I Want to Learn This

Senju Genma opened the neatly folded paper in his hand; it was, as expected, a letter expressing inner feelings.

He turned his head and spotted the "Little Pepper" standing behind him, her beautiful, vibrant red hair floating in the air due to the chakra leaking from her body.

With his sensory perception, he had naturally sensed Uzumaki Kushina behind him long ago; he had simply chosen to ignore her.

After six months of spending time together, he already knew what Uzumaki Kushina liked.

Senju Genma patted Uzumaki Kushina's little head, and she immediately lowered her head, falling silent.

The lunch break ended quickly, and Kato Taka brought his students to the training ground.

Kato Taka's class had a total of thirty students, who were divided into five rows standing on the field.

Kato Taka held a roster in his hand and stood before the students to take attendance.

"Very good, no one is late or absent. This shows that you have taken my words to heart. I hope that after you become ninjas, you will be able to follow orders and prohibitions just as well."

"You may sit down. I hope you don't have any spoiled habits that prevent you from even sitting on the bare ground."

As soon as Kato Taka finished speaking, the students sat cross-legged in unison.

Senju Genma didn't bother with his image either and sat directly on the ground.

He was a lazy person who had always adhered to the principle of never standing if he could sit, and never sitting if he could lie down.

Uzumaki Kushina sat to his right, while Namikaze Minato sat to his left.

Friendships between children are actually quite simple; often, just a little more contact than that of a stranger is enough for them to start playing together.

Kato Taka put away the roster and continued, "Very well, now I will teach you how to refine chakra."

"Let me first explain what chakra is. Chakra is a type of energy produced by the perfect fusion of various components of energy controlled by the human body. It generally refers to the product of an equal mixture of spiritual energy and physical energy."

"The method for refining chakra is also very simple: extract the physical energy produced by the one hundred and thirty trillion cells in your body, then accumulate spiritual energy through meditation and other methods, and finally..."

"That is the method. Now, try it yourselves. If you have any questions, feel free to raise your hand."

As soon as Kato Taka finished explaining the chakra refinement technique, many students began to attempt it.

Namikaze Minato was one of them; it was clear he was working very hard, and before long, he was covered in sweat.

Senju Genma had absolutely no interest in what Kato Taka was saying; he had learned the chakra refinement technique in his third year after arriving in this world.

He turned his head to look around and saw a familiar figure not far from the training ground: Uchiha Mikoto.

Uchiha Mikoto had enrolled three years earlier than Senju Genma, and her class had already begun practicing ninja tool throwing.

"It seems that Genma-kun is quite interested in the use of ninja tools!" Before he knew it, Kato Taka was already squatting beside Senju Genma.

Senju Genma turned his head and asked, "I heard that you, Teacher Kato, are quite proficient in the manipulation of ninja tools?"

Kato Taka held out his hands and said confidently, "Don't let the fact that I'm only a Chunin fool you; my use of ninja tools is top-tier in the village. Look at these hands of mine—flexible and enduring. I specifically trained them for the sake of using ninja tools."

Senju Genma's gaze flickered as he considered the potential of this technique, and he nodded heavily. "Teacher, I want to learn this."

Kato Taka was so moved he was on the verge of tears.

Even though he was skilled with ninja tools, he had always been looked down upon by his clansmen because he couldn't master the family's secret techniques. Now, being recognized by a young master from a great clan, he couldn't have been happier.

Although the two were just a regular teacher and student, Kato Taka still taught his finger-training method to Senju Genma.

Kato Taka never thought of taking Senju Genma as a formal apprentice; he knew his place, and regardless of what Senju Genma thought, the higher-ups would never agree to it.

When Senju Genma saw Kato Taka's training notes, he was amazed; he hadn't expected them to contain not only written descriptions but also illustrations.

The afternoon training ended quickly, and Senju Genma had memorized the training method for Kato Taka's Hand by heart, ready to find Tsunade and practice diligently as soon as he got home.

After all, practice is the only criterion for testing truth.

Uzumaki Kushina stretched and then hugged Senju Genma, saying, "Brother Genma, today was really tiring!"

Senju Genma extended his index and middle fingers to tap her forehead lightly. "Don't give me that. You clearly already knew the chakra refinement technique."

Uzumaki Kushina pouted. "But sitting for so long is tiring too! Why don't we go to the Nakamura Ramen Shop for some ramen?"

The Nakamura Ramen Shop was a place Genma and Uzumaki Kushina had discovered while wandering the streets. Ichiraku Ramen didn't exist yet, and Teuchi was still an apprentice at this shop.

Teuchi was only twelve years old, but he had already shown his talent for making ramen, and the bowls he produced were very much to Uzumaki Kushina's taste.

"What about Minato? Should we ask him to come along?"

Namikaze Minato looked into Senju Genma's eyes, which were as soft and beautiful as moonlight, and after a moment of thought, said, "Sure! I'm all alone anyway."

"You won't be from now on!"

Senju Genma took Uzumaki Kushina and Namikaze Minato by the hand and walked toward the main street.

The three of them finished their meal quickly and parted ways at the ramen shop.

By the time Senju Genma and Uzumaki Kushina returned home, Tsunade had been waiting for a long time.

Tsunade crossed her arms over her chest and asked, "You brats, where have you been?"

"We went to eat ramen. We brought some back for you."

Senju Genma pulled Uzumaki Kushina to stand before Tsunade and held up the tonkotsu ramen in his hand.

Tsunade took the ramen and let out a cold snort. "At least you two have a shred of conscience."

"Do you have any idea what a feast I prepared for you today? You came back so late that the food went cold, so I had no choice but to feed it to Nawaki."

Senju Genma and Kushina couldn't help but shudder.

"Is... is Brother Nawaki alright?" Kushina asked, her voice laced with worry.

Tsunade began eating the ramen; it was clear she hadn't eaten yet either.

"Do you two have so little faith in me? Rest assured, the doctor said he's fine. He'll be out of the hospital in a week."

Senju Genma and Kushina exchanged a glance, feeling sorry for Nawaki for exactly two and a half seconds.

"Hurry up and eat. I have something good to show you later," Senju Genma said, leaning in close to Tsunade's ear to whisper.

Seeing Senju Genma's mysterious demeanor, Tsunade's interest was instantly piqued, and she finished her ramen in a hurry.

After coaxing Kushina to go to bed, the two returned to their room.

Senju Genma brought out the training notes for Kato Taka's Hand.

Tsunade exclaimed in shock, "To think such a divine technique exists in this world!"

"Don't be so impatient. I've only finished reading the notes; I haven't started practicing yet!" Senju Genma hurriedly explained. "I'll start training today, alright?"