Chapter 102: Thermal Imaging, Power of Bonds!

Chapter 102: Chapter 102: Thermal Imaging, Power of Bonds!

In the yard, Shūichi attempted to incorporate Wind Release chakra into his current state, causing the Fire Release chakra cloak around him to become unstable for a moment.

Shūichi quickly heightened his focus again.

The chakra cloak stabilized rapidly and began to change.

It became more solid, with a flowing quality to it, and the temperature increased, with the blue deepening in color.

Soon, three minutes passed, and the effects of "Flash of Insight" faded.

However, the chakra cloak on Shūichi's body fully solidified, transforming into a high-collared cloak with lotus-shaped patterns.

His hair turned blue, floating backward as if in a breeze, and his eyebrows burned like blue flames.

His eyes also glowed brightly in a fiery blue, resembling a pair of fire-lit eyes.

Around him, the air distorted from the heat.

Yet, Shūichi noticed that his vision wasn't affected—there was no distortion in what he saw, although the colors were no longer what he was used to.

When he looked at Asuka, he realized he was seeing her in thermal vision.

"This is... infrared thermal imaging!"

Shūichi was surprised and delighted.

So, this was likely a form of sensory perception, right?

He immediately checked the Tag Tree.

Sure enough, it was acknowledged by the Tag Tree.

After thinking it over for a moment, Shūichi mused, "If it's just this thermal imaging vision, I don't need to maintain this mode to achieve it."

"I should test whether it's purely a Fire Release technique or if it requires the fusion with Wind Release."

"But it's likely the latter."

With that thought, Shūichi continued to carefully sense his current state.

Besides the change in vision, his body had also become much lighter, with a faint feeling as if he might start floating.

Shūichi's heart stirred, "If I manage to complete the Scorch Release Chakra Mode, I should be able to fly, right?"

"For now, let's test my speed."

With that, Shūichi moved in a flash, disappearing silently from his original spot.

"So fast!"

Asuka gasped instinctively, only able to see a distorted afterimage.

The afterimage was due to his incredible speed, and the distortion was caused by the heat bending the light.

Asuka quickly tried to locate Shūichi, but all she could see were distorted afterimages and charred footprints wherever he had stepped.

The temperature was so high that with each step, the ground burned black.

Realizing she couldn't keep up with Shūichi's movements, Asuka closed her eyes and activated Kagura's Mind Eye, finally locking onto Shūichi's presence.

"In this mode, Shūichi's speed is so fast that only a Jonin might be able to react in time."

"And he hasn't even used the Fiery Lotus Steps technique yet."

Just as she thought that, Asuka sensed Shūichi's speed suddenly increase again, making her exclaim, "Is that Fiery Lotus Steps? Why isn't there any sound of explosions?"

At this moment, Shūichi's body wasn't just sprouting lotuses from his feet, but from all over his body. Blue lotuses bloomed, emitting high-temperature jets of air that propelled him at high speed.

This was far more discreet, efficient, and flexible than the original Fiery Lotus Steps.

Not only did it enhance his movement speed, but it could also increase his sword-drawing speed and strength, though at the moment he hadn't drawn his blade.

Moments later, Shūichi returned to his original position, silently reflecting, "The combination of Fire and Wind Release is truly excellent, but in this state, using the Blue Flame Sky Blade is not ideal. I need to develop a sword technique that combines Fire and Wind Release, one that has both extreme heat and unmatched sharpness."

With this plan in mind, Shūichi dispersed the chakra cloak and returned to his normal state.

For now, the Fire Release Chakra Mode wasn't something he could use for extended periods.

Yes, even though it included the power of Wind Release, Shūichi still referred to this mode as Fire Release Chakra Mode, since Wind Release merely amplified the effects, allowing better control and higher temperatures.

"So, this thermal imaging vision... should I call it 'Blue Eyes'?"

"'Fire Eyes'?"

"'Blue Flame Eyes'?"

Shūichi felt that none of these names were great, so he gave up, shrugging it off, "Forget it, I'll just call it Thermal Vision for now!"

After naming it, Shūichi let out a long breath, and then fatigue swept over him.

At this moment, Asuka's voice came through, "Shūichi, are you finished?"

Shūichi immediately smiled, "Yes, it's done. The new technique is complete!"

Asuka breathed a sigh of relief and smiled brightly, "Amazing, that's great!"

Shūichi was also happy but exhausted, "But right now, I just want to sleep. I'm so tired!"

Tsunade's suggestion was almost identical to Kushina's — she proposed transferring Shūichi out of the ANBU and back to Konoha Hospital. After all, if she made the request, the Third Hokage would surely agree.

But Shūichi politely declined again.

He stayed at Tsunade's house for about an hour, mainly to keep Shizune company.

Afterward, he visited Shisui, Kakashi, and Guy, delivering gifts to each and assuring them that everything was fine.

When he finally left Guy's house, Shūichi let out a long sigh.

Unknowingly, there were now more people in this world who cared for him, not just Nonō Yakushi.

However, sometimes that concern felt like a type of pressure.

"Bonds..."

Shūichi suddenly understood the power of such connections.

"Although it's pressure, it's also my motivation!"

Feeling encouraged, Shūichi made his way to Tenka's shop.

Sure enough, Tenka was there.

"Tenka-san!"

Shūichi entered the shop.

"Shūichi!"

When Tenka saw him, she was overjoyed. She rushed over, grabbing Shūichi and inspecting him all over, almost as if she were about to undress him.

Shūichi blushed slightly and quickly said, "Tenka-san, I'm fine now. I just overworked my brain a bit."

Tenka sighed in relief, "That still had us all really worried."

"How about quitting being a ninja?"

"Come live with me!"

The words slipped out quickly, and Tenka blushed slightly, but she still looked at Shūichi confidently.

Shūichi, on the other hand, was stunned.

Is she trying to keep me as a "sugar baby"?

Back when I was in the orphanage, I would've hugged her leg without hesitation.

But now... well, it's not entirely out of the question. Living off someone wouldn't be too bad!

Though these thoughts crossed his mind, Shūichi kept a serious expression and said, "Tenka-san, I admit that I am indeed very handsome and quite exceptional."

"And you, Tenka-san, are also very beautiful, truly captivating."

"But... I'm only 9 years old!"

Seeing Shūichi like this, Tenka couldn't help but tease him even more. She leaned in close and whispered in his ear, "I can wait until you grow up~"

Shūichi felt a tingling sensation all over his body.

This is bad; my resolve is wavering! This enchantress is messing with my training! He set down the gift, turned, and ran away, saying, "Tenka-san, I will remember your words."

Inside Tenka's shop, she laughed so hard she nearly lost her balance, but afterward, her ears turned red with embarrassment.

Even though she was speaking to a child, saying such things was still quite embarrassing!

...

After escaping from Tenka's shop, Shūichi couldn't help but feel a bit regretful.

He thought he should have pounced on her and tasted the sweetness of her lips back then.

Unfortunately, now that he thought about it, the moment had passed.

"Ah, I really wasn't bold enough."

Shūichi sighed to himself.

"Huh?"

Suddenly, Shūichi saw Jiraiya and Orochimaru drinking in a shop.

He stopped in his tracks, watching them from afar, and sighed again, "I wonder if we'll see scenes like this in the future..."

He resumed walking, hands in his pockets, slowly heading home, leaving a trail in the snow.

By the time he entered his house, the snow was falling heavily, and his footsteps were soon covered.

(End of Chapter)

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