Naruto: My setting is above yours.

With a flick of her wrist, the kunai flew out.

Genma twisted his body to avoid the kunai, and just as he was about to succeed, Tsunade precisely grabbed his neck.

You lost!

Tsunade chuckled, hands on her hips.

Genma, whose neck was being choked, laughed: "No, Lady Tsunade, you lost!"

Bang!

Genma, whose neck was being choked, exploded into smoke.

Behind Tsunade, Genma's true form used a kunai to press against Tsunade's lower back.

Tsunade froze, slowly turned around, looked down at Genma, and asked with some confusion, "How...did you do that?"

Genma put away the kunai and smiled gently: "You can't just reveal information about ninjas."

Tsunade's strength is indeed formidable, even though she is a medical ninja.

However, he possesses rich combat experience, great strength, and chakra.

Sorry, but my settings are above yours!

Genma took two steps back so he wouldn't be able to see Tsunade's face, held up two fingers, and then said, "Lady Tsunade, that's all for today. I'm going home."

After saying that, he waved to Shizune and then quickly left.

He was afraid that Tsunade would come to her senses and want to do it again.

If the Substitution Technique 1.0 is seen through, it is actually not impossible to deal with.

After all, the distance that can be exchanged between positions is really limited.

Shizune was also surprised, and only came to her senses after Genma had gone far away.

Tsunade turned around and asked, "Shizune, did you understand what you just saw?"

Shizune hesitated for a moment: "It seems... to be a substitution jutsu?"

"But it was too fast; they switched positions before we could even react."

Tsunade's gaze sharpened upon hearing this, then she seemed to be thinking: Something's not right with this kid's ninjutsu!

……

Genma breathed a sigh of relief after leaving Tsunade's house.

The importance of intelligence was presented so vividly for the first time.

But Tsunade should have sensed it by now, right?

Next time we play, it won't be so easy to win.

"It's a pity that Wood Release Chakra Mode isn't as convenient as Sage Mode, otherwise..."

Xuanma felt a little regretful, but when he thought about how much his physical strength had increased during this period, his regret disappeared instantly.

The Wood Release Chakra Mode does have significant limitations, but during this time, Genma clearly felt the influence of Wood Release Chakra, or rather, the power of plant cells, on himself.

Although it is still uncertain what changes will occur in the future, at least his physical strength has improved, and in just a few months, his chakra level has caught up with Kakashi's.

Genma smiled broadly after glancing at the setting materials.

One setting point secured!

"Don't rush to use it yet."

Genma walked home with light steps.

Although he didn't explicitly ask Tsunade for anything, and Tsunade didn't make any promises after losing, Genma knew that Tsunade had held her ground.

Another crucial point is that through continuous communication, his relationship with Tsunade deepened, which laid the groundwork for treating Tsunade's hemophobia later on.

If we proceed gradually, there is great potential.

"Next up is Kakashi's side..."

Genma felt that the death of Hatake Sakumo was much more difficult to handle than Tsunade's situation.

He is currently unable to participate in the task itself.

After the mission is completed, it is difficult to control the time.

In particular, although he had a good relationship with Kakashi, he was still a step away from Sakumo Hatake.

unless……

Thinking about the swordsmanship he had been learning from Kakashi and Sakumo Hatake these past few days, Genma had an idea.

I'd like to become your apprentice!

is it possible?

Sakumo Hatake has no intention of taking on any apprentices, and it would be presumptuous for him to ask so rashly, as his relationship with Kakashi might make him feel awkward.

If he is rejected, Xuanma himself will feel very embarrassed.

But then he realized he might be overthinking things.

Or rather, this is using an adult's mindset and overthinking things.

"I'm still a child!"

"Isn't it normal to want to find a strong master to be your apprentice?"

Xuanma smiled, his mood lightening once again.

It's okay if you get rejected.

We'll just try to find another way. We'll do our best, and even if it doesn't work out, we won't have any regrets.

If it succeeds, things will be much easier afterwards.

At least there's a chance to try persuasion.

Back home, after repeatedly reviewing the [Settings Collection], Genma did not use the newly acquired settings.

Because there is no good target to modify at the moment.

For example, the few genjutsu techniques and medical ninjutsu techniques we currently possess do not require much modification, or there are no good modification plans available at the moment.

On the contrary, the basic three-body techniques such as transformation and instantaneous movement gave him some ideas.

As for the newly developed Wood Release Chakra Mode, 1 point of setting value is simply not enough to modify it.

Furthermore, there's still room for development in the Wood Release chakra mode, so there's no rush.

So, let's wait a little longer.

The next day.

After having breakfast, Genma went to Kakashi's house.

During this time, Sakumo Hatake was resting at home during summer vacation, so he followed Kakashi to attend classes and learned swordsmanship and physical techniques from Sakumo Hatake.

Of course, Xuanma didn't only benefit from it.

He also taught Kakashi the techniques for training Shizune's chakra control.

Same as yesterday.

First, Sakumo Hatake and Kakashi sparred, with the former giving instructions while Genma watched from the sidelines.

Next, Genma and Kakashi sparred, with Sakumo Hatake correcting and instructing them.

Afterwards, Genma and Hatake Sakumo sparred, with Genma receiving guidance and corrections.

After completing the set, even with his recent increase in stamina, Xuanma was so tired that he wanted to just lie down.

Kakashi was also exhausted and his clothes were soaked with sweat. He turned his head to look at Genma, who was taking small sips of water, and felt a little surprised.

In the past few days, he has increasingly felt that this guy's physical strength is far superior to before, and he seems to be no weaker than himself.

Genma put down the water bottle, his strength slightly restored, and stood up to walk to Sakumo Hatake. Under Kakashi's surprised gaze, he solemnly bowed and said, "Uncle Sakumo, I want to become your apprentice!"

Chapter 14 Master and Disciple (Please continue reading)

Sakumo Hatake was not surprised by Genma's behavior, nor did he refuse. Instead, he asked earnestly, "Why do you want to become my disciple?"

Genma straightened up and said earnestly, "I respect Uncle's character and admire his strength. I want to become a powerful ninja like Uncle in the future."

Sakumo Hatake neither confirmed nor denied this answer, but instead said, "Genma, you are a very smart child, more mature than Kakashi."

Kakashi, who was not far away, twitched at the corner of his eye when he heard this.

Although it's true, Dad, don't say it in front of me, I'm afraid Xuanma will get arrogant!

Sakumo Hatake continued, "Even without my guidance, I believe you will become an outstanding ninja and achieve far more than I have."

Genma shook his head: "Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me. Perhaps I will become an excellent ninja in the future, but I am not yet."

"If Kakashi can be my teacher, then how much more so you, Uncle?"

Sakumo Hatake smiled and said, "I remember you're better at medical ninjutsu and genjutsu, right? And your family's sensory ninjutsu... Actually, Tsunade is more suitable for you. If you need, I can introduce you to her."

"Uncle Sakumo, I am now friends with Lady Tsunade."

Xuanma put on a little show.

Both Sakumo Hatake and Kakashi were taken aback.

Genma continued, "I want to train with you, Uncle, not just to learn ninjutsu, but more importantly, to learn your character."

This apprenticeship is different from the Jonin assigned to lead a team after graduating from the Ninja Academy.

The Jonin leading the team can be considered a teacher, but there is another layer of relationship: superior and subordinate.

The Jonin who leads the team are mentors to the newly graduated Genin, but they may not necessarily teach ninjutsu.

A proper apprenticeship involves more than just the transmission of ninjutsu; it also involves the transmission of ideas and beliefs.

The relationship between a master and his apprentice can sometimes be even closer than that between a father and son.

After listening to Genma's earnest explanation, Hatake Sakumo nodded slightly.