Chapter 515 - 111-115

The Sand Jōnin was startled and immediately shouted, "Be careful, this guy isn't ordinary!"

But before he could finish, he drew his sword.

At this speed, there wasn't even time to form hand seals for a jutsu.

In the blink of an eye, the three Shūichis were upon them.

Clang!

Metal clashed with metal as blades collided.

In the next moment, the Sand Jōnin's eyes widened in shock. His sword, reinforced with Wind Release chakra, was being sliced through by Shūichi's blade.

"This heat…"

Sweat dripped from the Sand Jōnin's brow, and he soon heard the sounds of bodies collapsing behind him.

Without even looking, he knew—his three subordinates were already down.

Realizing the danger, the Sand Jōnin abandoned his sword and leapt into the air, quickly throwing several shuriken to buy himself time.

However, Shūichi responded with even more precise shuriken throws, not only intercepting the Jōnin's shuriken but also forcing him to dodge, preventing him from forming hand seals for a jutsu.

Clang clang clang!

Shuriken and kunai clattered to the ground as they were deflected mid-air.

Facing Shūichi's two Fire Release clones, the Sand Jōnin was rapidly pushed back, unable to mount any counterattack. His opponent's speed matched his own, and his kenjutsu was terrifying. Even kunai were easily sliced apart.

After only a few exchanges, the Sand Jōnin was drenched in sweat. "Where did this terrifying kid come from...?"

"I need to find a way to alert the village!"

Gritting his teeth, the Sand Jōnin struggled to hold his ground, waiting for an opportunity to fire a signal flare.

But Shūichi didn't give him the chance. His real body, which had been observing the fight, vanished and reappeared behind the Jōnin, delivering a precise chop that knocked him out cold.

The fight was over.

After dispelling his clones, Shūichi calmly sealed the four captives, just as he had with the others.

Looking down at the seven unconscious prisoners, Shūichi felt satisfied—especially since one of them was a Jōnin.

He left a shadow clone behind and then disappeared into the night.

Although he was planning a big move, Shūichi wasn't reckless enough to endanger himself.

Leaving a shadow clone was more than enough.

...

After waiting for a few minutes, Shūichi suddenly looked up.

Birds were circling overhead.

"A summoning beast, huh..."

He ignored it and continued to wait.

Soon, two squads of Sand ninja arrived. Seeing the captured prisoners scattered on the ground, their faces darkened, and they refrained from launching an immediate attack.

Maki, who had also come with them, saw his team's Jōnin leader and comrades captured, and his expression changed. "Captain…"

"Don't get close!"

With a shout, Maki was pulled back.

"Hey, what exactly do you want?" one of the older Sand ninja yelled. "State your demands—what will it take for you to release them?"

Shūichi nodded. "Smart. No need to waste time then."

"I am Shūichi Hoshita from Konoha..."

As soon as the words left his mouth, murmurs erupted among the Sand ninja.

"Shūichi Hoshita, the youngest Chūnin and Special Jōnin of Konoha, the one with a 30 million ryo bounty from Iwa?"

"This kid's supposed to be only around ten years old?"

"Why is he here? And why is he attacking us?"

"Is he crazy? So arrogant, challenging our Sunagakure like this!"

...

Shūichi's strength hadn't been particularly remarkable during his previous encounters with the Sand ninja, though he had left a deep impression on Rasa and Pakura.

However, it was Iwa's bounty that made Sunagakure aware of his name.

Even so, few had actually seen Shūichi in person. Not even Pakura knew his true strength now.

While some were shocked by Iwa's actions and Shūichi's age, many of the Sand ninja remained dismissive.

A Special Jōnin around ten years old?

Surely, it was just an empty reputation!

But now… looking at Shūichi and the captured Sand ninja, there was a mix of anger and deep shock.

They had just witnessed his power firsthand—the defeated captives were undeniable proof of his prowess.

The middle-aged Sand ninja, hearing Shūichi's introduction, shouted angrily, "A Konoha ninja… Are you trying to provoke a conflict or war between our villages?"

Shūichi chuckled lightly. "Don't make it sound so serious. I just captured a few people; I didn't kill them."

"Of course, if you want to start a war, that's fine too. Go ahead!"

The Sand ninja were momentarily speechless, but they were furious.

This kid was way too arrogant!

Shūichi continued, "Now, back to the main point. Call your Kazekage to meet me, or I'll kill all these prisoners."

The moment he said that, the Sand ninja's fury exploded.

"Demanding to see the Kazekage like this… This brat!"

"How dare he?! Does he plan to assassinate the Kazekage?"

"Damn it! Use smoke bombs and attack together. Even if a few of us die, we have to kill this brat. Letting him meet the Kazekage like this would be a disgrace!"

"Wait! Don't rush in. This could just be a clone!"

...

The middle-aged Sand ninja eventually held the others back. He glared at Shūichi. "I don't know what your goal is, but the Kazekage isn't someone you can meet whenever you want!"

"Oh?"

Shūichi's eyes narrowed, and he grabbed a prisoner who seemed about his age. With a swift motion, he cut the prisoner's wrist with a kunai, and blood began to flow.

Shūichi's expression turned cold. "It seems you don't understand—I'm not negotiating."

"If you don't follow my demands, you'll watch them bleed to death, one by one."

The Sand ninja paled, and suddenly, one of them threw a kunai at him. "Die, brat!"

The middle-aged Sand ninja's expression changed, but it was too late to stop the attack.

Shūichi sneered. He easily caught the kunai and, with even greater speed, infused it with Wind Release chakra and threw it back.

Thud!

It hit the attacker right in the forehead.

The Sand ninja fell, eyes wide open.

"So fast..."

The remaining Sand ninja were stunned, too afraid to make any sudden moves.

The middle-aged Sand ninja gritted his teeth and shouted, "Maki, go back and inform the Kazekage immediately!"

Maki nodded quickly—she didn't want to see his comrades die here.

Hearing the name "Maki," Shūichi glanced over with some surprise, not recognizing her at first.

Just then, a cold voice echoed through the air. "There's no need. The Kazekage already knows."

The Sand ninja parted, revealing a tall figure approaching Shūichi.

An old acquaintance!

Shūichi chuckled. "Pakura, we meet again!"

"So it really is you!"

Pakura scoffed, though she was deeply shocked inside.

She hadn't expected that the one who, along with the Yellow Flash, had caused them so much trouble before was now the same person Iwa had placed a bounty on—Shūichi Hoshita.

Her intuition back then had been right.

It must have been this brat watching her from the shadows, just like in the Land of Rivers!

"The Kazekage is on his way. Can you stop this now?" Pakura asked.

Shūichi nodded, sounding almost cheerful. "For an old acquaintance? Of course, no problem."

With that, he gently held the prisoner's wrist, and a green healing glow appeared from his hand.

"This guy actually knows medical ninjutsu…"

"Lady Pakura knows him…"

"Yeah, it's from that mission in the Land of Rivers. This kid is very dangerous, don't let your guard down!"

"Is the Kazekage really coming?"

"Should we launch a sneak attack? Use smoke bombs and genjutsu together. We just need a few seconds."

"Absolutely don't do that! He's too fast!"

The one explaining was Madai, who had also fought Shūichi before. He was also Maki's father.

At that moment, Maki was frozen in place. Someone who was roughly her age was already a dangerous figure, someone her father had warned her about!

"This guy…"

Maki, standing quietly among the Sand ninja, stared at Shūichi, vowing to remember this person—the one who so effortlessly toyed with her comrades. One day, Maki swore, she would surpass this man and pay him back in kind…

She clenched her fists, making a silent oath to himself.

…

Shūichi, however, paid no attention to Maki anymore. Why bother with Maki when Pakura was around?

"Pakura, you've become even more beautiful over the years!"

Shūichi was letting himself loose—after all, this was just a shadow clone.

Pakura was briefly stunned, then her face turned cold.

Was this brat flirting with her?

"You should worry more about how you'll get out of this situation," she said icily.

Shūichi, unconcerned, replied, "Simple. Once I get what I want, it'll all be over."

Pakura frowned. "Aren't you afraid of sparking a war between our villages? Of being punished by Konoha?"

Shūichi scoffed. "A war, just from this?"

"If it happens, then it was inevitable."

"And Pakura, don't keep bringing up war so casually. If you're not careful, you'll lose your respect for it."

"War has always been a terrifying thing…"

One of the Sand ninja couldn't hold back his anger. "Then why are you doing this if you know it's so terrible?"

"Release them immediately, and we'll let you leave unharmed!"

Shūichi shrugged. "Sorry, but I'm just a shadow clone."

"And besides…"

Looking at Pakura, Shūichi smirked. "Rasa must've already gone after my real body, hasn't he?"

The Sand ninja weren't without sensory ninjas, after all.

Pakura snorted. "Since you know that, you should understand that you're in the Land of Wind. You can't escape from here."

Shūichi's gaze sharpened, then he smiled. "We'll see about that… He's here!"

The Third Kazekage had arrived!

"Kazekage-sama!"

…

As the respectful voices echoed, the crowd parted, and the Third Kazekage, renowned as the strongest Kazekage in history, walked forward.

"Shūichi Hoshita... you're the one who wanted to see me?"

The Third Kazekage looked at Shūichi.

Shūichi nodded. "Third Kazekage, you must already know my purpose, right?"

The Third Kazekage paused, then nodded in realization. "So that's what this is about... I see. What's your connection to him?"

Shūichi sighed inwardly and replied, "I'm friends with his son, and he once taught me swordsmanship. He's like a mentor to me."

"I see."

The Third Kazekage nodded slightly, then said directly, "Yes, you've come to the right person."

"Konoha's White Fang, Sakumo Hatake, was indeed killed by me."

"However, as a shinobi, he should have already understood this would happen."

Shūichi remained expressionless and gave a slight nod. "Of course."

"Then, Third Kazekage, have you made your peace with what's to come?"

The Kazekage's gaze instantly sharpened. "Oh?"

"Are you here to assassinate me?"

"Although I must admit, you're quite exceptional. Most ninja at your age, even me, could not have achieved as much as you have."

"But you're still not enough!"

Shūichi nodded again. "That may be true, but who's to say unless we try?"

"You don't mind my challenge, do you, Kazekage-sama?"

The Third Kazekage replied, "Young boy, I admire your courage, and I'll indulge you."

"But first, release them!"

Shūichi stepped back. "Of course."

Pakura immediately gestured, and several Sand shinobi rushed forward to rescue the hostages.

Madai, after checking on the captives, exclaimed in surprise, "He's skilled in sealing techniques too! Get them back to the village at once and let the sealing squad handle it!"

Ahead, after his subordinates were freed, the Third Kazekage raised his hand, forming a clone without needing to make hand signs. "This is just your shadow clone, right? In that case, I'll use a clone too."

The Third Kazekage carried himself with grace.

But Shūichi couldn't help but think to himself: Isn't this how Sasori of the Red Sand will kill you in the future? 

Still, that didn't matter now.

This was an excellent opportunity—even if it was just a clone.

It was time to witness the power of a Kage!

Shūichi's focus sharpened, and he fully concentrated on the battle.

Zing! 

The Anbu sword on his back and the Totsuka Blade at his waist were drawn simultaneously.

Sizzle! 

Blue lightning crackled over his body.

Boom! Boom! 

The ground beneath his feet exploded as stones and sand scattered.

All of this happened in an instant. The moment his twin blades were unsheathed, Shūichi was enveloped in lightning, his feet blooming like a lotus as he shot forward like a bullet.

"So fast!"

Madai's pupils dilated. "This guy… He's much faster than before. I can't keep up at all."

On the other side, even Pakura looked shocked.

Even the Third Kazekage was a bit surprised. "That speed isn't far off from Konoha's White Fang."

Up ahead.

Without needing to form seals, the Kazekage's clone summoned iron sand, which shot forward like a dense rain of needles, filling the sky and targeting Shūichi.

Shūichi, charging forward, leaped into the air, unleashing five or six blazing white fireballs that rained down on the clone.

Pakura's expression changed. "His fire-style jutsu… rivals my scorch release? How is that possible?"

Boom! Boom! 

One by one, the fireballs exploded, but they were all blocked by shields formed from the iron sand.

However, Shūichi had already appeared behind the Third Kazekage's clone. The Totsuka Blade, glowing blue, cut through the iron sand, while the katana thrust toward the clone's back.

At the last moment, the iron sand on the clone's back gathered and solidified, stopping the blade, which had been reinforced by Shūichi's Blue Flame Sky Blade technique, from piercing through.

But the iron sand forming senbon (needles) was already shooting toward him.

Shūichi's figure vanished, reappearing to launch an attack from a different direction.

The Sand ninja, including Pakura and Madai, were stunned.

"He's too fast!"

They could only catch a glimpse of Shūichi's form the moment he attacked. At all other times, they saw only flashes of lightning and afterimages.

"This guy… he's grown so much, so quickly," Madai broke into a cold sweat.

"If I faced an opponent like him, I'd have to use long-range, large-scale jutsu. If he got close, I'd be cut down before I could even react."

"His strength has already surpassed that of an ordinary jōnin."

Madai made his assessment.

Pakura, watching closely, also found herself sweating. Her eyes struggled to keep up with Shūichi's movements. "With that kind of attack, I'd be forced to defend constantly. I couldn't counter like the Kazekage does."

"His fire release is even hotter than my scorch release... This guy is a freak!"

The Third Kazekage, observing the battle, also had a change of heart.

He had to admit, he had underestimated this brat from Konoha.

And apparently, the 30 million ryō bounty from Iwagakure had also underestimated him.

"Who would have thought that after the death of Konoha's White Fang, someone with even greater potential would appear."

At that moment, the Third Kazekage's murderous intent flared.

But unfortunately, this was only a shadow clone.

Even so, he silently gave thanks. "Good thing Rasa led the team to pursue him, otherwise…"

Meanwhile, Shūichi was also realizing how tough the Third Kazekage was.

His iron sand defense was incredibly strong, and since it was a kekkei genkai (bloodline limit), he didn't need hand seals to attack, making his strikes fast, with a broad area of effect, limiting Shūichi's speed advantage.

Even though Shūichi hadn't used techniques like Flame Dragon's Breath, Inferno Lotus, Wind Style: Rasenshuriken, or Wind-Fire Rasenshuriken, if he couldn't create an opening in the Third Kazekage's defense, even with his real body in Wind Style Chakra Mode, he wouldn't be able to break through.

If it were a real fight between their actual bodies, the Kazekage would likely widen the distance, giving himself more time to react.

"No wonder they call him the strongest Kazekage in history…"

Shūichi now truly understood the power of a Kage.

Although both used magnet release, Rasa, whom he had fought earlier, was nowhere near this level.

But after so many years, Rasa had likely made considerable progress. Who knew if he had developed his own Gold Dust techniques by now?

Continuous attacks drained Shūichi's chakra rapidly, and seeing that he couldn't break through the Kazekage's clone's defense, he suddenly retreated, plunging his twin blades into the ground.

"Inferno Lotus, open!"

The earth cracked as fissures spread rapidly, encircling the Kazekage's clone. Moments later, columns of fire erupted from the cracks, blooming like lotus petals.

However, due to his chakra being depleted, the flames were merely orange this time.

But they were infused with wind release.

As the lotus bloomed, the resulting explosion wasn't just a normal fiery blast—it was accompanied by petal-like blades of flame.

However, just as Shūichi was about to unleash this move, the Kazekage's clone had already started setting up a defense. Iron sand spread beneath his feet, preventing the flames from engulfing him.

Around him, the iron sand formed a circular shield, and he even condensed it into a massive iron block that smashed into the exploding lotus, preventing it from creating a sealed-off, blazing inferno.

Without that enclosed space, the flames couldn't fully envelop the area and choke out the oxygen.

Otherwise, while the iron sand defense could block the explosion, the lack of air and the scorching heat would have harmed the shadow clone.

As expected of the Third Kazekage! 

Shūichi sighed inwardly, then stood up. "Kazekage-sama, I've learned much from this battle..."

With that, his figure burst into a puff of smoke.

The Third Kazekage dispelled his own clone and then told Pakura and the others, "For any future missions, if you encounter him, you have permission to retreat."

The Sand ninja around him were visibly shaken but remained silent.

With that kind of strength, they truly couldn't handle him alone.

After a moment of uneasy silence, Pakura spoke up. "Kazekage-sama, what about Rasa?"

The Third Kazekage shook his head. "It's too late. But Rasa is similar to me in style; he'll be fine."

...

Unexpectedly for the Third Kazekage and Pakura, the group led by Rasa, who were pursuing Shūichi's true body, had not managed to catch up with him.

Although they had sensory ninjas with them, the target had already gone beyond their range.

On the ground, there were no traces left by Shūichi at all.

Despite his frustration, Rasa had no choice but to admit they had completely lost track.

"What a troublesome guy…" Rasa frowned.

"Captain, what should we do now?" a Sand ninja asked.

With no signs to follow, it was impossible to continue tracking him.

Rasa could only say, "The mission has failed, retreat!"

...

Under the night sky, Shūichi landed by the edge of a small oasis, not far from where a crow was drinking water.

Placing his fingers on the ground to sense his surroundings for a moment, Shūichi smiled. "Looks like they've retreated…"

Sitting down, he took out a sealing scroll, retrieving solider pills and a mixture of salt and sugar water to replenish his energy. Just as Shūichi finished storing away the scroll, the memories from his shadow clone flooded back.

"I actually fought the Third Kazekage, though it was only a shadow clone…"

Shūichi was surprised, as he hadn't planned on engaging with the Third Kazekage before he left.

However, his shadow clone had done quite well.

"The Kazekage's strength is truly impressive. His abilities are well-rounded, excelling in both offense and defense, and he's equally strong in single combat and crowd control."

"His attack speed isn't slow either, and he can launch attacks in overwhelming volumes."

"For Sasori of the Red Sand to kill him with puppets, it must have involved a surprise attack and poison to have any chance of success."

"After all, iron sand is a natural counter to puppets…"

As Shūichi absorbed the memories from his shadow clone, he frowned. "Sakumo-senpai was indeed killed by the Third Kazekage… The Kazekage shouldn't have any reason to lie, but I doubt that's the whole story."

"That puppeteer… could it be…"

Shūichi's eyes widened in shock. "Sasori of the Red Sand?"

The Third Kazekage working together with Sasori?

Is that even possible?

Shūichi thought carefully. "I remember Chiyo mentioning that Sasori attempted to assassinate the Third Kazekage three times, and all of them failed."

"At this point, he must have already left Sunagakure… Sasori should be about four or five years older than me and Kakashi, around the same age as Shinnosuke. Right now, he should be around fourteen or fifteen years old…"

"Sasori's motive for assassinating the Kazekage—wanting him as a puppet—stems from the death of his parents, who were killed during the Second Shinobi War while the Third was in power. And the person responsible for killing his parents, Konoha's White Fang, died before he had a chance to get his revenge."

Shūichi took a deep breath. "So, by changing White Fang's fate, did I also change Sasori's?"

"Has Sasori already left Sunagakure?"

Thinking about this, Shūichi briefly considered, "Should I infiltrate Sunagakure again to investigate Sasori?"

But then he quickly dismissed the idea. "Forget it…"

Sunagakure would definitely be on high alert now, and it would be far too dangerous, even for a shadow clone.

"I don't need to personally go to Sunagakure to gather intel on Sasori. Konoha likely has spies there as well. Just obtaining information on Sasori shouldn't be a problem."

After resting enough, Shūichi stood up and headed towards the rendezvous point he had previously agreed on with Minato and the others.

...

The next morning, at the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers, Shūichi, who had rested for two hours atop a small hill, suddenly opened his eyes.

They've finally arrived!

Soon, Minato and the group appeared in Shūichi's sight, and he quickly leaped down the hill.

Seeing Shūichi unharmed, Minato finally let out a sigh of relief.

Obito, unable to contain his curiosity, immediately asked, "Shūichi, how did things go on your side? We couldn't find any useful information at all!"

Shūichi nodded silently, then looked over at Kakashi.

Rin's gaze was filled with concern as she looked at Kakashi.

Kakashi, however, had already composed himself, and when Shūichi looked at him, he calmly said, "This is a shinobi's duty. I'm prepared."

Hearing this, Shūichi said, "Sakumo-senpai has passed away. I confirmed it from the Third Kazekage."

The Third Kazekage!

Everyone was shocked.

Minato said in a serious tone, "The strongest Kazekage in history, with the Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai, capable of controlling iron sand… He definitely has the strength to defeat Sakumo-senpai."

Yūhi Shiwei sighed. "I didn't expect the Third Kazekage to personally get involved."

It was rare for a village's Kage to personally participate in a mission, except in Kumo, where the Raikage often took action. In most other villages, the Kage rarely left the village.

After all, a Kage represented the pinnacle of a village's strength. If a Kage had to personally take action, how dire must the situation have been?

At this moment, Kakashi was in a daze, silent tears streaming down his face.

Although he had mentally prepared himself for his father's death, now that he had received confirmation, he couldn't help but break down.

"Kakashi…"

Rin's heart was full of worry, but she didn't know how to comfort him.

Even Obito, who often argued with Kakashi, was at a loss for words seeing him like this.

It was the first time he had seen the usually arrogant Kakashi in such a state.

Earlier too, it was the first time he had seen Kakashi, normally so cool and composed, acting so anxious.

For some reason, Obito felt an unfamiliar sense of frustration, an overwhelming feeling of… helplessness.

Looking at Kakashi, then at Minato and the others, Obito couldn't stand the heavy atmosphere any longer. He blurted out, "Since… since we know who the culprit is, can't we avenge him?"

Avenge him?

Yūhi Shiwei and Kaku Inuzuka exchanged glances but remained silent.

Minato patted Obito on the shoulder and said, "It's not that simple. He's the Kazekage of Sunagakure."

"Infiltrating Sunagakure and killing their Kage would be incredibly difficult."

"And even if the Third Kazekage left the village, he'd still have guards with him."

"Taking down someone like him isn't something a single squad can achieve."

Shūichi then turned to Kakashi and said, "Kakashi, there's another piece of information."

Kakashi quickly wiped away his tears and looked at Shūichi.

Shūichi continued, "I infiltrated Sunagakure and spent almost a month gathering intel on the Third Kazekage's movements, especially whether he had been involved in any missions with Chiyo. The information shows that he hasn't."

"He's mostly been operating within the Land of Wind, accompanied only by his personal guards."

Minato pondered for a moment before saying, "So the puppeteer who accompanied the Third Kazekage wasn't Chiyo."

"That makes sense. With the Third Kazekage present, a puppeteer wouldn't be as crucial."

"After all, Chiyo isn't the only high-level puppeteer in Sunagakure."

Shūichi nodded. "You're right, Minato-sensei. But the key point is about Sakumo-senpai's body."

"I suspect the Third Kazekage was hiding something."

Obito immediately asked, "So… can we retrieve Sakumo-senpai's body from Sunagakure?"

Shūichi shook his head. "That's not possible, and I don't believe the body is even in Sunagakure."

Everyone looked puzzled. Obito asked, "Shūichi, what exactly do you mean?"

Minato then asked, "Shūichi, how did you get this information from the Third Kazekage?"

After hearing Shūichi recount the process of infiltrating Sunagakure and threatening the Kazekage, everyone fell into stunned silence.

Uchiha Obito was dumbfounded.

"That actually worked?"

Using a hostage to threaten the Kazekage—such a provocative action—weren't they worried about igniting a war between the two villages?

Namikaze Minato, however, keenly picked up on something, swiftly shifting the topic away from the matter of Hatake Sakumo's corpse.

So, after the initial shock, Namikaze Minato said, "Alright everyone, since the mission is complete, let's take a short break and then head back to the village immediately."

Yūhi Shiwei and Inuzuka Kaku looked toward Shūichi Hoshita. Although they were familiar with Namikaze Minato, Shūichi was now their captain.

Shūichi smoothly agreed and nodded.

During the rest break, Shūichi pulled Kakashi aside to discuss Lightning Release techniques, hoping to divert his attention. The effect was quite good.

Moreover, Shūichi noticed a change in Kakashi.

Revenge!

He didn't offer clichéd advice like "don't be consumed by hatred." Hatred could be a source of strength, helping Kakashi's innate talent explode, leading to rapid progress.

As long as Kakashi didn't fall too deeply into the abyss.

Once the Third Kazekage was dead, Kakashi would naturally be freed from it. That time wouldn't be too far off.

"If Sasori of the Red Sand doesn't assassinate the Third Kazekage, what if someone else did?"

"Besides, Kakashi's potential won't fall short of the Third Kazekage..."

Shūichi had great confidence in Kakashi's talent.

Still, learning about Hatake Sakumo's death from the mouth of the Third Kazekage left him deeply unsettled.

It wasn't just because of Sakumo's guidance—it was the looming feeling of fate.

Yet Shūichi refused to believe in fate.

If fate existed, he wouldn't have appeared in this world.

Moreover, he had no intention of becoming like Jiraiya, driven by some inevitable destiny.

…

Two hours later, Shūichi and the others set off back to Konoha.

Passing through the Land of Rivers and into the Land of Fire, they arrived at Konoha by the next day.

Upon returning to Konoha, Shūichi immediately received some news from Sarutobi Shinnosuke.

"Forty million?"

Shūichi hadn't expected his bounty to rise so quickly, now matching Sarutobi Shinnosuke's.

The Third Kazekage sure was stingy.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke chuckled, "Shūichi, it seems like only Kirigakure hasn't witnessed your prowess yet, but I'm sure they've heard your name by now."

Both Iwagakure and Sunagakure had placed bounties on him one after the other, and Shūichi was one of Konoha's rare geniuses. Kirigakure had likely been gathering information for a while; by now, it was inevitable.

Shūichi sighed, "Captain, you know me—I'm not a fan of fighting. I prefer training quietly. Peace in the shinobi world would be ideal."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke shook his head helplessly and then paused; they had reached the Hokage's office.

Ending their small talk, Shūichi knocked and entered to report the details of their mission to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Namikaze Minato had already given a report, but only from his own perspective.

Shūichi, however, downplayed the combat details, focusing more on the intelligence he had gathered and his speculations.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, smoking his pipe with a thoughtful expression, sighed after listening, "I didn't expect the Third Kazekage to get involved personally…"

"Also, Shūichi, you suspect that Sakumo's body might be used to create a puppet?"

Shūichi nodded.

After a moment of contemplation, Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "I'll pass that information along. For now, don't let Kakashi know about the possibility of his father's body being used as a puppet."

Shūichi nodded, "Understood!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen continued, "Shūichi, your next task will be to carry out secret research on Tailed Beast chakra. Officially, you'll be stationed at the Konoha Hospital."

Shūichi immediately accepted the mission, "Understood!"

This arrangement suited him perfectly.

Plus, as a Special Medical Jonin, it was only natural for him to return to Konoha Hospital.

Of course, this didn't mean he was leaving the ANBU entirely.

However, his way of doing things didn't exactly align with the style of the ANBU.

After leaving the Hokage building, Shūichi stretched lazily. "Time to go home and soak in the bath!"

After days of eating sand, what he craved most right now was a hot bath.

At home, Yakushi Nono and Asuka were both out, so Shūichi relaxed in the bathtub, quietly reflecting on his training.

After mastering the Lightning Release Body Flicker and obtaining the "Body Flicker Expert" tag, he had begun training in the Flying Thunder God technique.

The "Renowned/Famous" tag was almost complete, with just Kirigakure left to check off.

He was close to acquiring the "Transformation Master" tag.

The "Medical Master" tag depended on Orochimaru's progress.

The "Devourer" tag was tied to the researching of the Four-Tails and Eight-Tails cells.

As for "Clone Master" and "Substitution Master," both were linked to his research on the Eight-Tails, which would be a primary focus of his upcoming experiments.

"Sensory Master" and "Sealing Master" would require the development of new ninjutsu.

Of course, there was also the "Earth Release Expert" tag, which he was about to unlock, and once he mastered all five elemental releases, he would obtain the "Ninjutsu Professor" tag.

"Looks like I'll be just as busy as ever..." Shūichi thought. "Aside from innate talent and physical enhancements, the Flying Thunder God technique is currently the only one that can directly raise my combat potential."

"The other abilities will just make me more well-rounded..."

"But even though the tags like Ninjutsu Expert, Ninjutsu Master, and Ninjutsu Professor don't involve Kekkei Genkai, they will allow me to reach heights in nature and shape transformations that ordinary people can't."

"These are the foundation and confidence I need to develop a Kekkei Genkai!"

As he thought about this, a red Four-Tails chakra began to swirl around him.

Lava Release might be the Kekkei Genkai he could master the fastest.

This was because he could sense it directly through the Four-Tails' chakra.

After a while, Shūichi stood up, cleaned himself off, and headed out.

On his way to Konoha Hospital, he stopped by to have a bowl of Ichiraku Ramen.

Ichiraku Teuchi sure was young back then!

After finishing his meal, Shūichi strolled down the street, sending out several Shadow Clones.

Some to train in Earth Release, others to work on the Lightning Body Flicker, some for transformation techniques, others to head to Orochimaru's lab, and some even to the Forest of Death to play with Shiro. Everything was neatly arranged.

Arriving at Konoha Hospital, Shūichi found Shizune, who was organizing medical files.

"Hey, Shūichi?"

Shizune looked pleasantly surprised when she saw him. "Is your mission complete?"

Shūichi nodded with a smile. "Yes, it went smoothly. I'll be back here for a while."

"Really?"

Shizune was even more thrilled. "That's wonderful!"

Shūichi smiled and nodded, then asked, "How's the progress with the Yin Seal?"

Shizune's face fell slightly. "It's so difficult. The chakra control requirements are incredibly high."

Shūichi gently patted her head and comforted her, "It's okay. Chakra control can be trained over time. I'll be here to help you."

Hearing this, Shizune's face brightened again, and she nodded enthusiastically. "Mm!!"

Shūichi then helped Shizune organize the medical files as they chatted about recent happenings.

For instance, Tsunade had been digging through a room full of scrolls, many of which had been left behind by the First and Second Hokage.

Shizune also mentioned some old research notes on Hashirama cells.

Although the research on Hashirama's cells, overseen by Sarutobi Hiruzen years ago, hadn't been successful, it wasn't without some breakthroughs.

Before they knew it, the afternoon had passed.

After work, Shūichi and Shizune went to a training ground where their group of friends often gathered. There, they found Kakashi and Might Guy engaged in a taijutsu duel.

"Guy is amazing!" Shizune couldn't help but praise him.

Shūichi nodded in agreement. He knew Shizune wasn't just praising Guy's taijutsu skills but also his sheer determination.

However, it was clear that even Might Guy wasn't always cheerful and optimistic.

When the duel ended and both he and Kakashi lay on the ground, Shūichi and Shizune approached, just in time to hear Guy's slightly dejected voice: "Kakashi, do you think I'll be a genin forever?"

His father had been a genin his whole life.

Now, it was hard for Guy to even find people willing to go on missions with him. Most of his tasks were the kind that fresh academy graduates took on.

Guy's relentless training had yielded significant results, allowing him to enter the academy and graduate as a genin.

In terms of taijutsu, he was among the best in his age group and held his own against Kakashi in their duels.

But that was as far as it went.

Lately, Guy, whose talent in ninjutsu was lacking, had started to feel like he was seeing his own future through his father's life.

Kakashi listened to Guy's words and couldn't help but think of his own father. He spoke up, "Uncle Duy's strength may not have been great, and now he's only doing those small, unnoticed missions, but… in the end, he raised you into who you are today."

"Guy, haven't you already surpassed him?"

Might Guy was stunned.

Kakashi looked at the setting sun and said, "Uncle Duy is the sunset, and you are the sunrise."

"You've already achieved in your youth what Uncle Duy spent his whole life working toward. You are his continuation."

"Guy, do you think twenty years from now, you'll still be the same as you are today?"

"In twenty years, your descendants will probably be even more exceptional than you are now."

"Maybe that's Uncle Duy's Will of Fire…"

Might Guy froze, and before he knew it, tears streamed down his face. "I understand now…"

"Hard work is never wasted!"

"My father's hard work continues through me!"

"He may be the sunset, and his youth may be fading, but my youth is also his youth!"

"So, the will passed down through generations will never fade, and the fiery youth will never cool down!"

At this point, Shūichi chimed in, "Guy, I completely agree with what you said!"

"When the day comes that you are renowned throughout the ninja world, Uncle Duy will be proud of you!"

"And when, twenty years from now, your descendants are famous throughout the ninja world, you'll be proud of them too!"

"Likewise, you will be a role model for your descendants, and just as you look up to Uncle Duy, they will look up to you!"

"Uncle Duy is a man worthy of respect, and the fact that he was only a genin doesn't change that."

Shūichi's words were completely sincere.

It wasn't because he knew that Might Duy had hidden strength.

It was because Might Duy, as a father, was someone truly worthy of admiration.

In this regard, failures like Fugaku Uchiha and Rasa had to be mentioned as examples of bad parenting.

Kakashi and Might Guy had noticed Shūichi's arrival long ago but didn't mind his presence.

Upon hearing Shūichi's voice, Might Guy instantly jumped to his feet, wiped away his tears, and was back at full strength. "Shūichi! Let's have a youthful and passionate duel!"

"Even though I know I'm not your match, isn't this a form of willpower too?"

"Knowing it's impossible and still doing it, maybe that's the greatest form of courage!"

Shūichi gave him a thumbs up. "Then let's begin!"

Shizune quickly stepped back, watching in amazement as Guy's spirit seemed completely transformed. She couldn't help but exclaim, "That kind of… determination is really admirable."

Kakashi appeared beside her and said, "That might be Guy's greatest strength."

He had comforted Guy, but he himself hadn't fully recovered yet.

Guy's ability to adjust his mentality—this talent was truly… exceptional!

...

As expected, Might Guy lost the fight.

After an intense battle, an exhausted Might Guy lay on the ground resting, while Shūichi glanced at Kakashi and Shizune, both of whom were busy with their own training. Suddenly, he suggested, "Guy, why not create your own unique taijutsu techniques?"

"Huh?"

"Your own taijutsu techniques?"

Might Guy, unsure of himself, propped himself up and asked hesitantly, "Is that really possible?"

"I'm still just a genin!"

Shūichi smiled. "I developed my own ninjutsu when I was a genin."

"Kakashi isn't a jonin yet either, but he's already developed techniques that are far beyond jonin-level difficulty."

"Remember, everyone is different. There's a technique suited for each person, and that includes taijutsu."

"Your habits, the way you unleash your strength—everything is unique to you."

Might Guy thought about this and felt it made perfect sense. He immediately became fired up again. "Shūichi, you're right!"

"My father once said that surpassing others isn't something to be proud of. Only when you surpass your current self is it true greatness!"

"Then it's settled! From today onward, I will develop my own taijutsu techniques!"

But soon after, Might Guy scratched his head in confusion. "But where do I even start?"

Shūichi smiled and suggested, "How about starting with the way you unleash your strength, or your attack techniques?"

"For example, how can a sidekick be more powerful, with greater explosive force?"

"Or how can you observe your opponent to predict their movements to some extent?"

"Or when facing an enemy you can't get close enough to physically strike, how could you transmit your strength over a distance?"

One suggestion after another made Might Guy's eyes light up, and he gave Shūichi a big thumbs-up with his trademark grin. "You never disappoint, Shūichi!"

...

That night, in his study.

Shūichi frowned as he continued to study the half of the technique he had copied from the Totsuka Blade.

It was a path that could lead to Sage Mode!

The most important part was that, based on what he had learned so far, this technique had the potential to store and seal natural energy.

And it was clear that Mount Myoboku couldn't achieve this.

Otherwise, Jiraiya wouldn't have needed to rely on the fusion with the two Great Sage Toads to complete Sage Mode.

And his teacher, Minato Namikaze, wouldn't have said, "I'm not very good at Sage Mode," only to enter it immediately afterward.

It was clearly due to the Yin Nine-Tails.

"Unfortunately, this technique is severely incomplete…"

Shūichi massaged his temples and thought, "My foundation is still lacking."

"I need to strengthen my knowledge of seals and curse marks."

Putting away the scroll, Shūichi decided to head to Tsunade's place tomorrow.

There were plenty of resources there!

And if Tsunade didn't have what he needed, she could always call for it from the Hokage building.

That would be much more convenient than him going through Sarutobi Shinnosuke for authorization.

Besides…

Working with a partner makes everything easier, doesn't it?

The next day, Shūichi first went to the Konoha Hospital with Yakushi Nonō and the others. After leaving a shadow clone there, his real body headed to Tsunade's place.

As expected, scrolls were scattered everywhere, filled with densely packed symbols and seals.

At that moment, Tsunade was frowning at a particular scroll, seemingly stuck on a difficult problem.

Shūichi didn't interrupt her. Instead, he began tidying up the scattered scrolls, categorizing them, and delving into his own research.

Tsunade glanced up at him, then returned to her thoughts.

However, without a clear solution, she quickly gave up and looked toward Shūichi. "Hey, what are you studying?"

Without looking up, Shūichi replied, "Anything that interests me—seals, curse marks, jutsus… these are all precious knowledge left by those who came before us."

Tsunade snorted, "So you're using your memory palace to copy them?"

Shūichi smiled, looking up. "It's just thanks to my exceptional memory. Lady Tsunade, you don't mind, do you?"

Then he asked, "Are you stuck on something, Lady Tsunade?"

"Why not discuss it with me?"

Tsunade pouted pridefully, but then nodded, unable to resist.

Shūichi immediately walked over, sat beside her, and leaned in to look at the content on the scroll.

Before long, the two were deep in discussion.

...

Meanwhile, in a forest, Shūichi's shadow clone was surrounded by crackling electricity, gradually delving into the fine art of cellular activation using Lightning Release.

This was meticulous work!

Kakashi's Chidori Stream was a technique where he released Lightning Release chakra through certain points in his body, covering himself in electric currents that both activated his cells, boosting speed, and provided offensive and defensive capabilities.

However, Shūichi's approach was to release chakra through every single point in his body, much like the members of the Hyuga clan.

This was something most ninjas were unable to achieve.

The easiest places to release chakra were the hands, feet, and throat.

That's why ninjas most commonly used their hands and throats to release ninjutsu.

Previously, Shūichi could only unleash his Fire Lotus from his feet. One reason was his limited chakra reserves, and the other was the extreme difficulty of releasing chakra from all over the body.

This was also where the Strength of a Hundred Technique's brilliance came into play.

Thanks to this, Shūichi could take his version of the Chidori Stream even further, delving deeper into cellular activation.

Suddenly, the lightning around Shūichi dissipated. Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, he muttered, "There are many in the Cloud Village who have mastered Lightning Release, but in reality, only the Raikages have perfected it."

"Is this technique considered a secret jutsu? It doesn't seem like it…"

"For the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, the entire body must emit Lightning Release chakra to deeply activate the cells, including the nerve cells. This grants superior reflexes and speed, while forming a powerful Lightning Armor with incredible defense."

"If the Third and Fourth Raikages had this level of chakra control, their Lightning Armor shouldn't look like it does now. In my previous fight with A, it was clear that his control over his Lightning Release chakra wasn't as precise as my control over Fire and Wind Releases."

"So… do they rely on their strong bodies to recklessly release it?"

"A powerful physique and vast chakra reserves must be the prerequisites for this technique."

"Judging by the training difficulty, it might actually only be a B-rank technique?"

Shūichi's shadow clone chuckled. "In that case, it seems I don't need to be so cautious with my control over lightning chakra anymore."

"My physical abilities have improved in all areas, plus my recovery ability has been enhanced twice, and my resistance to injury and illness has improved once."

"Although without the Yin Seal to support it, I don't have enough chakra to form a Lightning Release Chakra Mode like the Raikage's, but I only need to activate part of my cells."

"After all, my neural reflexes are fast enough… and my goal is just to increase speed."

"In that case, highly activating the cells in my limbs should be enough, right?"

At that moment, Shūichi's shadow clone felt like a genius.

He had simplified what was originally a very complex issue.

"Well then, let's give it a try!"

Shūichi clasped his hands together, and the chakra from Lightning Release surged through his limbs.

In the next moment, his arms and legs were enveloped in a dense blue electric light, and soon, the lightning spread to his entire body.

But the very next moment, there was a loud bang, and the shadow clone exploded.

...

At Tsunade's house, Shūichi was engaged in a heated discussion, exchanging sharp words with her, when he suddenly paused.

Tsunade, deeply immersed in their debate, stopped and immediately frowned. "What's the matter?"

Shūichi gave an awkward smile. "One of my training shadow clones ran into a problem."

He had thought there would be some breakthrough, but… well, maybe he was being a bit too clever.

Still...

Shūichi asked, "Lady Tsunade, do you know much about the Lightning Release Chakra Mode from the Hidden Cloud Village?"

"Lightning Release Chakra Mode?"

"You're studying that technique?" Tsunade was surprised, then said, "Don't waste your time."

"That technique is B-rank in difficulty, but the entry barrier is extremely high."

"The Raikage lineage is naturally gifted with powerful bodies and vast chakra reserves."

"To achieve that level, one must continuously activate cells throughout the entire body. It's not simple and requires releasing chakra from every point in the body."

"That's something only the Hyuga clan in Konoha can do."

"Without the Byakugan, the Raikage lineage found the simplest way to achieve this."

Shūichi added, "A crude method—using their strong bodies to ignore the pain."

Tsunade nodded, "Exactly."

"In the ninja world, techniques that aren't too difficult but are still incredibly powerful usually come with high barriers to entry."

Shūichi nodded, realizing that his shadow clone's earlier analysis hadn't been wrong. The idea was good, but a little off course.

It wasn't that the shadow clone was foolish—its task was simply to develop the Lightning Body Flicker. As for how to fight, that was the real body's job.

While the shadow clone's thinking had been slightly misguided, the overall direction was still correct.

Tsunade looked at Shūichi and asked, "Are you trying to use the Strength of a Hundred Technique as a foundation to train the Lightning Release Chakra Mode?"

"Although it solves the issue of chakra and the problem of rapidly activating cells throughout the body, your body isn't strong enough to endure the intense nature transformation of Lightning Release."

Shūichi nodded, acknowledging that his body wasn't strong enough.

Even though his physique had been enhanced several times and he hadn't slacked on basic training, in such a short time, it was impossible to match the physical strength of the Raikage lineage.

Even for the Raikage lineage, their strength didn't come naturally; it was developed through decades of relentless training.

The strength Tsunade referred to was clearly a gifted kind of strength.

However, using the Strength of a Hundred Technique to assist in training the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, like he did with the Fire Release Chakra Mode?

Shūichi dismissed that idea.

Maybe it would be worth trying to master the full Lightning Release Chakra Mode in the future, but for now, it wasn't necessary.

Using the Lightning Release Chakra Mode would make it impossible to use other jutsu, just as when he used the Fire Release Chakra Mode, he couldn't use anything outside of Fire and Wind Release.

Even with the Strength of a Hundred, it would take an incredibly long time to even approach the level of the Third Raikage, let alone the current A's level. That wouldn't align with Shūichi's goal of quickly raising his combat power in the short term.

And this was only assuming his body could handle the improvement in Lightning Release.

"Lady Tsunade, my goal isn't the full Lightning Release Chakra Mode, but rather the Lightning Body Flicker."

Shūichi explained.

"Lightning Body Flicker?"

Tsunade was puzzled. "If I recall correctly, your Fire Body Flicker is already incredibly fast, and you've even managed to use both Fire and Wind Release techniques simultaneously."

"Even if you develop the Lightning Body Flicker, you wouldn't be able to combine it with your strongest jutsu so far. You'd have to completely shift to the Lightning Release path."

As Tsunade spoke, she began to realize something. "Are you planning to activate only parts of your body with high-intensity Lightning Release?"

"For example, your arms and legs?"

Shūichi nodded and smiled, "My neural reflexes are already fast, but my physical response—specifically my arms and legs—still isn't quick enough."

"I need faster attack speed and higher frequency."

"So, I plan to channel my chakra through my meridian system and split it into two parts. One part will activate the cells in my arms and legs with high intensity, enhancing muscle reaction speed and strength."

"The other part of the chakra will continue flowing through, all the way to my hands and feet, so I can still use the Fire Body Flicker and retain explosive power, as well as maintain the ability to use Fire and Wind Release techniques."

Tsunade's expression grew serious. "That approach seems to have no issues on the surface."

"Even without the Yin Seal's chakra, your own reserves are enough to support this in regular combat."

"However, your plan does present one unavoidable problem."

"You'll need to maintain three different chakra nature transformations at the same time. That's not just a matter of chakra control—it's a question of whether your mind can handle it!"

In the ninja world, it's already rare for someone to use two different types of jutsu simultaneously.

Being able to combine techniques by oneself, and at the same time, not in sequence like the Third Hokage, was a different level entirely.

Possessing that ability was essentially the foundation for developing a Kekkei Genkai.

After all, Kekkei Genkai requires the simultaneous use of two nature transformations to create a new one.

Shūichi had naturally considered this, and he smiled. "I think my mind can handle it."

Tsunade stared at him, bluntly calling him out. "Didn't you pass out for two days before New Year's from mental exhaustion?"

Shūichi coughed awkwardly, "That was just an accident."

Tsunade didn't seem convinced but stood up and said, "Well, in that case, let's test it right here!"

With that, she started walking outside.

Shūichi quickly got up and followed her into the courtyard.

Tsunade crossed her arms and said, "Begin!"

Though she clearly cared, she wore a stern expression!

Shūichi felt a small thrill of satisfaction but quickly reined in his emotions, activating his 2x focus ability.

That should be enough...

Shūichi lowered his gaze, gathering his focus. In the instant he opened his eyes, the sound of chirping birds filled the air, and intense electric light erupted from his arms and legs, wrapping around his entire body.

However, in this state, only his arms and legs were undergoing high-intensity cellular activation. The rest of his body was merely channeling electricity, similar to when Kakashi used Chidori, just incidental.

Still, beads of sweat appeared on Shūichi's forehead. The violent surge of Lightning Release chakra caused sharp pain in both his arms and legs.

Focus x4!

His face, slightly twisted in pain, relaxed as Shūichi's hands clawed into position, and a dragon's head materialized.

Fire Release wasn't a problem, and his movements weren't any slower.

Dismissing the dragon's head, Shūichi reached into his ninja tool pouch and pulled out two kunai.

In the next moment, both Fire and Wind Release chakra flowed into the kunai, creating a stream of blue flames around them.

At that moment, Shūichi could feel the mental strain, pressure bearing down on him.

But it was still within manageable limits.

Meanwhile, Tsunade, who was watching and ready to step in for medical assistance if needed, was utterly shocked. "This guy is… a monster!"

Releasing the jutsu, Shūichi couldn't help but breathe heavily. He wiped the sweat from his brow, and the pain in his arms and legs persisted.

However, as he activated medical ninjutsu, the pain quickly subsided.

Without a doubt, the Lightning Body Flicker technique was complete!

Now, all that remained was to continuously practice and condition his body to adapt to this high-intensity cellular activation.

"Good thing my physique is strong enough. Otherwise, I might not have been able to handle it…" Shūichi breathed a sigh of relief.

This new technique… I'll call it Chidori Body Flicker!

With the Body Flicker technique perfected, Shūichi was in a great mood and smiled. "Lady Tsunade, shall we continue our earlier research?"

Tsunade frowned, "Are you sure your mind and body are okay?"

Shūichi thumped his chest confidently. "Don't worry! I'm very tough!"

Tsunade relaxed, though she pouted. "You little brat!"

With that, she turned and headed back inside.

Watching Tsunade's twin blonde ponytails sway as she walked, Shūichi suddenly had the urge to tug on one.

But he didn't dare.

---

At Orochimaru's Laboratory.

Shūichi's shadow clone, holding the experimental plan in his hand, turned to Orochimaru and asked, "Orochimaru-sama, are you sure you want to proceed with this kind of modification?"

Orochimaru chuckled, "Why? Don't you approve of this experiment, Shūichi-kun?"

Shūichi shook his head. "Of course not. The idea is incredibly bold."

"But after such a modification, it would be hard to say if you could still be considered human."

Orochimaru smiled. "That's precisely what I desire."

"Tailed beasts are limited by their mental will, and we shinobi are limited by our bodies, which is why I focus on modifying the body."

"This soft-body transformation is merely the simplest attempt—just addressing one of the weaknesses of the human form."

Orochimaru sighed, "The human body is too fragile, with too many flaws. A bit of poison, a thrown shuriken, a kunai, or even a punch could be fatal."

He then smiled again. "Snakes, especially the white-scaled snake, have many advantages."

"For example, their ability to shed their skin and be reborn, or to effortlessly dissipate force."

Finally, Orochimaru's eyes gleamed as he looked at Shūichi. "Shūichi-kun, are you interested in joining me?"

"My intuition tells me that your body is even more suited for this than mine!"

Shūichi felt a chill run down his spine and immediately declined. "That's not the path I want to follow."

"My goal is chakra—the chakra formed by the fusion of spiritual energy and physical energy. It naturally holds the key to immortality!"

Orochimaru looked slightly disappointed but then smiled. "Well, let's see which path proves to be the right one!"

Shūichi nodded. "I also look forward to seeing your success, Orochimaru-Sama. I'll do everything I can to support you!"

He could hardly wait for Orochimaru to complete his soft-body transformation, so he could finally obtain the Medical Master tag.

Starting from May 24th, Shūichi sent a shadow clone to assist Tsunade, while his main body focused entirely on mastering the Chidori Body Flicker. Through intense training, he pushed his body to adapt to this high-level lightning-style cellular activation.

At the same time, he worked to integrate the Chidori Body Flicker into his usual combat system, further enhancing his overall battle strength.

Time flew by, and by July, the Chūnin exams had arrived once again.

Might Guy, Uchiha Obito, Kurenai Yūhi, and others participated in the exams.

However, this time, Shūichi did not serve as an examiner.

He was fully occupied with developing medical ninjutsu under Tsunade, studying seals and cursed marks, learning space-time ninjutsu, practicing earth-style techniques, analyzing natural energy jutsu, and of course, continuing his Chidori Body Flicker training.

Every day was packed, leaving him with barely any time to catch his breath.

...

In a clearing near the Forest of Death, Shūichi, surrounded by crackling lightning, was sparring with Shisui.

Both were competing with their respective body flicker techniques.

One moved at lightning speed, occasionally bursting with a loud crackle, the speed of his flickering movements rapidly increasing as lightning coursed through his body.

The other flickered unpredictably, his figure darting around and splitting into countless afterimages.

The two pursued each other, neither gaining the upper hand for quite some time.

Shisui was shocked that Shūichi could simultaneously use three different body flicker techniques, while Shūichi was amazed by the evolution brought to Shisui by his three-tomoe Sharingan.

Shūichi had originally thought that he had surpassed Shisui in body flicker techniques, but it was clear now that Shisui had been improving all along as well.

He had his system, but Shisui had his Sharingan.

As expected from someone renowned across the ninja world for their mastery of the Body Flicker!

Shūichi secretly praised him.

After a brief exchange, both stopped and exchanged smiles.

Shisui chuckled, "Shūichi, having you as a companion really keeps me on my toes!"

Shūichi proudly replied, "That's what makes us good friends!"

Shisui nodded in agreement and then asked, "So, how's your genjutsu training coming along, Shūichi?"

Shūichi hesitated, hiding his confidence, "Give me some time, Shisui. I think you'll be satisfied when you test it."

"Alright, it's a deal!"

After that, Shisui's body split into a flock of crows, flapping their wings as they dispersed into the sky.

Shūichi froze for a moment, then smiled. "As expected of Shisui!"

He hadn't even noticed that Shisui had been using the Crow Clone Technique.

As the crows flew off into the distance, Shūichi sat down, his eyes closing in thought.

In the area near Tag Tree in his mind, Shūichi's figure appeared.

He activated the tag [Body Flicker Expert]!

With a single thought, the leaves on the Tag Tree turned green.

Body Flicker technique talent increased by 100%, cellular activation increased by 100%, and the ability to perform any body flicker technique without hand signs.

The moment the tag's effects took hold, Shūichi felt a jolt of electricity surge through his body, even his brain seemed to flicker like static, as if his mind and consciousness were glowing, spreading through every cell in his body in an instant.

When everything returned to normal, Shūichi immediately sensed the changes in his body.

Cellular activation!

Unlike lightning-style cellular activation, which was temporary or required long-term training to gradually improve, this change had doubled his cellular activation in just a short time!

Of course, it still didn't match the effects of the Chidori Body Flicker.

Currently, the cellular activation in his arms and legs from the Chidori Body Flicker had already reached an astounding tenfold increase.

But the key difference was that the effect of the tag was permanent.

Since May, Shūichi had been training his Chidori Body Flicker, using lightning-style chakra to activate his cells. However, the permanent improvement in his arms and legs was only about 1%, and the further he progressed, the harder it would become to enhance.

Feeling the vibrant energy coursing through every cell in his body, Shūichi couldn't help but exclaim in delight, "This feels amazing!"

"This sensation is truly addictive!"

After standing up and moving around to test his body, Shūichi realized that the activation of his cells not only increased his reaction speed but also unleashed his physical potential, significantly improving his stamina.

Moreover...

"My Yang Release seems to have gotten stronger..."

Shūichi tested it multiple times and finally confirmed it wasn't just his imagination.

"My vitality has increased."

Shūichi thought of Asuka.

"So, there's a clear difference between this cellular activation and lightning-style activation."

He carefully compared his body before and after the changes.

"Lightning-style cellular activation, with long-term training, can also lead to some permanent enhancement, but the effects are too subtle, which is why I never noticed much improvement."

"But the Raikage clan's formidable physical prowess and enormous chakra reserves, aside from natural talent, likely owe a great deal to the Lightning Release Chakra Mode."

"After all, cellular activation increases cellular vitality, which enhances the body's energy and life force."

"The cells of Hashirama Senju are particularly terrifying in this regard..."

Thinking of this, Shūichi came to a frightening conclusion.

The short-term, high-intensity cellular activation from Lightning Release Chakra Mode might not even compare to Hashirama's normal state.

Of course, with the added speed boost from lightning-style chakra, it wasn't all bad.

No wonder Hashirama could fight Uchiha Madara with his Sharingan on equal footing in his base form!

"So, the key to Hashirama's ability to heal without hand signs might lie in his highly activated cells."

Shūichi speculated further, "Because of this high level of activation, the cells regenerate automatically when damaged, dividing and healing without conscious control. It's an instinctive reaction, or perhaps a subconscious one, requiring no active management."

"However, it might also be impossible to actively control."

"Unless one can freely regulate their cellular activation."

"The difficulty in transplanting Hashirama's cells probably stems from this. Once his cells encounter life force, they consume it like crazy and start dividing uncontrollably. Most people simply can't handle it."

Shūichi made several hypotheses, then thought to himself, "It seems I'll need to access some of the experimental data on Hashirama cells."

Tsunade had some information, though she had always been extremely cautious about it, despite drawing some knowledge from those experiments.

As a result, Shūichi hadn't had the chance to access it yet.

Perhaps after studying the data on Hashirama's cells, he could confirm his theories.

Still, when it came to research on Hashirama's cells, Orochimaru was the foremost authority.

He wondered if Yamato had emerged yet…

Gathering his thoughts, Shūichi returned to his focus on the Flying Thunder God technique.

Now, he had two options: either directly train in the Flying Thunder God technique, or use this year's "Flash of Insight" moment to develop a space-time ninjutsu and first unlock the tag [Envoy of Space-Time].

He could even unlock [Ninjutsu Professor], stacking his talents before training further.

However...

Shūichi didn't want to wait any longer.

He would tackle everything at once!

Master the Flying Thunder God and then scatter marks all over the world, maximizing his sense of security.

"That's it, it's decided…"

Shūichi made his decision.

And it just so happened that his teacher, Minato Namikaze, was home these past two days.

...

The next day, instead of sending a shadow clone to Minato Namikaze's house to research the Reaper Death Seal, Shūichi went in person.

Seeing him, both Minato and Kushina were a little surprised.

"It seems today is going to be a little different!" Kushina teased playfully.

Minato, however, saw through it all and smiled. "Looks like you're finally ready to officially train in the Flying Thunder God Technique, huh?"

"You're starting much later than I expected."

Kushina chuckled at Minato's comment. "Minato, if I remember correctly, you started learning this technique around Shūichi's age, right?"

Minato nodded, a nostalgic look on his face. "Yes, after I received a reward from Lord Third for a certain event, I chose to learn this technique."

Shūichi guessed it was probably the time Minato saved Kushina.

"Shūichi, wait just a moment."

Minato turned and went into another room, returning quickly with a scroll in hand, which he handed to Shūichi. "Here, this is the Flying Thunder God Technique scroll I prepared for you."

"It took me two years to fully master it, but with your talent, you'll definitely do it faster than I did!"

Shūichi accepted the scroll and smiled. "Thank you, Sensei. I'll try my best to surpass you and be faster."

"Hahaha..." Kushina laughed heartily, wrapping her arm around Shūichi's shoulder. "That's the spirit!"

"Keep it up, Shūichi! I believe you can surpass Minato!"

Minato stood to the side, smiling warmly.

After chatting for a bit, Minato said, "Alright, Shūichi, let's begin your training!"

"I still have two days off, so if you have any questions, I can help!"

Shūichi nodded and immediately opened the scroll.

Kushina went to the side to continue her own research on sealing techniques. She wasn't about to let herself fall too far behind!

Meanwhile, Shūichi focused intently on reading the Flying Thunder God Technique's contents, soon inwardly exclaiming, "As expected of a technique even Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't master, it's really difficult."

Among space-time ninjutsu, the summoning jutsu is considered the most basic and simple.

Even someone like Might Guy, who has little talent for ninjutsu, can learn it.

Next comes sealing scroll-type techniques, which, because they incorporate sealing jutsu, are upgraded to B-rank difficulty.

After that are things like summoning tags, also B-rank, which combine summoning jutsu and sealing scrolls, refined into a single tag.

Moving up from there is the The Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, also created by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, which is an A-rank, highly difficult space-time ninjutsu.

While learning these four techniques, Shūichi clearly felt the increasing difficulty, but also the foundational overlap among them.

The summoning jutsu serves as the basis for the other three techniques.

Especially the The Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags technique, which involves infinitely summoning explosive tags for continuous detonations. Summoning, or the ability to summon objects, is the core foundation.

As Shūichi now studied the basic principles of the Flying Thunder God Technique, he was grateful he had first mastered summoning, sealing scrolls, summoning tags, and the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags.

This foundation greatly lowered the difficulty of his entry into the Flying Thunder God Technique.

If he had started without any prior knowledge, he would've been completely lost.

But now...

Well, it wasn't that hard!

In principle, the most basic form of the Flying Thunder God Technique involves the user teleporting instantly by linking to their own chakra, making it a space-time ninjutsu that also falls under the body flicker category.

The user's chakra serves as the link, and once detected, they can instantly teleport to it.

However, because chakra doesn't last long in a location, it requires sealing to preserve it. Thus, the Flying Thunder God Technique's formula was created.

By leaving the Flying Thunder God formula on a kunai, the user can teleport to that kunai, as long as they can sense the formula containing their chakra.

Of course, the formula can be placed on other things, like rocks or trees, as well.

Another variation involves placing the Flying Thunder God formula on a target. Once sensed, the user can instantly teleport to that person's side.

Just from this basic principle, Shūichi could already see elements of summoning and reverse summoning jutsu.

Of course, the difficulty is far, far higher.

The summoning jutsu establishes a connection between two parties using a summoning scroll that bears both of their chakra signatures and blood markings.

Through the summoning and reverse summoning techniques, either party can call the other, crossing vast distances.

Summoning and reverse summoning rely on this chakra and blood connection to summon the other party.

In the case of the Flying Thunder God Technique, the user senses their own chakra and moves to where it is.

In a way, it's like summoning yourself to the place where your chakra is marked.

Or, more accurately, sensing the chakra formula and activating the technique to summon yourself to that location!

Shūichi's eyes gleamed as his mind raced. "If we set aside practical combat for a moment, the greatest challenges of the Flying Thunder God Technique lie in the formula and sensing ability."

"The formula is the key to whether teleportation can occur. And without the ability to sense it, the technique can't be activated."

"Once those two points are resolved, mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique is just a matter of time."

"But in battle, you'd also need extraordinary reflexes and spatial awareness to avoid teleporting straight into danger."

For instance, if you leave the formula on your enemy and teleport to them, you might end up behind them, to their left or right, or, worse, right in front of them and on the receiving end of their weapon.

After reviewing the principles and Minato's annotations, Shūichi had a clear understanding.

Next, he looked at the Flying Thunder God formula.

It wasn't just the characters on Minato's kunai; this was the original, much more complex formula composed of sealing symbols.

"As expected, it involves sealing jutsu…"

One look was enough for Shūichi to determine that mastering this formula would require a solid foundation in sealing techniques, or a natural talent for it.

Back when Minato trained, he might not have known much about sealing jutsu, but his talent in that area was undeniable!

"Although I haven't unlocked the 'Sealing Master' tag, my talent in this field is not lacking."

Shūichi felt confident.

Both Kushina and Minato had praised his aptitude for sealing jutsu, saying it rivaled Minato's own.

As for sensing, he had already mastered the Sensory Jutsu, gained the 'Sensory Expert' tag, and enhanced his mental focus and awareness.

"So, the next step is to master this complex formula..."

Shūichi felt a surge of motivation.

Seeing this, Minato smiled and asked, "Shūichi, how's it going? Any difficulties so far?"

Shūichi looked up and smiled. "Not yet. I understand the principles well enough, and while the formula is complex, thanks to my foundation in sealing techniques and experience creating summoning scrolls, I haven't hit any roadblocks yet."

Minato nodded with a smile. "As I expected, your talent in this area is exceptional."

"Keep at it!"

Minato thought to himself, "At this rate, Shūichi will likely master this formula in less than a year and a half."

"Maybe even less. After all, he has excellent sealing jutsu skills and can create summoning scrolls on his own."

"This is really going to be exciting to watch!"

"Shūichi!"

While studying the Flying Thunder God Technique in his study, Shūichi looked up and out the window. It was Sarutobi Shinonosuke in his Anbu attire. Shūichi stood up immediately and opened the window to step outside.

"This is the intel you requested about Sunagakure."

Shinonosuke handed him a rolled-up piece of paper.

Shūichi's thoughts quickly shifted away from the Flying Thunder God as he took the paper and unrolled it to read.

"As expected…"

Shūichi's expression darkened.

Already familiar with the intel, Sarutobi Shinonosuke asked, "So, do you think this person conspired with the Third Kazekage to kill Sakumo-senpai?"

Sasori of the Red Sand!

The genius puppet master from Sunagakure's puppet corps!

Yes, Sasori might have been a genius, but he wasn't famous in Sunagakure for his combat prowess or puppet manipulation, which was why Konoha had little information on him.

He had never fought any Konoha shinobi before, so he wasn't on their radar.

Shūichi nodded. "This guy's parents were killed by Sakumo-senpai in the last Great Ninja War."

Sarutobi Shinonosuke, still doubtful, added, "Even so, the intel says he attempted to assassinate the Kazekage three times and has defected from Sunagakure. He clearly sees the Third Kazekage as an enemy—would he really team up with him?"

Shūichi shook his head. "I can't be sure. It's just a suspicion."

Then he asked, "What does the Third Hokage think?"

Sarutobi replied, "Tracking down Sasori of the Red Sand has been very difficult."

Shūichi nodded in understanding. "Got it."

Sarutobi, knowing Shūichi's daring nature despite his calm exterior, cautioned, "Shūichi, I know you have a deep gratitude toward Sakumo-senpai for his guidance, but the Kazekage isn't an easy target to assassinate."

"You're strong, but the Third Kazekage's abilities are well-rounded, both offensively and defensively. It won't be easy."

Shūichi was fully aware of the gap between him and the Third Kazekage, so he smiled, "Don't worry, Captain. I'm not reckless—I value my life too much."

Behind his mask, Sarutobi couldn't help but think, "You might not be reckless, but you sure love to stir up trouble!"

With that, the conversation ended. Sarutobi handed Shūichi another piece of intel. "This one's for Danzo."

Shūichi took it, and Sarutobi disappeared.

Back in his study, Shūichi glanced at the second piece of intel and raised an eyebrow.

The "Pseudo-Tailed Beast Jinchūriki Project"?

"Through Orochimaru, Danzo must have learned about my ability to control the power of the Four-Tails. This plan... how interesting."

Shūichi chuckled.

It was clearly a probe into Danzo's ambitions, but Shūichi didn't mind.

He casually burned the paper and returned to studying the Flying Thunder God Technique.

A month had passed, and he still hadn't fully mastered the Flying Thunder God seal.

It was, admittedly, a bit challenging.

---

At the Experimental Base

Watching Orochimaru unwrap his bandages and slowly dress himself, Shūichi was startled inwardly.

"As expected, although his chakra's essence hasn't changed, the feeling he gives off is entirely different."

At this moment, Shūichi could sense that Orochimaru's chakra had become colder and even carried a faint snake-like quality.

And this was just the first experiment.

Orochimaru moved his body slightly, clearly satisfied, and smiled at Shūichi. "Shūichi-kun, you've mastered Tsunade's monstrous strength, haven't you?"

Shūichi nodded. "Are you asking me to use that strength to attack you?"

Orochimaru grinned. "It's the best way to test this, after all."

Shūichi had no objections.

The two left the experimental base and went to a nearby open area.

"Be careful, Orochimaru-sama!"

With a burst of chakra, Shūichi's figure shot forward.

Boom!

The ground caved in as Shūichi's fist created a large crater, and in the next instant, he twisted his body and launched another attack toward Orochimaru.

This time, he moved even faster, reaching Orochimaru just as he landed.

Engaging in close-quarters combat, each of Shūichi's punches landed with incredible force, forcing even Orochimaru, who wasn't weak in taijutsu, to retreat.

However, Shūichi noticed that some of his power was being deflected, making it hard to deliver full-force blows.

Clearly, Orochimaru's body modification had worked well.

Crack!

Orochimaru's jaw was dislocated by a punch from Shūichi, sending him flying.

Shūichi didn't follow up with another attack.

Orochimaru got up, calmly repositioned his jaw, and said with a smile, "Looks like it's not quite there yet."

"How did it feel, Shūichi-kun?"

Shūichi seriously responded, "Your ability to deflect force was impressive, but at the level of bone impact, it's still ineffective."

Orochimaru nodded. "Let's schedule the next experiment for a month from now."

He seemed pleased with the results.

After all, body modification was only one part of his overall plan—merely a foundation.

His ultimate goal was to achieve a form akin to the White Phosphorus Snake, with shedding and regeneration abilities. Researching the power of tailed beasts and Hashirama's cells was all part of that objective.

It was a goal he hadn't shared with Shūichi.

However, as Shūichi followed Orochimaru back to the base, he compared what he knew of Orochimaru's final form.

Clearly, the Living Corpse Reincarnation and Shed Skin Rebirth techniques were two entirely different forbidden jutsu.

This body modification was only the most basic level of transformation.

Orochimaru's ultimate goal was to become the White Phosphorus Snake... No, perhaps even the Eight-Headed Serpent!

"No wonder, despite being one of the Sannin, Orochimaru, though highly respected in Konoha, is never truly admired by the people."

Shūichi thought to himself, "It's not just Orochimaru's personality that's the issue. As his modifications progress, he's becoming more cold-blooded, gradually giving off an inhuman, terrifying aura."

No one would choose someone so cold and fearsome to be Hokage!

And this fear wasn't merely because of his strength.

...

Root Base

Danzo's expression darkened as he reviewed the intel Shūichi had submitted.

"It seems this isn't just about preparing the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki to harness the power of the Nine-Tails. They're also planning to select suitable candidates from the Anbu to create pseudo-Jinchūriki as weapons?"

He found the idea quite tempting.

In fact, after learning from Orochimaru that Shūichi had mastered the power of the Four-Tails, Danzo had entertained the same thoughts as Hiruzen Sarutobi.

However, for now, all available resources were focused on the experiments involving Hashirama's cells.

Still, looking at Hiruzen's plan, Danzo silently clenched his teeth, deciding that the Root would initiate a similar project.

When it came to mental fortitude, the cold and ruthless Root had an unparalleled advantage!

"This plan should be executed by the Root!" Danzo thought to himself with a cold sneer.

As for whether the plan was genuine or not, he had no doubts.

He knew his old comrade too well.

As Sarutobi aged, his temperament had grown softer.

After the heavy losses in the previous Hashirama cell experiments, Hiruzen was reluctant to reopen such risky projects.

But if there was a proven success story, Danzo believed Hiruzen wouldn't hesitate to use it.

The only issue was funding...

After some thought, Danzo decided that the Root would take on a few more assignments involving coups in smaller nations. This would not only bring in money but also divert the attention and resources of the Iwa-nin, further entangling them.

---

Shūichi wasn't concerned with Danzo's reaction to the intel. Danzo wouldn't come looking for him anyway; he'd most likely collaborate with Orochimaru.

In any case, with the sudden progress in the researching of Four-Tails and Eight-Tails cells, Shūichi was reaping plenty of benefits.

Not having to spend his own money while getting things done his way felt quite satisfying.

When you're busy, time flies without you even noticing.

With the cool autumn breeze blowing, Shūichi and Shizune took a walk together after lunch.

Meanwhile, his shadow clones' memories fed back to him, and there was some movement in the Tag Tree.

But Shūichi didn't check it right away, choosing instead to focus on chatting and laughing with Shizune.

After walking for a while, they sat down on a bench by the roadside. Suddenly, Shizune gestured toward their heights, saying, "Shūichi, it seems like you've grown a lot taller these past few months!"

Shūichi had noticed it too, and he chuckled. "That's because I'm almost grown up."

Shizune remarked, "At this rate, you'll probably be around 1.8 meters tall!"

Shūichi teased, "What, you don't like me being that tall?"

Shizune blushed instantly. "No... of course not."

Shūichi gently took her soft hand and played with it, while Shizune leaned her head on his shoulder. With a dreamy tone, she softly asked, "Shūichi, what do you think our future will be like?"

Shūichi smiled and replied, "We'll be very happy, of course."

"We'll be incredibly strong!"

"And we'll have lots of children."

"Eleven—what do you think?"

Shizune looked up, her face flushed. "Eleven… isn't that a bit too many?"

"And why eleven?"

Shūichi teased her further, "Then let's make it twelve! We can divide them into three squads, that way no one will dare bully them!"

Shizune couldn't help but laugh. "That's ridiculous!"

...

The daydreams of young boys and girls are always filled with unimaginable things.

After the lunch break, Shūichi and Shizune returned to Konoha Hospital.

Following a round of patient checkups, Shūichi went back to his office, his attention shifting to the Tag Tree.

[Earth Release Expert] unlocked!

With that, the set of Five Release Experts was complete!

Beneath the Tag Tree, Shūichi gazed at the five glowing leaves representing the five elemental releases. As the tree swayed, a higher branch revealed a grayish-white leaf shimmering with red light.

This signaled that the tag [Ninjutsu Professor] was an advanced red-tier tag, superior to the blue ones.

Unlock!

Shūichi immediately chose to unlock it, and the leaf was engulfed in a brilliant red glow, radiating vibrantly.

Ninjutsu talent increased by 100%, chakra nature transformation talent increased by 100%, chakra shape transformation talent increased by 100%, physical constitution improved by 100%. Is there anything left that could stop you aside from Kekkei Genkai? The answer: none!

A wave of warmth surged through his body as Shūichi felt his physical strength significantly improve.

At the same time, the lingering doubts about the Flying Thunder God Technique, which had been troubling him for some time, suddenly cleared up as his mind raced.

"As expected, it's always good to have a cheat!"

Shūichi chuckled to himself.

This time, his overall ninjutsu talent had been upgraded across the board, which naturally included body flicker techniques and space-time ninjutsu.

Additionally, the improvements in chakra nature and shape transformations covered a wide range of abilities.

"This will speed up my progress in genjutsu too."

Shūichi was quite satisfied with this boost. Although it wasn't an immediate surge in power, the long-term effects would be substantial.

"Huh?"

Suddenly, the Tag Tree moved again.

Above [Ninjutsu Professor], a new tag leaf appeared.

Tag: [Prodigy]

Condition to Obtain: [Genius] + [Pioneer] + [Ninjutsu Professor] + [Taijutsu Expert] + [Ninja Tool Expert] + [Kenjutsu Expert] + [Body Flicker Expert] + [Clone Expert] + [Substitution Expert] + [Transformation Expert] + [Genjutsu Expert] + [Sealing Expert] + [Space-Time Envoy] + [Medical Expert] + [Sensory Expert] = Prodigy

Tag Effect: 10x thought processing speed, 100% increased comprehension, 100% increased physical constitution. In the field of learning, you are already a god, and as a god, there is nothing you cannot master. If it's in front of you, there's nothing you can't learn!

Reading the description, Shūichi froze.

"Well, well, a super-synthesized tag."

But the effects were immensely powerful.

The doubling of his physical constitution was impressive, but the real highlight was the 10x thought processing speed and doubled comprehension.

Previously, his comprehension had been enhanced by the [Konoha Genius] tag, but that was only a 50% increase. Now, it was doubled, and comprehension applied to far more areas than just ninjutsu.

While ninjutsu talent covered only the area of ninjutsu, comprehension affected every aspect of learning.

The most important part was the final effect.

"Prodigy"—as the name suggested—meant a god in the field of learning. A god is omnipotent, and there's nothing they can't learn.

With this tag, if something existed, it meant he could master it.

This included Kekkei Genkai, Kekkei Tōta, and Kekkei Mōra!

Shūichi couldn't help but lick his lips. This was truly tempting.

And acquiring this synthesized tag wasn't too far off for him.

At the moment, he only lacked the [Genjutsu Expert] and [Space-Time Envoy] tags.

Once he mastered the Flying Thunder God, he could unlock [Space-Time Envoy].

As for [Genjutsu Expert], he still needed to master techniques like Binding Illusion and Temple of Nirvana to the required proficiency level.

The Binding Illusion, much like the Body Flicker Technique, was a genjutsu that also referred to a class of techniques—specifically, binding-type illusions.

For example, Mount Myōboku's Toad Confrontation Chant and Uchiha Itachi's Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique.

These techniques had a similar effect—like sleep paralysis, where the victim's mind remained conscious, but their body was immobilized.

The strength of these illusions varied, depending on the user's skill.

Even though Orochimaru was a top-tier genjutsu user, he was easily defeated by a much younger Uchiha Itachi.

The Binding Illusion technique given by Danzo was ranked B-level, and in terms of difficulty, it was easier to learn than A-level techniques like Bringer-of-Darkness Technique and Temple of Nirvana, a sleep-inducing illusion.

"Almost there… almost…"

Shūichi refocused.

Even if this tag only made him a god of learning, it was still incredibly impressive.

If something were placed in front of him, there would be no way he couldn't learn it.

Many people, even with the answer right in front of them, still wouldn't understand it.

Shūichi had experienced that feeling before.

"This year, I should be able to unlock [Genjutsu Expert]. Now, should I use 'Flash of Insight' to master the Flying Thunder God? With some preparation, 10 minutes should be enough."

Shūichi pondered. "But even without 'Flash of Insight,' I'm confident I'll master it—just might take a bit more time."

So, should he use "Flash of Insight"?

With proper preparation, "Flash of Insight" was more than enough for him to develop an S-rank jutsu and unlock a master-level tag.

Knock knock!

Suddenly, a knocking sound snapped Shūichi out of his thoughts.

Shizune's voice followed, "Shūichi, a seriously injured patient just arrived, and Lady Nono wants you to come quickly!"

"Coming!"

Shūichi immediately stood up and left, quickly heading to the hospital room with Shizune.

Huh?

Seeing the patient on the bed, Shūichi paused in surprise.

This is… a young Hayate Gekkō?

Looking toward the hospital director, Nono Yakushi, who was reviewing Gekkō's medical records, Shūichi quickly asked, "Director, what's wrong with this child?"

Nono replied, "Lung disease. The exact cause is still unclear, but his lungs have already begun irreversible fibrosis."

"It's suspected to be related to the awakening of a Kekkei Genkai, but further evaluation is needed to confirm."

Lung fibrosis?

Kekkei Genkai?

Could it be a Kekkei Genkai illness?

Transparent Escape Technique?

One thought after another flashed through Shūichi's mind.