UCHIHA LIBERATOR (NARUTO X MALE UCHIHA OC)

Chapter 16

3RD POV

The morning was serene as Ryuichi stood in the open clearing, his senses tuned to the faint whispers of the wind threading through the trees. Above, the sky was painted with strokes of amber and blue, the sun still shy of its zenith. The air held a quiet promise, a charge that mirrored the anticipation thrumming in his chest. Today, he would delve into the art of Lightning Release—a discipline revered for its raw intensity and unmatched precision.

Ryuichi gazed at the small green leaf balanced delicately in his palm. It was unassuming yet symbolically monumental. The exercise it represented was both a test and a foundation. Though simple in theory, it demanded finesse and focus that only the most disciplined shinobi could achieve. He had read the scrolls, studied the theory, and observed others. Now it was his turn to mold his chakra into the sharp, jagged energy that defined lightning.

Taking a steadying breath, he visualized the flow of chakra within him. It was second nature now, the culmination of years of basic training. But this time, he wasn't merely molding it; he was transforming it, forcing it into an elemental state. The chakra felt fluid, warm, and malleable, like a gentle river. Lightning, however, was far from gentle—it was sharp, erratic, and alive with intensity. His task was to channel this chaotic energy without losing control.

Focusing intently, Ryuichi pressed his palm against the leaf, guiding his chakra into it. He imagined the energy shifting—becoming electric, crackling with power. The air seemed to hum faintly in response, and for a fleeting moment, he thought he felt something stir within the leaf. But as quickly as it began, the sensation faded, leaving the leaf unchanged.

A small frown tugged at his lips, but he refused to let doubt creep in. This was only the first attempt, and mastery wasn't built in moments. Resetting his stance, Ryuichi tried again, this time easing into the process with more care. He visualized the energy moving smoothly, like threads weaving into a sharper, more concentrated form. The leaf trembled faintly in his palm—a subtle reaction, but a reaction nonetheless.

Encouraged, he repeated the exercise, each attempt yielding marginally better results. By midday, faint arcs of electricity danced briefly across the leaf's edges before dissipating. It wasn't perfection, but it was progress.

The following days saw Ryuichi returning to the clearing with renewed determination. He rose with the sun, his body conditioned to the rhythm of training. The leaf exercise became a ritual, and each session brought incremental improvements. The sparks became steadier, their duration extending as he honed his focus. He quickly realized that success lay not in overwhelming the leaf with chakra but in guiding it with precision. It was a lesson that resonated deeply: control over power.

It wasn't long before Ryuichi's efforts caught the attention of Tsunade, his mentor. She observed from a distance at first, her sharp eyes noting the subtle but consistent progress he made. When she finally approached, her expression was one of measured approval.

"You've got a good foundation," she remarked, folding her arms. "But don't get complacent. Lightning Release isn't just about making sparks on a leaf. It's about turning those sparks into something formidable."

Ryuichi nodded, his resolve unwavering. "I'm ready for the next step."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "We'll see." She tossed him another leaf, this one noticeably larger. "Use this. More surface area means more control required. If you can handle this, we'll talk about moving on."

The added challenge proved stimulating. While the larger leaf demanded greater precision, Ryuichi adapted quickly, his chakra control growing more refined with each attempt. Within a week, he could produce steady arcs of lightning that danced across the leaf's surface, their faint crackling audible in the quiet clearing.