Two Years Later, Before Graduation

"However, as you can see, Senior, I currently have no way to learn medical ninjutsu, so I might as well start with ordinary medicine."

Sasuke spoke half-truthfully.

"I see." Yakushi Kabuto wore an enlightened expression as he pushed up his glasses, a thoughtful look appearing in his eyes as though he were considering something.

"Actually, I know a little about medical ninjutsu too. If Sasuke doesn't mind, I can teach you a few things about it."

Yakushi Kabuto spoke gently, looking every bit like a sunny senior who had seen a junior in trouble and could not help but offer assistance.

A little?

More like a billion little bits!

Sasuke's face showed slight surprise as he asked in astonishment, "Senior Kabuto, you know medical ninjutsu too?"

"I know a little." Yakushi Kabuto pushed up his glasses and smiled modestly. "My mother was once the village's head of medical services for a time. Under her influence, I learned a little medical ninjutsu as well."

Yakushi Kabuto's current identity was that of the late Yakushi Nonō's son. If someone investigated his information in the village, they would even discover that during the Third Shinobi World War, he had gone with Konoha Hospital personnel to the rear forces to treat Konoha's shinobi.

Those were all his public achievements and records. As for his true identity as a spy, only Danzo and Orochimaru knew.

"I see." Sasuke nodded, then asked somewhat hesitantly, "But Senior is a shinobi now, and missions must keep you busy..."

"It's no trouble." Yakushi Kabuto smiled. "I'm only a genin. Usually, I just do low-level missions near the village, and I spend most of my time idling around at home."

"Is that so..." Sasuke could not be bothered with further pleasantries with this guy, so he simply went along with it.

"Then I'll be troubling you from now on, Senior Kabuto."

"Not at all." Yakushi Kabuto extended his hand, warmth in his smiling eyes.

Their hands clasped together, and both wore sincere smiles.

Yakushi Kabuto felt he had made a great gain, because he had finally found an opportunity to observe Sasuke up close.

Sasuke felt he was not losing out either, because he had found someone he could use to learn medical ninjutsu.

They gripped each other's hands tightly, and both smiled in satisfaction once again.

Two years later, Konoha Training Ground Seven, beside a lake.

Sakura stood quietly in the center of the lake. The water here rushed swiftly, roaring and splashing.

Yet Sakura stood steadily upon the surface. As the rushing current passed beneath her feet, chakra caused it

to become incomparably calm, displaying Sakura's exceptional chakra control.

Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!

Her emerald-green eyes gazed calmly ahead for a moment. Then Sakura rapidly formed four hand seals and let out a soft cry.

The water behind her rapidly gathered into a lifelike water dragon and surged toward the lake surface dozens of meters ahead.

Boom!

Like a flood dragon plunging into the sea, the water dragon exploded the instant it struck the surface, as if an enormous water mine had detonated. Massive sprays of water burst outward, so large that even Sakura standing behind it was splashed a little.

Along with the scattered spray, gusts of impact shot in every direction. Wind and droplets battered the shore with a loud splashing roar!

Seeing this, Maruboshi Kosuke, standing far away on the shore, nodded and revealed a kindly smile.

Watching the spray gradually settle, Sakura let out a relieved breath and smiled in delight. Then Maruboshi Kosuke's gentle voice carried over from afar.

"Sakura, it seems you have already mastered this ninjutsu proficiently."

"With your talent, you should have mastered the ordinary B-rank ninjutsu, Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet, very easily. But do you know why it took you nearly two months to master it?"

Sakura shook her head, looking confused. "I don't."

"Because this is not an ordinary Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet. It is the Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet personally improved and taught to me by the Second Hokage!" Maruboshi Kosuke smiled. His voice was unusually much louder, and his tone was filled with accomplishment and pride.

"Eh!?" Sakura's eyes widened as she asked excitedly,

"A Water Release technique improved by the Second Hokage?"

"That's right!" Maruboshi Kosuke nodded and continued, "A normal Water Dragon Bullet creates a water dragon behind the user and sends it charging forward, using the impact of the water to blast enemies far away. It is a B-rank Water Release ninjutsu requiring forty-four hand seals. But the Water Dragon Bullet improved by the Second Hokage is different. It can absolutely be called an A-rank technique!"

"Not only is its impact stronger than an ordinary Water Dragon Bullet, it requires only four simple hand seals. Moreover, this technique also has the effect of absorbing chakra!"

"That's amazing! As expected of a ninjutsu improved by the Second Hokage!" Sakura nodded, her face full of admiration.

"Then that means, Grandpa Kosuke..."

Seeming to recall something, Sakura hurriedly asked, "Was the Water Release: Water Formation Wall you taught me before also taught to you by the Second Hokage?"

"Yes!" Maruboshi Kosuke nodded lightly, smiling.

"A normal Water Formation Wall requires the Tiger-Snake-Rat-Snake-Tiger hand seals, while the Second Hokage's Water Formation Wall requires only Tiger-Snake. Its power is also stronger than an ordinary Water Formation Wall!"

Upon hearing this, Sakura was overjoyed, her heart—

*(≧▽≦)/*

Grandpa Kosuke was the Second Hokage's disciple, and I'm Grandpa Kosuke's disciple.

Then I count as the Second Hokage's granddisciple too.

I'm from a prestigious lineage too!

Hehe!

Sakura thought happily.

Just as Sakura sank into her own fantasy, Maruboshi Kosuke had somehow arrived beside her. He said, "Sakura, there is not much more I can teach you. In one month, you will graduate from the Ninja Academy and become a shinobi, so I will teach you the only S-rank Water Release secret technique the Second Hokage taught me!"

"An S-rank Water Release secret technique?"

Sakura froze and murmured.

"Watch carefully, Sakura!"

Maruboshi Kosuke shouted softly.

Water Release: Water Severing Wave!

Konoha Back Mountain.

Konoha Strong Whirlwind!

Naruto let out a roar. He stamped down and pushed off, and the ground within five meters actually shook violently from that kick, cracks spreading across it.

His legs were like springs compressed to their limit. Propelled by the recoil, Naruto suddenly shot dozens of meters into the air and delivered a vicious spinning kick to a small hill five meters tall.

Boom!

It shattered into countless dense fragments of rock and gravel that shot in every direction, while the largest piece was kicked dozens of meters into the sky.

"Yeah!" Naruto clenched his fist, excitement filling his face.

"Then next is..." Naruto stared at the chunk of rock high in the air, a trace of solemnity flashing through his eyes.

Konoha Taijutsu Secret Technique—Konoha Dragon God!