"Did you get a good look?"
After finishing the jutsu, Tenka turned to Shūichi.
Shūichi nodded, "I've memorized it!"
Tenka smiled, "Then give it a try. With your talent, it should be no problem."
Without saying a word, Shūichi immediately raised his hands to perform the hand signs.
Rat - Tiger - Dog - Ox - Rabbit - Tiger.
Shūichi took two seconds to complete the six signs, then exhaled, releasing three fireballs that flew out haphazardly, crashing into the ground and leaving three craters.
"Well done, Shūichi!"
Tenka praised with a smile.
Shūichi immediately asked with a grin, "Do you have any other Fire Release techniques, sister?"
Hearing this, Tenka bent down and gave Shūichi a playful tap on the forehead, then put her hands on her hips, "You little rascal, don't get too greedy!"
Even with Shūichi's thick skin, he couldn't help but blush.
But getting even one Fire Release technique was already great. Once he mastered it, he would only need one more jutsu to unlock the [Fire Release Expert] Tag.
"I definitely need to repay Tenka somehow…"
As Shūichi left the shop to meet up with Kakashi and the others, he quietly made plans.
Upon reaching their meeting spot, Shūichi immediately challenged Kakashi to a taijutsu match.
Though he ultimately lost, the gap between them was shrinking—a very promising sign.
With the boost from the [Self-Discipline], [Scholar], and [Strong and Sturdy] Tags, and his relentless training, Shūichi was confident that he could eventually surpass Kakashi in taijutsu.
After all, while Kakashi was skilled in taijutsu, much of his focus was now on kenjutsu and ninjutsu.
The next morning, Shūichi once again arrived at the Tenka's Shop early.
But today, besides a few explosive tags, he also brought a gift.
"What's this thing?"
"Is it food?"
"Or a toy?"
Tenka examined the egg-shaped, pitch-black object, turning it over in her hands.
"No, it's a ninja tool!"
Shūichi chuckled, pointing to the Ninja World version of a grenade in Tenka's hands. "The shell is made of plastic, and it's filled with tiny steel balls."
"And of course, the most important part is the explosive tag."
Tenka gasped, "A ninja tool? An explosive tag?"
"Does it cause damage by making the steel balls scatter with the explosion?"
Shūichi gave a thumbs up, "Exactly, Sis Tenka!"
"Of course."
Tenka gave a proud smile, but then her expression turned serious as she examined the object more closely and noticed the explosive tag.
It was rolled into a strip and inserted into a hollow tube in the middle.
This meant that the number of explosive tags could be adjusted to control the power of the explosion.
In Tenka's mind, scenarios of its use quickly unfolded.
After the object exploded, the steel balls inside would be scattered in all directions by the shockwave, making them far more difficult to avoid than a simple explosive tag.
The more explosive tags used, the greater the explosion's power, and the faster the steel balls would fly, increasing the range of destruction…
Suddenly, Tenka shivered. She looked at Shūichi—his face gentle, his gaze pure, his smile warm—and asked in disbelief, "Shūichi, did you… make this?"
Shūichi smiled, "Of course."
"You taught me a ninjutsu, so I'm giving this to you as a gift."
Giving such a powerful weapon as a gift to a girl… Tenka couldn't help but find it amusing yet touching at the same time.
She understood the true value of this item very well.
It had the potential to elevate her family's status within Konoha.
In a situation where the information about it remained confidential, this tool might even be a game-changer in a war.
Perhaps that's a bit of an exaggeration.
But when presented to the Hokage, it would certainly be framed that way.
For now, they needed to test its power.
"Let's go to the back and try it out!" Tenka said, pulling Shūichi along. But Shūichi stopped her, "This isn't the right place for a test. We need somewhere with cover, and we should set up some targets."
"You're so smart!" Tenka pinched Shūichi's cheek, then quickly agreed.
Half an hour later.
The two found themselves in a wooded area.
In a relatively open spot, seven or eight wooden targets were set up in a circle.
Standing about twenty meters away, Shūichi and Tenka positioned themselves behind a large tree.
Shūichi raised his hand and tossed the grenade into the center of the ring of wooden targets. As soon as it landed, Shūichi made a hand sign and commanded, "Detonate!"
The moment the grenade exploded, both Shūichi and Tenka ducked behind the tree.
Immediately, they heard the rapid crackling of the air being torn and the dull thuds of impacts.
Even the tree they were hiding behind wasn't spared from the sound of impacts.
Once everything quieted down, the two quickly emerged from behind the tree to inspect the aftermath.
The wooden targets were leaning at odd angles, each one riddled with holes.
Nearby trees had steel balls embedded deep into their trunks, including the one they had just used for cover.
"At least a 20-meter lethal range," Tenka observed, both amazed and fearful. "At this distance, with an attack like that, no ninja could withstand it."
Tenka was both excited and terrified.
This was a weapon she definitely didn't want to face.
While ninjas wouldn't stay in one spot and the Body Flicker Technique could be very fast, this was far more dangerous than a simple explosive tag.
If someone was ambushed and caught off guard, they would surely meet a grim fate.
If a vital spot was hit by one of the steel balls, even a medical ninja might not be able to save them.
"Shūichi, are you really giving this to me?" Tenka asked again.
Shūichi nodded with a smile, "Of course!"
"A man's word is his bond; I won't go back on it!"
Tenka chuckled, then leaned down and gave Shūichi a quick kiss on the forehead, "Thank you, Shūichi!"
Looking at Tenka, Shūichi could only sigh inwardly, acknowledging his own limitations.
Afterward, the two of them began cleaning up the area.
The wooden targets were destroyed, and they needed to collect the scattered steel balls.
Tenka decided that this matter definitely needed to be reported to the Third Hokage, but for now, the grenade wasn't something that should be widely distributed.
Such an item wasn't difficult to make, and the information could easily be leaked.
It had only been a few years since the last Great Ninja War, and the ninja world had mostly stabilized.
However, many unresolved conflicts from the Second Ninja War remained, and Tenka felt that another war would inevitably break out.
That would be the right time to introduce the grenade.
Selling weapons—occasional retail sales weren't much, but village procurement was where the real money was!
First, produce and stockpile!
Of course, Tenka decided that for every grenade sold, Shūichi would receive a portion of the profits.
Shūichi didn't refuse this arrangement.
After finishing this task, his life returned to normal—going to school, training, and studying Fire Release techniques.
He always knew what his priorities were.
Time flew by, and more than a month of the new academy term had already passed.
After school, Shūichi and Shizune had just left the academy when he spotted a familiar figure. Filled with joy, he quickly ran over.
"Director!"
Shūichi hugged Yakushi Nono.
The bespectacled Yakushi Nono gently patted Shūichi's smooth black hair, smiling. "Shūichi, you've grown quite a bit."
Shūichi's height had already surpassed her waist.
Releasing her from the hug, Shūichi grinned, "Well, it has been a few months!"
At this moment, Shizune and the others approached. Shūichi quickly introduced them to each other and then sent Shizune and the others ahead to the training ground, while he took a walk with Yakushi Nono.
Without asking about Yakushi Nono's mission, Shūichi took the initiative to recount his earlier encounter with Danzo, including how Tsunade had stepped in to help.
"I see..."
Yakushi Nono stopped in her tracks, looking at Shūichi with a complex expression. "Shūichi, you've grown up."
Shūichi smiled. "Of course. Now I can protect the orphanage and each other, alongside you, Director."
"So, Director, since you're working at Konoha Hospital, does that mean I can come to help out and learn more about medical justu at the same time?"
Yakushi Nono laughed, "Of course you can."
She wasn't the type to be overly strict.
She then asked, "Should we pay a visit to Lady Tsunade to express our gratitude?"
Shūichi thought for a moment and nodded. "Yes, we should visit and thank her properly."
He figured it wouldn't be a bad idea for Yakushi Nono to build a connection with Tsunade. After all, Yakushi Nono was still in her early twenties and had a lot of potential for growth.
Since they couldn't take down Danzo at the moment, the best strategy was to strengthen their position so that Danzo wouldn't dare to act rashly.
Yakushi Nono said, "We should prepare in advance to make sure we don't show any disrespect."
Shūichi agreed. "Let me check with her, and then we can decide on a time for the visit."
Yakushi Nono nodded and patted Shūichi on the shoulder. "Go join your classmates."
After parting with Yakushi Nono, Shūichi rejoined Shizune and the others.
Once they finished their afternoon training, Shūichi asked Shizune to pass on the message about their upcoming visit to thank Tsunade.
Shizune replied, "Shūichi, isn't this a bit too much trouble? You don't need to be so formal."
Shūichi shook his head. "For Lady Tsunade, it might have just been a small favor, but for me, the Director, and the orphanage, it was incredibly important."
Understanding this, Shizune nodded. "I see. I'll make sure to tell Lady Tsunade."
That evening, Shūichi set aside an hour to prepare a gift for Tsunade.
The next day, when he arrived at school, Shizune brought the news.
The visit was scheduled for that very evening.
So, after finishing his training that evening, Shūichi freshened up and, along with Yakushi Nono—who had prepared some homemade snacks—set out for Tsunade's house.
But before they left, Shūichi stopped by a shop and bought a bottle of fine sake, which cost him a hefty 500 ryō.
It hurt!
...
"As Expected of the Senju Clan!"
Standing in front of Tsunade's grand residence, Shūichi couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
However, despite its size, the house had a lifeless atmosphere.
After knocking on the door, it was Shizune who answered. Shūichi immediately pulled out the gift he had prepared—a scroll. "Shizune, this is for you!"
Shizune was both surprised and delighted, her face flushing slightly. "For... for me?"
Shūichi smiled, "Of course, you've earned it too!"
Shizune accepted it with gratitude, "Thank you."
She then quickly invited both of them inside, where Tsunade was already waiting at the entrance of the living room to greet them.
However, Tsunade didn't seem to be in high spirits today and showed no intention of inviting them to stay for dinner.
Shūichi, being perceptive, handed over the gifts, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then politely took his leave with Yakushi Nono. Tsunade didn't insist they stay.
As they left Tsunade's home, Shūichi couldn't resist glancing back, thinking to himself, "It seems Tsunade isn't doing well in Konoha."
"Then again, it's understandable—her brother is dead, her lover is dead… She's the top medical ninja in the world, yet she suffers from hemophobia."
...
Inside the living room, Shizune looked at Tsunade and softly asked, "Lady Tsunade, wasn't that a bit too rude?"
Tsunade didn't seem to care. "What's there to be rude about?"
"It's not like I'm the one thanking them!"
"Now, let's see what that little brat brought as a gift."
With no other choice, Shizune brought the gift basket over to Tsunade.
"Oh, there's sake."
Tsunade smiled, "That kid sure knows what I like!"
Shizune glanced over and said, "Lady Tsunade, I think the scroll and the snacks are probably the most valuable gifts here."
Tsunade gave it a glance and snorted lightly, "The snacks are yours. As for the scroll..."
After thinking for a moment, she decided to open it.
"Hmm?"
Tsunade let out a surprised sound, and her expression gradually became more serious.
A moment later, she set down the scroll and looked at Shizune, "Did that kid give you a gift too? Open it and take a look!"
Shizune nodded and quickly unrolled the scroll Shūichi had given her. "Memory... Palace."
"Lady Tsunade, it's a memory technique!"
Shizune exclaimed in surprise.
Tsunade snorted, "That sneaky brat, he gave us both the same gift!"
"Huh, the same?"
Shizune was taken aback and leaned over to look at Tsunade's scroll.
Indeed, it was the same.
But instead of feeling disappointed, she felt a bit pleased, and then she defended Shūichi, "Lady Tsunade, it hasn't been easy for Shūichi either. This technique is probably something his parents left for him."
Tsunade, however, shook her head, "You're underestimating him."
"This technique was likely created by him."
"I've seen the data from the old man's files—the assessment from the Root. That kid has an astonishing memory."
Shizune was both surprised and impressed, "That's incredible!"
Tsunade rolled her eyes, but then said seriously, "Shizune, this technique is really valuable, especially for a medical ninja. You need to study it carefully. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask that kid!"
...
At home, Shūichi's thoughts were also on Tsunade, "She must have realized I gave them both the same gift by now, right?"
"Well, I couldn't help it. Besides this, I don't really have anything else impressive to give."
Of course, he had also made a copy of the Memory Palace technique for Yakushi Nono.
In the days that followed, Shūichi's routine changed.
Instead of spending his weekends at Tenka's shop, he began going to Konoha Hospital to study medical knowledge under Yakushi Nono's guidance, fully absorbing and understanding the information he had crammed into his mind before.
And so, autumn passed and winter arrived.
Before he knew it, it was already December, and the winter break and New Year's holiday were just around the corner.
But just as the term was coming to an end, Kakashi submitted his application for early graduation, shocking the entire ninja academy.
Because Kakashi, who was born in September, was not yet six years old—he hadn't even been five when he first entered the academy.
Although Shūichi had also decided to graduate early, he didn't plan to do so alongside Kakashi.
He wanted to first obtain the "Fire Release Expert" Tag, which would give him enough confidence to ensure his safety.
On December 15th, Konoha Year 38, it was time for Kakashi's graduation exam.
Shūichi Hoshita and the others were all waiting at the exam site.
About an hour later, Kakashi, still as cool and aloof as ever, emerged from the exam area, his scarf wrapped around him.
Instantly, everyone's eyes focused on the ninja forehead protector on Kakashi's head.
"He really passed!"
"Amazing!"
"As expected of Kakashi!"
"At this age, he must have broken the record, right?"
The students around him were filled with exclamations of awe and admiration, mixed with envy.
At the age of 5, Kakashi graduated, becoming the youngest person to ever graduate from Konoha's ninja academy, quickly gaining fame throughout the village. The news even spread beyond Konoha.
After all, geniuses always attract attention, whether from allies or enemies.
Shūichi remained calm and collected. He had already mastered the Phoenix Flower Jutsu and was only one step away from unlocking the "Fire Release Expert" Tag, needing just one more Fire Release jutsu.
Unfortunately, Yakushi Nono didn't know any Fire Release jutsu.
In the end, Shūichi decided to wait until after the New Year to see if he could exchange his Memory Palace technique for a Fire Release jutsu from the village.
During the two weeks of winter break before the New Year, he spent most of his time at Konoha Hospital.
Of course, he didn't neglect his basic physical and taijutsu training.
Before he knew it, the New Year had arrived.
Shūichi didn't spend it at home; instead, he returned to the orphanage to celebrate with Yakushi Nono and the others.
After January 1st, Konoha Year 39, Shūichi returned home and discovered a scroll on the living room table, with a note pinned underneath it.
Picking up the note, he read: "A New Year's gift for Shūichi."
He recognized the handwriting—it was from Tenka.
Speaking of which, Tenka had paid him a sum of 100,000 ryō as payment for the grenades before the New Year.
"What could it be?"
"A sealing technique?"
"Or a ninjutsu scroll?"
Shūichi speculated, then unrolled the scroll and couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise.
"Firing Biscuit Jutsu!"
"A-Rank Fire Release!"
Shūichi was both shocked and delighted.
He had guessed it was a ninjutsu scroll, the kind that contained a sealing jutsu, since Tenka's family dealt in such items.
But he never expected it to be a jutsu he actually wanted.
"Sis Tenka, I really love you!"
Shūichi grinned broadly.
Now that he had five jutsu, all he needed to do was master this Firing Biscuit Jutsu to complete his goal.
However, mastering an A-Rank Fire Release jutsu was no easy task.
After carefully reviewing the scroll, Shūichi was even more convinced.
He remembered this Fire Style: Firing Biscuit Jutsu from the original series—an ANBU ninja had used it to fight against Pain's summoned beasts.
Unlike most Fire Release jutsu that are expelled from the mouth, this one can ignite a target from a distance.
As such, it requires a higher level of chakra control.
Additionally, this jutsu is more suited for use in relatively confined spaces against enemies.
Since it doesn't cause explosions, it relies purely on flames to inflict damage.
No matter what, Shūichi decided to master this jutsu as quickly as possible.
And so…
While others were enjoying their New Year holiday, Shūichi was by the cold riverside, training in the Firing Biscuit Jutsu.
But he wasn't the only one working hard—Obito Uchiha was also pushing himself.
He had decided to submit an application for early graduation at the start of the new school term.
...
Konoha Year 39, January 10th - The New Semester Begins
This marked the start of the final semester for the first-year students.
Shūichi Hoshita's life returned to a regular routine. However, he decided to temporarily pause his studies at Konoha Hospital, dedicating that time instead to mastering the Firing Biscuit Jutsu.
At the very start of the new term, Obito Uchiha caused a minor stir at the ninja academy.
He applied for early graduation.
But he failed.
He didn't pass the written exam, nor did he succeed in the Clone Jutsu.
Still, Obito wasn't willing to give up. If that smug Kakashi could do it, so could he!
On March 3rd, Konoha Year 39, Shūichi celebrated his sixth birthday at the orphanage with Yakushi Nono and the other children. He received a bunch of gifts.
Although most of them weren't particularly valuable, they were given with heart. Some were bouquets of flowers, others were origami creations, homemade treats, or wooden kunai carved by hand.
These small tokens of affection filled Shūichi with warmth.
Yakushi Nono's gift, however, was a jutsu.
The Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Shūichi suddenly found himself overwhelmed with a happy dilemma.
The Shadow Clone Jutsu was undoubtedly a highly useful technique. Even if he could only create one clone, it would still help him train faster.
But he was still so young, with pitifully little chakra to spare.
"I'll focus on obtaining the [Ninja Tool Expert] Tag after I get [Fire Release Expert]!"
After receiving the Shadow Clone Jutsu, Shūichi made up his mind.
His original plan was to secure the [Medical Expert] Tag first, since he had Yakushi Nono to guide him in medical ninjutsu, which would undoubtedly make the process smoother.
But the benefits of the [Ninja Tool Expert] Tag were something he urgently needed.
It would increase his aptitude for using ninja tools by 100%, enhance his physical constitution by 100%, and boost his nerve reaction speed by 100%.
The physical enhancement, in particular, would significantly raise his chakra capacity.
Moreover, with the [Ninja Tool Expert] Tag, his physical prowess would improve, allowing him to progress more quickly in surpassing Kakashi in taijutsu, which would in turn help him earn the [Taijutsu Expert] Tag.
Once that happens, his physical constitution would double again.
Time to go for it!
…
As spring blossomed and the spring break approached, Shūichi was training by the riverside. After successfully performing the Firing Biscuit Jutsu, a smile spread across his face.
Finally… tag unlocked!
After nearly an entire semester, he had fully mastered the Firing Biscuit Jutsu.
Focusing his attention on the Tag Tree in his mind, Shūichi immediately unlocked the [Fire Release Expert] Tag.
A green glow enveloped the Tag Tree's leaves, and a mysterious power coursed through his body.
His aptitude for Fire Release was enhanced by 100%, and he could now perform Fire Release jutsu without hand signs.
The talent boost was impressive, but the ability to execute Fire Release jutsu without hand signs, just like the [Transformation Expert] Tag before it, was incredibly smooth and seamless.
This meant that his survival skills had been greatly improved.
"I can apply for graduation now!"
Shūichi exhaled deeply.
At that moment, a new leaf appeared on the Tag Tree, and Shūichi quickly checked it out.
Tag: [Ninjutsu Master]
Condition to Obtain: Master at least 30 jutsu
Effect: Any Ninjutsu can be performed with just two hand signs; Ninjutsu aptitude increased by 100%
Shūichi shook his head as he read.
Thirty jutsu is too many.
For now, it's better to focus on acquiring various expert Tags for different jutsu types. Once I've got those, this Tag will fall into place.
"Next up is mastering all kinds of ninja tools…"
Shūichi shifted his attention.
He was already proficient in using kunai, shuriken, explosive tags, and grenades, and was currently working on mastering senbon.
Luckily, mastering ninja tools was easier than jutsu. Otherwise, mastering ten different tools would be no small feat.
"Besides senbon, a short sword or wakizashi might be another option. I wonder if short and long swords count as two different ninja tools?"
"Nunchaku? Staff?"
Konoha Year 39, March 15th.
Shūichi Hoshita officially submitted his application for early graduation from the academy.
Although he didn't graduate at the age of five like Kakashi, it still garnered significant attention.
For Kimura Kazuya and Hiruzen Sarutobi, however, this was entirely expected, so they approved his application that very day.
The next day, under the watchful eyes of Shizune and others, Shūichi entered the exam hall prepared solely for him.
The written exam? Finished in ten minutes.
The assessment of the three basic jutsu? Shūichi passed without any issues.
No extra tests, no surprises, and Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't make an appearance.
Everything was calm and straightforward.
"Congratulations, Shūichi. From today onwards, you are a true ninja!"
After the exam, Kimura Kazuya handed Shūichi a ninja forehead protector with a smile.
Shūichi accepted it with a deep bow, saying, "Thank you. Thank you, Kimura-sensei, for all your guidance!"
This gratitude was genuine.
Kimura Kazuya had not only taught him in class but had also answered numerous questions outside of it.
It was thanks to this guidance that Shūichi had been able to master the academy's entire curriculum ahead of schedule.
Kimura Kazuya accepted this thanks with pride, as he believed Shūichi was a true genius he had personally mentored, unlike Hatake Kakashi.
"The path of a ninja is fraught with danger, Shūichi. I hope you can continue to walk it with perseverance."
Kimura Kazuya offered his best wishes.
Shūichi nodded seriously. "Kimura-sensei, I will!"
Kimura Kazuya patted Shūichi's shoulder with a smile, "Go on, let your classmates congratulate you. But remember to report to the Hokage's office tomorrow to meet your squad leader."
Shūichi bowed once more before turning to leave the exam hall.
Shizune immediately hurried over. "Shūichi, congratulations!"
Soon, Might Guy, Rin Nohara, Kurenai Yūhi, Asuma Sarutobi, and others gathered around to offer their congratulations as well.
At that moment, Shūichi became the center of attention.
Standing at the edge of the group, Obito Uchiha clenched his fists tightly. "Even Shūichi has graduated. Obito, you're an Uchiha— you have to work hard and catch up to that smug Kakashi!"
…
Returning home from the academy, Shūichi found himself feeling slightly out of place.
From today onwards, he no longer had to attend school.
This meant it was time to adjust his previous plans.
Additionally…
"Who will be my squad leader?"
Shūichi wondered with anticipation.
From Tsunade, he had learned that not every newly graduated Genin was assigned a Jōnin squad leader.
Each year, many new shinobi graduated from the academy, but the number of Jōnin in Konoha was limited, and not all could serve as squad leaders.
Only the most talented graduates would receive guidance from a Jōnin squad leader.
For the majority, however, a Chūnin squad leader was the norm.
In any ninja village, Chūnin represented the core of the military strength.
Jōnin were the elites of the village, a small and select group capable of handling high-stakes missions on their own.
Each Jōnin not only possessed exceptional strength or skills but also had a wealth of mission experience.
Shūichi believed that with his performance, he deserved a Jōnin squad leader, right?
Kakashi's squad leader was a Jōnin from the Sarutobi clan.
With that thought, Shūichi grabbed his ninja tool pouch, placed a senbon in his mouth, and headed out to the Tenka's shop.
"Huh, Shūichi?"
Tenka was quite surprised to see Shūichi Hoshita, but then she quickly realized what was happening and smiled. "You graduated early!"
Shūichi smiled back. "Of course."
"Well, congratulations!" Tenka grinned and immediately turned around to fetch a wooden box, which she handed to Shūichi. "Here, this is your graduation gift. Open it and take a look!"
"This…" Shūichi hesitated a bit since Tenka had already gifted him a finely crafted kunai for his birthday not long ago.
Seeing his hesitation, Tenka put her hands on her hips and pouted in displeasure. "What, are you going to refuse my gift?"
Shūichi quickly took the wooden box. "You're not exactly strapped for cash, sis. I wouldn't dare refuse."
Tenka's mood brightened at this response. "That's more like it! Now, open it up and see!"
Shūichi nodded and opened the wooden box to reveal a sheathed short sword inside.
Tenka smiled and said, "I prepared this especially for you. Give it a name!"
Shūichi could sense the sword was something special. He took it out, set the box aside, and unsheathed the blade.
The short sword had a straight blade with a single-edged side, so polished that it gleamed like a mirror.
Shūichi channeled his chakra into the blade, and it immediately began to vibrate slightly, a faint glow appearing along the edge.
The chakra flowed through the blade seamlessly.
It was indeed a chakra blade!
Chakra blades/swords were not only expensive but also quite rare.
Shūichi's face lit up with joy. "Thank you, Sis! I'll name this sword… Totsuka!"
"Totsuka…" Tenka's smile grew even brighter. "As long as you like it, Shūichi."
The grenades had brought significant profits to her and the family. Although they would give Shūichi a portion of the earnings, it was nowhere near enough. She felt she had to compensate her little brother somehow.
But as she looked at Shūichi, Tenka suddenly felt a pang of melancholy.
He's still so young!
But then, she quickly perked up and left the room. When she returned, she had a leather belt in her hand.
She personally helped Shūichi fasten it around his waist and smiled. "Now you can wear Totsuka at your back. And when you have a longer sword in the future, you can carry it on your back too."
Shūichi tried it out and found it easy to draw the sword without interfering with his ninja tool pouch.
With that, he decided to put off buying more ninja tools for now and focus on mastering the use of the senbon and this short sword.
After staying at the Tenka's shop for a while, Shūichi bid farewell and left. He went alone to his usual training spot to practice with the senbon and Totsuka.
During lunch, he ate a bento and in the afternoon, he took out the scroll for the Shadow Clone Jutsu and began studying it.
With his solid foundation in the Clone Jutsu, the Shadow Clone Jutsu wasn't too difficult for Shūichi. The real challenge was his chakra capacity.
In less than an hour, he had basically mastered the jutsu.
However, he could only create one shadow clone, and it was somewhat weak.
After swallowing an unpleasant-tasting soldier pill to restore his stamina, Shūichi immediately created a shadow clone.
Now, with his original body and the shadow clone, he could have one practice sword techniques while the other worked on senbon techniques.
But Shūichi was very cautious. He carefully tested the limits of using shadow clones without overexerting himself.
For the first trial, he only kept the shadow clone active for ten minutes.
Fortunately, he could handle it without issue.
The second time, he extended it to twenty minutes.
The fatigue was noticeably greater, and the memory feedback was intense.
"Hmm?"
"Maybe I could use the Memory Palace…"
Feeling the overwhelming feedback from the shadow clone's memories, Shūichi suddenly thought of his Memory Palace.
Could he store the shadow clone's memories directly in the Memory Palace to reduce the impact on his brain?
"It should be possible."
Shūichi pondered, "But I'd need to modify the Memory Palace, incorporating seals and jutsu to turn this memory technique into an actual ninja art."
Of course, he knew this wouldn't completely solve the dangers of using the Shadow Clone Jutsu extensively.
Especially the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu, which was classified as a forbidden technique.
The biggest danger of this jutsu lay in its strain on the body.
One aspect was the division of chakra. If managed poorly, it could lead to fatal exhaustion.
The other was the cumulative fatigue brought back by the shadow clones.
This required a strong physical constitution!
Without it, the sudden influx of overwhelming fatigue could easily lead to physical collapse.
"As expected, the more solutions there are, the more challenges arise."
Shūichi sighed internally.
Turning the Memory Palace into a jutsu or sealing technique wasn't simple.
To build a strong enough body, besides regular training, the fastest way was through the use of Tags.
"Time to get back to work!"
Shūichi buried himself in training once more.
When Shūichi Hoshita returned home that evening, he washed up and ate dinner before starting his attempt to fully convert the Memory Palace into a ninjutsu or sealing technique.
This task was no easy feat, but fortunately, Shūichi had a solid grasp of basic sealing techniques thanks to his work on explosive tags, and he was also well-versed in talismans.
Moreover, Shūichi wasn't aiming to immediately turn the Memory Palace into an A-rank or S-rank technique. His initial goal was simply to store the memories returned by the Shadow Clone Jutsu directly into the Memory Palace.
This application was actually similar to the explosive tags he had been working on.
However, since it involved his brain, Shūichi proceeded with extreme caution and refrained from any reckless experiments, focusing instead on designing the technique.
He decided that once he had made some progress, he would consult Tsunade for guidance.
The night passed uneventfully.
Konoha Year 39, March 16th.
After his morning training and a hearty breakfast, Shūichi wrapped medical bandages around his forearms and calves. These bandages, soaked in a special medicinal solution, helped alleviate muscle fatigue and could also be used to stop bleeding.
Next, he donned a black combat outfit, followed by a black jacket with white stripes. The jacket bore similar to the Uzumaki clan's swirl pattern on the shoulders, arms, and back.
He also equipped himself with iron bracers and armguards, as well as his ninja tool pouch, with the Totsuka chakra blade sheathed at his back.
Once fully prepared, Shūichi left his house, moving swiftly through the village to the front of the Hokage's office, where he waited.
It wasn't long before he noticed a somewhat familiar figure approaching.
"Uchiha Shisui?"
Shūichi blinked.
The boy across from him seemed to notice Shūichi staring and offered a friendly smile.
Shūichi smiled back, then decided to approach and introduce himself. "Hello, I'm Hoshita Shūichi."
"Hello, I'm Uchiha Shisui," Shisui responded warmly. "I've heard of you, Shūichi-kun. Graduating from the Ninja Academy at six years old is quite impressive."
Shūichi replied, "There are many who graduate at this age. Sometimes, graduating early isn't necessarily a good thing."
If he had come from a ninja clan with abundant resources, he wouldn't have chosen to graduate early. He would have preferred to stay in the academy for the full six years.
Shisui paused at Shūichi's words, then thoughtfully nodded in agreement. "You're right, Shūichi-kun."
At that moment, a figure landed beside Shisui. "Shisui, you're early as usual."
The newcomer then turned to Shūichi. "And who might this be?"
Shisui smiled and introduced them. "This is Hoshita Shūichi. I think he's our new teammate."
The boy gasped. "Hoshita Shūichi, the one who graduated at six?"
Shisui then introduced him to Shūichi. "Shūichi-kun, this is Sanyō Kurama, from the Kurama clan."
An Uchiha and a member of the Kurama clan as teammates?
Shūichi was a bit surprised but politely greeted Sanyō. "I'm Hoshita Shūichi. It's a pleasure to meet you, Sanyō-senpai."
Sanyō quickly waved off the honorific. "No need to call me 'senpai.' Shisui and I only graduated a year ago; we're still newbies ourselves."
Only a year of experience?
So, Shisui might be two years older than me?
Shūichi was a bit surprised.
His impression was that Shisui wasn't much older than Uchiha Itachi.
But then again, considering Shisui's reputation for his Shunshin no Shisui (Body Flicker Shisui), it was likely that he earned his fame during the Third Shinobi World War and after the Fourth Hokage's death, especially during the clashes with the Hidden Mist.
Even if Shisui was five years older than Itachi, he would have been only around ten years old at that time.
A ten-year-old jōnin with a fully matured Sharingan? That's pretty terrifying.
Additionally, Uchiha Shisui is a descendant of Uchiha Kagami, who died quite early and was significantly younger than the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's grandson, Konohamaru, is much younger than Naruto and his friends.
Therefore, it's most likely that Shisui is the son of Uchiha Kagami.
When did Uchiha Kagami die?
The most probable time would be during the Second Shinobi World War.
So, it makes sense that Shisui is a year or two older than Kakashi and the others.
Shūichi quickly came to accept the fact that Uchiha Shisui was older than him. The three chatted casually and soon became quite familiar with each other.
Clearly, none of them were difficult to get along with.
"It seems you all get along well."
A voice suddenly called out.
Shūichi and the others quickly looked over.
"Minato-sensei!"
Shisui was the first to step forward and bow respectfully. Sanyō Kurama followed suit, excitedly bowing as well. "Minato-sensei, are you our new squad leader?"
Looking at Minato Namikaze, Shūichi was even more surprised than when he saw Uchiha Shisui.
Minato was still very young, around 15 years old.
Having Minato Namikaze as his team leader was completely unexpected for Shūichi.
He had thought of Jiraiya, or even Kakashi's father, Sakumo Hatake, or perhaps a jōnin from the Sarutobi clan, but never Minato Namikaze.
However, thinking about Minato's identity, it seemed quite reasonable.
So, Shūichi, though a bit delayed, stepped forward and bowed. "Minato Sensei, I am Shūichi Hoshita."
All of them were polite and amiable, without any of the arrogance that often accompanies geniuses.
Minato Namikaze reflected on this privately and smiled. "Hello, I'm Minato Namikaze. From today on, I'll be your team leader."
"Let's find a place to talk!"
With that, Minato vanished.
Although Minato knew from Hiruzen Sarutobi that he was primarily assigned as the team leader due to Shūichi, Minato did not show this.
The three exchanged glances and quickly used Body Flicker Jutsu to follow him.
On a rooftop.
Minato watched as Shūichi and the others arrived and said with a smile, "Let's start with introductions so we can get to know each other better."
"I'll go first."
"You already know my name. I specialize in taijutsu, Body Flicker Jutsu, and Wind Release."
Uchiha Shisui then added, "I'm Uchiha Shisui. I excel in swordsmanship, genjutsu, Fire Release, Body Flicker Jutsu, and I have a single tomoe Sharingan."
Sanyō Kurama followed up, "I'm Sanyō Kurama, and I specialize in genjutsu."
Finally, everyone turned to Shūichi.
Shūichi immediately said, "I'm Hoshita Shūichi. I specialize in Fire Release, Transformation Jutsu, and have a basic proficiency in Medical Ninjutsu."
His Medical Ninjutsu proficiency included the basic Healing Jutsu and a fundamental understanding of the more complex Mystical Palm Technique, though he was far from being proficient.
He was certain that even without the "Fire Release Expert" tag, he had some natural talent in Fire Release, which, combined with the "Scholar" tag, made the effects more pronounced.
Medical Ninjutsu was different, as his talent was relatively weaker, and the effort required was much greater.
Being able to learn the Mystical Palm Technique in such a short time was thanks to the boost from his tags.
Minato smiled upon hearing this. "Then, from now on, Shūichi will be our team's Medical Ninja."
In a team, the Medical Ninja is often the one who is protected.
Of course, from the enemy's perspective, the Medical Ninja is also the first to be targeted.