---
"Kabuto, how on earth did you do that just now?" Kakashi asked, walking up to Kabuto with curiosity. "I remember you didn't have enough time to form seals."
In the recent battle, Kakashi had observed Kabuto's seal formation speed. Although Kabuto was very fast, in that particular situation, he shouldn't have had enough time to release the Fire Style: great fireball Jutsu. That's why Kakashi had decided to go in directly.
But just when he appeared in front of Kabuto, the boy released the Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu perfectly. Kakashi still couldn't figure out how Kabuto did it.
"Kakashi-senpai, who among serious ninjas still forms seals these days?" Naruto said mischievously, walking up with a grin.
"Um?" Kakashi looked at Naruto in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Naruto waved his hand dismissively. "I'll show you, Kakashi-senpai. Just watch."
Naruto clapped his hands and began performing various jutsu without forming seals.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet! Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu! Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
A dozen different jutsu were released in succession, leaving Kakashi wide-eyed in shock.
"No way... What's going on?" Kakashi muttered. "Releasing jutsu without forming seals? Just by shouting the names?"
"And you, Naruto, your chakra reserves are ridiculous!" Kakashi added, still trying to process what he was seeing.
Naruto smiled proudly. "You see, Kakashi-senpai?"
Kakashi took a deep breath and turned to Kabuto. "Kabuto, can you also release jutsu without forming seals?"
"That's right, Kakashi-senpai," Kabuto nodded.
This revelation made Kakashi take a breath. Kabuto clearly had such power, but at the beginning of the battle, he had still formed seals strictly, likely to mislead Kakashi and make him make wrong judgments. It had worked; Kakashi had lost the competition at a critical moment due to his miscalculation.
Kabuto, only six years old, had managed to deceive an experienced Jōnin. This level of cunning was truly frightening.
"Kakashi-senpai, do you have any other questions?" Kabuto asked politely.
"Kabuto, how much chakra do you have in your body?" Kakashi asked, looking at Kabuto's innocent smile.
"According to my perception, it's probably dozens of times more than yours, Kakashi-senpai," Kabuto said casually.
Kakashi was speechless. Although he didn't have a particularly large amount of chakra, he was still at Jōnin level. But a six-year-old having dozens of times his chakra? It was hard to believe.
"Okay, Kakashi-senpai. We need to start training now, so I won't keep you," Kabuto said calmly, turning to guide Naruto and the others in their training.
Kakashi stood aside, watching. The more he observed, the more shocked he became. Shisui's Body Flicker Technique, various powerful jutsu without seals, Jōnin-level taijutsu in terms of speed and strength, and countless Kekkei Genkai...
Magnet Style, Boil Style, Lava Style, Scorch Style... each one was incredibly terrifying.
"Too incredible. Is this the descendant of Takuya-sensei?" Kakashi couldn't help but sigh.
These kids, only five or six years old, already had strength surpassing most ninjas in the world. They had inherited various powerful Kekkei Genkai. Ordinary people wouldn't stand a chance, and even an Elite Jōnin like Kakashi had lost to a six-year-old Kabuto.
Although it wasn't a life-and-death fight, it was enough to illustrate how extraordinary these kids were. Their powerful bloodlines... Kakashi couldn't even imagine what heights they would reach in the future.
Kage-level might just be a threshold they could easily cross.
"It seems it might be better to come to the Senju compound less frequently in the future. This feeling of inadequacy is really uncomfortable," Kakashi smiled bitterly.
He was once known as "Konoha's most talented ninja." There was no doubt about his talent. But compared to these kids, Kakashi felt ordinary. True genius should be a title reserved for guys like Kabuto and Naruto. If he continued to practice in the Senju compound, he felt he would be constantly humbled.
But he was also very pleased. If all of Takuya-sensei's descendants possessed such powerful abilities, the revival of the Senju clan wouldn't be too difficult at all.
---
"You mean, Kabuto defeated Kakashi during a sparring match?"
Back in the Senju compound, listening to Kushina's report, Takuya raised his eyebrows.
"That's right," Kushina confirmed. "Although it wasn't a life-and-death fight with all their strength, it's still terrifying that Kabuto could do such a thing at this age."
She still found it hard to believe. Even knowing that these young Senju were geniuses, she hadn't imagined they could be so exceptional. Kakashi was an elite Jōnin, trained under the legendary White Fang, yet he lost to a six-year-old Kabuto. It was truly astonishing.
"Haha, how can my descendants be weak?" Takuya chuckled. "Don't worry, even Naruto and the others will become very powerful soon."
His bloodline's strength was increasing daily, benefiting his descendants, making them stronger.
"But Kushina, I want to change the curriculum of the ninja academy," Takuya said, suddenly thoughtful. "Today's ninjas are mostly brainwashed from childhood. Aside from ninja-related knowledge and basic life concepts, the schools teach nothing. This has led to stubborn, narrow-minded individuals."
Kabuto and the others were at the age to start school, and Takuya didn't want them to become like the ninjas in the original series.
"Everything is at your discretion," Kushina said without objection. After kissing Takuya, she turned and left, giving him the private space he needed to plan.
After Kushina left, Takuya began to draft his plans. After several months, the educational materials for the ninja academy were ready. Under Takuya's instructions, the academy underwent epic reforms. Becoming a ninja was no longer the primary goal. Despite seeming radical, Takuya's strong reputation and power prevented any opposition.
Kabuto, Naruto, Itachi, Sasuke, and others of school age were sent to the reformed academy, with Hatake Sakumo chosen as the principal. Soon, Kabuto, Naruto, Itachi, and Sasuke demonstrated extraordinary talents, outshining their peers. Their reputations as geniuses spread throughout the ninja world.
When news broke that six-year-old Kabuto had defeated elite Jōnin Hatake Kakashi in a sparring match, it caused an uproar. The ninja world, now peaceful, found new generation geniuses to be incredibly eye-catching.
During this time, Takuya had more offspring, receiving many rewards related to bloodline power, further strengthening Kabuto and the others. Nearly a year later, another batch of Senju descendants entered the academy, showing no less talent than Kabuto, Naruto, Itachi, and Sasuke. Each child was terrifyingly strong.
This made various ninja clans realize that Kabuto's strength was no accident. Descendants of Senju Takuya possessed extremely powerful talents due to their bloodline. Valuing blood, many ninja clans decided to raise beautiful kunoichi to send to the Senju clan, hoping they would be chosen by Takuya and bear his children. This was seen as a way to ensure their clan's survival in the face of the rising Senju power.
Takuya agreed strongly with this. These families took the initiative to strengthen his clan, and he had no reason to refuse.
Time flew by, and the new year arrived with much laughter. Konoha's streets were adorned with red lanterns and festive decorations, bustling with people. Children in new clothes ran around with candies, adding to the lively atmosphere.
Within the Senju compound, the annual meeting was in full swing. Led by Senju Takuya, Tsunade, Uzumaki Kushina, Uchiha Mikoto, and others gathered in the large courtyard.
"Thank you so much, little Takuya," Uzumaki Mito said, smiling at Takuya sitting in the main seat. "Even when Hashirama was alive, he never saw such a scene."
In just a few years, the Senju clan had gone from near extinction to prosperity, with over a hundred children, each possessing terrifying talents. It was clear that in the future, these children would spread the Senju clan's influence throughout the ninja world.
"Grandma Mito, I have done what I promised you," Takuya replied with a smile.
"Choosing you as the leader of the Senju clan was the wisest decision I ever made," Mito said, her eyes filled with gratitude.
With a clap of his hands, Takuya signaled for silence. His wives and children, nearly two hundred people, knelt before Mito.
"I wish Grandma Mito a happy new year and a long life!" they chorused.
Tears of joy streamed down Mito's face. To see such a scene in her lifetime made everything worthwhile.
"Grandma Mito, just be our honored ancestor and enjoy your old age. Leave everything else to me," Takuya said warmly.
If not for Uzumaki Mito, Takuya would have been killed by Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō. Despite her current inability to help him, his respect and gratitude for her would never change.
---