Training

The essence of ninjutsu lay in using one's own Chakra, directing it through the meridians with Hand Seals to release it in different forms.

Whether it was Wind Release, Lightning Release, or Fire Release, even so-called Kekkei Genkai were based on this fundamental principle.

The same was true of Chakra shape transformation and nature transformation.

Even the Sharingan was a manifestation of Yin Release.

This was Hiruzen Sarutobi's understanding: every application of ninjutsu or genjutsu was founded upon the use of Chakra.

"Sakura, your Chakra natures are Yang, Yin, Water, and Earth."

"That is quite an excellent Chakra affinity, but overall, you are more suited to becoming a support, medical, or genjutsu-type ninja."

At the Third Training Ground, Hiruzen Sarutobi had set aside his official duties and made time to personally instruct his Final Disciple.

Besides Hiruzen Sarutobi and Sakura, Asuma Sarutobi was sitting nearby as well.

Although he had once argued with Hiruzen Sarutobi a few years ago, run away from home, and gone to serve the Daimyo as one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja for five years, so much time had passed that his anger had long since faded.

He had also come to understand the difficulties Hiruzen Sarutobi faced as Hokage.

"But I don't feel like I'm a support-type ninja?"

Sakura raised her hand.

At present, she possessed both strength and speed. Combined with Enma's Adamantine Immovability and Katsuyu's healing and recovery, she was an exceptionally formidable taijutsu-type ninja.

She could be understood as a tank who could fight, endure damage, heal, and move quickly.

It could be said that her only weakness at the moment was genjutsu.

But that was not a problem either. She only needed to summon a small Katsuyu onto her shoulder before battle.

Sakura could be said to be at the absolute pinnacle among those her age.

Unless her opponent was a Jinchuriki capable of unleashing a Tailed Beast, virtually no one was her match.

"That is because Sakura is exceptional."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stroked the little girl's cherry-pink hair and smiled.

"Sakura's individual combat ability is quite impressive now."

"However, if your opponent is the type who uses large-scale ninjutsu and excels at restraining others..."

"Sakura would probably have no way to deal with them, right?"

Sakura paused at Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.

It seemed that she really did not have any good options. Unless she summoned a sufficiently large Katsuyu and used Tongue Tooth Sticky Acid, there truly was nothing she could do.

But summoning a Katsuyu large enough would consume a considerable amount of Chakra, making it impossible to sustain a prolonged battle...

"This is an old man's own jutsu, along with the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu."

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly pulled two scrolls from his sleeve and handed them to Sakura.

Giant Shuriken Jutsu.

Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu.

The old man had brought out a combo technique.

Looking at the two scrolls in her hands, Sakura looked up, blinked, and asked:

"If I throw an enlarged shuriken with Monstrous Strength, then use the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu, would it be really powerful?"

Before Sakura could finish speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi already understood what the little girl was thinking.

In fact, that had been his plan as well.

The power of combining all three techniques would definitely surpass imagination.

"That's right. Go practice."

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the little girl run off to the side and begin reading the scrolls, unable to stop a smile from appearing on his face.

Asuma Sarutobi had not said a word from beginning to end. He merely watched everything in silence.

From their brief conversation earlier, he had learned that the little girl before him had already mastered Tsunade's Monstrous Strength.

That made him marvel. He knew how difficult Monstrous Strength was to learn.

Yet from the conversation between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Sakura, it seemed that this child had learned it with ease and could even apply it to other techniques.

"Old man, is this your precious jewel?"

Asuma looked at the little girl in the distance, who was earnestly studying the scrolls, and spoke.

"Not only Sakura. Every child in the village is my precious jewel."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up, rubbed his somewhat stiff lower back, and looked at his youngest son as he spoke softly.

"You've been back for so long, yet you still haven't gone to see Konohamaru."

At the mention of Konohamaru's name, Asuma's expression stiffened.

He was terrible at communicating with children, especially a brat who was not even five years old.

"Yes, yes, yes, I know..."

Asuma waved a hand and spoke helplessly.

Glancing at his son, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes softened slightly.

When people grew old, what they wanted most was to see their children happily gathered around them.

Now that Asuma had returned, the child in whom he had placed such high hopes was also growing strong.

The wounds left by war seemed to have healed, and the old man could not help but smile.

"Alright, Old Man."

"I'll be going now. I have things to do. I'll visit Konohamaru tonight."

Asuma patted himself down, rose to his feet, and prepared to leave.

"Is it because of that girl from the Yūhi Clan?"

Suddenly, a teasing smile appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face.

"Uh, well..."

"Why are you, an old man, meddling so much?"

Asuma's old face reddened. He spoke awkwardly, then shoved his hands into his pockets and left.

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Asuma leave with a smile. In those cloudy eyes, he seemed to already see Konoha's new generation coming into being.

However, when he turned his gaze back to Sakura, he found that the child had already raised a huge shuriken and was calling out to him excitedly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile widened.

The jutsu he taught Sakura were not particularly difficult, but they were all highly practical.

Yet for her to master the Giant Shuriken Jutsu in such a short time was truly extraordinary.

Sakura's talent for learning amazed him. Very few people could compare to her in that regard.

Even Hiruzen Sarutobi himself, at her age, could not compare to this child with beautiful pink hair.

"Master, I did it!"

Holding a Giant Shuriken half the size of her body, Sakura jogged over to Hiruzen Sarutobi and looked at him with a smile.

"Sakura really is amazing."

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled and patted Sakura's head.

He had only ever seen this kind of learning ability in Orochimaru.

It was as though, through Sakura, he could see the shadow of that former disciple.

But Sakura was not Orochimaru. She possessed far more than Orochimaru ever had.

And he himself would properly guide this child as she grew.

Until she reached a certain height, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no intention of letting go.

"Sakura, now let's try the Shuriken Shadow Clone."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's words made Sakura beam.

She truly regarded Hiruzen Sarutobi as her master.

After all, he had protected her so closely over the past few years. Even a stone would have warmed up by now.