The scroll unrolled with a sharp snap, like it had something important to say.
Lightning Release: Static Field Technique.
The concept was simple enough: spread lightning chakra into the air around me, create a thin field, and anything that got too close would slow down. At my current level, it would just hinder movement slightly, but when I grew stronger, it might practically freeze anything inside my field. As a nice bonus, the jutsu could also deflect weapons and sharpen my reflexes a little.
Hand seals: Ox, Snake, Bird, Ram.
Honestly, to me it sounded less like a proper jutsu and more like a half-baked dare from some reckless shinobi researcher. It was as if someone said, "Hey, what if we just electrified the entire atmosphere around us? What could possibly go wrong?" Somehow, that brilliant idea still managed to slip past quality control.
Still, the payoff was too tempting to ignore. In a real fight, even a moment's delay on close-range attackers or a slight boost to my reaction time could mean the difference between casually walking away or being carried out on a stretcher. I could live with the risks. Actually, I didn't exactly have many options when it came to lightning techniques in Konoha, but it is what it is.
To be honest, I was a little surprised it was even here in the Academy library. Then again, it wasn't an advanced version. just a base D-rank jutsu. The village was probably pinning its hopes on the handful of lightning users in Konoha to develop it further. Lightning-based jutsu were supposed to be rarer here compared to the Cloud Village, after all. Still, the Academy stocked a few elemental techniques, probably to ensure chakra development didn't become lopsided. They couldn't have every kid running around slinging fireballs and ignoring half the elemental chart. It made sense.
After memorizing the scroll, I quickly rolled it up, returned it neatly to its shelf, and bolted straight toward my most heated enemy, The small forest at the edge of town. It was time to burn some trees... I mean, train responsibly and respectfully, of course.
Arriving in the secluded clearing I liked to use, I settled myself onto the cool, slightly damp forest floor. First, I meditated briefly, coaxing my chakra into prime shape before forming the hand seals: Ox, Snake, Bird, Ram.
The hand seals made it easier to guide chakra smoothly through the gateways in my body and emit it evenly from my skin. That wasn't too challenging, given my experience with tree walking and ceiling hanging. But this jutsu demanded spreading my chakra outward even further, creating an even layer in the air around me. It quickly proved challenging. My chakra apparently loved me too much. it didn't want to venture far from my body. Whenever I managed to push it out a few inches, the cohesion would collapse immediately, dispersing uselessly into thin air.
I sighed, then grinned, regaining my determination. "If this is just another chakra control game, there's nobody better suited than me."
With renewed focus, I continued my attempts, after all, there was literally nothing else to occupy my time besides training. It took a handful of frustrating but mildly amusing tries (at least the hand signs made me feel like a real shinobi), but eventually, I managed to extend my chakra outward a respectable few inches while maintaining stability and coherence.
Satisfied but cautious, I carefully began injecting lightning chakra into that small, I mean, adequately sized field. I exerted tremendous concentration to avoid losing control. Suddenly, the air around me started buzzing faintly, the hairs on my arms standing upright. Distracted by the novel sensation, my chakra slipped out of control for just a heartbeat. Instantly, a small bolt zapped my arms, leaving a little burn mark on one of my precious shirts.
I stared at the singed fabric in disbelief. "Ahhhh, no! My shirt! I only have three of these, and one is strictly for sleeping!"
Wiping away exaggerated tears of regret, I decided the safest bet was to remove my shirt before it suffered more collateral damage. Exposed to the open air, I glanced downward thoughtfully at my pants. The only second pair I owned. Reluctantly, I dropped them too. Underwear wasn't exactly a luxury I allowed myself. After all, freedom was healthy, and a good breeze was the best coolant.
Thankfully, the weather was mild enough not to cause discomfort, and even if it turned chilly, my chakra could shield me to some extent from the elements. Deciding it was time to be serious, I began again, carefully balancing chakra output with extreme control. According to the scroll, the initial field created by this technique would be quite subtle. At my current strength, it wouldn't outright stop an enemy or attack, just slow things down enough to gain a split-second advantage. That suited me fine for now.
Several exhausting hours passed. My body and mind felt fatigued, but finally, I was able to reliably emit lightning chakra and maintain a steady, thin field. Admittedly, it was still weak. Right now, it's only practical use might be warding off mosquitoes. I paused, suddenly intrigued. "Actually, now that I think about it, there have been way too many mosquitoes around my flat lately. Those buzzing bloodsuckers could make great test subjects to improve my technique. First trees, then birds, then animals, now mosquitoes. I guess I hold grudges longer than I thought." A mischievous grin crept onto my face, followed by a loud chuckle.
Before I could finish enjoying my twisted amusement, a faint sound startled me. I glanced upward in surprise, my laughter fading into quiet confusion. Something had actually managed to slip past my intuitive sensing. Quite the feat. My question was immediately answered as I locked eyes with an ANBU operative perched silently in a nearby tree, his hawk mask fixed in my direction.
He'd clearly been investigating the strange buzzing sound he'd heard while passing through this isolated area. But nothing in his extensive training could have prepared him for what awaited him. A nearly seven-year-old kid, standing in the deep dark of the night, completely naked in a forest clearing, chuckling ominously and grinning like a maniac.
For a rare moment, the elite shinobi froze completely, his composure shattered by sheer bewilderment. Meanwhile, I reacted instinctively, performing a graceful curtsy like an embarrassed noblewoman while swiftly snatching up my clothes from the forest floor in one smooth motion and dressing hastily without making eye contact.
Without a word, I simply turned on my heel and walked away as if nothing had happened.
Long after I had disappeared into the shadows, the ANBU remained rooted to his spot, still frozen in stunned disbelief.