The Scholar and the Slacker (2)

Chapter 22: The Straight-A Student and the Underachievers

The most frustrating thing in life is when you tell someone something, they don't listen; when they listen, they don't change; when they act, they get it wrong; and when they get it wrong, they still refuse to change.

Uchiha Shin watched as Madara, Izuna, and Hana listened with earnest, teachable expressions. He nodded to himself and continued his lecture...

"I just explained to Madara what chakra is and how to refine it."

"Now, I will explain why there is such a vast difference in the amount of chakra a ninja can store."

"If you compare a ninja's body to a teapot, then the spiritual energy a ninja gains through cultivation is the water inside that teapot."

"Therefore, the better a ninja's physical constitution, the larger the teapot, and the higher its capacity for holding water."

"Of course, whether it's due to innate talent or later training, the better a ninja's physical condition, the higher the upper limit of the chakra they can contain."

"And the spiritual energy gained through cultivation is the water within that teapot."

"To summarize: the larger the teapot and the more water it contains, the more tea that teapot can pour out."

"Simply put, it means the more chakra you can store and refine within your body."

At this point, Uchiha Shin paused, looked down at Madara, and asked...

"Madara, have you ever carefully observed the ninjas in our clan? Don't those who are weak in taijutsu and have poor physical constitutions generally have lower chakra reserves?"

Hearing Uchiha Shin put it this way, Madara fell into deep, contemplative thought.

It was true. In his memory, those in the clan who were weak in taijutsu and lacked physical stamina did indeed tend to have smaller chakra reserves.

Thinking of this, Madara's eyes lit up: "Big Brother, are you saying...?"

"Exactly. That is the case. Even if those ninjas with poor physical constitutions have powerful spiritual energy, their bodies limit their development."

"It's like the innate capacity of a teapot limiting how much water it can hold. Even if you have a whole barrel of water, the teapot is only so big, so it can only pour out that much tea."

Uchiha Shin explained with a chuckle.

"Big Brother, do you mean that if I want to increase my upper limit for chakra storage, the first step should be physical training?"

A fiery light flashed in Madara's eyes as he asked impatiently.

It is said that among any three people, there is surely a teacher to be found; one should emulate the good and correct the bad.

This is an ancient principle of learning. No matter how the world changes or how eras shift, this remains an eternal truth.

The things Uchiha Shin was talking about now were concepts Madara had never encountered. When Uchiha Tajima had taught him to refine chakra, he had never explained it in such detail.

Thus, Madara had always been muddled, following instructions step-by-step without understanding the "why" behind them.

As for the underlying logic—why do it this way?

These were things Uchiha Tajima had never touched upon.

As for Uchiha Shin, having once stood on the shoulders of giants, he naturally understood far more than Uchiha Tajima.

After all, whether it is science or the current practice of ninjutsu, the underlying principles remain the same.

Once you study the logic and clarify the principles, it is just like the subject of mathematics...

As long as you thoroughly master the foundations, formulas, and logic, even the most difficult problems are merely contained within those parameters, making them not so hard to solve after all.

Under Uchiha Shin's guidance, Madara's eyes grew brighter and brighter, as if a door to a new world had been opened before him.

"Of course, different ninjas have different levels of talent."

"But regardless, if you want to become a top-tier ninja capable of standing firm in the ninja world, physical training is a step you can never bypass."

"Furthermore, the human body is actually the most precise instrument; it possesses a powerful capacity for self-repair."

"Therefore, only by constantly breaking through each of your physical limits will your strength continue to progress."

"So, the same rule applies: as long as you don't train yourself to death, keep training. Don't underestimate the limits and potential of your own bodies!"

Uchiha Shin spoke eloquently to Madara, Izuna, and Hana, sharing his insights on ninja cultivation without holding anything back.

"Let me ask you three: Madara, Izuna, Hana—can you all refine chakra now?"

Uchiha Shin's gaze swept across the faces of the three children.

Seeing them all nod silently, Uchiha Shin made a mental note.

He wasn't surprised that three-year-old Izuna could already refine chakra.

After all, this is the Warring States period; the world outside the Uchiha Clan's compound is filled with the sounds of constant battle.

Who knows if people are out there beating each other's brains out.

Therefore, regarding the refinement of chakra, depending on a ninja's individual talent, the earlier one starts, the greater the chance to overtake others on the curve.

"What about walking on trees? Has anyone mastered that yet?"

Uchiha Shin asked the three of them.

Madara and Izuna shook their heads; only Hana nodded.

Watching their different reactions, Uchiha Shin sighed inwardly.

Well, that makes sense. Madara is four and Izuna is three; it's already quite impressive that they can refine chakra. Am I setting my expectations a bit too high?

As for Hana, having passed the clan trials and become a qualified genin, tree climbing shouldn't seem like much of a challenge for her.

"Then Hana, why don't you explain the trick and the principle behind tree climbing for us?"

Uchiha Shin looked at Uchiha Hana with a smile, calling on her to answer.

"The principle and trick of tree climbing is basically just concentrating chakra on the soles of your feet, then walking just like you would on the ground, making sure you don't fall off, right?"

"Hehe."

Uchiha Hana scratched her head in a carefree manner, a goofy smile on her face, as she recounted the knowledge she had learned about tree climbing during the clan's short-term training course based on her memory.

Watching Uchiha Hana's silly grin and hearing her half-baked explanation, Uchiha Shin realized that this girl was likely the academic underachiever type.

"Anything to add?"

Uchiha Shin followed up with another question.

"Probably not, I think that's about all I remember."

Uchiha Hana tried hard to recall, then answered with some uncertainty.

Hearing Uchiha Hana put it that way, the looks Madara and Izuna shot her suddenly carried a hint of disdain.

It was as if they were wondering how on earth this girl had passed the clan trials to earn the title of genin, and whether she was truly a ninja of the Uchiha Clan.

"Sigh, alright then. Since Madara and Izuna don't know how to climb trees yet and you do, why don't you demonstrate it on the spot so I can take a look."

Seeing the glint of disdain in Madara and Izuna's eyes, Uchiha Shin felt a bit embarrassed; after all, Hana was the first follower under his command.

Why did Hana seem so dim-witted and not particularly bright right now? Had he been a bit reckless when he decided to take her on as a follower?

Uchiha Shin fell into a moment of self-doubt.

"Climb the tree right now? Easy peasy..."

"Haha..."

Uchiha Hana laughed loudly, giving Uchiha Shin a thumbs-up.

Then, with a look of confidence, she walked toward the large tree designated for tree-climbing practice.

"Here I go..."

"Haha."

Amidst Uchiha Hana's laughter, she launched herself forward with a spring, then went "thump, thump" as she marched right up the trunk of the tree.

PS: Seeking monthly tickets, follows, investments, and recommendation tickets.