Konoha's Hextech Ninja

"Senior..." Tsunade seemed slightly embarrassed.

If her elders saw her choose to give up because of a mental breakdown, even someone as carefree as Tsunade would feel a bit embarrassed.

"It's alright, have some soup first." Maruboshi Kosuke smiled and pushed the lunchbox towards Tsunade again.

The aroma of the chicken soup seemed to awaken Tsunade from her hangover, and she suddenly felt a surge of hunger.

She was a straightforward person by nature, and since she was hungry and had delicious food, she naturally wouldn't be polite: "Then I won't be polite."

As she spoke, Tsunade picked up her lunchbox, took a big gulp of chicken soup, and said indistinctly, "Senior Kosuke, is there anything you need me to do? I'll definitely help if I can."

"I would like to ask for your help in taking on a disciple," Maruboshi Kosuke said with a smile. "He is a commoner genius with a high aptitude for ninjutsu, and I would like him to inherit the Second Hokage's Water Release technique."

"A ninjutsu genius?" Tsunade paused, puzzled. "Shouldn't a genius skilled in ninjutsu be looking for Orochimaru? I'm good at medical ninjutsu and taijutsu, not ninjutsu."

That's just a polite way of putting it.

With Tsunade's strength, she absolutely has no weaknesses.

Even in seemingly unskilled ninjutsu, he possesses a level of skill surpassing that of an ordinary Jonin.

It's just that her medical ninjutsu and taijutsu are so strong that she gives people the impression that she's 'not good at ninjutsu'.

But compared to Orochimaru, it's not entirely wrong to say that she's 'not good at ninjutsu'.

Compared to ninjutsu geniuses like Orochimaru, the vast majority of ninjas can be categorized as 'not good at ninjutsu'.

In the entire Hidden Leaf Village, there are only a handful of ninjas whose ninjutsu skills have reached such a high level.

The vast majority of them are only proficient in one or two types of ninjutsu, such as Kosuke Maruboshi's Water Release.

Only Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi are proficient in all five elements, and even have in-depth knowledge of Yin Release and Yang Release.

“Orochimaru and Danzo are getting too close, I don’t like that.” Maruboshi Kosuke shook his head and said, “I don’t need you to actually teach him any ninjutsu. I will teach him water ninjutsu, and with his talent, he can learn other elemental ninjutsu on his own. All I need is the title of your disciple, Princess Tsunade.”

When Maruboshi Kosuke spoke so bluntly, Tsunade immediately understood his intention.

After a few seconds of silence, Tsunade asked, "For the sake of the Hokage?"

If someone were to become her disciple but not learn any of her methods, the only reason would be to pave the way for the Hokage position.

Tsunade recalled her great-uncle Tobirama Senju's evaluation of Kosuke Maruboshi, and couldn't help but feel uneasy: "Kosuke-senpai, are you getting involved in politics now?"

"Huh?" Upon hearing this, Maruboshi Kosuke immediately realized that Tsunade had misunderstood. He quickly explained, "I don't intend to get involved in the Hokage competition. It's just that this child is really talented, and I don't want him to become a tool in the hands of the higher-ups in the future."

After a pause, Maruhoshi Kosuke said, "With you as his teacher, at least he can choose his own path in the future."

"I see."

Tsunade nodded, but the next moment, she refused without hesitation: "I'm sorry, Kosuke-senpai, apart from having already agreed to Dan to take Shizune as my disciple, I do not intend to take on any other disciples."

“It’s just a formal apprenticeship; you don’t need to personally teach him,” Maruhoshi Kosuke quickly said. “You don’t need to waste any of your energy.”

"I'm quite curious, what kind of genius could make you come all the way to me?" Tsunade hadn't changed her mind, but she was very curious about the genius that Maruboshi Kosuke had recommended.

"I believe his ninjutsu talent surpasses even Orochimaru's." Speaking of Yagami Yoruichi, Maruboshi Kosuke said with admiration, "He not only learns ninjutsu quickly, but he can also deeply analyze the essence of ninjutsu. He was only a first-year student at the Ninja Academy, and he was already able to improve ninjutsu on his own."

Maruboshi Kosuke briefly explained the process by which Yagami Yoruichi improved 'Water Release: Water Chaos Wave'.

Tsunade's talent in ninjutsu is not as good as Tobirama Senju or Orochimaru, but she is strong enough and has a high vision. As soon as she heard what Kosuke Maruboshi said, she understood how difficult it was for Yoruichi Yagami to achieve this level at such a young age.

“From what you’ve said, he is indeed a genius.” Tsunade nodded, but still insisted, “However, I still don’t plan to take him as a disciple. My disciples must at least be able to inherit my medical ninjutsu.”

"Medical ninjutsu?" Maruhoshi Kosuke's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "If he has the talent for medical ninjutsu, you'd be willing to take him on?"

"He also has a talent for medical ninjutsu?" Tsunade asked, her face full of disbelief.

Ordinary Five Elements Ninjutsu and medical ninjutsu are two completely different concepts.

The latter is more difficult and requires a higher level of talent, specifically the very rare 'Yang Escape' talent.

In the entire Hidden Leaf Village, people with the talent of Yang Release are very rare.

"I don't know," Maruboshi Kosuke said truthfully. "Ordinary chakra test strips can only test basic chakra abilities. As for Yang Release, I haven't tested it. However, his physical attributes are very strong, so his Yang Release ability shouldn't be bad."

Yang Release corresponds to the ninja's body, while Yin Release corresponds to the ninja's spirit.

Generally speaking, those with exceptionally strong physiques are unlikely to have poor Yang Release talent.

Of course, this is just Kosuke Maruboshi's guess.

Having said all that, Tsunade couldn't insist any further and could only say, "Well then, if his medical ninjutsu talent reaches genius level, I can give him a chance. But let me make this clear: my test is very difficult, and that brat has no chance of passing it!"

Tsunade had already made up her mind to use an impossible test to dissuade Maruboshi Kosuke from becoming her 'disciple'.

Whether this level of difficulty is reasonable for a first-year student at a ninja academy is completely outside her consideration.

Chapter 44 Heading to the Thousand Hands Clan Territory

Yagami Yoichi was completely unaware of the conversation between Maruboshi Kosuke and Tsunade.

It took two days for Yoruichi Yagami to learn 'Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique' and 'Wind Release: Vacuum Blade'.

However, it still requires a certain amount of practice before it can play a sufficient role in actual combat.

Even relatively simple C-rank ninjutsu requires sufficient proficiency to be effective in actual combat.

However, this can be achieved simply by practicing and spending some time.

As for whether to continuously improve her ninjutsu like 'Water Release: Water Chaos Wave' to make it perfectly suited to her and become her 'signature ninjutsu', Yagami Yoruichi has not yet made a decision.

Both 'Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique' and 'Wind Release: Vacuum Blade' have their merits, but neither is irreplaceable.

Actually, the same applies to 'Water Release: Water Chaos Wave'.

Previously, Yagami Yoruichi invested a lot of energy and effort in 'Water Release: Water Chaos Wave' simply because she only knew this one ninjutsu and had no other choice.

However, in terms of cost-effectiveness, the returns from mastering a C-rank ninjutsu are not high.

Even if it is improved to its fullest extent, the effect that can be achieved is still limited.

However, without mastering more ninjutsu, spending some time and effort to study the principles of these three ninjutsu and improve upon them can also be considered a way to enhance one's strength.

Even if you learn more and stronger ninjutsu in the future, these three ninjutsu will be discarded. However, the understanding of the essence of ninjutsu gained in the process of studying ninjutsu will ultimately benefit you for life.

Yoruichi Yagami didn't rush to make a decision and continued to complete her daily training routine.

The winter vacation, which lasted for more than a month, quickly came to an end.

At Kakashi Hatake's invitation, Might Guy joined their 'training group' and would come to the training ground every morning to train in taijutsu with Yoruichi Yagami and Kakashi Hatake.

On the eve of the start of the school term, Kosuke Maruboshi finds Yoruichi Yagami and takes her to an unfamiliar area.

"This is the ancestral home of the Senju clan."

Seeing the puzzled look on Yagami Yoruichi's face, Maruhoshi Kosuke explained, "The Senju clan has disbanded, so it's rather desolate."

"The Senju clan?" Upon hearing this name, Yagami Yoruichi's mind immediately began to wander.

As one of the two founders of Konoha Village, the Senju clan holds extraordinary significance for the village.

Unfortunately, for the sake of the village's long-term development, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, took the initiative to disband the Senju clan, allowing the Senju to integrate into the common people.

Now, only Tsunade remains of the Senju clan.

Furthermore, she did not inherit the surname 'Senju'.

Why did Maruboshi Kosuke bring me to the Senju clan's territory? Is he going to see Tsunade?

Yoruichi Yagami couldn't help but feel a little excited.

Although Yagami Yoruichi had already accepted Maruboshi Kosuke as her teacher, it would definitely be beneficial for her to establish a relationship with Tsunade.

At least you'll have more powerful backers.

"Have you heard of the 'Three Legendary Sannin'?" asked Kosuke Maruboshi.

"The Three Ninjas?" Yagami Yoruichi almost blurted out the words "The Three Ninjas of Gambling, Prostitution, and Drugs".

He realized his mistake before he could finish speaking and quickly corrected himself: "You mean Princess Tsunade, Jiraiya-senpai, and Orochimaru-senpai? I heard they made great contributions in the last Shinobi World War, helping Konoha defeat the enemy and earning the title of 'Konoha's Three Legendary Sannin'."

“That’s right.” Maruhoshi Kosuke nodded and said, “The person I’m taking you to visit today is Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin. She’s willing to give you a chance to become her disciple. She will test you later, so just do your best.”

"Become an apprentice?" Yagami Yoruichi was taken aback, not expecting that Maruboshi Kosuke had brought him to see Tsunade for this reason.

Becoming Tsunade's apprentice was certainly a good thing for Yagami Yoruichi.

However, Tsunade's abilities lie in medical ninjutsu and taijutsu, which don't quite match Yoruichi Yagami's talents.

The path that best suits Yagami Yoruichi is the 'ninjutsu type'.

If we disregard social status and only consider ability, in Yagami Yoruichi's eyes, Maruboshi Kosuke, who is skilled in Water Release ninjutsu, is a more suitable teacher for her.

However, Tsunade's status is much higher than Maruboshi Kosuke's.

Granddaughter of the First Hokage, disciple of the Third Hokage, and princess of the Land of Fire.

Any one of these three identities could surpass anyone in Konoha Village today except for the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Even Shimura Danzo, who served as the Hokage's assistant, was still inferior to Tsunade in terms of status alone.

Of course, status is one thing, but real power is another.

Tsunade is not the type to fight for power, nor does she have her own faction. She is only powerful because of her high status. In addition, the Senju clan has been disbanded, so the actual power Tsunade wields may not be as great as that of an elder from a small ninja clan.

However, if she could become Tsunade's disciple, she would inherit part of Tsunade's reputation, which would be very beneficial to Yagami Yoruichi's future development.

Yagami Yoruichi couldn't help but hesitate.

After hesitating for a moment, Yagami Yoruichi raised his head, looked at Maruhoshi Kosuke, and asked, "Senior Kosuke, are you unwilling to take me as your disciple?"

Over this period of time, Kosuke Maruboshi showed great concern for Yoruichi Yagami, and devoted himself wholeheartedly to guiding her in training ninjutsu.

Yagami Yoruichi thought that Maruboshi Kosuke was going to take her as his disciple, but this unexpected turn of events naturally surprised her.

"Your ninjutsu talent is very strong, but I am just a genin. Being your teacher would be too much of a hindrance to your development."

Maruboshi Kosuke explained with a smile, "It would be better for your future if you could become Tsunade's student. Besides, I never said I wouldn't teach you ninjutsu anymore. If you want to learn swordsmanship or water-style ninjutsu, you can come to me anytime."

According to the rules of Konoha Village, ninjutsu cannot be taught casually outside of family traditions or between master and disciple, unless approved by the Konoha leadership.

However, this rule only applies to ordinary ninjas, not to Maruboshi Kosuke.

Upon hearing Maruboshi Kosuke's words, Yagami Yoruichi immediately understood Maruboshi Kosuke's plan, and a surge of emotion welled up in her heart, leaving her speechless for a moment.

"Alright, don't think about it too much." Maruboshi Kosuke said with a smile, "Tsunade-hime's test is very strict. You have to do your best to have any chance of passing."