After the team disbanded and returned home, Shūichi Hoshita immediately checked the newly triggered tag in the tag tree.
Tag: Konoha Genius
Condition to Obtain: Become a Chūnin at the age of six, breaking the record for the youngest Chūnin in Konoha.
Effect: Increases comprehension by 50%.
"Whoa!"
An increase in comprehension! This isn't like the "Fire Release Expert" tag, which only enhances Fire Release abilities. This boosts overall comprehension across all areas.
"I have to get this!"
Shūichi's resolve hardened.
While the ranks of Genin, Chūnin, and Jōnin aren't the only indicators of strength, they are certainly based on it.
One might possess Chūnin-level strength but still fail the exam—for example, Uchiha Obito.
"The first written test shouldn't be a problem. As for the second round, the individual combat... is there anyone participating in the exam who could be stronger than Shisui?"
Shūichi evaluated himself.
Over the past two months, while his swordsmanship was still slightly behind Uchiha Shisui's, his superior mental processing speed and neural reflexes made him formidable in close combat, whether unarmed or with a sword.
Kurama Sanyō was no longer a match for him.
Even against Shisui, when not using the Body Flicker Technique, their sparring sessions were evenly matched.
Shisui had the edge in insight and attack speed, but Shūichi's reactions were faster.
However, quicker reactions don't necessarily mean faster attack speed. Speed in combat also depends on chakra, physical fitness, and technique.
Shisui's Body Flicker and Genjutsu were both significant threats to Shūichi.
In past sparring sessions, Shūichi had never been able to counter Shisui's Body Flicker. He could only rely on his quick reflexes to respond, but ultimately, he would still lose.
Of course, in the individual combat round, he likely wouldn't face someone from his own team.
"But I still need to be wary of Genjutsu users among the Genin."
Shūichi thought to himself.
He was familiar with Genjutsu, having trained with both Shisui and Kurama Sanyō. His experience in handling Genjutsu was extensive.
Detecting when he was under a Genjutsu and then dispelling it was crucial.
However, Genjutsu is often hard to guard against. Most of the time, it's difficult to realize you've been caught in a Genjutsu right away.
If you can't detect it immediately, it could be very dangerous.
When facing the Sharingan, dispelling the Genjutsu becomes even more challenging, often requiring assistance from others.
There's also the "Paralysis-type" Genjutsu, where you're fully aware you're under its influence, but you can't control your body.
For instance, the Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique—Orochimaru was taken down instantly by Uchiha Itachi with this move.
Then there's the Sage Art: Frog Song, an auditory-based paralysis Genjutsu.
"The Sharingan… I've gotten used to not making direct eye contact with Shisui during battles, but that doesn't guarantee safety. Not all Sharingan Genjutsu require direct eye contact to activate…"
Shūichi couldn't help but think of Danzō.
Orochimaru had joined the Anbu, and it wouldn't be surprising if he was already researching Wood Release.
Who knows if Danzō had already transplanted a Sharingan? In the original story, he used Izanagi when he ambushed Shisui.
"Izanagi is manageable—you might not die the first time, so just kill them a few more times."
"But Izanami... now that's a particularly troublesome technique, said to counter Izanagi by forcing the user to accept their fate."
"Isn't that basically forcing someone to accept their death without using Izanagi?"
"Who would want to accept that?"
Right now, the technique Shūichi feared the most was Izanami.
Would Danzō master both Izanagi and Izanami? Shūichi didn't know but decided it was better to be prepared.
Looking at the now-cursed Kabuto Yakushi, it wasn't something that could be fixed with a simple "I'm sorry." Under infinite loop scenarios, Kabuto might have been driven mad and forcibly brainwashed.
Its effects were comparable to the Tsukuyomi.
If Danzō used it, would Shūichi have to kneel and pledge his loyalty, becoming a mere tool in his schemes to become Hokage?
His thoughts wandered a bit too fast. Shūichi quickly refocused on himself.
With his powerful neural response speed, basic techniques like Fire Release, swordsmanship, and physical techniques, unless someone in the Chūnin exam was even more monstrous than Uchiha Shisui and him, defeat was unlikely.
Team battles were even less of a concern. With two members skilled in Genjutsu, combined with his Fire Release and close combat expertise, their advantage was significant.
Finally, Shūichi returned to his task, retrieving a scroll.
Sealing Technique—Memory Palace!
Over the past two months, he had thoroughly mastered this sealing technique, perfected by Minato Namikaze.
Today, he would complete this technique and acquire the Sealing Expert tag.
He took a large blank scroll and began drawing the seals.
About half an hour later, the seals were completed.
Shūichi set down his brush and sat cross-legged in the center of the scroll, surrounded by a dense array of drawn seals.
He then formed hand seals.
Twelve seals in total, and once completed, the seals on the scroll activated, resembling tadpoles as they rapidly crawled up Shūichi's body, eventually converging at the top of his head and vanishing into his scalp.
Memory Palace, achieved!
Shūichi immediately sensed a new sealing space in his mind.
Or rather, a Memory Space.
The Memory Palace was now as described.
The structure of the Memory Palace resembled the entire Konoha village.
Buildings within the village served as his storage for memories.
In addition to the buildings, there were individuals.
Kakashi, Might Guy, Asuma Sarutobi, Shizune, Shisui Uchiha, Obito Uchiha, Kurama Sanyō, and others.
These represented their abilities, habits, battle styles, and more.
Looking at his Memory Palace, Shūichi thought, "This Memory Palace is best suited for use in Genjutsu."
Yes, Genjutsu.
Or rather, a combination of Genjutsu and sealing techniques.
However, Shūichi hadn't had the chance to delve deeply into Genjutsu yet; it was still just a concept.
Shifting his focus from the Memory Palace, Shūichi looked at the tag tree.
Activate Sealing Expert!
Sealing techniques and seal/cursed related skills increased by 100%, memory enhanced by 100%.
Shūichi immediately felt a surge in his brain, as if it were electrified, with a brief moment of blankness.
Once everything settled, he got up and took another scroll.
Sealing Technique—Yin Seal!
This was the technique Tsunade had given him two days ago.
Undoubtedly, this technique was far more complex than the Memory Palace he had just used.
Previously, he had only skimmed through it and found it quite challenging, deciding to postpone further research until he had accumulated more knowledge in sealing techniques.
Now, however, he felt differently.
"Seems… it's not particularly difficult?"
"And indeed, I've gained a photographic memory."
Shūichi smiled.
Without a cheat, he had been praised by Minato Namikaze for his talent in sealing techniques. Now with a 100% increase, he wondered if he could compare to Minato, Tsunade, and the others.
"It looks like I need to seek their advice on sealing techniques more often…"
Stowing the scroll, Shūichi formed hand seals.
Boom!
A Shadow Clone was created and nodded to the original before leaving.
This Shadow Clone was to practice Wind Release chakra nature transformation.
Given his chakra, one Shadow Clone was ideal for sustained training.
(End of Chapter)
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