After returning home, Shūichi went into his study and took out the sensory ninjutsu scroll.
Combining it with the insights he gained during his "Flash of Insight," he carefully reviewed and refined the technique.
He even made some modifications and reductions to the formula originally developed by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
Next, he simplified the hand seals that Minato Namikaze had devised, reducing them from 36 seals to just 2. (T/N: Don't apply your logic here, it's system perk!)
By this time, night had fallen, and the aroma of dinner wafted through the air.
Shūichi stretched lazily, then got up and walked out of his room to the dining area, where he saw Nonō Yakushi and Asuka busy preparing the meal.
Seeing him, Nonō Yakushi smiled and said, "Shūichi, get ready; dinner is almost served!"
Asuka, holding a spatula, grinned and added, "Shūichi, we made your favorite braised beef!"
Nearly a year had passed, and Asuka had grown accustomed to life here, comfortable with Shūichi and Nonō Yakushi as her family, no longer feeling the unease she had when she first arrived.
"I'll help too!"
Shūichi rolled up his sleeves, washed his hands, and stepped forward to assist, moving between the two women and enjoying their warmth and gentle care.
This was the beauty of life.
...
After a satisfying meal, Shūichi went to the courtyard.
He quickly formed the two hand seals, then crouched down and touched the ground with a single finger.
Chakra rippled out like waves from his fingertip, spreading into the earth as he tried to sense the power Minato had spoken of, the force of the earth itself.
Time passed slowly as Nonō and Asuka, having finished tidying up, quietly watched Shūichi's training from under the eaves.
Gradually, sweat began to form on Shūichi's forehead.
"I can feel it!"
Suddenly, Shūichi opened his eyes and smiled.
Though it was faint, he had indeed sensed it.
After making no progress last year, he had immediately gained significant results after using "Flash of Insight." It really came down to not having the right mindset before.
He withdrew his hand and stood up.
Nonō Yakushi's voice promptly reached him: "Shūichi, have you mastered the technique?"
Shūichi turned and smiled, "Not yet, but I've taken the first step."
"According to Minato-sensei, there shouldn't be any problems going forward."
Asuka had already brought out a bowl of honey water.
Shūichi took it from her, saying, "Thank you, Asuka."
Asuka's eyes crinkled with her smile, "Shūichi, I've mastered the Chakra Scalpel technique!"
Shūichi paused for a moment, then drank the honey water in one go before looking at Nonō Yakushi. "Director, what's the plan moving forward?"
Nonō Yakushi replied, "Asuka's chakra is quite special; its healing effects are extraordinary. The next step for her should be to learn the Healing Regeneration Technique."
"This technique usually requires a team of medical ninjas working together, but with Asuka's abilities, she should be able to perform it alone, and she'll likely learn it quickly."
That's the power of a special bloodline!
Shūichi agreed with Nonō Yakushi's arrangement.
Although he had also mastered this technique, his abilities were no different from other medical ninjas.
With his own strength alone, it was nearly impossible to treat injuries like those sustained by Sanyo.
It was clear that not all Yang Release techniques were created equal.
Just as his Fire Release nature transformation had reached a level different from that of other Fire Release users.
It wasn't simply a matter of chakra quantity.
Like the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, which was often hailed as the pinnacle of shape and nature transformation.
...
After chatting and joking with Nonō and Asuka for a while, Shūichi resumed his training.
But this time was different from before—he didn't use the improved hand seals of Minato Namikaze.
The reason he had used them earlier was to test the results of his modifications. This time, he planned to use the altered technique of Tobirama Senju.
Snap!
Shūichi clapped his hands together.
In the next moment, a black seal formula spread rapidly from beneath him, forming a large octagonal pattern in an instant.
Under the effect of this technique, the chakra flowing from Shūichi's feet underwent a complex transformation before being injected into the earth.
As his chakra entered the ground, Shūichi's senses underwent a profound change.
It was an indescribable state.
It was as if he could see waves expanding outward, or as if he were witnessing dazzling beams of light.
These waves and lights were all erupting from the earth.
Shūichi felt as though he had entered a world of strange and fantastical phenomena.
"As expected!"
"This sensory ninjutsu utilizes the Earth's magnetic field. The so-called 'power of the Earth' is actually the power of geomagnetism!"
Shūichi was now almost certain of his earlier hypothesis.
And he had to admit, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, was truly a genius!
The talent for ninjutsu that guy had was something Shūichi could hardly compare to now. He could only surpass it during his brief moments of 'Flash of Insight.'
"With this, the first step is truly complete."
Feeling the fluctuations of the Earth's magnetic field, Shūichi thought to himself, "The next step is to align my chakra with the Earth's magnetic field, or to attach my chakra to the magnetic field and radiate it outward to sense my surroundings."
"This is just like a radar..."
Unconsciously, Shūichi delved deeper into his thoughts: "This step is merely a simulation, using the Earth's magnetic field to sense things. Once this is done, the technique is fully mastered."
"But in reality, there's potential for even further development—chakra nature transformation into Magnet Release?"
"Unlike the Magnet Release of the Third and Fourth Kazekage, reaching the level of the Earth's magnetic field would require a fusion of seven chakra natures—a Kekkei Tōta."
Kekkei Tōta?
Shūichi shook his head silently. That was too far-fetched for him.
In comparison, with his current knowledge base, electromagnetism was something much more attainable.
Gradually, he collected his thoughts.
Shūichi moved on to the final step of his training.
This step turned out to be surprisingly simple, which explained why Minato Namikaze had said that once the first step was completed, mastering the technique was a certainty.
However, without mastering Tobirama Senju's formula, it would have come down to luck.
As he completed the final step, Shūichi immediately felt his sensory range expand outward.
The first chakra he sensed was Asuka's, as she was practicing medical ninjutsu in the house, followed by Nonō Yakushi's chakra.
Each of their chakras gave him a distinctly different sensation.
Nonō's chakra was gentle and warm, just like her personality.
Asuka's chakra, however, was surprisingly different from her seemingly delicate demeanor; it was warm but carried an intense, vibrant energy, full of life.
"Asuka's chakra is at least five times that of the Director's!"
"And compared to mine, it's at least thirty times more. If my constitution hadn't been enhanced by the Tags, this difference would be terrifying."
Shūichi marveled inwardly.
Nonō Yakushi's current chakra level could be considered at its peak, but Asuka still had much room for growth.
He then discovered another unique feature of this sensory ninjutsu.
Stealth!
He knew that while Asuka hadn't awakened the Kagura Mind's Eye sensory technique, she was naturally very perceptive.
During their first chakra link, she had sensed the forbidden thoughts in his mind.
But now, Asuka didn't seem to notice that he was sensing her.
"Moreover, everyone's chakra has a different frequency of oscillation, allowing me to distinguish who is who based on these frequencies."
Shūichi continued to expand his sensory range.
Throughout this process, he kept experimenting with different applications.
Directed sensing, omnidirectional sensing, and more.
He only stopped once his chakra was nearly depleted.
Returning to his study, Shūichi rested while organizing the principles and training experiences related to this sensory ninjutsu, recording them on another scroll.
Finally, he thought for a moment and wrote down a name on the scroll.
Earthen Listening Technique!
After finishing his work, Shūichi's attention turned to the Tag Tree in his mind.
[Sensory Expert] Tag Lit Up!
Sensory talent increased by 100%, mental and will/spiritual power increased by 100%!
That electric sensation surged again, and his mind went blank for a moment.
When he recovered, Shūichi felt his mind was clearer, though there weren't any major changes beyond that. It was different from the enhancements he had experienced before, like faster thought processes or heightened reflexes.
"Let's try chakra control..."
With a thought, Shūichi began controlling chakra.
Immediately, he noticed a difference from before.
Precision!
He could now control chakra with almost cellular-level accuracy.
His awareness of his own body also became much clearer, such as knowing exactly how much chakra to control without harming himself.
"My chakra control has improved..."
Shūichi carefully observed, feeling that the enhancement to his mental and willpower had a significant impact, comparable to a physical boost.
This would greatly aid in unlocking his full potential.
Before he knew it, it was already 10 p.m., and Nonō Yakushi arrived on time to remind Shūichi that it was time to rest.
Reluctantly, Shūichi ended his training for the day. He washed up, said goodnight to Nonō Yakushi and Asuka, and lay down on his bed.
But before falling asleep, he glanced at the new Tag that had just been triggered on the Tag Tree.
Tag: [Sensory Master]
Conditions to Obtain: Create at least 5 A-rank sensory ninjutsu or create 1 S-rank sensory ninjutsu.
Effect: Sensory talent increased by 100%, mental and will/spiritual power increased by 100%, thought process speed increased by 100%; aside from Kekkei Genkai sensory techniques, no sensory ninjutsu can challenge you anymore.
What kind of sensory ninjutsu should I develop next...?
As this thought crossed his mind, Shūichi gradually drifted into sleep.
...
The Next Day
After leaving two Shadow Clones to train in Lightning and Earth Release chakra transformations, Shūichi went to work at Konoha Hospital with Nonō and Asuka.
With the New Year over, life had returned to its usual routine.
Time passed quickly, and Shūichi's 9th birthday quietly came and went.
That day.
In the office of Konoha Hospital, Shūichi was resting with his eyes closed when a hurried sound of the door opening interrupted him.
"Shūichi, Kakashi has been brought to the hospital!" Shizune's voice was urgent.
"What?"
Shūichi's eyes snapped open as he sprang to his feet. He quickly made his way outside. "Let's go!"
They soon arrived at the operating room, where they found that Nonō and Asuka were already present.
And it wasn't just Kakashi who was injured—his team leader, the elite Jonin Sarutobi Akimoto, was also hurt.
"Shūichi, Kakashi's injuries aren't severe. First, help treat Jonin Sarutobi," Nonō Yakushi instructed.
Shūichi nodded and immediately went to assist.
Sarutobi Akimoto's injuries were severe; the knife wound to his abdomen was serious but not fatal.
His right arm was broken, but that wasn't fatal either.
The critical injury was the knife wound that had pierced his liver, compounded by chakra damage, specifically from Lightning Release, which was irreversible!
Nonō and Asuka, along with a medical team, were working hard to treat the liver injury, using the regeneration technique to heal it after removing damaged tissue.
The broken arm and abdominal knife wound were only treated with basic care.
Shūichi joined in, taking care of the broken arm and abdominal wounds.
Meanwhile, Kakashi was being attended to by three Chunin-level medical ninjas.
An hour later, Kakashi was the first to be wheeled out of the operating room.
Shūichi and the others continued their work for another two hours before finishing.
Thanks to Asuka's exceptional skill, the treatment of the liver injury was surprisingly effective and quick.
However, the broken arm couldn't be salvaged.
Such an injury couldn't be healed even with Asuka's techniques.
And Shūichi wouldn't easily let Asuka use such methods for treatment.
Unfortunately, while they had saved Sarutobi Akimoto's life, losing his right arm meant he would no longer be able to fight on the front lines.
...
After the treatment, Shūichi went to Kakashi's hospital room and found him awake, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Sitting down beside him, Shūichi said, "It seems you encountered a tricky enemy this time."
Kakashi's eyes flickered. "It was the Cloud Ninja, skilled in Lightning Release and swordsmanship... the guy named Bee, using seven swords."
Shūichi's gaze sharpened. "Bee... Cloud Ninja."
"That's Killer Bee, known for being the Jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails!"
Kakashi grimaced, pushing himself up. "You know him?"
Shūichi nodded. "I haven't met him, but I've heard about him from Minato-sensei."
That was the truth.
The A-B combo of the Cloud Ninja had gained a notorious reputation in the ninja world.
Moreover, Killer Bee's identity as a perfect Jinchuriki was no secret.
This was different from Konoha.
It was also related to Killer Bee being the first perfect Jinchuriki in the ninja world.
In terms of age, Killer Bee was probably about 5 years older than Shūichi and Kakashi, and about 5 years younger than Minato Namikaze.
Patting Kakashi on the shoulder, Shūichi offered some comfort. "It's impressive that you came back alive. The A-B combo—the candidate for the next Raikage and his right-hand man, the Raikage's guard."
Kakashi remained silent.
Two of his comrades had died, and his team leader was left with irreparable injuries.
Sarutobi Akimoto's fatal injury had occurred while saving Kakashi from Killer Bee.
"Kakashi, focus on developing your Lightning Release techniques!"
Shūichi urged, "I've started training in Lightning Release chakra transformation myself. Don't let me surpass you."
"As for Killer Bee, we'll take our revenge with Lightning Release next time!"
As for peace and mutual understanding... to hell with that!
Let's go to the Pure Land for mutual understanding!
Kakashi was discharged from the hospital after just two days.
As time passed, by mid-March, Konoha Ninja Academy entered its graduation season.
Sarutobi Asuma, Yūhi Kurenai, Uchiha Obito, Nohara Rin, and others all graduated early.
Having spent over a year in the tranquil environment of Konoha Hospital, Shūichi keenly sensed something unusual.
The ninja world seemed to be getting busier.
The day after Asuma and the others graduated, Shūichi brought a scroll to Minato Namikaze's house, only to find Kushina Uzumaki there alone.
Kushina welcomed Shūichi inside with a smile. "Minato's taking care of his new Genin team, but he should be back soon."
Shūichi pondered this.
Even though he had altered some things, the relentless wheel of fate still rolled on.
But some things were, indeed, different.
...
"Let's start by studying some sealing techniques!"
"I found a very interesting one," Kushina said, pulling out a scroll that seemed to have been left untouched for quite some time, interrupting Shūichi's thoughts.
As Shūichi carefully examined the scroll after it was opened, his eyes immediately narrowed.
This technique... Shiki Fūjin!
"Kushina-san, this technique... it's quite dangerous!" Shūichi remarked.
Kushina nodded, smiling. "Yes, it's indeed dangerous, just like the Four Symbols Seal."
"But it's also fascinating. It allows for the sealing of souls."
"I remember that Konoha has a secret technique that allows for the separation of the spirit from the body. Such jutsu are extremely rare in the ninja world and worth studying."
What she didn't mention was that her interest in this sealing technique stemmed from a desire to see if it could be used against the troublesome fox inside her.
Shūichi nodded in agreement with Kushina's words.
Indeed, while this was a self-sacrificial sealing technique, it held significant research value.
So, the two of them began studying the eerie Shiki Fūjin together.
Shūichi prepared lunch, and it wasn't until after 3 PM that Minato finally returned home, carrying a group photo.
When Shūichi took a look, sure enough, it was a picture of Kakashi, Uchiha Obito, and Nohara Rin.
Placing the photo frame next to the one of him, Minato, Shisui, and Sanyō, Shūichi asked, "Minato-sensei, it seems like the situation in the ninja world is becoming more unusual lately."
Minato nodded. "The major ninja villages have been more active. The village's manpower is starting to run thin."
Kushina was taken aback. "It's already reached that point?"
Minato explained, "It's not just the movements of the other villages. The increased number of missions is also a factor."
Shūichi understood. This likely had to do with the economic development, political exchanges, and even conflicts between the major countries.
Additionally, after the Second Great Ninja War, the world was likely at its peak recovery period.
While the ninja wars were mostly battles between shinobi, they still caused significant damage to the livelihoods of civilians.
Just look at the Land of Rain. It was devastated during the Second Great Ninja War and still hasn't fully recovered.
There are countless ninja organizations.
It's reminiscent of the armed groups from his previous life—how do those who don't produce anything sustain themselves?
And let's not assume the moral standards of ninjas are that high—not everyone is like Naruto.
Pillaging and looting are common occurrences.
Even Shūichi couldn't guarantee that Konoha's ninjas wouldn't rob civilians during wartime.
Such a situation inevitably disrupts societal production and stability.
The Land of Fire was fortunate not to have been invaded by outsiders, so it avoided significant destruction.
Leaving aside the Second Great Ninja War, even the recent conflicts between Konoha and Sunagakure in the Land of Rivers had their impact.
When both sides engaged in battle, the affected towns would surely be in a state of panic, with rising prices and declining commercial activity.
This doesn't even account for the direct impact on civilians and the destruction of towns by the fighting.
...
After a brief explanation, Minato Namikaze turned to Shūichi and said, "Shūichi, your days at Konoha Hospital might be coming to an end."
Shūichi nodded. "I understand."
He had already anticipated this.
Given the strength he had demonstrated and his talent in ninjutsu, how could Hiruzen Sarutobi possibly let him remain as a simple medical ninja hidden away in Konoha Hospital? If he were the Third Hokage, he'd also push him to the limit.
Minato then revealed, "The Third Hokage mentioned that you might be assigned to undergo special training in the Root division before eventually joining the Hokage's Anbu."
At the mention of Root, Kushina Uzumaki immediately frowned. "The guys in Root, especially Danzo, are quite troublesome."
"Besides, I heard from Lady Tsunade that you had a conflict with Danzo before."
Minato quickly reassured her with a smile, "It's been common practice for Anbu members to receive training in Root for a long time, so there's no need to worry."
"And since it's personally arranged by the Third Hokage, there won't be any issues."
He then looked at Shūichi. "Of course, Shūichi, you'll still need to stay vigilant when you're there."
Shūichi smiled confidently. "Minato-sensei, Kushina-san, don't worry. I can handle it."
If he dared to lodge a complaint before, now he wouldn't hesitate to fight back directly!
After discussing this matter, Shūichi quickly brought out the scrolls he had with him.
First was the sensory ninjutsu scroll Minato had given him earlier, which he returned.
The second was a scroll that Shūichi had copied himself, containing his modifications to the technique and the hand seals, as well as his insights from his training process.
When Minato saw the scroll, he smiled. "It seems you've completed the training for this technique, and in just a year—impressive!"
But as soon as he opened the scroll containing Shūichi's training insights, his expression became serious.
Kushina, curious, came over to take a look and exclaimed, "Shūichi, you've modified the technique and Minato's hand seals?"
Shūichi humbly replied, "Just some minor adjustments."
But Minato sincerely praised him, "This isn't just a minor adjustment—it's an improvement."
"Shūichi, your understanding of this technique has surpassed mine and even that of the Second Hokage."
Kushina gave him a thumbs up. "Impressive!"
Shūichi smiled, "I only achieved this by standing on the shoulders of the Second Hokage and you, Minato-sensei."
Looking at the name of the technique on the scroll, Minato smiled. "The Earthen Listening Technique—the name is unique and fitting."
He thought for a moment and then asked, "Shūichi, do you plan to submit this to the village?"
Shūichi nodded. "Minato-sensei, I've been studying time-space ninjutsu recently, so I'd like to exchange this with the village for some time-space ninjutsu."
Kushina smiled upon hearing this. "Seems like you're aiming to learn the Flying Thunder God technique in the future."
Shūichi didn't hold back. "The Flying Thunder God is extremely difficult, so I want to prepare by learning the fundamentals now."
Minato readily agreed, "That's no problem. The Third Hokage won't refuse."
"As for time-space ninjutsu, I recall that the Second Hokage developed a technique called Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, which also involves time-space elements and offers further applications in summoning."
Shūichi immediately decided, "Minato-sensei, I'll go with that one!"
The difficulty of acquiring the "Time-Space Envoy" tag was higher than expected because the Reverse Summoning Technique wasn't recognized, as it was deemed too similar to the standard Summoning Technique.
Instead, the Summoning Seal, which combined the Summoning Technique with spatial sealing, was acknowledged by the tag system.
...
After deciding on the jutsu to exchange, Shūichi handed Minato Namikaze one last scroll with a smile and said, "Minato-sensei, this one is a gift for you."
"For me?" Minato took the scroll, curious.
Kushina Uzumaki asked, "Is it a jutsu?"
Minato had a sudden thought and said in surprise, "Shūichi, could this be an advanced form of the Rasengan?"
Shūichi grinned, keeping up the suspense. "You'll know once you open it, Sensei."
Minato and Kushina opened the scroll together, and the first thing they saw was the name of the jutsu.
"As expected…" Minato marveled, "You never cease to amaze me, Shūichi!"
"Wind Release: Rasenshuriken…"
Kushina remarked, "It's shaped like a shuriken? Can this jutsu be thrown like one?"
Shūichi gave her a thumbs-up: "Worthy of being the woman who can become Hokage in the future!"
Kushina beamed with pride, not even realizing that Shūichi had said 'woman' instead of 'kunoichi.'
Minato had fully unrolled the scroll and was reading it, awe-struck. "This is a brilliant concept!"
"You've taken the Wind Release nature transformation and the shape transformation to their limits—this is a true S-rank Wind Release jutsu!"
Kushina commented, "Shūichi, this is the second S-rank jutsu you've developed, isn't it?"
Shūichi held up three fingers. "To be precise, it's the third."
"Incredible!" Kushina turned to Minato. "Minato, has anyone in Konoha's history ever achieved what Shūichi has at his age?"
"Shūichi just turned nine!"
Minato replied seriously, "Indeed, no one has."
"Even the Second Hokage, who developed numerous jutsu and forbidden techniques, hadn't achieved this much at Shūichi's age."
"Shūichi, after the Third Hokage, you might also be called the Ninjutsu Professor!"
Shūichi shook his head modestly. "The Third Hokage mastered all five elemental jutsu. I've only mastered Fire Release and Wind Release so far."
Just as he said this, he felt a reaction from the tag system within his mind.
Kushina, not noticing, encouraged him, "That's already an amazing achievement. You've got decades ahead of you—you'll definitely surpass the Third Hokage!"
She then put her hands on her hips, laughing boldly. "I'll be the future Fourth Hokage, and Shūichi, you'll be the Fifth!"
Shūichi nodded repeatedly, thinking it was a pretty good idea.
…
On his way back from Minato's home, Shūichi immediately checked the newly appeared tag on his system's tree.
"As I thought," Shūichi smiled to himself.
Tag: Ninjutsu Professor
Condition to Obtain: Collect all five elemental mastery tags (Wind Release, Fire Release, Lightning Release, Earth Release, Water Release).
Effect: Increases ninjutsu talent by 100%, chakra nature transformation talent by 100%, chakra shape transformation talent by 100%, and physical constitution by 100%. What ninjutsu, other than Kekkei Genkai, could possibly challenge you? None!
Hiruzen Sarutobi was known as the The Ninjutsu Professor, and rightly so. Besides the five elemental jutsu, he was also proficient in genjutsu and sealing techniques.
He had developed many jutsu, such as the Telescope Technique, which could be considered a sensory jutsu, and the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, which was incredibly efficient with ninja tools.
However, the system's Ninjutsu Professor Tag was even more astonishing.
With this Tag, even the most challenging space-time ninjutsu would no longer be a problem.
But the difficulty of obtaining this Tag was no small feat. Currently, Shūichi had only unlocked Wind Release Master and Fire Release Master.
"There's no room for complacency!" Shūichi sighed inwardly but felt more determined than ever.
Surviving the Third Great Ninja War and taking down Danzo—these were goals that required substantial strength!
And these were just his short-term goals.
With these thoughts, Shūichi quickened his pace.
…
The next day, Shūichi received the scroll for the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags technique from Minato.
As for the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, Minato didn't ask whether it should be submitted to the village, as this jutsu was entirely original, unlike the Earthen Listening Technique.
Of course, Shūichi could use the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken to exchange for jutsu from the village, but there was no need for that just yet.
Moreover, some things had to be kept as a trump card.
The S-rank difficulty was high, but the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken Shūichi had developed was not the incomplete version that Naruto created but a complete version with a clear path for gradual mastery.
Shūichi didn't believe that, besides himself and Minato, no one else in Konoha could master this technique.
It's understandable if the Third Hokage couldn't, but if Danzo, that old fox proficient in Wind Release, mastered this jutsu, wouldn't it be laughable to fight him later?
Konoha, Year 42, April 15th.
As Minato had mentioned, on this day, just as Shūichi arrived at Konoha Hospital with Nonō Yakushi and Asuka, an ANBU operative appeared right behind them.
"Shūichi-kun, the Third Hokage summons you!"
The ANBU operative was surprisingly polite.
After nodding to Nonō and Asuka, Shūichi followed the ANBU to the Hokage Building. He then knocked and entered the Hokage's office alone.
"Third Hokage-sama!"
Shūichi bowed in respect.
"Oh, Shūichi, you're here…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was working behind his desk, looked up with a smile and said, "Given your outstanding performance in previous missions and your contributions at Konoha Hospital, the Konoha Medical Corps has jointly recommended that, as of today, you are promoted to Special Jōnin."
Shūichi bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi mused, "You are the youngest Special Jōnin in Konoha's history. Your teacher, Minato Namikaze, has likely informed you about the recent developments in the ninja world. The village needs you to make even more contributions."
Shūichi looked up, his gaze resolute. "I am ready to dedicate myself to the village. Please give the order, Hokage-sama!"
"For the protection of the village and the fulfillment of the Will of Fire, I am prepared to sacrifice myself if necessary."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled warmly, his expression full of kindness. "It's not yet time for you to make such sacrifices. You are still a young sprout in Konoha, and you need to grow."
"Soon, someone will take you to the Root for three months of training. Afterward, you will join the Hokage's personal ANBU."
Shūichi immediately showed excitement. "Yes, Hokage-sama!"
"Thank you for your guidance, Hokage-sama!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with a smile. "You may go."
After bowing once more, Shūichi exited the office, only to find an ANBU operative wearing a fox mask waiting for him.
"Shūichi, let's go. I'll take you to the Root!"
The ANBU operative spoke with a gentle and familiar voice.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke!
Recognizing him, Shūichi quickly nodded. "Yes, thank you, senpai!"
Although he recognized him, there was no need to name him. Both understood.
Following Shinnosuke, Shūichi arrived at the Root's headquarters.
The place was hidden deep underground, filled with an atmosphere of mystery and eeriness.
After handing a dossier to a Root member responsible for the handover, Shinnosuke turned to Shūichi. "Shūichi, this is where I leave you."
Shūichi bowed in gratitude. "Thank you, senpai!"
Shinnosuke smiled beneath his mask before disappearing.
"Shūichi Hoshita, follow me."
The Root ninja spoke, then turned and began walking across a dimly lit bridge. Shūichi immediately followed.
The lighting was dim, and the tunnels branched in all directions.
The Root's headquarters was vast, like an underground world filled with many rooms. Some areas were even sealed with jutsu.
"We've arrived. Wait here for a moment."
The Root ninja brought Shūichi to an unremarkable room, gave a brief instruction, and left.
Shūichi looked around the room but found nothing special. He then sat down on a stone chair and waited quietly.
About half an hour later, footsteps echoed from outside.
Shūichi looked up towards the door, where a figure in a green vest soon appeared.
It was him!
Shūichi's expression showed surprise.
The newcomer looked at Shūichi with a mysterious smile. "It seems my arrival has surprised you."
Shūichi quickly stood up and bowed. "Orochimaru-sama!"
Orochimaru stood at the doorway, his snake-like vertical pupils fixed on Shūichi, smiling as he said, "The Third has entrusted you to me, and I've heard quite a bit about you."
"Tsunade says you're a rare talent in medical ninjutsu."
"Jiraiya says your aptitude in ninjutsu rivals Minato's."
"Let's hope you don't disappoint me, Shūichi-kun!"
Shūichi smiled. "I've already experienced the skills of two of the Sannin."
"Lady Tsunade's medical techniques are unparalleled. Although I haven't seen Jiraiya-sama's abilities firsthand, anyone who can teach a student like Minato-sensei surely lives up to his reputation."
"Since you are also one of the Sannin, I doubt you would disappoint the Third Hokage either, Orochimaru-sama."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, but his smile deepened. "Interesting. It's been a while since anyone has spoken to me like that."
"Well then, follow me."
With that, Orochimaru turned and began to walk away, and Shūichi immediately followed.
The two left the Root headquarters and entered a nearby forest.
Soon, a training ground came into view, and there, Shūichi spotted a familiar figure.
Danzo!
Standing on a tree branch, Orochimaru smiled. "According to the records, besides medical ninjutsu, you're also proficient in Fire Release."
"Your first task in the Root's training: eliminate the target in front of you."
"Show me your strength and determination."
Take down Danzo?
Gladly!
But is this the real Danzo?
A shadow clone, perhaps?
What's Orochimaru's intent? Or the Third Hokage's?
Or maybe Danzo's?
Who cares!
I'll figure it out after taking him down!
Boom!
The branch beneath Shūichi's feet exploded as he shot out of the forest like an arrow, heading straight for Danzo, who had his back turned.
Orochimaru, on another branch, glanced at the branch split in two. "A Fire Body Flicker Technique?"
As he turned back towards the training ground, the battle had already begun.
Danzo had turned around, firing multiple Vacuum Bullets like projectiles, carving through the air in straight lines, all aimed at Shūichi, who was speeding towards him like a swordfish.
At such high speed, and with such a dense barrage of attacks, dodging seemed impossible.
But under Orochimaru's expectant gaze, explosions rang out, and shockwaves rippled through the air as Shūichi's figure suddenly shot upwards, effortlessly evading Danzo's assault. He then opened his mouth, unleashing a barrage of fireballs.
Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!
Danzo's figure flickered as the ground below erupted in a series of charred craters.
As Danzo dodged, he completed a series of hand signs. With a sharp inhale and exhale, blade-like currents of air rushed toward Shūichi, who was still in midair.
Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!
Shūichi, descending from above, didn't use his Fiery Lotus Steps technique to evade this time.
Instead, he drew the Totsuka Blade, which became enveloped in blue flames. The blade then expanded into a massive blue sword.
Blue Flame Waterfall Blade!
The giant sword slashed downward, effortlessly tearing through the vacuum blades, scattering them like dry leaves. The resulting hot wind swept outward.
At that moment, both Orochimaru and Danzo looked surprised.
Boom!
The sword cleaved the ground, raising a cloud of dust and debris.
But Danzo swiftly burst through the smoke, retreating unscathed. However, the next moment, Shūichi launched a surprise attack from above, his Totsuka Blade cutting through Danzo's kunai with ease.
Danzo quickly stepped back, withdrawing a new kunai and coating it with a sharp layer of Wind Release chakra as he blew across it.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of metal clashing echoed as the two figures moved rapidly across the training ground, leaving afterimages in their wake. Their weapons clashed repeatedly, sparks flying.
"Ninjutsu, swordsmanship, body flicker technique, reaction speed—this is all at the level of a Jonin," Orochimaru silently evaluated. "Truly impressive!"
Suddenly, he saw a flash of blue light and witnessed Danzo's Wind Release-enhanced kunai being sliced in half, followed by Danzo's body being split in two.
"Fire Release overpowering Wind Release…"
Orochimaru was taken aback.
However, in the training ground, the bisected Danzo suddenly vanished in a puff of smoke.
"A shadow clone, as expected," Shūichi muttered to himself, letting out a cold snort before sheathing his sword with an expressionless face.
The next moment, Orochimaru appeared beside him, smiling. "It seems you haven't disappointed me. Your Fire Release is the strongest I've ever seen, bar none!"
At this moment, Danzo emerged from the forest opposite them and spoke, "Shūichi, your talents shouldn't be limited to just this."
"The fact that Hiruzen didn't fully develop your potential proves it."
Testing a newcomer, especially one only nine years old, was unprecedented for Danzo. But Shūichi's achievements, including his further development of the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju's sensory ninjutsu, led him to this decision.
And it turned out he wasn't wrong.
Such a sharp blade, yet Hiruzen, who was growing increasingly soft, had relegated him to the Konoha Hospital—a complete waste of potential.
If it were up to him, in five years, Shūichi could become a weapon as sharp as the White Fang of Konoha.
Staring at Shūichi, Danzo seemed to forget their earlier conflict, his tone both forceful and persuasive. "Shūichi, join me!"
"I'm the one best suited to guide you!"
"Hiruzen cannot train your talents, but I can teach you the Fire Release Swordsmanship of the Uchiha clan."
"And not just Fire Release—you've probably already learned Wind Release from Minato, haven't you?"
"I can teach you everything about Wind Release. In Konoha, no one surpasses me in that field."
As he spoke, Danzo extended his right hand toward Shūichi.
Though disgusted inside, Shūichi kept his face neutral. "While it might sound arrogant, I have to say that even the Uchiha's Fire Release Swordsmanship cannot surpass mine."
"I've already forged my own path, and I no longer need the Uchiha clan's techniques."
"As for Wind Release, with Minato-sensei's guidance, I don't think I'll have any issues mastering what Konoha has to offer."
"Everything in this world has a price, so what exactly are you offering, Danzo-sama, to make me betray the Third Hokage?"
Danzo was displeased but replied in a deep voice, "Whatever you desire, I can provide."
"I can even support you in becoming the Fifth Hokage one day!"
Orochimaru as the Fourth Hokage, and me as the Fifth?
Shūichi seriously considered it, but it didn't seem as reliable as having Minato-sensei as the Fourth Hokage and himself as the Fifth.
Besides, it was all just empty promises!
Shūichi shook his head. "The position of Hokage is too far off for me, and I'm not interested in it."
Orochimaru, who had been observing Shūichi closely, couldn't help but laugh. "In that case, Shūichi-kun, why not make a specific request? I believe Danzo-sama would be more than willing to fulfill it!"
For now, at least, his cooperation with Danzo had been quite smooth, and Danzo had been very accommodating, saving him a lot of trouble.
So, he didn't mind saying one more thing.
Shūichi glanced at Orochimaru and said, "Since Orochimaru-sama has spoken, I won't hold back."
"Lord Danzo, if I need to, can I study any jutsu from the Scroll of Seals?"
Orochimaru's eyes flickered with interest, and his smile grew wider.
Danzo responded in a deep voice, "No problem!"
"I told you, I would spare no effort in improving your talents, and that includes more than just jutsu."
Shūichi immediately beamed with a bright smile. "Excellent!"
"Then, here's to a successful partnership!"
A double agent, huh? That's something he was very familiar with!
Last year, when the Daimyō of the Land of Fire summoned him under the pretext of needing a medical ninja, he had offered quite a bit of advice to the Daimyō.
For instance, he suggested that the Daimyō select suitable children from among the various noble families and even from the ranks of samurai under his command, to send them to Konoha to learn ninjutsu, or to bring in instructors to teach them.
The Daimyō had also recruited quite a few wandering ninja, so training children was a worthwhile investment.
Additionally, Shūichi advised the Daimyō to win over Danzo as a way to counterbalance Hiruzen Sarutobi.
In front of Hiruzen, Shūichi had made no effort to hide his efforts to set traps for Danzo.
Now, after reaching a preliminary agreement with Danzo, Shūichi smiled again and said, "Danzo-sama, my suggestion is that after I complete my training in Root, you should let me return to the Anbu."
"Right now, I have the trust of the Third Hokage. In the Anbu, I can better serve you, Danzo-sama."
"Of course, I would also have to report your intelligence to the Third Hokage."
Danzo listened and inwardly scoffed. He immediately recognized Shūichi's attempt to play both sides, but he also did want Shūichi to return to the Anbu.
Shūichi was a sharp blade, one that still needed some sharpening to be more effectively wielded without cutting the wrong person.
So, Danzo nodded. "That aligns with my thoughts as well."
"When the time comes, I will cooperate with you and have the necessary intelligence prepared."
"And there will be someone specifically assigned to handle the transmission of information."
Shūichi nodded and smiled. "Danzo-sama, your consideration is most thorough."
"If it had always been this way, I imagine I would have already secured quite a few benefits for you."
Danzo's eye twitched slightly, and he responded coolly, "If you need any jutsu, you'd better request them in advance."
Shūichi immediately started listing his demands: "Lightning Release jutsu, at least five, C-rank or higher."
"Water Release jutsu, at least five, C-rank or higher."
"Earth Release jutsu, at least five, C-rank or higher."
"And genjutsu, at least five, C-rank or higher."
Danzo's eyelids twitched furiously.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru found Shūichi increasingly amusing.
Danzo frowned. "You should be focusing on mastering one area."
Shūichi shrugged. "Danzo-sama, I have no interest in the position of Hokage, nor in power struggles. My only interests are jutsu and women."
"The reason my Fire Release has reached its current level is because I've devoted myself to its study."
"But as you know, I'm still young and full of energy."
Danzo's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. "I'll have the jutsu handed over to Orochimaru tomorrow."
With that, his figure vanished from the spot.
After Danzo left, Orochimaru looked at Shūichi with a meaningful smile and said, "Shūichi-kun, you truly haven't disappointed me."
"However, being a double agent isn't an easy role to play."
Shūichi replied, "Who in this world could possibly understand Danzo better than the Third Hokage?"
Orochimaru paused for a moment before nodding in agreement.
Shūichi then turned to Orochimaru, speaking with a deeper implication, "As long as I prioritize the Third Hokage and the village's interests above all else, no one will doubt my loyalty."
Orochimaru, of course, understood the underlying message in Shūichi's words and chuckled lightly. "In terms of connections, my relationship with the Third Hokage runs deeper than yours, Shūichi-kun."
He had already begun treating Shūichi as an equal, with no hint of condescension. In the ninja world, strength is always the best way to earn respect.
As he turned to walk away, Orochimaru continued, "Shūichi-kun, is it your ambition to master all types of ninjutsu?"
Shūichi followed a step behind him, replying, "If possible."
"However, a human's life is ultimately limited. From ancient times to the present, countless jutsu and secret techniques have emerged. Trying to master them all in one lifetime might be impossible."
Orochimaru nodded in agreement. "Indeed."
But then he shifted the conversation, his tone becoming more seductive, "However, Shūichi-kun, your perspective is still too narrow. There are beings in this world with extraordinarily long lifespans."
Shūichi feigned ignorance, asking, "Is Orochimaru-sama referring to those with special constitutions?"
"I've heard that the Uzumaki Clan has incredibly long lifespans."
Orochimaru glanced back at Shūichi and smiled. "No, even the Uzumaki Clan are still just mortals."
Shūichi nodded thoughtfully, "That's true."
"As long as one is human, there's no escaping the limitations of cellular division."
"This is why, in medical ninjutsu, techniques that accelerate cell division come at the cost of one's life."
"I've also studied many other animals; no flesh-and-blood being can escape this shackle."
Of course, there's a difference between cell division and cell regeneration or metabolism.
For example, Tsunade uses chakra to maintain her appearance in her thirties, and it's not just for beauty.
More importantly, she uses chakra to keep her cells vital, delaying their aging process and extending the cycle of cell renewal, thereby reducing the number of times cells need to divide, which in turn prolongs her lifespan.
But this clearly can't grant immortality. Forget about becoming like Kaguya Ōtsutsuki or Black Zetsu; even living for 500 years seems impossible.
After all, chakra ultimately comes from both the body and spirit. Organ aging is irreversible; its consumption may be small but is ever-present.
"Sage Arts…"
Shūichi's thoughts wandered to Sage Mode, then to Kabuto's state after mastering it.
He also thought of Jūgo.
Both of these individuals could save others through cellular transference, and both had saved Uchiha Sasuke.
"In the ninja world, it seems that the only viable paths to immortality currently lie in the God Tree and Sage Arts…"
To be honest, this was the first time Shūichi had ever seriously considered the question of immortality.
After all, he was still so young.
He had previously been focused solely on how to keep himself alive.
Orochimaru's gaze swept over Shūichi's thoughtful expression, noticing the glint in his eyes—a look he was all too familiar with.
"It seems Shūichi-kun has gained quite a bit; Tsunade must have taught you well," Orochimaru remarked with a smile.
Shūichi modestly replied, "It's nothing significant, just a small idea to slow down cellular aging and extend the cycle of cell division."
Orochimaru's interest was piqued. "Oh? May I hear about it?"
"Of course, I'll offer something of equal value in return."
This was exactly what Shūichi was hoping for, so he smiled immediately. "That's not a problem at all. It's nothing extraordinary or secret."
With that, Shūichi began to explain his idea in detail.
Orochimaru listened intently, even offering suggestions on certain details. Though this wasn't the high-level information he was after, there were elements that might prove useful.
Indeed, within Shūichi's concept, there were many aspects worth absorbing.
After hearing everything, Orochimaru smiled. "It's certainly a very interesting idea, quite innovative."
"Shūichi-kun, you truly live up to the praise Tsunade and Jiraiya have given you as a genius."
The compliment made Shūichi feel a bit embarrassed.
However, his thick skin prevented him from blushing. Just as he was about to speak, Orochimaru stopped in his tracks. "We're here."
Shūichi looked ahead and saw an entrance.
Was Orochimaru bringing him to a lab?
Shūichi glanced around. "Orochimaru-sama, is this a secret base of the Root?"
Orochimaru chuckled. "No, this is where I conduct my research."
With that, he led Shūichi through the entrance into a long passageway.
Shūichi could sense that the passage sloped downward. After about twenty meters, it branched off into multiple corridors, each leading to various rooms.
Entering one of the rooms, Shūichi was amazed by what he saw.
Shelves lined the walls, filled with glass jars of various sizes, containing all sorts of strange things—eyes, body parts that could be human or from other animals, and more.
Of course, what Shūichi noticed most were the numerous samples of different types of snakes, particularly white ones.
"Is this the beginning of your research into the soft body modification and the Eight-Headed Serpent Technique?" Shūichi thought to himself.
At that moment, Orochimaru approached one of the glass jars and said, "Now, let me show you what I've been working on."
Shūichi stepped forward, his eyes falling on the contents of the jar, and he was slightly taken aback. "A... horn?"
Orochimaru smiled mysteriously. "This isn't just any ordinary horn!"
Shūichi feigned ignorance. "Is it the horn of some powerful summoning beast?"
"Eight-Tails!" Orochimaru revealed. "You've heard of it, right? The Eight-Tails jinchūriki of the Cloud Village, Killer Bee."
Shūichi feigned surprise, then nodded. "Yes, Minato-sensei did mention it once. He said the Eight-Tails is a terrifying creature with an enormous amount of chakra, which is why it's sealed within a human and used as a powerful weapon."
This was indeed something Minato had once explained to him.
In this era, it's not uncommon to see jinchūriki on the battlefield, especially from the Hidden Cloud and Hidden Stone villages.
In fact, even Uzumaki Kushina has been released from the restrictions preventing her from leaving the village, and she occasionally takes on missions. Of course, she's usually well-protected during these missions.
However, Minato Namikaze didn't go into great detail about jinchūriki in his explanations.
Perhaps when it comes to understanding jinchūriki or the Tailed Beasts, Shūichi Hoshita knows more than Minato does!
Orochimaru smiled and said, "Minato wasn't wrong."
"Tailed Beasts not only possess immense chakra, but they also have unparalleled longevity. It's said that they've existed since the time of the Sage of Six Paths and that each time a jinchūriki dies, the Tailed Beast can be reborn."
Shūichi appropriately displayed a look of shock, his eyes fixed on the small horn inside the glass jar. "The era of the Sage of Six Paths is incredibly ancient, isn't it?"
"Can they really survive until now, continually resurrecting?"
"Orochimaru-sama, how did you obtain this?"
"Minato-sensei mentioned that Tailed Beasts have the power to destroy entire cities."
With a hint of pride, Orochimaru smiled. "Jinchūriki, or rather, Tailed Beasts, are indeed difficult to deal with, but there are ways to extract some of their cells."
Shūichi was astonished. "Is this something you made using cells from the Eight-Tails, Orochimaru-sama?"
"Incredible technology—Tsunade-sama might not even compare to you in this field."
Orochimaru nodded. "Our paths are different."
"Unfortunately, the power of the Tailed Beasts is too wild and unstable, making it unsuitable for human transplantation at this time."
He spoke with genuine regret.
Even so, he intended to continue researching this piece of the Eight-Tails' horn.
Though the power of the Tailed Beasts is indeed uncontrollable, it holds great potential. With this, many previously difficult experiments could be conducted.
Turning to Shūichi, Orochimaru smiled and said, "Shūichi-kun, you have remarkable ideas and are well-suited for research. How about joining me in exploring how to make the human body immortal?"
"I believe this would be an incredibly significant endeavor."
"With such technology, even previously incurable injuries could become manageable."
Orochimaru's voice was filled with temptation, and there was an underlying message directed at Shūichi.
Shūichi withdrew his gaze from the Eight-Tails' horn and smiled wryly. "Orochimaru-sama, I would be happy to."
"But as you know, I've become a double agent, so the situation here might..."
Orochimaru chuckled lightly. "Feel free to report everything here to the Third Hokage. There's nothing here that needs to be hidden."
Hearing this, Shūichi immediately bowed and said, "In that case, I look forward to your guidance, Orochimaru-sama!"
Orochimaru nodded with a smile, then turned to leave. "Come, take a look at this research of mine. Consider it a return favor for the knowledge you shared earlier!"
...
By the time Shūichi left Orochimaru's lab, night had already fallen. As he walked toward the Hokage's office, he pondered to himself, "Did Orochimaru recruit me for experiments purely because of my abilities?"
"Or is it for the Nine-Tails?"
The fact that the Nine-Tails is sealed within a jinchūriki is a secret to many Konoha shinobi, but Orochimaru is not among them.
"Surely the Third Hokage is aware of this little scheme?"
Shūichi mused, "It seems Orochimaru is playing an open game."
"He's trying to subtly pull me deeper into this path of research, and then..."
"What a well-thought-out plan."
"But Orochimaru does have a lot that I can learn from. When it comes to the study of the human body, cells, and cloning, Tsunade can't hold a candle to him."
With that in mind, Shūichi focused on the tags in his mind.
A new tag had been triggered!
Tag: [Medical Master]
Condition to Obtain: Assist Orochimaru in completing genetic modification techniques.
Effect: Medical Ninjutsu talent increases by 100%, Chakra control improves by 100%, and body compatibility enhances by 100%. Besides Bloodline Limits, is there any medical technique that could still challenge you? None!
It's actually [Medical Master]!
Shūichi was a little surprised.
"Genetic modification... This refers to Orochimaru's soft tissue modification on himself, even turning himself into the White Snake."
"Moreover, this also ties into the transplantation of Hashirama's cells."
Shūichi mused to himself, "Orochimaru may appreciate me, but he wouldn't involve me in something as significant as Hashirama cell research unless I completely defect to him."
"What I saw today, the biggest secret should be the horn of the Eight-Tails; everything else seemed quite normal."
Now, looking at the effects.
A 100% increase in body compatibility?
Shūichi's heart pounded a few times.
Does this mean a change in physique, enabling the body to better accommodate other powerful genes or Bloodline Limits?
For example, transplanting the Sharingan without the fear of it failing to close?
Or Hashirama cells without the risk of backlash?
Is this pushing me towards the path of collecting powerful bloodlines?
Shūichi had never considered the path of transplanting Hashirama cells or the Sharingan. With the Tag Tree, accumulating various tags and continuously improving, the future might not be inferior to Hashirama cells, the Mangekyō Sharingan, or even the Rinnegan.
Besides, the transplantation of Hashirama cells or obtaining the Rinnegan has its own set of challenges.
"But body compatibility might not just be about transplantation... I'll have to wait until I acquire this Tag to see."
Shūichi stopped walking. He was now in front of the Hokage's building.
Gathering his thoughts, Shūichi stepped into the Hokage's building. After being announced, he entered the Hokage's office to report to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Danzo's test, Danzo's attempts to recruit him, obtaining ninjutsu, being a double agent, Orochimaru's experimental base, and the horn of the Eight-Tails.
Shūichi laid everything out like pouring beans.
Regarding Danzo's actions, Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't surprised at all. He also didn't mind Shūichi seizing the opportunity to gain benefits—he had done it once before and had grown accustomed to it.
However, Shūichi's request reminded him of Orochimaru, especially Orochimaru's little schemes, which Hiruzen Sarutobi saw through in an instant.
Dangerous!
So, after Shūichi finished his report, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "You've handled things well with Danzo, but Shūichi, you must be careful not to lose yourself in the pursuit of power."
"Ninjutsu is a means for us to survive and protect the village and our loved ones, not something that should drive us."
Upon hearing this, Shūichi immediately smiled and replied, "You're absolutely right, Hokage-sama. However, the reason I seek these ninjutsu is to accumulate knowledge and ultimately carve out my own path."
"Just like the Second Hokage, who developed the most suitable ninjutsu for himself, creating a system."
"That's why, after studying five Fire Release and Wind Release techniques, I felt I had accumulated enough and began developing my own ninjutsu."
"As for Medical Ninjutsu, it involves even more complex subjects, so it requires more accumulation."
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi was relieved. He feared that Shūichi might follow the same path as Orochimaru and be led astray by him.
"In that case, I'm relieved."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and said, "Let's leave it at that. Someone will provide you with the intelligence you need on Danzo's side."
"As for Orochimaru, just keep an eye on whether he conducts any experiments that violate the rules of the ninja world."
Shūichi immediately bowed and accepted the orders, "Understood, Hokage-sama!"
...
April 16th, Konoha Year 42.
While Kakashi was being retrained, completing D-rank missions with Uchiha Obito and Nohara Rin, Shūichi officially began his training with the Root division.
Wearing a cat-faced mask and a black hooded robe.
The so-called special training didn't involve teaching ninjutsu, taijutsu, or swordsmanship. Instead, it focused on a distinct approach to tasks, different from that of ordinary ninjas.
For example, when missions are assigned, there is no refusal or choice; they must be completed, even if it means assassinating a daimyo or even the Hokage.
Additionally, Root missions differ significantly from those of regular ninjas.
Staging coups in small nations, gathering intelligence, assassinating political figures, infiltrating other countries and ninja villages for intelligence, counter-espionage, hunting down rogue ninjas... and so on.
Shūichi's first mission was to intercept and kill a spy.
The mission details were shockingly simple: a photograph, a location where a caravan was stationed, and the objective to eliminate the spy who would leave with the caravan after it departed from Konoha, and then return the body using a sealing scroll.
This mission was to be carried out by Shūichi alone.
However, having already mastered the Listening Technique, he easily detected another Root ninja tailing him.
Shūichi didn't mind this and quietly waited for the caravan to leave Konoha, then followed.
After leaving Konoha Village and two hours later, Shūichi finally formed seals, and with a Gale Palm, whipped up a storm of wind and dust, then used the chaos to slip into the caravan, easily slitting the target's throat. He swiftly took the body and, after distancing himself from the caravan, sealed it in a scroll.
"This kind of mission really isn't for humans..."
Shūichi frowned internally, disliking the lack of intelligence available for these kinds of operations.
Or rather, his deep mistrust of Root made him skeptical of their intelligence.
After tidying up, he ignored the observer who had been tailing him and returned to Root to submit his mission.
Upon leaving the Root headquarters, Shūichi saw Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru-sama!"
Shūichi stepped forward and bowed in greeting.
Orochimaru nodded slightly, then handed him a scroll. "This is the ninjutsu you need. From today on, you'll have one mission every three days. In your spare time, come to the experimental base."
Taking the scroll, Shūichi readily agreed.
Orochimaru then smiled and added, "Don't worry, there's a training area at the experimental base too. If you need anything, just ask me."
So considerate!
Shūichi quickly bowed and thanked him, "Thank you, Orochimaru-sama!"
They immediately went to the experimental base from the previous day.
Orochimaru led Shūichi to a room filled with research documents and said, "These are the current project's documents. Go through them first."
"If your chakra is sufficient, use a Shadow Clone to help read them."
Shūichi nodded and immediately created a Shadow Clone to start reading the project's documents.
For him, with his photographic memory, it didn't matter whether it was his original body or a clone—they both retained the knowledge.
Leaving the clone behind, Shūichi followed Orochimaru to the laboratory, where he began familiarizing himself with various tools, instruments, and chemicals, assisting Orochimaru as needed.
The work lasted until evening.
Politely declining Orochimaru's offer to dine at the experimental base, Shūichi hurried back home.
"Shūichi, you're finally back!"
It was Asuka who opened the door. She was delighted to see Shūichi, "I thought you wouldn't be coming back because of your mission!"
Since Nonō had worked in Root before, she was very familiar with Root and even the Anbu's situation. It was common to have no rest day or night.
"If I have time, of course, I'll come back. This is home, after all."
Shūichi smiled, "Besides, how could the food outside compare to what you and the director make, Asuka?"
Asuka immediately beamed with joy and said, "Then how about I prepare lunch for you tomorrow?"
"You can use a sealing scroll to carry it."
Shūichi nodded, "That would be great!"
He then noticed that Nonō wasn't home, so he asked, "Has the director not returned?"
Asuka, busy setting the table, laughed, "Nonō is on duty tonight. I'll be bringing her dinner to the Konoha Hospital in a bit."
Shūichi felt a slight disappointment but washed up and sat down with Asuka to have dinner.
"Asuka, have you made any progress with sensory ninjutsu?"
Shūichi asked while eating.
He had taught Asuka the Listening Technique, not necessarily expecting her to master it, but hoping it might stimulate her to awaken the secret technique Mind's Eye of the Kagura.
Asuka looked a bit downcast at the question, "No progress yet."
Shūichi quickly reassured her, "That's alright, not every member of the Uzumaki clan can awaken that ability."
Even Uzumaki Kushina didn't have Mind's Eye of the Kagura.
Moreover, if Asuka had been able to awaken it in the original story, perhaps she wouldn't have met such a tragic fate.
Listening to Shūichi's comforting words, Asuka shook off her disappointment and smiled, "Don't worry, Shūichi, I'll keep working hard!"
Even though she had come to consider this place her home, having been uprooted and tossed around since childhood, she had a deep-seated desire to be needed.
Moreover, facing Shūichi—the person who had saved her from Kusagakure and given her a life she could hardly have imagined in the past—she didn't want to disappoint him. Even though he was younger than her, he was someone much more mature and reliable.
Seeing Asuka's determination, Shūichi smiled and said, "Then let's work hard together!"
"Later tonight, let's study together!"
Asuka nodded firmly, "Yes!"
...
After dinner, Shūichi took care of the dishes while Asuka prepared to take dinner to Nonō Yakushi.
Once he had cleaned up, Shūichi took a quick shower, then went to the study and unrolled the scroll Orochimaru had given him earlier.
One by one, the ninjutsu appeared before him, making Shūichi smile.
[Lightning Release]: Lightning Release: Earth Walk, Lightning Release: Four Pillar Bind, Lightning Release: Shadow Clone, Lightning Release: Sixteen Pillar Bind, Lightning Release: Falls of Thunder.
Five Lightning Release jutsu—no more, no less—but Shūichi was very satisfied since they included the Lightning Release Shadow Clone he needed.
[Water Release]: Water Release: Water Formation Wall, Water Release: Wild Water Wave, Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet, Water Release: Water Clone, Water Release: Water Severing Wave.
There were also five Water Release jutsu. Shūichi specifically checked the Water Dragon Bullet jutsu and confirmed that its hand signs were indeed lengthy.
But it didn't matter—he only needed two hand signs.
Once he acquired the [Water Release Expert] tag, he wouldn't need any hand signs at all.
[Earth Release]: Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall, Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique, Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld, Earth Release: Earth Clone, Earth Release: Earth Flow River.
Finally, there were five [Genjutsu]: Demonic Illusion: Fox's Wedding Technique, Temple of Nirvana Technique, Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings, Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death, Golden Binding.
"Once I complete my chakra nature transformation training, I'll first master the Lightning, Water, and Earth Clones, earning the [Clone Expert] tag. After that, I can start training in Water and Earth Substitution Jutsu, along with earning the [Substitution Expert] tag."
Shūichi thought to himself, "Although Substitution Jutsu is almost useless against large-scale attacks, it's still effective against single-target attacks, especially since I don't need to form seals."
"This skill will greatly enhance my survival on the battlefield."