Chapter 6: The Rushing Wave!

After the first class in the afternoon, Genichi Kusashita once again found Ryusei Futaki beneath the tree and obtained a detailed explanation about the Nine-Character True Word Hand Seals.

Carefully reading through it, Genichi mused to himself, "Indeed, the Nine-Character True Word Hand Seals are even more profound; even the annotations are so cryptic, making them hard to comprehend."

For example, the "Rin" hand seal is said to possess the power to still the body and mind.

The "Hei" hand seal contains vitality that grants longevity and rejuvenation, also enabling swift movement.

The "To" hand seal embodies courage and decisiveness, stirring fighting spirit when facing difficulties, empowering one to overcome all obstacles.

The "Sha" hand seal allows free control over one’s own body and even others’ bodies. The spiritual energy of all things, at my command.

Looking at the annotation for the "Sha" hand seal, Genichi immediately recalled the seal that Kaishi formed when unleashing the Day Tiger.

“That must be this seal—freely commanding the full body’s power to unleash the strongest strike.”

He couldn’t help but glance up at Might Guy, who was attentively listening to the lesson.

The more he pondered the Nine-Character True Word Hand Seals, the more fascinating they became, far more intriguing than the twelve basic hand seals.

He wondered, though—in the world of the Hidden Leaf, were these Nine-Character True Word Hand Seals created by Indra, or were they originally an ancient power?

Like Sage Mode, for instance.

Gathering his scattered thoughts, Genichi continued his contemplation.

The "Kai" seal: to understand and manipulate human hearts, capable of dispelling all troubles.

Reading this note, Genichi immediately thought of genjutsu, the illusion techniques, and how to dispel them.

Among the twelve basic hand seals, the "Tiger" seal is commonly used to dispel genjutsu.

He felt that the concept of "human heart" could extend to spiritual power, which often signifies genjutsu.

This seal should be usable both to unleash and to dispel illusions.

Next was the "Jin" seal: to see through and perceive the human heart.

Again, closely tied to human consciousness.

The "Retsu" seal: an unwavering power to forge ahead, ignoring all obstacles.

“A power that ignores all obstacles… space-time?”

Genichi shook his head quietly and moved on.

The "Zai" seal: freely use all kinds of supernatural powers.

He raised an eyebrow. “The Water Release used by Senju Tobirama must be this seal, right? By this logic, it’s not just water techniques, but also lightning, earth, fire, and wind techniques that can be used.”

He recalled the battle between the reanimated Tobirama Senju and Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Tobirama’s mastery over water techniques was indeed exceptional.

Even when Hiruzen hid behind a high wall of earth techniques, the water of Tobirama’s water release could still be manipulated to flow back.

This was not something an ordinary ninja could accomplish.

No, even most proficient water-style ninjas would struggle.

After all, spilled water is hard to retrieve!

Finally, the "Zen" seal: transcend all realms, uniting all transformations in darkness.

Looking at the annotation for the "Zen" hand seal, Genichi wished the annotator would speak plainly.

After roughly pondering the Nine-Character True Word Hand Seals and writing down his own understanding, Genichi returned to study the twelve basic hand seals.

Nearby, Shizune occasionally watched Genichi’s movements and showed a puzzled expression upon seeing the Nine-Character True Word Hand Seals.

After school, Shizune visited Tsunade’s house. Seeing that Tsunade was not yet drunk, she asked, “Lady Tsunade, do you know what the Nine-Character hand seals—Rin, Hei, To, Sha, Kai, Jin, Retsu, Zai, Zen—are used for?”

Tsunade, slightly tipsy, looked up and said, “Nine-Character hand seals? When did the ninja academy teach those?”

Shizune hurriedly explained, “The teachers haven’t taught them yet, and the textbooks don’t include annotations for those nine seals.”

Tsunade smiled slightly. “Those were just casually added by Grandpa when he compiled the teaching materials; you don’t need to worry about them. You won’t be using those seals.”

She herself had never used or studied them.

The twelve basic hand seals were more than sufficient.

Shizune nodded but hesitated to say more.

Seeing this, Tsunade took another drink and belched before continuing, “If you master the twelve basic hand seals well, you can use them at will, even form seals according to your own habits.”

“Like forming seals with one hand.”

“As for the Nine-Character hand seals, according to Grandpa, they do have different powers, but they are extremely difficult to master. Even Grandpa only mastered the use of a few of them.”

“If you become proficient with the twelve basic hand seals, it’s easy to harmonize with chakra, but the Nine-Character seals don’t work that way.”

At this, Tsunade waved her hand impatiently. “Don’t bother with those seals; just practice the twelve basic ones well.”

Shizune dared not ask further. “Understood, Lady Tsunade!”

...

The sun set.

Genichi Kusashita dragged his weary body home.

Though attending school, he had not stopped practicing sword drawing—the iai slash—and the Rasengan.

Relaxing in the bathtub for half an hour, he washed away his exhaustion.

After dinner, Genichi immediately returned to his room and sat at his desk, unrolling an old scroll.

It had been left by his grandfather.

What Ryusei Futaki said about his grandfather’s notes mentioning nature transformation and shape transformation was no lie.

In fact, his grandfather only left behind one ninjutsu.

Water Release: Water Surge Wave!

This was the only offensive ninjutsu Genichi would master for the next decade.

He was, of course, extremely familiar with this technique.

The seals: Tiger, Snake, Ox, Goat, Rooster, Rat.

Six seals in total—not many.

If the seals were formed quickly enough, it would only take one second.

Still, Genichi thought it was too many.

“I’ll start simplifying the hand seals with this technique.”

“And also begin applying the Nine-Character True Word Hand Seals with it.”

As for the Three Bodies Technique’s seals, they were already simple enough.

Time flew.

Unconsciously, two months had passed.

One day just after school, Genichi heard a familiar fiery voice: “Kakashi, let’s have a youthful showdown!”

“If I lose, I’ll do 500 handstands today!”

Genichi looked over to see Might Guy blocking Kakashi.

Kakashi nodded expressionlessly. “No problem.”

“How shall we compete?”

Before Might Guy could answer, a voice came from behind: “Add me in, how about that?”

Genichi stepped forward.

After two months, everyone was familiar with each other—though not quite friends yet.

Seeing the class genius, Might Guy bared his white teeth: “Of course, no problem. Right, Kakashi?”

Kakashi glanced at Genichi and then nodded. “No problem.”

Genichi smiled and proposed, “Then let’s start from here and see who reaches the village gate first.”

Might Guy, brimming with passion, clapped his fists. “Great, it’s settled then!”

Kakashi nodded in agreement.

Just then, Rin Nohara stepped forward with a smile. “I’ll be your referee!”

Genichi grinned. “Thanks, Rin!”

Beside her, Obito Uchiha also wanted to join the competition, but seeing the three already ready, he felt too shy to speak up.

“3, 2, 1...” Rin counted down, then shouted, “Go!”

At her command, three figures shot forward, kicking up three clouds of dust.