Chapter 27

After returning home, Akihiro greeted his brothers, sharing brief exchanges that added a touch of familiar warmth to the air. Excusing himself, he headed to his room, Tobio's book clutched in his hands. Sunlight streamed through the window as he settled down to decipher the secrets of the Four Corners Seal.

The text unfolded before him, and Akihiro immersed himself in the teachings. Internalizing the steps, he contemplated their significance and envisioned the process in his mind. It wasn't just about drawing squares but a meticulous dance of chakra, a delicate balance between precision and energy flow.

Akihiro's Thoughts: Chakra channeling is the key. I must feel the energy coursing through every corner.

The containment screen came alive in his imagination. Akihiro visualized the seal's boundaries enclosing energy or objects, a mental projection that mirrored the practical application he was to undertake. This wasn't mere theory; it was a fusion of knowledge and imagination.

Akihiro's Thoughts: Containment – a subtle dance of balance, creating a shield within the squares.

Eager to put theory into practice, Akihiro sought materials for drawing. Paper and ink were brought to him, tools that would become instruments of his learning from him. In the cocoon of his room, bathed in sunlight, he embarked on the journey to master the elusive art.

With every stroke, Akihiro created and connected squares, focusing on the clarity of each line. The room echoed with the soft rustling of paper, the physical manifestation of his unwavering concentration.

Akihiro's Thoughts: Precision matters. Each line is a thread weaving the seal.

Chakra flowed through his palms, a dance of energy channeled into the drawn squares. Akihiro's eyes closed, visualizing the containment screen. In his mind's eye, the boundaries formed, an invisible fortress created by the seal.

Akihiro's Thoughts: Imagination becomes reality – a mental fortress to hold and store.

Transcending theory, Akihiro applied the Four Corners Seal to different surfaces. Starting with paper, I have progressed to more challenging materials. The tactile experience heightened his connection to the jutsu, the sensation of every stroke etching the process into his memory of him.

As he sealed small objects within the drawn boundaries, a sense of accomplishment washed over him. The containment properties came to life, a silent affirmation of his growing mastery.

Akihiro's Thoughts: It's not just lines on paper. It's the power to hold and control.

Undeterred, Akihiro embraced repetition. Each iteration deepened his understanding of him, etching the intricate dance of the seal into his muscle memory of him. Time became elusive, slipping away in the pursuit of perfection.

Akihiro's Thoughts: Repetition – the silent companion of mastery.

When the scattered scrolls bore witness to his endeavors, Akihiro stood amidst the aftermath of disciplined learning. The once formidable Four Corners Seal had transformed into a familiar companion, a silent testament to his unwavering commitment. In the stillness of his room, the wind whispered a silent acknowledgment – a reminder that the path to mastery required not just skill, but the disciplined heart of a shinobi.