“Th-th-this is the grass you were talking about?!” Yamato’s voice trembled in utter shock.
“When I first felt it, it was just a little sapling, pretty much like grass.
Then it just grew,” Kamiki explained with an innocent grin.
Yamato looked up at the massive tree resting in Kamiki’s palm, a stormy sea of disbelief crashing through his mind.
It felt like two men standing side by side at the urinals—one huge, one tiny, the contrast painfully stark.
A deep sense of inferiority rose unbidden in his chest!
Back then, Yamato had struggled for three whole days just to coax out a single tiny flower.
Yet tonight, within mere minutes, Kamiki had manifested a colossal tree that scraped the sky!
This could no longer be described as genius.
This was the God of Shinobi descending upon the mortal realm!
Seeing Yamato stand frozen for so long, Kamiki assumed this mysterious teacher was dissatisfied with his slow comprehension.
Gathering his courage, he asked in a small, timid voice, “Sensei, what’s wrong?
Did I do poorly?” Did you do poorly?!
Yamato’s heart cried out in silent agony.
If this counts as doing poorly, who in the world counts as doing well?!
It had been nearly two decades since Orochimaru implanted the First Hokage’s cells into him for Wood Release experiments.
Even with all those years of experience, conjuring such an enormous tree purely through chakra control without forming a single hand seal would be remarkably difficult for him!
Kamiki’s natural affinity and comprehension of Wood Release were outright monstrous!
He could probably stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the First Hokage, the man revered as the God of Shinobi!
Suppressing the shock deep within him, Yamato walked over to Kamiki’s side.
He placed a heavy, meaningful hand on the boy’s shoulder, hesitating for a long while before muttering, “Kamiki…
just…
keep working hard.” As for why he hesitated—Yamato simply couldn’t find the words to praise such absurd talent!
To Kamiki’s ears, however, it sounded entirely different.
Hearing that hesitant, strained tone, Kamiki was certain his teacher was disappointed.
He clenched his fists and promised, “I will definitely work even harder!” Yamato remained dead silent.
Work even harder?
If you keep improving at this rate, even the First Lord coming back to life wouldn’t be a match for you!
“That’s enough practice for tonight.
Head on back,” Yamato said after a pause.
Just before Kamiki left, Yamato made sure to add, “Remember to reflect deeply on Wood Release once you’re back.
After all, Wood Release is a very special Kekkei Genkai.” Kamiki nodded obediently and returned to Naruto’s place.
By then, Naruto had finished his training.
Looking at Kamiki, he asked with curiosity, “It’s so late.
What were you doing out there?” “Nothing, just taking a stroll,” Kamiki replied casually.
Naruto’s mouth twitched.
Even if you don’t want to tell me, at least come up with a better excuse!
Who are you trying to fool?!
Seeing that Kamiki had no intention of elaborating, Naruto didn’t pry and soon fell fast asleep.
In the dark room, Kamiki’s eyes remained bright and clear, showing no trace of drowsiness.
He spent the quiet hours pondering the applications of Wood Release…
Meanwhile, on the other side of the village.
Sasuke Uchiha, the sole surviving seedling of the Uchiha clan, was desperately practicing the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu in his courtyard.
He had to push himself!
He had to grow stronger!
He refused to be left in the dust by anyone, especially with the weight of his clan’s vengeance resting squarely on his shoulders.
He needed power, and fast!
Unfortunately, talent had its limits.
No matter how hard Sasuke tried, he couldn’t even grasp the basics of the technique!
This only solidified his suspicion.
The Third Hokage must have given Kamiki private lessons!
Otherwise, how could anyone just casually figure out an A-rank jutsu on their own?!
The next morning, inside the Hokage’s office.
Yamato knelt respectfully in the center of the room, recounting the scene that had completely shattered his worldview the previous night.
“Lord Hokage, Kamiki has the potential to stand alongside the God of Shinobi in the future of the ninja world!” Yamato said, his voice laced with pure excitement.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat in deep contemplation.
Though his face remained calm as still water, turbulent waves churned within his chest.
What did the title “God of Shinobi” even mean?
That was the supreme honor of the ninja world, held solely by the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju!
Yet Yamato, who was always meticulous and strict, had just used those exact words to describe Kamiki!
What kind of magic did this boy possess?
Could he really be…
the reincarnation of the God of Shinobi?!
“Alright, I understand.
You may step down,” the Third Hokage dismissed him with a wave.
“Lord Hokage, please ensure Kamiki is protected at all costs.
He is the most talented shinobi I have ever seen!” Yamato pressed earnestly before leaving.
The Third Hokage nodded and signaled for him to go.
Once Yamato left, the Third walked over to the grand office window.
Through the glass, he could see the Ninja Academy resting in the distance.
His gaze drifted far away, lost in thought.
The original owner of Kamiki’s body had been a hardworking kid.
Though his practical ninjutsu had been awful, he had mastered the academic book knowledge taught at the academy.
This freed up plenty of time for Kamiki to focus on training ninjutsu.
Before long, another school day wrapped up, and night fell once more.
Yamato had arrived early outside Naruto’s apartment, waiting with eager anticipation to see what kind of surprise Kamiki would bring him tonight.
Soon, Kamiki emerged, a cheerful smile on his face.
“Sensei!” Kamiki greeted him warmly.
Behind his mask, Yamato nodded in acknowledgment.
“I told you to reflect on Wood Release last night.
How did it go?
Any progress?” Kamiki’s face lit up with excitement.
“A little bit!
I noticed Wood Release has so many uses, like planting trees, building houses, or even casting sealing jutsu…” “Not bad,” Yamato nodded in satisfaction.
Kamiki went on eagerly, “Especially using it to build houses—it’s unbelievably convenient!
Right after school let out this evening, I built a brand-new house on my old lot.
I can move back in tomorrow!” Yamato blinked.
“Huh?” Building a house?
“You can already use Wood Release freely?” Yamato’s voice jumped two pitches higher.
“No, of course not,” Kamiki answered with an innocent look.
Yamato let out a long breath of relief.
Thank goodness.
For a second, he actually thought Kamiki had invented basic Wood Release techniques after just one day of practice!
Thinking about it logically, that was impossible.
Wood Release wasn’t an ordinary jutsu.
What kind of monster would it take to develop practical Wood Release techniques after a single day of studying it?
“I just had an epiphany and came up with a hundred or so Wood Release techniques last night.
After school tonight, I went to a deserted field to test them out, and it turns out they all work,” Kamiki added with an obedient smile.
Yamato nodded absentmindedly.
“Oh, that’s fine, just a hundred or so Wood Release jutsu, I thought you—WAIT, WHAT?!
You developed over a hundred Wood Release jutsu?!” This…
this…
Auditory hallucinations!
It has to be an auditory hallucination!!
“Kamiki, what did you just say?
I didn’t quite catch that,” Yamato asked, struggling to piece his sanity back together.
Kamiki gave him a puzzled look.
“I said I developed over a hundred Wood Release jutsu last night.
You specifically told me to reflect on it before leaving, Sensei.” I told you?!
I told you to sense its presence!
Did I tell you to invent jutsu?!
Yamato stood frozen, his mental state hanging by a thread.
Kamiki didn’t seem like the type of kid to fabricate wild stories just for attention.
Yamato already believed about half of what he said.
As for the remaining half he couldn’t bring himself to believe—that was simply his stubborn, final attempt to protect his own sanity.