Land of Grass.
Behind Konoha Camp, amid the roar of the waterfall, explosions of air rang out.
Beneath the waterfall's rushing current, arcs of lightning and afterimages flashed continuously, while the air was repeatedly torn apart with sharp bursts.
A figure moved at high speed, so fast that ordinary eyes could no longer see him.
As Uchiha Yoru moved rapidly, afterimages appeared only during the briefest pauses when he needed to twist his body instantly. In terms of speed alone, he had already reached jonin level.
Kunai struck the rocks surrounding the waterfall one after another. The moment the Steel Wire connected to the prepared senbon launchers was severed, the launchers in every direction went off at once.
Whoosh, whoosh—
The air was filled only with rain-like afterimages of senbon. As they came down in an overwhelming barrage, Uchiha Yoru's Two-Tomoe Sharingan fixed firmly on the senbon attacking from every direction.
Clang, clang, clang—
In an instant, dense, crisp sounds rang through the air. Uchiha Yoru held a Sword in hand, lightning arcs flashing over his body as he swung it in a blur. The dense senbon, like a torrential downpour, could not get close to him.
Thud, thud, thud...
The metal senbon were cut apart amid clanging sounds and fell continuously onto the water, creating a dense series of splashes.
The sounds abruptly stopped, replaced by Uchiha Yoru's heavy breathing. His entire body was drenched in sweat.
"Heh heh, Yoru, you truly are a genius."
Before the waterfall, Orochimaru watched the scene with an appreciative gaze and sighed.
"Lightning Style Chakra stimulates the body, activating the flesh and granting extreme speed for a short period. The Uchiha Clan's unique Sharingan, with its dynamic vision, perfectly compensates for the flaws brought by such speed."
"Activating the body with this technique also requires an extremely high talent for Chakra control."
Watching Uchiha Yoru train before him as though he were admiring a work of art, Orochimaru could not help but offer his praise.
Standing on the water and breathing heavily, Uchiha Yoru frowned and shook his head at Orochimaru's evaluation.
"Lord Orochimaru, this technique has a weakness as well. It can't be maintained for long."
Ever since he had received the clan's full support, what did wasting a few senbon matter?
Seeing that Uchiha Yoru was still somewhat dissatisfied, Orochimaru did not find it excessive. Instead, he let out a hoarse laugh.
"Yoru, we truly are the same kind of people."
Greed was not a sin. It was motivation!
"I heard Kumogakure's Lightning Release Ninjutsu and Taijutsu can be used for extended periods when combined with Special Medicine that helps the body adapt to its own Lightning Style Chakra."
Orochimaru was absolutely one of the most broad-minded people. As long as someone had value, he would hold nothing back.
For example, ever since Orochimaru began researching Yoru's Cursed Seal, he would always set aside time each month to teach him some Ninjutsu experience.
"Kumogakure!"
After hearing Orochimaru's words, Uchiha Yoru naturally understood. Though this Nintaijutsu was merely B-rank, it required Special Medicine to complement it. Otherwise, a mere B-rank Ninjutsu would have long been thoroughly studied by every major ninja village.
Otherwise, this Nintaijutsu would not have become the signature Ninjutsu of Kumogakure's Raikage lineage.
"Yoru, the youngest jonin in Konoha's history at thirteen, having created a self-created Ninjutsu without hand seals of A-rank! What envy-worthy bloodline Bloodline Limits are. Such growth in only three months."
With his distinctive smile and tongue licking over his lips, Orochimaru made no effort to conceal his envy toward Kekkei Genkai ninja.
After awakening their Bloodline Limits, Kekkei Genkai ninja could match years of effort from ordinary ninja in only a few months. There had never been fairness between geniuses and ordinary people.
"A genius?"
Facing Orochimaru's praise, Uchiha Yoru silently shook his head. At the very least, he knew this record would probably not last more than a few years. Kakashi would replace his title when he became a jonin at twelve.
"Compared to that, Minato has also grown considerably under Lord Jiraiya's guidance lately."
His talent could be said to owe the most to his Dual Kekkei Genkai, while Minato Namikaze was a true genius as well!
Since coming to the front lines, perhaps feeling the pressure from noble-clan ninja like them, Minato had been training desperately under Jiraiya.
Ever since word spread that Yoru had created a self-created Ninjutsu without hand seals of A-rank and had been appointed the youngest jonin in Konoha's history, his reputation as a genius had instantly spread far and wide.
Along with the pressure came many conveniences, such as resources from the clan and greater influence within it.
When Uchiha Yoru mentioned Minato Namikaze, he turned helplessly and gestured with his eyes toward the white-haired figure above the waterfall, at a complete loss for words.
Orochimaru, standing nearby, had naturally noticed long ago. He too fell silent before muttering the words "idiot."
Above the waterfall.
"Haha, Minato, work harder! Strive to become a jonin next year!"
Jiraiya laughed goofily, glancing from the corner of his eye at Orochimaru teaching that brat below the waterfall. He was unwilling to lose as well.
In the forest to one side, yellow figures flashed everywhere, while kunai and Shuriken occasionally shot out.
The yellow afterimages were not the Flying Thunder God, but the Body Flicker Technique.
"Minato, when it comes to talent for the Body Flicker Technique, you are the most gifted person I've ever seen. And your kunai and Shurikenjutsu aren't much worse than the Uchiha Clan's."
Watching Minato Namikaze stop training while gasping for breath, Jiraiya sighed with deep emotion.
He was not boasting. After discovering his talent for the Body Flicker Technique, Minato seemed to have found his own path and had become unstoppable.
The Body Flicker Technique was a form of taijutsu. Different ninja had different techniques for using it, each with its own distinct characteristics.
This Ninjutsu gathered Chakra in the legs and relied on an explosive burst from the soles of the feet. It required powerful Chakra control, as well as leg and foot meridians that differed from those of ordinary people.
Minato Namikaze was one of the best among them. The Second Hokage had even evaluated him by saying, "Fourth Hokage, you are better at the Body Flicker Technique than this old man."
From that alone, one could see Minato Namikaze's talent for the Body Flicker Technique aside from the Flying Thunder God.
"Thank you, Teacher Jiraiya."
The master and disciple looked at each other. Jiraiya smiled in satisfaction and rubbed that head of blond hair.
"Minato, sometimes geniuses simply don't make sense. But you're still young. Back then, Tsunade and Orochimaru were both geniuses, while I was dead last. But look at me now."
Faced with Teacher Jiraiya's consolation, Minato Namikaze gave a bitter smile and nodded.
"Teacher, I understand. But sometimes, I really can't help feeling unwilling. When I saw the Tailed Beast Ball back then, I also had the inspiration to create my own Ninjutsu. But while I was still completely lost, Yoru had already developed it!"
Minato Namikaze could only sigh inwardly at this. He had merely formed the beginnings of an idea, yet the other had already developed it—and without hand seals, no less. It was simply ridiculous!
"Haha, Minato, you're wrong about that."
Jiraiya laughed. "Orochimaru is a genius, right? He has developed quite a few Ninjutsu. But I, Jiraiya, am no worse. I'm a genius at learning Ninjutsu, so geniuses come in different kinds."
At this point, Jiraiya suddenly turned and grinned at a large tree.
"Orochimaru, what do you think? My disciple is a genius too, right?"
As Jiraiya laughed heartily, Orochimaru's figure slowly emerged from the tree's shadow. This time, he unusually did not mock Jiraiya. Looking at Minato, he nodded in agreement.
"He truly is a genius."
Orochimaru had never been stingy with praise for geniuses.
"However, if I remember correctly, this child has Fire, Wind, and Lightning Chakra natures, correct?"
Orochimaru suddenly changed the subject, causing Jiraiya to bristle as he widened his eyes.
"Orochimaru, he's my disciple! I may not have Lightning Style Chakra, but I can go find the old man!"
Jiraiya looked as though he were protecting his cub, seemingly afraid that Orochimaru would steal his disciple.
Seeing Jiraiya's expression, Orochimaru disdainfully spat out, "Idiot!"
"Orochimaru!"
Watching Jiraiya fly into a rage, Orochimaru's lips slowly curled upward in a rare, relaxed smile.
"Jiraiya, business first!"
Relaxed times were always short-lived. Beneath the setting sun, Orochimaru gave a cold snort. Clearly, he had come this time with a certain mission.
Tomorrow is Tuesday. Please keep reading! Once it goes premium, I'll go all out. Please keep reading, everyone.
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