Naruto: Kurotsuchi Mayuri

"It doesn't sound difficult at all," Yahiko said, stroking his chin. But soon, his expression began to crumble.

While his strength was decent, and although Jiraiya-sensei hadn't taught them any of Konoha's exclusive jutsu, he hadn't overlooked essential ninja training like tree climbing and water walking.

All of them had undergone such training.

As for water-walking, Yahiko had taken many days to barely master it. Even then, he could only stand steadily on relatively calm water surfaces.

If it were the choppy waves of the open sea or the turbulent surface of a lake, he wouldn't dare claim he could walk on it with ease.

And walking on air?

That was something he'd never even heard of!

If not for Kagetsu's demonstration just now, Yahiko would have dismissed it as a ridiculous dream or outright deception.

Who could truly step on air using chakra to walk mid-air? If such a thing were possible, why not simply develop a flight technique like Konan?

"Being able to walk on air and mastering it demonstrates that your chakra control far exceeds that of ordinary ninja," Kagetsu said, glancing at Yahiko, who was rolling his eyes in disbelief.

"You think I have such talent?" Yahiko looked down at his hands, puzzled. He had never felt he possessed such aptitude.

"You certainly didn't before," Kagetsu interrupted his thoughts with a single statement. "But I made some modifications to your body."

"Don't just casually talk about something as creepy as 'modifications' to my face!" Yahiko exclaimed, looking at his pale arm in despair.

Though he knew Kagetsu meant well, the fact that 60% of his body tissues were no longer his own was still something deeply saddening to him.

"To uphold your ninja way, you need power, don't you?" Kagetsu said, giving him a sidelong glance. "I thought Hanzo had already drilled that idea into your mind."

Hanzo!

Hearing that name, Nagato, who had been watching the banter between Kagetsu and Yahiko with a smile, immediately lost his composure.

If there was anyone they utterly despised and loathed, it was Hanzo.

The injuries they'd suffered, the pain they'd endured, and the predicament they were currently in—all of it could be traced back to Hanzo.

The guardian deity of the Land of Rain, revered by most of its people and shinobi as a spiritual leader, once stood strong against both Konoha and Sunagakure. But now, he had betrayed them.

If they couldn't deal with Hanzo, returning to the Land of Rain was impossible.

"You're saying that if I learn to step on air, I can defeat Hanzo and give him a good beating?" Yahiko fell silent for a moment before gritting his teeth and speaking.

If Kagetsu said it was possible, Yahiko was ready to give it his all in training.

"You're dreaming too much," Kagetsu mocked. "If Nagato helps you, maybe it's doable. But if you think you can take on Hanzo alone, you're delusional. Based on the way he's treated you, it's clear that his beliefs are already crumbling and corrupt. Yet, he's still Hanzo the Demi-God."

"Then what's the point of learning this?" Yahiko slumped in frustration, stung by Kagetsu's words.

"At the very least, you won't get blown up so easily next time," Kagetsu replied bluntly. "My time is precious. I've got research to do and missions assigned by the village. And don't forget, it's still wartime!

"I don't have the luxury to waste much time on you. I promised Jiraiya-sensei and Konan that I'd help you recover enough to be a functioning shinobi again.

"And I've already done that. I repaired your broken body entirely. With time and rehabilitation, you'll return to being a ninja—potentially even stronger than before.

"I even gave you an undeveloped Wood Release Kekkei Genkai and a powerful new ability. So, if I find you lack the talent for this air-stepping technique, I'm not wasting any more effort on you. Got it?"

One Month Later

Ancor Vantian.

In the open square outside, Yahiko was nearing the final stages of his rehabilitation training. Following the steps Kagetsu had taught him, he closed his eyes and quietly recited instructions while gathering chakra at his feet.

"…Imagine the thin air as flowing wind or water. Use chakra to bind it firmly under your soles…

"…Distribute your chakra output evenly. Absorb and control the natural energy drifting through the air, fusing it with your chakra…"

"Ahhhhhh!"

Yahiko's scream echoed across the square the next moment. His body flailed like a deflating balloon, spinning and twisting midair, carried by the sea breeze and airflow. 

Just as he was about to crash to the ground, the surface beneath him turned into soft mud, cushioning his fall and protecting him from injury.

"Thank you, Nagato."

Pulling his body out of the dirt, Yahiko took a deep breath. He looked at Nagato, who was on the ground, his hands pressed against the earth, using Earth Release just in time to protect him.

"It's okay. You've found your rhythm, haven't you?" Nagato shook his head and comforted Yahiko.

"It's too hard!" Yahiko sighed, but he stood up again, calming himself and focusing to enter that sensitive, clear state of mind he had managed to reach earlier.

Yes, he had begun his training to walk on air.

Watching the demonstration and explanation from Kagetsu, it seemed easy and simple. But as soon as Yahiko started practicing, he immediately realized just how difficult the training was—almost unreasonably difficult.

He had been training for several days now, and all he could manage was to briefly stand in the air inside the room.

As for outdoors?

The howling wind was a huge obstacle! It often made his body feel like a leaf caught in a gust of wind, unable to control his position.

However, after so many failures, Yahiko had finally grasped the key to Kagetsu's instructions!

Shape Transformation!

Shaping natural energy and chakra!

What other ninjas found difficult was not so hard for Yahiko. Just like how certain Kekkei Genkai abilities gave other ninjas special talents in some areas, it seemed Yahiko was naturally gifted with a talent for controlling chakra and natural energy!

He was able to forge them according to his will!

Just like right now, when he wanted to shape the air beneath his feet into a step, he could really feel the air solidifying into a tangible surface that he could actually step on.

A solid ground that truly existed, where he could place his foot!

One step!

Two steps!

Yahiko felt as if he was quickly climbing up, stepping on invisible stairs.

****

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