Chapter 7: A Modest Achievement! (Please Keep Reading!)

“Youngness is truly wonderful!”

Watching the three figures disappearing into the distance, Ryusei Futaki, just off work, smiled with a sigh.

“We’re not old either!”

A voice sounded beside Ryusei’s ear.

He turned to see his colleague and laughed, “Nome, compared to them, we’re definitely old.”

Nome shrugged with his hands in his pockets. “They’re just kids. Besides, I’m not old at all—I’m only twenty-two!”

“But I heard your class has a genius?”

Ryusei raised an eyebrow. “You mean Genichi, right?”

Nome nodded. “Probably. Anyway, it’s definitely not someone from the Shinobi clan.”

A genius from the Shinobi clan? That’s quite common.

Take Kakashi, for example—he was already famous before enrollment.

After all, he’s the son of the White Fang of Konoha!

Moreover, he performed brilliantly during the entrance exam and earned praise from the Third Hokage.

Ryusei smiled. “Genichi is indeed exceptional. He learns everything at once. I believe he’ll become an outstanding ninja in the future, just like…”

“Jiraiya-sama!”

Nome was surprised. “Jiraiya-sama… isn’t that a bit of an exaggeration?”

Jiraiya was one of the Legendary Sannin.

Under the Third Hokage, he was one of Konoha’s strongest ninjas.

He was also a popular candidate for the Fourth Hokage.

Ryusei didn’t explain further and smiled, “Let’s wait and see!”

…

If Genichi Tsubaki had heard Ryusei’s evaluation of him, he’d have been very gratified.

It meant the initial success of the genius persona plan.

At this moment, he was leaping swiftly between buildings.

Kakashi and Might Guy were closely following behind.

From the ninja academy to the village gate, countless buildings and many pedestrians lined the path.

So this seemingly simple race tested not only speed and stamina but also reaction and route planning.

Moreover, Genichi hadn’t specified whether attacking others was allowed during the race.

Like when Pain destroyed Konoha, during the reconstruction, Kakashi and Might Guy’s races involved pots, pans, and all sorts of attacks to interfere.

On a rooftop terrace, Genichi spotted an empty can and couldn’t resist acting.

He abruptly spun and delivered a flying kick, sending the can hurtling toward Kakashi, who was chasing behind.

Startled, Kakashi dodged just in time; the can nearly whizzed past his ear.

That brief delay allowed Might Guy to catch up.

Ahead, Genichi widened the gap before turning away from the dense buildings.

Kakashi and Might Guy immediately followed.

They passed through a grove, and a river appeared before them.

Genichi seemed to walk on water.

---

But after crossing the river, he suddenly stopped and turned around.

Seeing Kakashi also enter the river, Genichi immediately formed hand seals.

Tiger - Snake - Ox - Goat - Rooster - Rat!

Watching Genichi’s seals, Kakashi’s eyelid twitched wildly: “That’s… Water Release!”

Indeed.

The next moment, the river water spiraled upward, then surged like a giant python rushing toward him.

Water Release: Water Shock Wave!

The water flow wasn’t large; Genichi deliberately controlled the jutsu’s power—at most, it would knock Kakashi down without causing injury.

Kakashi reacted quickly and dodged.

The water now surged toward Might Guy, who was catching up.

Genichi made another hand sign.

Both hands stretched forward, palms open and slightly bent, with thumbs facing each other and index fingers touching.

This was the “Zai” seal from the Nine Character Mantra.

After forming the seal, Genichi crossed his hands and waved.

The rushing water turned sharply and then reversed.

Boom!

Caught off guard, Kakashi was swept into the river.

Might Guy widened his eyes watching.

He hadn’t mastered walking on water yet, so now he was… swimming.

---

At the riverbank, Genichi smiled.

Experimenting with the Nine Character Mantra seals showed initial results.

Though he had only grasped a fragment of the “Zai” seal, it enhanced his control over the Water Shock Wave, a C-rank ninjutsu.

Genichi looked forward to what he’d become ten years from now.

He turned and continued.

In the river, Kakashi surfaced, staring at Genichi’s retreating figure.

Shocked but fueled by competitive spirit, he leapt up and gave chase with all his might.

---

Meanwhile,

In the Hokage’s office,

Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi clenched his pipe, eyes fixed on a crystal ball.

The scene displayed was none other than Genichi, Kakashi, and Might Guy’s contest.

He had received reports from Ryusei Futaki and, after explaining the Will of Fire, noticed Genichi’s impressive performance, so on a whim, he decided to watch.

What he saw surprised him.

Seeing Genichi knock Kakashi into the river with Water Shock Wave, an image involuntarily appeared in Sarutobi’s mind.

Tobirama Senju!

The resemblance was uncanny!

Though Genichi’s use of Water Shock Wave was still immature to Sarutobi’s eyes,

he already had a distinctive style.

Just like his teacher, the previous Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

Setting aside the ninjutsu, Sarutobi firmly etched Genichi’s name and person into his memory.

---

At the Konoha village gate,

Genichi sat cross-legged, resting.

After a while, Kakashi arrived.

Breathing heavily with hands on his knees, Kakashi finally looked up at Genichi.

“When did you master Water Release?”

Genichi smiled. “Not long ago. This technique was left to me by my grandfather.”

Kakashi nodded, then added, “The last seal you made—that was from the Nine Character Mantra, right?”

Genichi didn’t hide it. “Yes, the ‘Zai’ seal.”

“Interesting set of nine seals. I studied it a bit and didn’t expect it to really work.”

“By the way, how about sparring with swords sometime?”

Kakashi looked at Genichi in surprise. “Swords?”

“You learned swordsmanship too?”

Genichi nodded. “Self-taught.”

“My grandfather didn’t leave much in sword techniques, so I just practiced the basics, focusing on quick draw slashes—iaijutsu.”

Kakashi hesitated slightly, worried about discouraging Genichi, but after a moment, he nodded. “No problem.”

After a brief chat, Might Guy arrived.

The three of them strolled back together.

Of course, Might Guy walked on his hands.

---

After their contest, Genichi’s relationship with Kakashi and Might Guy made great strides—they could now be called friends.

From that day on,

the three occasionally engaged in passionate youthful competitions, gradually bursting with fervor.

Time flew by.

Before they knew it, summer vacation had passed.

A new semester began, and practical combat classes started.

On the training field, a group of young children huddled around the iron fence, forming a circle and leaving the center clear.

Ryusei Futaki stood in the center. “Reiterating the rules for the practical combat class: hits must be light, no intentional serious injuries.”

“Of course, don’t hold back either. The teacher will watch closely and intervene if necessary.”

“Now, one-on-one battles by the names I call out.”

“Genichi Tsubaki, Asuma Sarutobi!”

Next to Shion, Genichi stepped forward.

Not far away, beside Yugao Uzuki, Asuma Sarutobi also came out.

The two faced each other before the teacher.

“Form the opposing seals!”

Ryusei Futaki called loudly.

Genichi and Asuma complied.

Ryusei took two steps back, raised his hand, then waved downward while shouting, “Begin!”