The Eight-Year-Old Me Became Hokage-Chapter 65: Surely No One Thinks This Jutsu Is Hard?

Tobirama stood frozen on the observation platform, his eyes wide with shock after witnessing the battle between Kazekaze and Uchiha Setsuna.

What... had he just witnessed?

Never in his wildest dreams had Tobirama imagined that Kazekaze would kill Uchiha Setsuna in a single exchange! This completely shattered his understanding of reality!

'It's not that I didn't expect Kazekaze to win.'

'I just never thought he'd win in such a manner!'

'Although Uchiha Setsuna is currently only a Genin, that's merely because he is from the Uchiha Clan.'

'In terms of raw strength, he's even stronger than Danzo.'

Tobirama sighed internally.

If Kazekaze had used the Gate of View... No. Even if he had only opened the Gate of Limit, Tobirama wouldn't have been this shocked.

He had long acknowledged Kazekaze's taijutsu. Under the condition of not using ninjutsu or genjutsu, in pure hand-to-hand combat, Tobirama believed that very few could stand against Kazekaze.

And yet... He hadn't even used the first gate of the Eight Gates and had defeated Uchiha Setsuna with just a single ninjutsu!

"And if I wasn't mistaken, Kazekaze only formed three hand seals when using Water Dragon Bullet!"

Although the Water Dragon Bullet was only a B-rank jutsu, it had exceptional versatility, making it one of the most practical Water Release techniques.

The only drawback was that it required forty-four hand seals to execute. If a user wasn't fast enough with their seals, they'd expose too many openings to their enemy. To counter Izuna Uchiha's Fire Release in battle, Tobirama had forcefully simplified Water Dragon Bullet to just three seals.

However... to pull off a simplified sequence like that, one needed an incredible talent for ninjutsu!

"So, it's not just taijutsu—Kazekaze is a monster in ninjutsu as well?"

Tobirama couldn't help but sigh. True geniuses, no matter the field, excel in everything.

'I never taught Kazekaze any ninjutsu, nor have I ever demonstrated it in front of him...' With that thought, Tobirama instinctively turned his gaze to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

As a ninja who possessed all five chakra natures, Sarutobi's Water Release was formidable. Yet even he needed at least twelve hand seals to use Water Dragon Bullet.

Based on that, it was impossible that Sarutobi had taught Kazekaze how to execute the jutsu with just three seals.

'Could it be... Kazekaze had figured it out on his own?!

'Calm down.'

'Stay calm.'

'Wait... what if it was big brother?' A new possibility came to mind—Hashirama.

Tobirama had heard that Kazekaze had spent some time with Hashirama upon returning to the village. Could it be that Hashirama had taught Kazekaze ninjutsu during that time?

Logically speaking... Wood Release was a combination of Water Release and Earth Release, a Kekkei Genkai formed by fusing those two chakra natures. Although Hashirama only used Wood Release in battle, he was also a master of Water and Earth Release. If it was him, then it wouldn't be strange for Kazekaze to know Water Dragon Bullet.

Thinking of this, Tobirama's heart finally settled a little. Even though Kazekaze was his grandson, and seeing his monstrous talent filled him with pride... It was also... a bit of a psychological blow.

After all, Tobirama had fought Izuna countless times before he managed to simplify Water Dragon Bullet to three hand seals. Yet back when they had escorted Yuna on that C-rank mission, Kazekaze couldn't use any ninjutsu at all! And now—after just one week, he had mastered Water Dragon Bullet and reduced it to three seals?

This was beyond absurd! It made Tobirama feel like he was the real idiot when it came to ninjutsu. Absolutely disgraceful!

Especially because... Knowing Kazekaze's personality, he'd probably say something like this— "No way, no way, surely no one actually thinks Water Dragon Bullet is difficult, right?"

"Huh? This jutsu needs forty-four seals? Three is more than enough."

"Oh, I learned it at a glance, but I found the seals too cumbersome, so I casually simplified it."

Tobirama placed a hand over his face. The tone, the expression, the sheer nonchalance—he could perfectly picture it all in his head.

Given this internal struggle... Tobirama would rather believe that Hashirama had secretly trained Kazekaze before the Chunin Exam... Than accept the ridiculous idea that Kazekaze had mastered and simplified Water Dragon Bullet on his own!

'No, no.' Tobirama shook his head, finally snapping out of it.

He sighed with a tired, resigned expression.

'I am the Second Hokage... Why am I comparing myself to a seven-year-old child? This is meaningless.'

That was the logic he used to comfort himself.

Meanwhile— Having secured his place in the finals after defeating Uchiha Setsuna, Kazekaze was now free to leave. However, since Sakumo had yet to finish his match, Kazekaze decided to stay and watch.

Just as he was about to leave, Sarutobi called out to him. Kazekaze turned to see Sarutobi approaching with a smiling expression.

"Congratulations, Kazekaze. I never thought you'd defeat Uchiha Setsuna without even using the Eight Gates. Don't be fooled by the fact that he's only a Genin—if we're talking raw strength, he's stronger than Danzo. But... that Water Dragon Bullet—did Lord Tobirama teach it to you?" The moment he saw Kazekaze, Sarutobi couldn't hold back his questions.

He was not only genuinely happy for Kazekaze but also completely baffled. After all, most ninjas required forty-four hand seals to perform Water Dragon Bullet. Only Tobirama had ever shortened it to three.

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And then Kazekaze responded—

"Oh, I learned that jutsu at a glance. But the seals were annoying, so I casually simplified them." Kazekaze said it with complete indifference.

Because, in all fairness— He had learned Water Release instantly.

Of course, the one who actually taught him was a system reward called [Intermediate Water Release Package].

Hearing this, Sarutobi's face turned completely dark.

'What do you mean 'casually simplified'?! Do you think this is easy?!'

'Even I still need at least twelve seals to use Water Dragon Bullet!'

But before he could even complain, Sarutobi paused. Right. Kazekaze wasn't a normal Genin. Why was he even trying to apply normal standards? Hadn't he already been slapped in the face by Kazekaze's talent multiple times?

'I actually... compared myself to a monster like Kazekaze...' Sarutobi's lips trembled.

The talent gap between him and Kazekaze was simply too vast. So vast that they weren't even the same species!