After experimenting with the Body Swap Technique, Mizuki gained a detailed understanding of this new jutsu — a mutation of the Substitution Technique.
"Next is the Sky Walk Technique."
Strictly speaking, the Sky Walk Technique isn't a jutsu. It's a method of chakra application, similar to tree climbing or water walking. More accurately, it's an ability.
In his mind, he had the complete training method. The principle was simple: expel large amounts of high-speed chakra from the Yongquan tenketsu on the sole of the foot, generating upward repulsive force.
Just like rocket propulsion — Newton's third law in action.
"To learn the Sky Walk Technique, three conditions must be met. First: chakra control must reach an extremely high level. I've already achieved this, so no need to worry. Second: chakra must complete wind attribute nature transformation. A bit troublesome for me, but not too difficult."
Mizuki's strongest chakra attribute was earth. But that didn't mean he could only complete earth attribute nature transformation.
In the ninja world, there are seven major attributes: Water, Earth, Fire, Wind, Lightning, Yin, and Yang. Everyone is born with all seven, but affinity varies.
High affinity can be detected by the chakra paper test. Low affinity cannot, but that doesn't mean the attribute isn't there.
Mizuki had high affinity for earth, making earth attribute nature transformation easiest. As for the other six, as long as he mastered the method and trained, he could complete their nature transformations too.
Generally, Jōnin master two or more nature transformations.
For example, the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen mastered all seven chakra nature transformations through training and was proficient in over a thousand jutsu — which is why he was known as The Professor.
Another example: the Copy Ninja Kakashi Hatake also mastered all seven chakra nature transformations and was renowned throughout the ninja world.
"As for wind attribute, I know the training method. With Imperial Chakra Control, it shouldn't be a big problem. The real challenge is the third condition: the Yongquan tenketsu must be strong enough to withstand the impact of large amounts of chakra instantly without damage. This step is the most troublesome and time-consuming. It requires continuous training paired with specific medicinal herb foot soaks for nourishment."
The required medicinal herbs were very expensive!
On the way back from fishing today, he stopped by to buy some. Just one dose cost 6,000 ryō. All precious medicinal herbs, hence the price.
"One dose can only be used once. Training the Sky Walk Technique requires at least one month — one dose per day. That's 200,000 ryō, and that's conservative."
Adding the 100,000 ryō Hiruzen gave him yesterday to his existing 20,000 — saved through frugal living — he had 120,000 ryō.
Completely insufficient!
The ninja academy was about to go on vacation, and as an assistant instructor, he didn't even get paid leave... Good grief, he'd only been transmigrated for a few days and was already broke. Really embarrassing for transmigrators everywhere.
"It seems that to learn the Sky Walk Technique, the most critical thing is money. Well, I'll go find Sasuke tomorrow."
That night, Tsubaki didn't come, and Mizuki had a good sleep.
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The next morning, just as Mizuki was about to head to school to find Sasuke, someone knocked on the door. An ANBU member stood outside.
"Chūnin Mizuki, the Third Hokage has appointed you as a mission assistant at the Hokage Building during summer vacation. You'll help issue missions to genin squads. Your shift is 8 hours per day at 80 ryō daily. Here's your appointment letter — keep it safe. Report to the mission hall tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock sharp."
The ANBU left.
Mizuki held the appointment letter, wanting to curse.
80 ryō per day meant only 2,400 ryō per month. Even the lowest D-Rank missions — weeding, feeding pigs, babysitting, trash pickup, catching cats — paid 500 to 10,000 ryō per completion.
Take the daimyo's wife's cat, Tora. It often got lost, and catching it paid 10,000 ryō.
"My monthly salary isn't even as much as catching a cat?"
As an assistant instructor at the academy, he at least earned 3,000 ryō per month. Damn Third Hokage, treating me like free labor, huh? Just you wait.
The Hokage's appointment couldn't be refused. Unless he defected or went to prison.
❊❊❊❊❊
Early morning. Konoha Academy buzzed with activity — today was the day for graduate team assignments.
Mizuki stood at the school gate. After a while, he spotted Sasuke.
"Sasuke, come with me for a moment."
Sasuke said, "Perfect timing. I have some training questions for you."
They walked to a corner. Before Sasuke could ask anything, Mizuki pulled out a stack of money.
"Yesterday's apprenticeship ceremony was rushed. I didn't give you a proper gift. Let me make up for it today. This is 100,000 ryō. Don't think it's too little."
Sasuke: "Um, I'm not short on money."
Although the Uchiha clan had been wiped out, Itachi remained a ticking time bomb, so Hiruzen didn't dare push too far. The village had seized most of the Uchiha inheritance, but what remained for Sasuke was still considerable. A mere 100,000 ryō? He didn't care.
Unlike Naruto, whose parents were dead with no one to back him up — he didn't get a single penny of the Fourth Hokage's inheritance.
Seeing the refusal, Mizuki put on a stern face, "Whether you're short on money or not is none of my concern. This is my gift to you. If you don't accept it, you don't recognize me as your master. Don't come to me about training in the future."
Sasuke: "Fine, I'll reluctantly accept it then."
Black lines appeared on Mizuki's forehead. This brat really needed a beating.
[ Ding! ]
[ You have given your disciple Sasuke Uchiha 100,000 ryō, triggering a 1,000× Return! **]
[ Congratulations, you have obtained 100,000,000 ryō! **]
〖 Money Notification: Has been stored in the wardrobe in your bedroom at home. 〗
Hearing the system's voice, a smile appeared at the corners of Mizuki's mouth. The feeling of being supported by System-nii-sama was just too wonderful.
Money obtained. He turned and walked away.
Sasuke panicked, "Don't go! I haven't asked you about training yet."
Mizuki waved without turning back, "Don't ask. The orientation meeting is about to start. Hurry to the classroom. We'll talk when there's time."
With that, he disappeared in a flash.
Sasuke watched him go, an odd feeling settling in his chest.
"He waited at the school gate this early... just to give me money?"
The Uchiha clan had always been perceptive. Sasuke couldn't shake the feeling that Mizuki was hiding something.
❊❊❊❊❊
Mizuki left the academy and hurried home.
He waited outside his bedroom until he was sure the school's orientation meeting had started.
"Right now, Hiruzen's watching the academy. He won't be paying attention to me."
He opened the wardrobe and found three black leather suitcases.
His heart raced. He pulled one out and opened it — cash, packed to the brim. His eyes lit up.
"I'm rich! I'm rich!"
No more worrying about medicine money.
He took 200,000 ryō to the Nara family pharmacy and bought over a month's supply. The ANBU monitoring him immediately reported this to Hiruzen.
"You're saying Mizuki bought 200,000 ryō worth of medicine?"
Hiruzen removed his pipe and asked again.
The ANBU replied, "Yes, Third Hokage-sama. I've recorded the types and quantities."
Hiruzen's eyes sharpened, "What does Mizuki need medicine for?"
His first thought was the Chakra Control Pills.
Mizuki had presented those pills to him. Now he'd bought so many precious medicinal ingredients — Hiruzen couldn't help but suspect he was making more.
"Continue monitoring him." Hiruzen ordered, "Especially anything related to those ingredients. Report everything to me in detail."
"Yes!" The ANBU left to resume surveillance.
Hiruzen's attention shifted from the academy to Mizuki's house.
He activated the Telescope Technique and saw Mizuki soaking his feet. The basin contained not just water, but various medicinal ingredients.
Hiruzen leaned closer. These were exactly the ingredients the ANBU had just reported.
"What?" His mouth fell open in shock, "Mizuki spent 200,000 ryō on rare medicinal ingredients... to soak his feet? You've got to be kidding me."
Not even the Daimyō was this extravagant.
Hiruzen couldn't watch anymore. He quickly closed the Telescope Technique, afraid that if he kept watching, he'd get angry enough to rush to Mizuki's house and use the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.
❊❊❊❊❊
Mizuki soaked his feet at home for half an hour. Then he put on his shoes and went out, walking aimlessly through the streets. No one noticed that as he walked, chakra was being expelled downward from the Yongquan tenketsu on the soles of his feet.
The ANBU monitoring him from a distance felt that his walking seemed a bit... floaty.
Passing by a tree, a leaf fell. Mizuki reached out and caught it, then cupped his hands together, enclosing the leaf within his palms.
"Wind chakra's characteristics are cutting and tearing. Training in Wind Release nature transformation involves using chakra to cut a leaf. Starting today, I'll train the Yongquan tenketsu on the soles of my feet and practice Wind Release nature transformation."
Chakra gathered in his palms. Mizuki focused on the concepts of cutting and tearing.
The next moment, he paused. Opening his palms, he saw that the previously intact leaf had been split in two down the middle.
"This... I did it just like that?"
Mizuki was dumbfounded. Wasn't Wind Release supposed to be extremely rare in Konoha? Shouldn't the training be difficult? Yet he'd succeeded this easily?
In his memories, it had taken him several years to complete Earth Release nature transformation. In other words, his training aptitude wasn't good.
"Could it be... the chakra control?"
That seemed to be the only explanation.
"Wind Release nature transformation is complete. Two of the three necessary conditions are met. Next, only the strengthening of the Yongquan tenketsu remains."
This couldn't be rushed. Even with medicinal foot baths, it would take at least a month.
"A month isn't slow. The day I can soar through the skies isn't far off. When that time comes, the vast ninja world will be mine to roam freely."
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T/N: Comment, give me Power Stones, like and favorite, it all supports me and makes me go foward with this. Appreciate my other stories as well, I guarantee the good work!
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That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)