Chapter 121: Admiration Is the Furthest Distance?
"…It can work like that?"
Kitagawa Gen stared at the two flickering chakra specks in his palm, completely stunned.
He understood clearly—this was what he had been pursuing for so long: the manifested forms of Yin Release and Yang Release.
In fact, every person naturally possessed both Yin and Yang chakra, as they represented the dual forces of spiritual energy and physical vitality.
Many jutsu, whether basic or advanced, involved these two energies.
"The most fundamental examples would be genjutsu and medical ninjutsu…"
More advanced applications crossed into the territory of secret techniques—like those from the famed Ino-Shika-Cho clans. Their techniques were, without exception, rooted in Yin and Yang Release.
"But those were only applications of the forces—not actual manifestations, and certainly not full transformation or reconstitution of their properties."
He had acquired a trove of documents on Yin-Yang Style from Uchiha Obito, but the materials were riddled with gaps and inconsistencies.
Even for someone like him—a still-developing Ōtsutsuki—correcting and completing them would take time.
If it were easy, he'd have already mastered and deployed them by now.
What he hadn't expected was that the knowledge from the Reanimation Technique: Self-Sacrifice would spark such clarity and insight.
"That technique trades life for life—but its core logic is grounded in Yin-Yang Release."
"After all, when someone dies, their soul drifts to the Pure Land—that requires Yin Release to communicate with. And to reawaken a lifeless body, you need Yang Release to restore its vitality."
At that thought, Gen couldn't help but marvel at Chiyo.
In a place like the Land of Wind—lacking both wealth and resources—she had independently created a technique of that caliber.
Luck may have played a role, but even so, it was nothing short of astounding. If she'd had access to a place like Konoha…
"No wonder she's known as 'the undying flower of the ninja world—unfaded even beneath the sands of fate.'"
Now that he had this technique—and had successfully manifested Yin and Yang chakra—Gen felt ready to start experimenting with some… interesting ideas.
"Like, say… mimicking Uchiha Madara and trying out a 'Sage Art: Yin Release: Thunder Style'?"
And that was just the beginning. He could theoretically imbue Yin-Yang properties into any chakra nature.
"Looks like my next excursion will be the perfect testing ground…"
Another thought struck him.
"If I remember right, Truth-Seeking Orbs are classified as a jutsu. You just need full mastery of Yin-Yang and all five elemental natures to attempt it, right?"
He was curious, but for now, he knew what he needed most: stability.
After a full night of cultivation and mental refinement, he headed out early the next morning—straight to the Yamanaka Clan's flower shop.
"Senpai, you're here!"
Ino had apparently been waiting for him. As soon as she saw him enter, she greeted him with a bright smile.
"Morning, Ino… Oh—good morning to you as well, sir."
Gen smiled in return, only to quickly notice that she wasn't alone.
Yamanaka Inoichi was also inside the shop, standing calmly with a gentle smile on his face.
"Good to see you, Gen."
Inoichi's demeanor was humble and warm. He stood up and greeted him with a nod.
"This may be our first time meeting in person, but I've heard much about you—your talent and your accomplishments. It's truly a pleasure."
"Not at all—the pleasure's mine, Inoichi-senpai."
Gen immediately responded with a respectful smile.
"I've heard that you're a role model for many intel-nin, not only in Konoha but in other villages too."
"You flatter me," Inoichi replied with a slightly broader smile.
At that moment, Ino returned, holding a bouquet.
"Here you go, senpai—your flowers."
Inoichi looked at the bouquet, then turned to Gen with a curious expression.
"Are you going to visit Lord Jiraiya?"
"Yes. Yesterday…"
Gen nodded but, catching a glimpse of Ino's subtle expression, decided to skip the details.
"I've been on several missions with him. When I heard he was injured, I figured it was only right to check in."
"I see."
Inoichi, of course, knew what had happened yesterday. After a brief pause, he said:
"In that case, how about I join you? Lord Jiraiya deserves our support."
"Of course—that would be an honor."
Gen nodded right away. He could genuinely feel Inoichi's goodwill.
Kakashi had already intended to introduce more people to Kitagawa Gen—after all, connections were everything.
---
At the Yamanaka Flower Shop
"Strange… Aren't they meeting for the first time? Why do they seem so familiar already?"
Ino watched as her father and Kitagawa Gen left the shop, chatting and laughing like old friends. She was a little puzzled… but even more curious.
"Is Dad really that famous? And what exactly are Gen-senpai's 'gifts' and 'accomplishments'? He really doesn't seem like the kind of guy who'd put a teammate in the hospital…"
She had asked about it before, but her father had been evasive, clearly unwilling to discuss the topic. He only told her to study hard at the academy.
"But does he really know what we're going through at school? Damn it!"
Even Ino, usually a model student, couldn't help but feel bitter about the harsh survival environment at the Ninja Academy these days. Why was their class suffering so much when the seniors had it so easy?
---
At Konoha Hospital
"Pervy Sage, we've come to visit you!"
While Ino was still grumbling internally, Kitagawa Gen and her father had already arrived at Konoha Hospital.
Gen flung open the door to Jiraiya's hospital room with a boisterous yell—only to find that the room was already quite crowded.
"Oh—Kakashi-sensei, Guy-sensei, you're all here. And the other seniors too..."
Asuma Sarutobi, with his signature beard and a cigarette between his lips, turned around and greeted Yamanaka Inoichi first.
Then, his gaze shifted to Gen.
"Huh? Kakashi, is this your student? The reports said he's pretty amazing."
"Not just amazing—exceptional," said Genma Shiranui with a smirk, the senbon in his mouth shifting slightly. "He's the only genin who made it to the jōnin exams this year."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Genma. That guy over there is Asuma—the Hokage's son. I've heard quite a bit about you already."
"Your name's definitely gotten around," said Ebisu, pushing up his sunglasses as he approached to observe Gen more closely. "It's a shame early graduation isn't allowed anymore—you might've broken Kakashi's record."
"I told you all, Gen's incredible!" Guy laughed heartily.
Kakashi, who had been quietly reading his book, finally looked up and added with a smile, "Each generation surpasses the last. In fact, Gen's already ahead of where I was at his age. Kids these days are terrifying."
---
"Hey, hey, aren't you guys here to visit me?" Jiraiya growled from the hospital bed, clearly displeased that everyone's attention had been stolen.
"Damn it—I'm the one laid up here, and none of you care?"
Gen smiled and stepped forward, placing a bouquet of flowers at Jiraiya's bedside. "Don't say that, Jiraiya-sama. I even brought flowers for you."
He gently arranged them in a vase before continuing cheerfully, "I heard what happened. Lady Tsunade showed mercy, didn't she? Otherwise, I'd probably be visiting the cemetery instead of this room."
"..."
Jiraiya's face darkened at that, utterly deflated by the comment.
"Tch. I was just being a gentleman—not fighting back against a lady! And anyway, was it your fault Naruto suddenly went berserk yesterday? He kept following me around like a puppy, and then out of nowhere…"
He'd noticed something off right away, but Gen only blinked in confusion.
"Huh? Me? What are you talking about? I just got back to the village yesterday—I don't know anything about that."
"B-But—"
"Maybe Naruto finally came to his senses and realized how poorly you treat him. Maybe it was divine retribution?"
"..."
Gen chuckled and changed the subject.
"But seriously, this mission was the first time everyone came back safe. Even Kakashi-sensei wasn't injured."
He threw a glance at Kakashi, who was quietly reading, then turned toward Jiraiya with a meaningful look—saying nothing, but implying everything.
Kakashi and Jiraiya locked eyes, each seeing the same complicated emotion reflected back.
"…Now that I think about it," Guy added innocently, "someone does usually end up hospitalized every time we return from a mission."
Both Kakashi and Jiraiya froze. Guy's words hit like a hammer.
"Pfft—HAHAHA! Alright, alright—it's just a hospital stay. No big deal!"
Jiraiya burst out laughing to break the tension. "How was I supposed to know I'd run into Tsunade of all people? Right, Kakashi?"
"Yeah," Kakashi chuckled, "what rotten luck."
The mood in the room lightened considerably.
---
Though the visit had taken an unexpected turn, Kakashi used the opportunity to introduce Gen to everyone properly. That evening, they even made plans to gather all their old classmates and comrades for a little reunion party.
It wasn't just to celebrate the successful mission, but also the fact that Kitagawa Gen would most likely be promoted to jōnin soon.
Surrounded by warmth and camaraderie, Gen couldn't help but enjoy himself. Humans were, after all, social creatures.
"Even Uchiha Madara," he thought with a smirk, "couldn't stand loneliness—he made a whole army of White Zetsu just to keep him company. They argued with him constantly, and he still didn't chase them away."
Then a strange idea popped into his head:
"What if… in some alternate timeline, I stood in front of Kakashi, Naruto, and the others during my escape and said:
'I am no longer the Kitagawa Gen you once knew. Sorry to disappoint you—but that was only ever your illusion.
The person you thought you knew… never existed to begin with. Don't give me that look. You're confused, maybe even heartbroken—but I understand.
After all, admiration is the emotion furthest from understanding.'"
He shivered at the thought.
"Yikes. Would they hunt me to the ends of the earth if I said something that dramatic?"
Thankfully, he had no plans to run away. Even if he did, he'd sneak out without a sound—definitely not using his real identity.
---
Meanwhile…
While Gen was lost in thought, far away in the Land of Rain, a lone figure walked steadily toward the Land of Fire.
Uchiha Itachi.
He suddenly came to a halt, eyes narrowing as he sensed a disturbance ahead.
"Uchiha Itachi…"
The air twisted.
Out stepped Uchiha Obito and Kisame Hoshigaki, blocking his path.
Obito looked at him coldly and asked in a low voice:
"Where exactly do you think you're going?"
--