Tell me what the greatest jutsu in Naruto is, and explain why it's the Rasengan.
Genichi had successfully developed the Rasengan back in his first year at the Ninja Academy, but rarely used it in actual combat. Although it could be unleashed instantly, it was only useful at close range, and its power was directly tied to how much chakra he put into it.
In the past, Genichi had usually accelerated his body with Lightning Release, using genjutsu and Sealing Jutsu as cover while fighting at close range with a blade. Given his limited chakra reserves, the Rasengan had only been a trump card.
Now, after successfully combining Magnet Release into a Kekkei Genkai and undergoing a qualitative transformation in his chakra reserves, Genichi had shifted his training focus back to developing the Rasengan.
Just how powerful was the Rasengan?
When the seventeen-year-old savior of the Ninja World was interviewed, he waved a hand. "Whatever you have to say, take it up with my Rasengan."
There was no time to mourn the signature Rasengan variety that had appeared in just one movie. Next up were the moves developed exclusively by the child of destiny of the Ninja World: Wind Release: Rasengan, Big Ball Rasengan, Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan, Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, Wind Release: Ultra-Big Ball Rasenshuriken, Big Ball Spiraling Serial Spheres, Rasengan Flash, Spiraling Absorption Sphere, Mini Rasenshuriken, and Planetary Rasengan.
And then there were the techniques that combined the Rasengan with other energies: Sage Art: Rasengan, Sage Art: Rasengan Barrage, Sage Art: Big Ball Rasengan, Sage Art: Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan, Sage Art: Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan Barrage, Sage Art: Wind Release: Big Ball Rasenshuriken, Sage Art: Ultra-Tailed Beast Rasenshuriken, Sage Art: Magnet Release: Rasengan, and Sage Art: Lava Release: Rasenshuriken.
After the Chunin Ninja Exams, Chiba Genichi—the youngest "jōnin" in Konoha's history—returned to his regular training.
Though Naruto's experience could help with developing Wind Release: Rasengan, a Wind Release: Rasengan without Senjutsu was soulless.
At this stage, Genichi's priority was to infuse Lightning Release Chakra into the Rasengan. It was the "Vanishing Rasengan," which had first appeared in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.
In Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Boruto infused Lightning Release Chakra into the Rasengan, creating a new kind of Rasengan that could be thrown over long distances and turn invisible. He used it during the Chunin Ninja Exams, and it even played a direct part in the fight against Otsutsuki Momoshiki.
It stayed invisible the whole time after being launched, and even the Ōtsutsuki Clan couldn't detect it. It only appeared at the moment of impact, and the attack came so suddenly that even the Rinnegan couldn't absorb it. It was downright devious.
Of course, if you thought the "invisible Rasengan" was too difficult to use, then the next one to make its entrance was [Rasengan: Uzuhiko].
[Rasengan: Uzuhiko] could resonate with a planet's chakra. Once it struck an enemy, the chakra would spin along with the planet's rotation. As long as the planet kept turning, the attack would never stop.
Thinking of all the Rasengan's many forms, Genichi pressed on with his resolve to continue developing it.
Today was a special day. Uzumaki Mito had sent word that the new sealing technique she had been working on was complete. Genichi was on his way to the Senju Clan Compound, eating three-color dango as he walked.
"Welcome, Genichi." Kushina had been waiting at the door for some time.
Unable to resist, Genichi reached out and pinched Kushina's adorable cheek, then took out the three-color dango he'd bought. "Here. It's as sweet as you are, Kushina."
Happy and embarrassed, Kushina linked her arm through Genichi's. "Come on in. Granny Mito's been waiting for you."
Inside, Uzumaki Mito sat beside the table, sipping tea. Nawaki was still fuming beside her, glaring at Genichi without blinking.
Ever since Genichi had defeated him and stopped him from going to the battlefield, Nawaki had refused to accept it. He thought he'd only been caught in Genichi's trap because he'd let his guard down. Then he'd been stuck in the village, watching Genichi make a name for himself on the battlefield. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got.
But what could he do? Faced with the youngest "jōnin" in Konoha's history, Nawaki knew he was nowhere near strong enough. After racking his brains, he'd finally come up with a plan: he would get the upper hand over Genichi by sheer force of presence.
"Why don't you greet your senior?" he said. "I'm older than you, and I became Orochimaru-sensei's student first. From now on, whenever you see me, call me your senior. Hahaha!" As he imagined Genichi respectfully addressing him as "senior," Nawaki broke into a foolish grin.
Genichi had plenty of experience dealing with hot-blooded idiots like him. All he had to do was act aloof and ignore him at first, then casually toss out a few cutting remarks. That was enough to leave him fuming and jumping around in frustration.
Genichi ignored Nawaki. He greeted Granny Mito, sat down, and took a sip of tea. Only then, as if he had just noticed someone else was there, did he slowly speak.
"Senior? I've never seen such a weak senior."
Just as expected, Nawaki instantly lost his temper and tried to charge at him, but Uzumaki Mito sealed him in place with one hand. "A ninja must always stay calm. With a temper like yours, how can I trust you on the battlefield? Take a moment to calm down."
Seeing Genichi arrive hand in hand with Kushina, Mito couldn't have been more pleased. The two children had been close since they were little, and Genichi was talented. He wasn't afraid of the Nine-Tails, either, and even had his own unique understanding of Sealing Jutsu. Though it seemed he was also close to several girls at once... Ah, well. The young could sort out their own affairs.
"The [Eight-Trigrams Seal] you told me about is complete," Mito said approvingly. "It's truly ingenious. When it comes to sealing a Tailed Beast, it works much better than the [Four-Symbols Seal] I use."
Kushina would become the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki within the next few years, so Genichi had thought of the more effective [Eight-Trigrams Seal].
The [Eight-Trigrams Seal] had originally been created by Minato Namikaze. It consisted of two Four-Symbols Seals layered together, allowing the Nine-Tails Chakra that leaked through the gap between them to be converted back into the Jinchūriki's own chakra.
Genichi had a choice: learn the [Four-Symbols Seal] and work it out himself, or give the idea to Minato Namikaze to study. He chose to trust the wisdom of those who came before him.
As expected, after Genichi explained the concept behind the [Eight-Trigrams Seal], Uzumaki Mito succeeded in completing it in no time. She truly lived up to her reputation as a sealing master of the Uzumaki Clan.
"This is for Kushina's safety, and for our future," Genichi said calmly, holding Kushina's hand as she blushed.
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