Naruto: Becoming the Soul King

”Hadō #66. Hyōga Seiran!”

In an uninhabited area of the Forest of Death, Seiryū formed hand seals with one hand. His chakra surged, transforming into boundless, all-pervading cold air.

’Ssh, ssh, ssh!’

The cold air spread in an instant, causing the surrounding temperature to plummet. The bone-chilling cold felt like a steel blade scraping against bone, freezing the entire area in front of him in ice.

It even formed large patches of ice crystals, spreading outward and freezing everything in their path.

The flowers, trees, and even the ground ahead were frozen solid, the ice crystals glittering under the sunlight.

The surrounding air was filled with a grim chill, plunging the area into the depths of winter.

Snowflakes were even drifting through the air.

”As expected, Ice-style Hadō is related to Ice Release. It wasn’t easy. After spending so much time on it, I’ve finally unlocked Ice-style Hadō...”

Looking at the frozen area in front of him, Seiryū could not help but smile happily.

After a period of development, he had finally managed to piece together the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai.

Developing a Kekkei Genkai on one’s own was something only a handful of people in the Ninja World could accomplish.

Moreover, the time Seiryū had spent on it was not actually that long.

According to various records, creating a Kekkei Genkai from scratch required years of exploration and accumulation, no matter how talented someone was. Years, or even over a decade, was considered normal.

For example, with the Dust Release Kekkei Tōta of the Tsuchikage lineage, the Second Tsuchikage spent half his life before finally developing and perfecting it.

Even someone as powerful as the Second Hokage, who developed various forbidden jutsu, did not dabble in the development of Kekkei Genkai. It was simply because the difficulty was too high, and it required far too much time.

”If I hadn’t already fully understood the specific casting method for Hadō #66. Hyōga Seiran and used it to reverse-engineer the process, I probably wouldn’t have been able to develop a Kekkei Genkai on my own without at least a few years of effort...”

Seiryū pondered to himself.

He was special. He already knew the specific principles and casting methods of several Ice-style Hadō. By reverse-engineering them, he was able to successfully develop Ice Release in just over half a year.

This was a speed unimaginable to ordinary people. If others knew about it, they would definitely call him a complete monster.

”Hadō #9. Ice Flower... Hadō #30. Ice Piercing Spike... Hadō #55. Rotating Ice Spike...”

Seiryū currently only had four types of Ice-style Hadō, and after a simple test, he was able to cast them without any issues.

The reason Seiryū had put so much effort into developing Ice Release was mostly due to his obsessive-compulsive tendencies and his collector’s instinct acting up. There was no helping it. That was just his personality.

Of course, that did not mean developing it was useless. Not only did it add to Seiryū’s arsenal of attack methods, but Ice-style abilities could also play a significant role in certain situations.

Moreover, among the high-level Hadō he had yet to unlock, there should be even more powerful Ice-style Hadō. Now that he had unlocked Ice Release, he would be able to cast them smoothly once he obtained the corresponding Hadō in the future.

”I really am a genius. Later, I’ll go and show off in front of that bad woman. Not only did I develop Ice Release, but I also developed a brand-new Ice Release Ninjutsu!”

Whenever Seiryū thought about showing off in front of Tsunade, he found it a little amusing.

That bad woman had previously said that he would not be able to successfully develop the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai without two or three years.

Now, not only had he developed it, but he had also developed and perfected a new Ice Release Ninjutsu along with it. He really was a genius.

”Ice Release isn’t just for casting Hadō. Since Wind Release, Fire Release, and Lightning Release can all be integrated into the Rasengan, Ice Release should be able to as well...”

Seiryū thought of another use for Ice Release. Injecting it into the Rasengan.

Seiryū had already mastered the Rasengan with Wind Release, Fire Release, and Lightning Release properties. Naturally, Ice Release chakra could also be integrated into the Rasengan.

As for Water Release and Earth Release, in Seiryū’s opinion, they probably did not fit very well with the Rasengan.

A Rasengan infused with Water Release chakra properties should have some similarities to the Second Hokage’s Hard Whirlpool Water Blade, forming a high-speed rotating water vortex that would swallow and shred the enemy.

As for a Rasengan infused with Earth Release chakra... forgive Seiryū for not having a vivid enough imagination. He had no idea how that would manifest.

Therefore, integrating Water Release and Earth Release chakra properties into the Rasengan was not part of Seiryū’s current considerations. He was quite busy, after all.

Even obsessive-compulsive tendencies had their priorities. Some things could be pushed back.

There was also the Rasengan infused with Yang Release and Yin Release nature transformations, which left Seiryū even more confused.

Although he definitely possessed these two nature transformations, he really did not know how to mobilize these two chakra properties and inject them into the Rasengan.

Otherwise, he could probably even attempt to develop Uzumaki Menma’s Great Spiraling Ring. The power of the Great Spiraling Ring jutsu was not weak. It was comparable to the Super Shinra Tensei used by the Deva Path Pain to destroy the village.

”Let me try it first. With my experience from three types of elemental Rasengan, I doubt it will take long to master...”

Putting thought into action, Seiryū began condensing a Rasengan and injected Ice Release chakra into it.

”Huh? It’s actually this easy?”

To Seiryū’s surprise, the Rasengan did not reject the Ice Release chakra. He did not even need to control the ratio or maintain its stability. It formed directly.

’Hum, hum, hum...’

The high-speed rotating Rasengan appeared ice-blue in color. It did not look like a rapidly spinning block of ice, but rather a chakra sphere carrying an intensely cold aura.

Highly compressed and condensed cold air seeped out from the Rasengan. Because of this cold air, the surrounding air temperature dropped significantly. Water vapor condensed into tiny drifting snowflakes.

Furthermore, with Seiryū’s body at the center, white frost had already spread outward, and the surrounding temperature was extremely low.

”Because it is a power derived from a Kekkei Genkai, it can fuse directly with the Rasengan without needing control or stability maintenance?”

Looking at the Ice Release: Rasengan in his hand, Seiryū had a conjecture and whispered, ”Naruto could use the Rasengan of other Tailed Beasts with just a single thought in the later stages. This must be the reason, right?”

Kekkei Genkai were powers derived from the bloodline. After Seiryū developed Ice Release, he had already discovered this.

Ice Release nature transformation was easier to control than the five nature transformations of Wind, Fire, Earth, Water, and Lightning. It was as if his body had remembered it. There was no need for the extra steps of refining and changing its nature transformation. A single thought was enough to generate and mobilize it.

This had a high degree of compatibility with the Rasengan, a jutsu that did not require hand seals. Because there was no need for the extra steps of refining and changing nature transformations, there was no need to control or maintain its stability. It was a one-step process.

This situation should follow the same principle as when Naruto Uzumaki borrowed the power of the nine Tailed Beasts in the final battle against Ōtsutsuki Kaguya to cast Sage Art: Super Tailed Beast Rasenshuriken.

”If that’s the case, doesn’t that mean even an Ice Release: Rasenshuriken could be done?”

Seiryū thought of another possibility. With a thought, he began to try it.

In the original work, Naruto had also used Sage Art: Lava Release: Rasenshuriken. Could Ice Release also be cast in the form of a Rasenshuriken? Or rather, could he do it? Seiryū was curious.

’Hum, hum, hum...’

While maintaining the Ice Release: Rasengan, Seiryū injected Wind Release chakra nature transformation. Amid the humming sound, an ice-blue Rasenshuriken emitting an intensely cold aura appeared in his palm.

However, it only lasted for less than two seconds before the form of the Ice Release: Rasenshuriken became unstable.

”Unable to stabilize...”

Seeing this, Seiryū hurriedly threw the Ice Release: Rasenshuriken away. Then, he formed hand seals and casually cast, ”Bakudō #81. Dankū!”

’Rumble! Whoosh!’

The next moment, the Ice Release: Rasenshuriken exploded in front of him. Immediately afterward, a terrifying, intensely cold storm spread out and swept across the area.

The cold air surged outward, sweeping through the surroundings. The biting cold froze everything into ice crystals, and then the ice crystals were shattered by the storm.

’Ssh, ssh, ssh...’

The intensely cold storm swept over, but it was blocked by the Wall of Void, unable to cause any harm to Seiryū behind it.

”The power is stronger than the Rasenshuriken...”

Looking at the destruction in front of him, Seiryū was somewhat surprised. Under the ravages of the Ice Release: Rasenshuriken, a crater several dozen meters in diameter had appeared, and the bottom and surrounding ground were frozen in ice. The power of this jutsu was not weak.

”But why did it explode? Naruto’s Rasenshuriken using the power of the other Tailed Beasts didn’t explode.”

”Could it be that the Rasenshuriken is actually just a form transformation of chakra? Or are there factors I’m not aware of?”

Seiryū pondered.

Naruto’s Sage Art: Super Tailed Beast Rasenshuriken and Truth-Seeking Ball Rasenshuriken should have had nothing to do with Wind Release nature transformation, right?

The reason the Rasenshuriken has the appearance of a shuriken is because the form transformation created by combining Wind Release nature transformation with the Rasengan takes that shape. It is true that it is related to Wind Release nature transformation. But without Wind Release nature transformation, can it not be shaped into the appearance of a shuriken? Not necessarily.

Chakra itself is a highly malleable power. As long as the intensity is sufficient, it can even form materialized chakra armor like Susanoo. The Tailed Beast Cloak and Adamantine Sealing Chains are also materialized chakra. It should be possible to make chakra maintain the appearance of a Rasenshuriken.

Moreover, making chakra maintain a specific shape was also something Seiryū had been imagining and researching recently.

After all, he had already unlocked the power of the Quincy. What kind of existence were the Quincy? They were experts at using bows and arrows. Naturally, Seiryū also wanted to piece together a chakra bow to see if he could cast Heilig Pfeil. This was related to the system quest, [Develop and Perfect Quincy Power]. Seiryū would not slack off.

”Uh, I almost forgot. Naruto at that time could already activate Six Paths Sage Mode.”

”He was only one step away from the so-called Six Paths level, so the jutsu he cast can’t be judged by conventional logic...”

But soon, Seiryū thought of another point. In the later stages of the original work, after Naruto obtained the Yang Power of the Sage of Six Paths, he was already one of the people closest to the Sage of Six Paths. The jutsu he cast could no longer be explained simply as Ninjutsu or Sage Arts. They were in the realm of Six Paths Sage Arts.

The difference between the two must be significant. It was just like the difference between ordinary Ninjutsu and Kekkei Genkai or Kekkei Tōta. Since Seiryū had not stepped into that realm, he could not understand that level of power.

”However, since it can be cast, it can definitely be perfected, as long as I can maintain its stability...”

Seiryū was not discouraged. Since it could be cast, all that was missing was stability. So, by trying a little more in this aspect, it was very likely possible to achieve it. It was nothing more than a matter of ratio and balance.

Seiryū had already encountered many similar training practices in this regard. Sage Mode, Rasengan, Rasengan with integrated nature transformations. The principles were all related to balance and stability.

After that, Seiryū worked on it for a long time. It only took him half a day to find the trick.

’Hum, hum, hum! Rumble!’

With an ice-blue spiral and scorching white rotating blades, the Ice Release: Rasenshuriken in his hand was thrown by Seiryū. It caused devastating destruction in the area ahead as the storm raged and the cold air invaded.

A violent and frigid wind swept over, causing the surrounding temperature to drop again.

”Lightning Release: Rasenshuriken...”

”Fire Release: Rasenshuriken...”

’Rumble! Rumble!’

One was a violent explosion of scorching flames, and the other was a terrifying thunderstorm of raging lightning. The two Rasenshuriken with different chakra properties exploded with a bang, and their power was also impressive.

”Hmm, use Wind Release chakra on the outer layer to maintain the shuriken’s appearance, and inject other chakra properties into the inner layer.”

”It’s not hard once you find the trick, but I don’t know if this is the same path as Naruto’s...”

”Is mine more like a special composite Ninjutsu?”

Looking at the three huge craters in front of him, Seiryū slowly let out a breath.

The Rasengan is divided into an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer is compressed and condensed, while the outer layer maintains stability. Only by mastering this technique can one cast the Rasengan. This left room for manipulation.

The outer layer uses Wind Release chakra properties to maintain and form the shape of a shuriken. The inner layer is injected with elemental chakra, giving it the power of a specific attribute. By combining the two, Rasenshuriken of different attributes were born.

Of course, Seiryū felt this was more like a composite Ninjutsu. A composite Ninjutsu that integrated two chakra attributes using special techniques.

Also, because he had never seen Naruto’s Rasenshuriken of different attributes with his own eyes, Seiryū did not know whether his were different from Naruto’s or whether they followed the same path. But Seiryū had truly managed to piece it together.

”I really am a genius!”

Seiryū praised himself again in a smug manner. He was truly worthy of the title of Konoha’s strongest genius. Too strong.

Afterward, Seiryū checked the sky. It was nearly dusk, and it was time for dinner.

”Ice Release has been unlocked, and I’ve even mastered Rasenshuriken of different attributes. That is a pleasant surprise.”

”As for Hadō #35. Dokuga Rekkō, which might require the Storm Release Kekkei Genkai to unlock... hmm, I’ll talk about that later...”

Seiryū did not intend to continue cultivating. As for the matter of Storm Release, he would talk about it later when he had time.

Among the Hadō he knew, only Hadō #35. Dokuga Rekkō might have something in common with Storm Release. If it were not for his obsessive-compulsive tendencies acting up, Seiryū really would not plan to develop Storm Release just to unlock this Hadō #35. Dokuga Rekkō. After all, it was only number 35, so its power could not be that strong.

”The development of Ice Release is complete, settling one of my obsessive-compulsive issues. The next one... hmm, let’s try chakra condensation and shaping...”

Thinking about these things, Seiryū willed it, cast the Flying Thunder God Technique, and left the place.

Obsessive-compulsive tendencies had their priorities too.

(To be continued.)

◇◇◇

◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.

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