Nine Syllables Hand Seals!

The third class began quickly.

Futaki Ryusei continued from the previous lesson, though after half the period, he moved from theory to practice.

That is, chakra refinement!

Futaki Ryusei explained it in great detail; chakra refinement begins with focusing one's spirit.

The method involves placing a leaf on one's forehead.

Shita Genichi knew this method, and Iruka taught Naruto and the others the same way.

The ten years of future experience he had gained also began with this very step.

Shita Genichi followed the steps methodically, but unlike the students who didn't come from ninja clans, he mastered it as soon as it was taught.

Thus, Shita Genichi became the brightest star in the class.

When the class ended, Shizune couldn't help but look at Shita Genichi with amazement: "Genichi, you're too incredible!"

"It took me three whole days to refine chakra before."

Shita Genichi smiled: "That doesn't really prove anything; I just find it easier to focus my mind."

"The two most critical points of chakra are the body and the spirit."

"I just happen to have a slight advantage when it comes to the spirit."

This humility was not feigned.

If he hadn't overdrawn his next ten years, Shita Genichi felt he might not have been able to rely on his so-called past-life wisdom to master the method of chakra refinement so quickly.

Although he was working hard to build his persona as a genius, he didn't truly believe he was one, and he hadn't lost his way.

For the following week, Futaki Ryusei taught chakra refinement until everyone in the class could successfully refine chakra, at which point that phase concluded.

During this time, however, Shita Genichi focused his attention on hand seals.

Under Shizune's observation, he went from clumsy seals to proficiency, improving noticeably day by day.

In one week, Shita Genichi unleashed the experience and techniques of hand seals he had obtained from his future decade.

Of course, this was only on the surface, a performance for Shizune to see.

Most of the time, Shita Genichi was actually thinking about and researching deeper concepts.

For example, simplifying hand seals.

If he were to just honestly compete on hand speed, wouldn't his transmigration have been in vain?

While he wouldn't go as far as Jiraiya, who could perform seals with his feet, simplifying hand seals was a very necessary and feasible area of research.

Furthermore, there was one-handed sealing.

Shita Genichi remembered that Haku, who used Ice Release, and Yellow Flash had both displayed one-handed seals.

Uchiha Itachi, Kakashi, and Sarutobi Asuma likely used one-handed seals during their battle as well.

Haku did so in a normal state, while Yellow Flash was in the state of Impure World Reincarnation and was forced to use one-handed seals because he was missing an arm.

Additionally, although he could perform seals skillfully due to overdrawing from the future, he actually only knew how to perform the twelve basic seals without understanding the underlying principles.

Beyond the twelve basic seals, there were the Nine Syllable Seals: Rin, Pyo, Toh, Sha, Kai, Jin, Retsu, Zai, Zen.

Shita Genichi remembered that the hand seal used for what was likely Might Guy's Daytime Tiger was the "Sha" seal, and that the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama had used the "Zai" seal when performing Water Release during his duel with Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Unfortunately, the textbook mainly covered the twelve basic seals, and the Nine Syllable Seals were only listed at the very back of the book with their methods.

Unlike the twelve basic seals, each of those lacked detailed annotations.

On the day the chakra refinement course ended.

After class, Shita Genichi caught up to Futaki Ryusei: "Teacher Ryusei!"

Futaki Ryusei stopped and turned around, smiling when he saw Shita Genichi: "Genichi, do you have more questions?"

Shita Genichi stepped forward with his notebook, bowed respectfully, and said: "Yes, sorry to trouble you!"

Futaki Ryusei glanced at the notebook in Shita Genichi's hand and asked: "Is this about hand seals?"

He naturally knew that Shita Genichi had been practicing hand seals during this time and seemed quite proficient already.

Futaki Ryusei thought highly of the clever and hardworking Shita Genichi, so he was always patient and enthusiastic.

"Yes, Teacher Ryusei."

Shita Genichi nodded: "I previewed the Detailed Explanation of Hand Seals. The textbook says that seals exist to better perform ninjutsu, used to mobilize chakra and convert it into ninjutsu."

"So, Teacher Ryusei, does the deeper meaning of 'better performing ninjutsu' refer to allowing a ninja to better conduct nature transformation and shape transformation?"

Futaki Ryusei was very surprised to hear this: "You actually know about nature transformation and shape transformation?"

Shita Genichi smiled slightly: "Teacher Ryusei, my grandfather was also a ninja and left behind some notes that mentioned them."

So that was it.

Futaki Ryusei realized, then said: "Knowledge like shape transformation and nature transformation is beyond the scope of what is taught at the Ninja Academy."

"However, your understanding is absolutely correct."

"Nature transformation and shape transformation of chakra form ninjutsu; no ninjutsu can exist without these two. Or rather, chakra forms ninjutsu through nature transformation and shape transformation."

"And hand seals exist to allow a ninja to perform nature transformation and shape transformation better and faster."

Shita Genichi pondered, "Futaki Ryusei-sensei, does that mean if one masters chakra nature transformation and shape transformation, it is possible to reduce the number of hand seals or even perform ninjutsu without them?"

Futaki Ryusei laughed upon hearing this: "Genichi, you are not wrong to think that, but it is extremely, extremely difficult."

"Even the Third Hokage-sama cannot perform ninjutsu without hand seals."

"Of course, many Jonin are capable of reducing the number of hand seals required."

After saying this, he spoke earnestly to Shita Genichi: "Genichi, I know you are very clever, but you haven't started learning ninjutsu yet. Master your hand seals first; once you become a Chunin, you can consider trying to shorten the process."

Shita Genichi nodded obediently, then took his notebook to ask Futaki Ryusei about the deeper meaning hidden within the Twelve Basic Hand Seals.

However, after flipping through Shita Genichi's notes, Futaki Ryusei felt quite conflicted: "Hmm, your understanding is entirely correct."

"Very good, exactly like this."

He was truly speechless.

Shita Genichi nodded; it seemed he hadn't gone astray.

At this moment, Futaki Ryusei noticed that Shita Genichi also had notes on the Nine Syllables Hand Seals and said: "Genichi, you only need a basic understanding of these seals; ninjutsu basically never uses them."

Shita Genichi scratched his head and said: "Sensei, I am very curious about these nine seals, but there are no annotations regarding them in the textbooks."

Futaki Ryusei thought for a moment, then said: "Come find me after the first class this afternoon to get them."

In truth, he did not have annotations for the Nine Syllables Hand Seals either, nor did he understand them, as they were indeed never used.

However, considering the intelligence Shita Genichi had displayed, he decided to help him out.

Shita Genichi was overjoyed: "Thank you, Futaki Ryusei-sensei!"

Futaki Ryusei smiled and encouraged him: "Keep it up, Genichi, don't waste your talent!"

"Yes!"