Chapter 12: Chapter Twelve: The Eternal Genin!

The charging Chidori was undoubtedly powerful, capable of severing even natural lightning.

But the Jin Gang Sealing was equally strong, especially Kushina Uzumaki’s Jin Gang Sealing, which could subdue and bind the Nine-Tails, making escape nearly impossible.

Moreover, the Jin Gang Sealing wasn’t just for sealing chakra—it also possessed formidable physical attack capability.

The charging Chidori dealt not only Lightning Release damage but also physical damage.

When the two collided, the lightning on Fujinaka Genma’s hand exploded, and the Chidori technique was instantly interrupted.

Moreover, Fujinaka Genma felt his right hand go numb. Even with his physical defense, he couldn’t muster any strength at all.

The Jin Gang chains remained undamaged, merely recoiling back.

Chidori was slightly inferior.

Or rather, Fujinaka Genma’s Chidori was inferior to Kushina Uzumaki’s Jin Gang Sealing.

After all, the power of a ninjutsu is heavily dependent on the user.

Fujinaka Genma’s forward momentum halted, then he swiftly retreated.

But the Jin Gang chains trembled, dissipating the force of the collision, then surged toward Fujinaka Genma once more.

Puff!

The Jin Gang chains moved swiftly; Fujinaka Genma spat out the kunai between his teeth, infusing it with Lightning Release chakra.

Chidori Blade!

Ting!

The kunai struck the Jin Gang chain with perfect precision, causing its advance to pause slightly.

At this moment, Fujinaka Genma’s right hand had not yet recovered, so he could only form seals with his left hand.

Fire Release—Flame Bullet!

As the Jin Gang chains shot out again, Fujinaka Genma spat out a stream of fire that expanded into a massive, rolling flame bullet that crushed forward.

“Single-handed sealing!”

Ebisu couldn’t help exclaiming in surprise.

He had been striving to master this himself, but had yet to succeed.

He remembered that last year, Fujinaka Genma still hadn’t accomplished single-handed sealing.

“Amazing!”

“Genma, Itachi’ve got this!”

Hinata Mio cheered, completely forgetting she should have joined the battle too.

Facing the Fire Release technique, Kushina Uzumaki flicked the Jin Gang chains, splitting Fujinaka Genma’s Flame Bullet cleanly in two; it roared past her sides.

Almost simultaneously.

Behind Fujinaka Genma, another Jin Gang chain erupted from the ground, binding him.

Boom!

Fujinaka Genma exploded into a cloud of smoke.

“It was a Shadow Clone!”

Kushina Uzumaki wasn’t surprised; with a glance from the corner of her eye, she saw two Fujinaka Genmas appear on either side.

Looking up, there was one above, already completing the technique’s preparation.

She didn’t need to turn around—she knew there was one behind her too.

Four-sided assault?

Shouldn’t it be five-sided?

Though she had seemingly eliminated one Shadow Clone from the front, making it seem safest, it could still be a trap!

Lightning Release—Ground Rush!

Fire Release—Flame Bullet!

The Fujinaka Genmas on the left, right, and behind simultaneously used Lightning Release—Ground Rush, while the one in the air unleashed Fire Release—Flame Bullet.

Kushina Uzumaki stood her ground, her hands moving rapidly to form seals.

Water Release—Water Wall!

Vast amounts of water vapor gathered, forming a swirling vortex of water encircling Kushina Uzumaki.

The lightning surging from three directions was diverted by the water, harming not a single hair of Kushina Uzumaki.

Then came the Flame Bullet, crashing down with a thunderous boom, sending water vapor rolling.

Two Jin Gang chains seized the opportunity, swiftly eliminating two Fujinaka Genmas.

But at that very moment, directly in front of Kushina Uzumaki, a stone transformed into Fujinaka Genma—Chidori reappeared as he charged forward.

However.

Halfway through his charge, another Jin Gang chain shot up like a snake from the ground, binding him.

Fujinaka Genma smiled bitterly and reluctantly dispersed the Chidori.

Before absolute power, all schemes and tricks were useless.

Kushina Uzumaki released Fujinaka Genma and smiled warmly: “Itachi’ve done quite well—Itachi made your teacher use three chains!”

Fujinaka Genma thought for a moment, then relaxed.

This woman was a jinchuriki.

Not just any jinchuriki—she was the one who could suppress the Nine-Tails.

Using only three chains was already holding back.

The battle ended; Hinata Mio and swollen-faced Ebisu hurried over.

Kushina Uzumaki placed her hands on her hips: “I now have a basic understanding of your conditions. Next comes stricter training—prepare yourselves.”

“Yes, Sensei Kushina!”

Hinata Mio and Ebisu bowed hastily, both tense.

They had already witnessed Kushina Uzumaki’s style—there was no way they could remain calm.

“Guess I’ll need to stock up on ice packs from now on.”

Ebisu silently made his plans.

Formal training begins tomorrow after the holiday, so the team disbanded.

Hinata Mio and Ebisu headed home together, while Kushina Uzumaki brought Fujinaka Genma to a secluded wooden house.

“Hey, the sword instructor your Minato-niisan found for Itachi lives here!”

Kushina Uzumaki smiled.

Swordsmanship is highly specialized—it naturally requires a teacher to master it easily.

And Kushina Uzumaki wasn't skilled in it, nor was Minato Namikaze—hence this moment.

Who could it be?

Fujinaka Genma was curious.

At that moment, the door opened, and an old man with a hunched back stepped out.

Fujinaka Genma stared, stunned.

This appearance… it felt familiar!

Katsuyu?

Maruboshi Katsuyu!

After repeated scrutiny, Fujinaka Genma finally confirmed.

This man, known as Konoha’s eternal genin, had served under four Hokage and trained under the Second and Third Hokage.

Moreover, he was indeed a master of swordsmanship, proficient in the Konoha Sword Style developed by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

“Senior Katsuyu!”

Kushina Uzumaki stepped forward to greet him.

Fujinaka Genma hurried after her, bowing deeply: “Senior Katsuyu, I am Fujinaka Genma, a student of Sensei Kushina.”

In Konoha, the eternal genin were the last people to underestimate.

“Lady Kushina!”

Katsuyu showed no arrogance; he treated Kushina Uzumaki with deep respect.

To Fujinaka Genma, the younger generation, he was gentle and smiled warmly: “To become Lady Kushina’s student, Itachi must be exceptionally talented!”

“Hahaha, not really—I still need your guidance!”

Kushina Uzumaki spoke humbly, but her face beamed with pride.

Fujinaka Genma immediately said: “Please, Senior Katsuyu, guide me in swordsmanship!”

Katsuyu nodded: “Training begins tomorrow. Meet here at eight—how’s that?”

Guiding Konoha’s young seedlings was something he gladly accepted.

Fujinaka Genma beamed: “Thank Itachi, Master Katsuyu—I’ll be punctual!”

Katsuyu might not be Konoha’s greatest swordsman, but among the jōnin, he was unquestionably elite.

With a year’s time, Fujinaka Genma believed his physical constitution would yield excellent results.

At that time.

Swordsmanship, combined with Lightning Release—Chidori Flow, would form a formidable fighting style!