First Mission

On the other side of the battlefield, with Gengetsu's Main Body joining the fight, Uchiha Shinsui finally managed to stabilize the offensive. However, Sarutobi Kazuhara knew him extremely well and understood how to avoid his Sharingan and prevent himself from being disrupted by genjutsu.

"Shinsui, Fire Release!"

Gengetsu shouted softly and formed hand seals. Uchiha Shinsui understood at once and immediately formed seals as well. His chest swelled, and as he opened his mouth, a massive fireball came roaring out. At the same time, Gengetsu at his side blew out a fierce gale.

The wind fueled the flames, more than doubling the power of Uchiha Shinsui's Great Fireball Technique.

"No wonder the Third Hokage praised you so highly!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara landed and watched the surging flames rush toward him, a look of admiration flashing through his eyes. At the same time, he pressed both hands to the ground. An Earth Wall rose with a thunderous rumble, blocking the wave of fire. But then his pupils suddenly contracted. The Earth Wall before him exploded with a boom, and a figure charged out amid billowing mist.

Not good...

Sarutobi Kazuhara cried out inwardly. The next instant, accompanied by a tremendous crash, he was sent flying by Gengetsu's Monster Strength.

"Sensei, you lost!"

Kanzuki Chiba chuckled as three streams of water tightly bound Sarutobi Kazuhara before he could hit the ground.

"Are you all right?"

Uchiha Shinsui walked over to Gengetsu and asked. Though his tone was cold, it was clear that he genuinely meant it.

"I'm fine!"

Gengetsu smiled. Before charging into the sea of flames, he had used Water Disruption Wave, making water flow whirl around his body and preventing the fire from burning him.

Kanzuki Chiba released Sarutobi Kazuhara, and the two of them walked over together. Sarutobi Kazuhara gave a thumbs-up. "Excellent teamwork!"

"But tell me, Gengetsu, aren't you skilled in Water Release, taijutsu, Monster Strength, and Medical Ninjutsu? What's with the Earth Release and Wind Release?"

Sarutobi Kazuhara suddenly widened his eyes.

"Haha, Sensei, you're mistaken. Gengetsu only said he was proficient in Water Release, taijutsu, and Medical Ninjutsu!"

Kanzuki Chiba narrowed her eyes and smiled as she cut in first.

Gengetsu shrugged and spread his hands. "Sensei, you can't blame me for that. Next time, when you ask for introductions, you should ask which ninjutsu people know. But..."

"Sensei Kazuhara, you should know that I've mastered all five Chakra Nature Transformations, right?"

Sarutobi Kazuhara's eye twitched as he thought speechlessly, This kid really has no sense of humor!

"Huh? Is Gengetsu famous?"

Kanzuki Chiba asked curiously.

Sarutobi Kazuhara glanced at Gengetsu. Seeing that he had no reaction, he said, "Well, it's because Gengetsu developed a secret method that allows people to master all five Chakra Nature Transformations!"

"F-Five Chakra Nature Transformations?"

Kanzuki Chiba's eyes widened, and none of her usual calm remained. "That's amazing!"

Uchiha Shinsui also looked at Gengetsu in shock.

Gengetsu shrugged and said calmly, "Mastering five Chakra Nature Transformations is nothing special. The Third Hokage possesses the same ability, but I'm still far from his level!"

"Even so, why do I suddenly want to beat him up..."

Sarutobi Kazuhara's mouth twitched. Then he coughed twice and said, "Regarding this matter, Shinsui and Chiba, don't spread it around too much!"

"Understood!"

Uchiha Shinsui nodded.

Though Kanzuki Chiba was puzzled, she did not ask further. Instead, she looked at Gengetsu and said somewhat shyly, "Gengetsu-kun, could I ask you for guidance in Water Release training from now on?"

"We're teammates, so of course that's fine!"

Gengetsu readily agreed, then turned to Uchiha Shinsui. "Shinsui, then may I ask you for guidance in Fire Release from now on? I've heard that the Uchiha Clan excels most at Fire Release ninjutsu!"

"Huh?"

Uchiha Shinsui froze. He was surprised that a genius like Gengetsu would ask him for guidance. After a moment of stunned silence, he put on a serious expression. "All right!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara could not help smiling knowingly at the sight. I was worried that Gengetsu and Shinsui might clash, but it seems that was unnecessary...

"Then that concludes the exercise! Gather at the village entrance at nine tomorrow morning. We'll begin our new team's first mission!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara announced loudly.

"Yes, Sensei Kazuhara!"

Gengetsu and the other two answered in unison before going their separate ways.

When he returned home, Kushina immediately asked, "Gengetsu, how are things with your teammates?"

"Very well. Shinsui and Chiba are both outstanding Chunin. Sensei Kazuhara is also an exceptional Jonin. I still need to work much harder!"

Gengetsu answered honestly.

"Gengetsu is already very impressive for his age, but you really do need to keep working hard!"

Kushina encouraged him. Minato, beside her, smiled. "Senior Kazuhara is indeed a formidable Jonin. Gengetsu, you can ask him to teach you Wind Release ninjutsu!"

"Yes, Brother Minato!"

Gengetsu nodded seriously.

That night, he did not eat at home. Instead, he treated Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma, and others from the same class to a barbecue meal as a farewell.

Early the next morning, Gengetsu packed the Kunai, Exploding Tags, and other equipment Kushina and Minato had prepared for him. He slung his backpack over his shoulders, left home, and arrived at the village entrance early to see Tsunade off.

"I'm leaving. Don't worry about us!"

Tsunade waved impatiently, then turned around without hesitation.

Suddenly, Tsunade stopped in the distance and turned back to shout, "Hey, Kid, don't die!"

Gengetsu's eyes reddened slightly, and he immediately shouted back, "I'm so smart and crafty that I definitely won't die!"

Tsunade turned away and waved her hand without looking back again.

"Sensei, I'll wait for you to come back!"

Gengetsu shouted once more. Tsunade quickened her pace and soon vanished from sight.

Before nine o'clock, Sarutobi Kazuhara, Uchiha Shinsui, and Kanzuki Chiba all arrived at the village entrance and met up with Gengetsu. Then they left the village and headed southeast.

As he leaped from tree to tree, Gengetsu could not help feeling stirred. The path of a ninja begins here!

Konoha, Root headquarters.

"Lord Danzo, Uzumaki Gengetsu has left the village. Should we make our move after they leave the Land of Fire?"

A Root Ninja knelt on one knee and reported to Danzo.

"No need!"

Danzo opened his eyes and said flatly, "The Mist Ninja have already set their sights on him. Lead a team and follow them in secret. Make sure he isn't taken away by the Mist Ninja!"

"Yes, Lord Danzo!"

By nightfall, a Campfire had been lit beside a small river. The four of them sat around it, roasting fish.

"Though we're still within the Land of Fire and danger is unlikely, we cannot let our guard down. Shinsui and Chiba, you'll take the first half of the night watch. Gengetsu and I will take the second half!"

"Yes, Sensei Kazuhara!"

Uchiha Shinsui and Kanzuki Chiba answered together, though their eyes remained fixed on the roasting fish Gengetsu kept turning in his hands.

"It smells so good. I didn't expect Gengetsu to have such skills. We'll be eating well from now on!"

Kanzuki Chiba secretly glanced at Gengetsu, her cheeks slightly flushed. Gengetsu really is charming. Too bad... I'm two years older than him!

A moment later, Gengetsu raised the roasted fish. "All right, let's eat!"

"That's great!"

The night passed without incident. The next day, everyone picked up the pace, and on the third day, they stopped once more to rest at the Land of Fire Border.

"Sensei Kazuhara, by the way, what exactly is our mission this time?"

Kanzuki Chiba finally could not hold back any longer and asked.

Gengetsu and Uchiha Shinsui also quickly looked toward Sarutobi Kazuhara.

Recommendation votes are very important during the new book period. Please give it a vote, everyone!