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In the Hokage's office, Jiraiya hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Sensei, Gin's talent for ninjutsu is exceptional."
Since Gin hadn't asked him to keep it a secret, Jiraiya didn't see any reason to withhold this information. Despite his growing unease with some of Hiruzen's actions, he hadn't yet considered parting ways with him. So he decided to share what he knew.
After all, a ninja with talent is entirely different from one without.
"Hmm?!" Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "So he hid his ninjutsu talent during his time at the academy?"
Knowing how to hide his abilities from the village since he first entered the academy—this child was terrifying, especially as an Uchiha. He couldn't be allowed to remain; he might pose an unforeseen threat to the village.
Jiraiya, unaware of Hiruzen's thoughts, scratched his head.
"Not exactly."
"Hmm?!" Hiruzen was puzzled. "What do you mean? Is he talented or not?"
Jiraiya had just said Gin had great talent, and now he was contradicting himself. Was Gin ill, or was Jiraiya?
"He's a genius, perhaps comparable to the Second Hokage."
Jiraiya produced the booklet Gin had given him. While washing dishes at the barbecue restaurant, he'd skimmed through it and had been utterly astonished.
He found it hard to believe that a student still in the academy could create something like this. This kind of ability to develop ninjutsu surpassed even Orochimaru and was only matched by the Second Hokage.
"Everything is explained here."
Hiruzen cast a curious glance at Jiraiya. It made sense now why Jiraiya wanted to write novels—he had a knack for piquing curiosity. Hiruzen casually flipped through a couple of pages.
"Sealing techniques?"
The content piqued his curiosity further. Creating any ninjutsu was difficult enough, but sealing techniques were even more complex. He read a few more pages, finding the techniques strangely familiar.
"These sealing techniques are all jumbled together."
The techniques were well-known to him but were randomly stitched together, lacking any originality. To him, these sealing techniques were useless—slow to execute, involving over a hundred hand signs due to the combination of multiple techniques. The resulting effect only restricted the enemy from using ninjutsu.
"These sealing techniques are useless."
Hiruzen's assessment made Jiraiya scratch his head. From the first few pages, it was understandable why Hiruzen would think that way. But the true content started on the second level.
"Sensei, you should look further."
The real substance began with the second level. Out of trust for his student, Hiruzen continued reading.
The technique used chakra as a sealing mechanism, accumulating it to enhance the power of the sealing technique and, in turn, strengthening the body. This was an unexpected outcome.
"Remarkable ingenuity."
He had to admit he was impressed. Though crude, the concept of constructing ninjutsu in this manner was unprecedented.
"So he couldn't use ninjutsu because of this."
The first level's sealing effect on oneself explained why Gin couldn't use ninjutsu. This made Gin a complex case for Hiruzen. Killing him was out of the question, but letting him be wasn't an option either.
"Jiraiya," Hiruzen's deep gaze met Jiraiya's. "If you were asked to expel Gin from Team 7, would you do it?"
Jiraiya's smile froze, his expression turning serious. He placed both hands on the desk for support.
"Sensei, Gin is my student."
His stance was clear. No.
Hiruzen rubbed his temples, feeling the situation becoming more complicated. He had hoped for an untalented Uchiha for Jiraiya, not a genius. He wanted to build bridges with the Uchiha, not see them rise.
The good news was that Gin wasn't popular within his clan, making him potentially easier to sway. As for this sealing technique...
"The first two levels of this sealing technique should be included in the village's ninjutsu rewards. The final level... put it in the Scroll of Seals and tell Gin not to spread it indiscriminately."
This technique could significantly enhance the village's capabilities.
"Understood."
At the ninjutsu exchange center, a massive scroll lay open. Selecting a ninjutsu allowed one to exchange merits at the entrance.
Dan's attention was drawn to a new entry, Basic Inner Skills.
"Sealing Technique: Basic Inner Skills. Enhances overall strength, with a temporary risk of being unable to use ninjutsu."
The scroll detailed some of the technique's processes.
"Tsunade!" Dan called out.
A somewhat weary Tsunade approached.
"Dan, what's wrong?"
"Look at this. It resembles your Yin Seal."
Tsunade glanced at the entry, her brows furrowing.
"While it looks similar, it's a different concept."
"My Yin Seal focuses on storage. This technique centers around sealing."
Given her expertise in sealing techniques, she could discern the technique's development and principles.
"Combining the body with a seal—the creator of this technique is a genius."
Even Tsunade had to admire the creator, impressed by the technique's accessibility.
She noted the signature at the bottom.
"Uchiha Gin!"
Tsunade wasn't the only one who noticed the new entry.
A white-haired man, Hiruko, looked at the Basic Inner Skills he'd exchanged for. His eyes quickly scanned the content.
"This technique should enhance my abilities."
"Truly, the Uchiha are impressive."
The Uchiha clan was legendary for producing geniuses, especially with the powerful Sharingan.
"How enviable."
His gaze drifted to the departing Tsunade and Dan. The veins in his hand bulged as he gripped the scroll.
"Once again, they overlook me, Tsunade."
At the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire, Sakumo examined the red-marked points on the map—all locations where they had encountered Sand Shinobi.
"These Sand Shinobi are scouting routes."
Though their intentions were subtle, he had detected their movements. They were attempting to find a route into Konoha.
"If they succeed, it will be disastrous for Konoha."
He had to thwart their plans. Just then, a puff of smoke appeared beside him, and a green-vested ninja emerged. The ninja handed him a large scroll nearly half his height.
"Sir, these are the new supplies and updated ninjutsu exchange lists."
From his sleeve, the ninja produced two scrolls.
"Thank you."
Sakumo took the scrolls, curious about the new entries. It had been a while since Konoha had updated its ninjutsu. Most of the ninjutsu on the Scroll of Seals were reserved for significant achievements. He opened the first scroll.
"Basic Inner Skills?"
"Uchiha Gin."
Even Uchiha patriarch Kagen, despite his age, was still vigorous. Standing on the roof, he could see much of the village.
"This was built by Lord Madara."
Yet, the Uchiha had no place in it.
In his old age, he saw clearly that the Second Hokage's policies were meant to treat them as potential enemies. Sadly, his clan members were blinded by the power of the Police Force, while the higher-ups resisted the Uchiha.
Even though he could control the Uchiha's direction for a time, he couldn't ignore others' thoughts completely.
"If we had chosen to follow Lord Madara, what would have happened?"
Regrettably, they had chosen a comfortable life and betrayed him.
With a puff of smoke, Fugaku appeared beside Kagen.
"Fugaku, you're here."
Kagen restrained his emotions.
"Great Elder, please look at this."
Fugaku handed him a scroll, his expression complex.
"Did the village give the Uchiha a mission?"
Kagen unrolled the scroll slowly. Inside was a single ninjutsu.
"This technique is unusual."
But he still didn't understand Fugaku's point until he saw the signature.
"Uchiha Gin!!!"
Kagen's eyes widened in shock.
"Impossible!"
In a damp, cold underground chamber, Orochimaru entered his lab, watching Gin's shadow clone busily working.
"Gin, you're becoming quite famous."
Gin, observing Hashirama cells, looked up at Orochimaru.
"Am I?"
He was puzzled. Recently, he had been following Jiraiya on D-rank missions by day and studying ninjutsu and helping Orochimaru at night. He hadn't noticed any fame.
"Your ninjutsu is spreading through the village, and the third level has been placed in the Scroll of Seals."
Hearing this, Gin nodded.
"You don't seem surprised." Orochimaru's tongue flicked out like a snake's, intrigued.
"Didn't you say, Orochimaru-sensei? My ninjutsu represents change. I can understand any reaction it causes."
"I trust you'll protect me, Orochimaru-sensei?"
Gin smiled at Orochimaru. Since others had begun practicing Basic Inner Skills, he wasn't surprised by the reactions.
Orochimaru chuckled.
"Of course."
He was keen to see how far Gin could go.
"That's good."
Gin returned to his experiment. He wasn't concerned with the impact of Basic Inner Skills. His focus was on developing new techniques, inspired by the Hashirama cells.
He meticulously recorded his theories and their practical effects in his system.
[Simulation Successful]
[Eight simulations completed. Newcomer period ended.]
[Please check detailed content promptly.]
Gin: "???"
(End of Chapter)