NARUTO: SECOND GOD OF SHINOBI

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"It's not about control; the current ninjutsu system of the shinobi world itself is flawed."

Hiruzen's words sent another wave of astonishment through the room. But the initial surprise quickly gave way to a sobering realization of the gravity of his statement.

Clan leaders, jonins, and other high-ranking officials exchanged uneasy glances as they digested his words.

Kagami Uchiha broke the silence, his voice tinged with curiosity and doubt. "How so? I mean, the ninjutsu system? Flawed?"

Hiruzen, noticing the reactions of those around him, leaned back slightly and began his explanation.

"In my 16 years of traveling around the shinobi world, I came across various ancient heritages, sites, and ruins.

One of these sites depicted a legend about something called 'Ninshu.'"

Kagami interrupted, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Wait, you weren't in the village for 16 years? And... what exactly is Ninshu?"

The murmurs in the room grew louder.

Hiruzen chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "Yes, I wasn't in the village for an extended time.

I traveled the world, observing, learning, and uncovering knowledge.

I marked the Hokage office with the Flying Thunder God technique, so I would return from time to time.

Now, about Ninshu... It was a shinobi creed or sect developed by the Sage of Six Paths nearly 1,000 years ago.

At that time, he distributed chakra to the world and created Ninshu. Back then, there was no seal system.

People directly converted chakra into nature transformations."

"This is something you all know. However, at that time, they didn't use jutsu by weaving hand signs.

Instead, they molded chakra directly without them. Nowadays, shinobi have forgotten about seal-less jutsu altogether.

This dependency on hand seals has led to the degradation of chakra control over generations.

As a result, most shinobi cannot mold chakra outside their bodies or perform single-hand seals or seal-less techniques."

Mito Uzumaki, who had been listening intently, raised a point. "But isn't it easier for a ninja to cast jutsu via seals after some practice?"

Hiruzen chuckled again. "I'm not saying the hand seal system is inherently wrong, but the way people use it is. Let's take an example."

He extended his hand, and a Rasengan formed in his palm. The room fell silent as the A-rank jutsu materialized effortlessly.

Hiruzen compressed the Rasengan and transferred it to his index finger.

Soon, four more Rasengan formed, each perched delicately on his other fingers.

The jonins stared in amazement as Hiruzen spoke. "Now, watch this."

He clenched his fingers toward the center. The Rasengan began spinning wildly, their rotations seemingly about to collide.

The room tensed, every ninja bracing for an explosion. But nothing happened. The Rasengan merged into one.

"This is an advanced exercise in chakra manipulation," Hiruzen explained.

"Don't think of Rasengan as merely a jutsu. It's a ball of chakra that comes from within you. If you have true control over your chakra, you can even change a jutsu mid-air."

He paused for emphasis before continuing. "Now tell me—can any of you form a Fireball Jutsu and then apply shape transformation after it's already formed?"

Setsuna Uchiha shook his head. "How is that even possible? Once the seals are formed, the chakra flows through specific pathways according to the sequence.

To apply a shape transformation, we'd need to weave a new set of hand signs."

Hiruzen nodded. "That's what I'm trying to teach you."

He walked to an open area, raising a hand to his lips. A massive fireball erupted from his mouth. The blazing orb hovered in front of him, crackling with intensity.

"Observe," Hiruzen said. He reached out, grabbed the fireball, and began molding it with his hands. The flames twisted and compressed, taking on the shape of a fiery pillar.

"You see?" Hiruzen continued. "Chakra is yours to command. Even if it flows through predetermined pathways, with enough control, you can change its shape.

Techniques like Fire Dragon Jutsu guide the flames, but with advanced chakra manipulation, you can go beyond the initial form.

Jonins and above should master this level of control.

That's why I introduced chakra transformation at the Academy—so the next generation learns from a young age and reaps the benefits."

The room buzzed with murmurs of awe and realization. Kagami Uchiha spoke again, his voice filled with admiration.

This is... truly exceptional. I see now. Even I, who have reached the limits of fire and lightning nature transformations, have much to learn."

Hiruzen acknowledged Kagami with a nod before turning to Mito Uzumaki, who raised another critical question. "Hiruzen, how do you have Wood Style? Isn't that a kekkei genkai exclusive to the Senju?"

Hiruzen smiled faintly. "Wood Release is ultimately an elemental chakra bloodline limit. I've mastered nearly every chakra kekkei genkai in the world.

Even the rare Kekkei Tōta techniques are within my grasp.

Wood Release is merely a combination of earth and water natures, something I naturally figured out."

The room fell into stunned silence. Each jonin present marveled at the sheer magnitude of Hiruzen's mastery.

"As for why I called you all here today," Hiruzen continued, "it's not just to discuss the ninjutsu system. I want to address another matter—the economic future of the village.

Despite the war, Konoha hasn't suffered significant damage. Our military expenses were offset by Suna's 1 billion ryō in reparations.

"However, to reduce costs for future conflicts, I've developed a new space-time ninjutsu: Teleportation Seal.

This technique can send up to 10,000 shinobi to the front lines instantly, eliminating travel costs and allowing us to infiltrate enemy bases more efficiently."

A wave of shock rippled through the room. The implications of such a technique were staggering.

Kagami Uchiha, though numb to Hiruzen's genius, couldn't hide his astonishment. "H-Hiruzen... is that true?"

Hiruzen nodded. "Indeed. I've already placed summoning seals around the Fire Nation's territory, every outpost, and within enemy regions.

With this, Konoha can deploy its forces anywhere in seconds. We could reach the Land of Frost and deliver another blow to Kumo immediately."

As murmurs of awe and fear filled the room, Hiruzen raised a hand and performed a jutsu.

Yin-release: Memory Sealing Jutsu.

A wave of chakra washed over the gathering, sealing their memories of the Teleportation Jutsu.

"You'll remember this," Hiruzen said, "but you won't be able to speak or reveal it to anyone else."

The room fell silent again, the weight of Hiruzen's power and foresight pressing on everyone's minds.

Even within Mito Uzumaki, Kurama stirred uneasily in horror of the jutsu. "Filthy humans," the Nine-Tails muttered.

"They'll use this power to wage even more wars. Old man... you were wrong to give them chakra. Look at what they've done with it. And this Hokage he is the true root of evil."

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