The Nature of Hand Seals!

Shita Genichi showed off a little.

Although that last sentence didn't sound like something a five-year-old kid would say.

But this was the Naruto world, after all. Even Uchiha Itachi, while still a student, had been praised for having the mindset of a Hokage!

Shita Genichi was sure this was the very essence of the Will of Fire.

Absolutely politically correct!

Unfortunately, his words only caught the attention of a few people.

His teacher, Futaki Ryusei, was one of them. He couldn't help glancing over at Genichi.

Becoming Hokage was a dream for most children. Even he had dreamed of it when he was in school.

Thinking back on it now still made him feel a little embarrassed.

Becoming Hokage wasn't easy.

Someone like Shita Genichi was the exception.

Futaki Ryusei couldn't help nodding with a smile. "Well said. I believe that one day, Genichi, you'll become an outstanding ninja who can protect the village, your family, and your friends!"

Down below, Kakashi studied Shita Genichi.

This seemingly ordinary classmate had caught his attention.

What Genichi had said was almost exactly the same in meaning and philosophy as what his father had told him.

As Shita Genichi stepped down from the podium, he noticed Kakashi's gaze. He met it with a smile and a slight nod.

Kakashi, his face hidden behind a mask, returned the gesture with his eyes.

It was the first time the two had interacted.

Back at his seat, Shizune couldn't help asking in a low voice, "Genichi, why do you like eating dumplings, but also not like eating them?"

Shita Genichi replied softly, "You can just call me Genichi, Shizune. As for why..."

"Because my family sells dumplings."

Shizune stared at him, momentarily unable to figure out what he meant.

Before she could think it over, though, the teacher at the front of the classroom called her name.

The first lesson passed with everyone introducing themselves.

After class, Shita Genichi, Sarutobi Asuma, Kakashi, and Uchiha Obito were called by the teacher to collect their textbooks along with several other students.

Yes, the Ninja Academy had textbooks.

And quite a lot of them.

For example, Detailed Explanation of Hand Seals, An Overview of Chakra, An Introduction to Genjutsu, A Brief History of the Ninja World, Konoha and the Will of Fire, Mathematics, An Introduction to Seals...

Ninjas had to study math... Shita Genichi flipped through the book, then decided it made perfect sense.

He looked through An Overview of Chakra next. It covered basic theories, including explanations of the five basic chakra natures.

It was clear from this that Naruto really didn't learn a thing in class.

Next, he looked at A Brief History of the Ninja World. It introduced the various powers in the Ninja World and gave a not-so-detailed history.

Shita Genichi couldn't help shaking his head as he read.

Uchiha Madara must have suffered from a lack of education. Otherwise, Black Zetsu wouldn't have been able to trick him so badly.

After the books were handed out, the second lesson began.

This lesson was about chakra.

But Futaki Ryusei didn't immediately explain how to cultivate chakra. Instead, he started with the most basic concepts and went on to discuss chakra's origins, including the legendary Sage of Six Paths.

Shita Genichi noticed that many students from ninja clans were busy with their own things. Only those who hadn't received any preschool education were listening attentively.

After glancing at Shizune, who was flipping through A Brief History of the Ninja World, Shita Genichi followed the teacher's pace and began taking notes.

A genius couldn't rely on a single Rasengan to establish his reputation.

Over the coming year, Shita Genichi would gradually reveal the abilities of a Genin.

Chakra cultivation, chakra control, the Three Body Technique, Taijutsu, shuriken throwing, practical combat... He would display them all little by little.

Although Shita Genichi's grandfather had been a ninja, his parents were ordinary people now. Naturally, he couldn't reveal all the skills he had as a Genin at once.

Of course, a Genin's abilities weren't anything special.

But for a child from a civilian family who had only been at the Academy for a year, they were enough to make him a genius.

Shita Genichi didn't want to be some monster who suddenly became ridiculously powerful and made people suspicious.

Instead, he wanted to be a steady, meticulous genius who could withstand scrutiny under a magnifying glass.

Most importantly,

Shita Genichi felt that he really needed to take these basic concepts seriously, even if he already seemed to have mastered them.

The more fundamental something was, the more important it was.

Like the foundation of a house.

Before he knew it, the lesson was over.

Shita Genichi had a strong sense of diligence. He had listened carefully through the whole lesson and filled his textbook with notes.

Shizune stared at them with wide eyes. Genichi's notes weren't limited to what the teacher had explained; they also included his own insights.

He'd put those in parentheses, so Shizune could tell at a glance. She couldn't help asking, "Genichi, have you already studied this material?"

Shita Genichi nodded, then shook his head. "My grandfather used to be a ninja. I've read some of the training notes he left behind."

That was true.

"But the teacher's explanations are easier to understand."

That was half true.

Shizune couldn't help praising him. "You're amazing, Genichi."

"My uncle left behind some notes too, and Lady Tsunade has taught me, but I don't think I understand things as thoroughly as you do."

Tsunade!

Shita Genichi's eyes lit up. "You're just being modest, Shizune. Lady Tsunade is one of the Sannin."

Shizune blushed a little. "Lady Tsunade explains things very well. I'm just not as smart as you, Genichi."

If you know how to compliment someone, say more.

Shita Genichi was quite pleased. Then, generously, he said, "I'll ask the teacher first. If he approves, I'll let you read my notes."

Shizune quickly nodded. "Thank you, Genichi."

Shita Genichi waved a hand, then got up and caught up with Futaki Ryusei to ask whether his understanding was correct.

Futaki Ryusei took the book and looked it over. His eyes soon brightened, and he nodded. "Genichi, excellent. Your understanding is absolutely correct. Keep it up!"

"Yes, sir!"

Shita Genichi was the perfect student.

Back in the classroom, Shita Genichi let Shizune read his notes while he flipped through Detailed Explanation of Hand Seals amid the noisy chatter.

Hand Seals were an essential part of being a ninja.

What, you say the Sage of Six Paths didn't need Hand Seals?

Sorry, Shita Genichi didn't think the Sage of Six Paths was a ninja.

Even Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama needed Hand Seals to perform ninjutsu.

Although Senju Hashirama could often make anything happen with a single slap.

The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was also a professor, needed Hand Seals as well.

Kisame and Zabuza were the most diligent about it.

At the same time, Shita Genichi knew something else.

Hand Seals originated with Indra, the Sage of Six Paths' eldest son.

So even if he wasn't trying to build a reputation as a genius, Shita Genichi felt that he needed to study Hand Seals in depth.

He had the knowledge and experience of a Genin, so Hand Seals came naturally to him. His speed was neither fast nor slow.

Of course, he still needed to keep training.

But more than anything, Shita Genichi felt he needed to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of Hand Seals.