"You really are something else…"
Asuma took back his trench knives, a wry smile tugging at his lips.
This was too fast.
Way too fast.
"You misunderstand," Souma quickly clarified. "I've been thinking about sword techniques for a while now — I just didn't have a chakra-conductive weapon to test its full power."
That statement finally soothed Asuma's heart a bit.
At least Souma hadn't instantly mastered a brand-new technique on the spot.
Not immediately evolving and improving right in front of him — because that would've broken his will to live.
But still…
That one slash Souma performed…
Its value was enormous.
If Asuma could fuse Souma's technique into his Jin Ichimonji style, it would perfect the strike.
The problem?
He couldn't.
Not because of pride, but simply because the skill ceiling was too high.
Souma's slash required terrifying chakra control — far beyond Asuma's level, even as a jōnin.
"You youngsters… truly fearsome."
Asuma sighed.
"It's really just vibration and detonation layered together. Separately, each one is easier."
Asuma fell silent for several seconds.
He chose not to comment on Souma's concept of "a little difficult" versus "simple."
Combined, the technique required S-rank chakra control —
And that was only because Konoha's difficulty scale ended at S.
Separating them didn't make things easy, just possible.
Difficult, yes — but achievable if one worked hard.
"Ahem… I'll give it a try later. Oh, right — that explosive acceleration technique you used?"
Asuma felt a bit embarrassed asking, but that movement technique was unbelievably practical.
"Oh, that? Just a small application of chakra detonation. It's essentially this technique."
Souma raised his fist—
BOOM!
A crater formed beneath his feet.
Super Strength?
No — that wasn't Tsunade's monstrous strength.
Asuma examined the ground, realizing—
This was Souma's own version of the technique.
A self-made "pseudo-super-strength," refined until even his legs could use it freely.
Yet another technique beyond normal reach.
Asuma's shame deepened.
He tossed a scroll toward Souma, muttering:
"This is a ninjutsu I've been developing recently. You can use it as reference. And… good luck in the exams."
He escaped immediately.
He had to.
If he stayed any longer, he would be forced into unpaid labor as Souma's free teacher—
And after giving away a Wind-style technique just now, he had nothing left to trade.
"Thank you, Asuma-senpai."
Souma opened the scroll, genuinely grateful.
Inside was a ninjutsu Asuma had agonized over — a technique allowing long-range manipulation of wind-infused weapons.
No name yet, but Souma recognized it instantly—
Wind Release: Gale Cutter (Aka 'Severing Gust' / 'Kaze no Yaiba' derivative).
He couldn't use Wind Release, but the principles were worth studying.
Who knows — maybe Tenten would develop Wind-style chakra someday.
Pity the chakra blade wouldn't be finished before the exam.
"But one strand of chakra wire is enough against most opponents. Orochimaru shouldn't target me directly — he probably still sees me as a potential recruit."
The Fourth Kazekage, though…
Souma had no idea what that man was plotting.
From the moment he gained power, the Kazekage's goal had always been weakening Konoha and elevating Suna.
He might have other tricks planned for this exam.
But no matter what, he couldn't act openly.
Suna was too weak compared to Konoha.
As for the jinchūriki…
Souma had studied sealing enough recently.
If Gaara participated, Souma didn't mind giving Suna a more stable seal.
"Anyway… I should decide what I want to observe during the exam."
He opened his notebook.
Good memories weren't as reliable as good notes.
He wrote the first item:
Puppetry (Puppet Techniques) — including ninja tool control
Suna's most unique art.
Next—
Wind Release; 3. Sealing Techniques.
Suna's wind techniques were exceptional.
As for sealing, he wasn't interested in their artifacts but rather—
Binding Cloth Technique
Hidden Cloth Technique
Both were rare and unique to Suna.
This exam was the perfect opportunity.
Suna would field as many genin as possible to maintain face.
Ironically, being on the enemy's home turf meant more techniques for Souma to study.
He closed his notebook, exhaling lightly.
At that moment, his senses tingled.
Someone was watching him.
Probably that old peeping pervert — the Third Hokage.
…
Hokage's Office
The Third Hokage and Kakashi stared at the crystal ball in silence.
After a long moment, Hiruzen shut down the scrying technique.
They exchanged weary looks.
"Ahem… Hokage-sama?" Kakashi finally spoke.
"We'll still go," Hiruzen said helplessly. "You saw it yourself. Souma wants to go. He already wrote out his entire plan in that notebook."
A bitter smile crept onto his face.
"And here we were… worrying about his safety."
Kakashi sighed.
Smart? Yes.
But reckless? Also yes.
He scratched his head.
"I'll ask the kids what they think. If they're willing to participate… I'll just have to watch them closely."
"Good. Oh, and take this."
Hiruzen handed him a pair of glasses.
Kakashi blinked in confusion—
until he tried them on.
His eyes widened.
The improved Telescope Technique?
Souma's and Tenten's doing, clearly.
Hiruzen smiled.
"Tenten submitted the design. I added a few sealing formulas for you."
"Thank you!"
Kakashi bowed deeply.
With these lenses, he could suppress the Sharingan.
Not fully, of course — but enough to reduce chakra drain significantly.
"I feel much more at ease now," Kakashi admitted.
He had worried leaving the kids would cause issues, but with these tools…
"They're all proper shinobi now."
Then he hesitated.
"Hokage-sama… if Souma becomes a Chūnin, who will replace me?"
Hiruzen exhaled a thin stream of smoke.
"Genma — Shiranui Genma."
Kakashi froze.
Hiruzen smiled faintly.
"With Souma's talent, I want him to attempt the Flying Thunder God. Even if he can't learn it, he'll provide brilliant insights."
Kakashi nodded in agreement.
But his expression grew complicated.
"Something on your mind?" Hiruzen asked.
Kakashi cleared his throat.
"…I just hope Genma has the psychological endurance for this."
He paused.
"If I could recommend someone… I'd choose Tenzo instead."
After all—
Even he, Hatake Kakashi, had been constantly terrified of being "reverse-taught."
How would poor Genma survive?
Hiruzen raised a brow.
"Is it really that bad?"
"You can ask Asuma."
"…"
Hiruzen suddenly felt… uneasy.
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