this level for puppet techniques, his chakra control was naturally strong. Plus, his Black Secret Technique had absorbed some of the essence of the Shadow Clone Technique. Before today, Hardy had already figured out some of the tricks—he was just one step away.

So, Hardy decided to try the Shadow Clone first.

He pressed his index and middle fingers together, crossing his hands in a cross sign.

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

A puff of white smoke appeared at Hardy's side, forming another Hardy.

"As expected, my improved control over Lightning and Wind Release chakra has also boosted my overall chakra control. Looks like from now on, I'll be able to learn most B-rank and below standard ninjutsu in a relatively short time. The upper limits for Wind and Lightning Release will probably be even higher!"

While Hardy was thinking this, he turned his gaze to the shadow clone.

Since they were the same person, he knew exactly what the clone was going to do.

The clone formed a sign of the Dragon.

On the surface, nothing seemed to change, but Hardy could sense the air currents surging around the shadow clone.

"Whoosh!"

The clone blurred into a shadow and darted away, leaping rapidly around the area.

"The speed of Body Flicker is nearly thirty percent faster than before."