Among the Ninja Academy graduates from Jiraiya's year, there were two geniuses.
One was Orochimaru, whom even the Third Hokage, Hiruzen, praised endlessly.
The other was Hiruko.
However, compared to Orochimaru, who developed evenly in every area, Hiruko's genius was a little skewed. To put it plainly, he was a king of theory whose real-world performance shattered at the slightest touch.
The Ninja Academy teachers had once strongly suggested that he stay at the school for further study after graduation, because his theoretical knowledge was simply too solid. He was excellent material for teaching and educating others, and they worried that with his weak practical combat ability, he would easily die a heroic death the moment he went out on a mission.
But Hiruko was determined to catch up to the back of his childhood friend, so he refused the Ninja Academy teachers' attempts to make him stay. Starting as an ordinary ninja, he relied on his unique talent—Femboy Power—and climbed step by step to where he was now.
Not only had he successfully advanced to Special Jonin, he had also earned a place in the highly prestigious Root, becoming a successful figure in the eyes of others.
And yet, no amount of achievement could erase one cruel fact.
Hiruko...
Was not strong. One could even say he was a little weak.
"Bang!"
He barely knocked away the Kunai Creepy Man had thrown at him, but the blade that brushed past still cut across Hiruko's fair, tender cheek. The stinging pain made Hiruko's heart sink.
That technique—he was a Jonin.
"Phew, I thought you were some expert. Didn't expect you to be a little pushover."
After a round of probing, Creepy Man looked at Hiruko, who had been made thoroughly miserable under his rain of hidden weapons. His expression relaxed,