Konoha's Genius is a bit Ordinary?

Tsunade's forehead showed a vein in irritation; she had just been saying it casually, but it turned out Natsuro really did have something else to discuss!

"If you've got one more thing, hurry up and say it. As the Fifth Hokage, I don't have all day to chat with you here!"

"Oh, I want to learn a jutsu," Natsuro answered.

"Hm? At your current level, you could learn from the Scroll of Seals if you wanted, so why would you need my permission…" Tsunade suddenly realized something and said, a bit exasperated, "Alright, tell me what you want me to teach you."

Since Natsuro's status allowed him free access to any recorded jutsu, it was clear he wasn't after any run-of-the-mill jutsu. It must be one of the techniques she personally knew.

Tsunade's jutsu were recorded in Konoha's archives, but only the jutsu itself. Natsuro was clearly after her methods and experience with them!

"The Taijutsu-ninjutsu technique—Painful Sky Leg," Natsuro said directly. Though he referred to it as the Painful Sky Leg, he thought "super strength" was a more fitting name.

"Ah, super strength. With your level of chakra control, you could indeed learn it," Tsunade thought about it for a moment before nodding. This taijutsu technique is essentially about instantly gathering chakra in one place to unleash tremendous destructive power.

Everyone understands this in theory, and it doesn't seem that difficult. But why is it that only her super strength is so renowned?

The answer, of course, lies in her level of chakra control and the skill of gathering chakra efficiently. Randomly gathering chakra only wastes it and produces subpar results. Very few people can meet these requirements.

"So, do you plan to combine super strength with your previous Lightning and Wind Release techniques?" Tsunade had a good guess at Natsuro's intentions.

"Yes." Natsuro wasn't surprised; his intentions were quite obvious.

"I'd advise you to give up on that idea," Tsunade said.

"Why? Is there a problem?" Natsuro frowned.

"Your Lightning Release stimulates your muscles internally, while the Wind Armor technique essentially strengthens you from the outside. The combination of those two techniques works because of that external/internal split, but super strength is different," Tsunade explained earnestly, thinking that layering techniques like that would be dangerous for Natsuro.

"Super strength and Lightning Release, huh?" Natsuro realized what she was getting at.

"Yes. Using super strength requires significant chakra concentration and control, which would interfere with your control over the Lightning Release, making mistakes likely. Not to mention, your body might struggle to handle the strain."

After clearing up Natsuro's doubts, Tsunade continued.

"So, do you still want to learn super strength? If so, I can pass on my experience with it to you."

"Yes," Natsuro said after a bit of thought. "Actually, super strength and Lightning Release aren't all that incompatible, since super strength is an expression of chakra's explosive power, whereas Lightning Release stimulates the body itself."

"As for handling the force and impact, Wind Armor can reduce the impact on my body, not just protect it externally. The only real issue would be my physical strength's limitations."

Tsunade nodded but then shook her head, "That's all true, but there's still one more problem. Gathering a large amount of chakra instantly is already challenging enough, and on top of that, adding the mental focus needed for Lightning Release stimulation might end up hindering both."

"I have a method for that," Natsuro said, smiling. He had dual souls—one could manage super strength, while the other handled the Lightning stimulation and Wind Armor.

Seeing Natsuro's confidence, Tsunade decided not to press further and didn't ask about his method.

"If you're sure, then I'll teach you," Tsunade stretched and did some light stretching. "Shizune, I guess this doesn't count as slacking off, right?"

"No, but Lady Tsunade, please remember you still have a lot of documents waiting for you," Shizune said, snapping out of her daze.

She had been utterly lost, unable to understand what the two were discussing. Why did it sound like super strength was so easy to learn?

After all, Shizune had been with Tsunade for years and had never mastered super strength. Was it because Tsunade didn't want to teach her? Of course not, Shizune simply hadn't reached the necessary level of chakra control…

Hearing their conversation, even mild-mannered Shizune couldn't help but think, "So what if you're talented?!"

Then Natsuro spoke up again.

"Don't worry, this won't take much time."

Shizune felt exasperated.

Yes, you're talented; yes, you're great, are you happy now?

"Oh, by the way, I just remembered there's something I need to tell you as well." Tsunade suddenly patted her forehead.

Natsuro and Shizune fell silent. Was this turning into an exchange of announcements?

"I heard from Kakashi that you suggested Sasuke Uchiha join the Anbu? Sasuke has already submitted his application," Tsunade said.

"That was quick," Natsuro said, slightly surprised. After a moment's thought, he replied, "With Sasuke's talent, most regular missions would just be a waste of his time. He's mastered his basics well, so as long as he doesn't try to push himself too hard, adding more advanced skills will be no problem. That's why I recommended him for Anbu."

"I reviewed Kakashi's report and agreed with that view. But… you're aware of the Uchiha clan's history, right?" Tsunade hesitated. She personally held no grudge against the Uchiha.

However, her granduncle had researched the clan extensively and even developed certain theories, which made her wary. She trusted his research.

"Yes, the Uchiha… But Sasuke is different from other Uchihas. Besides, if he ever strays onto a dark path, I'll be there to pull him back," Natsuro replied, understanding Tsunade's concerns.

Tsunade hadn't spent much time with Sasuke yet, so it was only natural for her to be wary, especially after hearing so much about the Uchiha clan's dark history.

"In that case, I'll assign Sasuke to the squad you were in under Yamato," Tsunade said, already having decided this but only now thinking to check with Natsuro.

Natsuro wasn't surprised by this decision; it was Yamato, after all, and Tsunade's choice didn't catch him off guard.

Even in the original story, Tsunade wasn't very familiar with Sasuke but still looked after him. For instance, even after he joined Orochimaru, Tsunade didn't classify Sasuke as a rogue ninja. It was only later, during Danzo's time in power, that Sasuke was officially labeled as one.

"Alright, let's go to the training ground now so I can teach you super strength," Tsunade said, a bit eager to move. After all, she'd been sitting here for quite a while, and if Shizune hadn't been watching, she would have slipped away to get some exercise!

However, soon after, Tsunade's expression turned blank, and she returned to her desk, mechanically flipping through paperwork.

Shizune, equally stunned, watched Tsunade's expression as she worked.

Tsunade could only feel one thing.

I was really naïve. I knew Natsuro was incredibly talented, but I hadn't realized his talent was this ridiculous.

Granted, Natsuro's chakra control skills were already highly developed, but how could he instantly master and apply what she had just taught him so smoothly?! It was unbelievable!

Tsunade now felt that if anyone praised her as a genius, she'd want to knock their head off. Was she a genius?

Right now, Tsunade felt that the praise might just be backhanded mockery.

Unaware of the shock he'd given Tsunade and Shizune, Natsuro was initially planning to head home, but he quickly stopped in his tracks.

He suddenly remembered Tsunade mentioning the Scroll of Seals. In the past, he hadn't paid much attention to the jutsu on it, thinking he didn't need them. But now…could he study it?

So, he changed direction and headed toward the Forbidden Jutsu Chamber where the Scroll of Seals was kept. With his current status as the next-in-line Sixth Hokage, the guards in front of the chamber naturally didn't stop him.

Soon, he reached the Scroll of Seals and began reading.

There was quite a collection of forbidden jutsu listed, some of which he hadn't even heard of, though there were also some familiar ones.

For instance, the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu, the Eight Branches Technique, the Eight Gates, and Edo Tensei…

Interestingly, the Flying Thunder God Technique wasn't listed in the Scroll of Seals. Although the jutsu was powerful and could achieve even greater support effects as the user grew accustomed to it, even the Fourth Hokage hadn't fully developed all of its applications.

However, the Flying Thunder God Technique, while difficult to learn and highly likely to be unmastered, didn't harm the user physically.

In contrast, something like the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken might be better suited for inclusion in the Scroll of Seals in the future, given how hard it was to master fully. Natsuro knew firsthand the challenges of learning it.

If not mastered completely, using only a partially developed Rasenshuriken limits it to close range. And once its power is unleashed, the damage it causes is so severe that even the Nine-Tails' regenerative abilities struggle to heal it fully.

As he browsed the Scroll of Seals, he considered the jutsu he might need.

First, the Eight Gates was a must, though he wouldn't need to open many gates; the first two gates would be enough for him.

The First Gate removes brain restrictions, and the Second Gate removes limits on physical stamina. Any further would likely impact his ability to use jutsu, which wouldn't be worth it.

Moreover, his existing taijutsu techniques combined would require a fair number of gates to achieve comparable power, so he didn't truly need the Eight Gates—unless he could open the Seventh Gate without harm, which would be beneficial.

He also memorized the Edo Tensei technique, not with the intention of using it, but to understand it in case the infamous Edo Tensei army reappeared in the future.

Similarly, he noted down the Reaper Death Seal, though he'd never use it himself.

Finally, Natsuro's attention settled on a jutsu he'd previously considered useless—the Spirit Transformation Technique!

The Spirit Transformation Technique, like the Yamanaka Clan's Mind Transfer, immobilizes the user's body, which had made Natsuro reluctant to use it due to leaving his body vulnerable. He didn't want to leave his safety in someone else's hands.

But now, Natsuro pondered his dual souls. Could he have one soul use the Spirit Transformation Technique while the other remained in his body, allowing him to move as usual?

However, he wasn't sure what that would feel like. He'd need to try it out after mastering the technique to see the results.

Natsuro quietly memorized the Spirit Transformation Technique, then browsed through a few other jutsu. Most of them were irrelevant to him, so he gradually closed the Scroll of Seals.

Reflecting on this sudden impulse, Natsuro felt satisfied with the insights he'd gained.

As he walked toward his home, he sensed a familiar Flying Thunder God mark and was surprised to find Naruto seemingly waiting at his front door.

So, did something else come up?

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Currently on Chapter 223: The Method to "Reconcile" with the Nine-Tails