"Not for nothing is it the System. This level can't even be called just the Flying Thunder God Technique anymore," Satoru noted admiringly, reviewing the details of the technique he received.
The System-granted Flying Thunder God Technique was divided into three stages. The first stage was no different from the techniques of the Second and Fourth Hokage: leave a Hiraishin mark on a stationary object, then teleport to it instantly.
The Second Hokage, using kunai with first-stage Hiraishin marks and his sword, created the "Flying Thunder God Slash," with which he defeated Uchiha Izuna.
What was called the "Second Stage of Flying Thunder God" was the result of reforms and innovations by the Fourth Hokage. He greatly simplified the Hiraishin mark and, teleporting above the opponent, would slam a Rasengan into them.
However, to be honest, Minato's so-called "Second Stage Flying Thunder God" wasn't much different from the Second Hokage's "Flying Thunder God Slash." Both first closed in on the opponent with kunai, then immediately attacked to finish them. The only difference was that the Fourth Hokage used Hiraishin more tactically.
He scattered numerous kunai with marks, and no one knew where he'd appear next.
But the second stage of the Flying Thunder God Technique from the System far surpassed their level of use.
The user could apply a Hiraishin mark directly to any chakra-containing ninjutsu technique, such as Shadow Cloning, Body Replacement Technique, Transformation Technique, and so on.
For example, if someone attacked the System holder and he used the Body Replacement Technique, the struck log would bear a Hiraishin mark.
Then, the moment the enemy got distracted, Satoru could emerge from that log and instantly destroy him.
Thus, once the orphan properly mastered the second stage of the Flying Thunder God Technique, he wouldn't need to pre-place marks anymore. Just using Shadow Clone Shuriken Technique would automatically place Hiraishin marks on all shuriken in the area!
And those marks would be invisible to the naked eye.
As for the third stage, it was utterly unattainable for ordinary people. Successfully mastering the third stage allowed free movement to any point in this world.
However, at the moment, the third stage of the Flying Thunder God Technique seemed completely unreachable to the reincarnate.
"Seems like the main thing now is to master the first stage of the Flying Thunder God Technique."
Said and done. The boy immediately dove headfirst into training.
* * *
The night passed quickly. Satoru slept soundly until morning and woke up on his own, without an alarm. And immediately sensed something was off.
"Damn! How could I forget that today is team assignments?!" The genius, not even properly freshening up, threw on his clothes and dashed to the Ninja Academy at full speed.
Entering his classroom, he found most students already gone. Only two figures remained.
"Sorry, I'm late," Satoru, suppressing his innate pride, apologized immediately. After all, waiting in the class was none other than Minato.
"No problem, Satoru," the golden-haired youth smiled. "Allow me to introduce you. This is Senju Yoshime from the Senju Clan." He looked at the girl standing beside him.
This girl didn't have golden hair like Tsunade but bright purple hair that looked very striking. Her facial features were very delicate and refined, her skin soft and smooth, and her eyes held youthful innocence.
"So you're Satoru? The four-year-old kid who even beat Chunin?" The girl named Yoshime looked at Satoru with great interest. She didn't seem to fully believe in his strength.
"Hi. I'm Satoru. Everyone else left, so why are you two still here?" the boy asked immediately.
"We were waiting for you, of course. Teacher assigned the three of us to one team," Senju replied. "Teacher told us to wait for you in the classroom, then head to the training ground together. Seems we have some important mission."
"Sorry, I was training too hard. Well then, let's go now," Apparently, he'd also have to earn recognition from his new team leader.
But the girl shook her head:
"No rush. Teacher said to meet after lunch. And he also gave us one task: teach you a lesson for being late."
"Sorry, Satoru, our teacher really said that," Namikaze, understanding the awkwardness, tried to smooth it over. "But maybe we can skip it? Yoshime?"
"No. The Teacher's words are law, we must obey them," the girl objected. "Besides, I want to get to know you properly myself, Satoru."
She looked at him and continued.
"Both you and Minato are called Konoha's geniuses. Though my light isn't as bright as yours, I'm still one of the few in the Senju Clan who possesses Kekkei Genkai."
"I want to fight you!" Yoshime declared firmly, looking straight into Satoru's eyes. He immediately realized that this girl was no pushover.
Without thinking long, Satoru smiled right away:
"Fine, I'm all for it! In that case, let's head to the training ground and fight. Minato can be the judge."
"If that's how it is, nothing to be done," the young genius replied, embarrassed. But what could he do? Since they were about to become members of the same team, they needed to figure out who was stronger.
* * *
Satoru and his two new comrades stepped out onto the training ground. Naruto's future father immediately announced:
"Get ready... Begin!"
However, though the command rang out, neither opponent moved from their spot.
They silently, as if by agreement, stared intently at each other. Then, almost simultaneously, they charged into the attack.
"Wood Style: Shinra Tensei (Wood Release: All Creation)!" Senju didn't waste time and immediately used Wood Release ninjutsu. Countless vines burst from the ground, looking quite powerful.
"Where did she even come from?" Satoru was quite surprised.
"Among the Senju Clan, only Hashirama Senju could use Wood Style. Even Tobirama Senju didn't master this technique. And now some little girl uses it effortlessly?"
This struck Satoru as very strange, and he mentally addressed the System right away.
"Can you explain this to me? System?"
The System replied immediately:
"Greetings, Master. This girl named Senju Yoshime appeared in this world due to your arrival. As a result of causal connections, a completely new character emerged."
"This girl truly didn't exist in the original history. She appeared only thanks to your presence, by chance. So you must treat her with all seriousness. A Senju Clan member who wields Wood Style—both her abilities and her status deserve your attention." With this brief explanation, the System vanished.
"Got it! Just as I thought. In that case, no time for long thoughts. I just need to beat her!" Easier said than done. Facing Yoshime's vine attack, Satoru immediately revealed his trump card.
"Goro Goro Fruit!" At that very moment, the transmigrator's entire body was enveloped in lightning discharges. This lightning power didn't arise from chakra, so even if the Wood Style vines fully wrapped him, it wouldn't vanish but would continue radiating terrifying might.
***
Read the story months ahead of the public release — early chapters are available on my Patreon: Granulan