Taking a Master! (Seeking Follow-up and Monthly Votes)

Shita Genichi ultimately failed to obtain the Yin Seal from Tsunade.

The timing was wrong.

Even with a thick skin, it was useless.

However, after his conversation with Tsunade, Shita Genichi felt less anxious.

Because what Tsunade said was, in fact, correct.

The more anxious one becomes, the easier it is to make mistakes.

With the

Overdraft Panel

in hand, if he could carefully develop his strength for a few years, the situation would be vastly different.

The next day, after breakfast, Shita Genichi headed out to Hatake Sakumo's home.

He couldn't be too impatient, but he still had to keep grinding; his training could not stop for even a single day.

Kenjutsu was one of his future focus areas.

His talent for kenjutsu was slightly inferior to his Water Release, but it was far stronger than his Yang Release.

As for sealing techniques.

This field was too comprehensive, and Shita Genichi couldn't quite gauge his own talent in it.

But since he had successfully mastered the Evil Sealing Method and the Fire Sealing Method, and was now making significant progress with the Four-Symbols Seal, it shouldn't be too bad.

However, talent only served to prioritize his focus.

As long as he could learn it, Shita Genichi felt he should learn it whenever he had the time.

In this hellish world of Naruto, you can never have too many skills.

Upon arriving at Hatake Sakumo's house, Shita Genichi discovered that Kakashi was not home.

Hatake Sakumo did not rush to instruct Shita Genichi; instead, he sat down in the tea room.

Shita Genichi hurriedly brewed and poured the tea, acting as if he were in his own home.

Hatake Sakumo watched with a smile and did not stop him. Once Shita Genichi finished, he smiled and said, "You performed exceptionally well on this mission. The Third Hokage issued an order yesterday: you may choose one ninjutsu from the village's Scroll of Seals. Aside from forbidden techniques that cannot be practiced, you may choose any of them."

Shita Genichi had not expected such a massive surprise right upon arrival; it was completely beyond his expectations.

A ninjutsu from the Scroll of Seals, and he could choose any of them.

Shita Genichi's heart skipped a few beats uncontrollably.

Flying Thunder God, Multi Shadow Clone, Dead Demon Consuming Seal...

Konoha's foundation was deep, and the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, deserved much of the credit for that.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was known as the Professor of Ninjutsu, but the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, was the master of forbidden techniques.

As long as it was a Konoha forbidden technique and the developer was unknown, it could be assumed to be Senju Tobirama's work.

If he didn't develop it, he had at least perfected it.

Although Namikaze Minato and Orochimaru played with Flying Thunder God and Impure World Reincarnation more skillfully than Senju Tobirama, Senju Tobirama was the original copyright holder.

Namikaze Minato and Orochimaru could only be considered to have carried them forward.

Then there were the Shadow Clone Technique and the Multi Shadow Clone.

The Bringer-of-Darkness Technique that Shita Genichi had mastered was also said to have been developed by Senju Tobirama.

He felt that was very "Senju Tobirama"—after all, the technique was clearly designed to deal with the Uchiha.

He also suspected the Spirit Transformation Technique was developed by Senju Tobirama.

During the Fourth Shinobi World War, even when pinned to the ground by Uchiha Madara, that guy was still able to use a secret technique like soul imprisonment to delay Second Pillar's death when he was struck down.

Otherwise, Second Pillar would not have lasted until Yakushi Kabuto could save him.

In short, there were many, many good things inside the Scroll of Seals.

So many that it was dizzying.

Countless thoughts flashed through Shita Genichi's mind, but he asked, "Teacher, am I the only one who can choose a ninjutsu?"

Hatake Sakumo replied, "Langyi can as well, though he can only choose a B-rank ninjutsu."

For the Uchiha clan, a B-rank ninjutsu was optional at best.

Shita Genichi nodded, his mind already racing with what kind of ninjutsu he should pick.

Hatake Sakumo added, "Genichi, you should think carefully about what type of ninjutsu you need before making your choice."

"It doesn't necessarily have to be a high-level forbidden technique; the one that suits you best is the best choice."

Shita Genichi nodded: "Yes, Teacher!"

After settling that matter, Hatake Sakumo continued, "Genichi, your talent for kenjutsu is not bad. Would you be willing to become my disciple?"

Shita Genichi was overjoyed at these words and quickly stood up to bow: "Teacher!"

Although he had called him "teacher" before, this was different.

Previously, he was just a team leader.

Offering pointers on swordsmanship was merely out of appreciation.

But now, the significance of becoming a disciple was entirely different.

For Shita Genichi, this was a far greater joy than being able to select a ninjutsu from the Scroll of Seals.

One could only choose a single ninjutsu from the Scroll of Seals.

But becoming a disciple of Hatake Sakumo meant inheriting the entirety of Hatake Sakumo's systematic expertise.

As for how much he could learn, it would depend entirely on Shita Genichi's own talent and hard work.

After the simple apprenticeship ceremony concluded, Shita Genichi's training began.

However, now that their relationship had changed, Hatake Sakumo's demands on Shita Genichi became even stricter.

After the morning training session, Hatake Sakumo looked at the panting Shita Genichi and said with a solemn expression, "Genichi, if you want to establish yourself in the ninja world through swordsmanship, you must learn to integrate chakra nature transformation into it."

"Your Water Release is quite good, but it is not suitable."

"Or rather, you have yet to find a suitable way to integrate it, and even I cannot guide you on this point."

Hatake Sakumo had mastered all five nature transformations: Lightning, Fire, Earth, Wind, and Water.

But when it came to Water Release, he could no longer offer guidance to Shita Genichi.

In terms of swordsmanship, Hatake Sakumo utilized both Lightning Release and Wind Release natures; the title of White Fang of Konoha originated from this.

"Although you don't need to consider which nature transformation to use just yet, Genichi, one day you will need to take this step, otherwise it will be difficult to stand on your own through swordsmanship alone," Hatake Sakumo said.

Right now, not only Shita Genichi, but even his son Kakashi had not yet reached the stage of involving nature transformation.

They hadn't even mastered the basics of swordsmanship, so there was no rush.

But the direction had to be clear.

For instance, Kakashi was already practicing Lightning Release on his own, with Earth Release as a secondary focus.

Listening to Hatake Sakumo's words, Shita Genichi nodded repeatedly.

Swordsmanship with and without the participation of chakra had completely different levels of power.

The White Fang Short Blade was invincible in the hands of Hatake Sakumo, yet it was snapped when wielded by Kakashi.

That was the difference.

It must be said that the death of Hatake Sakumo dealt such a massive blow to Kakashi that he eventually abandoned the path of swordsmanship entirely in his later years.

And even so, the foundation laid during his youth still allowed Kakashi to wield the Kubikiribōchō no worse than the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

Of course, his Chidori and Lightning Blade were not inferior either.

But if Hatake Sakumo had not died, and Kakashi had been able to receive his father's guidance throughout, what kind of achievements would he have reached?

Shita Genichi was filled with anticipation.

And he was even more expectant of himself.

His future self!

However, the future was built upon the present.

If he were to combine swordsmanship with nature transformation, which one should he choose?

Shita Genichi pondered secretly.

But he immediately felt that there was no need to overthink it.

Lightning Release and Wind Release were the most suitable.

He already possessed the Wind Release nature transformation, even if it was only a preliminary grasp.

If talent isn't enough, make up for it with time!

Shita Genichi gritted his teeth.

Not being born with Wind or Lightning affinities didn't mean he couldn't cultivate their nature transformations.

It would simply be much more difficult to train.

But with the Overdraft Panel in his hands, what was there to fear?

Besides his own training, there were other ways to master them quickly.

For example, becoming a jinchūriki or something similar.

But he wouldn't consider becoming a jinchūriki for now.

"Wind Release is sharp and swift, perfectly suited for swordsmanship."

"As for Lightning Release, I will deal with that later..."

Shita Genichi made his decision.