Chapter 42
On the 124th day, Kenshin's luck finally ran out. He had managed to create a prototype of a chakra suppression formation. Once it was applied to the cuffs and Natsumi wore them, it was extremely difficult for her to form any techniques or walk on the walls, but her increased physical strength was still there, and the chakra in her muscles refused to go to sleep. But a start had been made, and Kenshin only had to refine the formation to have a formidable ace up her sleeve against unruly kunoichi, or valuable but powerful enemies.
On the 125th day, Ichiro found his father, and told him the glad tidings.
- Father, it looks like my chakra has improved in quality! - He said with a proud look.
Kenshin instantly looked at his 'status' and was surprised.
Name: Nakayama Ichiro
Age: 20 years old
Talent Level: 16
Chakra Quality: 3
Chakra quantity: 3320
Chakra Control: 51%
- Hmm, indeed, your "chakra quality" has increased to three. In addition, the amount of chakra has increased a bit, and your control has improved a bit. Good job, Ichiro!" Kenshin praised him, and patted him on the shoulder.
- Thank you, father! - He replied sincerely.
Then they did some experiments, and Kenshin finally realised what this strange indicator, referred to by the system as 'chakra quality', was all about. Ichiro's fireball, while not getting any bigger, had become much more destructive. The temperature and density of the fire had increased by about twenty per cent. The special water tank that had previously evaporated by seventy per cent was now completely dried up by the fireball's hit.
On the 126th day, the second batch of blue sage matured, of the 34 seeds planted, only 30 had fully matured. If any of the people involved in the commercial cultivation of blue sage saw Kenshin's success, they would immediately spit out their insides in mad greed.
It was already considered a great success if at least 10 out of 30 seeds planted grew and matured. Therefore, Kenshin's results were beyond the dreams of anyone who was involved in the cultivation of this fastidious plant. Normally blue sage had huge requirements for soil, light, fertiliser, and good quality watering. It took about two months to grow, as opposed to ten days with Kenshin's formations.
Of the thirty bunches of blue sage, Kenshin decided to use twenty for seeds and the remaining ten for his own use. In the future, he wanted to give blue sage tea to his children every day. Blue sage tea had a very beneficial effect on chakra circulation and production, and on average, it improved shinobi training results by 10-15%. Wealthy Elite Jonin or Kage level shinobi could bathe in blue sage tea and improve their training results by a record 30%. In the future, Kenshin planned to provide such baths for each of his sons at least once every few days.
By evening he had brewed a tea of blue sage, and gave it to his sons to try.
- Hmm? What is this? - Ichiro mumbled with interest, sensing an unusual flavour.
- It's blue sage tea, drink it. It should stimulate the chakra in your body. Do you feel anything? - Kenshin asked his eldest son.
- Mmm, something unusual, I can't describe it... It's like my chakra's a bit more rampant, but also more malleable... It feels strange... - Ichiro muttered, concentrating on his sensations.
- Yes, father, I feel the same as big brother. It's as if a storm has started in the lower abdomen, in the chakra centre, causing the chakra to circulate faster through the channels! - Third declared excitedly.
- Yes, yes, father, I feel the same way! - The Fourth confirmed, and took another sip of tea.
After the 'tea party', all of Kenshin's sons went to training, and spent several hours in the gym until finally the Third's voice rang out over the telepathic link, "Father, Father! We did it, you have to see this!"
Kenshin immediately went to the gym, and saw an incredibly satisfied Third and Fourth. At his father's question, "What happened?" they silently folded their seals in a few seconds, and shouted out in sync:
- Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu! - A few seconds later, a half-metre long fireball appeared, which flew to the far end of the room, and smashed into the wall, braiding it with fire from top to bottom.
- Well done! You did a great job! But don't get cocky. The world is full of shinobi who would destroy you with a single finger, so train harder! - Kenshin said solemnly, wanting to ignite a spark in their hearts, which, thanks to their complete adoration of their father, was not difficult.
- Yes, Father! You can count on us, with our elder brother and us standing guard, no one will dare to enter our house and get away unharmed! - The Third declared, and the Fourth nodded furiously, supporting his brother.
*****
On the 129th day, Kenshin's luck finally ran out. He had managed to refine the chakra suppression formation. After putting the leather cuffs on Ichiro, he decided to see for himself how much of a change in combat power a shinobi without chakra would have.
Stepping onto the tatami with his son, Kenshin felt a little relaxed for the first time in a long time. Ichiro's incredible speed and strength had returned to baseline. All the chakra in his body was blocked and "sleeping", so Kenshin gave his son a decent fight, and in the end with difficulty, but won.
- Incredible cuffs..." Ichiro mumbled, pulling off the cuffs. As soon as they were off, he took a deep breath, and it was as if he had been reborn. His perception was greatly enhanced, and he jumped up, twisting and landing on the ceiling, his shoulders squared, and he was instantly beside his father.
Kenshin still couldn't get used to the incredible capabilities of chakra wielders, and only sighed.
- Father, these cuffs are unlikely to block the chakra of someone above the Chunin level. When my chakra was blocked, I vaguely felt that if I became a little stronger, I would have no problem fighting the blocking effect.'' - Ichiro pointed out.
- All right. I'll try to think of something and finalise the formation. - Said Kenshin. But in his heart he thought it was unlikely that he would be able to come up with something new before he got new knowledge.