This Is-the Rasengan

"Iruka, what do you think is most important for a genius?"

The Third asked gravely.

Iruka sat up straight and thought for a long while before answering, "Growth."

Appreciation showed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes. "That's right."

"The ninja world has never lacked geniuses."

"But because of the wars between nations, missions outside the village, and all sorts of other reasons, very few geniuses ever grow to their full potential."

"So protecting geniuses, educating them, and helping them grow is of the utmost importance."

"And in all of that, tempering a genius's character is indispensable. We absolutely must not let them become arrogant."

"In battle, arrogance and underestimating the enemy mean death."

"Then what you mean is, Lord Hokage...?" Iruka asked tentatively.

The Third Hokage pondered for a moment before speaking. "Don't let Shinki become too arrogant, but give him due recognition."

Delight appeared in Iruka's eyes, and his mind suddenly became crystal clear!

As expected of Lord Hokage!

This approach to education would keep a genius from becoming arrogant while also giving him confidence, without being too discouraging.

"I understand!"

With that, Iruka excitedly left the Hokage's meeting room.

After Iruka left.

The Third Hokage waved and summoned a masked Anbu member.

He asked, "Yamato, do you think it's possible for Shinki to use Wood Release?"

The Anbu member whom the Hokage had called Yamato knelt respectfully on the floor of the Hokage's office and answered truthfully, "Wood Release was the First's signature release technique, an extremely rare Kekkei Genkai."

"Back then, Orochimaru captured so many children for his experiments, but I was the only one who survived."

"We can't let a genius take such a huge risk..."

Hearing Yamato's words, the Third laughed. "What are you thinking? I would never experiment with someone's life."

"What I mean is, given Shinki's special bloodline and the talent he's displayed, can he use Wood Release...?"

At this question, Yamato fell silent. After a long while, he replied, "I don't know."

The Ninja Academy.

Inside the classroom.

Iruka-sensei had finally returned.

After entering, Iruka immediately spotted Shinki sitting in the corner.

He planned to put the Third Hokage's educational standard into practice, giving Shinki some recognition without letting him become too arrogant!

Iruka walked over to Shinki, patted him on the shoulder as if to comfort him, and said, "The Clone Technique you used earlier was good. Keep working hard."

Shinki's eyes lit up.

He praised me!

He acknowledged me!

Looks like there's hope I can stay at the academy!

"Okay, sensei! I'll definitely work even harder from now on!"

Shinki said, a little excited.

"Mm..."

Iruka nodded as though in thought, but his eyelids were twitching wildly.

Work harder?!

Kid, if you have two more breakthroughs, I won't have a job as a teacher anymore!

The day's classes soon came to an end.

As usual, before dismissing the class, Iruka-sensei told them what they would be reviewing tomorrow.

"Tomorrow, I'll test everyone on their Shuriken skills. Don't disappoint me."

As Iruka spoke, he noticed Shinki's eager gaze.

Iruka felt a little smug.

We're reviewing Shuriken tomorrow. I don't believe you've got any hidden moves for that, kid!

After all, accuracy is the only standard for the Shuriken test!

After school, Shinki and Naruto walked side by side.

Naruto opened his mouth.

He wanted to ask Shinki to go out and play.

But seeing how serious Shinki looked, he guessed that Shinki would probably be training hard at Ninjutsu again tonight. In the end, he didn't ask.

"Shinki, take care of yourself while you're training."

Naruto reminded him.

Shinki nodded.

"Okay, I will."

"Sorry, Naruto, I can't play with you these next couple of days."

"I'm just too far behind in my studies. If this keeps up, I won't be able to graduate."

Seeing how seriously Shinki took his studies, Naruto said he understood.

Shinki returned home.

Back home, Shinki looked at the empty room, then went into the kitchen and started cooking.

As soon as he finished eating, he threw himself into training with all his heart!

Late at night, the moon shone brightly among the sparse stars.

A wooden dummy stood at the front of the courtyard.

"Swish, swish, swish!"

Shinki sent Shuriken flying from his hand, one after another!

Without exception, every one hit the bull's-eye!

Just as Shinki was about to move on to the next stage of Shuriken throwing.

He noticed something.

In the bright moonlight, a dark shadow had appeared in front of him!

Someone was watching him from behind!

In an instant, a chill ran down Shinki's spine!

He turned around nervously and flicked his wrist, sending several Shuriken flying!

"Swish, swish, swish!"

The Shuriken glinted metallically in the night sky as they flew toward the dark figure crouching on the wall of Shinki's house!

Just as the Shuriken were about to strike.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

Vine-like things emerged from the dark figure and deflected every Shuriken Shinki had thrown!

Immediately afterward, the mysterious person crouching on the wall of Shinki's house jumped down in front of him!

Shinki warily retreated!

Although the nations were at peace with one another for now.

The rifts between the major ninja villages had not disappeared.

He had heard that people in Konoha often died suddenly.

It was speculated that they had been killed by assassin ninjas sent by other villages!

Cold sweat appeared on Shinki's forehead.

Could the person in front of me be an assassin ninja sent by another village?!

At that thought, Shinki clenched his fists.

He had only transmigrated to this world a short while ago, and he didn't want to lose his life for nothing like this!

"No matter who you are, I won't give in!"

Shinki roared and formed a hand seal for the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!

The next moment.

"Poof, poof, poof..."

Over a thousand Shadow Clones appeared in the courtyard!

The dark figure froze for a moment after seeing Shinki summon so many Shadow Clones.

Shinki seized this rare opportunity, and all his clones rushed forward!

Caught off guard, the dark figure was knocked to the ground by the many Shadow Clones!

Shinki wasn't naive enough to think his Shadow Clones could take down a powerful ninja from another village.

While the Shadow Clones were stalling the dark figure, inspiration suddenly struck Shinki!

He had figured it out!

Concentrate Chakra in the hand, keep it flowing in irregular directions, and compress it into a palm-sized ball of Chakra with no nature!

This was—the Rasengan!

What was more, the technique didn't have stringent casting requirements and needed no preliminary Hand Seals. It should be relatively easy for him to use!

With that thought, Shinki gathered Chakra energy in his palm.

All the energy in his body surged toward his palm...

Soon, a Rasengan containing compressed, raging Chakra appeared in Shinki's palm!

By then, the clones stalling the dark figure had all been dispelled.

The dark figure stood up and opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something.

"I..."

However.

Before he could finish, Shinki charged at him with the Rasengan in his hand!!!

"Die!"