Turning back to the section on the Three Basic Jutsu, Shiranui Genma decided to try practicing the simplest one—the Transformation Jutsu.
The beginner-level Transformation Jutsu only required forming the "Ram" (未) hand seal. This was done by joining both hands in a sword seal, with the left hand placed slightly above, and the left pinky and ring finger resting over the corresponding fingers of the right hand.
The "Ram" and "Tiger" (寅) seals looked quite similar, with the Tiger being more symmetrical. In fact, they weren't just similar in form—the way they affected chakra was also closely related.
Experienced shinobi could even use the Tiger seal instead of the Ram and still pull off the Transformation Jutsu, showing just how simple this technique really was.
Although Genma hadn't yet received systematic ninjutsu training, such a simple exercise shouldn't be too difficult.
After silently reviewing the finer points of the Transformation Jutsu, Genma circulated his chakra and quickly formed the Ram seal.
"Transformation!"
"POOF—"
A surge of air burst outward with a loud bang, shaking the nearby desk three times. The commotion was impressive.
But when Genma looked down, he realized… nothing had changed.
"…"
It was obvious. That explosion of sound just now was simply the result of his poor execution. Not only had the jutsu failed, but he had also wasted a large amount of chakra.
At this moment, Genma was only eight years old. Having been reborn just a few months ago, he had only recently learned how to sense and circulate chakra. His chakra reserves were pitifully low.
That single failed attempt had already burned through about one-twentieth of his total chakra.
Try again.
Genma steadied himself, focused, drew on his chakra, and once more formed the Ram seal.
"Transformation!"
"Poof."
This time, the noise was smaller—but the technique still failed. No change at all.
"Transformation!"
"Poof."
"Poof."
"Poof."
After several more tries, Genma finally achieved a tiny bit of success—he managed to darken the color of his skin slightly.
Except… the effect looked completely unnatural. It didn't resemble real skin tone at all; rather, it looked like someone had smeared watered-down soy sauce across his body.
So even this most basic jutsu required training before it could be mastered.
His repeated failures burned through the last of his chakra quickly. By the time night fell, Genma had no energy left. He stopped practicing, tidied up, and returned to his room carrying his father's notebook.
The next morning, at the Ninja Academy.
Taijutsu was one of the most important foundations of being a shinobi. For genin, taijutsu was also their primary offensive means—its importance couldn't be overstated.
That's why, from first year through sixth year, Academy students always had two taijutsu classes every day.
Aside from outdoor physical training and sparring, taijutsu lessons were often held indoors as well, where teachers explained related subjects—like ninja tools and first aid.
Today's taijutsu class was one of those indoor sessions. Standing at the podium of Class 5, Year 2 was their taijutsu instructor, Uchiha Haru—nicknamed the "Old Tigress" and "Howling Woman." She lectured loudly, occasionally slamming the blackboard, leaving the entire class sitting ramrod straight.
This female chūnin was only thirty years old. Although still somewhat attractive, for some reason—whether early menopause or something else—she was frighteningly strict with students. Apart from Guy, not a single one of them dared cross her.
And even with Guy's earnestness and tireless effort, Uchiha Haru's attitude toward him was no different. She gave him neither praise nor appreciation.
It seemed… she was just plain sadistic.
BANG! Uchiha Haru smacked the blackboard again.
"Next, we'll be learning about hidden weapons."
"A qualified shinobi must have a thorough understanding of hidden weapons. Not only must you master at least one type—in other words, the shuriken—but you must also know how to defend against them…"
Listening to Uchiha Haru's lecture, Shiranui Genma couldn't help but perk up.
Hidden weapons.
For genin, who relied on taijutsu as their primary means of attack, hidden weapons were definitely one of the fastest ways to increase their strength. If used well in battle, even a genin might be able to take down a chūnin.
In just a few years, the Third Great Ninja War would break out. Who knew what level his strength would reach by then?
Genma gave a subtle nod to himself. Clearly, he needed to put more effort into training with hidden weapons in the future.
At that moment, Uchiha Haru raised her hand, showing a four-pointed star-shaped blade pinched between her fingers:
"This is the most commonly used hidden weapon for shinobi—the shuriken. Starting now, our outdoor taijutsu lessons will also include shuriken training…"
She then pulled out a spiky metal object.
"This is a caltrop, the most common scattering obstacle. No matter how it lands on the ground, at least one spike will always be pointing upward, effectively hindering the enemy's movements."
"These two are flash bombs and smoke bombs…"
Next, Uchiha Haru brought out a thin needle.
"The senbon is also a fairly common hidden weapon. Compared to the shuriken, senbon are harder to detect and defend against. They can even be used as handheld weapons. But the difficulty of mastering them is much higher."
She paused before adding, "There's also the throwing needle, which is similar to the senbon, but even harder to use. We won't cover those until higher grades."
Genma felt a sudden spark of curiosity. Weren't senbon basically the same as throwing needles? To him, what Haru was holding was just… a needle.
He nudged Ebisu with his elbow.
"Hey, do you know what the difference is between a throwing needle and a senbon?"
Ebisu blinked, looking surprised at his sudden eagerness to learn.
"How would I know that?"
Genma then turned toward Guy, who was sitting to his left, intending to ask—but after a moment's thought, decided he probably wouldn't get a useful answer. Better to ask the teacher after class.
"Senbon have two sharp ends. Throwing needles only have one."
The voice was clear and childish, coming from behind him.
Genma froze for a moment, then turned his head instinctively.
Sitting behind him was a short-haired little girl. If he remembered correctly, she was future Tsunade's disciple, and Sakura Haruno's senior—Shizune.
Her face still carried a bit of baby fat, making her look especially "young," even in this classroom where the average age was only eight.
"One end? That's the only difference? Then why did the teacher say throwing needles are harder to master than senbon?"
"I think they're about the same… Maybe it's because most throwing needles are thinner than senbon," Shizune thought aloud. Then, curiosity flashing across her eyes, she asked:
"Genma, are you planning to practice with throwing needles too?"
Genma considered for a moment before answering, "Not sure yet… but I think senbon might suit me better."