A-Rank

"Furthermore, you should have heard from Tsunade that I have been attempting to improve Tobirama's techniques, though my understanding of space-time ninjutsu is not particularly profound.

In the past, because most of Tobirama's techniques were related to summoning and sealing, I would tinker with them whenever I had the time.

However, I am ultimately not Tobirama, so the parts I could improve were minimal. Even regarding the Flying Thunder God, I only managed to optimize a few seal formulas that extended from it.

It is a pity that after Tobirama became Hokage, he was always busy with official duties; otherwise, this Flying Thunder God technique could have become even stronger."

Mito Uzumaki spoke with a hint of regret. Regarding Tobirama Senju's talent for researching ninjutsu, she believed that even ten of herself could not compare.

"I understand."

Uchiha Gen nodded gently upon hearing this. He was already gradually mastering the art of sealing.

After all, he still wanted to continue improving the Yin Seal to form a second dantian, and to improve the Yin Seal, a deep understanding of sealing techniques was naturally indispensable.

In a sense, sealing techniques were the underlying logic of the ninja world.

"Child, are you prepared... to make a name for yourself in the ninja world?"

Looking at Uchiha Gen, the corners of Mito Uzumaki's eyes crinkled with a smile. In her vision, two familiar figures stood behind Uchiha Gen, overlapping and merging into the Uchiha Gen of the present.

One was missed so dearly, while the other was detestable no matter how she looked at him.

As a war machine, Konoha moved with great efficiency. Only one night had passed before the send-off ceremony was organized.

At this moment, on the streets of Konoha, the common folk gathered on both sides of the road, shouting loudly to cheer on the departing ninjas.

Uchiha Gen and his two companions were in the ranks, following the flow of people as they headed out of Konoha.

The direction they were heading was precisely the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire.

"I really don't get what my big sister is thinking, but whatever. Hey, Blondie, once we hit the battlefield, remember to stick close to me. I'll protect you.

As for you, hmph, for the sake of Grandma and my sister, you'd better stick close to me too. To uphold the glory of the Senju, I won't let anyone die in front of me so easily."

Not long after leaving the village, Nawaki spoke up toward Minato Namikaze, glancing at Uchiha Gen as he did so.

In response, aside from Minato Namikaze offering a polite smile, Uchiha Gen chose to ignore the idiot entirely, walking while condensing chakra into the diamond-shaped mark on his forehead.

Over the course of the night, with the help of Mito Uzumaki, Uchiha Gen had successfully completed the condensation of the Yin Seal mark and was already able to slowly store chakra.

Although the space for storing chakra was not yet large, it was slowly growing as more chakra was gathered.

It had to be said that in terms of sealing techniques, Mito Uzumaki was absolutely the best in the current ninja world.

"You guy..."

Seeing Uchiha Gen ignoring him again, Nawaki couldn't help but recall being punched to the ground by Tsunade the day before. Anger welled up, and he reached out to grab Uchiha Gen's shoulder.

However, the moment he extended his hand, Nawaki's body stiffened. If one looked closely, they could see a golden thread instantly wrapping around him.

Where the thread touched his skin, a bright red bloodstain appeared, a testament to the sharpness of the Golden Light Materialization.

"Ignorance is not an obstacle to a ninja's survival; arrogance is. If you cannot change your nature, then to prevent others from feeling sorrow over your death, I do not mind crippling you right here.

After all, compared to death, I think they would be able to accept a crippled you. War is not some boring ninja game."

The golden thread connected to Uchiha Gen's fingertip, and his indifferent words echoed in Nawaki's ears.

"When... did you?"

Sensing the thread wrapped around his body, Nawaki was shocked.

Although Nawaki's personality was boisterous and ill-suited for a ninja, that did not mean he was a rookie. On the contrary, having the Senju heritage and being taught by Orochimaru, he could definitely be considered a "little genius."

Yet, even so, he hadn't even reacted to when Uchiha Gen had made his move.

"Gen, these are comrades we will have to work with in the future."

Minato Namikaze, standing to the side, immediately spoke up to mediate, though he only said it with his mouth and made no move to intervene.

[Defeated C-rank target, obtained 1 C-rank card pool draw: 1]

Hearing the data chime in his ears, Uchiha Gen flicked his finger, and the golden thread wrapped around Nawaki vanished instantly.

With the refinement of his medical ninjutsu, Uchiha Gen's mastery of the Golden Light Spell had become increasingly proficient, and he was now highly skilled at Golden Light Materialization.

"..."

The moment Uchiha Gen retracted the thread, Nawaki's body went limp, and he collapsed to the ground. Just a moment ago, he truly felt that Uchiha Gen was going to kill him—no, cripple him.

"This Uchiha who is even younger than me... what exactly is going on? That golden thing..."

Nawaki, sitting on the ground, looked up in disbelief at the retreating figure of Uchiha Gen. A passing Konoha ninja saw this and immediately stepped forward to help him up.

"Gen, isn't doing that a bit much?"

Beside Uchiha Gen, Minato Namikaze scratched his head and spoke up.

"I think it was just right."

"Ahaha, is that so?"

"..."

They traveled in silence for a long time until night fell, and the squad leader signaled everyone to set up camp and rest. Minato Namikaze built a fire and sat before it, lost in thought, while Uchiha Gen sat to the side with his eyes closed, cultivating his Qi while sinking his consciousness into the Mist Space.

Mist Space.

Familiar cards of various colors danced across the sky.

Watching the colorful cards fluttering in the air, Uchiha Gen raised his hand and snapped his fingers.

Snap!

As the sound of the snap faded, all the cards dancing in the sky instantly burst apart, sending countless crystalline rays of light flowing outward.

Amidst the brilliant radiance, a streak of purple quietly emerged.

An A-rank card!?!

Uchiha Gen, who had expected the same C-rank rewards he usually received from drawing cards, felt his eyes light up the moment he saw that purple glow.

That idiot Nawaki is actually this useful?!

Filled with anticipation, Uchiha Gen reached out to take the card, only to see a strange pattern that looked like it was composed of blocks imprinted upon its surface.