Sho's face lit up with delight as An expressed her curiosity and desire to try the technique herself. He nodded happily, eager to share the knowledge and experience with his younger sister. This was an opportunity for them to bond and further strengthen her abilities in preparation for the graduation test.
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"Of course!" Sho replied with a wide smile, gently patting her head. As he watched his sister growing up so quickly, he couldn't help but cherish these moments. He made a silent promise to himself to be there for her, to support her growth and never miss out on important bonding time again. Pushing aside any lingering unease, he continued,
"But before you try it, let me demonstrate the entire process so you can grasp the essence of it."[break][break]
From his small bag, Sho gathered a handful of spores and scattered them onto the ground. He took a moment to focus and harness his chakra, feeling the powerful life force coursing through his body. With a practised motion, he swiftly performed the required hand seals, skillfully channelling his chakra into the scattered spores. As he did so, a surge of energy radiated from his palms, infusing the fungi with vibrant vitality.
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Instead of ordinary mushrooms, a beautiful white snow fungus flourished before the siblings. It expanded in size, resembling delicate white flowers with intricate patterns. Sho couldn't see it with his eyes closed, but he could imagine the astonished expression on An's face as she witnessed the stunning display. He had prepared it as a surprise, hoping to bring joy to his little sister.
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Sho slowly opened his eyes, a sense of pride and anticipation evident in his gaze as he observed the magnificent white fungus.
"Isn't it beautiful?" he remarked, his voice filled with genuine admiration.
"This is actually a dessert that onii-san has been preparing to cook for you."
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As Sho stared at the majestic white fungus, a wave of bittersweet memories washed over him. It was a dessert he had meticulously planned to cook for his childhood friend, a special treat he never had the chance to share with her before she tragically lost her life in the civil war. Emotions swelled within him, a mixture of sadness and determination, but he swiftly pushed them aside, reminding himself to stay focused on the present moment and the opportunity he had with his sister.
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With a brief smile, Sho refocused his attention on An, ready to continue his teaching.
"Okay... back to the topic at hand…" he said, his voice filled with determination.
"By infusing our chakra, we possess the ability to accelerate the growth of these fungi beyond their natural limits." He pointed at the fungus before them, emphasising its significance.
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He allowed a moment of silence, allowing An to fully appreciate the visual spectacle before resuming his explanation.
"This technique has a limited range of approximately 10 metres from our position." Sho elaborated, his voice filled with clarity.
"It's crucial to understand that we cannot create fungi out of thin air. Instead, our chakra enhances the growth of existing fungi by channelling our energy into them. That's why I scattered the spores earlier, to provide a medium for our chakra to act upon."[break][break]
Sho turned his attention back to his sister, his eyes brimming with warmth and encouragement.
"And that’s all! We Gure possess a unique chakra, a gift that bestows us with a remarkable life force. It is this blessing that enables us to accelerate the growth of fungi. All you need to do is tap into that special chakra within you."[break][break]
With a warm smile that radiated reassurance and support, Sho emphasised the significance of the technique within their clan.
"This technique serves as the foundation for many of our clan's techniques, making it truly important. Let's give it a try, shall we? Onii-san will guide you through each step, side by side!" The excitement in Sho's voice was palpable as he eagerly prepared to share this invaluable knowledge with his sister. However, his enthusiasm went beyond the act of teaching; deep down, he just wanted to create a cherished memory with his sister and be part of her life which he barely did back then due to his busy profession.