Genius Doesn't Need a Solid Foundation

Chapter 30

Konoha, beneath the moonlight, by the roadside near the Jonin Single Apartment.

After finishing a busy day of work, Kakashi was preparing to head home and rest.

Konoha was currently on the brink of war. Orochimaru was watching like a tiger eyeing its prey, while the attitudes of the allied countries remained unpredictable.

As one of the village's elite jonin, he had to participate in patrols for the city defense arrangements, keep an eye on the surveillance of Sasuke, and carefully observe Sarutobi Asuma's movements.

By the end of the day, there were reports he could never finish reading and briefings he could never finish giving.

"I heard you've been telling everyone that you took me away for secret training?"

A figure slowly emerged beneath a streetlight.

Looking closely, Kakashi saw that it was Uchiha Sasuke.

"Hm? I never said that.

"On the other hand, you suddenly appearing like that gave me quite a scare."

Kakashi replied without giving anything away.

"No matter what, I'm still your subordinate and comrade, aren't I?"

Sasuke stepped forward, stared into Kakashi's eyes, and asked earnestly.

"Of course."

Kakashi answered just as seriously.

"Then please guide me in my next stage of training!"

Sasuke made his request sincerely.

Kakashi hesitated for a moment and carefully considered his schedule for the next day.

Although he still had plenty of work to do, the Chunin Exam Finals were imminent, and there had previously been a rift between him and Sasuke.

For public and private reasons alike, he could not refuse this request.

"All right. But aren't you training with Jiraiya-senpai?"

He was surprisingly well-informed.

Sasuke secretly pursed his lips, but said aloud, "It's fine if I make my schedule a little tighter. Training over there has already begun, but it's not a day's work. I still want to learn a little more from Kakashi."

"All right. Then gather at the top of the western rocky mountain early tomorrow morning."

After a brief thought, Kakashi set the time.

At the same time, he laughed inwardly. Young people were still too impatient.

Did he think training with me could be completed in a day?

If he wanted to learn high-level ninjutsu, which one didn't require a solid foundation built over years?

I was wrong. The Uchiha Clan's Genius didn't need a solid foundation.

Just ten minutes ago, Kakashi had told Uchiha Sasuke to recall Lee's movements and perform wooden post training in taijutsu.

Watching Sasuke's afterimages in the air and the wood chips scattering in all directions, Kakashi finally realized that the boy's taijutsu ability was already no weaker than Lee's.

"Is this okay, Sensei? I can still go faster."

Sasuke stopped, panting lightly as he asked.

In the System, the reward for "Martial Arts Grandmaster" flickered faintly.

"That's enough, that's enough."

Any faster, and you'll smash every wooden post to pieces.

"Since your taijutsu ability already has a decent foundation, we'll move directly to the next stage of training!"

As Kakashi spoke, he turned sideways toward Sasuke, crouched slightly, pressed his left hand over his right, and assumed a stance.

"Lightning Release: Chidori!"

A massive amount of Lightning Release Chakra formed dazzling high-intensity currents, gathering in Kakashi's right hand.

The fierce current emitted a piercing sound like the cries of a thousand birds.

Then Kakashi charged forward, his hand as a blade, and violently thrust it into the giant rock ahead.

In an instant, Sasuke felt the ground tremble beneath his feet. When the smoke cleared, a massive crater stood before him.

"So... so strong."

Sasuke could not help exclaiming in astonishment.

"This ninjutsu has three prerequisites."

Kakashi explained.

"First, an exceptionally strong taijutsu foundation.

"Without sufficient speed, this technique cannot unleash its full power. I don't think you have a problem with that anymore."

Next, Kakashi took out a sheet of Chakra Sensing Paper and continued, "Second, Lightning Release Chakra.

"Generally speaking, everyone is born with chakra attributes. This depends on one's individual talent.

"Broadly speaking, everyone has one nature that is easier for them to learn, but jonin-level ninja have generally mastered two or more."

"At present, as a member of the Uchiha Clan, fire should be the innate attribute you have the greatest affinity with. Whether you can master lightning will require us to spend some time exploring."

"Lastly, the Sharingan."

Kakashi pointed to his left eye, which was covered by his mask. "As for that, I'll explain it in detail when we reach that stage!"

After finishing his explanation, Kakashi handed the test paper to Sasuke.

"Now, we'll begin Lightning Release training.

"Try injecting your chakra into this paper."

Sasuke did as instructed.

Immediately, the test paper burst into flames and quickly turned to ash.

"Very good. This is the chakra nature you're familiar with in your daily life.

"Remember that feeling from just now. Deliberately avoid it, and try creating chakra of a different nature.

"Picture yourself trying to make the paper wrinkle."

Under Kakashi's guidance, Sasuke burned through about five sheets before successfully wrinkling the Chakra Sensing Paper.

"Excellent!" Kakashi said happily. "This proves you have an affinity with lightning as well!"

"Remember this feeling. Strengthen that imprint, and try condensing chakra in your hand until it takes physical form."

After striving for a long time, Sasuke finally condensed a few sparks of electricity in his hand.

"The greatest characteristic of Lightning Chakra is its penetrating power. It has a longer attack range, loses less power while dispersing through the air, and ordinary barriers cannot withstand its force.

"Compared to the outward, surging nature of fire, you need to focus more on sensing its subtle changes—like needles, like stings."

Under Kakashi's patient guidance, Sasuke became increasingly proficient in using lightning.

"Excellent! As expected of the Uchiha Clan's Genius! Next, let's train the instantaneous increase of chakra quantity—"

Teaching a smart student gave a teacher an immense sense of accomplishment.

Watching Sasuke continually improve, Kakashi found himself enjoying the teaching more and more.

By sunset, Sasuke could even attempt his first Chidori, leaving scorched marks on a tree trunk as thick as a bowl.

"All right! Chidori training consumes an enormous amount of chakra. I imagine you're already exhausted today, so let's continue tomorrow!"

"Kakashi, can I take leave tomorrow?"

"Huh? Oh, oh, I understand. That's fine."

Sasuke thought that he seemed to have mastered the most difficult introductory stage. From here on, he should only need to practice diligently.

But Jiraiya Sensei's Fire Dragon Flame Bullet training had not even officially begun yet.

Seeing Sasuke's expression, Kakashi quickly guessed what he was planning.

Though he agreed aloud, he could not help feeling a twinge of jealousy over someone trying to steal his student.

After descending the mountain, the two said their goodbyes.

Sasuke first went to get something to eat. By the time dinner was over, the moon had already climbed above the treetops.

Dragging his exhausted body, Sasuke walked toward his empty home.

Though his body was tired, Sasuke had never felt as fulfilled as he had these past two days.

What he had learned at the Ninja Academy had all been too simple. Although he had always ranked first, he constantly felt an uneasy sense that he had strength but nowhere to use it.

After becoming a genin, he had spent every day running around on D-Rank Missions like finding cats and dogs.

Only that chance encounter in the Land of Waves had offered him an opportunity to grow stronger, but he had nearly lost his life because of it.

So the Chunin Exams truly were an opportunity he had to seize. Only as his results improved would more opportunities to become stronger gradually open up to him.

Just as Sasuke's thoughts wandered, an Anbu ninja wearing a red-and-white fox mask appeared on a rooftop not far away beneath the moonlight.

"Hey, brat from the Uchiha Clan!"

Sasuke stopped and looked up.

The ninja stood high above, as though he could reach out and touch the moon.

"By order of the Third Hokage, I have come to take your life!"