Chapter Six: Breaking Through Mutation

Night fell upon the Hidden Leaf Village.

Tonight, the sky was clear, and an almost full moon, resembling a silver platter with a missing edge, hung amid the deep indigo of the night. Its luminous glow cascaded through the gaps in the overlapping clouds, pouring gently down.

Like a delicate veil of washed silk, the moonlight draped itself over the now tranquil village, enveloping the varied buildings in a serene embrace. Bathed in the silvery light and the faint glow of scattered lamps, the village—the foremost among all shinobi settlements—revealed a beauty distinct from the day.

Within the Hidden Leaf Village, in the residential area of a small shinobi clan, the domain of the Kato family, inside the bedroom of Kato Yufeng, a young man with pale blue, tousled hair sat cross-legged upon his bed. He wore a light blue, silk sleepwear reminiscent of ancient attire, and quietly savored a cup of steaming tea.

Having just enjoyed a soothing hot bath, his hair was still damp. It was Kato Yufeng, who had spent the afternoon consulting his elder brother, Kato Dan, about the secrets of the Spiritualization Technique.

Now, Kato Yufeng was reflecting on the insights gained from that discussion, weaving them together with his own experiences in practicing the Spiritualization Technique, seeking clarity in the path of his cultivation.

Previously, he had identified three major obstacles preventing him from mastering the technique and achieving an out-of-body experience. One of these—the lack of physical strength—had already been resolved during the last enhancement granted by his ninja system.

In the past few days, through diligent training, Kato Yufeng had adapted well to the changes in his body and chakra since the last upgrade. In terms of physical prowess, mental fortitude, and chakra control, he now exceeded the typical standards of a Leaf Village jonin.

The ninja system still held a reserve of one hundred attribute points, which could be used to aid his study of the Spiritualization Technique. Based on previous experience, each session consumed fifty points; thus, he could attempt the system’s research function twice.

The night in the Hidden Leaf was beautiful and still. Kato Yufeng had resolved to push the boundaries of the Spiritualization Technique once more. With his elder brother, Kato Dan, at home and ready to safeguard him, Yufeng felt secure.

Kato Dan was practicing the Spiritualization Technique just next door, his senses attuned to Yufeng’s presence, ready to assist at a moment’s notice. Though he might not be able to help much, it was better than nothing.

The Spiritualization Technique was a high-level secret art of the Kato clan, concerning the soul. Its effects were not bound by the physical realm, so it need not be practiced in the open training grounds.

Before mastery, the technique required a quiet, concealed, and safe environment, for the risks were immense. Failure to achieve an out-of-body state was one thing; true success could easily lead to the practitioner’s demise.

The family’s thick scroll of ancestral secrets, “A Record of Insights into the Spiritualization Technique,” detailed countless cases of death during cultivation. Souls could stray too far and become lost in the chaotic currents of the shinobi world, unable to find their way back; some might fly beyond the world and never return; others could encounter soul-destroying entities during their journeys, losing their lives in the process.

There were those whose souls returned, but could not find their bodies; some whose bodies were destroyed while their souls wandered; and even more unfortunate cases where, after a successful return, the body and soul rejected each other.

Behind each entry in that ancestral record lay the sacrifice of a Kato shinobi.

This was one reason the Kato clan’s population never grew large; many of their ancestors had given their lives to the Spiritualization Technique.

One might ask: If the technique is so perilous and difficult, requiring extraordinary talent, why continue to pursue it?

How could they not? This was the world of shinobi—a realm born of conflict, whose history was a chronicle of endless wars, with little peace and no guarantee for ordinary lives.

The Spiritualization Technique was the foundation of the Kato clan’s survival, a precious legacy left by their ancestors. As long as the clan wished to thrive and ascend within the shinobi world, and as long as there were those with the requisite talent, they would never cease its practice.

Even without mastering the out-of-body experience, the technique enhanced mental strength, affecting chakra quantity and control, as well as sensory abilities—a valuable auxiliary skill.

Shinobi, especially those who excelled at the Spiritualization Technique, were invariably ambitious, striving to compete with others, with the land and the heavens. Having mastered such advanced power, and given a way to reach even greater heights, who would not wish to ascend and witness grander vistas?

...

Kato Yufeng sat cross-legged on his bed.

His hands rested before his abdomen: the left below, index finger extended and thumb upright, the rest gently clenched, palm inward, back outward, forming a pistol-like shape; the right hand, with only the little finger extended, the rest curled, palm down, back up; left thumb and right little finger intertwined.

He formed the Rabbit seal.

Chakra gathered at key points throughout his body, then flowed along the meridians described in the secret art, coursing toward the depths of his brain.

It surged and stimulated his mental realm, striving to manifest his soul and break forth from the crown of his head.

Deep within his spiritual world, in the subconscious of his soul, Kato Yufeng summoned his external aid.

The Ninja System

Name: Kato Yufeng

...(Details omitted; attributes unchanged.)

Remaining attribute points: 100

“System, study the Spiritualization Technique.”

“The Spiritualization Technique is a high-level secret art. Would you like to consume fifty attribute points to conduct a study session? Confirm?”

“Confirm!”

In an instant—or perhaps it lasted an eternity—Kato Yufeng entered a wondrous state, akin to a flow state he had known in his previous life.

Within his mind, countless insights about the technique flashed by: the wisdom recorded in the ancestral scroll, the lessons from his brother, and above all, his own years of dedicated practice.

Fragmented memories flickered rapidly, filling his heart.

His mental energy grew fuller, and within a dark space, his spiritual form—or soul—became vast. Yet he felt lighter and lighter, ascending ever higher, faster and faster, until he encountered what felt like an invisible wall of air above.

He repeatedly tried to break through, as if his soul’s shadow was about to merge with his physical self. Though stalled at this step, this time felt different: since his last upgrade, his spiritual form was greater, and his attempts to breach the barrier felt more forceful.

After an indeterminate span, at last, he seemed to hear something shatter.

In that moment, his spiritual form remained within the sealed space, yet he clearly sensed the invisible membrane that had restrained his soul was gone.

His body continued to supply chakra ceaselessly.

Now, Kato Yufeng felt ready to leave his body at will and finally perfect the Spiritualization Technique.

But as he prepared to let his soul depart, he suddenly sensed a dangerous presence outside, watching him—a gaze not friendly.

He tried to halt the technique and abort the out-of-body process, but control slipped from his grasp.

At the same time, for the first time, his Ninja System activated on its own, without his invocation.

...

Next door, Kato Dan, who had been monitoring Yufeng’s practice, immediately sensed a surge of spiritual energy in his brother’s room.

Assuming Yufeng had succeeded in leaving his body, Dan realized this was a critical moment. He swiftly formed seals and cast the Spiritualization Technique, sending his soul form into Yufeng’s room.

PS: New author seeks support, recommendations, and bookmarks.