52Lightning Release: Meridian ReversalAI Model: gemini-3.0-flashChapter 52: Lightning Release: Neural Network Restoration
Over the next few days...
Naruto sparred with Jiraiya every day and returned home at night to study medical Ninjutsu theory.
Since the last all-out battle, he also understood his own depth.
In subsequent battles with Jiraiya, he neither entered Sage Mode nor used the power of the Nine-Tailed.
He focused solely on the application of his own Chakra, practicing control, transformation, and precision.
As Jiraiya's win count increased and he regained the initiative, he resumed his air of being one of the Sannin.
"Hehe, kid, you don't really think you can beat me in this state, do you?"
"That Rasengan you threw earlier—how exactly did you do it? Tell me, and I'll help you improve it."
"Do you know what you're still lacking? It's the Summoning Technique that every mature Ninjamust have! Believe me, choosing Mount Myōbokuis definitely the right call..."
Naruto remained silent, simply continuing his cultivation with singular focus.
Currently, his strength in his normal state was gradually aligning with that of an Elite Jonin.
Once he entered his strongest state, he would have the power to fight even against a Kage-level Expert.
When he returned home in the evening, he was always greeted by a sumptuous dinner prepared by Hinata.
"Na... Naruto-kun, welcome home..."
Kurenai Yuhi still lingered and refused to leave, purely out of worry that if she wasn't there, the Blond-haired Youth might do something out of line.
Although Hyuga Hiashi had told her she could train Hinata however she liked, since the Familydidn't need her anyway.
But Hinata's status was still that of the HyugaMain House's Young Miss.
If any mishap occurred, she, as the teacher, would be held accountable.
However, the Hyuga Clan hadn't sent anyone to look for Hinata these past few days.
So Kurenai spent every day training with Hinata, and the three of them ate and drank together in the evening, making life quite pleasant... One evening.
Kurenai Yuhi had an urgent matter and was called to the Hokage Building.
When she returned, her expression was somewhat grim.
Tonight's dinner was barbecue.
While drinking beer, she cautioned Naruto and Hinata:
"The Village has been a bit unsettled lately. You two should be careful; it's best not to go out at night."
"What happened, Teacher Kurenai?"
Hinata didn't understand, and seeing her serious expression, she asked curiously.
"This morning, someone discovered Gekkō Hayate's body."
Kurenai Yuhi took a large gulp of beer and sighed, "Hokage-sama and the other Jonin believe this must be related to Orochimaru."
"...H-How could this happen?"
Hinata recalled the sickly-looking proctor from the Chunin Exams.
A person who was alive not long ago was now gone.
Kind-hearted as she was, she couldn't help but choke up slightly.
Naruto used his chopsticks to pick up a large piece of beef for his bowl.
Gekkō Hayate is dead... He remembered that in the original story, Gekkō Hayate seemed to have overheard the conspiracy of Sunagakure's cooperation with Orochimaru.
As a result, he was discovered by Yakushi Kabutoand killed by Baki.
Back then, he even thought Gekkō Hayate must be the protagonist of the Shippuden arc.
That there would definitely be a reversal, an upcoming battle of wits comparable to Zhongli's faked death.
He didn't expect that he really just... died.
Silently mourning for him for a second, Narutostuffed the beef into his mouth, the juices exploding instantly.
Delicious.
Seeing both Naruto and Hinata fall into silence, Kurenai suddenly blamed herself for bringing this up at the dinner table.
They were still just children... they hadn't experienced life and death yet, so this topic was still too heavy for them... After dinner, Naruto lay in bed, continuing to flip through the thick Introduction to Medical Ninjutsu.
As his theoretical level grew higher, there was little guidance Kurenai Yuhi could still offer him.
The human body, nerves, immunity, endocrine system... much of the content in the book often only had conclusions without derivations, serving more as empirical summaries.
But to him, with his solid foundation in chemistry and biology, it wasn't too difficult.
A clear structure of knowledge was gradually taking shape.
"Luckily, I transmigrated during my senior year of high school..."
Naruto mused inwardly.
If it had been a year later, reading this content would probably have been no different from reading a heavenly script.
Just then.
Knock, knock, knock.
The apartment door was suddenly knocked.
"I'll get it."
Hinata, who was watching TV, hurriedly rose from the sofa. Kurenai Yuhi followed behind her, and the two walked toward the entrance.
The door opened.
A figure wearing the green Konoha Jonin uniform, with steam rising from his body, almost lunged into the foyer.
"Hoo— Ha— Hoo—!"
The newcomer bent over, hands on his knees, his chest heaving violently.
Hinata was startled.
"Te-Teacher Guy?"
Kurenai Yuhi was also stunned.
Guy suddenly looked up, their eyes met, and he quickly rubbed his eyes.
"Kurenai? Hinata? Why... why are you here? Could I have run so fast that I'm hallucinating?"
Before he could finish, his legs buckled, and he almost collapsed to his knees.
Kurenai Yuhi was quick and caught him.
"Calm down, what's going on?"
Guy took a few deep breaths before finally managing to stand steady.
"Naruto... is Naruto here?!"
"N-Naruto-kun is in his room,"
Hinata said softly.
Guy's voice couldn't hide his excitement: "I found it, Naruto!"
"An A-rank medical Ninjutsu, I found it!"
Hearing this, Naruto walked over, somewhat surprised by Guy's efficiency.
He took the heavy scroll handed to him, opened it, and began reading carefully from the beginning.
Lightning Release: Neural Network Restoration
In simple terms, this was a high-level medical Ninjutsu that used Lightning-attribute Chakra as a medium to simulate neural electrical signals and forcibly establish neural pathways.
The dense array of technique structures on the scroll came into view.
Naruto's eyes gradually brightened.
"I see."
He murmured.
"You don't... plan to use this jutsu to treat Lee's leg, do you?"
Kurenai Yuhi leaned in, also glancing at the contents of the scroll, and couldn't help but ask.
This was an A-rank Ninjutsu.
The reason it was classified as A-rank was also very simple.
Lightning Release was too fast and too fierce.
The slightest mistake would completely incinerate surviving nerve cells, causing irreversible damage—the risk was enormous.
Although she didn't know where Guy had gotten it, seeing him like this, she knew the process certainly hadn't been simple.
While Kurenai was aware of Naruto's medical Ninjutsu attainments.
To use this jutsu in actual treatment, he would at least have to fully master it and conduct several simulation experiments before considering it, right?
"Naruto! Roughly how long will it take you to fully master this jutsu?"
Guy asked with some concern.
Naruto didn't speak, slowly closing his eyes and holding up two fingers.
"T-Two months? That fast!"
Guy was overjoyed, feeling fortunate for his Disciple.
Then, he saw Naruto pull back one finger, then the other, and slowly open his eyes.
Naruto: "I've got it."
Guy: "..."
Kurenai: "..."
"Stop joking! Do you have any idea how high the risk of this jutsu is? Take this seriously, hey!"
Kurenai Yuhi was a bit frantic.
"Stay here and look after Teacher Guy."
Naruto glanced at her and said calmly, "I'm going to perform surgery on Lee right now and fix his leg."