Ripples

"That's what happened. The enemy's body is in the woods northeast of the village."

In the Hokage Building, Genichi gave an honest account of events from his perspective.

"Kushina's fine, too. She just needs a good night's sleep." Tsunade finished examining the unconscious Kushina.

"Genichi, you did well this time. You reacted quickly and kept your head in a crisis, protecting your teammate from enemy ninjas." Relieved that the incident had ended without disaster, the Third Hokage didn't hold back his praise.

"I've heard your teachers praise you many times. They all say you're an excellent inheritor of the Will of Fire, and that your grades and abilities are among the best. I'll record that you successfully completed a B-Rank Mission in your file.

"It's late, so go home and get some rest. Think carefully about what reward you want. Oh, and remember: under the confidentiality rules, you mustn't tell anyone about what happened tonight."

"Understood. I'll take my leave, Lord Hokage," Genichi replied.

For Genichi, the day's events were over. For some people, however, they had only just begun.

Once again, in the Hokage Building.

After reading the report submitted by the Anbu, Sarutobi Hiruzen realized belatedly that after he withdrew the Anbu guarding Kushina, Danzo had also withdrawn the Root ninjas.

Strike first. If someone in the Hokage Building had made a mistake, it certainly wasn't the Hokage.

"What exactly are you trying to do? You kept saying the Root ninjas would protect Kushina. Is this what you call protecting her? If Genichi hadn't happened to discover them, she'd have been taken to the Cloud Village!" Sarutobi Hiruzen shouted furiously at Danzo.

By now, Shimura Danzo had pieced together what had happened. I wasn't the only one who withdrew my ninjas. Why is this all my fault?

Danzo had no way to defend himself. He had indeed made threats when he left the Hokage's office some time ago, and it looked like he'd have to take the blame whether he liked it or not.

But instead of arguing over his mistake, he might as well take the initiative and make an opening for himself.

"In any case, this has happened. It proves the Ninja Academy isn't safe, and all the intelligence has been leaked. Send the Jinchūriki to Root, and I guarantee no one will be able to reach into the darkest corner of Konoha."

Danzo set the problem aside and pressed his demand once more.

"Impossible. Since Root couldn't handle this, you're not to involve yourself in Kushina's affairs anymore." Sarutobi Hiruzen made his decision at once.

"Fine, then. But I want someone from you." Danzo had long since given up on getting involved with the Jinchūriki.

"Who do you want?" The kidnapping was over and had caused no losses, so Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't as angry as he seemed.

"Chiba Genichi. You know, Hiruzen, Root was originally established to handle matters outside the village, things that couldn't be dealt with openly. Root ninjas aren't especially strong individually, and some intelligence is difficult to gather."

"You want to send a genius like Genichi to another country to steal intelligence?" Hiruzen looked at his old friend as if seeing him for the first time. "There's nothing more to discuss. Just do your job, and remember: I'm the Hokage!"

"You'll regret this, Hiruzen." You're only one step ahead of me. Danzo spoke as he slammed the door on his way out.

Danzo couldn't help thinking that everything going wrong today was because he wasn't the Hokage.

The next day, at the Ninja Academy.

As soon as Kushina entered the classroom, she ran up to Genichi and threw her arms around him. They hugged tightly.

"Thank you, Genichi. I thought I'd never see everyone again." Tears shimmered in little Kushina's eyes.

Watching the two of them suddenly embrace, Mikoto Uchiha felt strange, though she couldn't say why.

"Are you all right now, Kushina?" Genichi asked, trying to reassure her.

"I'm fine, Genichi. Could you come home with me after school? Grandma Mito wants to see you." Now that she had calmed down, Kushina hurried to ask.

"Lady Mito invited me, so of course I'll go." Genichi smiled and patted Kushina on the head.

"Chiba Genichi, Lord Hokage wants you to go to his office right away," Teacher Kimura announced as he came through the door.

When Genichi arrived at the Hokage Building, an Anbu Ninja escorted him straight to the Hokage's office.

"Genichi, did you get a good rest last night?" The Third Hokage smiled kindly. "Have you thought of what reward you want? If you're not sure, tell me what you have in mind and let this old man help you decide."

Looking at the Hokage, who was around forty but already seemed rather old, Genichi said sincerely, "How could Lord Hokage be old? You're in your prime. Also, last night I used a ninjutsu of my own creation against the enemy: the Rasengan.

"It's probably an A-Rank jutsu with no hand seals. Here are the instructions for learning it. I'm willing to hand it over to the village and do my part for Konoha." Genichi took out the scroll he hadn't used the day before, then added:

"Right now, the Rasengan only incorporates shape transformation of chakra. If chakra nature transformation is added later, its power might rival that of an S-Rank forbidden technique."

"Excellent, excellent." Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the Academy student before him, who gave without asking for anything in return. Deeply moved, he felt that the Will of Fire would live on. For a moment, he was too happy to speak.

"The village will never fail to reward a ninja who gives so much for it. The more you contribute, the more the village will give you in return." After catching his breath, the Third Hokage said solemnly:

"You can think carefully about what reward you want."

After pretending to consider it for a while, Genichi said, "Lord Third, I've tested my chakra affinities. They're Wind and Lightning. I've already learned one Wind Release technique, Great Breakthrough, and now I'd like a Lightning Release Ninjutsu—preferably one that can improve my physical abilities and speed."

"Normally, a ninja your age should focus on techniques of a single nature. Mastering two nature transformations is one of the requirements for becoming a jōnin." Sarutobi Hiruzen continued:

"But that's all right. We should be flexible when training a genius. The most famous Lightning Release technique of that kind is the signature technique of the Third Raikage, a secret method that uses Lightning Release to strengthen the body. It's known as Lightning Release Armor.

"By concentrating Lightning Release chakra throughout the body, the user covers themselves in chakra and lightning. It's also called Lightning Release Chakra Mode. Though it's only B-Rank in difficulty, it offers tight defense. Our village doesn't have this secret technique."

Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head as he spoke. "But that's all right. My teacher, Senju Tobirama—who everyone called the Second—was naturally quick-witted and had all seven chakra natures. He was unquestionably the greatest ninjutsu researcher in the Ninja World.

"Years ago, he acquired the Sword of the Thunder God, which was especially good at conducting Lightning Release chakra. For a while, he focused on researching Lightning Release training.

"I believe it was called Lightning Release: From Beginner to Buried. Go on, 'Genhu' is waiting outside. You can also choose two Wind Release or Lightning Release techniques of B-Rank or lower."

In the room where the techniques were kept, Genichi went over to the Wind Release shelf. Thinking it over, Great Breakthrough was a medium- to short-range technique that dragged its targets in, so he should choose techniques with different roles, or ones that could work well together.

He couldn't spend all that time training only to discover he'd learned Little Fireball, Big Fireball, and Giant Fireball.

After a long deliberation, Genichi chose a B-Rank Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique. The blades of wind it created could make precise cuts over long distances, making up for Great Breakthrough's lack of range. He also chose a B-Rank Wind Release: Vacuum Blade, which formed a wind sword around a ninja tool, solving the problems of close-range damage and inadequate tool quality.

As for Lightning Release? It wasn't something he needed urgently right now. He could take his time studying Chidori, and he also had the training experience of the forbidden-technique master Senju Tobirama to refer to.

He casually took Lightning Release: From Beginner to Buried from "Genhu."

"I need to remind you that you can't share any techniques you obtain here with others without permission."

Genichi nodded and prepared to leave.