Chapter 22: Hanma's First Lesson in the Ninja World (Part 1)

Fugaku felt a wave of speechlessness wash over him. How could the direct descendant of the Senju family be like this?

Hanma released a bit of his predatory aura, which lightly brushed past Nawaki, immediately dispelling the illusion.

Nawaki slowly regained consciousness, his face showing signs of dejection as he awkwardly lowered his head.

Hanma patted him on the head and then commented on the earlier battle:

"In the ninja world, the power of bloodlines is extremely important."

"Take the Uchiha for example. When they awaken their Sharingan, their dynamic vision greatly improves, allowing them to clearly see high-level taijutsu moves. This also enables them to copy their opponent's hand signs, thereby replicating ninjutsu."

"Some gifted clan members enhance their abilities in genjutsu, while others raise the quality of their chakra."

"As for other ninja villages, they have many strong abilities as well—the Kaguya clan's Shikotsumyaku in the Mist Village, the Explosion Release in the Stone Village, the Storm Release in the Cloud Village, and the Magnet Release in the Sand Village."

"These are all abilities difficult for you to deal with, so you must hold a sense of reverence toward the ninja world and your opponents."

The students present fell into silent contemplation, with Nawaki feeling noticeably frustrated, his young face full of worry.

"Taking a ninja's life doesn't require sophisticated techniques or a proud bloodline. It just requires the appropriate skills."

Hanma looked at Nawaki, took out a box, and slowly asked:

"If, while behind enemy lines, an old man came to thank you, saying your enemy had killed his child and you'd avenged him, and this box contained a map of the area, would you accept it?"

After two hits, Nawaki visibly hesitated and uncertainly said:

"I-I might take it, but I'd analyze whether the old man was bad and be very cautious."

Hanma nodded and took out a reinforced explosive tag from the box.

This red explosive tag was well-known in the Ninja Academy as an absolutely rare and dangerous item.

"This is one possibility. The box might contain a map, an explosive tag, or even poisonous gas."

"Until you reach my current level, remember always that what's inside the box is an explosive tag."

Hanma crushed the explosive tag with his bare hand, filling the training field with a blaze of light. The intense wind blew past the faces of the few students there.

However, Hanma's hand remained completely unaffected, as if the explosive tag was merely a balloon.

Minato and Kushina, having witnessed the commander selection, were unsurprised. They'd seen Hanma split through Susanoo and withstand a fire-storm, so a mere explosive tag was nothing to them.

Nawaki, on the other hand, stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

In the past, among Senju clan members, it was the instructor who taught about the ninja world's secrets and knowledge.

But unfortunately, he had encountered the great schism of the Senju clan.

To show the sincerity of the Senju branch, Nawaki was even deliberately raised as a civilian nin.

While everyone took good care of him, no one expected him to become like the First Hokage; they just wanted him to be happy.

Living a carefree life in the Ninja Academy, Nawaki had never seen the real strength of top-level ninjas and the brutal reality of the ninja world.

Fugaku narrowed his eyes, deepening his Sharingan. This was the first time he had seen Hanma in action; he'd only heard the exaggerated stories about him before.

Fugaku knew Hanma was strong, but their friendship had started with Hanma's exceptional culinary skills. When he was still a child, he often went to Hanma's house to mooch meals.

The Uchiha blood in him felt a long-forgotten excitement as Fugaku plotted whether he could have a proper fight with Hanma.

Hanma continued to impart his demands and insights:

"Having strength allows room for mistakes; otherwise, in war, you'll become cannon fodder."

Nawaki didn't retort anymore, looking around at the others and slowly nodding.

Hanma pointed at Kushina. "You know Kushina's situation well. She grew up with Lady Mito and inherited the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques."

He then looked at Minato. "Minato has been with me since he was five years old. I've been training him for over seven years, with extra training every day after the Ninja Academy."

He patted Fugaku. "He awakened his Sharingan after witnessing a clan member's death and trains diligently every day."

Finally, he looked at Nawaki and said solemnly:

"They all paid a price to gain their strength. But Nawaki, you're not wrong either."

"Having a happy childhood is something many people can't even dream of. But when facing enemies and war, you must change your mindset."

Nawaki hung his head, showing some understanding but still lost in thought.

"Don't worry. If you follow my teachings, you'll quickly become an outstanding ninja."

Eyes brimming with determination, Nawaki enthusiastically replied, "Yes, Teacher Hanma!"

Fugaku then approached, looking at Hanma seriously:

"Brother Hanma, may I have a match with you? I've always wished for your direct guidance!"

Minato and Kushina exchanged strange looks. The pair had long studied and concluded that the best way to deal with a ninja like Hanma was to stay silent and run quickly.

The little peppery woman had already activated her Kagura's Mind Eye, but she'd been focused on mastering her Adamantine Sealing Chains, so she hadn't deeply developed her sensory abilities.

After witnessing that epic battle between the top-level ninjas, Minato diligently practiced Flying Thunder God, and Kushina worked hard on her Kagura Mind's Eye, all for safety.

Who knew how many more ninjas like Hanma-sensei or Orochimaru were out there?

Or rather, most Jōnin were now formidable opponents they couldn't contend with.

Minato hesitated, about to speak, but saw Nawaki regain his energy and loudly say:

"Teacher Hanma, please guide me too!"

Hanma looked curiously at Fugaku. Nawaki being a fool was understandable, but was Fugaku always this courageous? Didn't he see clan head Satsuna still bedridden?

He looked maliciously at Minato, who quickly waved his hands in denial, grabbing the little pepper woman and hiding behind Tsunade.

Hanma chuckled, not forcing the two clever ones, and turned to ask, "Well then, Nawaki, Fugaku, are you ready?"

Fugaku nodded, secretly calculating that with Hanma's defense, it'd be better not to use any ninjutsu.

But what about Hanma's resistance to genjutsu? Most taijutsu users weren't great with it.

Drawing his sword, Fugaku's Sharingan spun rapidly, and he elegantly slashed at Hanma.

"Uchiha Swordsmanship Style, Sun Halo Dance!"

The blade, fused with chakra, danced beautifully like a sun halo around Hanma.

Hanma chuckled. Regarding the Uchiha clan's flamboyant fighting style, he had only one thing to say: Madara Uchiha had misled them.

He had the strength to show off and could rely on Susanoo if there were any flaws. But other clan members didn't have that luxury.

The sword technique was both beautiful and deadly but had the downside of being overly complex.

Gathering chakra in his fingers, Hanma flicked a few clumps of chakra at incredible speed, shooting them towards Fugaku's blind spots.

(End of this chapter)