"The Clone Technique, Transformation Technique, and Substitution Technique are basic ninjutsu every ninja must master. They are also called the Three Basic Techniques, and they can play a tremendous role in actual combat. You've now mastered all three, but don't forget to keep practicing them. Next, I'll teach you your first offensive ninjutsu!"
Fresh from her bath and dressed in a yukata, Tsunade was even more alluring. Water droplets still clung to the tips of her hair, making her look so ravishing that one's mouth went dry.
But Naoki Senju dared not entertain any thoughts at that moment. He sat upright across from Tsunade with a solemn expression, studying the ninjutsu knowledge she imparted.
His earlier painful experience had taught him never to tease Tsunade when she was seriously teaching, or he really would die a miserable death. At other times, Tsunade did not particularly mind.
"Yes, Sis Tsunade."
Tsunade nodded in satisfaction, then picked up the sake on the small table and drank another cup. An intoxicating blush rose on her cheeks, as captivating as a drunken imperial consort.
"The ninjutsu I'll teach you next is Water Release: Wild Water Wave. Although it's a C-rank ninjutsu, the lowest rank in terms of learning difficulty, this version was improved by my second grandfather. Its power rivals a B-rank ninjutsu, so pay attention."
Carrying a small flask of sake, Tsunade walked toward the hot spring courtyard. Naoki Senju followed closely behind, but his gaze remained fixed on those rounded peaches. Only children knew nothing but staring at breasts. Adults ought to have higher aspirations!
Perhaps sensing the gaze from behind her, Tsunade suddenly turned, only to find Naoki Senju looking at her with an innocent expression.
"Strange. Was I imagining it?"
The hot spring establishment Naoki Senju had rented covered an enormous area. Each large spring had its own separate courtyard, with several smaller springs inside as well, covering more than a hundred square meters in total. There were five such courtyards altogether. Even after Tonton had been given one of her own, one still stood empty.
After looking around, Tsunade smiled in satisfaction. Renting a hot spring courtyard like this for a single night probably cost ten to thirty thousand ryo, comparable to the reward for a D-rank mission. Even Tsunade rarely indulged in such luxury. After all, she had taken all her savings to gamble...
This made Tsunade's gaze toward Naoki grow even more eager. She absolutely could not let this brat slip away. Even if she had to... have Shizune feed herself to the tiger, she could not let him escape. As Tsunade silently schemed, Shizune suddenly sneezed while soaking in another courtyard's hot spring.
Stopping beside the hot spring, Tsunade set the sake flask at her feet.
"There's plenty of moisture here. It's ideal for practicing water release. I'll demonstrate it for you first."
"Dragon-Ox-Hare. Water Release: Wild Water Wave!"
A powerful stream of water shot from Tsunade's mouth, cutting a large tree beside the hot spring clean in half. Without losing momentum, it sheared off a layer of turf. Muddy water and leaves flew everywhere. The hot spring here certainly would not be usable until it had been cleaned.
Naoki Senju's heart surged at the sight. This was only an improved C-rank ninjutsu. What terrifying destruction would an A-rank ninjutsu, an S-rank ninjutsu, or even wood release ninjutsu that transcended the rankings cause?
After explaining the chakra circulation route to Naoki, Tsunade picked up her sake flask and prepared to enjoy a few drinks. Although Naoki Senju had learned the Three Basic Techniques quickly, mastering them almost on his first attempt, Wild Water Wave ranked among the hardest C-rank ninjutsu. Getting the basics down in an hour or two would already be fairly fast.
Naoki Senju stood where Tsunade had just been, directing his chakra along the route she had taught him. Recalling the details of her execution, he formed hand seals.
Dragon-Ox-Hare.
"Water Release: Wild Water Wave!"
A powerful stream of water surged toward the broken tree once more. Shredded leaves danced through the air amid the torrent. Tsunade stared at the sight in disbelief, the sake flask slipping from her hand and shattering on the ground...
"With talent like that, he's truly a... monster..."
But Naoki Senju was not particularly satisfied. His Wild Water Wave had, at most, seventy percent of Tsunade's power, and its accuracy was lacking too-a considerably lethal weakness in real combat.
Having learned his first offensive ninjutsu, Naoki Senju had no intention of becoming conceited. Even setting aside those kings of cheats, Sasuke and Naruto, Kakashi Hatake had already been a jonin capable of holding his own at this age.
After checking how much chakra he had left, Naoki Senju felt slightly reassured. His chakra reserves were still plentiful, enough for at least six or seven more Wild Water Waves. He would not end up spent at the drop of a hat like Kakashi. Forming hand seals, Naoki prepared to practice a few more times, striving to match Tsunade's power and sever a tree in a single strike!
"Wait."
At some point, Tsunade had come up behind Naoki and spoken to stop him.
"Sis Tsunade? Was something wrong with my Wild Water Wave?" Naoki Senju turned to ask.
That would be a very serious problem. After all, not everyone could be like Konohamaru, learning the correct Rasengan even while following the wrong path-a veritable self-taught genius.
"There's nothing wrong with your ninjutsu, but there's no need to rush into practicing right now." Tsunade's eyes held both amazement and envy. Not only had Naoki inherited the Senju Clan's rare wood release kekkei genkai, but his talent for ninjutsu was also this formidable. Tsunade silently tasted sour grapes.
"Naoki, you've learned quite a bit about ninjutsu lately. You can use both the Three Basic Techniques and Wild Water Wave proficiently, which already makes you a qualified genin in Konoha. Now, let me ask you: should a ninja specialize in a few ninjutsu, or study a broader range?"
Becoming a genin certainly was not as simple as learning the Three Basic Techniques. There was also knowledge of assassination, protection, intelligence gathering, and even physics. But judging by ninjutsu alone, Naoki Senju did indeed qualify as a genin.
Naoki Senju pondered silently. This was not like the keyboard battles of his previous life, where he could spout whatever he pleased. This was a decision concerning his future path as a ninja. A moment later, Naoki answered firmly:
"Specialize in a few, or even just one ninjutsu. Being greedy for more will only hurt you in the end."
Clap, clap, clap.
Tsunade could not help applauding as she praised him:
"Good. Staying true to yourself, restraining your desires, and not greedily chasing ninjutsu-that is the foundation of becoming a powerful ninja."
Among the Shinobi World's few great powerhouses, the late Fourth Hokage had specialized in Flying Thunder God, supplemented by the Rasengan, and beaten the four great ninja villages into submission.
The Third Raikage had specialized in lightning release. With Lightning Release Armor and Hell Stab: One-Finger Nukite, he had fought ten thousand ninja alone, ultimately dying of exhaustion.
The Second Hokage had specialized in water release and Flying Thunder God, using forbidden techniques mostly in support. The strongest water release ninja, he had been hailed as "the fastest in the Shinobi World" and "the man who signed a contract with the ocean." He had killed Kinkaku and Ginkaku, who carried the Six Paths Tools, as well as a special unit comprising more than twenty elite jonin. Although he had ultimately died of severe injuries, this was enough to demonstrate his strength.
By contrast, the Second Raikage, who had likewise held the title of Second, had been backstabbed and killed by Kinkaku and Ginkaku with almost no chance to fight back.
The White Fang of Konoha, Hatake Sakumo, had specialized in swordsmanship, striking terror into the four great ninja villages and making them desperate to avoid him.
Princess Tsunade, one of the Sannin, had also specialized in medical ninjutsu, supplemented by Superhuman Strength and the Summoning Technique, becoming one of the Shinobi World's top ninja.
As for representatives of studying a broad range of ninjutsu, none stood out more than Konoha's "Professor of Ninjutsu" and "Copy Ninja," who were also the later "Shinobi World Super Soldier" and "Kakashi Hatake."
Training in too many ninjutsu consumed too much energy, making it difficult to develop any particularly outstanding ability. In the end, one would be reduced to mediocrity, fading into the crowd.