A Small Test of Skill! (Seeking Follow-ups!)

Hokage Office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, gazing at the scroll in his hands in silence.

He had learned of the Rasengan last year, and he had also heard from Futaki Ryusei that Shita Genichi possessed excellent talent for Water Release.

But looking at the ninjutsu recorded on the scroll, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt he had still underestimated Shita Genichi.

The simplified hand signs for those Water Release techniques, in particular, made him think of his teacher, Senju Tobirama, once again.

Similar!

Too similar!

If the boy looked even a little bit like him, he might have suspected that Shita Genichi was a descendant of Senju Tobirama.

Slowly raising his head, Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, "Has the boy Genichi submitted his graduation application?"

Futaki Ryusei's expression turned slightly odd. "Well... Genichi hasn't indicated any desire to graduate early yet."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was surprised, then asked, "Then what ninjutsu does the child want to exchange for?"

Futaki Ryusei quickly replied, "Four-Symbols Seal and Konoha-Style Kenjutsu. Also, if possible, a genjutsu. Genichi's talent for genjutsu is quite impressive; I tested him with the Demonic Illusion: Fox-Mind Technique, and it had absolutely no effect on him."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was surprised again. "Four-Symbols Seal?"

Futaki Ryusei gave a wry smile. "Genichi learned sealing techniques from Jiraiya, and he says he has already mastered the Evil Sealing Method."

This was something Sarutobi Hiruzen truly did not know.

Although he kept an eye on Shita Genichi, it was impossible to monitor him at every moment.

Furthermore, Jiraiya did not need to report to him about teaching Shita Genichi sealing techniques.

As for Shita Genichi's interactions with Uzumaki Kushina, Namikaze Minato was almost always present, and the Anbu responsible for protection would not eavesdrop on their conversations.

After a moment of thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "The sealing technique and the kenjutsu are fine. As for the genjutsu, let's go with the Binding Technique. Additionally, you may teach the boy the Demonic Illusion: Fox-Mind Technique."

Futaki Ryusei was delighted. "Understood!"

"On behalf of the boy Genichi, I thank you, Lord Hokage."

Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Genichi is a sensible and self-disciplined child; there is no need to rush him."

Futaki Ryusei understood the implication and nodded quickly in agreement.

On the afternoon of the first day of school, Shita Genichi received several new ninjutsu from Futaki Ryusei.

The Four-Symbols Seal was exchanged for the Rasengan.

He had intended to use it to trade for the Shadow Clone Technique and a genjutsu last year, but he hadn't actually handed it over then—though he had already "exchanged" it in his overdrafted future.

One could say he had successfully pulled a fast one.

This time, he had truly brought it out to exchange for the Four-Symbols Seal.

As for the Konoha-Style Kenjutsu and a C-rank genjutsu, they were traded for the Water Release techniques with simplified hand signs.

The Nine-Character Seal Hand Signs were not easy to learn; otherwise, Senju Tobirama's version of the Water Colliding Wave would not have remained unlearned by others.

Therefore, Shita Genichi was not afraid of losing his advantage by giving them away.

"Genichi, if you have questions about the Konoha-Style Kenjutsu or the Demonic Illusion: Fox-Mind Technique, feel free to ask me."

Futaki Ryusei smiled after handing the scrolls to Shita Genichi.

He thought very, very highly of Shita Genichi.

If Shita Genichi became an outstanding ninja in the future, he would benefit from the association.

As for Kakashi... that was not his own achievement.

"Yes, Ryusei-sensei, I will be troubling you in the future!"

Shita Genichi bowed.

Futaki Ryusei nodded with a smile and said, "Class is about to start, go and prepare!"

Ten minutes later, the first class of the afternoon began.

It was a combat training session, so the entire class gathered at the training ground.

Shita Genichi had no interest in the sparring matches of his classmates and kept whispering to Shizune, discussing various medical topics.

Unfortunately, having overdrafted his future once more, his knowledge in this area had already surpassed Shizune's.

This left Shizune gasping in amazement, her eyes filled with adoration as she looked at Shita Genichi.

Genichi-kun is truly amazing!

"Shita Genichi!"

Hearing his name, Shita Genichi quickly looked toward the arena and found someone already standing there.

Oh, it's Uchiha Obito!

Shita Genichi walked over and performed the Seal of Confrontation with Uchiha Obito according to protocol.

Uchiha Obito said, "Shita Genichi, I will defeat you, watch out!"

Ever since Kakashi graduated, Shita Genichi had been the undisputed number one in the class, naturally making him the target he had to overcome.

Moreover, he had trained diligently over the holidays, and this time, he was certain he could defeat Shita Genichi.

Shita Genichi raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this, then smiled and said, "Then I am very much looking forward to it."

The two retreated, then made their move at the command of Futaki Ryusei.

Uchiha Obito charged forward, while Shita Genichi retreated a further distance before forming hand seals.

First came the "Zai" seal, followed immediately by pulling his hands together into a clap.

The next moment, water vapor condensed around Shita Genichi, forming a spiraling, rising current of water.

"So amazing!"

A chorus of gasps erupted, and Sarutobi Asuma and the others all watched with wide eyes.

Uchiha Obito was also startled; his forward momentum faltered, and he retreated.

By then, the rising water current had surged toward Uchiha Obito like a river.

Water Release: Water Colliding Wave!

Of course, the volume of water was not large.

Uchiha Obito easily avoided the impact with a leap.

But immediately after, Shita Genichi crossed his hands and swung them, causing the rushing water to curl back.

Uchiha Obito was taken aback, but he still managed to dodge the impact and landed in the water.

Under the gaze of everyone, Shita Genichi began forming hand seals once more.

It still started with the unique "Zai" seal, followed by pulling his hands back to form the "Si" seal, and then an "Yin" seal.

Shita Genichi's hand seal speed was not fast, and everyone could see them clearly.

As the three seals were completed, the water beneath Uchiha Obito's feet immediately surged upward.

"What's going on?"

Uchiha Obito was somewhat panicked and hurriedly dodged to the side, only to see the water converge into a small water dragon, which then whistled toward him.

Uchiha Obito scrambled to dodge, brushing past the water dragon.

But the next moment, the water dragon made a sharp turn, slamming into Uchiha Obito from behind and sending him flying to land face-down on the ground.

Two Water Release techniques, and the battle was over.

At this moment, Futaki Ryusei was both shocked and delighted: "Shita Genichi is definitely the person with the greatest talent for Water Release in the village's history!"

The Water Release techniques just now were truly stunning; although they weren't massive in scale, he could have handled them with taijutsu alone.

But he knew that Shita Genichi had definitely gone easy on him.

What amazed Futaki Ryusei was Shita Genichi's hand seals and his flexible control over the ninjutsu itself, which was simply unprecedented.

At the very least, this shouldn't be appearing in a student at the Ninja Academy.

He had witnessed Shita Genichi's brilliant performance with Water Release last year, and now, he had clearly taken it a step further.

Water Dragon Bullet Technique was a B-rank difficulty, yet it was used so simply and agilely by Shita Genichi.

At this moment, Futaki Ryusei had become a fan of Shita Genichi in his heart.

On the other side, Sarutobi Asuma was not only shocked but also incredulous: "This guy, how on earth did he do that?"

Just then, Shita Genichi walked over to Uchiha Obito and extended his right hand, pulling the somewhat dazed Uchiha Obito to his feet.

"How... how did you do that?"

Uchiha Obito couldn't help but ask.

Shita Genichi smiled and said, "Hard work!"

Then he added in his heart: Cheating!

One percent hard work + ninety-nine percent cheating!