Whether it was Water Formation Wall, Water Colliding Wave, or Water Dragon Bullet, all three Water Release Ninjutsu could take advantage of the terrain.
In other words, having water nearby could greatly reduce the chakra needed to use them.
But Water Severing Wave was different. It couldn't take advantage of the terrain.
Just imagining a high-powered jet of water made it clear how much chakra it would consume.
Shita Genichi knew his limits. With the little chakra he had now, he'd probably be completely drained after using it.
"I can't say I'm short on ninjutsu anymore. Instead, chakra has become the key constraint on my growth."
Shita Genichi put away the scroll and headed home, his brows furrowed.
Finding a way to increase his chakra reserves would be much harder than finding ninjutsu resources.
After mulling it over all the way home, Shita Genichi settled on three options.
First, a Tailed Beast Jinchūriki!
Whether it was the Three-Tails or the Nine-Tails, either might be an option.
But he'd have to be able to withstand the backlash of becoming a Jinchūriki.
Not just anyone could become one.
As for Shita Genichi himself, he'd set the Nine-Tails aside for now.
If he wanted to make a move for the Three-Tails, he'd have to master Sealing Jutsu first.
Second, Orochimaru.
Human Body Modification and cell transplants, like Hashirama Cells.
But that was extremely dangerous.
Still, with the future he could draw upon in advance, he'd have plenty of chances to learn through trial and error.
Third, Tsunade.
In other words, the Yin Seal.
But for now, Shita Genichi couldn't be sure whether men could learn the Yin Seal too.
Besides, he felt it would be very difficult to get the Yin Seal from Tsunade.
"I'll have to work hard—harder than ever!"
Shita Genichi thought to himself, "I need to keep in close contact with Big Brother Minato."
"I'll probably have to figure out a way to learn Sealing Jutsu from him, too."
Namikaze Minato had learned most of his Sealing Jutsu from Uzumaki Kushina, since the two were a couple.
Shita Genichi knew that his current relationship with Minato wasn't nearly close enough for him to ask to learn Sealing Jutsu.
He'd need to offer something in return!
What if he developed Wind Style: Rasenshuriken?
Shita Genichi winced.
With his chakra, that technique... Shita Genichi shook his head to himself. "Wind Style: Rasenshuriken is out of the question. I'll aim lower: Wind Release Rasengan or Water Release: Rasengan."
"I don't know Wind Release yet, so I can start with Water Release: Rasengan."
"Besides, I can offer the idea behind Wind Style: Rasenshuriken in a trade."
Rasengan had a wide range of applications. You could put almost anything into it.
Shita Genichi didn't think there'd be any problem making a Wind Release Rasengan, Lightning Release Rasengan, Fire Release Rasengan, or Water Release: Rasengan.
This was all preparation for learning Sealing Jutsu.
And then there was Orochimaru.
"What should I do about him?"
Shita Genichi thought it over and decided he couldn't be too passive.
Even with his ability to draw on the future to learn through trial and error, he couldn't stake his life and hopes entirely on Orochimaru.
"I need to be able to do research myself, too."
Thinking about that gave Shita Genichi an even bigger headache.
There was so much knowledge he'd need to acquire.
"One step at a time. I'll start by learning the basics of medicine and human anatomy. I can start with Shizune."
Shita Genichi considered his plans going forward. "I'll need to work with Orochimaru in the future. I can trade information with him to get some knowledge."
As he thought it over, his plans gradually took shape.
The days passed, and winter break soon arrived. Konoha Year 41 was drawing to a close.
But Shita Genichi was still as busy as ever.
Aside from helping out at his family's Dango Shop, he spent most of his time studying.
He studied medicine and the human body, learning some things from Shizune and others from books.
He also practiced Draw-Sword Strike every day without fail.
Water Release: Rasengan,
and the two new Water Release Ninjutsu he'd just learned.
Of course, Shita Genichi made sure to visit Namikaze Minato, bringing along his notes on the two Water Release techniques to ask for advice.
Unfortunately, Jiraiya was still away and hadn't returned.
In the midst of his busy schedule, sparring with Might Guy and Kakashi became a welcome diversion from his dull training.
Winter turned to spring.
One day, Shita Genichi brought his training notes to Namikaze Minato's home.
He also brought some Five-Color Dango from his family's shop.
But when the door opened, Shita Genichi froze at the sight of who stood there.
Uzumaki Kushina!
It was the first time Shita Genichi had met her.
"So you're Genichi? Come on in!"
Uzumaki Kushina was very welcoming, and seemed just like the lady of the house.
"Um... yes!"
Shita Genichi followed her inside and saw Namikaze Minato.
"Genichi, this is Kushina," Namikaze Minato said with a smile.
Shita Genichi immediately bowed. "Lady Kushina!"
Uzumaki Kushina waved a hand. "You don't have to be so formal. Just call me Big Sister Kushina."
Shita Genichi immediately switched to calling her "Big Sister Kushina."
The three of them sat down in the living room, eating dango as they chatted.
After looking through Shita Genichi's notes, Namikaze Minato said with a sigh, "Genichi, your understanding of these Water Release techniques has already surpassed mine."
Shita Genichi smiled. "That's because you haven't put much effort into Water Release, Big Brother Minato."
It was true. Namikaze Minato was focused on Sealing Jutsu.
The Water Release techniques he already knew were enough for him, so there was no need to waste more time on them.
More importantly, Water wasn't one of his natural affinities. He'd developed his Water Release nature transformation through training, so it wasn't one of his strengths.
"Big Brother Minato, you said before that you were trying to add nature transformation to the Rasengan. Have you made any progress?"
Shita Genichi asked.
Namikaze Minato shook his head. "Not yet. I've been studying Sealing Jutsu lately."
Sealing Jutsu!
Shita Genichi's eyes lit up. He was just about to speak when someone knocked at the door.
Uzumaki Kushina got up to answer it, and a voice came through the door. "Kushina, have you moved in here already?"
Her face flushed slightly. Uzumaki Kushina hurriedly changed the subject. "Lord Jiraiya, you're finally back! Minato's been waiting for you."
Jiraiya strolled into the living room and asked with a smile, "Minato, have you run into trouble developing your technique?"
Only after asking did he notice the kid beside them. "Huh? Who's this?"
Shita Genichi had already stood up. "Lord Jiraiya, I'm Shita Genichi."
Namikaze Minato added, "Genichi is a genius student at the Ninja Academy."
Jiraiya smiled at that. "A genius student? How does he compare to you at that age, Minato?"
Namikaze Minato said, "Genichi's much better than I was. He invented an A-rank, hand-seal-free technique at five. It's also the technique I told you I wanted to develop."
Jiraiya froze, his thoughts in a jumble.
Inventing an A-rank, hand-seal-free technique at five... that really was genius.
But what did Minato mean by the rest?
Namikaze Minato raised a hand and formed a Rasengan. "This is the technique. Genichi named it Rasengan."
Jiraiya's eyes widened. He looked from the Rasengan to Shita Genichi and muttered to himself, "He's not very handsome, either."
Soon, between Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina explaining things, Jiraiya got the full story.
But take him on as a student...
Jiraiya wasn't interested. "Water Release?"
"That's not one of my specialties!"
In truth, aside from Lightning Release nature transformation, he had mastered them all.
But it was still true that Water Release wasn't one of his strengths.
After all, compared with Fire Release, Water Release wasn't his forte.
Shita Genichi felt a little disappointed, but he'd been prepared for this.
However, Jiraiya suddenly smiled. "I can't take you on as a student, but if you want to learn, I can teach you other ninjutsu."
He'd seen the Rasengan and thought it suited him pretty well, too.
Shita Genichi's heart stirred at that, and he hurriedly asked, "Um, Lord Jiraiya, could you teach me Sealing Jutsu?"
Sealing Jutsu?
Jiraiya, Namikaze Minato, and Uzumaki Kushina all looked surprised.
Before you continue