I'm a Konoha Jonin, for Crying Out Loud...

"Don't ever do that again, understand, Kazan?"

Shinku Yuhi looked stern.

"You really don't need to worry about me on that front, sir."

Shinku Yuhi was talking about ordinary ninja.

Was Kazan an ordinary ninja?

Of course not!

He had trained his body, internal organs included, until it was as tough as iron. A mere burst of Chakra couldn't hurt him.

Hashirama Senju was a monster in a league of his own, but even Tobirama Senju could release Chakra like that without harm. Kazan would be fine.

"How could I not worry?" Shinku Yuhi wasn't about to let him act recklessly.

Kazan had no choice but to explain. "I have a technique that specifically trains the body, every organ included."

"Nonsense. I've never even heard of a technique like that."

When Shinku still didn't believe him, Kazan told him to throw a punch.

Shinku Yuhi actually did.

Clang!

What was that sound? It was like hitting steel.

Shinku Yuhi's eyes widened.

He was starting to believe it. The fist he'd struck Kazan with hurt so badly he had nearly cried out.

"What technique is that?" He hid his reddening fist behind his back.

As expected of a Jonin, he had moved so smoothly that even Kazan had almost missed it.

"Iron Body!"

"Iron Body..." Shinku Yuhi murmured, then asked, "Can we learn it too?"

"Probably? But your body's too weak."

My body's too weak?

Hahahaha! I'm a Jonin, a master of Genjutsu in Konoha. How could my body be weak?

"Kazan, you're underestimating me. Your uncle might specialize in Genjutsu, but I've never neglected my Taijutsu. Among the ninja of my generation, I'd rank in the top ten."

Shinku Yuhi wasn't lying.

Genjutsu specialists feared close combat most. For years, he had focused on Genjutsu while training Taijutsu on the side, and he was skilled with a blade.

Except...

"Dad, Kazan isn't lying."

Kurenai Yuhi remembered Kazan using Back Mountain as a punching bag and tugged at her father's sleeve.

Ha. Love's completely blinded this girl.

He's only a Genin. Even if he specializes in Taijutsu, there's no way he's stronger than me.

Love really does make people blind.

What could a little kid do to me?

The very idea is ridiculous!

It seemed he needed to remind his precious daughter what he could do. He was a distinguished Konoha Jonin.

"Come on, Kazan. Hit me with everything you've got. Let's see whether I'm qualified to train in your technique!"

"Maybe we shouldn't?"

"What do you mean, we shouldn't? Just hit me with all you've got. I'm a Konoha Jonin. What could—"

Boom!

Kazan's punch sent Shinku Yuhi flying into the house.

"Dad!"

"Honey!"

Kurenai Yuhi and her mother jolted in fright and rushed over to see whether Shinku Yuhi was still breathing.

"Oh, Dad! Why did you ask Kazan to hit you?"

"He really wasn't lying. These days, Kazan uses the mountain behind the Hokage Building as a punching bag..."

What the hell? Why didn't you say so earlier?!

That punch had nearly sent him to meet his grandmother.

To give Kazan a proper sense of how "strong" he was, Shinku hadn't defended himself with Chakra.

He had taken the full force of that punch!

Still, when all was said and done...

He believed him.

Kazan really could brute-force his way out of Genjutsu by releasing a burst of Chakra, without harming his body.

That punch had something of Princess Tsunade of the Sannin about it!

"In that case, Kazan, we'll step up your training from here on. Let's continue!"

"I'm fine with that, but are you sure you're okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be? What harm could a punch like yours do to me? I once fought the Third Raikage, and I'm still standing!"

"Your mouth is bleeding."

Kazan punctured Shinku Yuhi's boast without a shred of mercy.

"..."

That night.

Kazan didn't stay at Kurenai Yuhi's house. He had to go back and look after Hakimi.

Kurenai was a little disappointed. She'd wanted to watch the stars with Kazan on the roof.

The next day.

Kazan woke in the simple wooden hut he had built on Back Mountain.

First, he made Shadow Clones and assigned them their training.

"Breakfast first. Then I'll find Shinku Yuhi and train."

"Let's go, Hakimi!"

Kazan leaped onto the tiger's back. Hakimi let out a roar and charged toward the Forest of Death.

This time, Hakimi had learned his lesson. He avoided the paths and wove through the trees.

"Keep it down!"

The roar woke Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had spent the whole night in his office.

And with the window blown out by that lunatic Kazan, he had spent the night in a cold draft.

That bastard Kazan would be the death of him one day!

Rubbing his heavy head, he gave an order. "The daimyo has sent word. He's on his way. Send a squad to escort him safely to Konoha."

"Yes, sir!"

The Anbu Ninja moved at once.

The Shinobi World was troubled enough already. The Land of Fire's daimyo couldn't be allowed to come to harm now.

"Oh, and where are the people fixing the window? Aren't they here yet?"

To show how much he cared for his people, Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't disturbed the village's craftsmen last night.

Meanwhile.

After filling his stomach, Kazan went to find Shinku Yuhi again.

This time, they met at a Training Ground instead of Shinku's house.

"Kazan, the way you release Chakra is enough to handle most Genjutsu you'll face in the Chunin Ninja Exams."

The way Kazan broke Genjutsu was practically cheating.

Setting aside high-level Secret Techniques and Forbidden Techniques, few Genjutsu could threaten him anymore.

"But breaking free is one thing. Genjutsu isn't just about restraining an enemy. It creates openings you can use to kill your opponent in a single strike. Ninja combat is dangerous!"

"Kazan, starting today, we'll train through actual combat. You'll have to break my Genjutsu while dealing with my attacks. Understood?"

"Got it. Come on, sir!"

Having a Jonin spar with him was an opportunity money couldn't buy.

"Then here I come, Kazan!"

The moment he finished speaking, Shinku Yuhi was already rushing in.

He held little back. Kazan was at least as strong as a Chunin, and his body was monstrously tough.

Facing the oncoming blade, Kazan planted his feet in a horse stance and shouted, "Iron Body!"

Clang!

Shinku Yuhi's blade struck him with the ring of steel against steel.

But...

"Too slow. Your technique still has a serious flaw. You can't move while defending, and that's a fatal weakness."

Shinku Yuhi taught as he attacked.

As he spoke, he completed his Hand Seals. "Ninja Technique: Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death!"

Whoosh!

Several vines burst up beneath Kazan's feet and bound him from head to toe.

Wasn't this the technique Kurenai used against Uchiha Itachi in the original story?

Kazan's keen senses warned him of danger the instant the vines appeared.

Hum!

Chakra erupted from his body like a volcano once more. Shinku Yuhi's Genjutsu shattered in a second.

Kazan spun and drove his right fist through the air, blasting apart Shinku Yuhi as he charged in with his blade!

He really did burst apart, but there was no blood or flesh.

Poof!

"Shadow Clone Technique? He had it ready while I was under the Genjutsu?"

That was how a Jonin fought: unpredictable tactics, varied techniques, and exceptional combat instincts.

But!

A flash of insight struck Kazan.

Without a moment's hesitation, he turned and drove his fist down at the ground beneath his feet!