Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Fire Release Expert Obtained

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On December 15th, Konoha Year 38, it was time for Kakashi's graduation exam.

Shūichi Hoshita and the others were all waiting at the exam site.

About an hour later, Kakashi, still as cool and aloof as ever, emerged from the exam area, his scarf wrapped around him.

Instantly, everyone's eyes focused on the ninja forehead protector on Kakashi's head.

"He really passed!"

"Amazing!"

"As expected of Kakashi!"

"At this age, he must have broken the record, right?"

The students around him were filled with exclamations of awe and admiration, mixed with envy.

At the age of 5, Kakashi graduated, becoming the youngest person to ever graduate from Konoha's ninja academy, quickly gaining fame throughout the village. The news even spread beyond Konoha.

After all, geniuses always attract attention, whether from allies or enemies.

Shūichi remained calm and collected. He had already mastered the Phoenix Flower Jutsu and was only one step away from unlocking the "Fire Release Expert" Tag, needing just one more Fire Release jutsu.

Unfortunately, Yakushi Nono didn't know any Fire Release jutsu.

In the end, Shūichi decided to wait until after the New Year to see if he could exchange his Memory Palace technique for a Fire Release jutsu from the village.

During the two weeks of winter break before the New Year, he spent most of his time at Konoha Hospital.

Of course, he didn't neglect his basic physical and taijutsu training.

Before he knew it, the New Year had arrived.

Shūichi didn't spend it at home; instead, he returned to the orphanage to celebrate with Yakushi Nono and the others.

After January 1st, Konoha Year 39, Shūichi returned home and discovered a scroll on the living room table, with a note pinned underneath it.

Picking up the note, he read: "A New Year's gift for Shūichi."

He recognized the handwriting—it was from Tenka.

Speaking of which, Tenka had paid him a sum of 100,000 ryō as payment for the grenades before the New Year.

"What could it be?"

"A sealing technique?"

"Or a ninjutsu scroll?"

Shūichi speculated, then unrolled the scroll and couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise.

"Firing Biscuit Jutsu!"

"A-Rank Fire Release!"

Shūichi was both shocked and delighted.

He had guessed it was a ninjutsu scroll, the kind that contained a sealing jutsu, since Tenka's family dealt in such items.

But he never expected it to be a jutsu he actually wanted.

"Sis Tenka, I really love you!"

Shūichi grinned broadly.

Now that he had five jutsu, all he needed to do was master this Firing Biscuit Jutsu to complete his goal.

However, mastering an A-Rank Fire Release jutsu was no easy task.

After carefully reviewing the scroll, Shūichi was even more convinced.

He remembered this Fire Style: Firing Biscuit Jutsu from the original series—an ANBU ninja had used it to fight against Pain's summoned beasts.

Unlike most Fire Release jutsu that are expelled from the mouth, this one can ignite a target from a distance.

As such, it requires a higher level of chakra control.

Additionally, this jutsu is more suited for use in relatively confined spaces against enemies.

Since it doesn't cause explosions, it relies purely on flames to inflict damage.

No matter what, Shūichi decided to master this jutsu as quickly as possible.

And so…

While others were enjoying their New Year holiday, Shūichi was by the cold riverside, training in the Firing Biscuit Jutsu.

But he wasn't the only one working hard—Obito Uchiha was also pushing himself.

He had decided to submit an application for early graduation at the start of the new school term.

...

Konoha Year 39, January 10th - The New Semester Begins

This marked the start of the final semester for the first-year students.

Shūichi Hoshita's life returned to a regular routine. However, he decided to temporarily pause his studies at Konoha Hospital, dedicating that time instead to mastering the Firing Biscuit Jutsu.

At the very start of the new term, Obito Uchiha caused a minor stir at the ninja academy.

He applied for early graduation.

But he failed.

He didn't pass the written exam, nor did he succeed in the Clone Jutsu.

Still, Obito wasn't willing to give up. If that smug Kakashi could do it, so could he!

On March 3rd, Konoha Year 39, Shūichi celebrated his sixth birthday at the orphanage with Yakushi Nono and the other children. He received a bunch of gifts.

Although most of them weren't particularly valuable, they were given with heart. Some were bouquets of flowers, others were origami creations, homemade treats, or wooden kunai carved by hand.

These small tokens of affection filled Shūichi with warmth.

Yakushi Nono's gift, however, was a jutsu.

The Shadow Clone Jutsu!

Shūichi suddenly found himself overwhelmed with a happy dilemma.

The Shadow Clone Jutsu was undoubtedly a highly useful technique. Even if he could only create one clone, it would still help him train faster.

But he was still so young, with pitifully little chakra to spare.

"I'll focus on obtaining the [Ninja Tool Expert] Tag after I get [Fire Release Expert]!"

After receiving the Shadow Clone Jutsu, Shūichi made up his mind.

His original plan was to secure the [Medical Expert] Tag first, since he had Yakushi Nono to guide him in medical ninjutsu, which would undoubtedly make the process smoother.

But the benefits of the [Ninja Tool Expert] Tag were something he urgently needed.

It would increase his aptitude for using ninja tools by 100%, enhance his physical constitution by 100%, and boost his nerve reaction speed by 100%.

The physical enhancement, in particular, would significantly raise his chakra capacity.

Moreover, with the [Ninja Tool Expert] Tag, his physical prowess would improve, allowing him to progress more quickly in surpassing Kakashi in taijutsu, which would in turn help him earn the [Taijutsu Expert] Tag.

Once that happens, his physical constitution would double again.

Time to go for it!

…

As spring blossomed and the spring break approached, Shūichi was training by the riverside. After successfully performing the Firing Biscuit Jutsu, a smile spread across his face.

Finally… tag unlocked!

After nearly an entire semester, he had fully mastered the Firing Biscuit Jutsu.

Focusing his attention on the Tag Tree in his mind, Shūichi immediately unlocked the [Fire Release Expert] Tag.

A green glow enveloped the Tag Tree's leaves, and a mysterious power coursed through his body.

His aptitude for Fire Release was enhanced by 100%, and he could now perform Fire Release jutsu without hand signs.

The talent boost was impressive, but the ability to execute Fire Release jutsu without hand signs, just like the [Transformation Expert] Tag before it, was incredibly smooth and seamless.

This meant that his survival skills had been greatly improved.

"I can apply for graduation now!"

Shūichi exhaled deeply.

At that moment, a new leaf appeared on the Tag Tree, and Shūichi quickly checked it out.

Tag: [Ninjutsu Expert]

Condition to Obtain: Master at least 30 jutsu

Effect: Any Ninjutsu can be performed with just two hand signs; Ninjutsu aptitude increased by 100%

Shūichi shook his head as he read.

Thirty jutsu is too many.

For now, it's better to focus on acquiring various expert Tags for different jutsu types. Once I've got those, this Tag will fall into place.

"Next up is mastering all kinds of ninja tools…"

Shūichi shifted his attention.

He was already proficient in using kunai, shuriken, explosive tags, and grenades, and was currently working on mastering senbon.

Luckily, mastering ninja tools was easier than jutsu. Otherwise, mastering ten different tools would be no small feat.

"Besides senbon, a short sword or wakizashi might be another option. I wonder if short and long swords count as two different ninja tools?"

"Nunchaku? Staff?"

(End of Chapter)

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T/N: The author did number on me really. Dude wrote A-rank justu 'Firing Biscuit Jutsu' as B-rank and Chinese Names never adds up. I have to re-watch Pain Attack Leaf Village Arc in order to just understand what Justu did that Cat Masked ANBU Used. Anyway, I Fixed it so Enjoy.

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