Don't Measure a Genius by Your Own Standards!

When it came to choosing a form of taijutsu, Hayato decisively settled on Baji Quan.

As the saying went, "Tai Chi brings peace to the land; Baji Quan rules the battlefield." Hayato had heard of Baji Quan's great renown long ago.

Although he had a solid foundation in the art, this was a world where chakra reigned supreme. Perfectly combining Baji Quan with chakra to create a Nintaijutsu all his own would undoubtedly be a tremendous challenge.

However, Hayato had never been one to back down from a challenge. Once he had an idea, he acted on it. He immediately took his place in the courtyard and, drawing on his past-life experience, began his grueling training.

The principles of Baji Quan lay in the flexible use of eight body parts: the head, shoulders, elbows, hands, tailbone, hips, knees, and feet. Every move and technique held boundless power and wisdom.

Hayato focused completely, immersing himself in Baji Quan's principles and techniques. He strove to make every movement precise and every breath perfectly attuned to his forms.

The commotion in the courtyard soon caught the attention of Shota and Misaki, who were resting in the main hall.

"What's going on?" Misaki asked, looking puzzled.

"Could that be Hayato?" Shota murmured, then hurried out of the main hall and straight to the courtyard.

Misaki quickly followed.

By the time they reached the courtyard, Hayato had finished a set of forms. His movements had been fluid and natural, his presence as imposing as a rainbow.

Shota furrowed his brows and asked softly, "What are you doing, Hayato?" Hayato looked up at his father, his gaze resolute. "I'm training in taijutsu, Dad."

Hearing his son's words, Shota couldn't help feeling a little doubtful.

He knew his son had done some fitness exercises before, but training in taijutsu—especially on his own—was obviously no easy task.

Unable to hide his concern, he said, "You can't just figure out taijutsu by yourself. Let me—" Just as he was about to demonstrate the Kunai Throwing Technique, a hearty voice cut him off. "Haha! Good! You truly are my grandson!"

The Grand Elder had appeared in the courtyard without anyone noticing. His face radiated pride and joy. After learning that Hayato had started at the Ninja Academy, he had been worried about his grandson and had come especially to visit him.

Hayato hurried over to greet him. "Hello, Grandpa!" Shota and Misaki quickly greeted the Grand Elder as well.

The Grand Elder smiled as he walked over to Hayato and crouched down, patting him on the head.

"How was your day at the Ninja Academy, little Hayato?"

Hayato smiled. "It was pretty interesting, Grandpa."

Shota wasn't particularly annoyed that the Grand Elder had interrupted him. After all, he was his father.

Still, concerned about his son's future, he couldn't help reminding him, "Hayato, taijutsu isn't that simple. You need someone to teach you. Otherwise, you'll waste time and might even take a lot of unnecessary detours."

But Hayato replied with quiet conviction, "Dad, I know what I'm doing. I'm not messing around."

Shota crouched down, intending to lecture him again. "Why won't you listen? Even the smartest person has things beyond his abilities."

He would never admit that he just wanted to cut an imposing figure in front of his son.

Just then, the Grand Elder spoke indulgently. "All right. If Hayato says he can handle it, then he can handle it."

Shota protested, "Father, you spoil Hayato too much."

The Grand Elder simply asked in reply,

"Could you stand the moment you were born?"

"Could you awaken your Sharingan the moment you were born?"

"No, but..." Shota was at a loss for words.

The Grand Elder put an end to the matter. "There you have it. Don't measure a genius by your own standards. Geniuses are always different."

Before Shota and Misaki had arrived, the Grand Elder had already watched Hayato's taijutsu practice from the shadows. Hayato's forms had flowed like water, full of artistic beauty and force. The Grand Elder had nodded to himself in approval.

Hayato watched the Grand Elder defend him, a warmth welling up inside him. That was the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren.

Seeing the atmosphere grow tense, Misaki, who stood behind Shota, hurried forward to smooth things over. "Father, have you had dinner? Why don't you stay and eat with us?"

The Grand Elder waved a hand. "No need. I've already eaten!" Then he looked at Hayato and said softly, "Little Hayato, come along. I promised you I'd teach you something."

Hayato brightened at his words. "Grandpa, are you going to teach me that technique?"

The Grand Elder smiled and nodded. "Come with me." Soon, he led Hayato away from the courtyard.

Watching his father walk away, Shota couldn't help grumbling. "Father spoils Hayato way too much."

Misaki smiled faintly. She understood that her husband was so nervous because he had such high expectations for Hayato. She comforted him gently. "No matter what, he's our son."

Shota was taken aback, then smiled. "Haha, that's right. No matter what, I'm his old man."

Meanwhile, the Grand Elder and Hayato arrived at the lakeside.

Dusk was settling in. The sunset reflected on the lake, its crimson surface rippling gently.

The two stood on the shore. The Grand Elder smiled at Hayato. "Watch closely, Hayato. The key to this Ninjutsu is using the correct Hand Seals to guide your chakra and gather it in your throat. Then you spit out the fireball."

Once he had finished, the Grand Elder slowly formed the Hand Seals. Since he was teaching Hayato, he wanted to make sure the boy learned the sequence. As he formed them, he said, "Remember the sequence: Snake, Ram, Monkey, Boar, Horse, Tiger." Hayato watched closely, afraid of missing even the slightest detail.

After forming the seals in order, the Grand Elder held his right hand near his mouth in a half-fist and puffed out his cheeks.

With a loud shout, he cried, "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!" A fireball about two meters in diameter burst from his mouth and shot toward the lake.

The blazing fireball instantly vaporized the mist above the lake, making its already crimson surface glow even redder. It lingered over the water for a moment before dissipating.

Looking at the surroundings, Hayato finally understood why the Grand Elder had brought him there to train.

Practicing Fire Release Ninjutsu near water was safe and wouldn't end in the disaster of setting a mountain ablaze.

After the demonstration, the Grand Elder came over to Hayato. "The Great Fireball Technique is a C-rank Ninjutsu, and it isn't easy to learn. Hayato, if there's anything you don't understand, ask me. We can take our time."

Hayato didn't ask any questions right away. Instead, he walked slowly over to the lake and began forming Hand Seals, imitating the Grand Elder.

After forming the seals in order, he held his right hand near his mouth in a half-fist. He took a deep breath, then shouted, "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!

A fireball with a radius of only half a meter shot out of his mouth. It was much smaller than the Grand Elder's, but he had succeeded on his very first try!

What!

The Grand Elder was stunned. He hadn't expected Hayato to learn this C-rank Ninjutsu after watching it only once!

He couldn't help laughing. "Haha! You truly are my grandson!"

However, Hayato didn't bask in the joy of his success. He dispelled the fireball, turned to the Grand Elder, and asked,

"Grandpa, why does the fireball have to come out of your mouth? If an enemy seals your mouth shut, wouldn't the technique be useless?"

At Hayato's question, the Grand Elder blinked several times. He had never considered the problem. After all, the key to the technique was gathering chakra in the throat, and generations had always passed it down as a technique for spitting out a fireball.

Hayato's train of thought was so unconventional that the Grand Elder was left bewildered.

He regretted teaching Hayato a C-rank Ninjutsu so soon. The boy was simply too clever and always came up with unexpected questions.

But then he reconsidered. Wasn't that a good thing? After all, only a child like this might go farther and rise higher on the path ahead.