Chapter 5

The Hokage’s office.

Honsan Yūsuke knocked and entered: “Third Hokage, I apologize for the disturbance!”

“Mmm…”

Hiraizumi Sarutobi looked up from his documents. “Yūsuke, Itachi’re here about that child, aren’t Itachi?”

“Uh, yes!”

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Honsan Yūsuke’s face.

With his limited ability, problems he couldn’t handle could only be brought to the Third Hokage—the principal of the Ninja Academy and a master of ninjutsu.

Sarutobi smiled. He was genuinely pleased that the village had produced a genius, especially one from a civilian family.

He immediately asked: “What trouble has Fujinaka Genma created for Itachi this time?”

“Training in Lightning Release chakra nature transformation.”

Honsan Yūsuke replied.

“I see.”

Sarutobi picked up his pipe and took a puff, unastonished.

Since last year, he had been observing Fujinaka Genma, occasionally using a crystal ball to watch him. He deeply admired and marveled at the training methods Fujinaka Genma and his companions had devised.

Last year, he had noticed that Fujinaka Genma had already mastered Fire Release with exceptional precision—even though he only knew one jutsu.

Given Fujinaka Genma’s demonstrated learning ability and his discipline surpassing that of most adults, beginning training in a second chakra nature transformation was not surprising at all.

“Um, Third Hokage, besides Lightning Release chakra nature transformation, Genma also wishes to study sealing jutsu in greater depth.”

Honsan Yūsuke’s words caused Sarutobi’s hand holding the pipe to pause slightly; he couldn’t help raising an eyebrow. “Sealing jutsu?”

“Yes!”

Honsan Yūsuke nodded and placed Fujinaka Genma’s notebook before the Third Hokage.

Sarutobi reached out and opened the notebook, then suddenly laughed. “It seems this little brat knew Itachi’d come to bother me!”

Honsan Yūsuke quickly explained: “Hokage, Genma is a clever child, but he means no harm.”

“Don’t worry.”

Sarutobi waved his hand.

A nine-year-old child—he wouldn’t suspect anything.

Besides, Fujinaka Genma’s lineage is clean: his father is a hero of Konoha, his mother lives in the village, and he has no opportunity to contact outside ninja.

Honsan Yūsuke exhaled softly in relief, then clenched his teeth and said: “Third Hokage, Genma is a rare genius. The Ninja Academy can no longer teach him anything.”

“So, I humbly request Itachi find him a better teacher.”

“Even—Itachi are the best candidate!”

“I believe he will become the next Minato Namikaze—and perhaps even surpass Minato!”

After speaking, Honsan Yūsuke fully relaxed, as if a great burden had been lifted.

Sarutobi stared at Honsan Yūsuke in surprise; the man’s words had genuinely caught him off guard.

The depth of Honsan Yūsuke’s regard for Fujinaka Genma also astonished him.

The next Minato?

Sarutobi said nothing.

Yet Fujinaka Genma, at nine years old, possessed knowledge beyond that of a Chunin, chakra control superior to most Chunin, and demonstrated learning ability and discipline—certainly worthy of serious cultivation.

Take him as a student myself?

Sarutobi silently shook his head. Too many complications were involved. Not suitable.

Then who in the village was suitable to become Fujinaka Genma’s teacher?

As he pondered, the door suddenly burst open with a loud crash.

“Third Hokage, why won’t Itachi let me take any more missions?”

A figure stormed in, radiating murderous intent.

Sarutobi immediately felt a headache coming on.

Honsan Yūsuke quickly bowed: “Lady Kushina!”

“Oh, Itachi’re here too, Yūsuke.”

Kushina Uzumaki greeted him amiably, then crossed her arms and glared at Sarutobi.

Sarutobi, seeing the indignant Kushina Uzumaki, suddenly had an idea. He smiled warmly. “It’s like this—there’s a special mission that requires your attention.”

“Special mission?”

Kushina Uzumaki frowned, but immediately calmed down, transforming into a serene demeanor.

Beside them, Honsan Yūsuke suddenly felt a bad premonition.

“Of all the ninja in Konoha, Itachi’re the most suitable for this mission.”

Sarutobi handed Kushina Uzumaki Fujinaka Genma’s notebook, then gestured to Honsan Yūsuke. “Yūsuke, explain Genma’s situation to Kushina.”

Honsan Yūsuke looked at Kushina Uzumaki, his throat bobbing painfully as he swallowed. “Yes, Third Hokage!”

“Genma, don’t blame your teacher!”

Filled with guilt, Honsan Yūsuke nevertheless gave a meticulous account of Fujinaka Genma’s condition.

Kushina Uzumaki flipped through the notebook while listening, her smile growing ever warmer. “This Fujinaka Genma is quite impressive—just as talented as that Minato fellow!”

Mentioning Minato, her eyes sparkled with quiet happiness.

“So, Itachi want me to become this little brat’s teacher?”

Kushina Uzumaki closed the notebook.

At fifteen, she was certainly old enough to call Fujinaka Genma a “little brat.”

“Yes. I hope Itachi become Fujinaka Genma’s sealing jutsu teacher and instruct him well.”

Sarutobi nodded, encouraging her. “Among all the ninja in Konoha, Itachi are the only one suited for this task!”

“It’s fine for Fujinaka Genma to take me as his teacher.”

Kushina Uzumaki automatically ignored the words “sealing jutsu.”

Well, once she became his teacher, training her student would naturally mean taking missions—perfect.

…

Elsewhere, Fujinaka Genma, Hyūga Mio, and Ebisu sat together eating lunch.

Hyūga Mio brought three bento boxes—one for herself, one each for Fujinaka Genma and Ebisu.

Yet seeing Fujinaka Genma’s clearly more lavish bento, Ebisu already felt half-full.

“This Mio guy is getting brazen by the day!”

Ebisu muttered inwardly.

Fujinaka Genma was used to eating two bento boxes—one he brought himself, one from the wealthy Hyūga Mio.

“By the way, Genma, what’s our next training plan?”

Ebisu asked while eating.

Over the past two years, he had grown accustomed to training alongside Fujinaka Genma.

Hyūga Mio also looked up, eagerly awaiting Fujinaka Genma’s answer.

Over these two years, they had all clearly felt themselves progressing faster than their peers.

For example, the gentle and lovely Hyūga Mio now dominated the combat classes, having defeated the former top-ranked Uchiha.

Hearing Ebisu’s question, Fujinaka Genma didn’t hesitate. “Combat, and hand seals and jutsu.”

He paused eating, looked at Ebisu, and said: “Combat needs no explanation. For hand seals and jutsu, the first stage is mastering one jutsu—understand every seal, and simplify the hand seals as much as possible.”

Jutsu are valued for precision, not quantity—that was Fujinaka Genma’s philosophy.

Ebisu thought for a moment, then said: “I’ve already learned the Great Fireball Technique. I’ll focus on that.”

“What about me, Genma?”

Hyūga Mio asked quickly.

“Itachi?”

Fujinaka Genma hesitated slightly.