Naturally, this Lightning Armor was the preliminary result of Shinichi's intensive research on Blue B's corpse over the past week.
Shinichi's attainments in both medical ninjutsu and taijutsu were already at a master's level. In addition, Lightning Release Proficiency and Ninjutsu Proficiency provided a solid foundation and substantial boost for his understanding of Kumogakure's Lightning Release system.
As a result, under the extraordinary vision granted by the combination of Flash Step and Clear Insight, together with the dual enhancement of Piercing Insight, which functioned like a supercomputer capable of high-speed information processing, critical pattern recognition, and logical deduction—
his efficiency in scanning and analyzing Blue B's corpse was astonishingly high.
In just a single week, Shinichi had reverse-engineered most of the techniques and applications of Lightning Release nin-taijutsu from the vast amount of complex information contained within Blue B's body.
Techniques such as the Lightning Body Flicker and Lightning Armor were among the representative results.
However, the deeper essence of the Lightning Release Chakra Mode—things like profound cellular activation and the systematic enhancement of neural reflex pathways, aspects that touched upon its very foundation—remained like the core treasure of a vault hidden behind layers of mist.
A complete reverse-engineering simply wasn't possible from a dead body alone. It would require years of deduction and experimentation.
After all, although Blue B had learned Lightning Release nin-taijutsu and was considered a powerful Lightning Release shinobi, his true specialty was wielding the power of the Eight-Tails. Unlike the current Third Raikage or the future Fourth Raikage, A, he had never made the Lightning Release Chakra Mode the absolute core of his combat system.
"Simply put."
As Shinichi demonstrated, arcs of electricity flickered across his body once more while he explained to Kakashi, "Lightning Armor is more of a defensive application that stabilizes Lightning Release chakra around the body's surface and turns it into a protective layer. It weaves electrical energy into a suit of armor worn over the body, primarily providing a defensive barrier with respectable resistance against both physical and energy-based attacks, while also offering a mild degree of muscular stimulation."
"But the true Lightning Release Chakra Mode of Kumogakure is built on a completely different concept. Its core principle is to use the active nature of Lightning Release chakra to stimulate and activate every part of the body from the outside in, eventually reaching the cellular level and even the neural reflex system, fundamentally raising the limits of physical performance."
As he spoke, the lightning coursing across Shinichi's body grew increasingly active and dense.
The electrical current became more fluid and lively, flowing across his body like streams of water.
Kakashi watched intently.
With his keen sensitivity to Lightning Release and his experience developing Chidori, he immediately realized that the activation method behind the lightning Shinichi was using was fundamentally the same as the principle he had employed while developing Chidori—using Lightning Release chakra to stimulate the nerves and muscles of the arm in exchange for extreme speed.
But Shinichi had successfully expanded that stimulation from localized areas such as the arms and legs to his entire body.
Moreover, the stability, controllability, and sustainability of the energy distribution far surpassed the crude localized stimulation Kakashi himself used.
This was no mere increase in scale.
It was a leap in the quality of control itself.
"What I've managed so far is only a preliminary version that achieves relatively stable Lightning Release activation of the body's surface tissues."
Shinichi continued.
"I'm still a long way from reaching the deeper cellular layers and achieving true enhancement of neural reaction speed—the level of the genuine Lightning Release Chakra Mode."
After hearing this, Kakashi fell silent.
Even if Shinichi couldn't achieve the final result yet, the depth of understanding and level of control he displayed over Lightning Release had already left Kakashi far behind.
Ever since he had been defeated by Shinichi on the Academy training grounds five years ago, he had been desperately trying to catch up to this peer of his.
At first, Shinichi had only been superior in taijutsu and swordsmanship.
Later, he surpassed him in the comprehensive application and creativity of ninjutsu as well.
And now, even Lightning Release—the field Kakashi took the greatest pride in and had devoted countless hours to mastering—had been overtaken by Shinichi in an almost unbelievable amount of time.
Seven or eight months ago, this guy hadn't even possessed Lightning Release chakra, had he?
The gap was becoming larger and larger.
So large that it was almost enough to extinguish any desire to keep chasing.
Perhaps, just as that powerful samurai Isshin from the Land of Iron had once said—
Shinichi was destined to become the strongest shinobi in the world of this era.
A mixture of unwillingness and acceptance surfaced in Kakashi's heart.
"Don't underestimate yourself, Kakashi."
As if he had seen through Kakashi's complicated emotions, Shinichi spoke calmly.
"I only managed to reach this point by studying Blue B's corpse. I'm standing on the accumulated knowledge of generations of Kumogakure shinobi, and even then I've only barely touched the threshold."
"When it comes to talent in Lightning Release itself, among everyone I've ever met, no one can compare to you. Not even the Third Raikage or his son. You simply started from a lower point, had less time to accumulate experience, and lacked access to a complete inheritance."
Shinichi shook his head and looked at him seriously.
"And besides, I'm not here to show off."
"I'm here to work with you."
"To research and perfect this Lightning Release nin-taijutsu together."
"One person's perspective and ideas will always be limited, especially when neither of us possesses the complete inheritance."
"Your talent and experience are an irreplaceable treasure to me."
"Cooperation..."
Kakashi fell silent for a moment.
If he were still the person he used to be—the one who viewed his father's suicide as a shameful burden and kept everything bottled up inside—he might have refused out of awkward pride.
But now...
He thought about how much he already owed Shinichi.
When debts piled up high enough, they almost stopped feeling like a burden.
Rather than agonizing over meaningless pride and the ever-widening gap between them, it was better to seize the opportunity right in front of him and grow stronger as quickly as possible.
If he could achieve meaningful results from the research sooner and increase his strength, that would be a way of repaying this profound friendship.
And besides...
Kakashi clenched his fists.
At this moment, his heart was filled with an overwhelming thirst for power. To avoid ever being forced into the same hopeless choice his father had faced, he had to seize every path that could make him stronger!
"Alright!"
Without hesitation, Kakashi nodded in agreement.
Hearing that, a smile appeared on Shinichi's face as he tossed him a scroll.
"I organized this yesterday. It covers the fundamental principles of Lightning Release Nintaijutsu, the applications of Lightning Release chakra, and some deeper theories I've been able to infer. Take a look. If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me anytime."
"Mm."
Kakashi accepted the scroll and nodded.
He read slowly and carefully.
At times, his brow furrowed deeply. At others, it relaxed.
Whenever he encountered something difficult to understand or found a point that raised questions, he immediately stopped and voiced his doubts to Shinichi.
Shinichi patiently answered every question.
Sometimes he explained the principles in concise terms. Sometimes he demonstrated the flow of energy directly. At other times, he guided Kakashi through the process himself, allowing him to personally experience the subtle differences involved.
Question and answer.
Teaching and learning.
Time quietly slipped away amid their efficient and focused exchanges and practical experimentation.
Three hours later—
Crackle! Crackle!
In the center of the training ground, a stable yet lively layer of blue-white lightning appeared around Kakashi's motionless figure.
The electricity clung to his body like a living suit of light armor, flickering softly.
"This..."
Kakashi lowered his head and stared blankly at the arcs of lightning dancing around him, feeling the faint tingling sensation on his skin.
This fast?!
After reading the scroll earlier, he had made his own estimate based on his understanding. He had believed that even achieving a preliminary grasp of this Lightning Armor would require at least a week of uninterrupted practice and experimentation.
Yet after only three hours of Shinichi's explanations, demonstrations, and targeted guidance, he had already transformed the theory into practical application and successfully constructed a stable Lightning Armor.
Could it be...
Was his talent really that exceptional?
The thought flashed through his mind, only for him to dismiss it as absurd.
No.
Probably not.
Kakashi raised his eyes toward Shinichi, who was watching him with a smile from not far away.
During the lesson, Shinichi had seemed capable of seeing straight through every point of confusion he had.
And then, using the method easiest for Kakashi to understand and absorb, he had practically fed those complex and profound principles directly into his brain.
Every answer to every question had been like a sword cutting through fog, bringing instant clarity.
Rather than saying his own talent was extraordinary, it was more accurate to say that Shinichi's teaching ability had reached an almost unbelievable level.
"Excellent! Excellent!"
Shinichi clapped his hands in praise and said with a smile, "Kakashi, your talent for Lightning Release truly is exceptional. To think you'd grasp the basics and stabilize the Lightning Armor this quickly—it's beyond even my expectations."
Compared to the Kakashi from his memories, the silver-haired boy before him was already far stronger.
The Kakashi of the original timeline had certainly been a super genius, but because he stood so far above his peers, he had never truly faced someone of the same generation who surpassed him in every aspect and forced him to struggle desperately just to catch a glimpse of their back.
But the Kakashi of this timeline had been completely defeated by Shinichi during their Academy years and had tasted the bitterness of failure and the reality of the gap between them much earlier.
Then, at the cemetery, he had been deeply moved by Shinichi's words:
"Only by becoming strong enough can you avoid falling into the same hopeless dilemma your father once faced."
Those words had planted an obsession with strength deep within his heart.
Over the past year and more, Kakashi had also received Shinichi's guidance on numerous occasions.
As a result, despite being only ten years old, his overall strength was already approaching the level of a formal jōnin.
Compared to himself in the original timeline at the same age, he was more than two years ahead.
And now he had already begun learning the deeper principles of Lightning Release Nintaijutsu.
If, two years from now, a pivotal event similar to the Kannabi Bridge Campaign still occurred in this timeline—then by that time, Kakashi's strength might very well have reached the elite jōnin level.
An elite jōnin at twelve years old.
Though he still couldn't compare to the utterly unreasonable Uchiha Itachi of the original timeline, who awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan at eleven and already possessed the beginnings of Kage-level power—among shinobi without special bloodlines, that would already be an achievement at the very pinnacle.
"I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of surprises you'll bring to our joint research next, Kakashi, now that you have this foundation."
Forget becoming some Copy Ninja Kakashi.
Just obediently walk the path of Lightning Release Nintaijutsu!
Kakashi looked at the peer standing before him, whose talent, strength, and intellect all seemed unfathomable.
Even his ability to teach others felt impossible to measure.
The unwillingness in Kakashi's heart gradually gave way to a more complicated emotion.
Catching up might be difficult, but at the very least... he could climb as quickly as possible along the staircase Shinichi had built before him.
And perhaps one day, in his own unique way, he could once again stand shoulder to shoulder with him—or even surpass him in certain areas.
"I will."
Kakashi dismissed the Lightning Armor surrounding his body and nodded.
"Oh, right."
Shinichi seemed to remember something and added, "I heard that Minato-senpai returned to the village three days ago. His understanding of neural reactions is among the very best in the shinobi world. And the most essential—and most difficult—aspect of the Lightning Release Chakra Mode is precisely the deep and stable enhancement of the neural reflex system."
"On that front, if it's just the two of us researching behind closed doors, progress may be very slow."
"So if you get the chance over the next few days, go consult Minato-senpai on my behalf. Discuss the problems you're currently facing, as well as the preliminary results and ideas from our research. With Minato-senpai's experience and insight, he'll definitely be able to provide valuable suggestions and greatly accelerate our progress in studying the Lightning Release Chakra Mode."
Kakashi was momentarily stunned.
It was called consultation and discussion, but in the process, he would inevitably reveal the secrets of Lightning Release Nintaijutsu that Shinichi had painstakingly researched.
That was essentially sharing the precious knowledge of a Lightning Release secret art that Shinichi had worked so hard to uncover with Namikaze Minato.
But then Kakashi recalled Shinichi's actions over the years.
When it came to his companions, he had never been stingy about sharing knowledge or power.
That generosity and breadth of vision touched Kakashi once again.
He didn't ask any further questions.
He simply nodded seriously and agreed.
"Alright! I'll go see Minato-sensei and learn from him properly."
Shinichi nodded.
"Good. Then let's leave it at that for now. Today's training ends here."
Kakashi didn't say anything more.
After turning around, his figure leaped lightly several times before disappearing into the trees at the edge of the training ground.
A future Kakashi who might master both Lightning Release Nintaijutsu and the White Fang Swordsmanship.
And perhaps, in the future, a Namikaze Minato who would likewise reach the pinnacle of speed and neural reaction abilities, and might even combine Lightning Release Nintaijutsu with Space-Time Ninjutsu.
As for that, Shinichi felt increasingly at ease.
There was even a trace of anticipation.
It was true that he regarded Minato as the strongest future rival in the struggle for the position of Hokage.
But after the campaign in the Land of Lightning, Shinichi's mindset had undergone a subtle change.
Opponents?
Competitors?
Grow stronger.
The stronger, the better.
No matter how strong you become in the future, you'll still end up working for me!
After parting ways with Kakashi, Shinichi did not leave the training ground.
Instead, he changed direction and headed toward a quieter corner shaded by trees.
There, two girls were carrying out their respective training under the careful guidance of the two Shadow Clones he had left behind.
"Kakashi left?"
Seeing Shinichi's original body approach, Shizune stopped her practice and pouted slightly, a faint trace of complaint in her voice.
Shinichi was supposed to be her classmate and teammate.
Yet that tactless Kakashi always seemed to show up and monopolize Shinichi's time whenever he felt like it.
Although Shinichi's Shadow Clones were equally efficient instructors and their progress had been astonishingly fast... a Shadow Clone was still a Shadow Clone.
Something always felt just a little different.
"Training all day must've been exhausting, right?"
Shinichi seemed completely oblivious to Shizune's little thoughts.
Seeing that Kurenai had also stopped and sheathed her sword, breathing slightly harder than usual, he smiled warmly.
"Let's call it a day. Time to rest a little and get ready for dinner."
"Yay!"
The moment she heard that, Shizune cheered.
All the fatigue from training and her tiny bit of resentment instantly vanished without a trace.
Privately, she was especially grateful that Kakashi never seemed interested in staying for dinner.
Half an hour later, the sounds of pots, pans, and utensils clattered together as the enticing aroma of food spread throughout the training ground.
"I heard Tsunade-sensei will be returning to the village soon! That's great! It's been such a long time since I've seen her!"
Shizune's mouth was stuffed with delicious food as she mumbled excitedly.
"Yeah. Once Tsunade-sensei comes back, Team Ten will finally be complete again."
Kurenai took small bites as she spoke, her tone filled with anticipation.
"Then you'd better work hard. Try to build a more solid foundation in Monster Strength before Tsunade-sensei returns. Give her a surprise when she gets back."
Shinichi smiled as he placed more food onto their plates.
"Ah? The chakra control requirements for Monster Strength are way too high. Even though your explanations are incredibly clear and your demonstrations are perfect, Shinichi, it still feels so difficult. I'm always just a tiny bit off when it comes to the timing of chakra concentration and release..."
Shizune immediately pulled a miserable face.
"No need to rush. Take it slowly."
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