The Land of Grass
Behind the Konoha Camp, in the shadow of the mountains, the roar of the waterfall echoed, blending with the sharp sound of air being torn apart.
Beneath the rushing waterfall, arcs of electricity flashed continuously, splitting the air with sharp, crackling sounds. A figure darted rapidly through the area, moving so quickly that an ordinary eye could not follow its motion.
Under the high-speed movents of Uchiha Shirou, his form beca a blur, leaving behind faint afterimages whenever he paused briefly to pivot. In terms of speed alone, he had already reached the level of a Jonin.
Kunai embedded themselves sharply into the surrounding rocks near the waterfall. Pre-set needle-firing chanisms, triggered by severed steel wires, unleashed a barrage of needles from every direction.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
The air filled with the whistling of countless needles, pouring down like a torrential storm.
Under the dual tomoe Sharingan, Shirou fixed his gaze firmly on the incoming barrage.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
A rapid series of sharp tallic clashes filled the air as Shirou, wielding his ninja blade enveloped in crackling electric arcs, deftly deflected the incoming storm of needles. The onslaught could not touch him.
Splash...
Splash...
Splash...
tallic needles shattered and fell into the water, creating a series of ripples as they sank.
As the chaos subsided, only Shirou's labored breaths filled the air. He stood, drenched in sweat, his body trembling from the exertion.
"Kehehe… As expected of Shirou-kun, a true genius."
Orochimaru's voice echoed with appreciation as he stepped forward, his gaze filled with admiration.
"Using lightning-nature chakra to stimulate the body and achieve temporary bursts of extre speed, combined with the Uchiha clan's unique Sharingan to compensate for the drawbacks of high-speed movent... fascinating."
Orochimaru mused aloud, his tone almost reverent.
"However, mastering this technique requires exceptional chakra control."
Orochimaru's gaze on the training Shirou was akin to that of an artist admiring a masterpiece.
Standing on the water, still catching his breath, Shirou frowned and shook his head at the praise.
"Lord Orochimaru, this technique has its drawbacks—it cannot be maintained for long."
Resources were no longer a concern for Shirou, especially with the clan's full support. Wasting a few needles during training? That was nothing worth fretting over.
Orochimaru, seeing Shirou's unsatisfied expression, chuckled hoarsely.
"Shirou-kun, we are alike in so ways."
Ambition, Orochimaru thought, was not a flaw—it was a driving force.
"I've heard that Kumogakure's lightning-style body techniques are enhanced by special drugs, allowing their users to adapt to their lightning chakra and use the technique for extended periods."
Ever the researcher, Orochimaru willingly shared his findings. Since beginning his study of the cursed seal, he often took ti each month to guide Shirou in ninjutsu.
"Kumogakure…"
Shirou muttered, understanding the implications. Despite being classified as a B-rank jutsu, the technique required specific secret drugs to be viable. Otherwise, such a jutsu would have been thoroughly analyzed by other villages long ago.
No wonder it had beco a signature move of Kumogakure's Raikage lineage.
"Konoha's youngest self-taught creator of an A-rank ninjutsu at 13 years old—Shirou-kun! In just three months, your progress is astonishing. Truly, the power of a Kekkei Genkai is enviable."
Orochimaru's lips curled into a serpentine smile, his voice laced with subtle envy. Genius was often unfair. Kekkei Genkai users like Shirou could accomplish in months what ordinary shinobi struggled for years to achieve.
"A genius?"
Shirou murmured, shaking his head internally. He knew his record wouldn't last long. Soon, Hatake Kakashi would surpass him by becoming a Jonin at the age of 12.
"Besides, Namikaze Minato has also grown significantly under Jiraiya's tutelage recently."
Shirou recognized that his dual Kekkei Genkai played a significant role in his abilities. Yet, Minato was a true prodigy, working tirelessly to match the pressure imposed by clan-born elites like Shirou.
After creating his A-rank jutsu and earning the title of Konoha's youngest Jonin, the label of "genius" quickly spread. With it ca not only pressure but also privileges—resources from the clan and growing influence within the family.
As Shirou ntioned Minato, his gaze shifted reluctantly toward the waterfall, where a white-haired figure was faintly visible. Orochimaru also glanced over, muttering under his breath:
"Fool."
...
Above the Waterfall
"Haha! Minato, keep pushing! Maybe next year you'll be a Jonin too."
Jiraiya's boisterous laughter echoed as he glanced down at Orochimaru ntoring Shirou. Not to be outdone, he turned his attention back to his student, Minato.
In the forest nearby, flashes of yellow zipped through the trees, accompanied by kunai and shuriken. The afterimages weren't from the Flying Raijin Jutsu—they were from Shunshin no Jutsu.
"Minato, your talent for Shunshin is unmatched. Even your kunai and shuriken techniques rival those of the Uchiha," Jiraiya remarked proudly as Minato paused to catch his breath.
Minato nodded humbly. While Shirou had gained fa for his A-rank jutsu, Minato's natural affinity for Shunshin techniques, combined with his sharp weapon handling, placed him among the most promising shinobi.
"Thank you, Jiraiya-sensei," Minato said with a soft smile as his teacher ruffled his golden hair affectionately.
"Minato, geniuses aren't always logical. But you're young—back then, even Tsunade and Orochimaru were labeled geniuses, while I was the 'dead last.' Yet look at us now!"
Minato chuckled softly but couldn't hide a tinge of frustration.
"Sensei, I understand, but… sotis it's hard not to feel bitter. When I saw the Tailed Beast Bomb, I had a spark of inspiration for my jutsu, but while I was still brainstorming, Shirou-kun had already developed one—and it's seal-less, no less!"
Jiraiya burst into laughter.
"Minato, that's where you're wrong. Take Orochimaru—he's a genius at inventing ninjutsu, but I'm a genius at learning them. Geniuses co in all kinds."
Turning with a grin, Jiraiya called out toward a tree:
"Hey, Orochimaru! What do you think of my student? Another genius, right?"
From the shadows of the tree, Orochimaru erged, rare approval glinting in his eyes.
"Indeed, a genius."
"But," Orochimaru continued, "this child has chakra affinities for fire, wind, and lightning, correct?"
Jiraiya's eyes widened, glaring at Orochimaru.
"Hey! Don't steal my disciple! Even if I don't have lightning chakra, I can ask the old man for help!"
Orochimaru smirked.
"Fool."
"Orochimaru!"
Amid Jiraiya's exasperated outburst, Orochimaru's rare smile surfaced briefly.
"Focus, Jiraiya. We have a mission."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the fleeting mont of lightheartedness gave way to a more serious tone, heralding the challenges to co.
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