Two Years Later, Before Graduation

"However, as you can see, senior, I don't have a way to study medical ninjutsu right now, so I've decided to start by learning from these ordinary medical texts."

Sasuke said this with a mix of truth and deception.

"Is that so?" Yakushi Kabuto wore an expression of sudden realization, pushed up his glasses, and showed a thoughtful look, as if considering something.

"Actually, I know a little bit about medical ninjutsu. If you don't mind, Sasuke-kun, I could teach you a few things about it."

Yakushi Kabuto spoke in a gentle tone, perfectly portraying a sunny senior who couldn't help but reach out to help a junior in need.

Know a little bit?

More like a whole lot!

Sasuke's face showed a slightly stunned expression, and he asked with feigned surprise: "Kabuto-senpai, you know medical ninjutsu too?"

"I suppose you could say I know a little." Yakushi Kabuto pushed up his glasses and smiled modestly: "My mother once served as the head of the village's medical department for a time, and under her influence, I learned a bit of medical ninjutsu."

Yakushi Kabuto's current identity was that of the son of the late Yakushi Nonō. If one were to inquire about his background in the village, they would even find that he had accompanied the Konoha Hospital staff to the rear lines during the Third Shinobi World War to treat Konoha shinobi.

These were all his public deeds and information; his true identity as a spy was known only to Danzo and Orochimaru.

"I see." Sasuke nodded and asked with some hesitation: "But, senior, you are a shinobi now, and your missions must be busy..."

"It's no trouble." Yakushi Kabuto smiled: "I'm only a genin, and I usually just do some low-level missions around the village. Most of the time, I'm just idling at home."

"Is that so..." Sasuke couldn't be bothered to keep up the pleasantries with this guy, so he simply went along with the flow.

"Then I'll have to trouble you from now on, Kabuto-senpai."

"It's no trouble at all." Yakushi Kabuto reached out, his eyes filled with a gentle smile.

The two shook hands, both wearing sincere smiles.

Yakushi Kabuto felt he had gained a lot, as he had finally found an opportunity to observe Sasuke up close.

Sasuke felt he hadn't lost out either, as he had found a tool to help him learn medical ninjutsu.

They shook hands firmly, both wearing satisfied smiles once again.

Two years later, at a lake in Konoha's Training Ground Seven.

Sakura stood quietly in the center of the lake. The water here was quite turbulent, rushing and splashing with a loud noise.

Yet, Sakura stood steadily on the surface of the water. As the rapid currents passed beneath her feet, they became incredibly calm under the influence of her Chakra, demonstrating her superb Chakra control.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"

Her emerald eyes gazed calmly ahead for a moment before Sakura suddenly performed four quick hand seals and gave a soft shout.

The water behind her rapidly condensed into a lifelike water dragon, which then surged toward the lake surface dozens of meters ahead.

BOOM!

Like a dragon entering the sea, the moment the water dragon plunged into the surface, a sudden explosion occurred, as if a large water mine had been detonated. Massive splashes erupted—so large that even Sakura, standing in the rear, was slightly drenched.

Accompanying the splashing water were gusts of wind that shot out in all directions, causing the shore to rattle from the impact of the wind and droplets!

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

Watching the splashes slowly subside, Sakura breathed a sigh of relief and revealed a pleasantly surprised smile, while Maruboshi Kosuke's friendly voice drifted over from afar.

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

"Given your talent, you should have easily mastered this ordinary B-rank Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet, but do you know why it took you nearly two months to master it?"

Sakura shook her head, her expression blank: "I don't know."

"Because this isn't an ordinary Water Dragon Bullet, but the one personally improved and taught to me by the Second Hokage himself!" Maruboshi Kosuke smiled, his voice unusually loud, his tone filled with a sense of achievement and pride.

"Eh!?" Sakura's eyes widened instantly, and she asked in surprise:

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

"That's right!" Maruboshi Kosuke nodded and continued: "A standard Water Dragon Bullet creates a water dragon behind the user to strike the enemy, utilizing the impact of the current to knock them far away. It is a B-rank Water Release ninjutsu that requires 44 hand seals. But the Water Dragon Bullet improved by the Second Hokage is different; it can fully be classified as an A-rank ninjutsu!"

"Not only is its impact stronger than a standard Water Dragon Bullet, but it only requires four simple hand seals, and this technique even has the effect of absorbing Chakra!"

"So amazing! As expected of a ninjutsu improved by the Second Hokage!" Sakura nodded, looking on with admiration.

"Then, in that case, Kosuke-jiisan..."

Sakura seemed to recall something and quickly asked: "Was the Water Release: Water Formation Wall you taught me earlier also passed down by the Second Hokage?"

"Mm!" Maruboshi Kosuke nodded gently, a smile playing on his lips.

"A normal Water Formation Wall requires five hand seals—Tiger-Snake-Rat-Snake-Tiger—but the Second Hokage's version only requires two: Tiger-Snake. And its power is much greater than a standard one!"

Hearing this, Sakura was overjoyed, her heart dancing—(≧▽≦)/

Kosuke-jiisan is a disciple of the Second Hokage, and I am a disciple of Kosuke-jiisan.

That means I can count myself as a grand-disciple of the Second Hokage.

I've finally got a prestigious lineage!

Hehe!

Sakura thought to herself, looking pleased.

Just as Sakura was lost in her own fantasies, Maruboshi Kosuke appeared beside her at some point and said, "Sakura, there isn't much left that I can teach you. You will be graduating from the Ninja Academy to become a ninja in a month, so I will pass on to you the only S-rank Water Release secret technique that the Second Hokage taught me!"

"An S-rank Water Release secret technique?"

Sakura was stunned, murmuring to herself.

"Watch closely, Sakura!"

Maruboshi Kosuke gave a light shout.

"Water Release: Water Severing Wave!"

Behind the village of Konoha.

"Konoha Strong Whirlwind!"

Naruto let out a loud roar, stomping his foot and pushing off the ground. This single kick caused the ground within a five-meter radius to shake violently, creating a web of cracks.

His legs, like springs compressed to their limit, propelled him into the air under the force of the reaction, sending him flying dozens of meters away. He delivered a heavy, spinning strike that slammed into a small hill five meters high.

With a booming explosion!

The hill shattered into dense, scattered rocks and gravel that shot out in every direction, with the largest piece kicked dozens of meters into the high sky.

"Yosh!" Naruto clenched his fists, a look of excitement appearing on his face.

"Now, for the next part..." Looking at the rock high in the air, a hint of seriousness flashed in Naruto's eyes.

"Konoha Taijutsu Secret Technique—Konoha Dragon God!"