First Battle (Please Bookmark, Recommend, Invest, Add to Reading List)

Two streams of water rose from the river and bound Gengetsu.

However, the ninja who had used Water Release had clearly underestimated Gengetsu.

"Ah, break!"

As Chakra coursed through his entire body, Gengetsu let out a furious roar and forcibly shattered the streams of water.

The next moment, the two Exploding Tags hanging from the Kunai detonated in succession.

Rumble!

Flames shot into the sky, and scorching waves of heat swept past Gengetsu's scalp.

Water Release: Water Disruption Wave!

With a splash, Gengetsu fell into the river and brought his hands together. The surrounding water immediately surged and spun, forming an enormous water column over five meters in diameter.

"Damn it, the intelligence was wrong!"

The ninja on the water's surface paled, despair appearing on his face. He had never expected an eight-year-old kid to use such a powerful Water Release ninjutsu. At this distance, it was already too late to dodge. With a thunderous boom, the water column smashed him straight into the riverbed.

Water Release: Water Severing Wave!

Underwater, Gengetsu formed hand seals again, then opened his mouth and spat out two high-speed water blades in succession. They tore through the river's surface and shot toward the other ninja on the shore.

However, having witnessed his companion's death, this ninja had been prepared. His body flickered as he dodged the first water blade, but the second grazed his shoulder. He grunted, then fled without looking back.

"You think you can run? Dream on!"

In the water, Gengetsu gritted his teeth and snorted. He pressed his hands together, and the surrounding water spun violently, forcibly draining an entire stretch of the river and forming a massive water column that roared out with a boom.

"What? How is that possible?"

The ambushing ninja turned back, instantly horrified. His vision was completely swallowed by water. The overwhelming torrent was like a monstrous wave, and the next moment, it engulfed him.

The massive torrent crashed wildly onward, sweeping away an entire patch of small forest.

Pant... pant...

Gengetsu staggered out of the river, breathing heavily. Looking at the ninja lying not far away, he did not rashly approach. Instead, he formed hand seals again.

Water Release: Water Severing Wave!

He opened his mouth and spat out a high-speed water blade. It pierced through the man's back and burst out in a spray of blood.

This time, he had to be completely dead, right?

"I can't stay here long..."

After glancing at the two corpses, Gengetsu immediately left the battlefield. But halfway there, a thought rose in his mind. They don't seem to be Root Ninja...

"Whatever. I'll find the adults first!"

Gengetsu gritted his teeth, sped up, and rushed home. Seeing Gengetsu soaked through and looking somewhat bedraggled, Minato's expression changed. "Gengetsu, what happened?"

"Brother Minato, I was attacked by two ninjas at the place where I usually train!"

Gengetsu quickly said.

"Root?"

Minato's face hardened, anger flashing in his eyes.

"Um... Brother Minato, I don't think they were Root Ninja!"

After thinking it over, Gengetsu said so anyway, then recounted the entire battle.

Minato frowned, suddenly recalling how Kushina had been kidnapped years ago.

He formed hand seals and sent out a Shadow Clone. Then Minato grabbed Gengetsu with one hand. "Kushina went out to buy groceries. Come with me and let's check the scene!"

After something like this had happened, he no longer felt at ease leaving Gengetsu home alone.

Gengetsu naturally nodded in agreement. Minato then brought him to the small river at high speed with the Body Flicker Technique. By then, three Konoha ninjas were already inspecting the two corpses. When they saw Minato, they immediately stepped forward to greet him.

Minato promptly explained that Gengetsu was involved, and the three Konoha ninjas immediately stared at him in astonishment.

Judging from the scene, they had deduced that at least one Jonin had used an exceptionally powerful Water Release technique to create the current state of the battlefield. Of the two dead men, one had died entirely from ruptured internal organs, clearly killed by the impact of Water Release.

The other was rather interesting. He had a wound on his shoulder, shattered internal organs, and one final wound that had pierced through his already ruined heart from behind. They unanimously concluded that the last strike had been a finishing blow.

"Minato, is this your new disciple? He's truly remarkable. Was that Water Release the Second Hokage's Water Severing Wave?"

Hayate Gekko could not help praising him.

"Ha, he's Kushina's disciple!"

Minato said with a smile, beaming with pride. Gengetsu had indeed displayed outstanding ninja qualities in this battle.

Gengetsu quickly said modestly, "You flatter me, Senior. I've only just started learning Water Severing Wave, and I still can't use it perfectly!"

"Uh... hahahaha, you're already doing very well!"

Hayate Gekko laughed, but inwardly could not help complaining, He really is just like that one!

The scene was soon inspected. Gengetsu retrieved his Chakra Kunai, and Minato brought him to the Hokage Office. There, he awkwardly discovered that the desk in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi had vanished, while Minato's Shadow Clone stood somewhat awkwardly beside Kushina.

And unexpectedly, Tsunade was there too.

After respectfully bowing, Gengetsu recounted the battle from beginning to end once more.

"You responded very correctly, Gengetsu. You are already a qualified ninja!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi praised him.

"Amazing!"

Kushina gave him a thumbs-up, but then immediately cautioned, "Still, that situation was far too dangerous. Next time, once you break free of their control, you should run for your life immediately!"

"Yes, Sister Kushina!"

Gengetsu immediately replied. Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato were both rather helpless. Kushina spoiled Gengetsu far too much.

Afterward, Gengetsu left the Hokage Office alone and waited outside. He did not know what Minato and the others discussed inside, but when they came out, he could clearly sense that Kushina was very happy.

As they walked out of the Hokage building, Tsunade suddenly spoke. "Hey, kid, I didn't expect you to have grown this much. Since you've done it, I should fulfill my promise. Starting tomorrow, you'll study Medical Ninjutsu under me!"

The surprise came so suddenly that Gengetsu did not react at first. Kushina quickly nudged him and whispered, "Gengetsu, hurry up and take her as your teacher!"

That was right, becoming her disciple—wasn't this exactly what he had longed for?

Gengetsu came to his senses and, without hesitation, performed a formal bow to become her disciple.

Tsunade froze. Did I say I was taking a disciple?

She had merely intended to teach him Medical Ninjutsu in accordance with a promise she had made on a whim!

"Lady Tsunade, Gengetsu will be in your care!"

Minato also bowed in the manner of a guardian.

Tsunade had heard of people actively taking disciples, but never of being forced into taking one!

Her face darkened, but what could she do now that things had come to this?

"Damn kid, and that girl Kushina too..."

After shooting Gengetsu a glare, Tsunade snorted coldly. "Kid, come with me!"

Seeing Tsunade's expression, Gengetsu could not help feeling uneasy. She won't beat me to death, will she?

The facts proved that Gengetsu's premonition had been correct. Although Tsunade did not beat him to death, the moment they reached the sparsely populated Senju Clan Grounds, she used the excuse of assessing his strength to beat him half to death. He could only lie on the ground groaning as he received treatment.

Tsunade domineeringly declared that with her around, such minor injuries would heal in minutes.

Sure enough, with the Uzumaki Clan's formidable constitution and Tsunade's Medical Ninjutsu, Gengetsu was lively and bouncing again five minutes later.

"Now then, we'll officially begin studying Medical Ninjutsu!"

Tsunade brought Gengetsu back to her home and said with a serious expression.