Gekko Ryun took the chakra test paper from his uncle.
Following his uncle’s instructions, he held the paper between his index and middle fingers and channeled chakra into it.
The paper trembled slightly and began to visibly change.
The surface split down the middle, dividing into two halves, then immediately started to burn.
“Wind and Fire attributes?”
His uncle sat cross-legged on the porch steps, pondering for a moment.
“Theoretically speaking, they are the most compatible combination.”
“Uncle, are there any ninjutsu suitable for me to learn?”
Unfortunately, the chakra test paper couldn’t detect Yin-Yang Release.
As for the other Five Elemental Releases, he wasn’t too concerned; they could all be gradually developed through later training.
Right now, he just wanted to learn a ninjutsu as a trump card.
With his previously unseen, explosively increased power combined with ninjutsu, used unexpectedly…
Minato Namikaze, what will you use to block it!
“Let me think…
There is one, the Great Fireball Technique, a C-rank Fire Release ninjutsu.”
“Uh…”
So it’s you, the Technique of Kindness!
“Are there any others?”
His uncle shrugged.
“What I’m good at are Earth Release ninjutsu.”
Two seconds later, Gekko Ryun convinced himself.
So what if it’s the Technique of Kindness?
Having something is better than nothing.
He’d learn it first and talk later.
“Uncle, I want to learn the Great Fireball Technique.”
Gekko Naoto stood up and walked out of the small courtyard, signaling for him to follow.
“There’s not enough space here.
If I break something, Mina will scold me again.”
Because their clan’s land was remote, finding a suitable place for training was easy.
They arrived beside a small stream in the forest.
“Step back a few paces and watch carefully.”
His uncle formed hand seals, his speed so fast it nearly left afterimages.
Gekko Ryun stared intently at his uncle’s movements.
Snake – Ram – Monkey – Boar – Horse – Tiger.
“Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!”
With a roar full of vigor, his uncle’s chest swelled high.
In the next instant, an orange-red fireball about three meters in diameter shot from his mouth.
The heat at its edges caused visible distortion in the air.
“Boom!”
With a dull thud, the massive fireball crashed into the river surface, creating a deep spherical depression at the point of impact.
The water on the river’s surface evaporated violently, emitting a series of hissing sounds.
White mist billowed up, enveloping the two figures, one large and one small.
Steam rushed toward his face.
Feeling the burning pain on his skin and watching the bubbling surface of the lake, Gekko Ryun swallowed hard.
Wait, with this kind of power…
how did it get labeled as the Technique of Kindness?
Is that right?
“Alright, your turn.”
“Huh?
Me?”
He pointed at himself, somewhat incredulous.
Isn’t this about teaching ninjutsu?
What kind of teaching is this, demonstrating the hand seals once and then it’s his turn?
Is this how ninjutsu is taught in the Ninja World?
….
The next day.
‘The Ninja World is still too abstract.’
‘Wait, could it be my astonishing talent kicking in?’
Gekko Ryun stood at the entrance of the Ninja Academy.
After his uncle’s “detailed” teaching, he had successfully performed the Great Fireball Technique.
Although the fireball might have been just a tiny bit small.
“Why do you have time to bring me to school today?”
Looking at his uncle standing beside him, he asked curiously.
His uncle was about to speak when his gaze caught two figures in the distance, and he instinctively straightened his posture.
Gekko Ryun followed his uncle’s line of sight.
The sight that greeted him was a woman wearing a green Jonin vest.
Her features were delicate, and her long golden hair was tied into a ponytail with a hairband, swaying gently behind her with each step.
She was holding the hand of a brown-haired boy who was grinning foolishly.
Tsunade?
Though she wasn’t wearing the iconic green coat from decades later, nor did she have the diamond-shaped seal on her forehead, he recognized this legendary kunoichi at a glance—after all, her proportions were already impossible to ignore.
Even though she was tightly wrapped in the Jonin vest…
As everyone knows, one must have discerning eyes.
As for Nawaki… well, nothing special.
“Good morning, Lady Tsunade,” Gekko Naoto greeted proactively.
Tsunade nodded casually.
“It’s you, Naoto.
We’ll set off once everyone is here.”
“Yes,” Gekko Naoto replied, somewhat stiffly.
Although he was considerably older than Tsunade, so-called seniority meant nothing in front of this princess of the Senju clan, granddaughter of the First Hokage, and disciple of the Third Hokage.
As a member of a small Ninja Clan, he was well aware of the colossal presence of the Senju family.
It was rumored that the Senju clan had declined, with many members abandoning their surname and integrating into the village, but even then, they were not a force a small Ninja Clan could compare to.
Gekko Ryun suddenly understood—so this was the mission his uncle had mentioned, the one he would be carrying out alongside Tsunade.
This realization made him quietly sigh in relief, feeling somewhat more at ease.
Mainly because that “promise between men” had felt a bit too much like tempting fate…
The Great Fireball Technique was the first Ninjutsu his uncle had taught him, and he didn’t want it to be the last.
Tsunade’s gaze naturally fell upon him.
“Is this the genius nephew you mentioned?”
“Yes, Lady Tsunade.
Ryun is my elder brother’s child.
He already possesses the strength of a Genin in his third year.”
Gekko Ryun’s lips twitched slightly.
Nawaki looked at him curiously.
A third-year student with Genin-level strength?
How had he never heard of him before?
“My name is Nawaki.
I’m a sixth-year student now.”
“Senior, my name is Gekko Ryun.
I’m in my third year.
I look forward to your guidance in the future.”
He reached out and shook Nawaki’s hand, feeling quite fond of this seemingly cheerful, simple-minded boy.
He even felt a hint of pity.
This boy’s background was almost absurdly prestigious—grandson of the First Hokage, younger brother of Princess Tsunade, disciple of Orochimaru, and grand-disciple of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
If he grew up smoothly, he would likely have been a strong contender for the position of Fourth Hokage.
Unfortunately, in the original storyline, the Second Great Ninja War broke out, and Senju Nawaki was taken out on the battlefield by a single Explosive Tag…
This directly led to drastic changes in Tsunade and Orochimaru’s personalities and indirectly influenced the future of Konoha for decades to come.
Tsunade paused, not particularly concerned about the Genin-level strength.
“Wait, your name is Ryun?
Gekko Ryun?”
He nodded slightly.
“That’s me, Lady Tsunade.”
Tsunade’s eyes lit up with interest as she released Nawaki’s hand.
Her slender, pale fingers stroked her chin as her bright brown eyes scrutinized his face carefully.
“Not bad!
So you’re the little brat Kushina was talking about!”
“Uh…”
He was momentarily speechless.
Gekko Naoto was utterly confused, unable to make sense of the situation.
Who was Kushina?
Had his nephew quietly started dating a girl from the Senju family?
This was… truly wonderful!
The Gekko clan’s rise was now within reach!
Seeing the suddenly intense, fervent look in his uncle’s eyes, Gekko Ryun broke out in goosebumps.
Tsunade took a few steps closer, bending down to meet his eyes at the same level.
“Kushina has been praising you nonstop these past two days—I’m getting tired of hearing it.”
A wave of rich fragrance washed over him, and he instinctively took a deep breath.
It was a lush, floral scent, seemingly a blend of several different flowers.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
For a moment, he gave her a feeling somewhat like that annoying Jiraiya.
Could it be…
“Lady Tsunade, residual scent traces from missions are one of the high-risk factors leading to exposure.
Ninja Code, Article 160: During mission execution, ninjas must adhere to the basic principle of ‘leaving no traceable evidence.’
The use of any form of perfume, incense, or other strongly scented skincare products is prohibited.
Violators will have their missions suspended.
If such actions result in mission failure or casualties among comrades, they will be subject to review by the Hokage’s direct department.”
Looking at the dead-serious Gekko Ryun,
Tsunade couldn’t help but laugh, her suspicions instantly melting away.
She unceremoniously ruffled his hair.
“What an unlovable little brat!”
Gekko Naoto hurriedly apologized, “I’m terribly sorry, Lady Tsunade.
He doesn’t understand—”
Tsunade waved her hand, cutting him off.
“Naoto, you have a fine nephew.
We’ll be going now.
See you later.”
She took Nawaki’s hand again and walked through the gates of the Ninja Academy.
Nawaki tugged at his hand somewhat awkwardly and whispered, “Sis, he called me ‘senpai’ earlier.
I have to act like a proper senior.”
Tsunade: “…”
Their figures disappeared into the Ninja Academy.
Gekko Naoto patted his nephew’s shoulder, puzzled.
“What’s wrong?
Were you scared by Lady Tsunade?”
Gekko Ryun instinctively shook his head.
Just a few seconds earlier, the moment Tsunade touched him—
[New equipment material detected]
[Senju Hashirama’s Necklace]
[Estimated quality: Blue]
[Refinement cost: 60,000 ryo per attempt]
[Special condition: Must be personally gifted by Tsunade]
[Condition not met.
Equipment cannot be refined.]
???