The Essence of the Seal!

Shita Genichi showed off just a little bit.

Although, in the end, this statement didn't sound like something a five-year-old brat would say.

But this is the world of Naruto, where even Uchiha Itachi, while still in school, could be praised for having the mindset of a Hokage!

Shita Genichi believed that this was absolutely the Will of Fire at its finest.

Absolute political correctness!

Unfortunately, words like these only caught the attention of a few.

For instance, his teacher, Futaki Ryusei, couldn't help but glance over after hearing them.

Wanting to become Hokage was the dream of most children; even he had felt the same way back when he was in school.

Thinking back on it now, he felt a slight sense of embarrassment.

Becoming Hokage was not an easy feat.

And someone like Shita Genichi was truly special.

Thus, Futaki Ryusei couldn't help but nod and smile: "Well said. Teacher believes that you, Genichi, will surely become an outstanding ninja capable of protecting the village, your loved ones, and your comrades in the future!"

Below, Kakashi sized up Shita Genichi.

This seemingly ordinary classmate had caught his attention.

Because the philosophy behind what Shita Genichi said was exactly the same as what his father had told him.

Shita Genichi, walking down from the podium, also noticed Kakashi's gaze, met it, and gave a slight, smiling nod.

Kakashi, wearing his mask, responded with his eyes.

This was the first exchange between the two.

Back at his seat, Shizune couldn't help but whisper: "Genichi-kun, why do you like eating dango, but also dislike it?"

Shita Genichi replied in a low voice: "Shizune, you can just call me Genichi. As for why..."

"Because my family sells dango."

Shizune was stunned for a moment, unable to grasp what Shita Genichi meant for a while.

But before she could ponder it further, the teacher on the podium had already called her name.

The first period passed by with everyone's self-introductions.

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

Yes, the Ninja Academy had textbooks.

And quite a few of them, too.

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

Ninjas have to study math... Shita Genichi flipped through the book and decided it made perfect sense.

Looking at Overview of Chakra, it contained basic theories, including a discussion on the five fundamental nature transformations.

From this, one could see that Naruto really didn't learn anything in class.

Looking at A Brief History of the Ninja World, it provided introductions to various factions in the ninja world, along with a not-so-detailed history.

Shita Genichi just shook his head secretly as he read.

Uchiha Madara must have suffered from a lack of education; otherwise, he wouldn't have been tricked so miserably by Black Zetsu.

After the books were distributed, the second period began.

This lesson was about chakra.

However, Futaki Ryusei didn't immediately explain how to refine chakra; instead, he started from the most fundamental concept of chakra, touched upon its origins, and mentioned the legendary Sage of Six Paths.

Shita Genichi noticed that many students from ninja clans were doing their own thing, and only those who hadn't received preschool education were listening attentively.

Glancing at Shizune, who was flipping through A Brief History of the Ninja World, Shita Genichi followed the teacher's rhythm and began taking notes in his book.

To maintain the persona of a genius, one couldn't rely solely on a Rasengan.

Shita Genichi would release his Genin-level strength bit by bit over the coming year.

Chakra refinement, chakra application, the Three Body Techniques, taijutsu, shuriken throwing, combat practice... all of it would be revealed gradually.

Because although Shita Genichi's grandfather was a ninja, his parents were now ordinary people, so he naturally couldn't reveal his Genin-level skills all at once.

Of course, Genin-level strength wasn't much.

But for a commoner-born child who had only been in school for a year, it was enough to be called a genius.

Shita Genichi didn't want to be a monster who suddenly became overpowered and aroused suspicion.

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

Most importantly.

Shita Genichi felt it was absolutely necessary to value these basic concepts he appeared to have already mastered.

Because the more fundamental something is, the more important it becomes.

Just like the foundation of a house.

The class passed by in the blink of an eye.

Shita Genichi possessed a strong sense of professional ethics; he listened to the lecture with complete focus and filled his textbook with notes.

Beside him, Shizune couldn't help but widen her eyes as she watched, for Shita Genichi's notes contained not only what the teacher had explained, but also his own unique insights.

The latter were marked by parentheses, so Shizune noticed them at a glance and couldn't help but ask, "Genichi, have you already studied this material?"

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

This was the truth.

"However, the teacher's explanation is easier to understand."

This was half-truth, half-lie.

Upon hearing this, Shizune couldn't help but praise him: "Genichi, you're truly amazing."

"I have notes left behind by my uncle at home, and Lady Tsunade has taught me as well, but I don't feel I understand it as thoroughly as you do."

Tsunade!

Shita Genichi's eyes lit up as he said, "Shizune, you're definitely being modest. Lady Tsunade is one of the Sannin, after all."

Shizune replied with a shy smile, "Lady Tsunade explains things very well; it's just that I'm not as clever as you, Genichi."

If you're going to compliment me, keep it coming.

Shita Genichi was quite pleased, then generously offered, "I'll go ask the teacher first. If he approves, I'll let you see my notes."

Shizune nodded eagerly: "Thank you, Genichi."

Shita Genichi waved his hand, then stood up to catch up with Futaki Ryusei to ask for guidance and see if his understanding was correct.

Futaki Ryusei took the book, glanced at it, and quickly revealed a look of joy before nodding: "Genichi, this is excellent. Your understanding is perfectly correct. Keep up the hard work!"

"Yes, teacher!"

Shita Genichi played the part of the model student perfectly.

Returning to the classroom, Shita Genichi showed his notes to Shizune, while he himself began flipping through the Detailed Explanation of Hand Seals amidst the noisy chatter.

Hand seals were an indispensable part of being a ninja.

What, you say the Sage of Six Paths didn't need hand seals?

Sorry, but Shita Genichi didn't consider the Sage of Six Paths a ninja.

Even Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama needed to perform hand seals to execute ninjutsu.

Although Senju Hashirama often just clapped his hands and whatever he needed appeared.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage who held the title of Professor, also needed to perform hand seals.

The most honest ones were Kisame and Zabuza.

But at the same time, Shita Genichi knew something more.

The origin of seals lay with Indra, the eldest son of the Sage of Six Paths.

Therefore, even if it wasn't to maintain his so-called genius persona, Shita Genichi felt it was necessary for him to study hand seals in depth.

He possessed the knowledge and experience of a genin, so his hand seals were merely average—neither fast nor slow.

Naturally, this required continued training.

But more than that, Shita Genichi felt he needed to gain a deeper insight into the essence of the seals.