"Genqing, it's getting late! Time to rest—you can train tomorrow!"
"Just because your body's recovered doesn't mean you should overdo it!"
At some point, Uchiha Chiri had appeared at the base of the tree, hands on hips, calling out to her son perched at the top.
She was proud of his diligence, but still worried about his health.
In fact, she had been monitoring his chakra refinement the entire time. If she'd seen any over-exertion or damage, she would have intervened immediately.
"Ah—okay, Mom! I'm coming down!"
Startled, Genqing glanced down at his mom, stuck out his tongue sheepishly, then quickly descended.
At about a meter from the ground, he leapt off and landed softly in front of her.
"Heh, I guess I lost track of time…"
"It's just… chakra refinement was going way smoother than I imagined!"
"Mm."
Chiri patted his head.
"Alright then, go rest."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Genqing obeyed immediately.
The Next Morning
After eating breakfast made from Sea King meat, Genqing, Chiri, and Mikoto gathered in the backyard for their daily health cultivation exercises.
[You practiced Health Cultivation after eating Sea King meat. Proficiency +10. Lifespan +9. Vitality +0.03.]
"Still a while to go before I master it…"
"But when I do, it should improve the longevity effects even further. Can't wait!"
Once he had completed five rounds and digested most of his meal, Genqing washed up, then returned to the courtyard.
While offering Chiri and Mikoto occasional pointers on their techniques, he began practicing hand seals.
[You practiced Hand Seals. Gained skill: Hand Seals (1/100). Proficiency +1.]
[You practiced Hand Seals. Proficiency +2.]
[You practiced Hand Seals. Proficiency +3.]
With his physical coordination boosted by Health Cultivation, and thanks to his high talent and comprehension, Genqing's progress was rapid.
Within just 30 minutes, he advanced from beginner to proficient.
He could now seal without mistakes and at a speed of two signs per second—not bad at all.
Knock, knock, knock!
Suddenly, Tsunade's loud voice came from the front yard.
"Lady Chiri? Genqing? You home?"
"Huh? Tsunade?"
Genqing and the others looked up, surprised.
"Let's go see what she wants."
Chiri led Genqing and Mikoto to the front, opened the door, and welcomed Tsunade in.
"Come in and have a seat!"
"No thanks," Tsunade declined with a wave. "I'm just here for Genqing—won't take long."
"Oh? What's up?"
Both Chiri and Genqing were curious.
Tsunade scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"My teacher—uh, the Third Hokage—called me to the office yesterday."
"He's heard I've taken Genqing as a student… and he wants to meet him."
"Also, he's hoping Genqing can enroll in the Ninja Academy."
"Though personally, I think that's a complete waste of time…"
Given her medical discussions with Genqing the day before, Tsunade was convinced the boy was smarter than most adults. The academy had nothing to offer him.
She was sure the real reason was that the Third Hokage wanted to indoctrinate Genqing with the Will of Fire.
"Heh… good luck with that, old man," Tsunade thought darkly. "Genqing's not the kind of kid who can be brainwashed."
"Ninja Academy?" Genqing raised a brow, speechless. "No thanks."
"That kind of daycare's pointless. Our reformed clan academy is far better."
"Besides, my schedule's already packed with training and study. I don't have the time."
Though he did want to meet some promising peers and build connections, he wasn't interested in wasting hours each day in class.
"So… we're not going?" Tsunade blinked, a bit caught off guard.
Then she sensed Genqing's chakra.
Yesterday, he had barely started refining chakra—just a trace in his system.
But now?
His chakra reserves rivaled that of a jonin.
"He really is a prodigy in chakra as well… wow."
No way the academy could teach him anything useful.
"No! You're still going."
Before Genqing could say more, Chiri placed a hand on his head.
"You'll meet the Third Hokage, enroll formally, and get to know some classmates."
"Later, when the classes become redundant, you can use Shadow Clones to attend."
"Or ask Tsunade to request an exemption so you can focus on medical ninjutsu."
Graduating early wasn't an option yet—not until Genqing was strong enough to survive the Hokage's missions or Danzo's schemes.
"What do you think, Tsunade?"
Chiri looked at her.
"No problem! I'd love that!"
Tsunade grinned.
"It's exactly what I was hoping for!"
Then both of them turned to Genqing with matching smiles.
"Well, Genqing? What do you think?"
Genqing: "...."
Do I really have a choice here?