Life continued in the currently peaceful Hidden Leaf Village. A few months passed, and Academy life gradually settled into a comfortable rhythm. Daiken was still focusing mainly on the basics, which made sense given our young age and the fact that this was only our first year. Graduation was still a distant milestone.
Daiken even taught us hand seals recently, though he didn't ask us to circulate chakra through them yet, since most of the class was still struggling to achieve consistent chakra control. He simply wanted us familiarized with hand seals and their purposes early, giving us a head start for when we finally tackled real ninjutsu.
As for me, after countless dead mosquitoes and long, exhausting training sessions, I'd reached a point where I was finally comfortable maintaining the Lightning Release: Static Field Technique for a respectable length of time, covering a decent-sized area. Honestly, it came to me easier than I had initially expected. Maybe my lightning affinity was finally showing itself, now that I'd learned how to utilize it correctly. For the moment, I planned to continue refining it, gradually reducing the number of hand seals needed.
It wouldn't be easy, it meant practicing the jutsu hundreds of times until the movements and chakra flow became second nature. Thankfully, chakra was never a problem for me, nor was time, considering I was still comfortably in my first Academy year.
Right now, though, it was time to take my next step. Transforming the regular chakra inside my chakra circulation system into lightning chakra. Having already successfully utilized lightning chakra in two different jutsu, I felt confident I could pull this off without severely damaging myself. And the benefits were obvious. Circulating lightning chakra internally would make future lightning-based jutsu much easier, potentially instinctual, eventually. It would also sharpen my reflexes dramatically and perhaps even enhance my physical speed if I learned to utilize it properly.
There was just one tiny concern. I had a hunch that permanently circulating lightning chakra inside my body might feel like constantly running on a twelve-cups-of-coffee-a-day buzz. Still, I was sure I'd find a balance eventually, achieving a manageable circulation that would quietly work in the background. After all, I couldn't act like a hyper-caffeinated addict every single day, that would definitely be a one-way ticket to an early grave.
Even though theoretically I could try circulating lightning chakra inside my body directly, I decided to use hand seals at first. They acted like training wheels, helping me channel lightning chakra with greater precision and control. After Daiken introduced the basics and after successfully using them in my latest jutsu, I'd developed a stronger sense of their practical use. No one in Konoha ever explicitly tried this method from what I remembered from the anime or manga, which only made me more eager to test it out for myself.
Standing up in the quiet of my flat, I took slow breaths to calm my mind, clearing away distracting thoughts before gradually raising my hands.
I carefully formed each hand seal with deliberate precision, Ox, Snake, Bird, and finally Rat. And gently willed my lightning chakra to surface. Deciding to take small steps, I focused solely on my right hand first. After a brief moment of intense concentration, I felt it. A gentle buzzing sensation, the hairs on my hand standing at attention. Maintaining absolute focus, I slowly increased the chakra flow, Tightening my control with every passing second, I synchronized the chakra flow into a steady pulse matching my heartbeat.
But my careful control slipped suddenly, replaced by a sharp, searing pain that shot through my hand. I shouted reflexively and immediately stopped the chakra flow, shaking out my hand vigorously to relieve the stinging sensation.
After recovering for a few minutes, I braced myself again. Considering I was still alive and apparently unharmed, I counted my first attempt as a success. Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself again and performed the hand signs once more. This second time, I managed to maintain lightning chakra circulation in my hand noticeably longer than before, surprising myself with the rapid improvement.
A satisfied smile crept onto my face as I stretched both arms upward and stared dramatically at the ceiling. In a voice full of mock solemnity, I declared, "Sorry, Shizuru. I'm not even angry over you right now. I bear no grudge against anyone. It's just that the world feels so, so wonderful right now. Throughout Heaven and Earth, I alone am the electrified one!"
Unable to hold back, I laughed aloud while ruffling my own hair. Sometimes, enjoying the moment was essential to keeping myself sane during these long training sessions.
Returning to training with renewed determination, I gradually increased the duration of my lightning chakra circulation practice. By the end of the day, I'd progressed enough to channel lightning chakra through my entire right arm without any twitching or sudden pain. Exhausted as I was, I noted with some pride that my chakra reserves had dipped lower than ever before. Clearly, lightning chakra circulation was extraordinarily taxing, but that was actually a good thing. Constantly pushing my chakra limits, combined with proper nutrition, rest, and my meditation routine, was exactly how I intended to keep steadily growing my reserves.
The real issue I faced now was a lack of time. My schedule had become exceptionally tight lately. I exercised every morning before Academy classes, spent time after classes helping Shizuru with her exercises, and then she tutored me academically. Afterward, I'd practice both of my lightning jutsu, meditate, and make sure I got enough time to eat and sleep. Proper sleep was critical, after all, I was a growing boy, and even geniuses need their beauty sleep. Now, adding lightning chakra circulation training into the mix meant something had to give.
I decided it was finally time to stop tutoring sessions with Shizuru. Frankly, I didn't even really need academic tutoring anymore this year. Once my head was filled with all the information I needed, memorization and understanding came easily to me. I had even started studying next year's material ahead of time. Besides, Shizuru already had the physical exercises memorized and could perform them safely without needing my supervision. She'd chosen not to exceed her current limits, anyway. Honestly, she probably hadn't needed my guidance for quite a while now and likely just enjoyed my company. I'd tell her gently within the next few days. It would free up more precious time to dedicate to my own training.
With that decision settled, I climbed onto my bed and skipped my usual meditation, noticing how late it had become. Closing my eyes, I quickly drifted into a deep and peaceful sleep, my body exhausted yet satisfied by the day's productive training.