Talent System In The Naruto Universe

"I'll heal you," Hanekawa said, stepping toward Kakashi Hatake.

"No need," Kakashi replied, shaking his head.

"You're sparring with Might Guy next. Save your chakra."

"I still have plenty of chakra," Hanekawa said, raising his hand.

Mystical Palm Technique!

A soft green glow of chakra emanated from his hand, enveloping Kakashi's abdomen.

Hanekawa wasn't lying.

Though he hadn't fully mastered the Yin Seal, his forehead had already accumulated a large reserve of chakra.

If needed, he could tap into it at any time.

It would slow the progress of his Yin Seal training slightly, but not enough to matter.

"..."

Kakashi's mouth twitched.

He'd thought Hanekawa's chakra was nearly depleted after using so many Water Release techniques, but the reality was far from it.

In comparison, Kakashi's chakra reserves were almost completely drained.

"Kakashi, how are you?" asked Asuma Sarutobi, walking over.

"I'm fine," Kakashi replied, shaking his head.

"That's good."

Asuma patted his shoulder comfortingly. "Don't worry about losing. You've already lost so many times anyway."

"..."

Kakashi was speechless.

If you can't comfort someone properly, just don't try.

"Hanekawa used the Water Release I taught him to win. It's only natural!" Kurenai Yuhi said with a bright smile.

It was obvious to everyone that Hanekawa's Water Release techniques had caused Kakashi a lot of trouble, even though the finishing blow came from the Rasengan.

"You deserve half the credit," Hanekawa said, patting her on the head.

"Of course!" Kurenai glanced at Kakashi and added, "Once I master enough Water Release techniques, I'll definitely be just as strong!"

"..."

Kakashi remained silent.

Women really hold grudges, he thought.

Kurenai was clearly still bitter about losing to him before.

"You're both amazing," Rin Nohara said enviously.

Compared to them, she knew she still had a long way to go.

"Rin, you're a medical-nin. There's no need to compare yourself to them," Obito Uchiha said, pausing before adding, "Once I awaken my three-tomoe Sharingan, you'll all see how amazing I am!"

"You've been saying that for years," Asuma couldn't help but retort.

"Three years became six, then nine—it's been nearly ten years now!"

"This time, I mean it!" Obito's face flushed red as he stubbornly replied. "The three-tomoe Sharingan is different!"

"Hanekawa-senpai just finished one fight and has another coming up. Let's not disturb his chakra recovery," Shisui Uchiha interjected, coughing to change the subject.

Though he didn't particularly like Obito's personality, they were both Uchihas, so he decided to help him save face.

"Exactly, Obito," Rin said in agreement.

To her, Obito's boasting at this moment was out of place.

Damn it!

Even Rin's siding with him now?

Obito gritted his teeth but eventually stayed silent.

"Is it my turn now?" Might Guy said, his voice filled with excitement. "I can't wait to have a youthful duel with Hanekawa!"

"Guy, there's still half an hour before your match," Shizune reminded him.

"Huh?"

Might Guy froze for two seconds before recovering. "No problem! The longer I wait, the more fired up my youth gets!"

In the Stands

During the break, many spectators were discussing the earlier match.

Hanekawa and Kakashi Hatake's strength and status made them a hot topic.

Their performance was so remarkable that even experienced ninjas and villagers were impressed.

Normally, battles between genin were dismissed as clumsy brawls involving basic jutsu and scrappy tactics. But Hanekawa and Kakashi were on a completely different level.

Their use of complex jutsu made them appear closer to jonin than genin.

From the high platform, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded approvingly. "Those two are exceptional."

Standing beside him, Jiraiya agreed. "I've traveled the ninja world and met many geniuses, but none more impressive than them."

Then he paused, as if recalling someone.

Actually, there was one.

Years ago, in Amegakure, he had taken on a student named Nagato.

Nagato, who possessed the Rinnegan, had unparalleled talent, mastering most ninjutsu in just three years.

"The most important thing is that they're still so young," Hiruzen said with a pleased smile.

At only eleven or twelve years old, their strength already surpassed most chunin.

The only thing separating them from jonin was experience, which time would inevitably provide.

These two truly represent a bright future for Konoha.

"When they grow up, they'll undoubtedly carry the village forward," Hiruzen said, clearly optimistic.

"You might be able to retire early, old man," Jiraiya teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Someone still needs to take over as Hokage first," Hiruzen shot back, glaring at him. "Who among you will do it?"

"Not me."

Jiraiya took a step back. "I'm leaving tomorrow."

"..."

Hiruzen was left speechless.

It had taken him great effort to keep Jiraiya in the village as the proctor for the chunin exams, but less than a week in, the man was already itching to leave.

Honestly, even if Jiraiya were willing to become Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi might not agree.

He feared Konoha would end up being influenced by Mount Myoboku.

If a bunch of ninja ran off searching for the "Child of Prophecy," Hiruzen might very well suicide.

---

"It seems Hanekawa has the upper hand!"

Not far away, Kushina Uzumaki glanced at Minato Namikaze and asked with a smile, "What do you think?"

"Kakashi is indeed slightly inferior," Minato nodded, though he felt a bit strange.

Both his students, Kakashi Hatake and Obito Uchiha, had lost to the Rasengan.

Would Might Guy also lose to the Rasengan next?

Am I the hidden cause of my students' failures?

No, even without the Rasengan, Hanekawa has immense raw power.

They lost simply because Hanekawa was too strong.

Minato quickly brushed off his random thoughts.

"Didn't you teach them the Rasengan?" Tsunade asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Lady Tsunade, not everyone can learn the Rasengan as easily as Hanekawa," Minato replied, shaking his head.

The Rasengan, with its A-rank difficulty, was the pinnacle of chakra shape manipulation.

Might Guy, with his Eight Gates technique, didn't need to learn it—and couldn't anyway, given his poor ninjutsu aptitude.

Obito Uchiha lacked sufficient chakra control and overall strength.

The only one capable of learning it was Kakashi Hatake, but he had opted to develop the Chidori instead.

For Kakashi, the Chidori was more suitable.

The gap between the two techniques wasn't significant anyway.

"True," Tsunade said, a faint smile on her lips. "That brat learns everything so quickly."

Still, she was slightly annoyed that Hanekawa hadn't used any of the techniques she'd taught him yet.

Not medical ninjutsu, not even her monstrous strength—it was all genjutsu, swordsmanship, Water Release, and Lightning Release.

How is anyone supposed to tell he's my student?

---

"It's break time now. I'll go check on Hanekawa," Tsunade said, vanishing the moment she finished speaking.

"Lady Tsunade really cares about Hanekawa," Kushina said with a chuckle.

Minato thought of his own teacher, Jiraiya.

Jiraiya and Tsunade were teammates, yet his treatment couldn't compare to Hanekawa's.

---

At the edge of the arena, Hanekawa and the others were resting on chairs.

When they saw Tsunade approaching, they quickly stood up to greet her.

"Hmm," Tsunade nodded in acknowledgment before saying, "Hanekawa, come with me."

Hanekawa got up and followed her to a nearby clearing.

"How's your chakra?" Tsunade asked, placing her hand on his forehead.

"No issues," Hanekawa replied, catching a faint whiff of her fragrance.

"You performed well," Tsunade said, ruffling his hair. "The Eight Gates technique is formidable. Are you confident about the next match?"

"I am," Hanekawa said with a smile. "I won't let you down."

"Is that so?" Tsunade shot him a sideways glance and asked, "Then why aren't you using the techniques I taught you?"

"Of course, I'm saving them for the most important match," Hanekawa said with a straight face.

"You little brat," Tsunade huffed. "Fine, but if I'm not satisfied, you'll regret it when we get home!"

Hanekawa felt a strange sense of tension, as though her words carried a hint of domestic authority.

"I'll make sure you're satisfied!" Hanekawa replied earnestly.

"Rest up. I'm leaving now," Tsunade said, turning to leave.

---

Half an hour passed quickly.

"The final match of the Chunin Exams: Hanekawa vs. Might Guy!" Inoichi Yamanaka announced loudly.

The audience immediately quieted and turned their attention to Hanekawa and Might Guy.

The earlier matches had been thrilling, and this last one promised to be just as spectacular.

"Let's go, Hanekawa!" Might Guy said enthusiastically. "A youthful battle starts now!"

You sure are full of energy, Hanekawa thought, raising his hands to form the Tiger Seal.

Leaf Hurricane!

As soon as Hanekawa finished the seal, Guy stepped forward, his right leg spinning with green energy.

Hanekawa countered with his own spinning kick.

Their legs collided, generating a powerful shockwave.

Guy stumbled back two steps, his regular strength falling short of Hanekawa's.

Dynamic Leaf Hurricane!

Guy shouted, his body surging with faint green chakra, particularly concentrated in his right leg.

He shot forward like an arrow, moving at incredible speed.

Leaf Rock-Rising!

Hanekawa remained still, raising his right arm to counter with an elbow strike.

Boom!

The collision sent shockwaves rippling outward, forcing both of them to take a step back.

"Let's go again!" Guy exclaimed, his excitement palpable.

For him, moments like these were rare.

Taijutsu specialists were scarce, and finding one who could match him—especially a peer like Hanekawa—was even rarer.

Hanekawa, aiming to improve his taijutsu skills, refrained from using ninjutsu and fought purely with taijutsu.

In an instant, the two clashed again, their movements so fast that their punches and kicks became a blur.

__

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