Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 84: Swordsmanship and Attributes

Tonari followed Orochimaru into the familiar lab, unimpeded by anyone.

"Sensei…"

Back in the laboratory, Tonari watched as Orochimaru went about his business as though nothing unusual had happened. Unable to hold back, Tonari spoke.

Orochimaru paused briefly.

"I've saved everything of value from that man for you. There's something here that might be particularly useful."

With that, he tossed a scroll to Tonari.

Tonari instinctively caught it. Unrolling the scroll, his eyes lit up as he scanned its contents.

"Swordsmanship?!"

If there was one area Tonari most wanted to improve right now, it wasn't genjutsu, nor powerful ninjutsu, but swordsmanship.

Orochimaru, though skilled, didn't specialize in swordsmanship. His techniques leaned more toward kenjutsu and weren't suitable for Tonari, especially since Orochimaru rarely used swords himself.

Tonari preferred short blades—a weapon made for quick, decisive kills, suitable for those with agility and precision. It was akin to the style of the renowned Konoha White Fang.

Up until now, Tonari's attempts at learning swordsmanship had been nothing more than self-taught experiments.

Now, finally, he had acquired a complete and formal set of swordsmanship techniques. Though it might not rival the legendary skills of Hatake Sakumo, it was far better than the clumsy attempts Tonari had relied on before.

Seeing the unconcealed joy on Tonari's face, Orochimaru chuckled softly.

"This swordsmanship is one of the most widely practiced techniques in the Hidden Cloud. While it's certainly better than what you have now, it's nothing extraordinary.

"Someday, I'll introduce you to a true master of the art. You'll learn much from them."

Tonari's excitement grew.

If Orochimaru deemed someone remarkable in swordsmanship, there could only be one person he referred to: Hatake Sakumo.

---

"This matter with the Hidden Cloud is beyond your scope. The stakes are too high. Leave it to the Third Hokage—he'll handle it properly.

"Rest assured, the Hidden Cloud will pay dearly for this. As long as you and the others are unharmed, it's they who will bleed most in the aftermath."

After a brief pause, Orochimaru continued.

"I hear Tsunade is your team's instructor? Focus on learning from her. Stay low-key and make your growth in strength your top priority. Don't let recent victories inflate your ego.

"Defeating a few special jōnin by relying on the Two-Tails' power doesn't make you invincible. You haven't even begun to master the full extent of a tailed beast's abilities. The only reason you've survived so far is your luck and their underestimation of you.

"Your idea to focus on taijutsu is sound. It will increase your body's durability. Shadow Clone Jutsu is particularly suited to jinchūriki like you; your rapid recovery will allow you to maximize its benefits for training efficiency."

As Orochimaru continued dissecting Tonari's situation, his tone was calm but firm, offering no room for denial.

---

This conversation hammered home one undeniable truth to Tonari: the world outside is too dangerous.

Without absolute strength, wandering aimlessly is a fool's errand. He would tread cautiously, even with trusted figures like Orochimaru.

"Sensei, I've been wondering… Is a person's chakra nature fixed from birth, or can it be changed or added to later in life?"

His question stemmed not from dissatisfaction with his own chakra nature but from a vision.

During his recent collaboration with Minato, Tonari had glimpsed the potential of combining wind and fire. Even weaker jutsu, when perfectly paired, could unleash devastating power.

If he could simultaneously wield fire and wind chakra through his Shadow Clones, their combined effects would yield unparalleled destruction.

Moreover, Tonari had seen the advantages of incorporating elemental chakra into physical techniques, such as the Lightning Release Chakra Mode used by the Hidden Cloud.

Though painful and risky, the method stimulated body cells, significantly enhancing physical performance.

Tonari was nearing the limits of his taijutsu growth for now. Without a growth spurt or advanced methods, his progress would inevitably plateau. Even with weighted training, the results were becoming marginal.

The Hidden Cloud's methods might be the answer to breaking through this bottleneck.

---

"Oh? Are you interested in chakra natures?" Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed with interest.

Tonari nodded. He saw no reason to hide his curiosity.

"Sensei, if we can infuse elemental chakra into animals through certain methods, why wouldn't it be possible to alter a person's chakra nature in a similar way? Though the process might be exponentially more complex…"

Orochimaru licked his lips, visibly intrigued.

"Indeed, chakra nature isn't entirely fixed. With enough training, one can master additional natures. However, the process is incredibly slow, far slower than improving your taijutsu. That's why few people bother."

Orochimaru explained that most shinobi would rather focus on honing a single chakra nature. Dividing their attention across multiple elements risked wasting precious time during their prime growth years.

"You've chosen a difficult path," Orochimaru mused. "But as a scientist, I can't help but admire your ambition."

From within his robes, Orochimaru retrieved a scroll via a serpent.

"This contains the results of my research on expanding a person's chakra natures. Keep in mind, this is all theoretical—I've never tested it."

Tonari's face lit up as he accepted the scroll.

He had only hoped for some guidance, yet Orochimaru had provided invaluable research.

---

"One more thing," Orochimaru added as Tonari prepared to leave.

"I'll be leaving Konoha for a while. You won't need to assist me during that time. I'll let you know when I return."

Leaving? Orochimaru, one of Konoha's strongest shinobi, going on a mission?

Tonari's thoughts swirled as he exited the lab.

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Author's Note:

Growth takes time, but Tonari is laying the groundwork for something incredible!

(Chapter End)

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