Konoha's Tag-System Ninja

Chapter 112: Chapter 112: A Person Worthy of Respect!

After hearing Shūichi recount the process of infiltrating Sunagakure and threatening the Kazekage, everyone fell into stunned silence.

Uchiha Obito was dumbfounded.

"That actually worked?"

Using a hostage to threaten the Kazekage—such a provocative action—weren't they worried about igniting a war between the two villages?

Namikaze Minato, however, keenly picked up on something, swiftly shifting the topic away from the matter of Hatake Sakumo's corpse.

So, after the initial shock, Namikaze Minato said, "Alright everyone, since the mission is complete, let's take a short break and then head back to the village immediately."

Yūhi Shiwei and Inuzuka Kaku looked toward Shūichi Hoshita. Although they were familiar with Namikaze Minato, Shūichi was now their captain.

Shūichi smoothly agreed and nodded.

During the rest break, Shūichi pulled Kakashi aside to discuss Lightning Release techniques, hoping to divert his attention. The effect was quite good.

Moreover, Shūichi noticed a change in Kakashi.

Revenge!

He didn't offer clichéd advice like "don't be consumed by hatred." Hatred could be a source of strength, helping Kakashi's innate talent explode, leading to rapid progress.

As long as Kakashi didn't fall too deeply into the abyss.

Once the Third Kazekage was dead, Kakashi would naturally be freed from it. That time wouldn't be too far off.

"If Sasori of the Red Sand doesn't assassinate the Third Kazekage, what if someone else did?"

"Besides, Kakashi's potential won't fall short of the Third Kazekage..."

Shūichi had great confidence in Kakashi's talent.

Still, learning about Hatake Sakumo's death from the mouth of the Third Kazekage left him deeply unsettled.

It wasn't just because of Sakumo's guidance—it was the looming feeling of fate.

Yet Shūichi refused to believe in fate.

If fate existed, he wouldn't have appeared in this world.

Moreover, he had no intention of becoming like Jiraiya, driven by some inevitable destiny.

...

Two hours later, Shūichi and the others set off back to Konoha.

Passing through the Land of Rivers and into the Land of Fire, they arrived at Konoha by the next day.

Upon returning to Konoha, Shūichi immediately received some news from Sarutobi Shinnosuke.

"Forty million?"

Shūichi hadn't expected his bounty to rise so quickly, now matching Sarutobi Shinnosuke's.

The Third Kazekage sure was stingy.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke chuckled, "Shūichi, it seems like only Kirigakure hasn't witnessed your prowess yet, but I'm sure they've heard your name by now."

Both Iwagakure and Sunagakure had placed bounties on him one after the other, and Shūichi was one of Konoha's rare geniuses. Kirigakure had likely been gathering information for a while; by now, it was inevitable.

Shūichi sighed, "Captain, you know me—I'm not a fan of fighting. I prefer training quietly. Peace in the shinobi world would be ideal."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke shook his head helplessly and then paused; they had reached the Hokage's office.

Ending their small talk, Shūichi knocked and entered to report the details of their mission to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Namikaze Minato had already given a report, but only from his own perspective.

Shūichi, however, downplayed the combat details, focusing more on the intelligence he had gathered and his speculations.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, smoking his pipe with a thoughtful expression, sighed after listening, "I didn't expect the Third Kazekage to get involved personally..."

"Also, Shūichi, you suspect that Sakumo's body might be used to create a puppet?"

Shūichi nodded.

After a moment of contemplation, Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "I'll pass that information along. For now, don't let Kakashi know about the possibility of his father's body being used as a puppet."

Shūichi nodded, "Understood!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen continued, "Shūichi, your next task will be to carry out secret research on Tailed Beast chakra. Officially, you'll be stationed at the Konoha Hospital."

Shūichi immediately accepted the mission, "Understood!"

This arrangement suited him perfectly.

Plus, as a Special Medical Jonin, it was only natural for him to return to Konoha Hospital.

Of course, this didn't mean he was leaving the ANBU entirely.

However, his way of doing things didn't exactly align with the style of the ANBU.

After leaving the Hokage building, Shūichi stretched lazily. "Time to go home and soak in the bath!"

After days of eating sand, what he craved most right now was a hot bath.

At home, Yakushi Nono and Asuka were both out, so Shūichi relaxed in the bathtub, quietly reflecting on his training.

After mastering the Lightning Release Body Flicker and obtaining the "Body Flicker Expert" tag, he had begun training in the Flying Thunder God technique.

The "Renowned/Famous" tag was almost complete, with just Kirigakure left to check off.

He was close to acquiring the "Transformation Master" tag.

The "Medical Master" tag depended on Orochimaru's progress.

The "Devourer" tag was tied to the researching of the Four-Tails and Eight-Tails cells.

As for "Clone Master" and "Substitution Master," both were linked to his research on the Eight-Tails, which would be a primary focus of his upcoming experiments.

"Sensory Master" and "Sealing Master" would require the development of new ninjutsu.

Of course, there was also the "Earth Release Expert" tag, which he was about to unlock, and once he mastered all five elemental releases, he would obtain the "Ninjutsu Professor" tag.

"Looks like I'll be just as busy as ever..." Shūichi thought. "Aside from innate talent and physical enhancements, the Flying Thunder God technique is currently the only one that can directly raise my combat potential."

"The other abilities will just make me more well-rounded..."

"But even though the tags like Ninjutsu Expert, Ninjutsu Master, and Ninjutsu Professor don't involve Kekkei Genkai, they will allow me to reach heights in nature and shape transformations that ordinary people can't."

"These are the foundation and confidence I need to develop a Kekkei Genkai!"

As he thought about this, a red Four-Tails chakra began to swirl around him.

Lava Release might be the Kekkei Genkai he could master the fastest.

This was because he could sense it directly through the Four-Tails' chakra.

After a while, Shūichi stood up, cleaned himself off, and headed out.

On his way to Konoha Hospital, he stopped by to have a bowl of Ichiraku Ramen.

Ichiraku Teuchi sure was young back then!

After finishing his meal, Shūichi strolled down the street, sending out several Shadow Clones.

Some to train in Earth Release, others to work on the Lightning Body Flicker, some for transformation techniques, others to head to Orochimaru's lab, and some even to the Forest of Death to play with Shiro. Everything was neatly arranged.

Arriving at Konoha Hospital, Shūichi found Shizune, who was organizing medical files.

"Hey, Shūichi?"

Shizune looked pleasantly surprised when she saw him. "Is your mission complete?"

Shūichi nodded with a smile. "Yes, it went smoothly. I'll be back here for a while."

"Really?"

Shizune was even more thrilled. "That's wonderful!"

Shūichi smiled and nodded, then asked, "How's the progress with the Yin Seal?"

Shizune's face fell slightly. "It's so difficult. The chakra control requirements are incredibly high."

Shūichi gently patted her head and comforted her, "It's okay. Chakra control can be trained over time. I'll be here to help you."

Hearing this, Shizune's face brightened again, and she nodded enthusiastically. "Mm!!"

Shūichi then helped Shizune organize the medical files as they chatted about recent happenings.

For instance, Tsunade had been digging through a room full of scrolls, many of which had been left behind by the First and Second Hokage.

Shizune also mentioned some old research notes on Hashirama cells.

Although the research on Hashirama's cells, overseen by Sarutobi Hiruzen years ago, hadn't been successful, it wasn't without some breakthroughs.

Before they knew it, the afternoon had passed.

After work, Shūichi and Shizune went to a training ground where their group of friends often gathered. There, they found Kakashi and Might Guy engaged in a taijutsu duel.

"Guy is amazing!" Shizune couldn't help but praise him.

Shūichi nodded in agreement. He knew Shizune wasn't just praising Guy's taijutsu skills but also his sheer determination.

However, it was clear that even Might Guy wasn't always cheerful and optimistic.

When the duel ended and both he and Kakashi lay on the ground, Shūichi and Shizune approached, just in time to hear Guy's slightly dejected voice: "Kakashi, do you think I'll be a genin forever?"

His father had been a genin his whole life.

Now, it was hard for Guy to even find people willing to go on missions with him. Most of his tasks were the kind that fresh academy graduates took on.

Guy's relentless training had yielded significant results, allowing him to enter the academy and graduate as a genin.

In terms of taijutsu, he was among the best in his age group and held his own against Kakashi in their duels.

But that was as far as it went.

Lately, Guy, whose talent in ninjutsu was lacking, had started to feel like he was seeing his own future through his father's life.

Kakashi listened to Guy's words and couldn't help but think of his own father. He spoke up, "Uncle Duy's strength may not have been great, and now he's only doing those small, unnoticed missions, but... in the end, he raised you into who you are today."

"Guy, haven't you already surpassed him?"

Might Guy was stunned.

Kakashi looked at the setting sun and said, "Uncle Duy is the sunset, and you are the sunrise."

"You've already achieved in your youth what Uncle Duy spent his whole life working toward. You are his continuation."

"Guy, do you think twenty years from now, you'll still be the same as you are today?"

"In twenty years, your descendants will probably be even more exceptional than you are now."

"Maybe that's Uncle Duy's Will of Fire..."

Might Guy froze, and before he knew it, tears streamed down his face. "I understand now..."

"Hard work is never wasted!"

"My father's hard work continues through me!"

"He may be the sunset, and his youth may be fading, but my youth is also his youth!"

"So, the will passed down through generations will never fade, and the fiery youth will never cool down!"

At this point, Shūichi chimed in, "Guy, I completely agree with what you said!"

"When the day comes that you are renowned throughout the ninja world, Uncle Duy will be proud of you!"

"And when, twenty years from now, your descendants are famous throughout the ninja world, you'll be proud of them too!"

"Likewise, you will be a role model for your descendants, and just as you look up to Uncle Duy, they will look up to you!"

"Uncle Duy is a man worthy of respect, and the fact that he was only a genin doesn't change that."

Shūichi's words were completely sincere.

It wasn't because he knew that Might Duy had hidden strength.

It was because Might Duy, as a father, was someone truly worthy of admiration.

In this regard, failures like Fugaku Uchiha and Rasa had to be mentioned as examples of bad parenting.

Kakashi and Might Guy had noticed Shūichi's arrival long ago but didn't mind his presence.

Upon hearing Shūichi's voice, Might Guy instantly jumped to his feet, wiped away his tears, and was back at full strength. "Shūichi! Let's have a youthful and passionate duel!"

"Even though I know I'm not your match, isn't this a form of willpower too?"

"Knowing it's impossible and still doing it, maybe that's the greatest form of courage!"

Shūichi gave him a thumbs up. "Then let's begin!"

Shizune quickly stepped back, watching in amazement as Guy's spirit seemed completely transformed. She couldn't help but exclaim, "That kind of... determination is really admirable."

Kakashi appeared beside her and said, "That might be Guy's greatest strength."

He had comforted Guy, but he himself hadn't fully recovered yet.

Guy's ability to adjust his mentality—this talent was truly... exceptional!

...

As expected, Might Guy lost the fight.

After an intense battle, an exhausted Might Guy lay on the ground resting, while Shūichi glanced at Kakashi and Shizune, both of whom were busy with their own training. Suddenly, he suggested, "Guy, why not create your own unique taijutsu techniques?"

"Huh?"

"Your own taijutsu techniques?"

Might Guy, unsure of himself, propped himself up and asked hesitantly, "Is that really possible?"

"I'm still just a genin!"

Shūichi smiled. "I developed my own ninjutsu when I was a genin."

"Kakashi isn't a jonin yet either, but he's already developed techniques that are far beyond jonin-level difficulty."

"Remember, everyone is different. There's a technique suited for each person, and that includes taijutsu."

"Your habits, the way you unleash your strength—everything is unique to you."

Might Guy thought about this and felt it made perfect sense. He immediately became fired up again. "Shūichi, you're right!"

"My father once said that surpassing others isn't something to be proud of. Only when you surpass your current self is it true greatness!"

"Then it's settled! From today onward, I will develop my own taijutsu techniques!"

But soon after, Might Guy scratched his head in confusion. "But where do I even start?"

Shūichi smiled and suggested, "How about starting with the way you unleash your strength, or your attack techniques?"

"For example, how can a sidekick be more powerful, with greater explosive force?"

"Or how can you observe your opponent to predict their movements to some extent?"

"Or when facing an enemy you can't get close enough to physically strike, how could you transmit your strength over a distance?"

One suggestion after another made Might Guy's eyes light up, and he gave Shūichi a big thumbs-up with his trademark grin. "You never disappoint, Shūichi!"

...

That night, in his study.

Shūichi frowned as he continued to study the half of the technique he had copied from the Totsuka Blade.

It was a path that could lead to Sage Mode!

The most important part was that, based on what he had learned so far, this technique had the potential to store and seal natural energy.

And it was clear that Mount Myoboku couldn't achieve this.

Otherwise, Jiraiya wouldn't have needed to rely on the fusion with the two Great Sage Toads to complete Sage Mode.

And his teacher, Minato Namikaze, wouldn't have said, "I'm not very good at Sage Mode," only to enter it immediately afterward.

It was clearly due to the Yin Nine-Tails.

"Unfortunately, this technique is severely incomplete..."

Shūichi massaged his temples and thought, "My foundation is still lacking."

"I need to strengthen my knowledge of seals and curse marks."

Putting away the scroll, Shūichi decided to head to Tsunade's place tomorrow.

There were plenty of resources there!

And if Tsunade didn't have what he needed, she could always call for it from the Hokage building.

That would be much more convenient than him going through Sarutobi Shinnosuke for authorization.

Besides...

Working with a partner makes everything easier, doesn't it?

(End of Chapter)

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