Chapter 4: The Essence of Hand Seals
Kinoshita Genichi had just put on a little act.
Although his final words didn't sound like something a five-year-old could come up with, this was the world of Naruto. A school-aged Uchiha Itachi could be praised for having the mindset of a Hokage! Genichi was confident that his speech couldn't have been more aligned with the Will of Fire.
It was absolutely politically correct.
Unfortunately, such words only caught the attention of a few people.
His teacher, Futagi Ryusei, for example, couldn't help but take a second look. Wanting to become Hokage was a dream most children had; he himself had been the same way back in his school days. Thinking back on it now made him feel a little embarrassed. Becoming Hokage was not so easy.
That made someone like Kinoshita Genichi special.
Thus, Futagi Ryusei couldn't help but nod with a smile. "Very well said! Sensei believes that you, Genichi, will one day become an outstanding ninja who can protect the village, your family, and your comrades!"
Down in his seat, Kakashi sized up Kinoshita Genichi. This seemingly ordinary classmate had piqued his interest because the meaning and philosophy behind Genichi's words were identical to what his own father had told him.
As he walked down from the platform, Genichi noticed Kakashi's gaze and met it, offering a small, smiling nod. The masked Kakashi responded with his eyes.
This was their first interaction.
Back in his seat, Shizune, who was next to him, couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Genichi-kun, why do you like dango but also dislike it?"
Genichi replied softly, "Shizune, you can just call me Genichi. As for why..."
"It's because my family sells dango."
Shizune stared blankly, momentarily unable to grasp what he meant. But before she could think on it further, the teacher at the front of the class called her name.
The first period was spent on everyone's self-introductions.
After class, Kinoshita Genichi, Sarutobi Asuma, Kakashi, and Uchiha Obito were called out by the teacher, along with a few other students, to go collect textbooks.
Yes, the Ninja Academy had textbooks. And quite a few of them.
For example: Detailed Explanation of Hand Seals, Chakra Overview, Introduction to Genjutsu, A Brief History of the Shinobi World, Konoha and the Will of Fire, Mathematics, Introduction to Fūinjutsu...
Ninja had to learn math... Genichi flipped through the book and felt it was perfectly reasonable.
He then looked at Chakra Overview. It was all basic theory, including a discussion of the five basic nature transformations. From this, it was clear that Naruto truly learned nothing during class.
Next was A Brief History of the Shinobi World, which contained some introductions to the various powers in the world and a not-so-detailed history of the shinobi. As he read it, Genichi couldn't help but shake his head. Uchiha Madara must have suffered from a lack of education; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so tragically duped by Black Zetsu.
After the books were distributed, the second period began. This class was about chakra.
However, Futagi Ryusei didn't immediately explain how to mold chakra. Instead, he started from the most fundamental concept of what chakra is, briefly mentioned its origins, and brought up the legendary Sage of Six Paths.
Genichi noticed that many students from ninja clans were doing their own thing. Only those without any pre-school training were listening attentively.
Glancing at Shizune, who was flipping through A Brief History of the Shinobi World, Genichi followed the teacher's pace and began taking notes in his textbook.
His "genius" persona couldn't rely on the Rasengan alone.
Over the next year, Genichi would gradually reveal the full extent of his Genin-level abilities. Chakra molding, chakra application, the Three Academy Jutsu, taijutsu, shuriken-jutsu, combat skills... all had to be demonstrated slowly.
Although his grandfather was a ninja, his parents were now civilians. He couldn't just suddenly unleash the skills of a Genin.
Of course, the strength of a Genin wasn't much. But for a civilian-born child who had only been in the academy for a year, it was enough to be called a genius.
Genichi wouldn't become some inexplicable prodigy who suddenly became amazing, which would only arouse suspicion. Instead, he would be a down-to-earth, meticulous genius who could withstand scrutiny under a magnifying glass.
Most importantly, Genichi felt it was extremely necessary for him to take this basic knowledge, which he seemingly already grasped, very seriously.
Because the more fundamental something is, the more important it is. Just like the foundation of a house.
...
The class passed by in a flash.
Genichi, with professional dedication, listened attentively for the entire period, filling his textbook with notes.
Beside him, Shizune's eyes widened as she looked on, because Genichi's notes didn't just contain what the teacher had explained, but also his own insights. He had put the latter in parentheses, so Shizune saw them at a glance.
She couldn't help but ask, "Genichi, have you learned this material before?"
Genichi nodded, then shook his head. "My grandfather used to be a ninja. I've read some of the training notes he left behind."
This was the truth.
"But what sensei is teaching is much easier to understand."
This part was half-truth, half-lie.
Hearing this, Shizune praised him, "Genichi, you're amazing."
"My family also has notes left by my uncle, and Tsunade-sama has taught me too, but I don't feel I understand it as thoroughly as you do."
Tsunade!
Genichi's eyes lit up. "Shizune, you must be too humble. Lady Tsunade is one of the Sannin."
Shizune said shyly, "Lady Tsunade is a great teacher, it's me who isn't as smart as you, Genichi."
If you're going to praise me, please say more.
Genichi was quite pleased to hear this. He then said generously, "Let me go ask sensei first. If he confirms my notes are correct, I'll let you see them."
Shizune nodded quickly. "Thank you, Genichi."
Genichi waved his hand dismissively, then got up and caught up with Futagi Ryusei to ask for his guidance, wanting to see if his own understanding was correct.
Futagi Ryusei took the book and glanced at it, a look of delight quickly appearing on his face. He nodded. "Genichi, this is excellent! Your understanding is perfectly correct. Keep up the good work!"
"Yes, sensei!" Genichi was the very model of an obedient student.
Returning to the classroom, Genichi gave his notes to Shizune. Amidst the noisy chatter of the other students, he began flipping through the Detailed Explanation of Hand Seals.
Hand seals were an indispensable part of being a ninja.
What, you say the Sage of Six Paths didn't need hand seals? Sorry, but Genichi didn't consider the Sage of Six Paths to be a ninja. Even Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama needed hand seals to perform ninjutsu—although Hashirama often just clapped his hands and whatever he wanted just appeared. The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, known as "The Professor," also needed hand seals. The most by-the-book examples were Kisame and Zabuza.
At the same time, Genichi knew something more.
The origin of hand seals was the Sage of Six Paths' eldest son, Indra.
Therefore, even if it wasn't for his "genius" persona, Genichi felt it was necessary to delve deeply into the study of hand seals. With his Genin-level knowledge and experience, his hand seals were merely average, neither fast nor slow. This naturally required more training.
But more than that, Genichi felt he needed to gain a deeper insight into the fundamental nature—the very essence—of the seals.
(End of Chapter)