I've Figured It Out Again

After recovering from his shock, the Third Hokage sensed the Wind Release chakra lingering in the huge crater and asked Shinki, "Where did you learn that Ninjutsu?"

It was the first time he had seen this type of Wind Release Ninjutsu!

As the Professor of Ninjutsu, he had spent many years studying all kinds of Ninjutsu.

In the crater, he saw traces of an attack caused by the Rasengan!

But the Rasengan was a non-elemental attack, so there should not have been any wind-natured chakra present.

His initial deduction, then, was that this was a Wind Release Ninjutsu created by modifying the Rasengan!

"I just figured it out."

Shinki answered with an innocent look on his face.

As he spoke, Shinki pointed at Yamato on the stretcher. "I thought he was an assassin sent by another village, and in a panic, I tried using Wind Release chakra to imitate the shape of a Shuriken..."

"Go on."

The Third Hokage gave Shinki an inquisitive look, eager to hear what he had learned next...

Shinki met the Third Hokage's gaze and forced himself to continue. "Then I succeeded..."

Third Hokage: ???

Then he succeeded?

That was it?!

He had developed a Ninjutsu just like that?!

And an exceptionally lethal Wind Release Ninjutsu at that!

Even the Second had conducted numerous experiments when developing new Ninjutsu back in the day.

Yet this kid had summed it up in one simple sentence!

The Third no longer knew how to describe how he felt!

He had originally thought Shinki was an ordinary genius who had concealed his abilities for years before revealing them all at once.

But now, it seemed Shinki's talent was truly terrifying!

Before today,

the Third, who had spent years studying Ninjutsu, had never seen any ninja use the Wind Release technique Shinki had used today!

It had never even been recorded in the Ninjutsu texts!

In other words, it was highly likely that Shinki had created this Ninjutsu himself!

He had actually learned the Rasengan in just a few short years of studying Ninjutsu.

And then, using the Rasengan as a foundation, he had created an immensely destructive Wind Release Ninjutsu!

If that was not monstrous, what was??!

"Shinki, let me ask you again. Did nobody really teach you this Ninjutsu? Perhaps Jiraiya, or..."

The Third could not help asking again to make sure.

Shinki thought the Hokage was blaming him for developing a Ninjutsu and causing a major disaster.

"No. I did everything myself."

Shinki lowered his head.

Seeing this, the Third asked no more questions.

Afterward, worried that other villages would learn Konoha had produced a super genius, he told all the patrol members to keep quiet and not let the news spread.

At the same time, to keep Shinki from becoming too proud, he deliberately said, "Shinki, you used your Ninjutsu well this time, but your control of the technique was lacking. Otherwise, you wouldn't have destroyed your own house..."

"So don't blindly pursue a large and varied assortment of Ninjutsu. Instead, take one of your strengths and hone it to perfection..."

Shinki nodded at his words.

Just as I thought.

The road to learning Ninjutsu is long and slow!

I'm just a rookie who's barely started out!

These little accomplishments don't amount to a fart!

At that thought, he looked up at the Third.

As expected of Lord Hokage!

His advice is incredibly constructive!

It's a revelation!

"All right, Lord Hokage. I'll specialize in this one Ninjutsu and train it to the pinnacle!"

Shinki spoke solemnly.

The Third gave Shinki an appreciative look.

After that, the Third prepared to leave with the Konoha patrol members and Yamato on the stretcher.

Shinki looked troubled. His house had been destroyed, so where was he going to sleep tonight?

"Lord Hokage..."

Shinki called out cautiously.

The Third Hokage turned around and saw Shinki standing helplessly in the empty lot, and he understood what Shinki meant.

"Go sleep at Naruto's place tonight."

"Shinki, you're smart, and you're friends with Naruto. Give that boy some guidance."

"Don't worry, Lord Hokage!"

Shinki nodded.

A few minutes later, the Konoha patrol escorted Shinki to Naruto's front door.

Standing outside, Shinki seemed to hear faint sounds of impacts coming from inside Naruto's home.

"Naruto!"

Shinki knocked twice and called out.

A few seconds later, Naruto opened the door and looked at Shinki in confusion.

"Shinki, what brings you here?"

Naruto asked.

In response, Shinki explained, "A ninja from another village attacked my home and blew it flat."

Shinki had not meant to lie to his friend, but the Third Hokage had told him not to tell anyone about what had happened that night.

Hearing that such misfortune had befallen his friend, Naruto hurriedly ushered Shinki inside. "Oh, oh, you're really unlucky! Come on in!"

After entering Naruto's home, Shinki noticed a wooden target dummy placed right in the middle of the living room.

Quite a few Shuriken were still embedded in it.

The scene in the room, combined with the impacts Shinki had heard outside and Naruto's sweat-soaked body and weary expression...

From this, it was not hard to tell that Naruto had been secretly training at home!

"How's your practice going?"

Shinki asked.

Naruto knew Shinki had already guessed that he had been secretly practicing at home. His face reddened. "Not very well. I always feel like whether I hit the bullseye or not is down to luck."

Shinki remembered that the Third had just asked him to give Naruto some guidance.

As it happened, he had gained a thorough understanding of Shuriken that night, so he explained without holding anything back.

"Actually, throwing Shuriken isn't just about practicing hard. You also have to figure out some techniques as you practice. For example, you can do this..."

As Naruto listened to Shinki's explanation, he grew more and more excited. "Shinki, where did you learn all this? Iruka-sensei has never taught us any of it!"

"Of course Iruka-sensei wouldn't explain it. He told us to figure it out ourselves, and that's what I did."

Shinki spoke as though it were only natural. "Sasuke, Shikamaru, and the others in our year have definitely learned it already."

"We can't fall too far behind, or we won't graduate."

"Enough chatter. Hurry up and try practicing what I just told you."

Naruto listened beside him, utterly shocked.

(꒪⌓꒪)

Going by what Shinki just said...

Could Sasuke and Shikamaru have figured out Shuriken Shadow Clones ages ago?!

And have they also figured out how to throw ten Shuriken at once and hit ten targets?!

And how to hit the bullseye even after a Shuriken has bounced off the surroundings more than ten times?!

That's terrifying!

Naruto had never felt he was that far behind the other students in his year before.

But after Shinki's explanation, he realized there was a world of difference between him and the others!

Forget graduating—he could only still sit in a Ninja Academy classroom because of Iruka-sensei's pity!

Naruto took a deep breath and accepted reality, then shouted with renewed determination.

"Shinki! Looks like I'll have to work even harder from now on, or I won't be able to keep up with our classmates!"

"Yeah! Let's work hard together!"

Shinki nodded.