Chapter 39: A Genius Born Out of Nowhere
After a moment of surprise, Jiraiya felt it was very reasonable.
According to his teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Narutohad been working hard at cultivation since the age of five, rain or shine, and could be called diligent.
The Rasengan was inspired by Minato from the Tailed Beast Ball; it is highly difficult and requires the user to have extremely strong Chakra control.
But if one already possesses good control before cultivation, it is relatively not that difficult.
So, while Naruto completing the first stage of training within seconds surprised him somewhat, it was within the realm of reason.
He just hadn't expected this little guy's Chakracontrol to be this good.
Jiraiya looked at Naruto's somewhat smug expression and gave a light cough.
He felt he should fulfill his role as a teacher.
"Naruto."
Jiraiya said earnestly, "Your talent is indeed good, but you cannot be proud because of it. I have traveled the Ninja World and seen many geniuses stronger than you. Not to mention those far away, let's talk about someone close. Last week, a mere eight-year-old Jonin appeared in the Hidden Mist Village, even more formidable than Kakashi."
Hidden Mist Village?
Eight years old?
That's the same age as himself.
But Naruto didn't remember any genius in the Hidden Mist Village.
Suigetsu Hozuki?
Hohzuki Mangetsu?
It seemed only these two brothers fit the criteria in this age group.
"What is his name?"
Naruto asked with a face full of curiosity.
Seeing this, Jiraiya nodded with satisfaction. Not bad, neither humble nor arrogant; except for being a little smug just now, no arrogance could be seen.
If it were him, being able to reach this level at eight years old, he'd probably be beating down Orochimaru every single day.
"Gen Shisei. He is skilled in Wind Release and spear techniques. I heard that he..."
"What did you say his name was? Gen Shisei?"
Naruto subconsciously interrupted Jiraiya's words.
What the hell, Gen Shisei?
This is Naruto, not Dragon Raja!
He suddenly had an ominous premonition.
"Yeah, is there a problem?"
Jiraiya gave him a strange look. "Do you know him?"
"No, I don't. I just think the name is very rare."
Naruto kept his cool and said with a smile, "Teacher, please continue."
Jiraiya didn't suspect anything. After all, he himself knew very little about this Gen Shisei, let alone Naruto, who had never left the village.
"Two things made Gen Shisei famous. First, on his first day of enrollment, he beat up all the geniuses in the Hidden Mist Ninja Academy. That is understandable. But the second thing is the main reason he became famous throughout the Ninja World. Naruto, have you heard of Zabuza Momochi?"
"I've heard of him."
Naruto was slightly taken aback and answered truthfully.
This question wasn't much.
Some famous figures in the Ninja World were occasionally mentioned at school.
As one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Zabuza Momochi naturally belonged to this category.
"Demon of the Bloody Mist Zabuza, wielding the executioners blade, his strength is top-tier even among Jonin. Just last week, he attempted to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage Yagura Karatachiand was discovered by Gen Shisei. The two engaged in a life-and-death battle, and in the end, Zabuza fled with heavy injuries."
Jiraiya's tone of voice unknowingly became solemn.
To him, Zabuza was not a particularly troublesome opponent.
But an absolute genius who could defeat Zabuza at the age of eight would 100% be a great enemy for Konoha in the future.
"This Gen Shisei, I don't know whose disciple he is, but he possesses a very rare spear technique—violent, fierce, and extremely ruthless."
Jiraiya took a deep breath and said, "If you encounter him in the future, you must be careful. His Wind Release is nothing, but that great spear is truly incomprehensible."
"..."
If I encounter him, I can beat him to death, okay?
Naruto complained with a complicated mood.
He suddenly thought of a phrase.
You chose him, idol.
I'm so stupid, really.
I should have thought of it long ago.
How could his Shadow Clone obediently not cause trouble?
"Don't worry."
Jiraiya noticed his expression and comforted him, "Your future won't be any worse than his."
After all, he was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
No matter how strong a Ninja is, there is a limit.
But Tailed Beasts do not.
In a sense, a Jinchuriki can no longer be viewed as human.
"I'm actually fine."
Naruto squeezed out a smile.
He finally understood what the previous achievement, 'I have a great spear', was all about.
In addition to fist techniques, Eight Extremes Fistincludes various weapons, the most powerful of which is the spear.
He could also understand why the Shadow Clonedidn't use the fist.
He had used it in front of Asuma Sarutobi last time; by switching to the spear, it would be impossible to associate the two for a while, allowing them to be distinguished.
"Gen Shisei is currently in the limelight. He was recognized as a younger brother by Mei Terumī, the successor to the Fourth Mizukage Yagura Karatachi, and has become the youngest member of the Mizukage Guard in history."
As Jiraiya spoke, tears of envy flowed from the corner of his mouth.
Mei Terumī, cough cough, is indeed not bad.
"..."
Naruto now knew what 'the brother who braves the wind and waves' meant.
So he's Mei Terumī's brother.
F*ck!
What the hell is going on!
A Shadow Clone is actually doing better than the original.
Dammit!
I also want a beautiful, rich older sister!
But he then thought, this guy wouldn't go around messing around, would he?
Naruto frowned. Logically, he shouldn't be able to refuse the original's orders.
Wait, eight years old.
So he appeared in the form of a child.
Then it's fine.
Naruto chose to believe in his Shadow Clone's—which is to say, his own—integrity.
"Work hard."
Jiraiya patted his shoulder and said, "Teacher believes you can surpass him, so let's start the second stage of training."
"..."
Asking me to surpass my own Shadow Clone is very hard, you know.
Naruto took the rubber ball he was given.
The second stage changed from a water balloon to a rubber ball, which was nearly a hundred times tougher. With his strength, it also took him an afternoon to complete.
Although Jiraiya was a bit discouraged, he was still quite happy.
He thought of Minato.
A similar genius.
The next day, Naruto began the third stage, which was also the most difficult part.
In the original work, it could only be performed with the help of a Shadow Clone.
But now that he didn't have the Nine-Tails' interference, he could try to condense Chakra with one hand.
In the distance from the Treehouse.
Jiraiya and Hiruzen Sarutobi stood side by side.
"Naruto is just too much of a genius; even the third stage won't hold him back for long."
Jiraiya looked at the little guy cultivating in the distance, scratched his hair, and asked, "Old man, is it time to teach him Sage Mode?"
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately stopped his smoking, and after a moment, shook his head and said, "It's too dangerous."
Jiraiya fell slightly silent.
He didn't know if his teacher meant that cultivating Sage Mode was dangerous, or that Narutomastering Sage Mode was dangerous.
"Teach him the Summoned Beast instead."
Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a cloud of smoke and said, "Didn't you tell me that Naruto might be the child of prophecy the Great Toad Sage spoke of?"
"Fine."
Jiraiya nodded.
He indeed felt that Naruto was like the child of prophecy.
But he couldn't be sure.
After all, the two he previously thought were the child of prophecy...
Sigh.