Night grew deeper, and shadows stretched long across the training ground. Sarutobi Ryo was a whirlwind of motion, his attacks relentless and unforgiving.
His Adamantine Staff danced in the air, an extension of his own body, each strike a deadly threat. Nonou struggled to defend herself, completely overwhelmed by Sarutobi Ryo's powerful Body Art. She was a small boat caught in a raging storm, tossed and turned without mercy.
"Steel Release..." Sarutobi Ryo murmured, his voice low and intense.
Steel Release Kekkei Genkai Infusion!
His Body Art surged with double the power, each blow now carrying the weight of reinforced steel.
"Ugh~~~~!" Nonou gasped, her voice muffled by her hands. The Steel Release Ninja Body Techniques were as unyielding as metal and as solid as the earth itself.
The iron-hard fist struck, and almost instantly, Nonou's consciousness began to fade. Her eyes rolled upwards, and she slumped to the ground, unconscious.
At that moment, Sarutobi Ryo let out a low roar, the darkness shifting before his eyes. He saw Uzumaki Mito's noble face, her image clear in his mind.
Chh!
He unleashed a powerful Rank B Water Release Ninjutsu as the final move of their sparring session. Sarutobi Ryo released it without holding back, not caring about Nonou's reaction.
Chh chh chh!
Time stretched on… a long, long time.
The sparring in the darkness finally came to an end.
"...Will of Fire, complete!"
Poof!
Sarutobi Ryo stepped back, surveying the scene. The signs of their Body Art battle were everywhere, and the Water Release Ninjutsu had left the area soaked and battered.
Even so, the darkness in Sarutobi Ryo's heart remained, as deep as ever. He glanced at the time; it was already one in the morning. A long time remained until dawn.
Sarutobi Ryo shifted into his fighting stance once more, unleashing Body Art with fierce determination.
Zzz!
Nonou: "..."
Bang! Bang! Bang!
...
The stars moved across the sky.
Darkness began to fade, and a new day arrived.
When the nine o'clock morning sun streamed through the dome on the third floor, Nonou's eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly woke up.
Realization dawned on her, her eyes widened, and then her eyelids slowly drooped again, a blush rising on her cheeks.
"Nonou, you're awake?"
The sunlight streamed in, illuminating the room. Sarutobi Ryo sat in a chair, reading the Scroll of information Nonou had written the day before.
"I've already told Kelly and the others that you were too tired, so you're taking a day off today..."
"..."
Nonou didn't speak, her expression shy and demure.
"I have something I'm a little busy with that I'd like you to help with, regarding analyzing the remains of the Storm Release Ninja... Black Lightning Sarui..."
He briefly explained what he needed. Even though Nonou was retired, her skills were still sharp. Now that she was staying in Konoha, she was always nearby. He could ask for her help whenever he needed it.
As a Medical Ninja of exceptional talent, Nonou was second only to Tsunade. Asking her to assist with the research was certainly not a problem.
At first, Sarutobi Ryo had intended to continue searching for Nohara Rin. However, knowing that Nohara Rin was busy with graduation, he decided not to bother her at this time. Coincidentally, Nonou was the most suitable person available.
"Mm..."
Nonou nodded softly. What had happened last night had created a special connection between her and Sarutobi Ryo.
The Will of Fire mark... was clearly imprinted where it belonged.
"Get some rest..."
Sarutobi Ryo put away the Scroll, stood up, walked over to her, and gently stroked Nonou's cheek before leaving the room.
After the door closed behind him, Nonou pulled the covers up, her eyes flicking back and forth, finally settling on a hopeful gaze towards a bright future…
----
A week later.
Inside a Barrier-covered Secret Room.
After days of diligent work, Nonou had successfully deciphered the information from the Corpse. Because the body had been relatively well-preserved, they were able to extract a significant amount of data.
From the Corpse, Nonou analyzed the combination method of the "Water" and "Lightning" attributes. With Sarutobi Ryo pointing out the underlying principles, the two worked together, their skills complementing each other, and they successfully unlocked the mysteries of the Storm Release Kekkei Genkai.
At least... Sarutobi Ryo could now try to imitate and fuse the two attributes himself.
Of course, Nonou didn't know if he would succeed.
But Sarutobi Ryo was confident that he would.
Because...
[Weapon of the Will of Fire: Nonou]
[Progress: 100%]
[Reward: Storm Release Fusion Method]
Since that night, Nonou had followed him without question, her devotion absolute. Taking away her most precious possession had completely bound this conservative-minded girl to him.
"Nonou, thank you for your hard work. I believe I will definitely be able to fuse the Storm Release Kekkei Genkai..."
Sarutobi Ryo's lips curled into a slight smile, quite pleased with the outcome.
"Young Master Ryo, your knowledge is truly enlightening..." Nonou smiled in response.
The strength, character, and talent of Young Master Ryo were all extraordinary. Nonou felt that Konoha was on the verge of a brilliant future.
Young Master Ryo already wielded Steel Release and Ice Release. If he mastered Storm Release as well, he would command three Kekkei Genkai, a feat never before seen in the Ninja World.
This idea had once been held by a Classmate of the past Sannin... a Ninja named Hiruko.
But ideas were just ideas. After Hiruko's experiments were exposed, he fled Konoha.
Now, Young Master Ryo was likely to become the first Ninja in the Ninja World to possess three Kekkei Genkai.
"However..."
Nonou was a little worried.
"Young Master Ryo, Kekkei Genkai permanently alter the body's DNA..."
Whether it was the Sharingan or Byakugan, these mutant organ-type Kekkei Genkai, or Ice Release and Steel Release, this combination of dual-attribute Chakra, both could have unpredictable effects on the human body.
Would multiple Kekkei Genkai conflict with each other within the same body? Could the body even withstand it?
These... were all unknown factors.
"No problem, don't worry."
Sarutobi Ryo nodded. With the system by his side, and the examples of Hiruko, Uchiha Madara, and Six-Path Naruto, adding multiple Kekkei Genkai at the same time shouldn't pose any unpredictable dangers.
As long as he avoided the Sharingan and Hashirama cells, there wouldn't be any major risks. Simultaneously possessing Ice Release and Steel Release had only made Sarutobi Ryo feel stronger. After learning Storm Release, how powerful would he become?
Thinking of the laser attacks unleashed by Sarui, traveling at the speed of light, Sarutobi Ryo's heart raced with excitement. He wanted to start practicing immediately.
Nonou saw Sarutobi Ryo's eagerness to begin his training. She said very sensibly, "Then I should go back to rest..."
"When I master Storm Release, I'll come to the Orphanage to find you."
"!"
Before Nonou could leave the Secret Room, Sarutobi Ryo made a promise.
Nonou lowered her head, her face flushed, and she gave a soft hum before hurrying away…
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Sarutobi Ryo didn't waste any time. He immediately sat down cross-legged and created 12 Shadow Clones.
Possessing two Kekkei Genkai had greatly improved his physical abilities. Even the maximum number of Shadow Clones he could create had increased.
"The more Chakra I have, the stronger my physical fitness becomes, the more Shadow Clones I can create, and the longer they can last..."
Who could resist this powerful cycle of improvement?
Twelve Shadow Clones meant twelve times the training speed!
Storm Release… he was determined to master it!