Chapter 61: I'm Sorry, I Was Too Loud Just Now

Chapter 61: Sorry, I Was Too Loud Just Now

Although he had already witnessed Chiba’s intelligence and learned a great deal about his achievements indirectly from Asuma, yet...

Hearing the word "two days," Luetu still felt it was utterly surreal.

The Sealing Iron Wall was not the Fire Temple's ultimate secret technique, but it was a barrier seal they relied upon heavily.

Every single generation of the head monk had poured their heart and blood into mastering it.

And the result?

Fully comprehending it in two days?

Where did that leave the predecessors of the Fire Temple?

Luetu originally wanted to reprimand him like this, but when he opened his mouth, the topic shifted entirely: "I heard from Asuma that the benefactor wishes to learn our temple's Gift of the Sage?"

"If your temple has the requirement, it would certainly be wonderful to acquire some knowledge regarding the Gift of the Sage."

Asuma's relaying of the message had clearly suffered from some miscommunication.

Chiba quickly explained to avoid any misunderstanding, "Moreover, I am not using this transaction as my sole reward. If I create any new techniques in the future, I will likewise teach them to your temple."

"Asuma mentioned this. Did you intend to use this as payment for the current transaction, or as a separate exchange?"

"No, modifying the barrier itself is beneficial to me as well, so of course each matter should be treated independently."

Chiba shook his head.

At this moment, the Third Hokage tapped on the table, offering a mediating suggestion.

"Master Luetu, Chiba has created quite a few techniques of his own, many of which hold extremely high value. Have a look and see if there is anything you need; we can trade of equal value."

"If all else fails, Konoha will give its full support. You only need to express your interest."

The Third Hokage was extremely generous.

The Gift of the Sage was of immense value. If it could be acquired through trade, it would be a guaranteed profit no matter how many techniques they had to pay in return.

Luetu said, "Let us put these aside for now and discuss our conditions instead. We have deliberated multiple times and decided to use only knowledge as the trading item."

"That is enough."

Chiba nodded, feeling a surge of excitement in his heart.

Although knowledge was not a technique, possessing the knowledge was equivalent to holding the entry ticket. As long as he kept pondering, there would eventually come a day when he could create his own "Gift of the Sage."

"Secondly, even if you create it, you must not casually pass it on to others."

Luetu said with utmost solemnity.

Chiba nodded once more.

He could understand that.

That Luetu was willing to offer knowledge as currency for the trade already came as a pleasant surprise to him.

"Since you agree to all of this, I no longer require any compensation. After all..."

"Master Luetu, perhaps you should take a look anyway. I have a few techniques here that are rather good and should suit you shinobi monks very well."

Chiba cut off Luetu's magnanimous gesture.

Through their interactions, he felt that Luetu was a genuinely decent person, and he truly did not wish to see him die at the hands of Hidan and Kakuzu.

Even if those techniques could not help him defeat the Immortal Duo, every extra bit of strength mattered.

Besides.

Even if Luetu himself didn't need them, the other shinobi monks might, and not everyone in the Fire Temple could master the Gift of the Sage.

Luetu pondered for a moment, then gently nodded: "Then this humble monk shall respectfully accept your kindness."

The Third Hokage retrieved the Book of Creation.

"Chakra needles and threads are things you have no use for, but Overdrive and the Gentle Fist are worth considering. These two techniques are immensely useful for you shinobi monks."

"As for the Absorption Barrier, you may have to wait a little longer."

The Third Hokage nodded gently from the side.

The two techniques Chiba mentioned were indeed crucial to the shinobi monks.

Shinobi monks primarily focused on taijutsu and mastered very few ninjutsu.

As for the Absorption Barrier, the version Chiba intended to give to the Fire Temple was likely the kind that required specialized ninja tools.

Indeed, that version was much more appropriate.

Seeing that the Third Hokage approved, Luetu had no further doubts and carefully began reading the first technique he turned to.

Overdrive State.

Initially, he had taken it lightly, but halfway through reading, an indescribable shock bloomed in his heart.

This was created by a twelve-year-old child?

Luetu raised his head repeatedly, his expression growing increasingly complex.

He had to admit...

He had still underestimated Chiba.

"Does the benefactor not worry that the knowledge of the Gift of the Sage might fall short compared to these two techniques?"

"Not at all. The knowledge of an entirely new system is, regardless of anything else, far more valuable than a few simple techniques."

Chiba shook his head.

Luetu wore a complicated expression.

Simple?

Very well.

He thought to himself, then couldn't help but smile.

Indeed.

If this child were not so honest and overwhelmingly talented, he would never have gone against the grain within the temple to agree to the boy's request.

The principle behind the Overdrive State was quite easy to understand.

Therefore, after reading through it once, he nodded, signaling Chiba to turn the page.

[Gentle Fist: Burst]

Infusing highly condensed chakra, then manipulating it to detonate from within...

The difficulty was extremely high, but it was not impossible to achieve.

Luetu imagined it.

If it hit near the internal organs, it could indeed inflict terrifyingly devastating damage.

"If ordinary shinobi monks cannot master it, they can simply direct the highly condensed chakra straight at vital points for their attacks. Furthermore, there is an even more advanced version of it."

[Gentle Fist: Spiral]

Luetu concentrated, not expecting yet another even stronger variation—one that was even more difficult. His meager imagination simply could not fathom how the boy had managed to master it.

This was simply too...

Perverted!

This was the complete version, and its power was far beyond what Burst could compare to, nor was it the same thing as the Gentle Fist style of the Hyuga clan.

In a sense, it possessed infinite possibilities for derivation.

Chiba could be considered the founder of a brand-new lineage.

Therefore, it was also a form of power belonging to an entirely new system.

Filled with a deep sense of shame, Luetu scratched his head and said, "I take back what I said earlier. These two techniques are vitally important to our Fire Temple!"

"As long as they are useful, a trade based on mutual benefit can have a future."

Chiba smiled.

"May I ask, what was that Absorption Barrier you mentioned earlier?"

"Oh, that is a barrier technique stripped from the Mud Prison Hall."

Chiba gave a brief introduction to the Absorption Barrier.

Following that, he elaborated on the concept of the "Chakra Pool," which left Luetu emotionally stirred and his eyes shining, wishing he could lay eyes on it immediately.

However.

"Unfortunately, limited by ninja tool technology, this technique is still currently in the research and development stage."

"When you finish developing it, you must give a copy to our Fire Temple!"

Without even realizing it himself, Luetu's attitude had grown increasingly deferential, a far cry from his previous demeanor as a senior figure.

What he left unsaid was—

At this moment, he was somewhat worried that the knowledge of the Gift of the Sage might not be enough to trade for all these treasures.

It almost felt like...

Had the Fire Temple actually come out ahead?

Luetu's mood was complex.

The Third Hokage stood to the side with a gentle smile, wearing the pleased expression of someone witnessing Konoha's future being well-provided for, before finding an excuse to return to his office.

Leaving Luetu and Chiba alone in the room.

After a short while, Luetu finally gathered his wits.

"Let me speak about the Gift of the Sage. This technique was originally a protective spell used by monks when subduing demons, but later on, many techniques became unusable..."

Luetu chattered on continuously.

Chiba listened quietly from the side, not interrupting him.

After hearing the explanation once, he nodded thoughtfully.

So that was it. This technique must have originally been a product of the pre-ninja era, and the monks probably used natural energy just like the Toad Sage.

Then the God Tree arrived, and the natural energy was absorbed.

From then on, many techniques could no longer be used.

To some extent, it belonged to the same category as senjutsu, only the monks' process was much longer and more complex.

"So, the method of cultivation is Zen meditation?"

"For now, yes. We do not have a systematic cultivation method either; only one or two people per generation can master it."

Luetu nodded gently.

Chiba understood.

Zen meditation was likely meant for perceiving and adapting to natural energy, and Mount Myoboku had similar training methods.

However.

How should he phrase the question?

Chiba thought for a moment and said, "When you practice Zen meditation, have you ever felt a certain special kind of energy?"