Konoha: Tsunade, I am the Hokage

Chapter 80 Maruboshi Kosuke: Second Generation Lord, I am guilty!

"Aren't we discussing things together?"

Jingyan immediately helped him up.

Maruhoshi Kosuke shook his head, then sighed, "Your idea is quite peculiar. An old man like me really can't keep up with the times; I've lost the ability to innovate. Alas!"

"You don't need to say that..."

This turn of events completely baffled Kyohiko.

He had only made a conjecture; he never expected it to actually come true.

Although the results were not quite the same.

According to Kosuke Maruhoshi, his improved Water Dragon Bullet is not a hard vortex water blade, but the effect is similar, only the power is much weaker.

If you had to describe it, it's more like a modified version of the Water Dragon Bullet technique.

Rao is so.

Such ninjutsu would be just as difficult for Kyohiko.

At least for now, Kyohiko is not yet able to properly integrate the two transformations of "compression" and "rotation" and combine them perfectly with the Water Dragon Bullet Technique.

After explaining, Maruhoshi Kosuke exclaimed, "I'm not sure which ninjutsu the Second Hokage's Hard Vortex Water Blade was based on, but it's stronger and more powerful than this technique, and it doesn't require hand seals."

"The second generation master is truly a genius!"

Jingyan sighed.

Water Release: No Seal

Few in the entire ninja world could compare to Tobirama Senju's research in Water Release techniques.

If one wants to achieve something in water escape techniques, his research and notes are indispensable.

However, the Hard Vortex Water Blade is still a technique from back then.

If one wants to create a Water Release technique without a seal now, the best choice is not the Hard Vortex Water Blade, but the Rasengan that incorporates the nature transformation of Water Release.

Kyohiko was pondering his future path, while Maruhoshi Kosuke was facing a dilemma.

He came here mainly on the behalf of the Third Hokage and Jiraiya to teach Kyohiko the Water Dragon Bullet Technique and its techniques. Unexpectedly, Kyohiko had already mastered it without a teacher and reached a very high level.

Moreover, the other party's understanding of water cannons was extraordinary, surpassing even his own.

It seems he can't teach much about water-based techniques.

Maruhoshi Kosuke sighed and then looked at Kyohiko.

"You taught me a skill, and I'll teach you one too. I heard you know how to use a knife?"

"Yes, I trained with Kakashi."

Jingyan nodded.

"You drew your sword at me!"

Maruhoshi Kosuke smiled kindly.

Jingyan was stunned for a moment, then said, "Really?"

"Yes, go ahead and draw your sword with confidence. Show me your full swordsmanship skills, and I'll be fine."

Kosuke Maruboshi was full of confidence.

Learn from Kakashi?

It wasn't that he looked down on Kakashi, but rather that Kakashi's swordsmanship and overall strength were indeed inferior to his.

"Although I am just a lowly genin, I have been on missions with Sakumo and learned swordsmanship. Don't underestimate me."

"Yes, please be careful."

Jingyan nodded.

Then, he drew his sword, darted forward, and in an instant, his figure covered more than ten steps, appearing beside Maruhoshi Kosuke. And then…

choke!

Maruhoshi Kosuke, though arriving later, arrived first, drawing his blade to block the attack.

but.

The next second, Jingyan formed a hand seal, and two figures split off from his side, one on the left and one on the right, their blades like crescent moons striking in both directions.

What?

Maruhoshi Kosuke was startled and ducked to block with his sword.

Ding ding!

The sound of two swords clashing rang out one after another. Jingyan drew his sword, its blade shimmering with a deep blue light, while lightning crackled across the other sword.

Cannot accept!

Maruhoshi Kosuke dared not be careless and immediately dodged backward, the blade flashing as he swung his arm.

Before Jingyan could react, he saw a flurry of willow branches dancing in the air.

Oh no!

He immediately closed his eyes, simultaneously dispelling the illusion and instantly retreating.

but.

Kosuke Maruboshi did not give chase.

His back was also covered in sweat.

Good guy!

This kid's playing dirty tricks!

It's said that Kakashi taught him, but then he started using hand seals, and techniques resembling the Crescent Moon Dance. Later on, he even incorporated a sword-drawing technique and dual-wielding, combining two types of chakra...

If it weren't for Konoha Style: Willow, we would definitely have failed this time!

He coughed lightly to cover his embarrassment and said, "Your swordsmanship is quite good. Did Kakashi really teach you?"

"I've also seen some of the Second Generation's collection of books."

Kyohiko replied.

Kosuke Maruboshi remained silent.

Reading...

Most of the books in Jingyan's hands are basic and lack complete techniques. He has mastered his current level simply by reading books to broaden his knowledge and combining it with the swordsmanship he has learned and his experiences.

This guy is a monster!

He took a deep breath and said, "Were you interested in the swordsmanship you just witnessed?"

"Action-triggered illusion magic is indeed very interesting."

In his previous life, Kyohiko had seen this move in an anime.

At the time, I thought that any illusion needs some kind of triggering medium, so as long as I don't look at it, it'll be fine, right?

In reality, many actions in the battle are unexpected, and this move had already put him under the illusion the moment he saw Maruboshi Kosuke's arm swinging; the subsequent actions only deepened the illusion's effect.

Even if one can dispel the illusion, it is still difficult to avoid a sudden, deadly strike.

Unless the speed of solving and the reaction are both fast enough!

The core of Tobirama Senju's swordsmanship philosophy is to create opportunities and deliver a swift and decisive blow; this is reflected in techniques such as the Flying Thunder God Slash, Crescent Moon Dance, and Willow.

"As you guessed, this technique is essentially an action-triggered illusion..."

Maruhoshi Kosuke explained the core and secrets of the technique.

Jingyan listened carefully.

After listening to the explanation, he roughly understood how to perform action-type illusions.

difficult!

However, with some practice, you should be able to master it.

Jingyan began to ponder.

Maruhoshi Kosuke breathed a sigh of relief.

Do not care!

……

Evening, Hokage Building.

"How is the child?"

"That's too powerful, I almost couldn't hold my breath!"

Maruhoshi Kosuke felt extremely ashamed.

Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed heartily. In fact, he had seen part of the situation using his telescope technique, but he hadn't seen the beginning. It must have given Kosuke quite a fright.

of course.

If Kosuke goes all out and uses his multiple abilities, he can definitely defeat Kyohiko.

The third generation has no doubt about this.

Kosuke sighed, "In a few years, I might not be his match. Such a junior is truly shameful! No wonder Jiraiya didn't teach him Water Release and entrusted you to let me do it."

"Water escape?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused for a moment, "What Water Release? That kid only knows two Water Release ninjutsu before: Water Wall and Water Waves, right?"

"Yes, I've been teaching myself water dragon bullets lately, and my skill level is already quite high. I've even benefited from him..."

Maruhoshi Kosuke recounted what he had learned.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe trembled.

Water Dragon Bullet is at least a B-rank ninjutsu, and the simplified version of the hand seals is extremely difficult. How come it's so simple in Kyohiko's hands?

He was stunned for a moment.

Then, he looked at Kosuke Maruboshi.

"So that's how it is..."

"I'll teach him the Leaf Style: Willow. Once he masters it, I probably won't have anything else to teach him."

Maruhoshi Kosuke remarked with a sigh, "Jiraiya must have been under a lot of pressure, right?"

"That might be it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought for a moment.

When he taught Orochimaru, it seemed to be in a similar state.

If we use Orochimaru as a model...

"Kosuke."

"Um?"

"I think you can go see Kyohiko again tomorrow. I feel that he will have already learned the Leaf Willow Technique by tomorrow, or even tonight."

"Huh?! Absolutely impossible! I studied this technique for a long time before I mastered it!"

Maruboshi Kosuke was dumbfounded.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. "Very likely."

"Um, is Jiraiya free?"

"Not at the moment."

Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed.

"What a tough job!"

Maruboshi Kosuke sighed and had no choice but to bid farewell to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took out a scroll from the drawer.

A peculiar constitution.

Kurokawa.

"Sigh! I hope we won't repeat the same mistake!"

This research should have been done by Orochimaru, but given Orochimaru's actions, he simply cannot hand Kurokawa over to him now.

We have no choice but to send Jiraiya.

……

The next day, on the same riverbank.

Jingyan continued to hone his Water Dragon Bullet technique.

Konoha Style: Willow has already mastered the basics, but like Naruto, he took a shortcut—

He failed to trigger the action.

and so.

Based on his previous knowledge of water formation walls and water dragon bullets, as well as Maruhoshi Kosuke's explanations and Tobirama Senju's illusion notes, Kyohiko combined many techniques...

at last.

Last night, he reversed the hand seals of Konoha-ryu-ryu-ryu and used them to create a one-handed hand seal.

In the short term, he couldn't think of a way to improve.

and so.

Perhaps we should first practice the Water Dragon Bullet technique.

This technique...

He felt that he was about to be promoted.

As I was practicing hard, several figures ran past me, greeting me one by one.

It was Matt Kai and his group.

but.

Jingyan turned his head and saw a figure that was both strange and familiar—

In the crowd, one person was running frantically with their head down.

Isn't that Asma?

Seeing how he interacted with Genma Shiranui and Ebisu, Kyohiko understood the situation. Just as he was about to say hello, the other party had already buried their heads and run away.

Uh, never mind.

Back in the village, everyone was working hard to train and cultivate themselves, cherishing every second to improve themselves.

This is true for Kyohiko, and even more so for Guy and Kakashi.

They're practicing right now.

"Kyohiko!"

Kushina Uzumaki waved from afar.

Beside him, Minato Namikaze awkwardly smiled and Yuzuki Uzumaki struck up a conversation, but the other man clearly didn't care, his gaze fixed on Kyohiko.

Her eyes shone brightly, and a new radiance finally appeared on her face.

Ok?

Minato Namikaze followed the route.

Good guy!

His eyes darted around, and an idea came to him.

"Kushina-senpai, Minato-senpai..."

"Hey, don't call me 'senpai,' it makes you sound old. We're only a few years older than you. You and Minato are both Jonin, and you were both our teacher's students. Just call me by my name from now on."

Kushina laughed.

Before Kyohiko could answer, Minato Namikaze said, "Kyohiko, we have a favor to ask you."

"What is it?"

Jingyan looked over, puzzled.

"Could you take Yuzuki for a walk around Konoha? Kushina and I have something urgent to attend to and need to see the Hokage."

Explanation of Minato Namikaze.

Kyohiko paused for a moment, then looked at Kushina.

Kushina was completely bewildered at that moment, and was about to speak when Minato pulled her back.

She was stunned for a moment, then nodded, "Oh, right, right!"

"That's not a big problem, but I might have to wait for a senior colleague..."

Yesterday, Kosuke Maruboshi came out of nowhere. Kyohiko guessed that he might have been entrusted by Jiraiya to come and teach him water-style techniques.

Unfortunately, he had already learned it, and in the end, he taught Konoha Style: Willow.

They might come to inspect it today.

"It's okay, I'm not in a hurry."

Yuki said.

Minato nodded emphatically: "Yes, no rush. You can chat all you want. Kushina and I will go find the Hokage first, and we'll come back to see you later if we have time."

"Mmm-hmm-hmm."

Kushina understood as well, nodded repeatedly, and then took off running.

Jingyan was helpless.

Now it was his turn to laugh awkwardly.

"How are things in Konoha? Are you alright?"

"Well……"

Yuzuki Uzumaki thought for a moment and said, "I don't know, I rarely go out."

Then, she began to recount her experiences after arriving in Konoha.

It's simple: eat, drink, sleep, and then give Kushina the cold shoulder.

Jingyan listened attentively from the side.

It's amazing.

The other party was unwilling to communicate with Kushina, a member of their own clan, but was willing to communicate with a stranger like me...

Just because of previous contact?

However, it's actually a good thing.

"Your current situation is that you don't know how or what identity you should have in Konoha. You don't hate it here, but you're afraid that others have ulterior motives, so you feel less comfortable in Kusagakure. At least in Kusagakure you know what they want."

Jingyan followed up with his analysis.

The girl didn't speak for a while. She propped her head up, looked at Jingyan, and then nodded.

"I just thought about it, and you might be right."

"Would you like to hear my opinion?"

"Um."

Yuzuki nodded.

Jingyan sat cross-legged and said seriously, "You don't need to think about these things. If you want to become a ninja, go to school. If you don't want to, just be an ordinary civilian and settle down in Konoha for now."

"Let's be civilians for now. War... is too exhausting."

Yuzuki Whirlpool said.

"If you don't like Kushina, then why don't you move out and live on your own?"

Jing Yan said.

Yuzuki thought for a moment and said, "Then I need to earn some money first."

"Um."

Jingyan nodded.

Just as he was about to speak, he heard a slight noise and immediately looked towards the woods on his right: "Senior, is that you?"

"Ahem, I didn't mean to bother you."

Maruboshi Kosuke looked embarrassed.

"It's nothing."

Jingyan smiled.

Yuzuki Uzumaki stood up, dusting herself off. "Thank you for your encouragement. I'd like to take a walk around the village and see if there's any work to do!"

"I'll have my shadow clone accompany you."

Jingyan created a shadow clone.

He was unaware of the power struggle between Tsunade and the Third Hokage, but Danzo was definitely at a disadvantage. Danzo could be lurking anywhere in the village now, making it extremely dangerous for her to be alone.

After seeing him off, Kyohiko looked at Maruboshi Kosuke.

"Senior, I haven't mastered your technique yet; I've only reached the level of forming hand seals with one hand."

He then demonstrated it.

One-handed hand seal —

Draw the knife!

He drew his sword and slashed.

With each movement, illusions arose, and countless knives appeared before his eyes.

Maruhoshi Kosuke was stunned for a moment.

Leaf Style: Willow?

Then he understood.

Since Jingyan couldn't release the power without hand seals, he came up with a method of combining hand seals with the movements, which can be considered a shortcut.

No wonder he said he "didn't learn it".

but.

It took me several years to hone myself step by step!

This Second Hokage is even praising himself!

but……

Even if you nitpick, there are still some flaws.

"Aside from the need for hand seals, it is indeed the same as Liu, but it lacks the element of surprise, and its effects and functions are very different."

"Yes, so I'm thinking of incorporating it into other techniques."

As Jingyan spoke, he once again formed a hand seal with one hand.

He immediately created a clone.

The next moment, he formed hand seals and swung his sword.

Several sword shadows suddenly appeared before Maruboshi Kosuke's eyes, attacking him simultaneously with his movements.

He broke the illusion.

Only one figure remained before my eyes, along with two afterimages.

"Combined with the clone technique..."

Kosuke Maruhoshi understood Kyohiko's idea.

Using illusion magic, the willow is combined with the dance of the crescent moon.

It is essentially still Konoha Style: Willow, but its function and effect are completely different.

He fell silent again.

The third generation was right, but not entirely.

In just one day, Kyohiko not only learned the Konoha Style: Willow, but also innovated and came up with new ways to play.

young people……

You have a really good brain!

Yesterday, he intended to teach some detailed tips and tricks, but now it seems they are completely useless.

Given Jingyan's abilities, it's best to let him gradually master it; his own understanding is simply outdated dross.

Maruhoshi Kosuke exclaimed, "No wonder you became a Jonin at the age of eight..."

"You're wrong, senior."

Jingyan returned his sword to its sheath.

Maruhoshi Kosuke paused slightly, then smiled and said, "How did I do anything wrong?"

"Becoming a Jonin isn't solely based on strength. Someone as strong as you is still just a Genin, isn't he? I know another one who's been a Genin for over twenty years, but he's also very strong."

Jing Yan said.

Maruhoshi Kosuke knew that Kyohiko was referring to another genin who had recently risen to fame—

Matt Day.

I have been studying the Eight Gates Formation for over a decade.

If it weren't for Might Guy's use of it during the Chunin Exams, the village wouldn't even know who he was.

but.

What he was more concerned about was...

"What is a Jonin in your eyes?"

"A Jonin not only needs to be strong, but also needs to have the ability to unite team members and make sound judgments in handling missions..."

Kyohiko shared his understanding of Jonin.

Maruhoshi Kosuke stood there, stunned.

What I spent over ten or twenty years and paid a huge price to understand, the other person already understood at the age of eight, and understood it more thoroughly than I did.

It's unbelievable that there are such precocious people in the world!

He couldn't help but think of Jiraiya's commentary—

The mindset of the Naruto.

That's no exaggeration at all!

"Senior, I have a question for you. Why are you still a genin?"

"Let me tell you a story. I have a friend..."

Kosuke Maruhoshi talked about the past of his "friend".

Jingyan didn't expose him.

After listening, he said, "In my opinion, your friend is very timid."

Maruhoshi Kosuke raised an eyebrow: "Why?"

"Although he always rushed to the front lines, doing the most difficult and dangerous missions, that was all just reckless courage. If he became a Jonin, he could teach the next generation, passing on his experience, abilities, and insights. At the very least, he could write a book to warn the world..."

As Kyohiko spoke, he looked at Maruhoshi Kosuke, "Or is it that your friend is afraid of damaging their reputation and dares not reveal their past? Or are you afraid of making the same mistake again?"

"How is that possible!"

Maruhoshi Kosuke seemed to feel insulted and flew into a rage.

But soon.

He became dejected.

Because he felt that what Jingyan said seemed to make some sense.

Perhaps a Jonin could do more?

and.

He was indeed afraid.

"I think the Second Hokage taught your friend ninjutsu in the hope that he would feel ashamed and then strive to improve, and that he would pass it on. Passing it down from generation to generation, the flame never dies, I think this is also part of the Will of Fire."

Kyohiko shared his thoughts on the matter, saying, "If he really thinks being a subjugator is a punishment, then he's just making excuses for his cowardice and shirking his responsibility."

Maruhoshi Kosuke remained silent, his expression momentarily dazed as he watched Yoshimine Kyohiko speak eloquently.

At that moment, he almost thought the Second Generation Lord was standing right in front of him.

"senior?"

"Huh? Oh, I, let me think about it, let me think..."

Maruhoshi Kosuke looked dazed, as if he had lost his soul, and walked step by step in one direction.

That is……

Monument to the Heroes.

After a long while, he stood before the Monument to the Fallen Heroes, where the name "Tobirama Senju" was prominently displayed. In the distance was the Hokage Rock, with the second portrait on it looking incredibly lifelike.

"Second Generation Lord, that child... I almost thought it was you standing in front of me, lecturing me like before, and I felt like he was right."

"Inheritance and protection".

"It turns out I've never truly understood your will all along."

He knelt before the monument, weeping bitterly.

"I'm not punishing myself, I'm just indulging in self-pity, in my cowardice and my desire to escape!"

Lies don't hurt, truth is the knife.

These repeated critical strikes were too much for Maruboshi Kosuke to handle. Recalling the past, he realized that he had never understood Tobirama Senju's intentions at all, and had been running away all along, even feeling self-satisfied that he had paid for his sins.

In reality, Kosuke Maruboshi sobbed, his heart filled with regret.

After crying for a while, he heard a sound behind him.

"You don't need to feel guilty. Without your past experiences, you wouldn't be who you are today. Just like without war, I wouldn't be who I am today."

(End of this chapter)