Analyzing the Ninja World Starting from Konoha

Chapter 172 Mutual Praise

No wonder—

Upon receiving Minato's confirmation, Maruboshi Kosuke took a deep breath, his tone filled with sincere admiration, "What an amazing young man! To use such a method to train in Water Release techniques, this level of chakra control is the first I've ever seen."

"?Water escape training?"

Obito, looking completely bewildered, scratched his head. "Kosuke-senpai, what on earth is he doing?"

Not only Obito, but even Kakashi, who was standing to the side, put away his nonchalant expression and his eyes became extremely serious.

As a former rival during their time at the Ninja Academy, and having clashed with him twice, Kakashi knew Aoba's background all too well.

He knew very well that Aoba's greatest skill was actually Earth Release, that is, his miraculous sand control technique, followed by medical ninjutsu and Fire Release.

In other words, Aoba's chakra nature is earth and fire.

As for the water attribute?

Kakashi was certain that Aoba originally did not possess water-style chakra.

How could someone without water-style chakra be practicing such a difficult water-style technique?

There is only one possibility: Aoba has mastered the nature transformation of water-style chakra through training.

This is not impossible. Besides the innate chakra attributes, non-existent chakra attributes can be mastered through training.

However, this is difficult. Might Guy and Rock Lee, for example, are born with no chakra attribute, which is why they pursued taijutsu. Is it because they don't want to master the attribute transformation of chakra?

Of course not, it's very difficult.

In some ways, it's even more difficult than physical combat!

First and foremost, one must have a very deep understanding of the nature and form transformations of chakra.

After reaching a certain level in your own attributes, then you can cultivate other attributes!

He knew that during the battle at Kikyo Mountain not long ago, it was revealed that Aoba had mastered the Lava Release technique.

But now, he's actually started practicing Water Release techniques again?

Is there any limit to this guy's talent?

Kakashi clenched his fists instinctively, a strong sense of urgency rising within him.

This subtle movement naturally did not escape Minato's notice.

Minato's lips curled up slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile.

This was one of the reasons why he brought his team to find Aoba today.

Kakashi's current state fills him with a vague sense of unease.

Since Sakumo's death, Kakashi has become increasingly withdrawn, regarding "completing missions" as the highest principle, ignoring the feelings of his comrades, and his personality has become cold and obsessive.

Watergate tried many methods, but none of them were very effective.

But Aoba is different.

As the only rival Kakashi acknowledged during his time at the Ninja Academy, Aoba's existence was always an undeniable benchmark for Kakashi.

Sometimes, the stimulation from an opponent is more effective than ordinary preaching.

"Let's go, let's go over there."

Shuimen called out, and the group arrived at the riverbank.

As they got closer, Obito and Rin finally saw the scene beneath Aoba's feet.

He wasn't standing in the river at all, but on a rock at the bottom of the river.

Centered on Aoba's body, the rushing river water seemed to encounter an invisible wall and was forcibly pushed apart from the middle, forming a waterless cylindrical space with a diameter of about two meters!

Aoba stood in the center of the whirlpool, leisurely holding a fishing rod, without a single drop of water on her body.

"How...how did they do that?!"

Obito's mouth dropped open, his jaw almost falling to the ground.

Lin also opened her mouth slightly, looking at the swirling eddy next to Qingye in the middle of the river with a face full of surprise.

"That's amazing!"

Lin couldn't help but sigh softly.

Seeing this, Kosuke Maruhoshi began to explain.

"That's a water barrier."

"Water Escape·Water Formation Wall?"

Kakashi frowned. "But isn't the Water Wall a defensive ninjutsu?"

"That's right, a normal water barrier is indeed used to defend against large-scale attacks."

Kosuke nodded, his tone full of amazement, "But this young man has compressed the range of the water array wall, controlling it within a very small area. By making the water flow rotate at ultra-high speed, he has generated a powerful centrifugal force, forcibly cutting a vacuum zone in the turbulent river."

Kosuke paused, then added, "To achieve this, it's not just about having a huge amount of chakra; you also need an extremely high level of control over your chakra. Otherwise, even the slightest instability will cause the surrounding river water to overflow instantly."

Kakashi and his two companions had no doubts about Maruboshi Kosuke's explanation. They had personally witnessed the strength of this "senior" and did not truly regard him as a "genin".

Minato knew that they had been classmates, and after today's stimulation, they should pay more attention to their training in the future.

"Hey, Aoba-kun!"

Shuimen stood on the bank, smiling as he shouted towards the middle of the river.

In the middle of the river, Qingye, who had been keeping her eyes closed, slowly opened them.

He turned his head and was slightly taken aback.

It turned out to be Minato Namikaze, along with a few familiar faces.

Aoba immediately put away his fishing rod, pushed off slightly with his feet, and jumped directly to the shore, landing next to Minato.

The whirlpool beneath his feet closed the moment he left, and the river returned to its original calm, as if everything that had just happened was merely an illusion.

"Minato-senpai, you're back too."

Aoba raised his hand and greeted the group with a smile, even nodding to the middle-aged ninja he didn't recognize.

Minato nodded and smiled gently, "Yes, thanks to you defeating the Kazekage at Kikyo Mountain, things have calmed down a lot on the Cloud Village side, the pressure on the front lines has been greatly reduced, and we have had the opportunity to come back and rest."

"You flatter me, Minato-senpai."

Aoba waved his hands repeatedly, saying humbly, "Minato-senpai, please stop joking with me. The victory at Kikyo Mountain was entirely due to the bravery of the village elders who risked their lives to block the Sunagakure's attack. It was everyone's joint efforts that repelled the Sunagakure. Even without me, with Konoha united as one, the Sunagakure's conspiracy would never have succeeded."

"As for me, I just did what a Konoha ninja should do."

17

These words were spoken with righteous indignation and righteous indignation.

Kakashi and Obito were both stunned, and Rin Nohara looked at Aoba with stars in her eyes.

Even Maruhoshi Kosuke, who was standing to the side, stared blankly at the excessively young boy in front of him, his heart filled with turmoil.

Is this what a true genius is?

Not only does he possess terrifying strength enough to defeat a village's Kage, but what's even more remarkable is his calm demeanor and broad-mindedness!

Kosuke recalled that when he was Aoba's age, he only wanted to make a name for himself and to be promoted to Chunin as soon as possible to prove himself.

As a result of his eagerness for quick success, he ultimately caused the tragic deaths of two innocent teammates.

That profound sense of guilt led him to vow to spend the rest of his life as a genin (lower-ranking ninja) to atone for his sins.

Yet, Yamashiro Aoba, at the same age, already possesses such a mature mind and a profound understanding of the "Will of Fire."

Maruhoshi Kosuke suddenly understood why Minato had shown that admiring expression when he mentioned this young man.

Looking at Aoba now, Kosuke truly understood what the true Will of Fire was, and what the future of Konoha was.

"Aoba-kun, not only are you incredibly strong, but your humble attitude is also truly admirable."

Minato exclaimed sincerely.

Upon hearing this, Aoba gave a helpless, bitter smile and sighed, saying, "Minato-senpai, please stop teasing me. I have no choice."

"Right now, everyone in the village is talking about the 'Konoha Twin Stars,' putting me on par with you, senpai. If I don't work hard, what if one day someone finds out I'm just a lazy bum who's just coasting along? Wouldn't that be a disgrace to you, senpai?"

"In order to be worthy of this title, and in order not to disgrace my seniors, I have no choice but to train desperately."

Aoba's words, seemingly a complaint, were actually a subtle way of raising Minato's level.

This both demonstrated that their own abilities still needed improvement and expressed respect for Minato.

It's all just mutual flattery in business.

After all, it's the fourth generation from the future, so bragging about it won't hurt.

Minato isn't a stingy person. Aoba is hoping to get the Flying Thunder God Technique from Minato while they can raise their intimacy level now, since he'll be counting on it later.

As for why Aoba didn't learn from the [Book of Seals], it's because Minato's version is the latest.

If you're going to learn, you should definitely learn the latest stuff, which not only provides readily available experience but also the learning process for each stage.

Do you really think it's like ancient cultivation techniques, where the older the technique, the stronger it is? This theory doesn't apply in the Naruto world.

Upon hearing this, Minato was slightly taken aback at first, then couldn't help but burst into laughter.

He had certainly heard the rumor of the "Konoha Twins," and he didn't actually feel any resentment at being ranked alongside a genius like Aoba; on the contrary, he found it quite interesting.

"Aoba-kun, you're too modest. By the way, I've come to see you today because there's something very important I'd like to ask for your help with."

Minato's smile faded, and his expression became serious. He stepped aside to make way for Maruhoshi Kosuke behind him.

"This is Senior Kosuke. He was seriously wounded on the front lines, and the hospital determined that he needed to have his leg amputated. But the doctor said that if you could intervene, it might be possible to save his leg."

Upon hearing this, Aoba's gaze naturally fell on the middle-aged ninja who was using a cane.

So this person is Maruboshi Kosuke.

Compared to the old man carrying a large pot in the original work, Maruboshi Kosuke is still in his prime at this time. Although he is injured, his eyes still reveal a strong determination.

As men who inherited Might Guy's title of "Eternal Genin," these two men share the same title, but the meanings they represent are completely different.

For Might Guy, the title "perennial genin" was more of a mockery and contempt until Might Guy opened all eight gates and shattered the reputation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist with a single kick, and only then did the title become a legend.

But for Maruboshi Kosuke, this title was never a mockery, but an affirmation of a person who was strong but willing to remain unknown and always stick to the position of a genin.