Article 17 - Chapter 14 - Never Underestimate Visual Prowess
Warnings: I do not own Naruto, it's intellectual property is owned by none other than Masashi Kishimoto. I own the OC's that I've added to the story and nothing more.
...
It's almost time. So close it felt tangible, yet hours separated my reality and fantasies.
To say that I was restless was an understatement. Thoughts whirred through my mind in a flurry. Each idea was like a snowflake that was whipped about in a blizzard.
Versatility is an ultimate weapon - If you can conform to any set of parameters so that each situation that arises can be handled in a unique dedicated manner. For every unstoppable force, there is an equally unmovable object, it is a constant equilibrium that appears to exist in both worlds.
If there is a being that holds the power of the divine, one that claims itself to be a god, then it is equally likely that there either is or can be an entity to cancel out or destroy that entity.
If I had to team up with such an existence, or become that existence, either possibility would be acceptable.
"You hear that Being-X? You'd better not remain complacent or I will rip your job from you. An existence such as yourself hardly deserves it.." I thought with my libs curling into a dastardly grin. "...Heehehuehaha~" I improperly let out. The maniacal laughter slipping out for only a moment before reining in my control and discontinuing the improper actions.
Numerous baby steps can eventually transition to giant strides. My short term goal was but one single baby step, but it would open an entire new world of possibilities. The "Shadow clone Jutsu." (or - Kage Bunshin no Jutsu)
Extra physical bodies nearly indistinguishable from the user, who had memory retention upon merging the clones essence back with oneself, usually from being dispelled or destroyed.
They contain consciousness. They act independently but can work towards single-minded goals, and I can still trust them completely. It was like I could create my own friends as jaded and calculating as me. An army of myself.
My hope and morale were sitting at a ridiculously high state. A state I might add, which certainly couldn't be maintained long, but thats what makes it all the more intoxicating.
To yearn for what one can not have. It is a basic human condition that is likely an evolutionary imperative. One that helps us strive for more than what we currently are, and is likely an instinct that keeps humanity from plateauing over the innumerable generations we've spanned.
I wish I knew exactly what Hiashi said to Ebisu so I would know how best to bait him into using shadow clones in front of my Byakugan. It should make sense that I can reverse engineer how the chakra needs to form and emulate the release. The sharingan can steal a jutsu, but the Byakugan can analyze a jutsu.
The clarity and vast amount of visual information it gives you access to is truly a blessing of epic proportions. As someone who heavily struggled with vision in my past life, it's definitely something I can truly appreciate. The Hyuga attitude and strict practices are the only thing that truly subtract from them. Because of the Byakugan and how much visual information we have access too, it's said our brains develop faster and stronger because of the extra workload.
Perhaps I will never need a man or a woman. I think I'm in love with Dojutsu.
I sat in meditation, eye's closed, sweeping everything out of mind, and putting in earplugs. The most in-tune with myself is when I deprive myself from as many senses as possible. All that's left is to feel. Feel the flow the chakra takes through the system. I have been paying particular attention to correct chakra imbalances and achieve equilibrium. Lately my proficiency is finally becoming more elite. The Chakra hypersensitivity affliction I was crippled with, the one that caused everyone to say I wouldn't be a shinobi, had been turned around to be my strength through hard work and dedication. Now I had control and extra sensory perception similar to the sensation of feel paired with visual color. I can distinctly distinguish one person from another simply from the feeling from their chakra.
A always liked changing up what I'm doing so that it doesn't get stale. The principal of muscle confusion to promote growth through stimulation and always keep you guessing, can also be applied to the way you cognitively learn things. Constantly attacking problems from different angles.
My concentration was broken by something soft pelting my face, some sort of fabric.
I shoved it aside much to my surprise to see a figure in front of me. I haven't felt any presence at all… and even as I probe...nothing?
A still youthful man stood before me with a bandanna mounting his Hitai-ate. His sunglasses were charcoal black, and blocking out the setting sun.
I quickly fumbled with my ear plugs and shot him an annoyed expression.
"I hear I am to turn you into an Elite." He said.
There was something about him that exuded this cocky aura… what have you 'got' to be that cocky about? Teaching skills I admit is something that someone could take pride in, but that cocky attitude just made me want to make him squirm. You are in your special-Jōnin position not of power, but of prestige, and prestige alone isn't worthy of my respect.
"Hiashi-sama is under some delusion believing you were the best for the job." I stated with indifference.
His jaw set together tighter and lips curved into a frown then said "Hiashi-sama is wise. I am a special-Jōnin that specializes in teaching only the highest of value pupils, You are lucky to have me."
"I don't knoooow… How do I know you're good enough? After all, I am the 'prodigy of prodigies', Your teaching career would certainly be cemented in history if I become your pupil. What makes you good enough?"
His demeanor of calm and collected quickly slipped. It was quite apparent he wasn't ready or expecting what he heard. He quickly regathered his composure, then said "I have extensive knowledge of basic to advanced ninja skills. My success rate with prodigies and slackers alike is unprecedented. Make no mistake, you are lucky to have me."
Come on girl, hold back the smile, don't let him know you've cornered him.
"Advanced Ninja techniques? Like what? I bet you can't even do the shadow clone jutsu, a mere B rank." I poked.
Yes, Yes, cave, I know your weak ass pride would love to inflate by showing off in front of me.
"The Shadow clone jutsu is dangerous-"
"-I knew it! Just a few steps beyond your capabilities, huh old man?" Come on, this bait is nice and juicy, it's waiting for you, just come out and reach for it.
"OLD? I'll have you know I'm only 22 and It is well within my capabilities!" He stammered.
YES YES YES!
-Byakugan!-
His arms were coming together into the classic clone seal I remember, his chakra pulsated and swirled beautifully in his core. The fluidity and consistency left me a little awed until it shot out in every direction and then a copy of himself, chakra network and all, appeared beside him.
"See? I bet you feel pretty silly now, don't you?" He said with a snicker.
I equipped the best mask of surprise in my arsonal pairing it with a small gasp. I looked over to him practically shining. It was evident he was loving having established himself as the APEX.
"Well… It appears Hiashi-sama might have picked the right Sensei for me after all."
Memorize, Memorize. Visualize that flow, the way the release exploded outward. No wonder Naruto could do this jutsu so easily, it was a bruteforce jutsu that relied on a quick release. He could topload the jutsu with so much chakra it would certainly meet the requirements even if the speed of release wasn't right.
It made so much sense now having this visual que, I couldn't wait to start practicing with it. Thank you Ebisu-sensei, I'm glad I didn't under-evaluate your usefulness. I wonder if I could convince him to start developing my chakra nature transformation… Maybe another time, I must imprint what I just saw into my head… Remember…
Ebisu-san started spouting of on the theoretics behind chakra and while that was all fine and good, and normally I would have been very engauged, I was a bit preoccupied focusing on visualization of me performing and succeeding the Shadow Clone jutsu. He didn't seem to notice as he was quite the talker and all I had to do was smile, nod, and make small verbal interjections to steer him in an endless cycle. Our time came to an end and he took his leave.
I quickly made my way out to a private training ground that was hardly used because of its small size and limited equipment. I recalled the image of how he cultivated the chakra and expelled it. I tried to mirror it perfectly, but Ebisu's mastery was a bit unnerving. Ebisu's technical skill was actually exceptional, but his chakra reserves are a bit lacking.
Lucky I've always had more spiritual energy in my body than physical since before I could ever remember. The shadow clone jutsu was very spiritual energy dense, perhaps as much a 6 to 1, or 7 to 1. It was a jutsu that just seemed to be even more perfect for myself than I expected.
I looked over, and I had managed a clone of myself. The visuals were a bit off, and one arm was considerably longer than the other. It actually kind of looked like an abomination, but it was progress over having nothing before.
I dispelled the clone, and the rush of chakra flushing my system burned hot like a fire before quickly disappearing.
I felt completely disoriented and my balanced was completely lost. My Byakugan cut off and I fell to the ground with a headache.
What the hell? What's happening to me?
I leaned over clutching my stomach and the core of my being, like where we mix energies to produce our chakra, and suddenly I found myself gagging.
I regurgitated my dinner onto the grass and felt awful, but as quickly as the symptoms arrived, they disappeared.
That was terrible… No wonder this technique's next level is forbidden. It seems debilitating if performed incorrectly or with inexperience. I would need to acclimate myself to this jutsu and make it my own.
...
"Class!" Watari-sensei yelled before striking a ruler on his desk. SNAAAP. "We have a new transfer to our class today and I want you to make him feel welcome."
"Wonderful… more fodder to-" I thought before snapping my body up from disbelief.
A boy I recognized walked into the class confidently before scanning the class quickly. "What had I done?" I groaned internally… This isn't how it's supposed to work out.
"Hn… My name is Sasuke Uchiha," the boy said, a confident grin plastered on his face.
Oh, this is gonna fuck up everything…
Sasuke ended up sitting as far away from me as he could, but half the class he just kept meeting my gaze with challenging looks. The eyes of someone who thinks they have grown. What am I to him? Just some personal measuring stick? Had he advanced because in this timeline he was simply better than in the last… or did he chase me up to this class?
I couldn't figure out the answer. Even this Uchiha, so young, was a chore to read. I can only imagine the hell to come when he gets older...
-Unless… perhaps I can make this work for my advantage? Sasuke will likely become 2nd in the class for boys under Neji, So it could be Lee, Sasuke, and myself. It was certainly a strong team, and If I could gain his loyalty he could be a valuable asset, be damned of his disposition.
"Persuasion is ideal when the person or people are mentally defenseless" … I could kiss the demonic genius who proposed this.
"-And when do I know Sasuke will be mentally defenseless?" A grin making its way on my face. "If I go one step further, and plants seeds before that in wait, and use them as additional leverage...then the chance of success and effectiveness will likely drastically skyrocket."
It was settled, I would get him in my clutches. I'll make him need me, make him feel like he can trust no one else… Yes, it will be perfect. "Heheheh" I let out in a faint, muffled laugh catching Neji's attention before he turned back to Watari-sensei.
...
Rain fell from the sky crashing in sheets to the ground. A mist enveloped the area of the Great Gale Gazebo. Pockets of humid air shot in different directions at the will of the funnel. With all my focus I repeated my attempt of the jutsu, this time with all the experience of my errors and arguably a better concept behind the whole idea.
Chakra surged out in each direction with extra speed than I had been capable until now. A clone materialized beside me, a very accurate representation if I say so myself. Darkened bags hug underneath the eyes of the clone, and after seeing my reflection off some glass, I noticed that I needed to get more sleep.
Where my dreams had once been haunted by tragedy and death, I now rarely had dreams, instead slipping away into nothingness, just to wake after recuperation.
I stared, smiling at the figure of my clone, the clone smiling back.
"Why would I need to put my faith into a metaphysical construct when I myself am so competent?" I said with a giggle.
"Only the weak and incapable cling to some phantasmal 'miracle' maker." my cone relied.
*mmmhn, mmmmhn* ...hmm? what was that?
A puppy soaked from the rain scurried around outside the gazebo whimpering. It was a pitiful little thing. It trotted up the stairs and arrived inside, behind pushed over from the gusts of air. It was sliding forwards, knocked sideways, slid back, It was comical watching it like a ragdoll.
It let out a few yelps of frustration, and at this point it was succeeding at being sufficiently adorable whether It meant to or not.
I pushed myself off the ground walking towards it when suddenly it stopped.
-I stopped - The rain stopped. Everything went still and silent. The puppy's head tilted sideways giving me a questionable glance.
"-Be-ING-X!?" I exclaimed in fury.
"You still have not grown a trace of faith." It said through its nose.
Unsettling… that's just not normal…
"Here to tell me to pray 3 times a day? -Maybe kiss a crucifix in distress?" I taunted.
"... this is a serious problem."
"The problem is forcing ideologies on unwilling people. You are like a Jehovah witness that indoctrinates through pestering the unsuspecting."
"Your attitude is as unacceptable as ever… Why will you not praise the creator? -Long ago, just speaking to humans was sufficient to make them worship."
"You want me to recognize you and be thankful for your sloppy craftsmanship? -I think not." I replied dryly.
"... Perhaps I should give you a blessing."
"A blessing?" I asked. This so called 'creator' doesn't understand me at all. I'm long past the need for any of its sympathies or mercy. Just another way to loid over us mere mortals. I won't have it.
"Indeed - A miracle." The entity continued.
"What? Like A virgin conception? Perhaps you'll help me walk on water?" I said sarcastically. "No thanks, Miracles are nothing but glorious misunderstandings."
I had found myself able to move, and the dog's eyes were still black as the abyss I was once held in ... Being-X will feel my wrath!
I unleashed a kick causing the dog to yelp in pain until landing on a shrub. I was breathing heavy… and the rain had continued…
The dog whimpered cries of pain and despair… and I noticed a child staring at me with their jaw hung wide open… oh no… I kicked one of the main branches children's dog. I had fell for his taunts… damn you Being-X!
The child started to cry and run over to the dog. she flashed me pained looks as she tenderly checked on the dog. This was unpleasant… I was sure I would pay for this.
…
Authors Notes: Zemptai-sama again, As an author, I'd like to personally apologize for the MC's actions. Puppies are national treasures, and no puppies were hurt in the actual writing process. I promise.
Let me know how I'm doing, your predictions for the future, any plot holes you may think you see, and I'll gladly message you back addressing them. Thanks so much for sticking with my story this far! It means a lot to me. SERIOUSLY! I appreciate every reader and expect a much more smooth, polished story when I finally get to revisions!
Enjoy the story and I earnestly ask anyone who is willing to, to write me a review. I will cherish each and every one of them and respond as best as I can. I write so I can share with you guys, and it warms my heart to hear your opinions and interact with the readers.
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