Historically, whenever Hagoromo utilized his Electromaster ability, he could not simultaneously use ninjutsu, nor could he channel chakra.
It wasn't a matter of absolute impossibility. In reality, there was no inherent conflict in the power systems if both were used concurrently. This was a situation where something was theoretically possible but practically fraught with extreme difficulty.
The more powerfully the Electromaster ability was exerted, the more complex the instantaneous calculations occurring within Hagoromo's brain became. That long, intricate string of formulaic calculations did not permit even the slightest fraction of error; otherwise, it would result in the termination of the ability.
Under conditions that placed such a heavy toll on his cognitive capacity, it was exceedingly difficult for Hagoromo to operate a second power system.
Simply put, the reason he couldn't use ninjutsu while employing his esper ability was that his RAM, VRAM, CPU, and other "hardware" were heavily occupied. He lacked the excess processing power to multitask effectively.
Theoretically, as long as his brain development continued, splitting his focus wasn't an impossibility. In fact, Hagoromo had consistently engaged in this type of training. However, it had to be taken step by step. After all, in this world, increasing computational power wasn't as simple as slapping an extra stick of RAM into his head.
This specialized brain-development training naturally required a vast amount of time.
Yet, due to a certain trigger, Hagoromo had oversimplified the matter... He had indeed used both abilities simultaneously once before. Although it was purely accidental and only happened once, the two powers had demonstrably coexisted within him, and at the time, it hadn't triggered any severe consequences.
That was precisely why he opted for a second attempt.
There were times when Hagoromo acted with extreme caution and prudence, and there were other times when he acted neither carefully nor prudently.
"Hypothesize boldly, verify carefully"—this is a scientific approach to research. However, it carries a crucial prerequisite: the test subject must not be your own actual body... Therefore, those who dare to experiment on themselves are the true madmen.
In short, acting on presumptuous speculation, his presumptive behavior had resulted in Hagoromo's current predicament... His left hand was severely burned.
The reality was that he did not instantaneously acquire immense power. Instead, as if working in shifts, just as his right hand had recently recovered, his left hand had to enter a period of convalescence.
According to Hagoromo's post-incident hypothesis, when using his Electromaster ability, utilizing chakra of other natures should merely constitute a parallel connection of the two powers, which shouldn't result in any serious consequences.
But it was a different story when used in conjunction with Lightning Style. The simultaneous use of two abilities sharing the same fundamental nature was no longer a parallel connection, but a series connection. This was exactly why it had fried his hardware... The destructive consequences of the experiment had actually far exceeded Hagoromo's expectations.
As for why such consequences hadn't occurred the previous time, Hagoromo could only attribute it to a fluke among flukes.
Ultimately, this incident taught Hagoromo a vital lesson: unless he possessed Orochimaru's ability to essentially swap out the entire computer chassis, he should not casually attempt actions that could destroy his own hardware... What a painful realization.
However, the fusion of his Electromaster ability and Lightning Style was not entirely impossible either. Following this accident and the ensuing lesson, Hagoromo pondered agonizingly until he finally groped out a feasible path—assuming the two liquids were immiscible, and would explode upon mixing, he needed to find a neutralizing agent to blend them.
Or perhaps, if the two were immiscible with each other, maybe they could both dissolve in water?
Perhaps being half-crippled had become a regular state of being for him. After getting injured, instead of panicking, Hagoromo was able to analyze the situation quite rationally... He could even get used to this. It goes to show that sometimes, having a thick skull isn't entirely undesirable.
Hagoromo merely applied simple first aid to his injury, which resembled a severe burn, and then set the matter aside... Not because the injury wasn't serious. On the contrary, Hagoromo easily deduced the severity of the wound: this was not something he could handle himself.
He would likely require the services of a professional medical practitioner. A highly professional one.
After his experiment failed and his attempt at courting death succeeded, Hagoromo didn't rush to heal himself, nor did he hurry to begin his Senjutsu training. His next course of action was a comprehensive reading of numerous documents within the Shikkotsu Forest.
Before Hagoromo had stashed his pets here, Katsuyu was the sole summoning beast in Shikkotsu Forest. Unlike Ryuchi Cave and Mount Myoboku, Shikkotsu Forest lacked so-called "Sages"... But an uncharted region is still an uncharted region. There was no shortage of necessary records or hidden secrets here; they were simply recorded in textual form.
Hagoromo could probably be considered one of the decipherers of these texts.
Here, Hagoromo learned of many "unknowns," or at least, things he had previously been unaware of...
What psychological changes occurred within Hagoromo afterward? No one knew but him.
However, once he had finished digesting all this information, he finally commenced his planned Senjutsu training.
Overall, Shikkotsu Forest remained a rather tranquil place. After all, a sacred ground still needed an atmosphere befitting its title. If it were as noisy as a bustling market, how embarrassing would that be for one of the "Three Great Sacred Grounds"?
A massive shadow cast by the sunlight darted rapidly across the ground, and then... uh, darted across again.
The Giant Bird flew over Hagoromo's head time and time again. Although its master ignored it, the avian creature never got tired of the game.
In this environment, a little girl's laughter carried exceptionally far.
The Multi-Headed Dog followed obediently behind Hagoromo, with Mirai resting squarely atop its middle head.
A baby who hadn't even mastered crawling couldn't possibly balance on a flat, round dog's head on her own. So, to prevent her from rolling off, the Multi-Headed Dog used chakra to firmly adhere her to its fur...
Consequently, no matter how hard Mirai struggled, she couldn't move an inch on that massive head. Perhaps because this was her first time encountering such a situation, she found it incredibly amusing, giggling non-stop.
As for the possibility of the dog taking a bite out of this tiny morsel that wouldn't even fill the gaps between its teeth... that was impossible. Leaving aside the various restrictions Hagoromo had placed upon it, the Multi-Headed Dog was destined to evolve into a loyal Hachiko one day.
Senjutsu chakra is formed by balancing natural energy, spiritual energy, and physical energy. For Hagoromo, the difficulty did not lie in this ratio. To be frank, this kind of precise allocation was what he excelled at most. The more challenging aspect was sensing and drawing in natural energy.
But before even addressing that, Hagoromo had a definitive flaw.
The training and utilization of Senjutsu carried a very fundamental prerequisite: the practitioner's inherent chakra reserves had to reach the "massive" level. Otherwise, it would be insufficient to suppress the volatile and highly dangerous natural energy.
Senjutsu, in reality, was just another kind of cheat code...
Regardless of Hagoromo's actual chakra reserves, they clearly did not reach the "massive" level. Therefore, the paradox for him was... if he had that much chakra to begin with, why would he even bother training in Senjutsu?
"Hagoromo, you should understand the risks of Senjutsu training by now. Do you still wish to proceed? Furthermore, I believe you should prioritize healing your hand first."
Katsuyu's clone trailed alongside Hagoromo.
"It's fine, I've already made my decision... Is this the place?"
Hagoromo asked, looking at the massive circular array before him.
"Yes. This is a facility for training Senjutsu that has existed since the moment of my birth. Its purpose is to assist practitioners in sensing natural energy."
Birth? Are you sure it isn't just a data wipe and memory reset every now and then? It feels like Katsuyu has been alive for countless ages.
"Then let's begin."
After saying this, Hagoromo stepped into the circular array without a moment's hesitation.
Honestly, rather than a facility for Senjutsu training, Hagoromo strongly suspected this might be the gathering site of some cross-dimensional cult.
The so-called "circular array" was actually a massive ring formed by wooden stakes shaped like the letter "F," varying in size and height. The twin crossbars of the "F" all pointed directly toward the center of the array...
Was this really for training Senjutsu, or for burning heretics at the stake?
After vividly imagining a series of bizarre religious rituals, Hagoromo sat motionless in the center of the array.
Sensing natural energy required absolute stillness. After settling down, Hagoromo felt a strange energy emanating from the wooden stakes, which then surged into his body.
Next, he experienced a peculiar sensation. If he could have caught a glimpse of himself ten years after his death in his previous life, he would probably have felt something similar—was this what people meant when they talked about grass growing over one's grave?
An object—he couldn't tell if it was a mushroom or a sapling—began sprouting on top of his head at a speed visible to the naked eye. And then... it thrived and grew.
To put it in more accurate terms... a brand-new vegetative human was about to be born.