"A different kind of energy…"
Chiriku frowned, puzzled. "Why do you ask?"
"Because before chakra existed, people relied on older forms of power," Garou explained. "If the Gift of the Sages is truly descended from ancient spiritual practices, then it's likely drawing on an entirely different system."
'A different energy system…'
Chiriku fell silent, reflecting deeply.
He had never even considered that. Most of his time and focus had been spent on learning and mastering the existing techniques, not pondering where they had come from.
"Master Chiriku?"
Garou's voice broke through his thoughts.
"I gave it some thought," Chiriku finally replied, his tone serious. "There is something."
"The sensation is subtle, faint to the point of being almost imperceptible. Without years of meditative discipline, it would go completely unnoticed."
Garou nodded, then gently led the discussion forward. "And what about the environment? Does the effect of meditation change based on the location?"
Chiriku answered without hesitation. "The capital isn't as effective as the Fire Temple. Beyond that… I can't say."
"Then let's test it," Garou said, eyes sharp. "Let's map it out. Try meditating in three different spots, each with distinct chakra and natural energy conditions."
He scribbled a quick list.
The Hokage Office, A standard residential area and the Forest of Death
"Master Chiriku, could I trouble you to meditate briefly in each of these areas?"
Chiriku straightened in his seat and nodded solemnly. "Of course."
By now, he understood exactly what Garou was aiming for.
If Garou was right, and this strange energy was influenced by the environment, then their entire understanding of the Gift of the Sages could shift.
And that shift could change the future of the Fire Temple.
"Once we finish this experiment," Garou said, "there's another angle I want to explore."
"There's more?" Chiriku asked, trying to stay composed, though inwardly he was spiraling.
"Yes," Garou said calmly. "The energy alone isn't enough."
"If it were, the Gift of the Sages would have survived in its original form. But it didn't."
"Which means… the Temple's ancestors must've combined it with chakra. They hybridized it, creating something new."
Chiriku was stunned.
It made so much sense.
So that's what the Gift of the Sages really was. Not a pure spiritual force, but a fusion, part ancient mysticism, part modern chakra science.
Chiriku's hands trembled slightly as he exhaled.
He was starting to see it.
And what he saw… was awe-inspiring.
"Incredible," he whispered. "To think our forebears were able to accomplish that…"
"No doubt," Garou nodded, sincere. "The monks who developed this technique were visionaries. They survived the death of one age by adapting to the next."
Even in a world driven by chakra, they'd carved out a legacy.
Chiriku didn't reply at first.
But inwardly, he knew exactly who the real genius in the room was.
"I'll start those meditative tests immediately," Chiriku said. "What about you?"
"I need to finish redrafting the Iron-Wall Barrier schematics," Garou replied. "It'll take time to integrate the new changes."
Chiriku watched him leave, then turned, only for a familiar voice to call out.
"Chiriku. How'd it go?"
It was Asuma.
"You know what I was thinking just now?" Chiriku sighed. "That maybe… just maybe, people like Hashirama and Madara weren't much different from this boy."
Asuma's cigarette nearly fell from his mouth. "You rate him that high?"
He'd only caught part of the discussion between Garou and Chiriku. He hadn't heard the full weight of what had been said.
"He deconstructed the entire foundation of the Gift of the Sages after hearing a ten-minute summary," Chiriku said, still visibly rattled. "And worse, he made me believe it."
Asuma nodded slowly. "That's Garou for you. He sees things we miss."
"I want to start right away," Chiriku said.
"Join me? Two people meditating might yield clearer results."
Asuma sighed. "Well, now I can't say no."
He agreed, curious to see if Garou's hypothesis was accurate.
And within hours, they found themselves meditating in the Forest of Death.
Meanwhile, Garou returned home, set down his books and blueprints, and dove into his project.
Thanks to the schematics from Chiriku, he already had a full map of the Fire Temple's barrier network.
All he had to do was redesign it for maximum chakra flow and adaptability, a daunting but doable task.
It was a massive undertaking.
Two days would barely be enough.
---
By the next morning, both Chiriku and Asuma returned, eyes bloodshot, expressions animated.
They had stayed up all night.
And they were ecstatic.
"We confirmed it!" Chiriku said, practically glowing. "The Forest of Death enhances the effect, by a large margin!"
Even more astonishing, different parts of the forest offered different results. The energy flow wasn't constant. Some areas were vibrant, others dim.
It was exactly as Garou had theorized.
Chiriku looked almost overwhelmed.
For generations, the monks of the Fire Temple had struggled to preserve the Gift of the Sages.
Now, thanks to a twelve-year-old's intuition, the path forward was clear.
"I'm telling you, Asuma, I regret everything!"
"What?" Asuma blinked, caught off guard.
"I regret not coming sooner!" Chiriku snapped.
"If I'd just made this decision two or three months ago, we might already have new monks mastering the Gift of the Sages. We wasted so much time!"
Asuma gave a faint smile.
From Chiriku's perspective, maybe it was wasted time. But in truth, it had taken the Fire Temple considerable debate just to agree to this meeting.
Even Chiriku himself had taken heat for wanting to share knowledge with an outsider.
Still… now he knew.
And it was impossible to un-know it.
"Hey," Chiriku said suddenly. "Where's Garou?"
"Hmm?" Asuma looked around. "He's not hiding, probably just tied up at the moment."
Chiriku peered ahead.
Down the street, outside a modest home, a well-dressed man in grey robes stood quietly.
His presence was refined, almost regal.
'Those eyes…'
"I recognize that chakra," Chiriku said, his expression tightening. "Hyuga Clan?"
"Yeah," Asuma confirmed, his tone cautious. "Likely here about the Gentle Fist techniques."
Chiriku's face fell.
The Hyuga Clan.
One of the most conservative, and powerful, noble families in the Hidden Leaf.
Across the street, Hiashi stood calmly at Garou's home front gate.
He looked up as the door opened.
"Apologies, Lord Hiashi," Garou said politely. "I didn't mean to keep you waiting."
"No worries," Hiashi replied with a faint smile. "I was passing by and thought I'd speak with you briefly."
"If it's all the same to you, I'd rather we not go inside. The house is full of materials from my collaboration with the Fire Temple. It's a bit… chaotic right now."
"I understand," Hiashi said, his smile not fading. "This won't take long."
Garou nodded. "I'm all ears."
"Simply put," Hiashi said, voice low and even, "the Hyūga Clan is interested in working with you."
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