"The principle behind sensory ninjutsu really isn't that complicated."
In the forest atop the hill, after eating their fill, Eagle began explaining her understanding of sensory techniques.
It was obvious—
She enjoyed playing teacher.
Her hands were clasped behind her back as she paced in front of Ayane.
The only problem was her height.
At 155 centimeters, she couldn't quite pull off the dignified instructor aura.
Instead, she gave off a slightly awkward "kid trying to look like an adult" vibe.
Ayane suppressed a smile and cooperated earnestly.
"And what's the principle?"
Eagle grinned.
"In simple terms—find a suitable medium. Then use that medium to disperse your chakra far outward."
She didn't hold anything back.
"There are many possible mediums. It can be lifeless matter in the environment—like soil or water droplets. Or even living creatures. It depends on the technique and your chakra nature…"
There weren't many sensory techniques shown in the original story.
Pain's Rain Tiger at Will Technique was one.
Karin's Kagura Mind's Eye was another.
Then there was Gaara's Third Eye of sand, the Yamanaka clan's Mind Body Switch Technique, and the Aburame clan's insect techniques…
Aside from the Uzumaki clan's Kagura Mind's Eye, most sensory techniques had obvious mediums.
"And in Amegakure," Eagle continued proudly, "our sensory techniques mainly use the water element present in the environment."
She suddenly brought her hands together, formed seven or eight hand seals in rapid succession, then slapped her palm onto the ground.
Short as she was—
That entrance had a presence.
Ayane couldn't help but reassess her a little.
"Because it rains year-round, the soil of the Land of Rain is saturated with water," Eagle explained. "We use the water element in the earth as a medium to extend chakra outward for detection."
Ayane thought further.
"If that's the case, why not use the earth element directly? There's more of it."
The eagle froze.
"Uh… well…"
Truthfully, she had never considered that.
She practiced exactly as the scroll instructed.
Woodpecker, who had been listening quietly, offered his seasoned guess.
"Earth nature is dense and heavy. Not as fluid as water."
"Though denser mediums might enhance sensitivity, they would also consume far more chakra."
"It might not be worth the cost."
Ayane nodded.
For others, chakra consumption was a major concern.
For her—
Not at all.
She currently had no shortage of chakra whatsoever.
Her innate purple trait, [Diluted Uzumaki Bloodline], granted her over ten times the chakra reserves of her peers—and it continued increasing with age.
She had no idea how many "chakra units" she possessed—
But she had never once worried about her "mana bar."
If she had the chance, she might even try improving the technique later.
Seeing the discussion drifting away from her control, Eagle hurriedly clapped her hands.
"Alright! Practice time!"
She grabbed Ayane's left hand and pressed it to the ground.
"Follow the seal sequence I taught you and release chakra!"
Ayane gave her a look usually reserved for troublesome children.
"You're holding my hand. How am I supposed to form seals?"
"Ah…"
Eagle laughed awkwardly—about to let go—
When Ayane calmly raised her free right hand and began forming seals:
Ox – Dog – Horse – Rat – Dog – Boar – Snake.
"Single-handed seals?!"
Eagle's eyes widened behind her mask.
"Unbelievable! Swan, you're showing off again!"
Woodpecker remained silent—
But inwardly, he was no less shaken.
Considering her age—
This was monstrous talent.
Heaven-fed genius…
Ayane remained composed.
Single-handed seals?
In the future, there would be people forming seals with their toes and even their hair.
She released chakra from her palm and let it sink into the earth.
Suddenly—
It was as if a third eye opened in her mind.
Within nearly ten meters beneath her feet—
The soil became transparent.
Moist earth. Solid stone.
Even wriggling earthworms were clearly perceptible.
No wonder the Sage of Six Paths said chakra connects hearts…
In xianxia terms, this is basically a low-grade version of divine sense.
Seeing her fall silent, Eagle leaned close.
"So? Did it work? What do you sense?"
Ayane sniffed faintly.
"…I seem to have sensed something remarkable."
"Remarkable? What?"
She paused thoughtfully.
"Your palms are soft. And you smell nice. Like lemon blossom lotion."
The eagle froze.
Then her face burned crimson beneath her mask as she jerked her hand away, making strange flustered noises.
"What are you saying?! Be serious!"
Ayane turned sharply toward her.
"Confess! Did you sneak off to bathe without me?"
In her previous life, she had been from the south.
In this life, a young girl.
Across two lifetimes, bathing was practically etched into her soul.
And yet ANBU regulations explicitly forbade casual bathing during missions.
She had been suffering.
The eagle crossed her arms in front of her chest.
"Stop right there! Sensory ninjutsu isn't for detecting weird stuff like that!"
"Hmph… then explain yourself…"
Ayane pressed closer, about to continue teasing—
When her expression changed.
She snapped toward the forest behind them.
"Who's there? Come out!"
The shift was instantaneous.
Without hesitation, Woodpecker drew his weapon and turned.
Eagle reacted half a beat slower—
But under Ayane's cover, she rapidly formed seals and activated her sensory technique.
"Urgent military intelligence!"
"Urgent military intelligence!"
A Rain ninja burst from the forest, gasping.
"Konoha—Konoha has deployed a large force across the Anyue River… They appear to be launching a full-scale offensive—a decisive battle!"
All three stiffened.
As Ayane prepared to speak, Eagle quietly pressed close behind her and whispered into her ear:
"Swan. Six o'clock. Ten meters. He's got a little tail."
Ayane's breathing hitched.
She glanced subtly.
The forest appeared normal.
She formed a seal behind her back while stepping forward casually.
"Which unit are you from? How many Konoha ninja? Who's commanding?"
As she spoke—
She lowered her blade to the ground.
The benefits of chakra metal revealed themselves.
Chakra flowed from her hand through Arankiri and into the earth, spreading her newly learned sensory technique outward.
There it was—
A faint trace of chakra at that exact location.
Still invisible to the eye—
But for someone with the green trait [Ninja Tool Throwing]—
That was enough.
"I'm Kawai from First Squadron, Fourth Team," the Rain ninja replied. "The commander is unknown, but approximately eight hundred ninja have been deployed. They have already—"
Before he finished—
Ayane flicked her wrist.
Whoosh—
Two kunai shot forward.
Thud. Thud.
They embedded into a tree trunk.
Eagle exhaled in relief.
"Dead."
Woodpecker flashed over, crouched, and picked it up.
"A small white snake."
Eagle frowned.
"A chakra-infused snake? A summoning creature? But it's so small—what could it even do?"
Snake.
At that word—
Ayane's heart sank.
Others might not realize.
But she did.
The one who sent it—
Was Orochimaru.
No—
More precisely—
The future Legendary Sannin.
The original Team Seven.