Grass Release: Grass Birth

Ninjas could breathe fire, spit water, and unleash lightning.

That was because they could transform "non-elemental Chakra" into various special attributes like lightning, fire, earth, water...

Beyond the basic attributes,

there were also attributes formed by fusing at least two different attributes together. These were known as "Kekkei Genkai."

Back then, the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, had mastered the "Wood Release: Bloodline Limit," allowing him to pacify the Land of Fire.

Besides the Wood Release: Bloodline Limit,

the Ninja World also had types such as Ice Release, Storm Release, Boil Release...

Jueming naturally would not refuse an ability that 90% of ninjas could never obtain.

The next second,

the [Grass Release-Ninjutsu] branch among the four major Grass Release System Skill Trees—Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu, and Grass—lit up.

That meant he had now unlocked two columns of the Skill Tree.

They were [Grass Release-Taijutsu] and [Grass Release-Ninjutsu].

Next, mastering Grass Release-Ninjutsu meant obtaining the "Grass Release Bloodline Limit."

Strange Grass Release Chakra immediately formed within Jueming's body.

It began transforming his physique.

A flash of realization also appeared in Jueming's mind.

He vaguely sensed the method of cultivating "Life Grass."

The power levels of Ninjutsu generally had six ranks: S, A, B, C, D, and E.

Kekkei Genkai, some Secret Techniques, and some Senjutsu were rather special, however, and were usually marked with a "-," meaning they had no stated rank.

Still, they could be roughly compared through a certain degree of judgment.

According to the system's explanation,

the Kekkei Genkai Ninjutsu called "Life Grass" was basically equivalent to the E-Rank Three Body Technique that the Ninja Academy would teach in the future.

But there were differences even between E-Rank techniques.

Clearly, the various descriptions of power and effects of the Grass Release Bloodline Limit surpassed the common version offered by the Ninja Academy.

"Life Grass."

It was the foundation of the Grass Release: Bloodline Limit Jutsu.

Its function was to use "Grass Release Chakra" to grow grass.

The grass blades it created could be used as sharp blades; falling flowers and flying leaves could all become weapons.

"I didn't lie around for nothing."

Jueming nodded in satisfaction before rising from his seat.

"Examiners, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving first."

With that, Jueming swiftly left the classroom.

All he could think about was how today's plans had been somewhat disrupted.

His living expenses from last week had happened to run out.

He had originally planned to find a few examinees to "borrow money" from that afternoon to solve his living expense problem. Otherwise, he would go hungry.

Now, it seemed he would have to wait until he got home to try out the newly acquired Bloodline Limit Jutsu.

Funano Daikoku and the other examiners watched Jueming's departing back, all deeply shocked.

"From a certain perspective, that kid's willpower is astonishing."

"Indeed."

"Who would have thought that the Senju Clan would take first place this year... Could the Senju be rising again?"

"In any case, report today's Entrance Exam results to Hokage-sama immediately."

After leaving the classroom,

someone called out to Jueming in the hallway.

"Hey."

Kakashi Hatake stood with his arms folded, a long scarf wrapped around his neck.

"Classmate, I'm Kakashi Hatake."

"I'm Senju Jueming." Jueming nodded, then left.

"So this is the guy who beat Kakashi?" Obito Uchiha stared at Senju Jueming's figure, finding it unbelievable.

"He's from the Senju Clan, after all." Rin Nohara said as though it were only natural.

Who in the Ninja World didn't know the great name of the Senju Clan?

"I hope I'll be placed in the same class as him when the time comes."

Kakashi Hatake watched Jueming's departing back.

He was looking forward to life at the Ninja Academy.

At night, the streetlights along Konoha's roads lit up.

Even in the darkness, many shops remained open.

Since it was after work hours, there were even more pedestrians coming and going.

Thud! Thud!

Several muffled impacts came from a dark alley.

Then Jueming emerged with money in his hand.

After checking and finding no one watching, he quickly left.

Several children lay in the alley. They had just been "borrowed from," so they had "voluntarily" handed their money over to Jueming.

"Senju Jueming, you can't behave like this!"

Mito Uzumaki, who had been planning to praise Jueming for his performance today, immediately became angry.

How could he keep robbing people of their things?

Of course it was because he had no money. If he had no money, he would starve, and working was impossible—no one would hire child laborers.

—Unless he became an official Konoha child-labor ninja.

"This is called emergency avoidance."

Jueming maintained that he would starve to death without money.

The money he had taken while robbing people a week ago had all been spent. What was wrong with borrowing a little more money to survive?

"You're disgracing the Senju Clan!"

Mito Uzumaki was furious.

She did not know whether it was an emergency, but this would definitely bring shame to the Senju Clan!

"Hmph..."

Jueming snorted coldly.

"Why are you trying to glorify yourself? Don't think that just because I'm poorly educated, I don't know that 'ninja' is a profession made up of bandits."

Jueming's words left Mito Uzumaki speechless.

Criminal gangs committed every kind of evil, then went ashore and tried to whitewash themselves by setting up a virtuous image. That was the standard routine.

The rest of the way passed without a word.

When he reached the entrance of Ichiraku Ramen, he lifted the curtain and walked inside.

Jueming had long wanted to try the ramen here.

"Boss, one extra large bowl ramen."

"Coming right up."

The smiling owner was named Teuchi, and like his ramen shop, he was famous throughout Konoha.

Jueming slurped down the food.

It felt like the most delicious meal he had eaten since coming to this world.

"Customer, is this your first time here?"

Teuchi did not disdain Jueming for being covered in dirt.

Of course, all that dust had come from diligently cultivating while lying on the ground.

"First-time customers get one free serving. Consider this bowl of ramen a discount."

Compared to bandits, ordinary people were clearly much more lovable.

After finishing the ramen, Jueming said he would come by often in the future.

Teuchi smiled and saw Jueming off.

Whether he did not take it seriously or simply pitied the filthy child, it did not matter whether Jueming came again. At the very least, he had gotten to eat a steaming hot bowl of ramen.

After returning home, Jueming felt that his days on the Ninja path had something to look forward to again.

Because Ichiraku Ramen really was delicious.

Once he had money in the future, he would eat Ichiraku Ramen and other delicacies every day.

Making the withered Senju bloodline flourish again and restoring the Senju Clan to greatness was also a top priority.

For example, the girl named Rin Nohara was quite pretty.

There were also Uzuki Yugao, Mitaraishi Anko, Natsu Hyuga, Kurenai Yuhi...

And naturally, Mito Uzumaki could not be left out.

All of that required strength to achieve.

Become stronger, become stronger...

That wish had never vanished from Jueming's heart, neither in his previous life nor this one.

After all, people lived to fulfill their various desires.

"There are still three days until the Entrance Examination rankings are announced. Next, I'll practice the newly acquired 'Grass Release: Bloodline Limit' Ninjutsu... 'Life Grass.'"