Katsuyu (Seeking Recommendations, Investments, and Bookmarks)

Uzumaki Gengetsu and Nobukazu moved at the same time before the command was given, startling Tamoki. Then he smiled and swiftly retreated.

The spectators could not help nodding to themselves. Jiraiya praised them, "Very good combat awareness. After all, in a real battle, no one is going to say 'start'!"

"Haha, Jiraiya-sensei, Gengetsu was trained by Lady Tsunade and me!"

Kushina said proudly, while Minato wiped away a bead of sweat beside her.

Inside the Training Ground, Nobukazu immediately threw a Shuriken and charged forward, Tachi in hand as he followed close behind it. Gengetsu, who had moved almost simultaneously, merely clasped his hands together. Moisture condensed around him, then the water rapidly spiraled, sweeping aside the incoming Shuriken before rising into a massive water pillar that surged toward Nobukazu.

Water Release: Water Disruption Wave!

There was simply too much water. Nobukazu, who had been charging in, had no choice but to retreat for the moment.

Boom!

The water pillar dispersed, turning the entire Training Ground into a flooded expanse. Then Gengetsu opened his mouth and exhaled, sending thick mist roaring forth to blanket the entire Training Ground.

"Hidden Mist Technique? When did Gengetsu learn that?"

Kushina asked in surprise as she looked at the dense fog before her.

"He probably developed it himself!"

Minato said with a smile. Seeing that Uzumaki Gengetsu's hands were still clasped together, he understood that Gengetsu had most likely developed this technique entirely through his formidable Chakra control and understanding of Water Release, even skipping the hand seals.

At that moment, howling winds rose from within the Training Ground. The thick mist churned violently and scattered, rapidly thinning until it barely obstructed one's vision.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Footsteps rang out, and Nobukazu's gaze sharpened. "He's coming!"

The next moment, a figure rushed over amid the sound of splashing water. Gengetsu lifted his leg, sending water spraying everywhere.

Water splashed across Nobukazu's face. His raised blade paused, and a sense of danger flashed through his heart. He quickly pulled it back and held it horizontally before himself.

A feint!

Gengetsu's raised leg came down, and his fist shot forward, striking the blade squarely. Monster Strength erupted. Along with the sound of the Tachi snapping, Nobukazu let out a muffled groan and flew backward, only to turn into a log upon landing.

"When?"

Gengetsu was slightly startled. He had not even noticed his opponent forming hand seals. But startled as he was, he immediately crouched and pressed both hands onto the water.

The ground beneath his feet trembled, and a wall instantly rose up before him, blocking his path. Almost at the same time, Nobukazu formed hand seals in midair and spat out a barrage of air bullets that whistled downward, blasting dirt from the Earth Wall.

"What fast technique casting. This kid isn't only proficient in Water Release!"

Nobukazu, still in the air, was surprised once again. As he descended, he hurriedly drew a Kunai, preparing for Uzumaki Gengetsu's assault. At that moment, he was practically a target and at his most vulnerable.

Tap!

Nobukazu's feet landed on the water. He frowned. Gengetsu had let such a good opportunity slip away?

But just as that thought crossed his mind, his expression changed drastically. Looking down, he saw streams of water whistling like ropes as they bound him tightly from head to toe!

He had lost!

Nobukazu smiled bitterly.

The Shadow Clone dispersed, and the ninjutsu was released. Gengetsu's Main Body walked out of the water and stepped forward to apologize. "Senior Nobukazu, sorry about that!"

"So it was a Shadow Clone!"

Nobukazu shook his head. The ninjutsu this kid had mastered was far beyond what an academy student should possess. After thinking for a moment, he added, "That Hidden Mist Technique wasn't actually meant to block vision, was it?"

"That's right, Senior. The thick mist I created was for sensing. Blowing it away didn't affect it—instead, it expanded my sensing range!"

Gengetsu nodded in admission. Still, although that was true, the technique had initially served to obscure vision, allowing him to secretly use the Shadow Clone technique. His original intention had been to use the Shadow Clone to probe Nobukazu's abilities.

"That was an excellent match!"

Everyone came forward, and Jiraiya said with a smile, "Gengetsu, you gained the upper hand from the moment you used the Hidden Mist Technique. You could sense Nobukazu's every move, so even though you failed to notice him using the Substitution Technique, you were still able to defend yourself in time!"

"Using a Shadow Clone to test your opponent's abilities was a very wise choice!"

Tsunade commented, her eyes full of approval as she looked at her nominal disciple. With such a cautious temperament, perhaps he would have a better chance of surviving on the battlefield...

"You didn't rely too heavily on powerful ninjutsu, and you knew how to conserve Chakra. That is the way to survive on the battlefield!"

Minato was also very pleased. He was perhaps the person who understood Uzumaki Gengetsu's strength best. If it had been someone else, they probably would have immediately unleashed their strongest ninjutsu while Nobukazu was in the air to end the battle.

But in truth, even if Uzumaki Gengetsu had used Water Severing Wave then, he might not have been able to defeat Nobukazu. Nobukazu was no ordinary Chunin. Even in midair, he was not completely incapable of resisting.

In fact, the battle-hardened Nobukazu had deliberately put himself in midair to cast his ninjutsu. He simply had not expected Uzumaki Gengetsu to refuse to take the bait and act unconventionally, causing him to trap himself instead.

Although this duel had not featured any dazzling ninjutsu, everyone watching agreed that it had been an excellent battle.

"Gengetsu, from today onward, you are a qualified academy student. I hope you can inherit and carry forward the Will of Fire..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward at last to conclude things, giving them a brief political lesson as well.

Gengetsu listened silently and nodded repeatedly, but inwardly he could not help complaining, The Third Hokage is a qualified Hokage entirely because of these political lessons!

Hiruzen Sarutobi soon left. After handing Uzumaki Gengetsu his forehead protector and offering a few words of instruction, Tamoki departed with Nobukazu as well. Minato, Jiraiya, and the others followed, leaving only Tsunade behind in the end.

After a brief silence, Tsunade said, "I have already suggested to the Third Hokage that you join a team as a Medical Ninja to carry out missions. However, Medical Ninjas are also in great danger, because they become the enemy's first priority."

"Thank you, Sensei. I understand!"

Gengetsu quickly replied, though something felt off to him.

"I'm leaving Konoha tomorrow. I'll leave this with you!"

Tsunade removed the scroll from her back and opened it.

"Leaving? Why?"

Gengetsu was startled. Then he looked down at the scroll and saw that it was a Summoning Scroll, with the names Hashirama Senju and Tsunade written on it.

Tsunade did not explain. She pointed at the Summoning Scroll. "Come. Write your name in blood and leave your handprint. I'll teach you the Summoning Technique!"

Seeing this, Gengetsu understood that Tsunade had already made up her mind to leave Konoha. She likely wanted to escape the war. Thinking about it, that made sense. Someone with hemophobia could not be a ninja, much less a Medical Ninja.

With a silent sigh, Gengetsu followed her instructions and left his name and handprint on the Summoning Scroll. Then, following the sequence of hand seals Tsunade taught him, he bit his finger and formed the seals.

Summoning Technique!

Runic markings spread out. Amid a burst of smoke, a slug half the height of a person appeared before Gengetsu.

Katsuyu of Shikkotsu Forest, one of the Three Great Sacred Places. Her combat strength was uncertain, but she possessed extraordinarily powerful healing abilities. Many people in his previous life had speculated that the First Hokage Hashirama Senju's Sage Art originated from Shikkotsu Forest, though there had been no way to verify it. But now, that seemed quite possible!

But why had Tsunade not mastered Sage Art?

By all rights, Tsunade's Chakra reserves were definitely not low, and her control over Chakra was among the best in the world. Why had she not learned it?

Or perhaps Hashirama Senju's Sage Art had not come from Shikkotsu Forest?

Gengetsu suppressed the doubts in his heart and curiously looked at Katsuyu.

"Lady Tsunade, is this Lord Gengetsu?"

Katsuyu had a very pleasant voice. Gengetsu hurriedly bowed. "Lady Katsuyu!"

"Katsuyu, I'll be entrusting Gengetsu to you from now on."

Tsunade said solemnly.

"Yes, Lady Tsunade!"

Katsuyu was very obedient.