If Hatani's explanation had been given to a Chunin or a Special Jonin who focused on Kenjutsu or Taijutsu, it might have actually worked.
"The Great Way is simple."
This was a fundamental truth of the world. Even the most complex ninjutsu, when described in broad strokes, can be reduced to a very basic principle. This often creates the illusion that such a feat is easy to achieve.
Reality, however, is far less forgiving.
Take the Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet, for example. It originally required forty-four hand seals. Only Tobirama Senju, who possessed a profound understanding of the "Great Way," was able to simplify that cumbersome sequence down to just four.
Think about that—if it were truly simple, why is it that only an old-timer like Kosuke Maruboshi could even come close to mastering the Second Hokage's simplified version?
The same logic applied to Hatani's self-created jutsu, Wind Style: Powershot, which he had adapted from the Windranger's skill.
On paper, it sounded elementary: use chakra to apply rotation to the wind while simultaneously compressing it.
To a ninja unfamiliar with the intricacies of Wind Style, it might not sound like much. But to Tsunade—a scion of the Senju clan who had been mentored by three Hokages—the explanation reeked of evasion and omission.
Rotation and compression are fundamentally contradictory forces. One is constantly trying to scatter and expand, while the other is trying to squeeze and contain. It's like trying to grant a population absolute, unbridled freedom during a highly contagious viral outbreak while simultaneously trying to stop the virus from spreading. It just isn't that easy.
Tsunade knew there was a missing piece to the puzzle—a secret trick she wasn't being told. And that was exactly what Hatani was trying so desperately to hide.
"Water's here! Hatani, I've got water!"
Just as the silence was becoming unbearable for Hatani, Nawaki burst back into the room carrying a massive basin, providing a timely rescue.
Hatani's eyebrows twitched as he stared at the basin, which was nearly twice the size of his own head.
Does this kid think I'm a literal ox?
"Thanks," Hatani managed. He offered a small, appreciative smile for the interruption before grabbing the basin with both hands and drinking like a man possessed. Gulp, gulp, gulp.
"Sis, Hatani... he's going to be okay, right?"
Nawaki was oblivious to the tension he'd just broken. His only concern was Hatani's well-being. He had watched Hatani faint briefly after killing that Ame Chunin, but this time, after taking down an elite Jonin like Parashia, Hatani had been out cold for an entire day and night. Nawaki was terrified that the toll on Hatani's body might have caused permanent damage.
"Relax. He's just suffering from extreme chakra exhaustion. There's no serious damage or hidden injuries that will affect his future growth," Tsunade assured him.
She understood how much Hatani meant to her brother. She also knew Hatani wasn't ready to share his secrets. She didn't press further; instead, she gave Nawaki a comforting pat, cast one final, searching look at Hatani, and left the room.
Hatani, using the giant basin to hide his face and his thoughts, finally let out a long-delayed sigh of relief. He lowered the basin only after Tsunade's footsteps faded away.
"Nawaki—hic—where are we? This doesn't look like the main camp. What happened after I passed out?"
He finally had the chance to ask the questions burning in the back of his mind.
"Wait, didn't Big Sis tell you?" Nawaki looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"Ahem. Lady Tsunade isn't just your sister; she's one of the Sannin and the Third's prized student," Hatani coughed, masking his awe with a bit of professional distance.
"Oh. Right." Nawaki nodded, then launched into the retelling of the past day.
After witnessing Hatani's terrifying final strike, Tsunade and Nawaki had hoisted Dan Kato and Hatani onto their backs and sprinted toward the nearest safe haven: Jiraiya's "secluded" retreat. After firing a signal flare, they successfully met up with the Toad Sage and ended up here.
"We're at Lord Jiraiya's place?"
Hatani's eyes lit up instantly.
With his meta-knowledge of the plot, he knew exactly what that meant. Aside from the "Theoretical Master of Research" himself, this place was currently housing the "Primary Color Trio."
There was "Big Red" (Nagato), the long-haired kid who would eventually be manipulated by "Big Yellow" (Yahiko) and "Big Blue" (Konan) into killing his own teacher and leveling Jiraiya's hometown.
Hatani was dying to see that kind of "filial piety" in person.
But more than that, he wanted to see the legendary "Samsara Eyes." In his previous life, those ripple-patterned eyes were the ultimate dream for every chuunibyou teenager. Now that he was actually in the world of Naruto, even if he couldn't have them, seeing the Rinnegan with his own eyes would be the fulfillment of a childhood dream.
He also really wanted to ask "Big Red" just how many floors he actually had to carry that bag of rice.
"So? What's the verdict?"
Outside, beneath a tree near the house, Jiraiya watched as Tsunade emerged. He couldn't hide his curiosity.
As a fellow Sannin trained by the Great Toad Sages, Jiraiya didn't need to see "Powershot" in action to understand its power; the state of Parashia's corpse told him everything he needed to know. Like Tsunade, he was fascinated by the boy and his self-created jutsu.
"He's still guarded," Tsunade said, giving a small shake of her head. She didn't look particularly disappointed. "Nawaki went in right as I was pushing for answers, so I let it drop."
"Whew. It's not surprising he's on edge." Jiraiya leaned back against the tree, letting out a heavy breath. "With a mind brilliant enough to create a jutsu like that at twelve, there's no way he hasn't realized the 'shady' nature of the danger they were in."
Jiraiya usually stayed out of the village's internal politics and the "dirty" side of the administration, but that didn't mean he was blind.
On the contrary, he saw everything with painful clarity.
That was why he played the part of the wandering eccentric, using the search for the "Child of Prophecy" as an excuse to avoid returning to the village and the succession talk. He'd even gone so far as to recommend his own student, Minato—the "Little Sun"—to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
After hearing Nawaki's detailed account of everything that had happened since they entered the Land of Rain, Jiraiya had smelled the stench of a setup immediately. He figured Hatani's current defensiveness was simply because the boy had smelled it, too.
"Sigh."
Jiraiya let out a long, weary sigh as the faces of those responsible for the "shady" dealings flickered in his mind.