Choice, Kakashi's Sense of Crisis (Seeking Follow-up Reads and Monthly Votes)

With the preliminary development direction for his Kenjutsu clarified, Shita Genichi began to ponder which jutsu to select from the Scroll of Seals.

Multi Shadow Clone Technique?

Unnecessary.

With his current level of chakra, the standard Shadow Clone Technique was more than enough.

Flying Thunder God?

He was a tiny bit tempted.

But this technique also required a massive amount of chakra to sustain.

Dead Demon Consuming Seal?

A sealing jutsu that resulted in mutual destruction—forget it, definitely not.

Or perhaps he should choose the A-rank jutsu, Water Severing Wave?

Shita Genichi felt that would be a bit of a waste.

How about a sensory jutsu?

Capable of sensing, proficient in close-quarters combat, able to use mid-to-long-range ninjutsu, and skilled in Genjutsu... a versatile all-rounder?

For a moment, Shita Genichi could not make a decision.

"Perhaps I can consider this from two perspectives."

"The first is the ninjutsu I need right now."

"The second is the future..."

Shita Genichi reorganized his thoughts.

The first day after the mission passed quickly amidst training and contemplation.

The next day.

Shita Genichi followed Hatake Sakumo to the Hokage Building, where he met the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

This was not their first meeting.

Sarutobi Hiruzen placed great importance on ideological education and often visited the academy to preach the Will of Fire.

After meeting with Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shita Genichi was led by an Anbu ninja to an empty room next door, where a Scroll of Seals lay on the table.

"This is the catalog for the Scroll of Seals. Choose one ninjutsu from here first, and afterward, the Hokage will personally copy the corresponding technique from the Scroll of Seals and hand it to you," the Anbu ninja said.

Shita Genichi felt a tinge of disappointment upon hearing this; it wasn't the actual Scroll of Seals, just a catalog.

But upon reflection, that was only natural.

Once the Anbu ninja left, Shita Genichi opened the scroll.

The first technique listed was the Multi Shadow Clone Technique, accompanied by a brief introduction.

Shita Genichi scanned the pages rapidly, seeing many familiar ninjutsu as well as many he had never even heard of.

Konoha was truly wealthy.

"If only I could copy the whole thing..." Shita Genichi couldn't help but feel greedy.

To be honest, he also loved training and researching ninjutsu.

Shita Genichi felt that from now on, he could be of like mind with Snake Auntie, striving for immortality in order to learn more ninjutsu.

The Scroll of Seals contained a vast number of techniques, not just S-rank and A-rank, but those of other levels as well.

However, Shita Genichi's focus was primarily on S-rank and A-rank techniques.

After all, this was a rare opportunity.

Of course, these ranks did not represent the magnitude of power, but rather the difficulty of training.

The higher the rank, the greater the difficulty.

For instance, even Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Professor of Ninjutsu, had not been able to master the S-rank techniques.

Since Senju Tobirama, only Namikaze Minato had fully mastered them.

Therefore, by choosing a high-difficulty technique, there was a chance that Shita Genichi might be unable to learn or master it.

There was a risk involved here.

He might end up wasting this opportunity.

But if he only considered his current and future needs.

For the future, he would choose the Flying Thunder God.

And for now...

Shita Genichi's gaze fell upon another S-rank technique.

Yin Seal!

Yes, the Scroll of Seals also contained this sealing technique.

According to the description, this technique originated from Uzumaki Mito, of the Uzumaki Clan, and furthermore, it was not specified that only women could practice it.

After pondering for three seconds, Shita Genichi made his decision.

"Senior, I have made my choice!"

The Anbu ninja who had previously departed reappeared upon hearing his voice.

Shita Genichi pointed a finger: "I'll take this one!"

The Anbu ninja was slightly taken aback, then nodded: "Understood, wait a moment!"

With that, he vanished, taking the Scroll of Seals catalog with him.

In the adjacent Hokage Office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen could not help but feel surprised that Shita Genichi had chosen the Yin Seal.

It was truly unexpected.

But he immediately understood Shita Genichi's intention.

Chakra!

Indeed, having insufficient chakra at this age was a major drawback.

Especially for someone like Shita Genichi who was proficient in Water Release.

Having no intention to interfere, Sarutobi Hiruzen personally went to retrieve the scroll for the Yin Seal.

Yes, "making a copy" was just a formality.

Some things simply did not need to be copied.

A moment later.

Shita Genichi left the Hokage Building with the Yin Seal scroll.

As for Hatake Sakumo, he had already left.

After dropping the scroll off at home, Shita Genichi did not immediately open it to study; instead, he headed straight to his training grounds.

He needed to seize the time to learn more Kenjutsu techniques from Hatake Sakumo, as there were not many days left before he would have to overdraw from the future again.

As for the Yin Seal, there was no rush; he would study it tonight when he returned.

The key was the next ten years.

The future was built upon the present.

Every time Shita Genichi overdraws from the future, it is based on his current foundation.

Days of dull training passed in the blink of an eye.

Before he knew it, it was March 18th, Konoha year 43.

On this day, just like any other, Shita Genichi went to train with Hatake Sakumo in the morning.

Kakashi had been present for the last few days, and having an extra sparring partner led to even greater progress.

However, it had to be said that with Kakashi as a benchmark, Shita Genichi witnessed what a true Kenjutsu genius was.

Kakashi was one.

He himself was not.

But with his cheats, he was.

As the morning training session ended and they lay on the ground resting, Shita Genichi asked: "Kakashi, are you already practicing Lightning Release nature transformation?"

Kakashi was lying nearby and replied upon hearing this: "Yeah, I've mastered the basics."

"What do you think about me developing a Lightning Release ninjutsu of my own?"

Shita Genichi raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this, then smiled: "Of course you can."

"Regardless of whether the ninjutsu development succeeds or not, the process itself should yield many insights."

Although the Rasengan was not suitable for him, the process of training the Rasengan had given him many realizations and improvements in chakra control and shape transformation.

"Besides, I believe you can do it, Kakashi."

Shita Genichi was full of confidence.

Kakashi revealed a smile: "Thanks!"

He didn't actually have much confidence himself, but since Shita Genichi had created the Rasengan on his own, he also wanted to develop a Lightning Release ninjutsu.

He hadn't expected Shita Genichi to have such faith in him.

Since that was the case...

"Then I'll give it a try!"

Kakashi secretly decided.

With his stamina mostly recovered, Shita Genichi flipped to his feet and laughed, "Kakashi, don't you slack off. It might not be long before you can't beat me anymore!"

Kakashi rose as well, replying indifferently, "I'll be waiting."

Shita Genichi waved his hand, "I'm off!"

With that, he utilized the Body Flicker Technique and departed.

Watching Shita Genichi leave, Kakashi couldn't help but frown slightly, This guy is progressing so fast; it seems I need to work even harder.

Shita Genichi's performance over the past two days had indeed given him a sense of crisis.

Moreover, Shita Genichi trained with such madness, just like that guy Guy.

"This afternoon... I'll stick to Kenjutsu training!"

"I'll leave the Lightning Release nature transformation for the evening."

With that thought, Kakashi began walking toward his home, but soon, he too utilized the Body Flicker Technique.

Walking at a leisurely pace felt like a waste of time.

Better to get home quickly, eat, rest for a bit, and then continue training!

I can't let that guy Genichi catch up to me...