Naruto began his training without the slightest hesitation. It was as though his body moved on instinct alone, throwing itself into a grueling regimen the moment the thought crossed his mind.
Soon, his shouts echoed endlessly across the quiet outskirts of Konoha.
"Single-Strand Light Formation!"
"Single-Strand Light Formation—!"
"One thread…!"
Jiraiya stared in disbelief.
"Even after making a bet with me, does this kid really need to push himself so hard?" he muttered.
"No matter how large your chakra reserves are, you can't abuse them like this forever."
This kind of training was not simply about having a lot of chakra. Every activation of a sealing technique demanded extraordinary control: precise release, constant maintenance, and flawless manipulation. Any mistake could cause the technique to collapse—or backfire entirely.
In truth, sealing techniques tested everything at once: physical stamina, mental endurance, chakra balance, and focus. For an ordinary ninja, reaching their limit after seven or eight attempts would already be impressive.
Yet in this short span of time, Naruto had already activated the Single-Strand Light Formation more than a hundred times.
"As he said…" Jiraiya thought, eyes narrowing. "Could it really be that even without relying on the Nine-Tails, this brat is still a physical monster?"
Simply possessing a vast chakra pool wasn't enough to endure such brutal repetition. This level of training drained not only the body but also the mind. Without relentless trials, constant hardship, and repeated testing, no one could maintain this pace.
"Single-Strand Light Formation!"
"Single-Strand Light Formation…!"
"A—cough—a thread of light…!"
Naruto staggered, gasping for breath. Sweat soaked his clothes, and his limbs trembled from exhaustion.
He hadn't expected sealing technique training to be even more punishing than ninjutsu or taijutsu. This wasn't just physical pain—it was torment for his entire being.
Still, he clenched his teeth and refused to stop. The pressure from the system, the expectations of his older brother figure, the bet with Jiraiya, and his own burning desire to grow stronger all pushed him forward.
Without hesitation, Naruto formed another hand seal.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
More clones joined the training.
The exhaustion multiplied instantly, pushing his fatigue to an almost unbearable level. However, the efficiency of his training skyrocketed. Experience, muscle memory, and chakra feedback flowed back to him at an accelerated rate.
At the same time, his enhanced traits activated one after another: Information Absorption, Dual Weapon Usage, and Physical Beast.
Finally, as the system's deadline loomed closer…
"Single-Strand Light Formation!"
Naruto unleashed the technique once more.
This time, the talismans and patterns formed perfectly. Every line was crisp, every symbol flawless. There was not the slightest distortion in the formation.
His chakra control had reached a new level—sharp and precise, like a blade cutting cleanly through wood.
Buzz—
Buzz buzz buzz!
The formation vibrated with power as its effectiveness reached completion.
"I… I did it!" Naruto shouted.
Jiraiya, who had dozed off out of boredom after running out of research ideas, jolted awake.
"Huh?"
"Naruto, what did you say?"
"How long was I asleep?"
Naruto puffed out his chest proudly. "Less than three hours!"
Jiraiya's eyes widened. "You're telling me you mastered the Single-Strand Light Formation in under three hours?"
"I don't believe it."
Naruto grinned. "Then let's test it, Perverted Sage!"
He stepped forward and slammed his palm down.
"Single-Strand Light Formation!"
In an instant, dark, ink-like chakra surged outward, wrapping around Jiraiya and forming an intricate sealing array—complex, subtle, and astonishingly refined.
Buzz!
A powerful sealing force erupted, binding and suppressing Jiraiya's movements completely.
Jiraiya's shock deepened.
"Even the most basic Single-Strand Light Formation managed to restrain me, if only for a moment…"
It had to be understood: at this point in time, Jiraiya stood at the very pinnacle of the ninja world.
Naruto, no matter how talented, was still just a child.
If Jiraiya could be restrained even briefly, then ordinary opponents would be utterly helpless.
Jiraiya laughed heartily, his eyes filled with genuine admiration. "Naruto, you truly are a genius."
Naruto beamed. "Then, Perverted Sage, will you teach me a new sealing technique?"
Jiraiya smiled. "Of course."
"The next technique I'll teach you is called—
Sanpō Fūin.
"As the name implies, you must create two shadow clones before activating it."
"The three bodies position themselves in different directions and activate the seal simultaneously, forming a green chakra barrier shaped like a pyramid. Once formed, it completely restricts the enemy's movements."
"Compared to the Single-Strand Light Formation, its power is more than ten times greater."
"The Single-Strand Light Formation only immobilizes the target briefly, but Sanpō Fūin traps the enemy inside the barrier itself."
"Unless the barrier is forcibly destroyed, there is no escape."
"Furthermore, you can combine it with your own attacks. Once the enemy is trapped, their fate is entirely in your hands."
Naruto listened with shining eyes. "Then let's start right now, Perverted Sage!"
"Alright. I'll demonstrate first."
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
"Sanpō Fūin!"
Jiraiya moved with incredible speed. In an instant, he created two clones and positioned himself and them around Naruto.
Buzz—
A green chakra pyramid formed instantly, sealing Naruto inside.
"Whoa! What is this?!" Naruto exclaimed.
He instinctively tried to break free, but the moment he touched the barrier, it felt like slamming into solid stone. He bounced back, wincing in pain.
"So strong…!"
Jiraiya dispelled the seal and nodded. "Now I'll teach you the technique. Try it yourself."
"Got it!" Naruto replied.
Sanpō Fūin was indeed far more powerful than the Single-Strand Light Formation—but its difficulty was dozens of times greater.
Without a solid foundation, mastering it would be nearly impossible. And since it required shadow clones, it was beyond the reach of most genin, chunin, or even many jonin.
But Naruto was different.
For him, using shadow clones was as natural as eating or drinking.
That was one of the main reasons Jiraiya had chosen to teach him this technique.
"Naruto," Jiraiya said seriously, "the difficulty of Sanpō Fūin cannot be compared to the Single-Strand Light Formation."
"If you can fully master it in ten days, that would already be remarkable."
Naruto immediately replied, "Then let's make a bet! I'll master it in five days!"
The system's cold voice echoed in his mind:
[Please ensure the host masters it perfectly within two days. Otherwise…]
Naruto fell silent.
"If we're talking about cruelty," he thought bitterly, "then you're the cruelest of all."
Jiraiya sighed. "Naruto, don't underestimate sealing techniques."
"This is power that countless ninja—and even entire villages—dream of obtaining."
"Sanpō Fūin already qualifies as a mid-to-high-level sealing technique. It can even create a barrier, which is rare."
Naruto scratched his head. "Is there a difference between sealing techniques and barrier ninjutsu?"
"They're closely related," Jiraiya explained, "but not exactly the same."
"Sealing techniques can usually be activated at any time."
"Barriers, on the other hand, often require preparation, fixed locations, or multiple users."
"When a barrier forms, it allows ninja to exert power far beyond their individual strength."
"For example, three or four chunin fighting a jonin would normally stand no chance. But if they activate a barrier together, even an average jonin would struggle to break through."
"Of course, barriers usually have stricter conditions."
"A technique like Sanpō Fūin, which can be activated anytime using only shadow clones, is extremely rare—and perfectly suited for you."
Naruto nodded firmly. "I understand, Perverted Sage!"
"I'll master Sanpō Fūin perfectly within two days!"
Jiraiya blinked. "Why did it turn into two days again?!"
Naruto laughed weakly. "That's what you call strict self-discipline…"
Outwardly confident, Naruto turned away, his face filled with silent misery.
"Do you think I want this…?"
"All of this is because the system's big brother is forcing me!"
Jiraiya chuckled. "Mastering Sanpō Fūin in two days sounds like a fantasy…"
"But if it's you, I believe you can do it."
Naruto felt a sudden warmth surge through his chest.
"Perverted Sage…"
Jiraiya scratched his head. "After all, you're my chosen student."
"You're a genius—not just because of talent, but because of your will, determination, and effort."
"When extraordinary talent and unwavering resolve come together, you end up just like me!"
"Hahahaha!"
Even though Jiraiya somehow ended up praising himself, Naruto felt deeply moved.
Once again, he had been acknowledged—
By one of the legendary Sannin themselves.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)