Chapter 168: I'm Going to the Battlefield
Entering the room, Kakashi looked up from his book, curious. "Do you need to test your dōjutsu again?"
"Am I that demanding of a person?" Genichi asked, displeased.
Kakashi wordlessly put down his book, his meaning perfectly clear.
Genichi glanced at the title, one of Jiraiya's books. "Kakashi, aren't you being a bit too laid-back?"
"I have a shadow clone training outside," Kakashi said.
"Do you have a plan for your training from here on out?" Genichi asked, crossing his arms. "Your Lightning Release should be pretty much mastered, right?"
"Compared to someone like the Raikage, there should still be a big gap, right?" Kakashi asked, a little puzzled.
"That depends on what aspect you're comparing," Genichi shook his head. "The Lightning Release Chakra Mode? In terms of difficulty, it's only B-rank, but the training conditions are very demanding. For example, a powerful physique and a massive amount of chakra, at least on the Tailed Beast level. I saw the Third Raikage face nearly ten thousand Iwa-nin by himself in the Land of Earth. His lightning release taijutsu has reached the pinnacle. Besides his personal defense, he has astonishing speed, which he obtains by activating his cells with the lightning nature transformation."
Kakashi was thoughtful. He had not developed such a taijutsu. When he used Lightning Release, the speed boost was just a side effect, not specialized.
"The Third Raikage's ultimate move is called the Hell Stab," Genichi continued. "It's similar to your Raikiri, concentrating lightning chakra in the hand. But he further concentrates the chakra by reducing the number of fingers, from a four-fingered spear hand down to one. The power increases with each step. Combined with his immense speed, this move has unparalleled destructive power."
"So that's how it is," Kakashi's eyes lit up.
"When your arm is reattached, your chakra reserves will increase dramatically, which will make up for one of your major shortcomings," Genichi said. "The power of a ninjutsu isn't just about nature and shape transformation, but also the amount of chakra. Your Raikiri is already top-tier in the first two aspects; what it lacks is a massive amount of chakra."
The Chidori required a running start to achieve its powerful piercing ability, while the Raikiri did not. This was the biggest difference between the two, and the reason one was rated A-rank and the other S-rank.
Of course, Genichi wasn't telling him this so he would go and learn the Hell Stab. Everyone had their own style, and the Raikiri was what suited Kakashi best. He was just giving him a reference, a multi-faceted reference for improving himself. For example, lightning-activated cells. Even if he couldn't achieve the level of the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, he could still try to develop something suitable for himself.
And when Kakashi did develop it, it would be very reasonable for him to copy it with his Mirror Eye.
"Thank you for the advice, Genichi," Kakashi said sincerely, his voice no longer cold.
A scroll fell from Genichi's sleeve, and he tossed it to him. "Take a look at this. You might be interested."
"Magnet Release?" Kakashi said after opening it.
"Some data I researched from a Cloud-nin Magnet Release user," Genichi nodded. "It's formed from a fusion of Lightning and Earth Release. You're skilled in both, so you can give it a try."
Kakashi nodded and carefully read the contents. After a moment, he frowned. "From the way it's expressed, it doesn't seem to suit me."
"Everyone is different," Genichi smiled. "How it is expressed depends on you. And there's another benefit to developing a Kekkei Genkai: the improvement and change of your physical constitution. Especially at our age, when we're in a period of rapid growth and development."
"So that's why your chakra has been growing so fast?" Kakashi was shocked.
Genichi nodded. "I can tell you that I have currently mastered six Kekkei Genkai."
What? Kakashi's eyes widened in disbelief. Gulp. He swallowed hard. "Mastering one Kekkei Genkai is already very difficult. Six… you… you're not even human!"
He had only known that Genichi had Ice Release. If you counted the Sharingan, that was two. And with those new eyes today, that was three. But six… he had really hidden this intel well. Indeed, Genichi had only used Explosion Release when he assassinated the Third Mizukage. Kyōka Suigetsu he had used more often, but very, very few people knew it was a Kekkei Genkai. His sensory Kekkei Genkai, Heaven's Eye, was also used frequently, but no one would have thought it was a Kekkei Genkai ability. As for Wood Release, he had only just synthesized it.
Seeing Kakashi's shock, Genichi smiled and added, "And that's not counting Namiichi's Sharingan. So, Kakashi, do you know how lazy you are now?"
Kakashi's face couldn't help but twitch. This guy… he really wanted to hit him. But he was also deeply moved.
Genichi was very satisfied. He smiled. "When your arm is reattached and you have more chakra, you can use more shadow clones for training. Keep it up, Kakashi!"
After showing off a bit, Genichi felt refreshed and left.
After he was gone, Kakashi looked down at Jiraiya's novel, then at the Magnet Release data Genichi had given him. Suddenly, the former seemed much less interesting.
Lightning and Earth… If that guy Genichi can do it, I definitely can too, right? He felt a little unconfident, then picked up the scroll and continued to read. He was going to try. They were both young. Who didn't have a competitive spirit?
Time flew by. While Genichi was buried in his tireless training, the Great Ninja War continued. Iwagakure, facing a siege from three countries, showed astonishing perseverance. It wasn't until June of Konoha Year 48 that they were completely driven out of the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass by Konoha, Suna, and Ame.
In August of the same year, the allied army invaded the Land of Earth and entered a stalemate with the Iwa army at the border. In the process, the Hidden Grass Village became history. Its ninja were either killed or fled. A portion surrendered and, with the unanimous agreement of the three allies, were relocated to Hōzuki Castle to become prison guards. And so, the Hidden Grass, which loved to study the secret techniques of other villages, became history, suffering the same fate as the Hidden Sky Village, which had been destroyed by Konoha during the Second Great Ninja War.
Iwagakure, Tsuchikage's Office.
Looking at the peace proposal sent by Konoha, Onoki's expression was grim, his large nose even redder than usual. "Damn it…" he gritted his teeth. Three against one, what kind of skill is that?
Peace talks? He was not willing. But if they continued to fight, they couldn't win. The Mist Village was still holding back, showing no intention of joining forces. He was unwilling, but he couldn't fight anymore. There was no chance of victory. However, Konoha's peace terms were too harsh. Konoha would take the Land of Grass, and Suna and Ame would take the Land of Birds. This meant that the moment Iwa stepped out of their country, they would be on someone else's territory.
Closing his eyes, Onoki thought it over and over again. After a long time, he opened them and made his decision. He could agree to peace talks, but the terms had to be negotiated. And to negotiate, he couldn't end the war now. He had to keep fighting. And… he had to go to the battlefield himself.
September, the Hidden Leaf Village.
Genichi arrived at the Hokage's office.
"I'm going to the battlefield."
Hiruzen was a bit surprised by his request. He now knew this capable subordinate very well. He was obsessed with training and research, but in a different way from Orochimaru. He was relatively disciplined and had a bottom line, which was reassuring. And for missions, he was never proactive.
Because of Madara, and because Genichi himself wanted to focus on his training, Hiruzen had not sent him on any missions since he had returned from the Cloud front.
"Is it because of Onoki?" Hiruzen quickly guessed the reason.
Genichi nodded. Although he had been buried in his work, he wasn't out of touch with the outside world. He always paid attention to the intel on the ninja world, basically getting updates from Shinnosuke from time to time. Why him? Because he was the Hokage's son, and also one of the two main pillars of the Anbu. The other was his girlfriend, the female Anbu jonin Chigetsu, who had no surname. She seemed to be of commoner birth, but Genichi suspected she had Senju blood. Her chakra reserves were not like an ordinary person's, no less than Tsunade's.
"Onoki's appearance on the front line is nothing more than an attempt to make us concede in the peace talks," Genichi smiled. "As the defeated party, it's already magnanimous of us not to demand reparations, and yet they dare to set conditions. And I would also like to see the strength of this Third Tsuchikage. I hear he has mastered the only Kekkei Tōta in the ninja world."
"That's right," Hiruzen nodded. "The Dust Release Kekkei Tōta was created by the Second Tsuchikage, Mū, and inherited by the Third. You must be careful."
Hiruzen did not stop him. It was good that he was going. Right now, Danzō, Hanzō, and Chiyo were facing Onoki, with Orochimaru, Tsunade, and the newly recovered Sakumo Hatake behind them. It could be said that a large number of powerhouses were gathered on the Land of Earth border front.
Danzō, Hanzō, Chiyo, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Sakumo—any one of them could be said to be at the Kage level. But even on the same level, there were differences in strength. Among these people, even Hanzō, known as the demigod, Hiruzen did not think he could match the Third Tsuchikage.
After leaving the Hokage's tower, Genichi also thought about the front line. It was rare for so many powerhouses to gather. The Kage level, just like the jonin level, had a wide gap in strength. And most ninja were not all-rounders. People like Hiruzen, who were proficient in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu, were few and far between, which was why he was praised as the strongest Hokage.
For example, Hanzō was proficient in swordsmanship, the Body Flicker, and Fire Release, and his most deterrent ability was his deadly poison, a reaper of both elites and fodder. To say he had any particularly powerful ninjutsu, probably not. His swordsmanship was very good, but definitely not better than Sakumo's. But poison was indeed a great counter to ninja. Few were immune to it.
Then there was Chiyo, a medical-nin, a puppeteer, and also skilled in using poison. Her main combat strength was in her puppets, combined with poison. In this aspect, she could be said to be at the peak of the current ninja world. But in a one-on-one fight, a speed-and-power type like Sakumo would be her nemesis. Also, the Third and Fourth Kazekage were also the nemeses of puppeteers; whether it was Iron Sand or Gold Dust, they could quickly disable puppets.
Then there was Danzō, currently one of the ceilings of Wind Release in the ninja world. And Tsunade, the strongest healer, with strength surpassing the Fourth Raikage's. These people had all reached the extreme in one aspect and possessed the strength of a Kage, but they also had huge shortcomings. And his teacher, Sakumo, was proficient in various releases, but he had integrated them all into his sword style. He was an assassin-type ninja.
Relatively speaking, Orochimaru was the most well-rounded of the group.
If he had to rank them, Genichi felt that Onoki was first, Hanzō was second, then his teacher Sakumo, Danzō, Orochimaru, Chiyo, and Tsunade. The reason Tsunade was last was that she still lacked Creation Rebirth and the Strength of a Hundred Seal. If she had them, she would be stronger than Chiyo. Danzō was ranked ahead of Orochimaru because he was currently still in his prime and had the Sharingan.
Of course, these rankings were based on his own intel.
After getting ready at home, he used the Flying Thunder God to leave Konoha.
The Land of Earth. The Konoha medical camp.
Genichi suddenly appeared beside Tsunade, who was treating a wounded person.
"Why are you here?" she was surprised.
"Genichi!"
"Lord Genichi!"
Besides Tsunade, there were other medical-nin in the large tent, including Shizune.
"I came to see the Third Tsuchikage," he said.
After greeting everyone and getting a basic understanding of the situation from Tsunade, he didn't linger. He left the camp and headed straight for the front line. At this moment, the one facing Onoki was the leader of the Hidden Rain, Hanzō. As for Danzō, Orochimaru, and the others, they were not here. Although they were all gathered at the front, they were not together. Onoki was here because Hanzō's deadly poison was the greatest threat to Iwagakure.
But Genichi did not go straight for Onoki. Because he had sensed a jinchuriki.
"As expected of a jinchuriki. So troublesome," Orochimaru frowned, his eyes fixed on the Four-Tails' jinchuriki, Rōshi, who was covered in lava. This guy's control over his Tailed Beast's power was far beyond what it had been in the last war. Without a good way to subdue him, he could only move around him. This was a huge test of his chakra reserves.
His gaze shifted to another battlefield to his left. There, Danzō was dealing with another of Iwagakure's jinchuriki, Han of the Five-Tails. Danzō also had no way to subdue him. Even with his summons and wind jutsu, he couldn't pin down the explosively powerful Han. And so, for the past few days, both sides could only move around each other, and it had become a battle of attrition.
Suddenly, a smile appeared on Orochimaru's face. "I knew you would appear, Genichi-kun."
Genichi suddenly appeared beside him. He looked at Rōshi opposite them and smiled. "I mainly wanted to see the Third Tsuchikage's strength, but I'm also curious about the Tailed Beasts."
"This guy is a bit troublesome," Orochimaru warned. "Of course, for you, it shouldn't be much."
Opposite them, Rōshi looked at the figure that had suddenly appeared and became wary. This guy… could he be the Kinoshita Genichi from the intel?
"Let's make this quick. If the Tsuchikage comes, it will be troublesome."
Without much pleasantry, Genichi stepped forward, his body rapidly turning to ice.
Orochimaru's pupils constricted slightly. "The Hydrification Technique… no, it should be called the Ice Body Technique."
In his Ice Body state, Genichi's pace quickened, and he charged at Rōshi.
"Ice Release? I'm not afraid," Rōshi snorted and also charged.
Boom!
Fist met fist, ice met lava armor. With a blast of air, Rōshi was sent flying back.
This guy is even stronger than Han! Rōshi was shocked. The hardness of the Ice Release was one thing, but his strength was also so terrifying. He realized that the intel he had on him was not accurate and immediately switched modes.
His body was completely covered in Tailed Beast chakra, and four tails grew out. Partial Tailed Beast transformation. This was his strongest form, apart from a full rampage.
He swung his tails, and the flying Rōshi immediately stabilized himself.
Boom!
The pursuing Genichi's fist hit the ground, creating a large crater, but it missed its target. In his partial Tailed Beast state, Rōshi's speed had greatly increased.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
The Tailed Beast's tails coiled toward him. He turned and clapped his hands together, letting three of the tails wrap around him.
Seeing that he had succeeded, Rōshi was about to pull him over, but the next moment, countless ice pillars erupted from the ground, piercing the three tails.
"Aaargh~~" Rōshi cried out in pain. Then, his body was also caught between the ice pillars, and a terrifying cold quickly seeped in.
"ROAR!" he roared, and his chakra immediately turned to lava, melting the ice that trapped him.
"As expected, no jutsu is perfect," Genichi sighed. He vanished from his spot and appeared above Rōshi, bringing his fist down.
BOOM!
The ground sank, and the ice pillars that had trapped Rōshi also shattered. Genichi's strongest punch hit him on the head, forcefully knocking his brain offline. The four tails quickly vanished, and then the Tailed Beast cloak also receded.
"Bastard…" Rōshi struggled to open his eyes. Their eyes met, and a genjutsu was activated.
The next moment, Tailed Beast chakra began to gurgle out of his body. Genichi raised his hand, and Samehada appeared, pressing against Rōshi's body and continuously devouring the Four-Tails' chakra.
"Look out!" Orochimaru's warning came from behind.
Genichi turned and saw the Five-Tails' jinchuriki charging at him at high speed. As for the Iwa-nin, Orochimaru was leading men to intercept them.
Seeing Han about to reach him, Genichi suddenly raised his leg and kicked back.
Boom!
The Five-Tails' jinchuriki was sent flying back. After climbing up from the ground, he immediately entered his partial Tailed Beast state.
Genichi, who was still absorbing the Four-Tails' chakra, raised a single hand, and a clone appeared beside him. A clone that was identical to the half-transformed Han.
A mirror clone. This was something he had developed based on his Mirror Eye's mirroring ability.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
The two Five-Tails' jinchuriki charged at each other, using the exact same abilities, locked in a fierce battle.
At this moment, the watching Danzō couldn't hide his shock. "That bastard… he's actually grown to this extent…"
He couldn't understand it at all.
(End of Chapter)
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