Three Days... I Really Am a Genius

"Second Uncle! Grandfather Hashirama! Did you see that? I can swim!" He splashed about while shouting. Water poured into his wide-open mouth, but he was too busy grinning to care about choking.

Tobirama stood by the edge of the pool, the corners of his mouth finally curling up, though his words were less than flattering: "The way you swim, it looks like a drowning dog paddling for scraps."

"Who cares what it looks like!" Hibari laughed in the water, splashing wildly with his hands and feet, sending spray flying high into the air. "The point is that I can swim! Do you know what this means? It means the 'Vortex Seal' works! If I can swim, can water-style chakra be far behind?

Can Wood Release be far behind? Taking over for you two... is that really out of the question?"

Once Hibari had finished his chaotic splashing and climbed onto the bank, Tobirama raised a hand and unleashed a Water Style technique, soaking him from head to toe. Hibari didn't mind; he just stood before his two elders, bare-chested and beaming.

Hashirama looked him up and down, nodding in satisfaction before turning to Tobirama: "It really worked this time. Hibari being able to clear this hurdle is all thanks to you. Both he and I will keep this favor in our hearts."

"Big Brother, you're being too formal," Yamanaka Kiyono said with a wave of his hand. "You developed the technique; I just lent a hand. It's hardly a favor worth mentioning."

Before Tobirama could respond, Hibari jumped in, his tone incredibly sincere: "Lord Kiyono, if you ever need anything, just say the word! As long as you have use for me, Senju Hibari, I won't hesitate!"

Seeing him like this, Yamanaka Kiyono smiled even wider. This favor was worth it! Hibari was highly valued, possessed great talent, and now that the method to suppress his biggest flaw had been found, he would surely become a pillar of the Senju Clan as long as nothing went wrong.

Regardless of the favor, being able to make this kid remember his kindness and build a good relationship was a guaranteed win.

So, he said cheerfully: "Sure, Hibari. Come visit my place when you have time for a meal; I'd be quite happy."

"That's a must!" Hibari replied immediately. "Even if you didn't ask, I'd come, as long as you don't find me annoying."

After a few more pleasantries, Yamanaka Kiyono felt it was time to leave and rose to say goodbye. Hibari was very polite, escorting him all the way outside the gates of the Senju estate before turning back to find Tobirama and the others.

The large mud puddle at the entrance was already gone, likely filled in by Second Uncle using Earth Release. Once inside, he saw Tobirama and Hashirama sitting there, both wearing smiles.

Hibari couldn't help but grin himself. Good news always lifts the spirits; having finally found a solution to the problem that had plagued him for so many years, how could he not be happy?

"Hibari," Tobirama put away his smile, his tone turning serious. "Although the problem in your body is suppressed for now, you cannot let your guard down. After all, it hasn't been rooted out. If the sealing technique on your body is ever broken, you will still be in trouble."

"Don't worry, Second Uncle, I understand," Hibari nodded. "I am already very content that you could help me this far. In the future, I will definitely find a way to solve this problem completely!"

"Hmm," Tobirama nodded and continued, "But before that, to avoid accidents, you must first learn this 'Vortex Seal'. If you ever encounter a situation where I am not around... in short, you must be able to use this technique yourself."

Without waiting for Hibari to react, he tossed a scroll over: "You participated in the development of the technique, you understand the theory, and it's clearly written on the scroll, so I won't nag you. Take it and learn it yourself."

"Got it! I'll learn it as soon as possible!" Hibari caught the scroll.

"Yes, learn it quickly!" Hashirama interjected impatiently from the side. "Once you've learned it, hurry up and try to refine water-style chakra. If you can, come find me immediately... let's see if we can develop Wood Release!"

"Learn my Water Style ninjutsu first!" Tobirama slammed his hand on the table, refusing to budge.

Beside the Senju estate, a small river flowed quietly. Hibari squatted by the bank, repeating the same action for the third day in a row—dipping his hand into the cold river water, holding it there for a moment, and then pulling it out.

Refining water-style chakra wasn't necessarily difficult, but it wasn't easy either; it all depended on the individual. Some people were born with a certain chakra nature and didn't need to practice specifically.

For example, Hibari, as a member of the Senju Clan, was born with Yang-style chakra, which was why learning the Strength of a Hundred and using medical ninjutsu came so naturally to him.

It was just that Yin and Yang natures weren't part of the standard five basic transformations, so they were rarely refined. But theoretically... Hibari should be a ninja capable of all natures.

Now, he was moving toward the goal of six natures. Actually, he had pondered the issue of Yin-style chakra before, but no matter how he tried, he couldn't grasp the essence.

Later, he simply asked Grandfather Hashirama, Second Uncle Tobirama, and other elders in the clan, only to find that apart from top-tier experts like Second Uncle Tobirama, very few in the Senju Clan could master Yin-style.

Moreover, Second Uncle Tobirama had been very blunt at the time, saying that he himself had struggled immensely to refine Yin-style chakra, spending several years on it.

Looking at it this way, the Senju seemed naturally incompatible with Yin-style chakra. Hibari thought about it and temporarily shelved the idea—he couldn't spend too much time on it, could he? It was better to learn some other practical skills first. As for Yin-style, there would be opportunities to solve it later.

He reached out to stir the river water and suddenly laughed: "Water..."

At this moment, he clearly felt the flow of chakra in his body was different; even his breathing carried a hint of moisture. Hibari felt a surge of joy and, without stopping his hand, finished the hand signs in the blink of an eye.

"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"

As the shout fell, chakra surged through his meridians. It wasn't that he hadn't tried to force Water Style before; he had memorized the hand signs for many Water Style techniques.

But back then, as soon as he mobilized his chakra, his meridians felt blocked, and even the slightest movement caused intense pain.

This time, however, it was completely different. His chakra was lively, and as the hand signs were completed, a thin stream of water spiraled up from beside his feet, surging around his body.

Hibari's eyes lit up, and his mouth widened into a grin: "Three days... I really am a genius."

Of course, it varied from person to person. Some geniuses could indeed master a chakra nature in just a few days.

Furthermore, Hibari had possessed a natural talent for water since birth, only it had been suppressed by the power of the Devil Fruit within him. Now that the thing was sealed, his water-style talent naturally emerged.

After all, it was his first time converting water-style chakra, and the amount was quite small. The Water Formation Wall only rose to his waist before he started to run out of steam.

But Hibari was quick-witted and immediately turned his attention to the small river in front of him.

That was the benefit of Water Style ninjutsu—it was highly dependent on the environment. If there was plenty of water around, a ninja could use very little chakra to leverage the surroundings, doubling the power.

Of course, monsters like Second Uncle Tobirama who played with "Sea Release" were an exception. That man could create an entire sea out of thin air even if he were thrown into a desert.

The next second, Hibari felt his body lighten. The Water Formation Wall, which had been stuck at his waist, suddenly sucked up a stream of water from the river, rising with a splash and completely shielding him inside.

He was manipulating the water, savoring the sense of accomplishment he had waited years for, when the figure of Second Uncle Tobirama suddenly appeared in the distance. Seeing Hibari playing with Water Style, Tobirama felt a weight lift from his heart, and a smile appeared on his face involuntarily.

Although he had sealed the chaotic mess inside Hibari a few days ago, allowing him to enter the water, Tobirama hadn't been sure if he could actually master the water nature. He had made time to check on Hibari every day while the boy practiced by the river for the past three days.

Seeing the Water Formation Wall the moment he arrived, how could he not be happy? This meant Hibari had truly broken through that shackle.

With this, his own repertoire of Water Style techniques finally had a successor.

Hibari also noticed Tobirama getting closer and withdrew his chakra. The Water Formation Wall enveloping his body splashed back into the river.

"Second Uncle!" He turned around, grinning from ear to ear. "How about that? Pretty impressive, right?"

Tobirama smiled too: "Not bad, you didn't make me worry in vain. What level are you at now?"

"Just touched the surface, the circulation isn't smooth yet. Even the Water Formation Wall needs the river to stay up."

Hibari scratched his head, but his tone was confident. "But getting started is enough! Give me a few days to prepare, and I guarantee I'll be able to use it as smoothly as any other ninjutsu!"

Tobirama nodded: "Then I'll give you a few days. After that, come learn some powerful Water Style from me."

Hibari agreed immediately. He had long coveted those ridiculously strong Water Style techniques of Second Uncle Tobirama. Before, he hadn't had the ability to learn them, but now that the opportunity was right in front of him, how could he miss it?

"By the way, Second Uncle..." Hibari blinked, his expression becoming a bit mysterious.

Tobirama frowned, looking at Hibari, who seemed to be hesitating: "If you have something to say, just say it. Don't dawdle."

Hibari grinned and leaned in closer: "Well... Second Uncle, that Summoning Jutsu of yours, shouldn't you pass that on to me too?"

"Summoning Jutsu?" Tobirama was clearly stunned. "Which of my Summoning Jutsus are you eyeing?"

"Do you even have to ask!" Hibari's eyes lit up. "It's rumored everywhere that you signed a contract with the entire ocean!

I couldn't use Water Style before, so I didn't dare to dream about it, but it's different now! I'm practically an all-rounder, so let me have a chat with the ocean too, won't you?"

Seeing Hibari's excitement, Tobirama couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"You brat, what are you thinking about all day?" He raised a hand and pointed vaguely at Hibari. "You believe the nonsense those people outside spread? The ocean isn't a living creature; how can you sign a contract with it?"

"But Grandfather Hashirama's Rashomon isn't a living creature either, is it? You can still sign it!" Hibari retorted immediately, wearing an expression that said, "Don't try to fool me." "Just tell me, is it true or not?"

"It's nonsense!" Tobirama snorted indignantly. "My Water Style was all practiced bit by bit, drop by drop! It has nothing to do with any ocean contract.

Use your brain—I have all seven chakra natures, so why do I prefer Water Style? It's because I spent most of my life on it... specialization, understand?"

"Oh..." Hibari's shoulders slumped, and he pouted with a lack of interest. "I thought you were hiding a secret skill; what a waste of excitement. Doesn't that mean my Summoning Jutsu practice was for nothing? I haven't even seen a shadow of a summoning beast yet."

"You can't say it like that," Tobirama's tone softened. "The summoning scroll passed down in the clan is a rare treasure."

"Then why don't you sign it?" Hibari glanced at him.

"Ahem..." Tobirama cleared his throat, looking slightly embarrassed. "With my strength, I don't need a summoning beast to assist me. Besides, that thing, Katsuyu, doesn't really match my style."