CHAPTER 140: [BONUS 1] NAGATO’S EXTREME GENIUS

"You..."

"How did you master it?" Nagato’s voice was strained.

He didn’t want to be left behind by Haruki.

"Too many comrades have died on the battlefield."

The sadness in Haruki’s voice was like the dark clouds hanging over the Land of Rain, never to dissipate.

"I don’t want them to die, I want to save them. My belief in protecting my comrades overcame my fear of power. And so, I mastered my Curse power. Not only that, I also gave rise to even more curses."

Nagato was stunned.

Protecting comrades...

So that’s how it was?

Although Haruki spoke of it easily, Nagato could imagine the scene of Haruki being pushed to a dead end.

He also wanted to protect Haruki. He also wanted to protect everything around him.

"Nagato..."

Nagato felt the warmth in his hand. He looked down and saw Haruki holding his hand, just like before.

So warm...

"Don’t be afraid of your power. Use it, control it. It’s not as terrifying as you imagine."

"Do you remember what I once said?"

"If it weren’t for your power protecting us, perhaps we would have died long ago."

Haruki’s voice was gentle, making Nagato’s eyes redden.

Nagato certainly remembered, how could he forget?

In his most desperate moments, it was Haruki who gave him warmth and hope.

How could he forget?

"I know."

"I will."

He would definitely master his power because he wanted to protect someone more important than his own life.

[Ding!]

[System detected Nagato’s Affection value +10000]

[Your Love Curse growth value has risen to 48.3%]

It was always raining in the Land of Rain. There were rarely times when it didn’t rain. Fortunately, Haruki had already grown accustomed to the climate of the Land of Rain.

Although he could use mercury to shield himself from the rain, he chose not to do so to fit in.

Rainwater converged into trickles, flowing along the rugged terrain, eventually pouring into a turbulent river.

At this moment, Haruki and the others stood by the river.

Places near water sources were most suitable for training Water Release Ninjutsu. They had already decided to search for people while training. Encountering such a geomantically auspicious place for training Water Release, they naturally wouldn’t miss it.

Water Release: Water Prison Jutsu!

Haruki formed hand seals.

The water surface surged. Water currents rose from the surface, forming a giant water sphere in the air.

"Did you see that?"

Haruki released his hands, and the water prison immediately dispersed, turning into fine streams that merged into the river.

"Mm." Nagato nodded.

He hesitated for a moment, then his hands began to move.

As his Chakra fluctuated, the water surface rippled, and the water currents, as if pulled by invisible threads, steadily climbed upwards, forming a sphere.

Haruki: "..."

Is this right?

Isn’t this a bit too out of this world?

Haruki could learn it because he had a cheat.

Nagato could learn it purely by his own understanding?

A hint of surprise and admiration flashed in Haruki’s eyes, and he gave Nagato a thumbs-up.

"Nagato, you did very well.You’ve already learned this Ninjutsu. Now you just need to practice diligently."

"Mm." Nagato nodded seriously.

He would practice hard.

"Let me try."

Yahiko took a deep breath, cheering himself on. "You can do it, Yahiko!"

Haruki: "..."

Usually, when someone says that, they can’t.

Sure enough, Yahiko’s water sphere dispersed into several small streams when it was only half-formed.

Yahiko dropped his hands in disappointment.

Haruki treated everyone equally, also encouraging Yahiko, "To be able to do this on your first try is already very impressive. Yahiko, don’t be discouraged."

Yahiko suddenly shook off his earlier gloom, flashing Haruki a brilliant smile.

"Hehe!"

"I’m not discouraged at all. I’m just thinking about how to do better next time."

Haruki: "..."

So annoying, his hands were itching. He finally understood why so many people hated being teachers. Naughty children were indeed a headache.

For the rest of the time, Yahiko and Konan began to practice Ninjutsu.

Konan possessed Wind, Earth, and Water Chakra nature, and Water Release Ninjutsu was ideal for learning. She preferred paper techniques but that didn’t mean she didn’t learn other Ninjutsu. After all, it’s always good to have more skills.

Konan stood on the river surface, forming hand seals.

Water Release: Water Prison Jutsu!

Her hand seal speed wasn’t about extreme quickness, but clarity and accuracy.

Water currents rose from the river surface, but like Yahiko, they lost control before forming a water prison, merging back into the river water.

Nagato was practicing the Water Prison Jutsu, this Ninjutsu was not difficult for him, who possessed the Rinnegan. After practicing two or three times, he mastered it as skillfully as if he had practiced it a thousand times.

Haruki watched with immense jealousy. He walked towards Nagato.

"Nagato, you learn Ninjutsu faster than Konan and Yahiko. For the remaining time, you can try to practice the power of your eyes."

"When I was in Amegakure, I also spent the remaining time practicing Curse power."

Haruki pulled Nagato to sit down, talking to him like good buddies.

Nagato was a bit fragile psychologically, Haruki knew this. He couldn’t rush him, he had to take it slowly.

"Haruki... I’m afraid I’ll hurt you..."

Nagato was somewhat panicked.

He couldn’t control the power of his eyes at all.

When the power erupts, his mind goes blank, and he has no idea what is happening.

He was very scared.

Afraid of hurting Haruki.

If Haruki were to be harmed, he wouldn’t know how to face himself, how to face Konan and Yahiko.

"Nagato, don’t be afraid. You won’t hurt me. I’m very strong. And, I won’t be afraid of you."

"No matter what you become, I won’t be afraid of you, nor will I stay away from you."

"Because you are my family."

Haruki looked at Nagato earnestly, saying each word clearly.

He was already impatient to copy the Rinnegan’s abilities. He was so looking forward to it. Nagato better not mess up at the crucial moment.

[Ding!]

[System detected Nagato’s Affection value +10000]

[Your Love Curse growth value has risen to 49.3%]