True masters usually don't have to worry about chakra reserves. Even those not blessed with naturally massive chakra can always find ways to solve the problem.
Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred Seal and Yin Seal are classic examples. The Strength of a Hundred Seal itself isn't a ninjutsu for storing chakra—it's more of a method for regulating chakra. Normally, it helps significantly conserve chakra, and during combat, it can be used in conjunction with the Yin Seal, which stores chakra, unleashing tremendous power.
Unfortunately, Mizuki was unable to master either of these techniques. Never mind something like the Strength of a Hundred Seal—which naturally minimizes chakra wastage—Mizuki hadn't even completely mastered the Yin Seal itself, let alone Tsunade-exclusive abilities like Creation Rebirth or her monstrous physical strength.
This wasn't because Mizuki lacked skill in sealing techniques or chakra control. When it came to cellular-level chakra manipulation, Mizuki firmly believed few people in this world could surpass him. The real problem was that he lacked Tsunade's extraordinary medical ninjutsu skills, making it impossible for him to implement such techniques internally the way she could.
"Can sealing techniques do something like this too?" Sakura asked.
Sakura herself was well aware of her own physical limitations. Generally speaking, female ninja were physically weaker than their male counterparts of the same age—a natural physiological difference that couldn't be changed.
Plus, Sakura was only twelve years old, still in her growing phase. Her still-developing body simply couldn't generate large amounts of chakra.
Why are Genin battles considered boring? Because due to their physical limitations and low chakra reserves, most Genin exhaust their chakra after just one or two ninjutsu attacks. Then all that remains is close combat and exchanging kunai and shuriken techniques. Even someone with exceptional battle talent couldn't truly demonstrate advanced combat techniques at this level.
So at this level, ninja like Dosu and Sakon—the Otogakure ninja who each had one or two special skills—were practically unbeatable against ordinary Genin. If it weren't for the unusual nature of this Chunin Exam, there wouldn't be many people capable of handling them. Unfortunately for them, they'd become stepping stones for the main characters this time.
In response to Sakura's question, Mizuki smiled and replied, "I think you need to strengthen your confidence in what you're learning. There are very few things sealing techniques can't accomplish in this world. If something seems impossible, it's only because your strength isn't sufficient—not because the technique itself is ineffective. Imagine how terrifying the power of sealing techniques must be. Even Kaguya Otsutsuki, an immortal existence, ended up sealed away without any recourse."
"But how exactly do you use it?"
"There are about ten days left before the Chunin Exams," Mizuki said. "I'll teach it to you during that time. If I had to give this sealing technique a name, I'd prefer calling it 'Breath-Sealing Art.'"
This was absolutely not some martial arts secret from a past life's wuxia or xianxia world—but rather a genuine, pure sealing technique—specifically designed to suppress both physical and spiritual energy while cultivating chakra. It was originally developed solely for refining Sage Mode. Unlike the hastily created, temporary Genjutsu Magical Formations designed solely for rescuing others, this would truly become Mizuki's trump card moving forward.
The issue of insufficient Chakra reserves wasn't unique to Sakura Haruno; Mizuki had the same problem. If his only goal was to become a Jonin within his lifetime, then at his current level, following the conventional path, he might barely make it in a few years.
However, if he wanted something more, then Sage Mode would be an unavoidable hurdle. After all, without any useful Kekkei Genkai to rely on, he could only pin his hopes on Sage Mode—a difficult advanced technique that anyone could attempt.
Therefore, Mizuki's already mediocre Chakra reserves became completely inadequate in the face of Sage Mode.
Thus, through Mizuki's painstaking research, the Breath-Sealing Art was born. Unlike Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred Seal and Yin Seal, which came with various benefits, the Breath-Sealing Art discarded all other considerations and functioned simply as a high-capacity Chakra reservoir—its sole advantages being purity, convenience, and ease of use. Its purpose was clear: aimed directly at achieving Sage Mode. As for cosmetic enhancement, age preservation, or power boosts, if Sakura wanted to learn those later, she could seek out Tsunade. Mizuki himself had no interest in such things.
After arranging things for Sakura, Mizuki had to face Ino Yamanaka next.
"Mizuki-sensei, can I also learn that Breath-Sealing Art?" Ino asked.
Mizuki shook his head and replied, "It's not that I don't want to teach you, but it really doesn't suit your style. If you're determined to learn, go ask Sakura instead—assuming you can master it."
Upon hearing Mizuki's response, Ino lowered her head in disappointment.
"You've barely mastered the Mystical Palm Technique, a Medical Ninjutsu," Mizuki consoled her. "That should be enough if you keep practicing. As for most other jutsu, even if you learn them, they won't be very useful. As a member of the Yamanaka clan, your fighting style is destined to focus primarily on your family's secret techniques; everything else can only serve as support. That said, there's not nothing suitable for you—I do have a sealing technique here. It's not particularly advanced, but quite practical. Want to give it a try?"
The technique Mizuki intended to teach Ino was the Binding Seal Formation—the first Sealing Technique he ever mastered. As one of the Ino–Shika–Cho trio, Ino Yamanaka was clearly not destined to be an offensive powerhouse. If so, then she might as well maximize her control and domination abilities.
What Mizuki planned to teach her was a heavily modified version of the Binding Seal Formation. He significantly reduced its Chakra requirements while enhancing its control capabilities. More importantly, it broke free from the usual limitations of standard sealing tags, enabling direct application onto ordinary objects, living beings, and even summoned beasts, greatly increasing its flexibility. It was no longer a passive trap dependent on bait to activate.
...
In the Rice Country's Otogakure village, Orochimaru was going through the intel reports gathered by Kabuto Yakushi.
"The security in Konoha has been tightened again?" Orochimaru asked.
"Yes, probably because they caught wind of something," Kabuto replied.
"Isn't it because you failed to eliminate the tracker that ended up leaking information?"
"I cannot deny that possibility, Lord Orochimaru. I deeply regret it." Kabuto admitted shamefully.
[Mystical Palm Technique]
[Breath-Sealing Art]
[Binding Seal Formation]
Neither Baki nor he himself had expected it. Hayate Gekko, presumed dead, had strangely launched a sudden counterattack. Caught off guard, he had even suffered a minor injury. Unexpectedly, the opponent grew stronger during the fight. Eventually, Konoha Anbu patrol got involved, forcing him and Baki to retreat.
After observing for several days, he originally thought Konoha hadn't taken any unusual actions. He assumed Hayate Gekko had been too gravely wounded to pass on any information. However, it now seemed information had leaked somehow. He just didn't know exactly how much Konoha village had learned. Considering the Chunin Exams hadn't been canceled yet, either they underestimated the threat or placed too much faith in their own strength.
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