Hard to Deal With

Genma had no idea how to prevent the impending death of the White Fang of Konoha. He realized that having ideas alone wasn't enough; he needed the strength to back them up. Otherwise, they would remain just ideas, impossible to put into practice.

So he trained even harder.

Before he knew it, autumn had passed and winter had come. The end of Konoha's forty-second year was fast approaching.

Several months had passed since Genma last saw Tsunade.

This time, it wasn't in the dark but beneath a streetlamp, again on the way to walk Shizune home.

Although the temperature had dropped to just seven or eight degrees, Tsunade was still dressed the same way.

"Hey, kid. Shizune told me you want to learn Medical Ninjutsu from me?"

Tsunade's sudden appearance and question nearly made Genma jump.

But he quickly recovered and bowed. "Yes, Lady Tsunade."

Tsunade folded her arms across her chest and looked down at him. "Don't get ahead of yourself, kid."

"Your mother's a medical ninja too."

Her meaning was clear.

Shizune quickly stepped in to explain on Genma's behalf. "Lady Tsunade, Aunt Ritsuka can't teach Genma anymore."

Tsunade frowned. "Did your mother die on a mission?"

Shizune panicked. "No, that's not it. It's because Genma's progressed so quickly that he's already mastered all the Medical Ninjutsu Aunt Ritsuka knows."

Tsunade turned to Shizune. "Didn't you say last time that he was still learning the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique?"

Shizune quietly reminded her, "Lady Tsunade, that was three months ago."

"He mastered the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique in three months? That's nothing special!"

Tsunade muttered under her breath.

Shizune defended Genma in her heart: Actually, it only took him two months.

At this point, Genma didn't know what to say.

Tsunade sized him up. He stood straight, was handsome, and had a firm, alert gaze. He looked like a promising young talent.

Unfortunately, she had no intention of taking on a student right now, so she said, "Since you helped Shizune, I can teach you one Medical Ninjutsu."

"But you two are too young to start dating, okay~"

Shizune's cheeks turned bright red. "Lady Tsunade, that's not what's going on."

Tsunade pursed her lips.

Shizune cautiously glanced at Genma.

Genma didn't blush. Instead, he said seriously, "Lady Tsunade, Shizune and I are just learning from each other and helping each other out."

Tsunade strode up to Genma, blocking the lamplight with her figure. "Kid, don't think you can get my attention that way."

Hmph, what an overconfident woman!

Genma grumbled to himself, afraid he'd be punched to death if he said it out loud.

"Lady Tsunade, even though I'd like to get your attention, I wouldn't do it like that."

Genma looked up at Tsunade, only to realize he couldn't see her face.

Tsunade chuckled teasingly. "Oh? You want to catch my attention with your talent and make me teach you Medical Ninjutsu?"

"Well, mastering a B-rank Medical Ninjutsu like the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique at your age is pretty impressive. You're quite the little genius."

"But I hate geniuses!"

Though he feared her strength, Genma couldn't resist provoking her. "Only stupid people hate geniuses."

Tsunade planted her hands on her hips, then bent down until her face was right in front of his. The smell of alcohol on her breath washed over him.

Genma was caught off guard, and his face twisted before he could stop himself.

It turned out that even the breath of a beautiful woman like Tsunade smelled awful when she'd been drinking.

Seeing Genma's expression, Tsunade burst out laughing.

He'd been acting like a little adult just now. That was no fun at all.

"Shizune, let's go home!"

With that, Tsunade walked past Genma.

Shizune gave Genma an apologetic smile, then hurried after her.

Genma turned to watch the two of them leave, completely at a loss.

Was she really that hard to deal with?

Looks like he'd have to use his trump card next time!

Meanwhile, back at home, Tsunade gulped down a few mouthfuls of hot tea, let out a long breath, and sat down. She teased Shizune, "That kid Genma acts like a grown-up. He's not cute at all. How could you like him?"

Shizune's face turned scarlet. "We're just classmates."

"Besides, Genma's really good. At school, his grades are second only to Kakashi's."

Tsunade looked puzzled. "That kid isn't even first? Kakashi... I feel like I've heard that name somewhere."

Shizune explained, "Kakashi's father is Lord White Fang."

Tsunade understood. "So he's Sakumo's son... But from what you've told me, that kid doesn't seem to be aiming to become a medical ninja!"

Shizune nodded. "Genma said he's learning Medical Ninjutsu first to improve his chakra control."

Tsunade couldn't help staring in surprise.

Improve his chakra control?

That brat! The next time she saw him, she'd have to teach him a good lesson for showing so little respect for Medical Ninjutsu!

Shizune saw Tsunade's expression change and sensed trouble. "Lady Tsunade, is something wrong?"

Tsunade waved a hand, then stood up. "Hurry up and wash up and get some rest. Tomorrow's the weekend, but didn't we say we'd teach that kid Medical Ninjutsu?"

Shizune was overjoyed. She hurried off toward the bedroom. "Lady Tsunade, I'll get your pajamas ready."

Meanwhile, elsewhere—

After washing up at home, Genma sat on his bed without going straight to sleep.

Spring break was coming, and he'd soon turn seven.

Apart from the Three Body Technique and the Body Flicker Technique, he'd only learned and mastered three Medical Ninjutsu over the past year: Hemostasis Technique, Healing Technique, and the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique.

When it came to Medical Ninjutsu, no one his age in Konoha could surpass him.

When it came to chakra control, no one his age in Konoha could surpass him either.

Without using his new Substitution Technique, Genma's combat ability at school was second only to Kakashi's.

If he used the Substitution Technique, the outcome would be obvious.

If Tsunade doesn't teach me, I won't make much progress with Medical Ninjutsu anytime soon. Looks like it's time to train in another nature transformation.

After reviewing his training over the past year, Genma made his decision.

So, which nature transformation should he train in next?

Genma thought it over.

He was naturally suited to Water, Earth, and Lightning Release. He'd tested this with Chakra Paper when he first managed to knead chakra at the age of three.

Should I choose Earth Release? I could learn from Kakashi's experience, but we don't have any Earth Release Ninjutsu at home.

Or maybe Water Release. We have Water Release Ninjutsu at home.

Genma had inherited his Water and Earth affinities from his mother, Ritsuka, and his Lightning Release affinity from his father, Yu Fenglan.

However, his father, Yu Fenglan, didn't actually know Lightning Release. He was better at Yin Release genjutsu and Sensory Ninjutsu.

Of course, Yu Fenglan's genjutsu and sensory skills were only at the Chunin level. He'd become a Special Jōnin because of his ability to crack codes and gather intelligence.

It seems like Yin Release might suit me better.

Genma frowned slightly.

Genjutsu... In a fight, either he'd take out his enemy instantly, or they'd see through the illusion and easily take him down.

That was why there weren't many genjutsu-specialist ninja in the Ninja World.

Still, combining genjutsu with my unique Substitution Technique could make for a pretty good strategy.

Genma relaxed his brow.

Besides, with his naturally powerful mental energy, training in Yin Release nature transformation might be easier and faster than training in Yang Release.