Making Things Clear

Hatake Sakumo's true form rose from the ground: "Genma, when you lack sufficient mid-to-long-range offensive capabilities, you should have used genjutsu just now. You had both the time and the space to do so."

As his body gradually recovered, Genma stretched his limbs and accepted the advice gracefully: "Yes, Teacher. I will remember that."

Hatake Sakumo revealed a faint smile: "Your combat experience is still lacking, but your application of your own abilities is much more proficient than before."

To be honest, Teacher was using his full strength just now.

This was the truth. Before Genma possessed Lightning Flicker, Hatake Sakumo could still rely on his own speed and reflexes to counter the space-time displacement of the Substitution Technique.

However, with Lightning Flicker in play, Hatake Sakumo clearly felt that his student's reaction speed was astonishingly fast—faster even than his own.

At this point, even if his own lightning-style speed was faster than Genma's, it was useless.

Because no matter how fast one is, it cannot outpace instantaneous displacement on a space-time level.

Therefore, Hatake Sakumo realized that even he, under normal circumstances, could not possibly land a hit on his student.

He had only been able to attack by targeting the distance limitations of Genma's space-time displacement.

Yet he still failed, and only succeeded by resorting to a trap.

Hatake Sakumo had to admit that this student, who was still a genin, exerted more pressure on him than two jonin combined!

Shizune and Yamashiro Aoba, who were watching the match, both let out long sighs at the same time, only then realizing their palms and backs were drenched in sweat.

The battle had been so spectacular that even they, as spectators, had been incredibly tense.

"With strength like this, he's already reached the jonin level, right?"

Yamashiro Aoba exclaimed in wonder.

Shizune was somewhat excited and thrilled: "That was truly amazing!"

"Do you still have stamina?"

Hatake Sakumo asked.

Genma sheathed his blade and chuckled: "No problem."

Hatake Sakumo marveled inwardly, then said: "Next, you will act as a sparring partner for Shizune and Aoba."

The special training continued.

And it was to be conducted every single day.

Genma also went all-out in a live-combat session with his teacher, Hatake Sakumo, every day, accumulating precious combat experience and further exploring the applications of Transformation Technique 1.0 and Substitution Technique 1.0.

The gains were truly significant.

In the blink of an eye, a week passed.

On a rare day off, Genma brought his questions to Tsunade's home to seek her guidance.

After his doubts were cleared, Genma asked: "Eh, where is Huixiang?"

Tsunade replied: "She went to see Kushina."

Genma nodded, then asked again: "She shouldn't have run into any trouble, right?"

Tsunade glanced at him: "What kind of trouble are you referring to?"

Genma was speechless.

There were some pieces of intelligence he truly shouldn't know.

Tsunade let out a soft huff: "There is no need for you to worry so much; you are just a genin brat."

Genma was annoyed: "A genin is a genin, can you not add 'brat' to it?"

Tsunade revealed a smile, teasing him: "Aren't you a brat?"

A brat who hasn't even grown his hair out yet!

Genma understood the meaning in Tsunade's eyes, nearly biting his teeth in frustration. He grumbled to himself, then said: "By the way, you haven't been going to the hospital; there must be another reason for that, right?"

Tsunade frowned, the playful mood vanishing instantly. She feigned indifference: "Don't be a busybody. If there's nothing else, get lost."

Genma shook his head: "Lady Tsunade, you are a medical ninja too. You should understand that when there is an illness, it needs to be treated, not avoided."

Tsunade immediately glared at Genma with an unfriendly gaze.

Genma met her eyes calmly.

A moment later, Tsunade's shoulders slumped, her facade of strength crumbling in an instant. She sighed: "This is not something you can solve."

Genma sighed: "If we are talking about healing capabilities, I believe I have already surpassed you, Lady Tsunade."

"If even I can't solve it, then it seems it is just as I suspected."

"It's a psychological issue!"

"In that case..."

Genma matched his answer to the situation: "So, is it Hemophobia?"

Tsunade looked up at Genma without saying a word.

Genma said: "It seems I guessed right."

Then he flashed a smile: "Don't worry, I can definitely cure you!"

Tsunade, looking somewhat frail, stared blankly at Genma's bright, confident smile before turning her head away: "What big talk, you're just a genin brat."

She cast aside her frailty, returning to being the Tsunade of the Sannin, and looked at Genma: "Focus on preparing for your Chunin Exam; I will find a way to resolve this myself."

Genma stood up: "Let's make a bet, Lady Tsunade!"

"Let's see who cures your Hemophobia first."

"If you lose, you are never to call me a brat again."

The corners of Tsunade's mouth curled into a smile, but she immediately suppressed it: "No problem."

"But if you lose, the debt I owe you is wiped clean."

What a greedy demand!

Genma's mouth twitched, then he gritted his teeth and agreed: "Fine, let's pinky swear."

He extended his finger.

Tsunade pouted: "Typical brat, how childish!"

Despite saying that, she still hooked her pinky with Genma's.

Releasing his hand, Genma turned and walked away.

Watching his retreating figure, Tsunade secretly gritted her teeth: "I absolutely cannot let him win this time."

But the fear in her heart welled up; a psychological barrier was not something that could be overcome so easily on one's own.

After leaving Tsunade's home, Genma went to find Kakashi.

In the forest, at a training ground.

When Genma arrived, he happened to see Kakashi sparring with Uchiha Obito.

"Senior Minato!"

Genma stepped forward to pay his respects.

Namikaze Minato responded with a smile: "Genma, here to see Kakashi?"

Genma laughed: "Just checking to see how his training is going."

After saying that, he greeted Nohara Rin: "Rin, how have you been lately?"

Nohara Rin replied with a smile: "We've been training intensely lately. You must be too, right? Kakashi mentioned it before, so is today a rest day?"

Genma nodded: "That's right."

Following that, no one spoke, and the three of them watched Kakashi and Uchiha Obito's spar intently.

It had to be admitted that in terms of taijutsu, Uchiha Obito was only slightly weaker than Kakashi.

Of course, Kakashi wasn't using his blade, otherwise, he would be even stronger.

Even so, after a while, Uchiha Obito was visibly falling behind.

Uchiha Obito barely utilized the Three Body Technique, whereas Kakashi used it with great proficiency.

In the end, Uchiha Obito, lacking the Sharingan, was easily fooled by Kakashi's Substitution Technique, losing the fight.

"Kakashi wins!"

Namikaze Minato announced.

Uchiha Obito looked very dejected and only gave a listless greeting when he saw Genma.

However, seeing the way Nohara Rin looked at Kakashi with such admiration, he immediately perked up and shouted: "Once I awaken my Sharingan, those tricks of yours won't be able to fool me anymore, Kakashi!"

Kakashi delivered a deadpan blow: "Do you think having a Sharingan will stop sand from getting in your eyes?"

Uchiha Obito instantly turned red with rage: "Kakashi..."

Genma watched the drama with great interest.

It had to be said, Kakashi's mouth was truly venomous, especially toward Uchiha Obito, against whom his combat effectiveness skyrocketed.

Nohara Rin stepped in to mediate, and Namikaze Minato, looking somewhat helpless, spoke up: "Obito, the Substitution Technique and the basic Clone Technique can be identified through experience, even without the Sharingan."

"You need to observe and pay more attention."

He couldn't bring himself to say "don't rely on the Sharingan."

Because the power of the Sharingan was indeed overpowered; once awakened, one's strength would undergo a heaven-defying transformation.

If one had the ability, one should naturally use it.

But at this stage, he also hoped Uchiha Obito could master more combat techniques and stop being so rash.

Glaring at Kakashi, Uchiha Obito replied: "I understand, Teacher Minato."

Kakashi couldn't be bothered with Uchiha Obito and looked at Genma, asking: "Didn't you say you were going to Lady Tsunade's to learn Sealing Technique?"

Genma said: "I've already been."

Namikaze Minato was surprised to hear this: "Genma is already learning Sealing Technique!"

Genma said helplessly: "Yes, it's just that my talent is average, and progress is very slow."

Uchiha Obito asked curiously: "Genma, don't you need to prepare for the Chunin Exam?"

"Sealing Technique shouldn't be needed during the exam, right?"

Kakashi retorted immediately: "He doesn't need to prepare, unlike some people who are even late for training."

"If you're late for the exam, don't even think about becoming a Chunin!"

Uchiha Obito was instantly annoyed: "I didn't do it on purpose!"

Nohara Rin chided him: "Kakashi~"

Kakashi turned his head away and said nothing.

Namikaze Minato smiled a little awkwardly and was just about to speak when Uzumaki Kushina's voice drifted over: "Since we're taking a break, let's eat something first!"