Gradually…
The sparring session ended.
Looking at the ground shattered by Kazuku's monstrous strength, Might Batsu could hardly believe this was the power of a seven-year-old.
His gaze shifted upward, landing on Kazuku's youthful face.
"With this growth rate, in at most three months, you'll surpass me."
Batsu wasn't flattering—he genuinely believed it.
Especially Kazuku's Painful Sky Leg, which fused monstrous strength with the Eight Gates.
Though not yet polished, its destructive power was likely unbearable for any ninja.
Especially those lacking speed.
Like Danzo.
One kick from Kazuku, and Danzo would be crippled, if not dead.
Most crucially, Kazuku was only seven, his body far from fully developed.
His muscles and bones hadn't reached their prime.
Otherwise, his strength would be even more terrifying.
Even so, Batsu firmly believed Kazuku could surpass him in taijutsu within three months.
Nearby, Hiruzen and the others, hiding in the bushes, were floored by Batsu's words!
To them, Batsu's brain was as simple as a single-celled organism.
Blunt, guileless, without schemes.
Fawning over Kazuku just because he was Hashirama's grandson? Impossible for Batsu.
So…
If Batsu said it…
He truly believed Kazuku could surpass him in three months!
"Three months." Koharu collapsed to the ground, eyes wide with shock, staring at Kazuku, who'd once saved her.
When they first met, she saw him as a little brother.
Someone to protect.
Now, the gap between them was suffocating.
Protect Kazuku?
What a joke.
When he became a ninja, she'd be lucky not to hold him back.
"Surpass Might Batsu in three months." Danzo sucked in a breath.
Though Batsu was weak in ninjutsu and genjutsu, mocked as the "dead last" in ninja school…
After Tobirama taught him the Eight Gates, his strength skyrocketed.
His journey was near-legendary.
Exaggeration aside, those who knew Batsu believed his taijutsu was second only to Hashirama and Tobirama.
"Did I hear wrong?" Uchiha Kagami questioned his own ears.
"You didn't, Kagami. Batsu really said that," Hiruzen shook his head, a bitter smile forming.
"You know what's scariest?"
"The scariest part is, Kazuku's only seven this year. Even three months from now… he'll still be seven…"
As Hiruzen emphasized this, everyone froze.
Right.
Kazuku was seven.
Even three months later…
He'd still be seven.
This meant…
A seven-year-old Kazuku would surpass Batsu, becoming one of Konoha's top taijutsu masters!
But…
Was that possible?
Everyone's pupils dilated, refocusing on Kazuku's small frame.
Almost simultaneously, the same thought hit them.
Very possible!
Though the idea was outrageous, defying logic and common sense!
From the moment they met Kazuku, hadn't everything he did defied logic?
"Let's go, Hiruzen…" Danzo, silent until now, spoke.
Hiruzen and the others shifted their gazes from Kazuku to Danzo.
"We're training."
Danzo had given up completely.
He and Kazuku were never in the same world.
Chasing him was a pipe dream.
"Among us, no one can compare to Kazuku. His talent is too terrifying."
"All I want now is to train and get stronger."
Danzo spilled his thoughts.
With Kazuku's insane growth…
A top taijutsu master in three months.
How could he compete?
The gap between people was set at birth.
Kazuku was born at a finish line they'd never reach!
He didn't just inherit Hashirama's unique Seal-less Healing.
He was born with extraordinary chakra reserves!
And no one questioned why Kazuku had such immense chakra.
In their minds, he didn't just inherit Hashirama's bloodline.
He had a quarter Uzumaki blood too!
"You're right, Danzo. For ordinary people like us, chasing Kazuku was absurd from the start!" Hiruzen agreed, turning to leave.
"I need to get stronger. Catching Kazuku's impossible, but I can't let the gap widen too far."
Meanwhile…
Tobirama, hiding in the other bushes, was shocked again!
His chakra perception surpassed even Hashirama's.
When Kazuku used Painful Sky Leg, he noticed something Hiruzen's group missed.
That kick's power didn't come from the Eight Gates.
It was…
Monstrous strength!
"Normal monstrous strength involves precise chakra control, spreading it across the body for an explosive burst, creating powerful shockwaves."
Tobirama's heart surged with awe.
"But Kazuku's Painful Sky Leg concentrated chakra at one point, bursting instantly for greater power."
"This… is an improvement on monstrous strength!"
Though improving a technique wasn't the same as creating one, for a seven-year-old to do so was astounding.
"Kazuku's not just growing fast in combat—he's innovating."
Tobirama's eyes burned with excitement.
"Maybe in the future, he'll develop ninjutsu that'll leave me in awe!"
As the person in question, Kazuku was unaware of Tobirama and Hiruzen's spying.
He couldn't sense chakra, after all.
"Three months?"
"Didn't expect Teacher Batsu to rate me so highly."
Kazuku mused.
To Batsu and the others, he was a legendary genius.
They didn't know about his check-in system.
This meant, even without new gift pack rewards, he could surpass Batsu in three months through effort!
Speaking of gift packs…
Kazuku glanced at the check-in system.
The cooldown was nearly over.
Time for another joyful check-in.
(End of Chapter)