Chapter 34: The Hand-Cast Sealing Array-Konoha: Não Consigo Aprender Ninjutsu, Só Me Resta Desenvolver o Meu Próprio(Vender a própria dignidade para enterrar a integridade.)

"Chiba has a strong aptitude for learning and truly does understand a thing or two about sealing jutsu."

Kakashi spoke up, though he refrained from detailing just how much of a prodigy Chiba was. After all, Chiba’s recent feats were so outlandish that explaining them would take ages, and there was no guarantee anyone would believe him anyway.

It was better to let them see for themselves.

"Then... in your professional opinion, how should we modify our barrier technique?" Chiriku asked.

Chiba thought for a moment before replying, "I’m not entirely familiar with your specific barrier techniques, so I can’t offer the best advice. But if I had to suggest something, I’d say nest a smaller, secondary layer outside the stone statues, and it would be best to bury the spell formulas underground where they can't be seen."

"Nest a layer?"

Chiriku was familiar with the Sealing: Iron Wall technique, so he began to weigh the feasibility of Chiba’s proposal. After giving it careful thought, he realized... it was actually possible.

Although it would require excavating the surrounding area, it was far from impossible, especially compared to simply leaving the stone statues exposed.

Chiba didn't elaborate further, instead adding, "Actually, it might not even be necessary to change it. The monks of the Fire Temple are powerful; there are very few ninjas in the world who could pose a threat to your temple."

"Indeed, but if we could add another layer of barrier, the protection would certainly be better. However, the Sealing: Iron Wall is not so simple; nesting a smaller barrier might be quite difficult," Chiriku admitted, expressing his concerns.

Chiba smiled and said, "Just add a few spell formulas to draw power from the main barrier. This way, you can link the smaller barrier to the larger one, preventing it from being broken in a single strike."

Kakashi, Tenten, and Tsukikage were silent. When it came to such technical matters, even experienced Jonin often found it difficult to chime in. Chiriku was clearly no exception; his expression had already turned blank.

*Insert a few spell formulas...*

Why was it that such a daunting task sounded so simple coming from him?

He couldn't fathom it.

"Is this really that simple?"

"It shouldn't be difficult. Whether it's sealing jutsu or barrier techniques, while they may look chaotic, there are traceable connections between the spell formulas. Once you understand the underlying principles, adding a few formulas to make adjustments is quite straightforward."

Chiba explained patiently.

Chiriku’s expression was strange. It sounded simple, but being able to understand and learn sealing jutsu was already an incredible feat; how many could claim to grasp the underlying principles?

*He’s just boasting!* Chiriku thought, deeply skeptical.

To understand so much after only half a month of study? That would be downright heaven-defying!

However, after a moment of hesitation, Chiriku said, "Could I witness your sealing jutsu? If you truly possess this level of skill, I would like to ask for your help in modifying our defenses. Compensation would be no object."

"I’ve only been studying theory lately and haven't actually created any specific sealing jutsu. Well, how about this: I’ll modify one right now."

Chiba reached out and produced four pieces of paper. These were the talismans for the Binding Formation. When placed at four cardinal points as a trap, they could restrain an enemy in the center—a technique commonly used by Chunin-level ninja.

"The Binding Formation?" Chiriku was truly somewhat knowledgeable; while he couldn't decipher the complex formulas, he recognized the iconic talismans.

Chiba nodded.

"Chiba-kun, can this... really be modified?" Tenten was startled, though mostly concerned. She didn't know what Chiba was planning, but altering a technique wasn't that simple. What if he failed?

"Yeah, I have a few ideas." Chiba took out two blank talismans and began to draw the spell formulas.

Drawing spell formulas was a delicate craft, especially on these types of talismans. The more complex the technique, the more intricate the formula and the higher the difficulty; this was precisely why explosive tags were so incredibly expensive.

You could tell if someone knew their craft just by watching them hold the brush. Chiriku watched intently. Seeing Chiba’s hand remain perfectly steady and his lines as fine as silk, he realized that the boy's "understanding" was a humble understatement—his technique was truly elite.

*Half a month?* It would take years of practice for most to achieve such precision. He was secretly astonished.

Then, he watched as Chiba’s brush moved with lightning speed. A spell formula took shape in the corner of the talisman; it looked like some kind of barrier formula.

However, Chiriku’s knowledge of barrier techniques was superficial at best. Outside of the Sealing: Iron Wall, he hadn't studied much else, and he couldn't tell what kind of barrier technique this was. He watched in silence.

Before he knew it, the first talisman was complete.

"What technique is this?"

"Not finished yet."

Chiba took out another sheet and continued drawing. A moment later, a second talisman was laid on the table. He stood up and paced around it. Kakashi and Chiriku crowded closer, but they didn't dare get too near for fear of disrupting Chiba’s focus. A second later, Chiba pulled out two more.

Soon, eight talismans were laid out on the table.

"Shall we test it?" Chiba looked at Chiriku.

"Very well." Chiriku nodded and watched as Chiba placed the talismans. Eight directions, eight talismans.

Chiriku took a step forward, and the next moment, he noticed Chiba forming hand seals. Instantly, a barrier was triggered.

"The Binding Formation?"

"No, that’s not it. There’s also a barrier absorbing my chakra. Could it be..." Chiriku’s eyes widened in shock. He glanced at Chiba out of the corner of his eye.

He was restrained by the Binding Formation, temporarily unable to move, but in this position, he could see Chiba’s movements. He clearly saw that Chiba was no longer holding the hand seals.

The Binding Formation was effective, but its conditions were harsh, and it required the user to maintain hand seals once activated, meaning it usually only worked in tandem with teammates. But here, Chiba was not maintaining the seals.

"I see." Kakashi drew a sharp breath.

*Incredible!*

Chiba had combined the absorption barrier with the Binding Formation, and he had implemented it in the form of sealing talismans. By combining the two, the user only needed to perform a quick set of seals to activate both techniques simultaneously.

This allowed the Binding Formation to utilize the chakra absorbed by the barrier to restrict the enemy’s movements, all while the caster remained free to act.

It wouldn't last long, but in a life-or-death battle, a one- or two-second restriction was enough to be fatal.

Just like now.

Chiriku tried his best to sever his connection to the Binding Formation, but...

*Swish!*

A blade was already pressed against his throat.

What use were ninjutsu? Nothing was faster than a blade. Without defensive ninjutsu or special physical constitution, one strike to a vital point meant death or severe injury—even for an elite Jonin like Chiriku.

With the blade at his throat, it took half a second for Chiriku to deactivate the absorption barrier. The effects of the Binding Formation faded a heartbeat later.

"Such a powerful technique. Did you really come up with this on the spot?" Chiriku asked in disbelief.

"Of course not. I was able to complete the formula because I’ve spent the last half month studying sealing jutsu and two months on barrier techniques." Chiba gathered the eight talismans. "All creation is the product of accumulated effort; how could it be achieved overnight?"

Chiriku let out a sigh of relief, then carefully pondered the words, and his mood grew complicated once more.

*Two months of barrier techniques? Half a month of sealing jutsu?*

*It took me nearly three years just to learn the Sealing: Iron Wall!*

Even though his time had been split between training his taijutsu and his Immortal Sage talents, Chiriku knew his own limits. Even if he had focused solely on mastering the Sealing: Iron Wall, it likely would have taken him a full year.

And this... this was...