Chapter 32: The B-Rank Earth Release
After learning about the ninjas of Colorful Fog Mountain, the trio's mood grew noticeably heavier.
Following a bit of casual chatter with Tony and finishing their meal, they returned to their inn. Normally, after dinner, Rittō would be his usual brash self, boasting and joking without a care. But this time, he seemed aimless—almost despondent.
Though bold and straightforward, Rittō wasn't oblivious. He understood the reality: the three of them were fresh genin, while their opponents were at least four chunin-level rogue ninja.
Even with their sensei, Yuji, a jonin, on their side, the odds weren't favorable. Yuji might be skilled, but taking down multiple chunin instantly wasn't feasible, and one misstep could lead to disaster.
When they arrived at the inn, they found Yuji standing at the entrance, his expression unreadable.
"Follow me," he said simply before vanishing into the night.
The trio exchanged puzzled glances but quickly followed. The wind roared past their ears as they leapt from rooftop to rooftop, the buildings blurring in the twilight.
Soon, they reached a quiet forest just outside the town. The evening sun bathed the trees in fiery hues, painting the landscape with a soft, crimson glow.
As they ventured deeper into the woods, the vibrant colors faded into darkness. Finally, Yuji stopped before three towering trees, their immense trunks looming over the group.
"Sensei, are we going to practice tree climbing?" Kurenai exclaimed, recognizing the setup immediately.
Yuji raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching in mild amusement. "Seems you've done this before," he remarked. "Yes, I planned to teach you tree climbing today."
Kurenai nodded. "Both Genma and I have already learned it."
Rittō scratched his head, looking lost. "Tree climbing? Is that a new jutsu or something?"
Yuji sighed. "It's not a jutsu—it's an exercise to improve chakra control. Since Kurenai and Genma already know it, they can demonstrate for you."
Without hesitation, Kurenai and Genma set their gear aside and approached the nearest tree. Rittō watched in wide-eyed amazement as they walked vertically up the trunks, first at a cautious pace and then faster, reaching the top in no time.
"Impressive," Yuji mused. "Kurenai, you'll teach Rittō. Genma, come with me—I have something else for you."
Intrigued, Genma followed Yuji deeper into the forest until they reached a clearing. The area was spacious and devoid of obstacles—perfect for training.
"Sensei, are you going to teach me a jutsu?" Genma asked, eyeing the surroundings.
"That's right," Yuji replied, a faint smile playing on his lips. "It's a B-rank jutsu—not the most powerful, but it'll help mitigate your weaknesses. Your Fire Release is primarily offensive, while your Earth Release leans toward defense. This jutsu will balance things out."
Genma was stunned. A B-rank jutsu? For him?
Yuji chuckled at Genma's reaction. "Don't get too excited. It's not as amazing as it sounds. Still, it should be useful—especially at night when Fire Release techniques are too conspicuous. Earth Release techniques, on the other hand, are more versatile in such situations."
Genma nodded, his excitement tempered by understanding. "I'll do my best, Sensei."
Yuji's expression softened. "Good. But remember—this technique isn't to be passed around freely. If you want to teach it someday, it should be to worthy students, like your own team."
The implication was clear: the jutsu belonged to the village, not to Genma alone.
"Understood, Sensei," Genma replied earnestly, bowing deeply. "I'll only pass it on to those who deserve it."
Yuji nodded, satisfied. "Now, let's see how far you've developed your Earth Release. Show me your most practiced Earth jutsu at full power."
Genma immediately thought of his Earth Spikes Jutsu. Though an E-rank technique, it was versatile and had significant potential. Over the years, he had refined it, focusing on creating denser, sharper spikes.
He formed the seals quickly, and a small spike of earth rose from the ground in front of him. The spike gleamed faintly, its surface unusually smooth and metallic.
Yuji's eyes narrowed as he examined the spike. He crouched, plucking it from the earth, and began inspecting it closely.
"You've concentrated the densest minerals at the tip," he muttered, pressing his fingers against the sharp point. "And the rest is standard rock. Interesting..."
Running his hands along the spike, Yuji noticed something even more surprising. Infusing it with chakra, he sensed its internal structure and gasped.
"You've made it… intricate. Why so complex?"
Genma scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish. "It's nothing special, really. I just had a lot of time, so I experimented a bit."
In truth, Genma had designed the spike with a spiral pattern inside, inspired by concepts of maximizing penetration and stability. Though he hadn't yet perfected the technique, it was a step toward integrating Earth Release with the spiraling energy of Rasengan.
Yuji, however, was astounded. Most ninjas focused on strengthening their Earth jutsu by increasing density or size, not by altering the internal structure.
"Genma, you've taken a very unconventional approach," Yuji said, his tone both impressed and serious. "Most would focus on raw hardness. But you've created something both strong and flexible. This design could hold up under impacts that would shatter a normal spike."
Yuji set the spike aside and straightened up. "Now, watch carefully."
He began forming a series of hand seals, his movements fluid and deliberate. As the seals completed, the ground beside him shifted.
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"
The earth roared as a dragon's head emerged, its serpentine body following. The massive construct surged forward, crashing into several large trees. The impact sent wood splintering in all directions as the trees toppled.
Genma stared in awe. The sheer power of the technique left him speechless.
Yuji turned to him, a slight smirk on his face. "This is the jutsu I'll be teaching you. It requires precise chakra control and an understanding of mineral distribution. Think you can handle it?"
Genma nodded eagerly. "Yes, Sensei!"
"Good. Let's get started."
With Yuji's guidance, Genma began practicing the Earth Dragon Bullet, determined to master the B-rank jutsu before their inevitable confrontation with the rogue ninja.
End of chapter 32