Maruboshi Kosuke wanted to further test Umino Yoru 's talent in ninjutsu, so he decided to teach him a B-rank technique on the spot.
After a brief theoretical explanation, Kosuke stepped onto the river's surface.
"Yoru , watch closely."
His hands moved in a blur, forming five hand seals at an astonishing speed—Tiger → Snake → Rat → Snake → Tiger.
"Water Style: Water Wall!"
Instantly, the river beneath him surged, and a massive wall of water erupted into the sky, splitting the air. The force of the waves beneath his feet was so intense that anyone with poor chakra control would have been thrown off balance and plunged into the river.
But Umino Yoru remained unfazed, his gaze steady.
The towering water wall seemed unable to obstruct his vision. His focus remained fixed on Kosuke's hands—though in truth, he had already activated his Subsonic Radar Technique, meticulously analyzing the flow of chakra within Kosuke's body.
Just as the water wall began to fall back toward the river, Yoru 's hands became a blur. In the span of a breath, he completed the same five seals.
"Water Style: Water Wall!"
An even larger wall of water erupted, colliding with the descending one and forcing it higher into the air.
"A genius! Truly a genius!"
Kosuke couldn't contain his astonishment, staring at Yoru as if he had just unearthed a priceless treasure.
From that moment, Kosuke's inner mentor seemed to awaken. With newfound enthusiasm, he began teaching Yoru the deeper intricacies of Water Style.
For example, while Yoru 's Water Wall was larger, it was also more dispersed, reducing its defensive power. Because the water wasn't condensed enough, its upward force was weaker compared to Kosuke's version.
Moreover, Water Wall wasn't limited to just one form—it had multiple variations.
The towering version was typically used for quick frontal defense, such as blocking explosive-tagged kunai or dense shuriken barrages.
But for a more sustained, omni-directional defense, it could be rotated like the Hyūga's Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven.
Even chakra expenditure could be adjusted based on the intensity of the attack.
Just this small insight into Water Wall alone showcased Kosuke's unfathomable mastery—far beyond what even an elite jōnin should possess. It was as if he had reached a level of understanding that even Kage-level shinobi might struggle to grasp.
"I feel like I'm not just learning Water Style… but forbidden techniques."
Yoru had always considered himself skilled in Water Style, especially in chakra shape transformation. But under Kosuke's guidance, he realized he had been nothing more than a novice.
Yet instead of feeling discouraged, he grew more confident. Because now, he knew—he truly was a Water Style prodigy.
In just a short time, absorbing Kosuke's teachings had elevated him from a beginner to an advanced practitioner, even showing signs of approaching master-level comprehension.
"Yoru , I've taught you all the key principles of Water Style. From here on, it's up to you to refine your understanding."
Kosuke patted Yoru 's shoulder encouragingly before vanishing with a Body Flicker, reappearing on the riverbank.
Seeing that it was about time, Akimichi Torifu signaled the squad to resume their patrol.
"Yoru , make sure you keep an eye on Inuzuka Ryō and the others' training. I'll check their progress tomorrow."
Yoru quickly used a basic Body Flicker to return to shore, assuring Torifu before turning to Kosuke.
"Kosuke-senpai, regarding the Water Style techniques you taught me—once I return to the outpost for reassignment, I'll make sure to record the mission completion and compensate you with the appropriate merit points."
"No need, no need."
Kosuke waved his hand dismissively.
But Yoru couldn't accept such profound knowledge without repayment and insisted.
"Hahaha!" Torifu chuckled, stepping closer. "Yoru , the Water Style Kosuke taught you is part of a hereditary lineage. You don't need to spend any points on it."
"Hereditary lineage?"
Yoru was puzzled.
"No spoilers. You'll understand in time."
With that, Torifu grabbed Kosuke and vanished into the forest with a series of Body Flickers.
After barely a hundred meters, Torifu slowed his pace, waiting for Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Aburame Shibi to catch up.
For once, Torifu's expression turned serious.
"Kosuke… did you really pass down that Water Style scroll to Yoru ?"
"Mhm." Kosuke nodded.
Then, gazing into the distance, he murmured:
"Where the leaves dance, the flames will forever burn."
"Yoru is a boy who embodies the Will of Fire. He won't disappoint Lord Tobirama's legacy."
His eyes shone with determination and nostalgia, as if recalling the teachings of his youth under the Second Hokage.
"Kosuke, then why not take him as your disciple?"
"I'm a genin. What right do I have to take a student?"
"Then just drop your stubborn vow to remain a genin! The moment you do, you'd be promoted to jōnin. Problem solved."
"Mhm." Kosuke neither agreed nor disagreed, quickening his pace and leaving Torifu behind.
"What's so great about staying a genin anyway…"
Torifu sighed, giving up. He had tried convincing Kosuke over a hundred times—if the man ever changed his mind and took Yoru as his disciple, that kid's future would be set.
"That boy Yoru … his potential is limitless."
The more Torifu thought about it, the clearer it became—Yoru , now inheriting the Hokage's lineage, was a common-born shinobi with a clean record. While becoming the Fourth or Fifth Hokage might be unlikely, his path to becoming an elder of Konoha was wide open.
"Guess I'll have to make sure my Yoshimaru gets closer to him."
Torifu decided then and there—his son, Akimichi Yoshimaru, needed to build a strong bond with Umino Yoru . Both were inheritors of the Hokage's teachings, making them natural allies. And if Yoru ever became a key figure in the future Hokage's inner circle, establishing ties early would be invaluable.
After all, Yoshimaru was already a disciple of Jiraiya, making him the Third Hokage's grand-student. His future was already mapped out.
"Next time, I can't just freeload off him. I'll have to return the favor properly."
Torifu mentally elevated Yoru to his own level, resolving to gift him a few Six-Colored Spinach Pills next time as a proper gesture.