Chapter 11

July 16, Year 40 of Konoha.

Fujinaka Genma rarely came to the Ninja Academy, but today was the first-semester final exam for third-year students.

He seldom attended classes, enjoying genius privileges, but he had to show up for exams.

Morning written test.

Fujinaka Genma finished in half an hour, then turned in his paper and left early.

Outside, he waited three minutes before Hyuga Mio and Ebisu emerged one after the other.

Just as the three were about to leave the school, a voice called out from behind.

“Fujinaka Genma!”

The three turned around. Fujinaka Genma smiled at Uchiha Shinichi, who had called out to him: “Shinichi, what’s up?”

Seeing Fujinaka Genma’s gentle smile, Uchiha Shinichi couldn’t bring himself to dislike him, so he replied with a prickly tone: “We’re paired together for the afternoon practical exam. I heard Itachi’ve taken an Jonin as your master.”

“But what I want to say is.”

“If Itachi underestimate me, Itachi’ll lose in the most humiliating way!”

A kid seeking attention.

Fujinaka Genma immediately assessed the situation and smiled slightly: “Don’t worry—I’ll give it my all out of respect for my opponent!”

Uchiha Shinichi nodded, then ignored Hyuga Mio and Ebisu entirely.

Hyuga Mio had defeated him before, but this year he had surpassed her again.

Anyone he had beaten was no longer worth paying attention to.

Watching Uchiha Shinichi disappear around the corner, Ebisu adjusted his glasses and muttered: “This guy is really hard to like.”

Hyuga Mio couldn’t help nodding, but then added: “Still, Shinichi is incredibly strong. He lost to me last year, but now he’s even stronger—he’s far beyond me already!”

Fujinaka Genma wasn’t surprised at all.

The Uchiha clan’s innate talent for taijutsu was equal to that of the Hyuga clan.

Being defeated by a woman—especially a Hyuga—must have deeply shaken Uchiha Shinichi last year, pushing him to train twice as hard.

The world isn’t just Itachi two putting in effort.

“That guy really is strong.”

Ebisu admitted frankly, then clenched his fist: “But now we’ll be training under Kushina-sensei too—we’ll definitely surpass him!”

“By the way, Genma, is Kushina-sensei easy to get along with?”

Ebisu suddenly grew tense. Hyuga Mio also immediately turned a concerned gaze toward Fujinaka Genma.

“Of course she’s easy to get along with! Kushina-sensei is very beautiful and gentle!”

Fujinaka Genma walked out with hands in his pockets, silently adding in his mind: Provided she doesn’t hit anyone!

Training ground.

When Fujinaka Genma and the others arrived, Uzumaki Kushina was already waiting.

“Thank Itachi, Kushina-sensei!”

Hyuga Mio and Ebisu stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

“Haha, no need to be so formal. With two more people, training won’t be so boring.”

Uzumaki Kushina smiled warmly, genuinely pleased by their arrival, instantly easing Hyuga Mio and Ebisu’s nerves.

Just as Genma had said—beautiful and gentle.

Nearby, Fujinaka Genma couldn’t help silently grumbling: “She’s just bored of hitting me alone, isn’t she?”

He had clearly sensed Uzumaki Kushina’s excitement.

Soon, training began.

Fujinaka Genma and the other two formed a team and attacked Uzumaki Kushina.

The three had trained together often and had developed strong synergy; their coordinated assault kept Uzumaki Kushina on her toes.

But once she gauged Ebisu and Hyuga Mio’s approximate strength, she immediately shifted from defense to offense, becoming fierce and relentless.

This quickly exposed their weakness: lack of combat experience.

Though both had frequently sparred with Fujinaka Genma, and Hyuga Mio even had clan training.

Compared to Uzumaki Kushina, they were still elementary-level.

Soon, Ebisu let out a cry of pain as Uzumaki Kushina seized an opening and knocked him down.

Lying on the ground, clutching his swollen face, he stared blankly at the distant sunglasses.

Where was the beautiful, gentle teacher?

He’d lasted only two minutes total.

Over there, having dodged Fujinaka Genma’s fire jutsu, Uzumaki Kushina crossed her arms: “Genma, why not test your new jutsu?”

“New jutsu?”

Hyuga Mio and Ebisu were instantly captivated.

They didn’t know Fujinaka Genma had developed a lightning jutsu.

Fujinaka Genma hesitated. Uzumaki Kushina immediately laughed: “Don’t worry—I’ll be extra careful!”

“Alright.”

Fujinaka Genma nodded.

Immediately, strands of white lightning flickered across his body, followed by a piercing chorus of bird cries.

On his right hand, white current radiated outward like sparks.

Hyuga Mio and Ebisu widened their eyes—even they could tell Fujinaka Genma’s jutsu was terrifying.

Most importantly, Fujinaka Genma hadn’t formed any hand seals.

A hand-seal-less jutsu!

At least A-rank difficulty.

Uzumaki Kushina’s eyes gleamed with genuine delight: “Itachi’ve only been developing it for less than two months, and Itachi’ve already reached this level—even without hand seals.”

“Genma, your talent for lightning chakra nature far exceeds your talent for sealing jutsu!”

He developed this himself?

Hyuga Mio and Ebisu were stunned.

“T-too amazing?”

Ebisu’s mouth hung open.

Hyuga Mio, gazing at Fujinaka Genma, was now filled only with admiration and affection.

“Actually, this jutsu isn’t fully complete yet.”

Fujinaka Genma explained, showing no trace of pride.

He completed the Chidori so quickly because his chakra control was already strong.

Second, he used skill points to raise his lightning chakra nature to level five.

Third, he had the original version as a reference.

So there was really nothing to be proud of.

If he had developed a new sealing jutsu, he probably would’ve been flaunting it.

“Then let’s test its effect!”

Uzumaki Kushina said eagerly.

“Then, sensei, watch out!”

Fujinaka Genma’s expression turned serious.

The next instant, he surged forward at twice his previous speed, leaving a trail of lightning and sparks; where he passed, the ground turned black and charred.

“So fast!”

Uzumaki Kushina, watching Fujinaka Genma charge toward her, felt a slight shock.

She understood the nature of lightning chakra—it enhanced physical vitality and speed.

The Hidden Cloud Village had perfected this with their Lightning Chakra Mode.

But Fujinaka Genma’s performance exceeded her expectations.

“I’ll need to get serious too.”

Watching Fujinaka Genma rush at her at high speed, Uzumaki Kushina smiled, then from her back, a golden chakra chain shot out with a clatter, coiling like a dragon or serpent toward him.

Golden Lock!

Fujinaka Genma’s pupils contracted slightly, then he felt a surge of excitement.

He pushed his speed another third, reaching his limit.

At this point, Hyuga Mio and Ebisu could no longer fully track Fujinaka Genma’s movements.

Ding!

Fujinaka Genma’s right hand struck the incoming Golden Lock precisely.