Time flew by. It had already been several months since Ryan began training under Akahoshi at the Star Ninja Outpost.
During that time, he'd met the Third Hoshikage twice—a kind, elderly man who radiated warmth. Each time, the old Kage praised Ryan's potential and chatted with him about life and training, clearly pleased with the boy.
Thanks to Akahoshi's guidance, Ryan's chakra refinement went smoothly. He had already mastered the Three Basic Jutsu—Transformation, Substitution, and Clone. Now, his main focus was refining his casting and speeding up his hand seals.
Aside from the Three Jutsu, Akahoshi hadn't taught him anything else—he insisted Ryan hone those basics until he could perform them instinctively.
"I can already use the Three Jutsu reliably now. The Transformation and Substitution techniques are especially useful. If I can get to the point where I can use Substitution instantly… that could be life-saving in a real battle."
Ryan stood on a small hill, overlooking a field of scattered boulders. He silently analyzed his progress while his fingers reflexively cycled through different hand seals.
"But I really need to find a way to get Akahoshi to teach me the Peacock Technique. Just refining chakra and mastering basic jutsu is holding me back—it won't be enough to grow stronger."
Over the past few days, Ryan had noticed something strange—Akahoshi seemed increasingly irritable, though he tried to hide it. His eyes occasionally flickered with a faint purple chakra glow, and he spent less and less time instructing Ryan.
Looks like he's resumed the 'Star Training,' Ryan thought grimly. If I want to access the Star's power, I'll have to find a way to convince him to include me.
"Huh? Isn't that Akahoshi?"
He spotted a figure descending from the sky—purple chakra wings flaring behind him. Akahoshi was flying toward him at high speed.
Fwoosh!
Akahoshi landed beside Ryan, eyes full of complex emotion—hesitant, conflicted.
"There you are, Ryan."
"Lord Akahoshi? Is something wrong?" Ryan asked, surprised. It was rare for Akahoshi to seek him out directly—especially like this.
Akahoshi paused for a moment, then gave a faint smile. "Ryan… you already know that aside from the Peacock Secret Technique, most of our village's jutsu are low-level and largely ineffective, right?"
"Yes, of course. The Peacock Technique is our greatest legacy… but didn't Lord Hoshikage forbid it?"
Ryan's heart skipped a beat—he was almost certain now that Akahoshi was about to offer him exactly what he wanted.
"True. But to be honest, I disagree with Lord Hoshikage's decision," Akahoshi said, his voice calm but firm. "Yes, many have suffered in the process of Star Training… but if it can give rise to new elite shinobi, then the sacrifice is worth it—for the good of the village."
Ryan quickly put on a show of yearning. "Lord Akahoshi, I agree with you. But with the ban in place, there's nothing we can do even if we want to continue…"
A knowing smile spread across Akahoshi's face. "Actually… there is still a way."
Ryan's eyes lit up with "hope." "Really? What is it?"
"No rush." Akahoshi crouched, looking Ryan in the eye. "You truly have great talent. That's why I'm telling you this. But first—are you sure you can handle the pain of Star Training? It's not an easy path."
Ryan clenched his fists, eyes burning with "passion."
"For Hoshigakure… even if I must sacrifice everything—it's worth it!"
"Spoken like a true shinobi." Akahoshi smiled in approval. "Alright, I'll share the method with you. But you must never tell anyone."
"I won't, Lord Akahoshi. I swear it!" Ryan replied solemnly. Like I'd be dumb enough to rat myself out.
"Good. I believe Lord Hoshikage's ban is only temporary. One day, he'll realize that Star Training is the only path to making Hoshigakure great again."
"Listen closely. Right now, the Star is under my protection—along with two of my trusted subordinates. They share our beliefs. We've already resumed Star Training in secret. From now on, you'll join us."
"Yes, Lord Akahoshi! I won't let you down!" Ryan beamed. Looks like the opportunity delivered itself right to my door…
"Here." Akahoshi pulled a scroll from his ninja pouch. "This is a new Star Training method I've been developing. It's far more refined than the old one. Study it carefully. If you have questions, ask me tonight."
"Thank you, Lord Akahoshi!" Ryan accepted the scroll with a gleam of "excitement" in his eyes.
"Good. Take your time with it—I'll be back later."
With that, Akahoshi formed a series of quick hand signs. Purple chakra surged around him, forming radiant wings once more as he soared into the sky.
Ryan watched him vanish, then glanced down at the scroll, tightening his grip.
I never intended to actually undergo the so-called Star Training… but I still need to understand this technique. Otherwise, if Akahoshi questions me, I'll be in trouble.
The truth was, over a month ago, he'd already consulted the Dimensional Seal about this. He had asked it to help him absorb the Star's chakra without suffering the usual harm.
And the Dimensional Seal had answered:
It could purify the radiation and harmful energy from the Star, leaving only the purest chakra essence for Ryan to absorb.
That answer was the very reason he had worked so hard to get close to the Star.
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T/N:
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