A ninja's strength is determined by many factors: mastery of ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu; the amount of chakra in their body; the environment they're fighting in; their battle experience; and their mental state.
But overall, it is still ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu that matter the most.
A shinobi capable of using an S-rank technique will almost never lose to someone restricted to C- or B-rank techniques—unless they are in truly terrible condition.
Although the rank of a jutsu formally represents its difficulty, high-difficulty jutsu are usually powerful as well. Otherwise their difficulty would be pointless—why would anyone learn an S-rank technique whose actual power is only B-rank?
The essence of high-difficulty ninjutsu is the addition of chakra shape and nature transformation onto a basic technique. In the original story, the clearest example of this is the Rasengan.
The basic Rasengan incorporates only shape transformation—chakra spirals in every direction, creating pulverizing force.
Even the basic Rasengan already rivals the power of Chidori, and because it is a seal-less technique, its overall practicality is even higher than Chidori.
Once nature transformation is added, the Rasengan evolves into the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken. Its first use shattered two of Kakuzu's hearts and instantly reached S-rank.
And Kakuzu's hearts are notoriously hard to destroy—Akimichi Chōji's full-power Partial Expansion single blow couldn't break even one, yet the Rasenshuriken destroyed two with ease.
Not only that—after being hit, Kakuzu's entire cell structure was damaged; even with a remaining heart, he couldn't move at all, only watch helplessly as Kakashi finished him off.
Of course, not every technique becomes as destructive as the Rasenshuriken after shape and nature transformation, but the increase in power is always immense.
These two transformations are extremely hard to learn from scrolls alone; they usually require a master's personal guidance—just like Kakashi guiding Naruto.
Even Kakashi's help wasn't enough; Naruto later sought out Sarutobi Asuma using shadow clones to better understand wind-chakra nature transformation before he could finally complete the Rasenshuriken.
He later used that very jutsu to avenge Asuma—a fitting repayment for the guidance he'd received.
Even someone like Naruto, the "chosen one," had to consult multiple teachers. That alone shows how precious chakra nature transformation is.
If this were a wuxia world, it would be the clan's deepest secret—taught only by a master on his deathbed, reserved for the most trusted disciple.
Although most of Konoha's ambush team came from clans, very few had access to such core secrets. Civilian ninjas had even less chance.
So when Rokuro took out five chakra nature/shape transformation examples, everyone—shocked beyond belief—felt pure gratitude.
With that gesture, Rokuro effectively won everyone's loyalty… except the famously filial one…
As for why Rokuro possessed such secret knowledge—simple. His chakra-analysis tool could decipher even Uchiha chakra. Basic properties were trivial by comparison.
He had stolen these data samples from elite shinobi he'd encountered. Using sealing techniques, he stored a portion of their chakra, then analyzed it later. Once analyzed, it was easy to reproduce.
He could even reproduce Nine-Tails chakra.
The seven-color Truth-Seeking Orb he showed in front of Uchiha Izumi earlier was created by combining all chakra nature transformations he had obtained.
Observing them closely wouldn't instantly make everyone enlightened, but those with high aptitude would definitely gain something—and that alone achieved Rokuro's purpose.
A day passed. The Konoha strike force was preparing to relocate when ten Hyūga shinobi suddenly appeared.
Hyūga Taiki was stunned when he saw them. After questioning them, he learned that the Hyūga clan head had sent them to protect Rokuro.
Hyūga Taiki exhaled in relief.
"Clan Head made the right call. Rokuro is a great benefactor to our clan. No matter what, we must ensure he survives. And we're short on manpower—your timing is perfect."
Hyūga Taiki laid out their plan and suggested they join. The ten Hyūga jōnin were tempted.
"This plan is good… but our mission is to escort Rokuro back!"
"Don't be so stiff. Clan Head already said Uchiha Fugaku and Rokuro aren't on the same side. Instead of returning and letting Fugaku restrict him, it's better to stay behind enemy lines—free to choose when to advance or retreat. Less chance of getting stabbed in the back, and more chances to earn merit!"
Hyūga Taiki pointed at the supplies they had not yet stored away.
"These are only from two ambushes. And this is with limited sealing scrolls—otherwise we'd have even more. You'll never get results like this on the front lines."
The ten Hyūga jōnin agreed. Their mission was to protect Rokuro, and operating independently behind enemy lines was indeed safer.
Thus, they stayed. Konoha's ambush force now had 48 members—two fewer than at the start, but far stronger overall. Their confidence in cutting the Land of Lightning's supply line soared.
When Rokuro heard this, he was filled with confidence.
"With this lineup, we could destroy a small country. Unless the Fourth Raikage personally leads a hundred jōnin, I don't even know how we could lose."
Thanks to the increased strength, Rokuro and Hyūga Taiki decided to strike first—setting an ambush at the Land of Hot Water's harbor, determined not to let a single supply ship from the Land of Lightning escape.
"Here they come! Two ships this time. They're one kilometer apart—the front one's probably bait. If it gets attacked, the real supply ship will flee!"
A Hyūga jōnin reported. Rokuro quickly asked how many Cloud ninja were inside the harbor.
"Fewer than a hundred. Only seven are jōnin—nothing to fear."
Rokuro frowned slightly.
"What about on the ships? Can you see their strength?"
"Too far. I can detect chakra, but can't determine numbers or levels."
Even the Byakugan had limits; too far meant unclear readings.
"Captain Taiki, something feels wrong. We've robbed Cloud's ships twice already. They should've strengthened defenses. But the harbor's security is too weak."
Rokuro voiced his concern. Hyūga Taiki also looked uncertain.
"Maybe the front lines are stretched thin. And they can't garrison every harbor heavily—we're too mobile."
"That's true, but… something's off."
Their advantage came from choosing when to fight. With so many Hyūga, they could detect danger instantly and retreat.
Cloud, forced to defend everywhere, never had enough manpower.
"Once the ships are closer, examine the interior. Look for hidden spaces."
Everyone concealed themselves, waiting. The two supply ships neared the harbor quickly. Soon, the lead ship was less than a kilometer away.
"How many shinobi on board?"
"Not many—only ten. One jōnin."
"Only that few? Are you sure? Any areas you can't see through?"
Rokuro felt even more uneasy. All Hyūga activated their Byakugan, examining every compartment.
"All rooms are visible except… the ship's bottom? But the space is tiny. Even if full, only two or three people could hide there."
The moment he heard "cannot see through," Rokuro's face changed.
"Something's wrong! Someone strong is hidden inside! Retreat! It's a trap!"
The words had barely left his mouth when the lead ship exploded into pieces, sailors screaming as they fell into the sea—some impaled by shattered planks.
The Cloud ninja aboard survived, but that wasn't the point.
From the invisible ship-bottom area, two figures burst out.
One had pure white Byakugan, veins bulging.
A Hyūga's eye transplanted into a Cloud shinobi.
The other ignited in blue flames—flames that grew and grew until they formed a massive two-tailed cat.
"Damn! The Two-Tails' jinchūriki!"
Before the ambush squad could fully react, the Byakugan-using Cloud ninja flashed through hand seals and fired a Lightning Release blast.
A blinding bolt struck Rokuro's hiding place, blowing open a three-meter crater—not powerful, but meant as a signal.
As expected, the hundred Cloud shinobi in the harbor immediately charged straight toward their position.
"We're exposed! They have a Byakugan?!"
"That bastard stole a clansman's eyes—unforgivable! Kill him and take the Byakugan back!"
The Hyūga burned with fury. This was one downside of removing the Caged Bird Seal; in the past, even if a branch member died, their Byakugan would automatically be destroyed.
Even knowing this risk, the branch family still removed the seal—choosing freedom over fear.
"Don't let the jinchūriki use a Tailed Beast Bomb! Rush her—keep her occupied! I'll seal her with Adamantine Sealing Lock!"
Rokuro shouted and charged. Hyūga Taiki ordered everyone forward. In an instant, they clashed with the Cloud forces.
Rokuro headed straight for the Two-Tails.
But none of them realized the second supply ship hadn't fled—instead, it accelerated toward them.
END OF CHAPTER
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