Underground Research Base.
Kaede was currently consulting Orochimaru about some questions related to ninjutsu and taijutsu.
The downside of apprenticing under Orochimaru was that he was quite dangerous, there was always a risk of getting played. But the upside was enormous: Orochimaru had mastered an incredible number of jutsu and, thanks to his constant experiments, possessed an understanding of both ninjutsu and the human body that few could rival. He was practically a walking encyclopedia.
After clashing with the Cloud ninja during the Chunin Exams, Kaede had started developing ideas about Chidori. But when he tried putting those ideas into practice, he failed repeatedly, something felt off. After many attempts, Kaede decided it was time to ask Orochimaru directly.
"...The nature transformation of Lightning Release, hmm?"
Orochimaru was resting on a damp stone seat. When he heard Kaede's question, he thought for a moment, then extended his hand.
Crackle!
Chakra surged into his palm and quickly converted into the lightning nature. Arcs of electricity flickered and danced, radiating danger.
This wasn't a jutsu, just a simple demonstration of lightning chakra's nature transformation.
Having studied under the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and with his own extensive research, Orochimaru had mastered all five basic chakra natures; fire, water, wind, earth, and lightning, as well as the more esoteric yin and yang releases.
Techniques like Cell Activation Technique, for example, belonged to the category of Yang Release, which enhanced the physical body. On the other hand, soul-related jutsu like Edo Tensei fell under Yin Release.
"The key characteristics of lightning-nature chakra are concentration and paralysis," Orochimaru said. "It's different from fire, which is violent in nature. The distinction lies in the focus..."
As he spoke, Orochimaru left his palm open, letting the lightning chakra arc freely while explaining the principles behind its control and nature transformation.
Each chakra nature had its own properties:
Fire: violent and explosive
Wind: sharp and cutting
Earth: heavy and solid
Lightning: concentrated and paralyzing
That's also why large-scale lightning techniques were far rarer than their fire or wind counterparts. Even the wide-area ones are usually released in the form of streams or lines rather than wide bursts.
Of course, outliers like Kirin, which relied on weather conditions, were exceptions.
"So basically, the key is to maintain concentration during use... But isn't it extremely hard to precisely control lightning chakra?"
Kaede frowned as he spoke. Unlike fire or earth, lightning-nature chakra flickered uncontrollably once transformed. It wouldn't stay in one place. Trying to focus it was absurdly difficult. Even for someone with strong chakra control like him, it felt borderline impossible.
"Hehehe..."
Orochimaru chuckled. His voice was raspy and ambiguous, it was impossible to tell what emotion lay behind it.
"You've gone astray. Why are you trying to precisely control it? This isn't Wind Release, where the chakra flows in a predictable way. Lightning chakra is inherently erratic. That's not the point at all."
As he spoke, he lowered his hand and let the lightning fade, then stood up, glancing down at Kaede.
"The key is something else entirely."
Kaede froze.
Then, suddenly, a moment of realization hit him like lightning itself.
He had been blinded by his own experience with Rasengan.
He had subconsciously tried to apply the same chakra control principles to lightning, but that approach, suitable for wind, was the opposite of what was needed for lightning.
"I understand now. Thank you, Orochimaru-sensei."
"Hehe... So you're trying to further develop that lightning technique that complements the Hatake Sword Style, aren't you?"
Orochimaru moved to check on a recent experiment while speaking.
"Yes," Kaede nodded.
After completing his training in Cell Activation Technique, Kaede had resumed his earlier plan of progressing along multiple paths simultaneously. Developing Chidori was still a major objective.
Back then, he had only been able to rely on himself for trial-and-error. Now, with Orochimaru as a mentor, he no longer needed to waste time in blind speculation.
Orochimaru suddenly glanced sideways at him.
Shff!
Without a sound.
He vanished from his original spot and reappeared on Kaede's left, resting a hand on his shoulder. His eyes narrowed slightly in surprise.
"Only half a month... and your Cell Activation Technique has already reached this level?"
Orochimaru understood well that spreading oneself too thin in training often led to mediocre results. Even prodigies needed to be cautious when juggling multiple techniques, unless those techniques complemented each other.
But Cell Activation Technique and Lightning Transformation were completely different systems.
For Kaede to be asking about lightning already… it made Orochimaru think he had been distracted. Yet a simple probe revealed Kaede's Cell Activation Technique had already reached impressive depths.
At this level, Kaede was already qualified to learn Orochimaru's Soft Physique Modification technique.
That speed...
Slightly faster than me using Three Times Time Acceleration while opening the First Gate...
And this probably isn't even Orochimaru's full potential.
I'm still far behind people like him... Even after mastering the Third Gate, I can't afford to get cocky. I don't even have the right to get cocky.
Thoughts flickered through Kaede's mind, but his expression remained calm.
"This technique isn't particularly difficult to train... If I remember correctly, you said the key lies in regulating the progression, right?"
"Correct."
Orochimaru stared at him with interest for a few seconds before replying.
It wasn't clear whether he was affirming the answer or praising Kaede's rapid progress.
"At this level, I could start teaching you some of my other techniques. But they'd clash with the Hatake Sword Style, so they probably wouldn't suit you."
The Hatake Sword Style was a hard-type sword technique, focusing on speed and lethality rather than stealth. It didn't mesh well with Orochimaru's soft-body modifications. In fact, they might actively interfere with each other.
Kaede was aware of this.
After thinking for a moment, Orochimaru said, "Your training seems solid. If you have more questions, feel free to come ask me."
Kaede glanced at him, then asked,
"Orochimaru-sensei, can I teach Cell Activation Technique to my younger brother, Kakashi?"
"No problem."
Orochimaru gave a faint smile. His serpentine pupils glinted with a curious light as he said:
"Looking out for your brother is normal... But your brother lacks your ambition. He might choose a path very different from yours."
And with that, the air between them grew subtly tense.