Entry: Konoha Prodigy
Acquisition Condition: Become a Chunin at the age of six, breaking Konoha's record for the youngest Chunin promotion.
Effect: Comprehension ability increased by 50%.
Before his training session with Tsunade, Hoshita Shūichi had quietly activated this entry. During the training, he could clearly feel the effects of his enhanced talent.
Even a 50% boost made a noticeable difference compared to yesterday.
"A 50% overall improvement means my talent in tool usage, Fire Release, and sealing techniques has also increased by 50% from their current levels."
If his initial Fire Release talent was 1, then after obtaining [Fire Release Expert], it became 2. Now, it was 2 + 1—3!
The same applied to his sealing and curse mark talents, where his baseline was already higher than Fire Release, meaning the percentage increase would be even more significant.
"I'll test out sealing techniques tonight..."
Lost in thought, Hoshita Shūichi slung his backpack over his shoulder and headed to meet Shizune and the others.
When he arrived, he found them already training, with Sarutobi Asuma being the target of their coordinated attacks.
This time, however, they weren't using mud balls but reusable clay pellets.
Seeing Hoshita Shūichi approach, the group paused, and Shizune explained, "This was Asuma's idea. It simulates actual tools better."
Hoshita Shūichi's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea."
Might Guy grinned. "If we make it a competition, it'll be even more exciting!"
"Then let's compete!"
Hoshita Shūichi shot a mischievous glance at Kakashi. "For example, if Kakashi loses, he has to take off his mask and show us his face!"
Instantly, all eyes locked onto Kakashi's masked visage.
Shizune immediately raised her hand. "I support Shūichi's idea!"
Nohara Rin also voiced her agreement softly—she was curious too.
One by one, the others joined in.
Kakashi sighed in resignation. Outnumbered, he had no choice but to comply.
Then Uchiha Obito jumped forward. "Kakashi, I'll be your opponent!"
Kakashi replied flatly, "You're no match for me."
Uchiha Obito scoffed. "Don't look down on me, Kakashi! I'm an Uchiha!"
Kakashi retorted, "Come back when you've awakened your Sharingan."
Watching the two bicker, Hoshita Shūichi took charge. "Then it's settled—Kakashi vs. Obito."
"Whoever gets hit by the clay pellets more times within the time limit loses."
"If Kakashi loses, he removes his mask. If Obito loses..."
Hoshita Shūichi paused, then grinned. "Obito has to dance in front of everyone!"
Uchiha Obito froze. D...dance?!
Snapping out of it, he protested, "I—I don't know how to dance!"
Hoshita Shūichi smirked. "Doesn't matter. Just improvise!"
"Unless you think you can't beat Kakashi."
Uchiha Obito took the bait and reluctantly agreed.
The group relocated to the forest, with Hoshita Shūichi acting as referee to tally the number of hits Kakashi and Uchiha Obito took.
He was the only one capable of tracking their movements accurately.
Meanwhile, Shizune, Sarutobi Asuma, Yūhi Kurenai, Might Guy, and Nohara Rin took turns hurling clay pellets like shuriken and kunai at the two competitors.
Once ready, the match began with Kakashi first.
Figures darted through the trees, launching clay pellets at Kakashi, who dodged or sliced them apart with his short sword and kunai.
Five minutes later, the group stopped, and Hoshita Shūichi announced the results: "Five hits!"
"Kakashi, you're not as untouchable as you think!"
Uchiha Obito puffed out his chest. "Now it's my turn!"
After recollecting and reshaping the clay pellets, the group targeted Uchiha Obito.
Another five minutes later, Uchiha Obito trudged out of the forest, dejected.
He had been hit ten times!
Under everyone's expectant gazes, Uchiha Obito began an awkward, stiff dance, prompting uproarious laughter. Eventually, he closed his eyes and flailed wildly.
When he opened them again, Nohara Rin was standing beside him, and he immediately brightened.
Hoshita Shūichi watched the scene with amusement, regretting not bringing a camera.
Moments like these will become cherished memories in the future.
That night, in his study, Hoshita Shūichi immersed himself in researching the Yin Seal.
Compared to before, the learning process was noticeably smoother.
Talent and comprehension really make all the difference.
The gap between people can be wider than the gap between humans and pigs—especially in intelligence!
By 10 p.m., he set aside the scroll, ready to sleep, when he remembered the gift from Ten'un. He quickly retrieved it from his backpack.
Unrolling it, he was pleasantly surprised. "A storage scroll!"
It was a specialized sealing scroll for storing items.
"Now I can just carry this scroll on missions instead of a backpack..."
He tested it by sealing his backpack inside—it worked perfectly.
The scroll's size was also ideal for strapping to his back.
After packing up, Hoshita Shūichi went to bed.
Previously, he would stay up until midnight, but Yakushi Nonō had insisted on a 10 p.m. bedtime. A few days at the orphan院 had reset his habits.
The night passed uneventfully.
The next day, a new mission arrived—this time to the Land of Bears, requiring passage through the Lands of Rain and Birds.
After bidding farewell to Yakushi Nonō and Ten'un, Hoshita Shūichi gathered at the village gates with his team and set off for the Daimyō's capital.
Their task was to escort the Daimyō's envoy to the Land of Bears.
They reached the capital by noon, but the journey wouldn't begin until the following day.
After exploring the bustling streets, Hoshita Shūichi returned to the inn and sought Namikaze Minato's guidance on sealing techniques, while Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sanyō discussed genjutsu.
The afternoon flew by. At dinner, Namikaze Minato couldn't help but remark, "Shūichi, your talent in sealing techniques is even more impressive than I realized."
Hmm... Probably on par with mine.
Hoshita Shūichi closed his notebook, now filled with notes, and smiled. "That's because you're a great teacher!"
Namikaze Minato laughed warmly before standing. "Let's eat!"
After the meal, the team strolled through the capital's night market before returning.
Hoshita Shūichi first sparred with Uchiha Shisui to practice swordsmanship, then resumed his sealing studies with Namikaze Minato until 10 p.m., when he finally called it a night.
Watching him settle down, Kurama Sanyō exhaled in relief.
Though he was used to Hoshita Shūichi's discipline and intensity, it was still daunting.
And the fact that Hoshita Shūichi's talent was so glaring only added to the pressure.
Taijutsu, kenjutsu, Fire Release, sealing techniques... Will he add genjutsu to the list next?
Uchiha Shisui patted Kurama Sanyō's shoulder with a smile. "That's what a genius looks like."
He felt the pressure too—but it only fueled his motivation.
Kurama Sanyō rolled his eyes. "Shisui, you're a genius too!"
Read advance chapters here:
patreon.com/CNBLUE