The Meaning of the Senju of the Forest

Tsunade knew very well that Shizune's talent was already quite good.

Many medical ninja took several days, or even weeks, to stabilize the Yang Release nature transformation on their first attempt.

But Qingyu... had managed it almost the instant the explanation was over.

That speed could only be called terrifying.

"It seems the Senju Clan's bloodline has manifested very fully in you."

Tsunade leaned back against the sofa, her tone full of emotion.

Qingyu looked up at her.

Tsunade shook the water bottle in her hand and continued:

"Our Senju Clan has been renowned for two things since the Warring States Era."

She raised two slender, pale fingers.

"First, an enormous amount of chakra."

"Second, the ability to master countless powerful ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu."

Qingyu listened quietly.

That was right. The Senju Clan was known not only for its immense chakra reserves, but also for its astonishing legacy of ninjutsu.

In the databook for the Book of Formations, the Senju Clan's full name was the "Senju of the Forest."

They were also respectfully known as "the clan with a thousand hands," feared by others, and renowned for their many experts in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu.

Much as Qingyu had suspected, Tsunade continued:

"'Hands' refers to the ability to form hand seals and release ninjutsu. And 'a thousand hands' means 'countless techniques.'"

Tsunade looked at the green chakra that had yet to fade from Qingyu's palm.

"Medical Ninjutsu requires extremely precise chakra control. The fact that you managed to gather Yang Release Chakra on your first try shows you have exceptional talent for Yang Release.

In that respect, you've inherited the Senju Clan's genes perfectly."

"I see..."

Shizune blinked. She felt a little disappointed, but she looked at Qingyu with even greater admiration.

Her family wasn't weak, either.

Her uncle had died young, but he had earned a great reputation in his lifetime with the S-rank technique, Spirit Transformation Technique.

As his only surviving relative, Shizune had inherited the technique as well. It was simply too difficult for her to learn.

"Is that so?"

Qingyu rubbed his chin.

It seemed his natural aptitude wasn't bad, either—not just his special traits.

Being mixed-blood was a matter of luck. If things went well, you inherited the strengths of both sides. If they didn't, you might turn out ordinary—or inherit the weaknesses of both.

But in the Shinobi World, that was really a path toward returning to one's roots.

There was only one source of Kekkei Genkai: the Otsutsuki!

"Sister Tsunade, when will you teach me the next medical technique?"

Qingyu asked.

"Learning a technique doesn't mean you've mastered it. We'll talk when you can use it proficiently."

Tsunade shook her head.

This little brat really was getting ahead of himself.

Seeing that, Qingyu had no choice but to let it go.

Tsunade had a point. He decided to focus on practicing the techniques he already knew.

Otherwise, something could go wrong on the battlefield, and that would be disastrous.

"In a few months, I can take you to train at Konoha Hospital. You can go there whenever you have free time; they offer some basic training."

Tsunade considered it for a moment before speaking.

Because of her hemophobia, she could only teach Qingyu and Shizune the techniques and the theoretical knowledge.

Other medical ninja would have to handle the practical work.

She hadn't personally picked up a scalpel or performed surgery in a very long time.

"All right. Thank you, Sister Tsunade."

Qingyu thanked her at once.

It was a rare opportunity.

Getting ahead in the world required connections and an organization.

Ordinary people could also train at Konoha Hospital, but they had to work their way up. Only those with exceptional talent received special treatment.

Qingyu would probably get that as soon as he arrived.

After all, with Tsunade's status as a medical ninja, she was already the top star of Konoha's medical community.

Early the next morning.

The Ninja Academy.

Today's lesson was still about throwing ninja tools.

The Chunin instructor stood before the students and said:

"Yesterday, we practiced the basics of throwing shuriken. Today, we're adding kunai to the training."

"Shuriken are light and easy to handle, making them useful for keeping opponents at bay and disrupting them. Kunai are heavier, with greater penetrating power and lethality. You can also hold them in your hand and use them in close combat."

Qingyu listened below.

Ninja used many kinds of throwing weapons. At the Ninja Academy, they mainly taught the standard kunai, triangular shuriken, and four-pointed shuriken.

There were plenty of other kinds, too, such as the enormous Fuma Shuriken or the special three-pronged kunai used by Minato Namikaze.

A more advanced technique was to tie a thread through the hole at the end of a shuriken or kunai. That let you control its trajectory after throwing it or retrieve it when needed.

Some ninja skilled in ninjutsu even used threads to attach techniques to their weapons, producing unexpected effects.

He had heard all about this from Tsunade.

After training the previous night, Qingyu had discovered that the bonus from his E-rank Hatake-style Shuriken trait applied to kunai as well.

Soon, the Chunin instructor clapped his hands and told the students to train freely.

It was only the second day of classes, so the students talked only to people they already knew. Little groups began to form at that moment.

Qingyu held a kunai and tried throwing it at the target in front of him.

Kakashi watched Qingyu's movements, finding them oddly familiar.

Why did Qingyu's movements look a little like his own?

Maybe he was imagining it.

Kakashi shook his head and began training, too.

"Let's burn with the fire of youth!"

Might Guy began training enthusiastically.

As a civilian ninja, he had an incredible amount of energy.

He wasn't good at controlling chakra, and he had little talent for ninjutsu or genjutsu.

But his talent for taijutsu was exceptional.

"Kakashi, want to spar?"

Might Guy ran up to Kakashi, brimming with enthusiasm.

He had already decided that Kakashi would be his rival.

"No."

Kakashi flatly refused.

If he was going to spar with someone, he would rather spar with Qingyu.

Hearing Kakashi turn him down, Might Guy didn't lose heart. He decided to train on his own instead.

"Kakashi, Guy might become really strong someday."

Qingyu paused what he was doing and chimed in.

That kick of Might Guy's that nearly ended the story was supposedly meant for Kakashi...

Qingyu couldn't imagine how Kakashi would handle it.

The speed of the Gate of Death was so great that it warped space.

If Might Guy had an immortal body and could throw that kick again, even Six Paths Madara probably wouldn't be able to take it.

"You've got a good eye, Qingyu!"

Hearing Qingyu's words, Might Guy immediately took a liking to him.

He remembered Qingyu's name from the introductions the previous day.

Might Guy gave Qingyu a thumbs-up and flashed two rows of pearly white teeth.

[Detected a collectible trait: Persistent Perseverance]

[E-rank trait: Persistent Perseverance]

[Effect: When practicing any technique, you will find it easier to enter a state of concentration.]

"Concentration..."

Qingyu looked at the trait he had suddenly collected and guessed that Might Guy had dropped it.