Revolution in the Ninja World

Of course, Habara could say such a thing without batting an eye, because for him, it wasn't a matter of thick skin. This kind of explanation was crucial to his survival and future plans, so naturally, he had to claim that the Rasenshuriken was his own original creation.

To put it in a way that's both distant and close, illusory and real, what has been the most likely path to advancement for the lower classes throughout history? Nothing more than "talent."

In Habara's case, one could say that "borrowed" talent was still talent.

"I was inspired by celestial bodies. In the universe, massive celestial bodies capture smaller ones, turning them into planets or moons. So, by placing high-mass chakra in the center and dispersing lower-mass chakra around it, then applying a rotational force to the latter… that's how this technique took shape. The key is that a portion of the chakra must have a sufficiently high mass density."

As Habara spoke, he opened his palm, and a Rasengan appeared in it… It looked less like a Rasengan and more like a miniature model of a solar system.

It must be said, although the visual effect of the technique was the same, the underlying principles and formation methods were not.

Habara's twisted logic actually sounded plausible at first, but in reality, the reason he could use this technique was due to his special chakra control, and it had nothing to do with celestial bodies.

Because he used a special method, Habara's Rasenshuriken had a learning difficulty equivalent to a B-rank ninjutsu at most. The main difficulty lay in increasing chakra quality and avoiding self-harm, while the form and elemental changes of the Rasenshuriken were secondary to him.

The Fourth Hokage looked thoughtful, then had a moment of realization, "The sun and the planets?"

Habara nodded, "Yes."

See, although they were both using imitation ninjutsu, the Fourth Hokage's Rasengan was modeled after the Tailed Beast Bomb, while Habara's was modeled after the solar system; clearly, they weren't the same thing.

On the other hand, Kakashi wore an expression of intellectual deficiency, seemingly unconvinced by Habara's explanation.

But regardless, since Habara had provided a reasonable explanation, the Fourth Hokage had nothing more to say.

"The Wind Release ninjutsu you used in battle is almost identical to the advanced version of the Rasengan I envisioned, which is why I asked."

This topic could be considered closed.

From another perspective, the early appearance of the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken wasn't necessarily a bad thing, because for some talented individuals, seeing it and understanding it naturally led to learning it.

The Fourth Hokage had already been developing an advanced version of the Rasengan. Now that he'd seen the finished product, if he still couldn't figure out how to advance it, he should consider resigning.

The power of the Rasenshuriken was unquestionable; from beginning to end, it seemed like no one dared to take it head-on. It was just a pity that this kind of chakra-intensive technique wasn't really suitable for Habara… He didn't use it much himself but had displayed it, so Habara's actions weren't theft, but rather an early "return to the rightful owner."

One could only say that good people deserved a peaceful life.

"And the question you asked me last time… I believe that when a person needs to take a step further, they indeed must take that step further. It's not a question of whether they can or cannot, but a question of whether they must."

The Fourth Hokage then said this, which wasn't much different from his previous statement.

For such a prominent figure to still remember the nonsense Habara had said earlier was, frankly, something Habara hadn't expected, proving that he had indeed listened.

However, the Hokage's answer wasn't really an answer at all. Habara felt that spiritualism and willpower couldn't solve practical problems.

After thinking for a moment, he asked, "If one day, Konoha Village and your loved ones… such as your wife and child, were simultaneously targeted and threatened, what would you do, Lord Hokage?"

Habara wasn't being contrarian or deliberately trying to find fault. In fact, this was the most extreme "reminder" he could give. Whether this remark would be understood, and to what extent, was beyond his knowledge.

And given his status, this question was somewhat out of line.

"Hey, watch your words and attitude," Kakashi cautioned.

"Apologies."

Habara felt that he was already being kind enough. Any further, and he himself would be in danger.

For him at present, his combat power seemed decent when he went all-out, regardless of the consequences, but it was only decent. Could Habara's strength deal with a major public crisis in Konoha?

That would be a joke.

So, everything still depended on the crisis management abilities of the bigwigs themselves.

After their previous conversation, the Fourth Hokage had a general understanding of Habara's speaking style, so he didn't take offense.

Protecting everything that should be protected was, after all, the Hokage's duty.

......

After finishing his conversation with the Hokage, Habara left the indoor training ground, intending to return to his lodgings.

Although he had forfeited midway, Habara wasn't worried about the results of the Chunin exams. If his performance wasn't enough to qualify him as a Chunin, then no one would qualify this time.

As Habara was returning to the inn where he was staying, while passing through a deserted alley, he suddenly stopped.

Because a figure had appeared behind him.

Habara stopped, turned around, and said, "Lord Orochimaru, what can I do for you?"

What did Orochimaru want, suddenly appearing in the middle of the afternoon?

However, it was within reason for Orochimaru to come and directly contact Habara.

"Just wanted to see for myself… I'm curious, how did you achieve the application of natural energy?" Orochimaru said. This was indeed something he wanted to figure out.

After all, Orochimaru didn't know that someone had once peeked at his initial design for the Cursed Seal.

"Shouldn't you, Lord Orochimaru, know this better than I do?"

Given his past experience as an "experiment," Habara had no fondness for Orochimaru, let alone gratitude.

"It seems you don't intend to reveal your secrets. I misjudged you slightly before. I can only say that you are a person of deep thought… You disguised yourself very well in the beginning, in the dungeon. The difference between then and now is remarkable. That deserves praise."

Habara said nothing. At this point, he remained vigilant, wondering if Orochimaru would suddenly attack.

As for Orochimaru's "praise"… Of course, Habara wouldn't have disguised himself poorly, because at the very beginning, the person in this body wasn't him.

It wasn't that he was remarkably different before and after, but that it had always been two different people.

"Don't be so tense. I won't do anything. I just heard about your grand ambition… If you truly want to achieve that goal, I believe we will have the opportunity to cooperate sooner or later," Orochimaru added.

Habara, however, remained unmoved by this suggestion.

"I see. May I leave?"

Cooperate on what? There seemed to be nothing to discuss, because Orochimaru would be forced to flee sooner or later.

"…Please, be my guest."

One could only say that Habara's reaction was not what Orochimaru had expected.

After Habara quickly left the alley, Orochimaru remained standing there. After a while, he spoke, "Come out. How long do you plan to hide?"

Orochimaru had come to tail Habara, and at the same time, he was being tailed by someone else…

It was Jiraiya.

Since he'd been discovered, Jiraiya cleanly revealed himself and directly asked, "Orochimaru, what exactly are you doing? The technique that young man used during the Chunin exams was clearly a form of Sage Jutsu. That can't escape my eyes."

How could a young man like Habara possibly come into contact with Sage Jutsu on his own? So, this must be Orochimaru's doing… One could only say that Jiraiya's logic was sound.

Habara's situation did indeed originate with Orochimaru.

"Who knows? If only I had done something."

Just as Habara didn't intend to answer Orochimaru's question, Orochimaru didn't intend to answer Jiraiya's inquiry.

One could only say that after Habara decided to jump out, he attracted the attention of various factions in Konoha from different perspectives in a single day. Not to mention anything else, Habara, a mere Genin, could chat and laugh with the Fourth Hokage, chat and laugh with the Third Hokage, and even chat and laugh with Orochimaru.

So, did the Chunin exams conclude today? Or did something else begin today?

Who could say for sure?