Mokuton Phantom in Naruto

The silence of the cave was broken only by the constant dripping of water. Ryuusei sat at the center of the seal, his body relaxed but his mind fully alert.

He had learned to absorb this energy without losing control, but now a new question lingered in his mind.

"Is this energy confined to this cave, or does it exist everywhere?"

If it was something present in the air, the earth, and the surrounding nature… then he wouldn't need to remain tied to this place any longer.

He closed his eyes, letting his breathing become light and controlled.

The energy continued to flow into him, but his attention shifted beyond the seal.

He stretched out his senses, trying to feel the energy around him.

For long minutes, nothing.

But then…

A faint pulse.

Small. Distant.

Almost imperceptible, but real.

The energy wasn't confined to the cave.

It existed outside as well.

But it was weaker, much more dispersed.

"If I can attune myself to this energy outside the cave…"

"I'll be able to continue my training anywhere."

But his time here was running out.

He needed a backup plan.

If he couldn't absorb this energy as easily in the outside world, he would need a way to carry it with him.

Rising from the seal, he walked toward the cave walls.

The blue-green crystals pulsed faintly.

These stones were like the meteorite from Hoshigakure.

They condensed the energy into a stable form.

If he could take some with him…

He could expose himself to the energy even far from the cave.

"A necklace…"

The idea came naturally.

If he crafted a cord with these crystals, he could absorb the energy constantly without isolation.

It would be a crutch, a support to continue his training.

Not ideal, but enough for now.

For two days, Ryuusei focused solely on sensing and absorbing the energy.

He exposed himself as much as possible, pushing his body to adapt.

And then… he began to notice something strange.

Physical changes.

On the second day, when he glanced at his reflection in the water, something was different.

His eyes…

The whites had turned black.

His nails…

Longer, sharpened like claws.

"This… isn't normal."

His body was transforming from prolonged exposure.

But it wasn't an uncontrolled mutation.

His body was adjusting to the energy.

He felt slight discomfort, like being caught in the middle of an incomplete transition.

"If I keep exposing myself…"

"Will this become permanent?"

It was a risk.

But he couldn't stop now.

The following days were spent exploring the cave, breaking through walls without compromising the structure.

But the crystals weren't as abundant as he'd hoped.

Despite all his digging and searching, he managed to find only twenty.

Enough for a simple necklace.

He sealed them away.

"This has to last."

He didn't know if he'd ever find more elsewhere.

Now, only one final thing remained to test.

If he could achieve the same with Star Energy.

If so, he wouldn't need the crystals while in the village.

But that…

He would discover in Hoshigakure.

Four days had passed.

It was time to return.

His appearance gradually returned to normal after spending a few hours without absorbing the energy.

With his newfound understanding and the crystals safely stored, Ryuusei left the cave and began his journey home.

His training was far from over.

But now, he had a path forward.

The moon hung high in the sky as Ryuusei passed through Hoshigakure's gates. His return was faster than expected, the journey back almost automatic, his mind still lost in the discoveries he had made.

He headed straight for the Hoshikage's tower, where Eizen awaited in his office, analyzing mission reports.

The man showed no surprise at his arrival.

"I see you returned without issue."

Ryuusei simply nodded.

"The mission was completed without incident."

He shared only the basics.

The route, the family's safety, the condition of the village he'd stayed in.

He said nothing about the cave.

Nor the crystals.

And certainly not the energy he had absorbed.

Eizen seemed satisfied with the brief report and dismissed him without further questioning.

Ryuusei left the tower with a knot in his stomach.

Now, only one other concern remained.

When he arrived home, he found his mother, Aiko, still awake.

She immediately rose from her chair, hoping he had news.

But seeing his expression… she understood.

No news.

The silence between them spoke volumes.

His father had been at war for months, and nothing had reached them.

No letters.

No messages from the River Country border.

Aiko tried to remain composed, but Ryuusei saw the tension in her eyes.

He had nothing comforting to say.

So, he simply went to his room.

That night, he didn't sleep.

The following months blurred into repetition.

Hoshigakure was short on available shinobi, meaning simple escort missions were constant.

Ryuusei completed them without feeling.

But in his free time…

He devoted himself entirely to training with Star Energy.

His body had long been accustomed to it.

Now, he aimed for something more.

"If I can absorb Star Energy, it must exist everywhere."

For weeks, he spent countless hours meditating near the meteorite.

Not just absorbing.

But searching for a way to sense the energy in the environment itself.

Without the concentrated presence like in the cave, progress was slow.

But he persisted, determined to adapt to Star Energy like his body handled chakra.

Not as mental and physical energy.

But as mental energy and the natural energy of the world.

If he succeeded…

He wouldn't need the crystals.

Or the star itself.

And slowly… progress came.

Misaki was the first to notice the change in his behavior.

Ryuusei had always balanced physical training, fuuinjutsu, and chakra control well.

But now… everything seemed off.

He barely attended fuuinjutsu lessons with his grandfather, Tadashi.

And he avoided physical training with her.

As if he'd lost interest.

It didn't make sense.

One afternoon, she finally confronted him.

She found him once again near the meteorite, eyes closed, perfectly still.

"Ryuusei."

He cracked one eye open, meeting her serious gaze.

"What is it?"

Misaki crossed her arms.

"What's going on with you?"

He sighed, closing his eyes again.

"Nothing. I'm just focused on improving what I lack."

"Improving what you lack?" She frowned. "Since when are fuuinjutsu and physical training not important?"

He hesitated.

"I just… realized I'm lacking in this area."

"Then why does it seem like you're obsessed with it?"

Silence.

Misaki clenched her fists.

"Did something happen during your last mission?"

He didn't answer immediately.

For a moment, he considered telling her everything.

But in the end, he only offered a faint smile.

"Maybe I just became more aware of my weaknesses."

She stared at him, unconvinced.

But in the end, she didn't press further.

She just sighed, stepping back.

"If you don't want to talk, fine."

And with that, she left.

But Ryuusei could tell.

She didn't believe him.

And maybe… she was right not to.