Konoha’s White Fang Shines

Chapter 3: The Talent for the Immortal Clan

After several weeks of training, Genma's execution of the final sword form grew ever more practiced. Once Lockster approved his progress, Genma no longer had to arrive at the tavern so early.

That morning, having already completed his Taijiquan routine and sword training, he again headed to the tavern.

In the backyard, he saw Lockster waiting, yet something felt different from usual.

The familiar wooden racks and crates of vegetables were gone, suggesting those drills were no longer needed.

What puzzled Genma was that there was no new, bizarre apparatus either. In front of Lockster was a low table with a tea set on it, along with cushions beside it. Lockster, exuding an air of refinement, seemed ready to have a proper sit-down with Genma.

"Genma, come and sit," Lockster said, wearing a rare, gentle smile while waving him over.

Genma, unsure of what was going on, obediently walked over and seated himself across from Lockster.

He watched Lockster begin to work the tea set, steeping the tea with deft, graceful movements.

The atmosphere became so peaceful it felt like the perfect time for a sage to dispense wisdom.

And sure enough, Genma's intuition wasn't wrong. After they both took a sip of tea, Lockster spoke in a measured tone:

"I can't believe that scrappy kid I first met has grown so calm and collected. Time truly flies…"

Lockster's cheeks glowed with an unmistakable blush, clearly a sign of his inner joy.

Whatever it was that made Lockster so happy, Genma didn't yet know. Before he could speak, Lockster continued:

"Truth be told, at first I didn't hold out much hope for you—or for this inheritance of mine. But you were bold enough to learn, and I was bold enough to teach. Over these three years, I've seen your diligence and your talent. You might just be the finest inheritor of this art."

Faced with sudden and high praise, Shiranui Genma felt at a loss. All he could do was respond sheepishly, "Uh, Master, is there something important you wanted to talk about today?"

"Ah, it's nothing much. I just wanted to tell you that you've taken the first step toward becoming a true 'Immortal Clan' talent. Going forward, all you really need is to keep refining your boxing forms, sword skills, and medical arts."

"Really? But, Master, aren't you from the Drunken Immortal style? Aren't you going to teach me how to drink? Or your Drunken Fist? Don't I need to learn that?"

Lockster shook his head and chuckled. "From the moment I first laid eyes on you, I knew you weren't suited to Drunken Fist but rather Taijiquan. Even though you've begun developing this Immortal Clan talent, you can't afford to relax."

"But…why am I not suited?"

Genma scratched his head, puzzled.

"Haha, that's just the matter of personal inclination. Let's just say, your personality isn't suited to drinking."

"Huh? You need a certain kind of personality for drinking? That's weird~"

Lockster nodded seriously, "Indeed. This goes back to what my own master once told me. When he met me, after just a few words, he took me on as his disciple. At the time, I didn't understand and asked questions much like you do now. But looking back, everything he said made perfect sense."

"Oh? Then what sort of personality does one need? Master, you seem pretty forthright—could it be that you have to be extremely bold?"

"At first, I thought you were halfway there. Drunken Immortal style does need you to be bold—but more than that, it demands a mind free of clutter, minimal stray thoughts."

At that, Genma recalled his first meeting with Lockster. Back then, he had been unusually fired up—after two and a half years training with Might Duy, being ceaselessly motivated and rigorously self-disciplined.

At times, he'd babble on about "youth" this and "youth" that, so the day he met Lockster, he was still in a hot-blooded state.

Seeing Genma lost in recollection, Lockster continued in a slow voice:

"However, Taijiquan, the art you practice, also requires insight—and a mind free of clutter."

Given his thirty-plus years of lived experience (including the memories of his past life), Genma mulled that over briefly and asked:

"So, Master, you're basically trying to tell me how to proceed from here, how to achieve that kind of clear-minded state?"

Lockster nodded approvingly.

"Precisely. I decided not to train with you today and instead just chat, so I could tell you some ancient lore and talk about your future practice."

Hearing Lockster mention the hidden history of the shinobi world again, Genma straightened up like a dutiful elementary schooler.

"According to legend, in ancient times, many martial arts masters existed, but there was no such thing as chakra—not even a fraction of the power we have today. Yet conflict, bloodshed, and war never ceased."

"In such an era, one individual perfected a unique martial skill. No matter how many challengers came, they were defeated, yet none lost their lives to him. Whether it was countless battles or a life of many hardships, eventually he reached enlightenment. He acquired a power no mere mortal could wield—the art we call 'Immortal Technique.'"

"He is the progenitor of all Immortal Arts, revered as the—the Infinity Dao Immortal—adept in Taijiquan. His power was unparalleled, and in time, the world moved toward peace under his influence."

"Believing such power could bring about true harmony, he recognized he couldn't live forever and thus began to take on disciples. Legend says he possessed a 'seven-aperture exquisite heart' that could see through all worldly illusions, so he accepted only a few disciples—but each one was phenomenally strong and came to be called the 'Eight Immortals.'"

"My own Drunken Immortal lineage descends from one of those Eight Immortals. Drunken Fist itself evolved from Taijiquan, so Taijiquan is mandatory in this school. Now you should see why I taught you Taijiquan instead of Drunken Fist, right?"

Lockster gave Genma a meaningful smile, as if certain Genma would grasp the point.

Genma was well used to people half-explaining things, so he replied, "So you taught me Taijiquan because you think it's what suits me best."

Lockster inclined his head.

"Indeed. Our founder's guiding principle was to adapt teaching to each student's aptitude. That remains absolutely correct today. From the moment I first met you—your manner, your speech—I could see that you're an extremely bright kid."

"And the founder's Taijiquan calls for someone with keen intelligence, whereas the Drunken Fist of the Drunken Immortal style needs someone straightforward and unclouded. Taijiquan is thus a better fit for you. Whether other branches of the Eight Immortals' teachings might suit you, I really can't say."

"What about the sword techniques, though? Aren't they just basic forms found everywhere?"

Noticing Genma was growing embarrassed and speaking more quietly, Lockster gave a wry smile.

"There's nothing special about them—they're just normal sword forms. But remember, boxing uses one's own body, while the sword is an external tool. Both are excellent ways to temper yourself. Do you recall what I said about cultivating Immortal Clan talent?"

"Yes, I remember: 'Anyone can achieve that talent, but not everyone can succeed at it. You must listen, observe, learn, and reflect. Turn all that's mysterious or elusive into something your body can perceive. Transform your sense of the familiar into a tangible, physical intuition. Only through that intuition can one increase the success rate of practicing Immortal Arts.'"

"Mhm, seems you really took that to heart. Since you've got it clear in your mind, I won't repeat myself. From now on, your mornings will be yours to manage. Once you become a genin, you're welcome to come back to me for further training."

Lockster looked thoroughly satisfied, but Genma, feeling a bit uneasy and reluctant to part ways, asked in a hurry:

"Master, you're just going to let me train on my own? Is that really okay?"

"That's quite all right. A master's greatest achievement is to teach a disciple to learn independently. Don't you think so?"

Lockster placed a broad, steady hand on Genma's head, instantly calming his anxiety.

"I understand, Master. I'll keep striving—I'll master Immortal Arts as soon as I can!"

Genma was truly eager for Immortal Arts, which belonged among the pinnacle powers of the shinobi world.

Despite how difficult the training was and how low the success rate, even Lockster himself couldn't fully master it. Yet Genma still couldn't help but feel anticipation.

Look at the major players in the shinobi world: Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, used his Sage Mode to fight the Six Paths of Pain—manifestations of the Rinnegan—and managed to hold his own. Even more impressive was the original main character, Uzumaki Naruto, who, after learning about the Rinnegan, singlehandedly took down all six Paths of Pain once he mastered Sage Mode.

No doubt about it—even without a "cheat," this kind of power was enough to let an ordinary ninja rise to the top.

Furthermore, Genma's inheritance was clearly out of the ordinary. The canon forms of Sage Mode originated from contracts with animal clans, whereas his was a truly human Sage Art.

Once someone activates Sage Mode, their physical body is enhanced. Genma couldn't wait to see how his version of Sage Mode would boost him.

Still, there were questions. For example, how did the very first sage achieve Immortal Arts without having chakra? Could a state of supreme enlightenment really draw in natural energy the way characters in xianxia novels cultivated spiritual power?

Lockster's stories gave no definitive explanation—he said the process was something you had to feel rather than explain.

Luckily, one point matched the descriptions in the original anime: during that moment of enlightenment, you sense yourself merging with the natural world. That concept also came up when practicing Sage Mode at Mount Myōboku. It was only the first step of sensing natural energy, just the beginning of a long road.

Of course, Genma—still quite young—didn't expect to leap to inhuman heights overnight. Having no cheat, he had already resolved to progress with both feet on the ground.

Bidding Master Lockster farewell, he headed to his next important training site.

Before long, he arrived at a store near the hospital. Outside, bunches of dried plants and animals hung on display.

This was a pharmacy belonging to the famed Nara Clan—the Nara Pharmacy of Konoha.

That it became Genma's training ground was all thanks to Lockster's full support.

After all, Lockster was the inheritor of the ancient Drunken Immortal style. He revealed just a few of his clan's medicinal formulas, and the Nara Clan was overjoyed.

Thus, Genma was more than welcome at the Nara Pharmacy. He too needed to learn how to blend herbs and create soldier pills; maybe one day, feeling generous, he'd share more of those secret formulas. Or perhaps he might not realize their value and hand them over casually. Either way, the store was happy to host him.