A jutsu's rank reflects how difficult it is to master, and generally speaking, higher-ranked techniques carry greater power and threat. But this isn't always the case—especially for users of Water Release and Fire Release. For these elemental natures, their effectiveness depends less on cultivation level and more on chakra output.
A classic example is the Uchiha clan's Great Fireball Technique. Though classified as a mere C-rank ninjutsu, its destructive power can range from scorching someone's face to reducing them to ashes depending on who uses it. At the end of the day, chakra reserve growth represents the foundation of a ninja's overall potential.
Whether Haseo's chakra reserves turn out strong or weak isn't something you can determine in just a short time. His true potential won't become clear until he reaches thirty and becomes a fully matured ninja. One thing's for sure though—he'll never match the Senju or Uzumaki clans who inherited the Sage's physical strength.
So the secret medicine Sansho provided him was extremely valuable. Without question, it would greatly help Haseo improve both his basic physical qualities and continuously expand his chakra capacity.
Innate constitution cannot be changed, and precisely because of that, effort after birth becomes crucial... Why was the Second Hokage so obsessed with creating forbidden techniques? Wasn't it partly forced by his own genius older brother?
The Second devoted himself to developing various ninjutsu, preferring schemes, strategies, and trickery. In contrast, when the First encountered problems, he didn't need any complicated methods—he simply attacked opponents directly with Wood Release and Sage Arts. Those on the receiving end had no choice but to bite the bullet and say through gritted teeth, "Nice move."
Strength alone cannot solve everything, but if you're as powerful as Hashirama Senju, at least 99% of issues will be handled effortlessly. That's why the First created a world of calm seas and united clans, bringing peace and harmony to the entire ninja realm. He seemed cheerful and easygoing, but do you really think his system was easily accepted by the whole shinobi world? No—it was accepted only by those he'd already beaten up. As for those who refused to acknowledge his system until death? Well, they were killed anyway. What could anyone do? When faced with absolute power, even the hardest bones get shattered.
The difference between the First and Second Hokage perfectly illustrates the gap between a born genius and an elite forged through relentless effort. As for Haseo, however, he dared not aspire toward such brilliance. He knew he wasn't built like a genius—striving to become an elite was challenge enough for his entire life...
Bloodline will always remain an unavoidable topic when discussing a ninja's upper limits. Even the First and Second were brothers born of the same bloodline, yet how can one explain the massive disparity between them?
Anyway, determined to become a capable ninja, Haseo began enduring the painful routine of swallowing pills every single day. He'd give the secret medicine a full try first and see how things worked out.
Just one week later, a peculiar medicinal scent formed by multiple precious herbs began emanating from his body. At the same time, he clearly felt tremendous changes happening inside him.
How should one put it?
His entire being felt full and swollen, a sensation somewhat akin to an impacted wisdom tooth continuously pushing forward against the molars, until the previously tight dental arches became completely crowded—as if his mouth was now entirely filled with teeth. Except now, Haseo had "teeth all over his body," amplifying that feeling countless times over.
During this period, if he didn't release a [Water Dragon Jutsu] now and then, he would feel utterly uneasy all over.
After noticing how the secret medicine changed him, Haseo decided he wasn't going to stop taking it. Aside from the medicine, Haseo was also undergoing training in chakra control. He quickly mastered the basics—like climbing walls and walking on water.
By nature, he was meticulous. Pair that with a mature mindset inside a young, energetic body, and as long as the training was reasonable, those basic tasks weren't hard for him at all.
In addition, Sansho would occasionally hand Haseo some Water Release ninjutsu scrolls, explain the characteristics of each technique, then let him practice independently. Even though she didn't talk much and couldn't use the techniques herself, based on firsthand experience, Haseo truly believed Sansho was a great teacher.
Sansho gave Haseo many ninjutsu scrolls but never acted recklessly or indiscriminately. The [Water Dragon Jutsu] could be seen as the most difficult B-rank Water Release technique. Using that as a benchmark, everything Sansho currently taught Haseo stayed below B-rank difficulty, so there was absolutely no reason why he shouldn't master them.
Sansho excelled at teaching chakra control, elemental transformation, and ninjutsu itself. However, one area she simply couldn't help with was Taijutsu training.
In many ways, Taijutsu relied on physical experience and muscle memory; its best form came through actual combat. Explaining Taijutsu verbally, no matter how eloquently, proved essentially useless. Therefore, she struggled somewhat helplessly in this aspect.
Taijutsu was a huge part of a ninja's combat power. Someone who only knew ninjutsu but lacked physical prowess wouldn't qualify as a ninja—but rather a "mage"... And in a world where battles were fast and up-close, any "mage" wouldn't even survive a minute.
If Haseo couldn't reach at least a passing level of proficiency in Taijutsu, it would become his fatal flaw. With his teacher unable to assist further, improvement in this area had to come solely from his own exploration and effort... Fortunately, during a prior mission, he met an ideal sparring partner.
Sakumo Hatake, nine years and two months old at the time, already stood out thanks to his sharp Taijutsu skills and unique sword techniques—an average Chunin wouldn't stand a chance against him.
Out of respect for Haseo's request, they sparred almost every day. Within ten seconds of every fight, Hatake's chakra-infused tanto would slash toward Haseo's throat from angles he never saw coming.
On one of the training grounds not far from Konoha's Relief Infirmary, the scene yet again froze at the moment of Haseo's defeat.
Although the tip of Hatake's chakra-infused tanto hovered just outside Haseo's skin, its chilling menace still spread invisibly throughout his limbs and internal organs.
The battle against Hatake was extremely intense. Haseo felt as if he were truly fighting for his life—every day, he could die dozens of times during their sparring sessions. Hatake's sword techniques and taijutsu were purely practical, combat-oriented skills, and given his experience, he naturally had no concept of holding back.
Hatake subjected Haseo to training that mimicked real battlefield conditions as closely as possible. These past few days, Haseo had indeed benefited greatly from it. Relatively speaking, though, Hatake himself gained nothing from these matches; he only kept training with him out of a spirit of internationalism.
"Haseo, you have to make hand seals! Why aren't you using ninjutsu when fighting me? Relying solely on taijutsu is unrealistic," Hatake complained after one day's training ended.
Although Haseo felt he had learned a lot, in Hatake's eyes, he hadn't improved much.
"First off, even if I wanted to form hand seals, there's no chance to do so while you're constantly attacking. Second, my goal was specifically taijutsu practice. Using ninjutsu would defeat the purpose," Haseo replied.
If Sakumo thought that other ninja could become just like him after only a few training sessions, then he was very mistaken. Perhaps right now, he still lacked some self-awareness and hadn't yet realized exactly what kind of ninja he really was.
"In any case, let's end today's session here. Also, I won't be able to come around for the next few days—I received new mission orders today."
"A mission?" Haseo simply nodded in understanding. He didn't ask for the details—he knew ninja missions were usually classified. However, the fact that even a ninja like Hatake was being sent out again just proved how short-handed Konoha still was. Before long, ninja like Haseo would probably also start receiving field assignments.
"Do you have anything to say before I head out on my mission?" Before leaving, Hatake asked Haseo.
"Combat-wise… none. You have more experience than me. But if it's life advice you're looking for, sure, I can offer something…" Haseo said while placing a hand on Hatake's shoulder, acting mysteriously. "Why not have a son named Shunshō Tō? And one last thing—don't go pulling any stupid stunts. Remember, once you're dead, you're done."
Haseo didn't really believe Hatake's upcoming mission posed any real danger, so he made the joke—though Hatake remained as expressionless and unfazed as ever.
What Haseo didn't realize, though, was that every word of nonsense he spoke and every moment of their earlier training had been heard and seen by someone else.
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