Chapter 179: The Correct Method
Ishiro wasn't satisfied with what Doi had revealed, but the expressions of the others who had come with Ishiro all changed at this moment.
This Lord Advisor, not only was he famous, but his abilities were also truly formidable. They themselves had expended so much effort and couldn't get a single clue, but as soon as he arrived, the spy started talking.
And once he started, it was such a long string of information.
The head of the Interrogation Department looked questioningly at a ninja taking notes nearby. The other person returned a reassuring gaze, indicating that everything had been recorded. Only then did the department head nod in satisfaction.
Ishiro, however, was very anxious at this moment because as Doi's emotions became increasingly agitated, his genjutsu was about to break.
Fortunately, at this point, Doi finally mentioned what Ishiro wanted to know.
"Lord Andō also once showed me the training for the Lightning Release stimulation method. At that time, he placed a tiny electric arc on coils of iron wire, controlling these arcs to constantly move along the wires. Lord Andō also said that this is the key to practicing the Lightning Release stimulation method, and Iwagakure definitely doesn't know this."
"Phew~~" Ishiro could no longer maintain the genjutsu. His hands relaxed, and he released the hand seal he had been holding.
After this one genjutsu, Ishiro felt completely drained. Doi had become too agitated towards the end, and Ishiro had consumed too much mental energy to stabilize the illusion.
Fortunately, it was also because Doi's emotions were agitated that he hadn't noticed many of the flaws in the illusion later on, which allowed Ishiro to extract the information he wanted.
Although Doi's explanation wasn't very detailed, Ishiro had been stuck on this step for a long time. After hearing the few keywords Doi mentioned and analyzing them a bit, he understood the principle.
Exhausted to the point of dizziness, Ishiro was helped by the head of the Interrogation Department to the latter's office. He rested there for a good while before regaining some of his energy.
Ishiro shook his head. If he had known this outcome, he would have waited a while longer, until his mental strength was greater, before coming.
Ishiro had broken through the barrier to Kage-level, and his mental strength was currently undergoing a transformation, strengthening almost daily.
But regardless, this time it was a fruitful harvest. After resting, he could begin practicing this aspect.
The next day, Ishiro didn't have time to practice Lightning Release because the people Saka had arranged for the natural energy test had arrived. Ishiro naturally had to go over, both to observe and to ensure safety. After all, Ishiro was considered the person in the village who understood natural energy the most, bar none.
The three people Saka brought were one Jōnin, one Chūnin, and one Genin. Hmm, he had considered it quite comprehensively.
After the three had completely depleted their previously refined chakra outside, they were about to enter the natural energy sealing area but were stopped by Ishiro. Ishiro thought for a moment and said, "Don't go in yet. You have quite a few problems with your ninjutsu execution. Refine some more chakra; I'll guide you a bit first."
Then, under the puzzled gazes of Ōnoki and the other onlookers, Ishiro pointed out many shortcomings in the three's ninjutsu execution. After about half an hour, the three had all gained something, more or less. The one who gained the most was the Chūnin, who actually simplified a ninjutsu by two hand seals after just a few words of guidance from Ishiro.
Ishiro's original intention was to divert their attention, but he hadn't expected them to actually make gains. Ishiro was also somewhat speechless.
But this scene, in the eyes of others, transformed into Ishiro truly being worthy of being Iwagakure's renowned instructor, achieving such results in just a few minutes.
After the three had successively depleted their newly refined chakra several times, Ishiro finally let them enter the natural energy sealing barrier.
While the three were recovering their chakra, Ishiro quietly explained to Ōnoki and the others, "At that time, it was because I had just learned a C-rank Wind Release jutsu and got overly excited. I practiced for a while longer, depleting my newly refined chakra several times, and that's how I ended up inside the natural energy seal."
Ōnoki nodded, then signaled for everyone to pay attention to the reactions of the three individuals.
Everyone else stared at the three, observing if they showed any signs of petrification. Ishiro, however, closed his eyes and observed the changes in the natural energy and their chakra.
"Mind's Eye" also had some sensitivity to natural energy, but Ishiro had only learned "Mind's Eye" for a short time and had to concentrate his attention to perceive it.
After a while, the three began to slowly refine chakra. But unfortunately, none of the three showed signs of petrification.
Everyone was somewhat disappointed. Although the absence of petrification meant the three were not in danger, it also meant this method was ineffective.
However, among the crowd, Ishiro, who was perceiving with "Mind's Eye," kept frowning.
Only after the three had finished refining their chakra did Ishiro open his eyes.
Ōnoki and the others also noticed that something was amiss with Ishiro.
After opening his eyes, Ishiro directly asked the Chūnin, "When you first started refining chakra, were you distracted thinking about other things?"
The Chūnin thought for a moment and said, somewhat guiltily, "Yes, when I first started, I was still thinking about some of the details you, Lord Advisor, had just pointed out to me. I felt I could still improve a bit more. But I quickly composed myself and remained focused afterwards."
Ishiro nodded at him, then turned to Ōnoki and said, "Lord Tsuchikage, at the very beginning, there was a slight disturbance in the natural energy around him, but the magnitude was very small, and it didn't change later on."
Ōnoki thought for a moment; he himself hadn't seemed to notice anything unusual.
However, considering Ishiro was using an S-rank ninjutsu, it might be normal for an S-rank ninjutsu to detect some details he hadn't.
But Ōnoki couldn't understand why there was a reaction at the beginning but then nothing later.
Ishiro, however, thought of something. In wuxia novels from his previous life, cultivating certain profound inner skills either required the cultivator to have a high level of mental cultivation or required the cultivator to be unaware that they were cultivating that inner skill.
Perhaps absorbing natural energy also had such a requirement. In the original story, Naruto's talent for cultivation was very high; perhaps there was also an added bonus from his carefree nature?
His own mind was too heavy with thoughts. It would probably be very difficult to achieve Naruto's level of attunement with natural energy. But now that he knew this condition, it was probably impossible to practice unconsciously as before.
What should be done?
Just as Ishiro was caught in a dilemma, Ikura patted his shoulder and said, "Lord Tsuchikage is asking if you have any guesses."
Ishiro looked around. The three ninjas from before had already left. Now, only Ōnoki and the four advisors, including Ishiro, remained.
Ishiro said, "I do have an idea, but this idea is very strange."
"Natural energy is about being natural. But if we try to approach natural energy with the intention of absorbing it, it certainly won't be that easy. To achieve this, I'm afraid only those who are exceptionally attuned to nature can do it."
"But for ordinary people like us, sometimes, perhaps unintentionally, we become attuned to natural energy. Like me that night, or like that Chūnin just now at the very beginning of his training."
"That night, I didn't know I was absorbing natural energy. Perhaps it was precisely because I was too focused on other things, and it was an unconscious action, that it was natural. Only then would natural energy merge with us."
Ikura didn't quite understand and only reacted after a good while: "Are you saying that the person training shouldn't know they are training? How is that possible?"
"Yes, that's what I mean. Didn't I succeed once?"
"But... but can you succeed a second time?" Ikura felt something was off and only realized it after thinking for a long moment.
Ishiro scratched his head and said, somewhat sheepishly, "Probably not anymore."
But Ishiro added, "But just because I can't, doesn't mean others can't. We can bring people into the natural energy sealing barrier without their knowledge."
Ōnoki's eyes lit up; this method might be feasible. He then said, "Alright, let's do it this way. But before that, Ishiro, you try again."
Ishiro nodded. This experiment was necessary. If Ishiro could still enter that previous state, then all his earlier deductions would be wrong.
Ishiro depleted all his chakra outside and then entered the cabin to begin refining chakra.
The result was as Ishiro had imagined: this time, there was no change.
"Then let it be so. Saka, you find some time to arrange the method Ishiro just mentioned." Pausing, Ōnoki added, "Be sure to pay attention to everyone's safety."
The previous three had all been volunteers. This time, however, it would be done without others' knowledge. If something went wrong, it would be hard to explain. That's why Ōnoki added that.
"Yes." Saka responded with a solemn expression.
Seeing that matters were settled, Ishiro said, "Lord Tsuchikage, I feel our way of handling Jinchūriki is incorrect. Yesterday, I accompanied Senior Han for a walk around the village and we talked."
"I feel his mental state is not right. He has been suppressed for too long and needs appropriate release. I think we can regularly take him out for walks."
Saka and Mei were both somewhat hesitant. This was, after all, a Tailed Beast. Anything concerning a Tailed Beast, no matter how small, was a major issue. Ōnoki also didn't quite agree with Ishiro's approach. If by any chance the Tailed Beast went berserk, the losses would be enormous.
However, Ikura spoke before the three of them: "If Ishiro accompanies him, it probably won't be a big problem. But Ishiro, when you bring Han into the village, you must ensure you are in optimal condition."
"If your spirits are low, or you are unwell, or your chakra is insufficient, absolutely do not take the risk."
Ōnoki and the others listened to Ikura's additions and thought they sounded reliable, so they all nodded in agreement.
Ishiro was overjoyed and said, "Understood, I will pay attention."
After these few matters were decided, Ishiro went to the training ground again. He had originally planned to practice the Lightning Release stimulation method, but now he had no chakra. He would come back tomorrow.
However, he could prepare some tools today. During the breaks in his three disciples' training, Ishiro went to prepare some iron wires.
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