The Importance of Talent (Please Bookmark and Recommend)

Was that possible?

Gengetsu thought it over carefully, and it really was possible. Unless someone among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had neural reaction speeds equal to or greater than Minato's, or defenses stronger than the Rasengan's destructive power, it would be difficult to evade and withstand the Flying Thunder God's assault.

"No wonder the original author didn't dare let a third person who mastered the Flying Thunder God appear..."

Gengetsu could not help grumbling to himself.

After treating Sarutobi Kazuhara and Uchiha Shinsui's injuries, Gengetsu treated Choza Akimichi and several other Jonin as well. He was so exhausted that he collapsed, and Uchiha Shinsui had to carry him as they traveled.

"Gengetsu, thank you!"

Uchiha Shinsui suddenly spoke.

Gengetsu froze for a moment, then smiled. "You don't have to be so polite. We're comrades. I think if it were you, you'd do the same."

Hearing the certainty in Gengetsu's voice, Uchiha Shinsui was stunned. Would he?

Perhaps!

No, definitely!

Uchiha Shinsui suddenly smiled. "Thank you, Gengetsu!"

"Huh? Shinsui smiled!"

Kanzuki Chiba suddenly spoke from beside them, staring at the two curiously. "Shinsui, you actually smiled. What are you two doing?"

"I..."

Gengetsu's face darkened. "What do you think we could be doing?"

"What? How would I know?"

Kanzuki Chiba felt utterly baffled.

At the final ruin, all three of them were reduced to mere bystanders. Unfortunately, they found nothing, so the mission ended, and the group immediately chose to return to Konoha.

"Gengetsu, how did this mission feel?"

Walking beside Gengetsu, Minato asked with a smile, though he was worried deep down. I don't know why Lord Third Hokage had Gengetsu join this mission, but with Gengetsu's maturity and meticulous mind, I'm afraid...

Gengetsu did not know what Minato was thinking. Hearing the question, he answered seriously, "I feel like I still have a long way to go. Although I've mastered quite a few powerful ninjutsu, I often can't effectively injure my enemies. I still haven't found a combat style that suits me. Besides that, speed is my weakness. Monster Strength is powerful, but when fighting Jonin, or even some speed-focused Chunin, I can only waste my strength!"

Minato was stunned for a moment, then secretly laughed at himself. Looks like I overthought it...

"Well, that's a very good summary. But there's no need to rush. You only just graduated from the Academy, after all."

Minato revealed a gentle smile, then suggested, "Actually, Gengetsu, you're better suited to becoming a ninjutsu-focused ninja. For now, you should focus on Water Release. Once we return to the village, you can learn the Water Body Flicker Technique to make up for your lack of speed."

Gengetsu decisively shook his head. "Brother Minato, my goal is to become a ninja like the First Hokage."

"The First Hokage? I see!"

Minato gave him a thumbs-up. "If that's the case, Gengetsu, then you'll have to work even harder and endure even more hardship than before. After all, the First Hokage was known as the God of Shinobi."

"Well, if your neural reaction speed meets the requirements, I'll ask Lord Third Hokage to let me teach you the Flying Thunder God Technique!"

Gengetsu was secretly touched and said sincerely, "Thank you, Brother Minato!"

"We're family. No need to be so polite!"

Minato smiled as brightly as the sun, then suddenly changed the subject. "Gengetsu, what was that fusion ninjutsu you used earlier called?"

"Hard Vortex Water Dragon!"

Gengetsu turned to look at Minato, feeling that something was amiss.

"How about calling it the Hard Vortex Super Flashy Wind Water Dragon, Third Style!"

Minato was completely immersed in his own world, his smile radiant as the sun.

Gengetsu's face twitched as he listened. Was his airheadedness acting up again...

Late that night, at the Land of Fire Border.

The campfire flickered. Sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, Gengetsu suddenly formed a hand seal with one hand. Chakra within his body immediately radiated outward in the form of electromagnetic waves. Within the pitch-black world of his mind's eye, clusters of Chakra appeared, sparkling brilliantly.

One kilometer, three kilometers...

"Hm?"

Gengetsu's brow suddenly twitched. His perception continued to spread outward, but it soon reached its limit.

"Less than five kilometers?"

Gengetsu opened his eyes and frowned deeply. This sensory range was far below his expectations, and half the joy of having just mastered Mind's Eye of the Kagura vanished at once. He vaguely remembered that Karin in the original work could sense things dozens of kilometers away.

"Is it because I've only just mastered it and am still unfamiliar with it?"

"Or did I make mistakes in the further development I did myself, making it far inferior to the original version?"

"Or is my sensory talent really that poor, so that even with Mind's Eye of the Kagura, my achievements will be extremely limited?"

Thoughts flashed through his mind one after another, but he quickly suppressed them. Then he rose and used the Body Flicker Technique to reach Minato, who was concealed in a tree. Lowering his voice, he said, "Brother Minato, I found three ninja about three kilometers away at the nine o'clock direction!"

"Uh... those are ANBU ninja. They should have been sent to protect you!"

Minato looked somewhat embarrassed, while also feeling dissatisfied with Danzo. He might be airheaded, but he was not stupid.

"Root..."

Gengetsu frowned, but quickly returned to normal.

"Huh? Gengetsu, have you already mastered Mind's Eye of the Kagura?"

Minato suddenly realized it. He knew Gengetsu had been completing Mind's Eye of the Kagura, and Gengetsu had even asked him about it before.

With such a long neural reflex arc, how could the Flying Thunder God be so powerful?

Gengetsu was speechless inside, but he said, "I have mastered it, but its sensory range barely reaches five kilometers. I don't know whether I made a mistake during training or if it's a limitation of my talent!"

Minato hurriedly comforted him. "Ha, that sensory range is already very impressive. I couldn't do that at your age! Still, talent really can't be forced!"

Was that supposed to be comforting?

Gengetsu silently left. Minato smiled helplessly. "Sure enough, Kushina is much better at comforting people!"

"But Lord Danzo really has gone too far..."

Minato looked in the direction of the Root Ninja, conflict appearing between his brows. Before Gengetsu gains the ability to stand on his own, I'll have to keep a close watch on him.

Returning to the campfire, Gengetsu pondered for a while before temporarily setting aside Mind's Eye of the Kagura. Then he pressed his palms together, and strands of lightning appeared between them.

The night passed without incident. The next day, Gengetsu was carried along by Uchiha Shinsui.

"Gengetsu, you're being far too reckless. You used Lightning Release Chakra to stimulate your Cells without a teacher's guidance..."

Kanzuki Chiba chattered endlessly at his side. A faint smile lingered at the corner of Uchiha Shinsui's lips, while Gengetsu, on his back, could not even speak. His entire body was paralyzed, leaving him no choice but to endure Kanzuki Chiba's incessant nagging.

He found it strange. She looked like such a quiet and gentle girl, so why was she such a chatterbox? She was even more frightening than Sister Kushina!

Huh? I think I understand a little why Brother Minato is so airheaded...

When they stopped to rest at noon, Gengetsu's body had already recovered. However, he continued electrocuting himself with Lightning Release Chakra. This madness made many of the Jonin traveling with them glance over in astonishment.

"Kazuhara, it looks like you've taken in a fine disciple. His future accomplishments will surely astonish everyone!"

A Jonin sighed.

"Haha, yes. Gengetsu is already outstanding. If it hadn't been for him this time, we might not have lasted until your reinforcements arrived!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara looked at Gengetsu training in the distance, filled with pride. At the same time, a thought rose in his heart. When we return to the village, I must report this to Lord Third Hokage. A child like Gengetsu must be given a good environment to grow in!

At around eleven o'clock the next morning, Gengetsu and the others finally returned to the village. The Jonin had to report to the Hokage Office, while the three of them went their separate ways after agreeing to train together tomorrow.

After returning home and washing away the dust of travel, Gengetsu accompanied Kushina to buy ingredients for lunch.

At noon, before a lavish meal, Gengetsu, Kushina, and Minato raised their drinks together. Kushina smiled. "Congratulations on receiving your first mission reward, Gengetsu. Starting today, you're a man who can stand on his own!"