Chapter 75: The Path to the Future
Kage-level at nine years old!
That's a little bit awesome!
However, when Genichi considered his cheat system, this achievement didn't seem quite so world-shattering anymore.
After sorting through his recent gains, Genichi began to seriously consider his training from now on.
"I can put Sealing Techniques (Fūinjutsu) aside for now."
"The Kuji-kiri, needless to say, is something I must continue to explore."
Genichi thought to himself. He had a gut feeling that the Kuji-kiri was very important to him.
"Regarding the direction of my training, I must be clear. Should I diversify my abilities next, or should I focus on further raising my upper limit?"
Diversifying his abilities would naturally mean developing more nature transformations, like Lightning, Earth, and Fire Release.
Raising his upper limit, on the other hand, meant continuing to work on genjutsu, Water Release, and Wind Release. He was already highly talented in genjutsu and Water Release. As for Wind Release, even with the Art of Zai, reaching Danzō's level would be a great achievement, but it would certainly take a lot of time, a case of diminishing returns.
In terms of cost-effectiveness, focusing on genjutsu and Water Release was the better option.
Thinking of how his future self had died at the hands of the A-B Combo, Genichi chose without hesitation to continue raising his own combat power ceiling. In terms of diversity of abilities, he wasn't doing too badly now. Yin, Yang, Water, and Wind—four nature transformations were more than many Jonin possessed.
"The upper limit of my combat power is the most important thing!" Genichi thought to himself. "First, genjutsu and Water Release..."
"For genjutsu, now that I can use the Sharingan freely, the next step, if I want to develop a powerful technique, would be best to combine it with the Sharingan, or rather, use the Sharingan as its foundation."
"But it cannot be at the cost of the Sharingan, like Izanagi and Izanami..."
"As for genjutsu that deprive the five senses, I already have two. I must continue in this direction. If I can completely deprive all five senses and combine them into one, then that jutsu would be enough to secure victory in most situations."
The five senses are sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. If all of them were taken away, the vast majority of people would be like lambs to the slaughter.
Genichi could think of very few exceptions. The Hyuga clan was one; the Byakugan would allow their vision to remain normal. Those with chakra-sensing abilities, which Genichi called a "sixth sense," would also not be completely powerless. Especially those in Sage Mode. And Jinchuriki.
As for genjutsu beyond the five senses, Genichi currently had no inspiration for what kind to develop. That remained to be seen.
"The Sharingan..." Genichi touched his right eye. "The strength of the Sharingan corresponds to the strength of one's Yin Release, and the root of Yin Release is spiritual will."
"As my body develops, my brain also develops. My spirit is actually in a state of growth."
"So, the improvement in this eye's power before was not an illusion."
Is there a difference in strength between different three-tomoe Sharingan? Before, Genichi didn't know. Now, he knew: there was! The fundamental reason was that every person is different. Similarly, there was a difference in strength between Mangekyō, and there was even a distinction between the normal Mangekyō and the Eternal Mangekyō. But for Indra and the Sage of Six Paths, no such distinction existed.
"It would be best to find a way to awaken the Mangekyō..." Thinking of this, Genichi couldn't help but shake his head.
Next was Water Release. For genjutsu, to be honest, Genichi didn't have many figures to use as a reference. But for Water Release, there were Kage-level benchmarks. For example, Kisame. And the Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hōzuki. These two were solid Kage-level in their water-style abilities. There was also the Fourth Mizukage, whose Water Release was not bad. As for the Fifth Mizukage, Terumī Mei, her Water Release was of course not weak, but her Boil Release and Lava Release kekkei genkai were more prominent. In terms of pure Water Release, Genichi dared to say that he was not at all inferior to Mei at her peak.
However, Genichi felt that his Water Release was still missing a jutsu like Steaming Danger Tyranny (Jōki Bōi). And Kisame, who could single-handedly take on the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer Bee, also had a stronger water style than he did now. With just his Water Release, Genichi knew that his current self definitely could not take on a peak-condition, thirty-something Killer Bee alone.
"Water Release... I need to think about it carefully."
"And besides Water Release, if I want to dramatically raise my upper limit, I'm afraid I'll have to look to Ice Release..."
Genichi felt that in the face of abilities like the Susano'o and the Wood Golem Technique, neither the Second Mizukage's Steaming Danger Tyranny nor Kisame's Great Shark Bullet Technique (Daikōdan no Jutsu) were nearly enough. Right now, Genichi was aiming to match the Second Mizukage and Kisame, but in the future, he would inevitably have to aim for the level of Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju.
"My Wind Release nature transformation is not bad now. I can try to combine Water and Wind Release to develop Ice Release."
Kekkei genkai was a direction that Genichi had to work hard in. And besides, he also wanted to pilot a "Gundam."
"Genichi!"
Suddenly, Shizune's voice came from outside.
Genichi stood up, went to the window, and poked his head out. "Shizune, wait a moment."
He changed his clothes, slung his backpack on, and leaped directly out of the window to land beside Shizune.
"Let's go!" Genichi naturally took Shizune's hand. "Let's go!"
The two had arranged to go and train with Tsunade together. Shizune was also carrying a bag, which contained the bento she had made herself.
However, in reality, Genichi no longer needed to learn Monstrous Strength (Kairiki).
The two of them arrived at their agreed-upon location and waited for a moment before Tsunade arrived.
"Genichi, you go first. Let's see your progress these past few days," Tsunade said, one hand on her hip, the other beckoning with her finger.
Genichi gave his backpack to Shizune, stretched his muscles, and then smiled. "Be careful, Lady Tsunade."
Tsunade snorted. "Hurry up and come on!"
"Here I come!"
With a low shout, Genichi vanished, reappearing in front of Tsunade in an instant and throwing a punch.
Boom!
A large crater appeared in the ground.
Tsunade, who had leaped back to avoid the punch, looked on with some surprise. That force... was almost catching up to her own.
"This guy... he's improving a bit too fast!" Tsunade muttered to herself as she looked at Genichi.
Genichi flashed and attacked again, this time with a downward kick, and another large crater appeared in the ground.
After a few more exchanges, Tsunade called a halt. She looked at Genichi, who wasn't even red in the face or out of breath, and said, "You've already mastered Monstrous Strength (Kairiki) very well. Since that's the case, then you can teach Shizune!"
"That's it for today. If you need anything, find me at the hospital."
With that, Tsunade slipped away.
Genichi and Shizune couldn't help but look at each other.
"Lady Tsunade is really... good at slacking off!" Genichi was speechless, then he smiled at Shizune. "Since that's the case, then I'll teach you!"
Shizune smiled and nodded. "Okay, I'll work hard!"
Genichi patted Shizune's little head. "No need to rush. Take your time."
He remembered that in the original timeline, Shizune had not learned Monstrous Strength (Kairiki). She hadn't even learned the Yin Seal (In'fūin) or the Strength of a Hundred Seal (Byakugō no Jutsu).
Was it a lack of talent? Or some other reason? Genichi wasn't sure for now.
(End of Chapter)
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