"Well, then we really should thank Mr. Iruka." Sinai was a little surprised, then smiled warmly.
Xia Ji's chakra reserves were far beyond her expectations — and that was without even mentioning his extraction ability. She remembered that both she and Xia Ji's father had average chakra levels. She hadn't expected Xia Ji to be this exceptional.
Of course, it wasn't pure coincidence. Both of Xia Ji's parents were ninjas, so his natural chakra capacity was decent to begin with. But more importantly, he had never slacked off in his training over the years. When it came to his physical growth, he had never treated himself poorly.
"By the way, little Xia Ji, you must have seen the Three Basic Jutsu before, right? How do you feel about them? If there's anything you don't understand, I can demonstrate. I may not be great at explaining, but I can still show you." Sinai's lips curled into a smile.
"I've already learned them all," Xia Ji replied.
"Hm? Hmm?" Sinai nodded absentmindedly, then froze. She stared at her son with wide eyes. She knew his character well — he wouldn't lie about something like this. But… learned them all? On the first try?
Xia Ji noticed her stunned expression, smiled, and quickly formed a hand seal. A puff of white smoke appeared.
The next moment, two Sinais — one big, one small — faced each other. Xia Ji could have matched her exact height with more chakra, but there was no need to waste it just to show off.
Sinai looked at the miniature version of herself and was briefly dazed. Not only could he use the Transformation Jutsu, but his control was already high. Aside from the difference in height, the transformation was so precise that without careful observation, she might have mistaken it for the real thing.
After dropping the transformation, Xia Ji swiftly performed the Clone Jutsu and the Substitution Jutsu in succession. His hand seals were already faster than before — about two seconds for the Clone Jutsu, and just over two seconds for the Substitution Jutsu — not yet at his personal fastest, but still impressive.
To Sinai, it was incredible. She herself didn't perform those jutsu much faster.
At that moment, she finally understood her child's talent. She had known he would be good, but this was beyond "good" — this was the ability of an absolute genius.
Still, even geniuses walk a dangerous path as ninjas. Sinai sighed softly, but didn't try to stop him. After a moment of thought, she walked into her room.
Xia Ji tilted his head in puzzlement.
When she returned, Sinai held several scrolls and handed them to him.
"What's this?" Xia Ji asked, surprised.
"These are ninjutsu scrolls. The ones we've exchanged before were all C-rank. Actually, the Shadow Clone I just gave you was meant to be traded by your father for a B-rank Wind Release technique — Vacuum Sphere — but since your C-rank ninjutsu weren't fully mastered yet, he held off on exchanging it." Sinai's voice was calm, as if she'd long accepted it. "I planned to give these to you after you officially became a ninja, but with your talent, I don't want you wasting time. I'll give them to you now."
"With your ability, you should learn them quickly. Even so, I'll remind you — know your limits, and never push yourself too far."
"I understand," Xia Ji said seriously. He opened the scrolls. There were four in total, all C-rank: Wind Release: Gale Palm, Wind Release: Wind Cutter, Wind Release: Breakthrough, and Lightning Release: Electromagnetic Step.
The Wind Release techniques were from his late father — a good set, really. A large-scale attack, a precise cutting strike, and a close-range wind palm. With these, there was little need to exchange for other C-rank Wind Release jutsu.
The Lightning Release technique, though, was probably from his mother. He remembered it wasn't very practical in most situations, since battles often happened on land. It worked best when combined with Water Release to channel electricity.
Still, Xia Ji didn't plan to learn these right away. His chakra reserves were enough to perform them, but even at minimal power, they'd drain him quickly. That would make practice inefficient.
It was better to keep refining the low-cost Clone Jutsu, and to learn the Shadow Clone Technique. Although it was B-rank, it didn't require much control beyond dividing chakra evenly. Its duration depended on how much chakra was used. If he only maintained it without forcing chakra through it, it should last a while even with his current reserves.
"Well, Mom, I'll head out now," Xia Ji said, putting the scrolls away.
"Alright. Make sure you thank Mr. Iruka properly. If you get the chance, come to the barbecue restaurant where I work — I'll arrange the freshest ingredients for you," Sinai said.
"I'd like that, but I doubt Mr. Iruka will agree," Xia Ji replied.
"What a good teacher," Sinai murmured with a sigh. "It's a blessing to meet someone like him."
Outside Ichiraku Ramen, Xia Ji arrived early. Iruka hadn't shown up yet. He glanced at the bustling shop, quietly noting that business was as good as ever.
It was no wonder — the taste was excellent, and the prices were fair. Teuchi, the owner, also looked younger than he did in the anime.
"Xia Ji? You came this early?" Iruka asked in surprise when he arrived. He had thought he was early, but Xia Ji was already waiting.
"Well, since I'm the one treating you, I should come earlier," Xia Ji said.
"It would've been fine to come later," Iruka chuckled, scratching his head. This boy really didn't act like a child sometimes.
"Mr. Iruka, let's go in," Xia Ji said simply.
"Alright." Iruka still felt as though he was talking to a peer, not a kid.
"Uncle Teuchi, two of the most deluxe ramen, please," Xia Ji said as they sat.
"Oh? Xia Ji, something special today?" Teuchi asked. Normally, Xia Ji didn't order the cheapest ramen, but he also didn't splurge on the most expensive. He always made sure his meals had plenty of meat, eggs, and milk for his growth — never shortchanging himself.
"Yeah, today was full of surprises," Xia Ji said with a small nod. Between mastering the basic jutsu, learning Shadow Clone, and receiving new techniques, it truly had been.
"Xia Ji, you don't have to spend so much," Iruka said.
"It's fine, Mr. Iruka. In fact, this doesn't feel like enough — unless you agree to come to the barbecue restaurant with me next time. You know my mom works there, and it'll be cheaper," Xia Ji said earnestly.
"Let's talk about that another time," Iruka said with a sheepish smile.
Xia Ji didn't push. He simply sat back and waited for the ramen.
During the wait, Iruka glanced at him a few times, looking hesitant.
"If you have something to say, Mr. Iruka, just ask. I'll answer if I can," Xia Ji said.
"…Was it that obvious?" Iruka chuckled awkwardly, then grew serious. "Xia Ji, I want to ask… what do you think of Naruto Uzumaki?"
(End of Chapter)