12 Chapter – 11 One-Handed Hand Signs & Mild Annoyance
Back at his apartment, while examining the arm he wasn't supposed to remove from the cast until the next morning, he thought to himself, 'This time, I was the one responsible for injuring my arm, and it happened during training, not in actual combat so that's fine. But if I had sustained such an injury in a life-and-death battle against an enemy ninja... I would be in trouble, as I wouldn't be able to weave hand signs, let alone fight effectively.'
In this world, most ninjas require the use of both hands to weave hand signs. If they lose one arm or are unable to move it for any reason, they cannot perform the necessary hand signs to use any Jutsu, which could be detrimental in battle.
'Maybe I should also try learning one-handed hand signs,' contemplated Sasuke as he examined his uninjured hand, which he could move perfectly.
Canonically, only two individuals were shown capable of using One-handed Hand Signs by the end of Shippuden: Yuki Haku and Namikaze Minato.
During the Land of Waves mission, Kakashi was deeply shocked when he witnessed Haku employing One-handed Hand Signs for techniques. Despite being a ninja for more than two decades, the concept of One-handed Hand Signs was something new to him. Following Haku's demise, there were no instances of anyone using One-handed Hand Signs until the climax of the war arc, when the Edo Yondaime Hokage used them while sealing the Yin-half of the Nine-tails inside Naruto.
Apart from these two individuals, no one in the Naruto era utilized One-handed Hand Signs, if there was someone else, then he doesn't remember them. Regardless although Uchiha Sasuke eventually learned the same One-handed hand signs after losing his dominant arm, why should the current him wait that long?
'Even if I have no intention of losing my dominant arm in that final Chidori-Rasengan clash at the Valley of the End, learning One-handed Hand Signs can be highly advantageous in battles, so there's no reason not to learn them,' thought Sasuke.
In battle, enemy ninjas always keep their focus on their opponents' hands and the hand signs they are weaving. By observing these hand signs, it's possible to determine the Chakra Nature of the Jutsu the other party is likely to use. After all, every ninja knows the twelve basic hand signs and their common affiliations. For instance, the tiger seal is closely associated with the fire style and the earth style, the bird seal with the wind style, the dog seal with the water style, and the snake seal with the lightning style and the earth style.
Anyone capable of recognizing this pattern can deduce the Chakra Nature of the Jutsu the enemy intends to use based on the hand sign being formed. However, things become more ambiguous and challenging to discern when one-handed hand signs are being used.
Since most ninjas are unfamiliar with one-handed hand signs, it's indeed difficult for them to determine the chakra nature of the Jutsu about to be used.
Even if they are acquainted with one-handed hand signs, it's still possible to conceal the hand from the other party's view while forming the signs. This makes it nearly impossible for anyone to discern which chakra nature and which jutsu are being utilized, offering a significant advantage in battle.
Furthermore, while one hand is occupied weaving hand signs, the free hand can be employed for another attack simultaneously. From Sasuke's perspective, mastering one-handed hand signs presents numerous advantages.
However, the problem is, 'How do I learn one-handed hand signs?'
One-handed hand signs are extremely rare and less prevalent compared to two-handed hand signs for specific reasons.
Firstly, many ninjas may not be aware that weaving one-handed hand signs is even possible. Secondly, it's likely that they are more challenging to weave due to requiring a higher level of chakra control to achieve the same effects as two-handed hand signs.
Sasuke is uncertain which of these reasons is accurate, or if there's another explanation altogether for the rarity of one-handed hand signs. Regardless, the problem still remains the same, 'How do I learn one-handed hand signs?'
While Sasuke acknowledges that one-handed hand signs are feasible, he lacks guidance on how to weave them. Unlike two-handed hand signs, which are extensively taught in the academy and are known by practically every ninja, there's no available information on one-handed hand signs. That's why he doesn't know how to figure out how to perform these hand signs without proper instruction.
'Overall, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of hand signs, each associated with something unique. However, the most crucial ones are the twelve basic hand signs, which are based on the twelve Chinese Zodiac symbols. Each of these basic hand signs represents a specific zodiac symbol,' thought Sasuke. He pondered further, 'If I could somehow represent each Zodiac symbol using just one hand, then I would be able to weave One-handed Hand signs!' Quickly, he shook his head and sighed, holding his forehead with a troubled expression. 'But that's easier said than done! How does one even begin to figure out such a thing?'
Sasuke found himself clueless, and there was barely any explanation on this matter in Canon. Reflecting, he thought, 'Now that I consider it, the fact that Yuki Haku and Yondaime Hokage were able to figure out such a thing on their own speaks volumes about their genius.'
Indeed, geniuses often possess the innate ability to decipher things without requiring a logical explanation; it's a defining trait of their brilliance.
'On another note, the fact that my Progenitor was able to create the concept of hand signs at the tender age of ten without there being such a concept at all at his time speaks volumes about his extraordinary genius,' ruminated Sasuke.
People say that the Sage of Six Path created Ninjutsu, however, the one who actually created Ninjutsu was his eldest son, Indra, he created the concept of Hand Signs and helped the aboriginals of the world weaponize chakra.
Contemplating Indra's ingenuity and the creation of hand signs to manipulate chakra, Sasuke's eyes widened in realization. "It's all about the flow of chakra!" he exclaimed.
Momochi Zabuza needed to weave forty-four hand signs to execute ninjutsu, whereas Senju Tobirama could achieve the same ninjutsu with fewer hand signs. This discrepancy likely stemmed from the fact that the Nidaime Hokage could replicate the chakra movement required for the jutsu using fewer hand signs compared to someone like Zabuza.
Ultimately, jutsu revolves around manipulating the chakra for the desired effect, and hand signs facilitate the movement of the chakra along the chakra pathways.
'Since each hand sign corresponds to a specific movement of chakra along the chakra pathways,' Sasuke mused. Considering this, he continued, 'If I can decipher a similar chakra flow corresponding to different One-handed Hand signs, I would be able to master them.' He concluded, "Ultimately, it all boils down to trial and error, I suppose." He realized that deciphering each One-handed Hand sign would entail countless trials and errors, with the duration of such a task remaining uncertain.
Sasuke shook his head, acknowledging the futility of troubling himself over such a thing. "There's no use dwelling on how long it will take. If it's just about trial and error, then I suppose the sooner I begin, the sooner I'll figure out things." Uncertain of whether his trial-and-error approach would yield results, Sasuke resolved to give it a try.
With that determination, he settled at his study desk with an empty notebook and a pencil in his uninjured hand and started to work on figuring out the specific symbols he must create using only one hand to replicate the chakra flow achieved with both hands.
…
Next Morning at the Ninja Academy
'I shouldn't have stayed up the entire night…' thought Sasuke as he resisted the drowsiness and walked toward the classroom. He was a little too eager to learn One-handed hand signs, therefore, he spent almost the entire night trying to figure out how to do that, as a result, he failed to catch up on his sleep.
Shaking his head, Sasuke opened the door of the classroom only to come face to face with the host of Nine-tails. Naruto stared at him while blocking the door of the classroom, it was as if he was particularly waiting for him which made Sasuke perplexed, "What is it?"
"Sasuke, I want to challenge you to a fight!" said Naruto while looking at Sasuke with a dead serious gaze.
Sasuke scowled in confusion, "Haah?" then shook his head, "It's too early for something like that…" and instructed, "Now move aside I need to get on my seat."
"If you won't accept the challenge, then..." grinned Naruto as he clenched his fist and tried to strike Sasuke with a punch.
"Did you even hear a word I spoke?" sighed Sasuke in exasperation as he deftly sidestepped to dodge Naruto's punch. The blondie not only failed to land a punch but also couldn't control the momentum that carried him past Sasuke. "Forget about beating me, you are too weak to even touch me…" taunted Sasuke as he executed a back kick that connected with Naruto's butt and hurtled him into the wall on the other side of the corridor.
Thud!
Naruto crashed into the wall while Sasuke nonchalantly walked into the classroom. Everybody in the classroom stared at what just happened and shook their heads. They were not surprised by the result, some even laughed at Naruto for making a fool of himself, and the girls exclaimed in delight.
"Ahhh… Sasuke-kun is really the strongest!"
"Did you see that kick?"
"So coool~"
Not caring about everyone's expression Sasuke walked to the last seat on the window side of the classroom, yup, the very same protagonist's seat that he was seated on the last week. The only problem was that a certain someone was already sitting on that seat, and this person happened to have cloudy white eyes and dark blue hair styled in a hime-cut, Sasuke stared at the girl for having taken his desired seat.
Feeling Sasuke's gaze upon her, the girl felt nervous and looked down, however, the gaze did not shift rather it continued to linger on her… she soon figured out that the gaze was not her, rather it was on the desk she was sitting on. Upon realizing that Sasuke wanted to sit on the seat she was sitting on, the girl meekly apologized, "S… sorry…" and tried to get up, but was stopped by Sasuke, "Forget it… stay seated there…"
"Ano?" the girl was confused and glanced at him from the corner of her eyes.
Sasuke did not look at her and took the empty seat next to her. Each bench can accommodate two to three children, so there was no problem for him to sit next to the girl. After putting down his bag on the table, Sasuke spoke, "I will let you keep that seat, in exchange, be sure to wake me up if Iruka-Sensei or any other teacher calls out my name…" Indeed, he was planning to get some sleep in the classroom.
Before the girl had the time to respond, Sasuke weaved hand signs to create a Clone Jutsu. Yup, he had removed the cast from his injured hand before coming to the academy, as such he is able to weave the hand signs without any problem.
After the Clone was created Sasuke made it look at the podium with a serious gaze. As for the real him? He had already dozed off.
Other than the girl, no one in the classroom noticed the fact that Sasuke had created a Clone, in fact, most of the trainees in the class weren't even capable of using the Clone Jutsu.
A few moments after Sasuke had fallen asleep, the door of the classroom was pushed open, and while trying to look for the seat the young Uchiha sat on, Naruto shouted, "Sasuke!" He was not satisfied with his defeat and wanted to continue fighting.
However, before Naruto could do anything Iruka appeared at the door and smacked him in the head, "Naruto, stop shouting this early in the morning…!" and instructed him as he walked to the podium, "No go to your seat and sit down!"
Naruto begrudgingly looked in the direction of Sasuke as he returned to the seat beside Shikamaru. Looking at Naruto's dissatisfied expression, Shikamaru shrugged, "I told you that fighting him is a bad idea… you didn't listen."
"Humph," Naruto snorted and said, "I am going to defeat Sasuke and prove that I am not a loser."
"Yeah, good luck trying to accomplish that…" Shikamaru sighed and decided to not pay attention to Naruto.
On the other hand, Sasuke's fangirls looked at the girl sitting next to him with envy and jealousy, "That one!" They wanted to be the ones sitting next to him, several of them had even vacated space for him to sit, but Sasuke didn't even pay any attention to them.
…
A while later
Amidst all the noise in the classroom, a soft feminine voice reached his ears, "Sasuke-san… Uchiha Sasuke-san… Sasuke-san…" as Sasuke felt a tug on his sleeve.
"Just a minute more Kaa-san…" mumbled Sasuke as he adjusted himself into a more comfortable position.
"Sasuke-san… we have to go to the training field for the Shuriken practice… please wake up, or Iruka-Sensei will scold us for getting late…" the same feminine voice once again reached his ears this time applying more pressure on her tug.
As the words 'Shuriken Practice' reached his ears, Sasuke immediately opened his eyes and noticed the same timid girl looking closely at him with concern. The two stared at each other for a few moments before the girl looked downward and hurriedly backed away in embarrassment.
Sasuke didn't care, he was aware of the girl's reserved temperament. He sighed as he gratefully nodded to the girl, "Thanks Hinata."
"Umm," Hinata nodded with a relieved sigh.
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