Ch.250 Is This What a Genius Is?

Mizuki's disappearance didn't cause much of a stir in the shinobi academy, as the academy publicly announced that Mizuki had been transferred to another position.

On the contrary.

Because Sasuke had begun considering changing his teammates, the most talked-about topic in the academy these days was the countless students who went to Sasuke to recommend themselves.

Nighttime.

Naruto sat alone on a swing, his head hanging low.

In order to defeat Sasuke, he had even broken into the Hokage's residence to steal the 'Scroll of Seals,' but in the end, he didn't learn anything and instead got scolded by Iruka.

"Sigh..."

Thinking about how he and Sakura might be replaced by Sasuke, he couldn't help but sigh.

"Kid, why are you sighing?"

At that moment, a voice sounded behind Naruto.

Naruto turned his head. "Who are you?"

Jiraiya stepped out of the shadows, smiling. "Kid, what's troubling you? Can you tell me?"

Naruto said, "You wouldn't understand even if I told you!"

Jiraiya took out a popsicle from behind his back and handed it to Naruto. "Then tell me!"

Thanks to the popsicle, Naruto licked it while explaining how he and Sakura were about to be replaced by Sasuke.

"Hahaha!"

After hearing this, Jiraiya burst into laughter.

Naruto's experience was somewhat similar to his own. Back in the academy, Jiraiya had also been a dead-last, while Sasuke, hailed as a genius, was like Orochimaru in his youth—exceptionally talented!

Seeing Jiraiya laugh, Naruto got annoyed. "What are you laughing at?"

Jiraiya said, "I just remembered my own past. Back then, I was just like you."

Naruto became interested. "Were you also disliked by your teammates?"

"Yep!"

Jiraiya nodded.

"Then what happened?" Naruto stared at Jiraiya, pressing further. "Did your teammates end up replacing you?"

Jiraiya stood up and shook his head. "No!"

"Why not?"

"Because I became really strong later on!" After a pause, Jiraiya added, "Instead of complaining about being disliked, why not train hard and show your teammates your potential?"

Naruto's eyes lit up, but then his expression dimmed again. "You don't understand! Sasuke is a genius. I can't compare to him!"

Jiraiya looked nostalgic. "I've seen a real genius before. In you, I see a shadow of him. Maybe you have that kind of talent too!"

As he spoke, he extended his right hand.

Naruto stared blankly.

Whoosh!

At that moment, a ball of light suddenly appeared in Jiraiya's right palm. The light grew larger and larger, spinning rapidly and causing the surrounding air to swirl.

Naruto's eyes widened. "What is that?"

Jiraiya didn't answer. Instead, he slammed the ball of light into a nearby tree.

Boom!

With a loud explosion, the towering tree was instantly shattered into pieces!

Naruto was completely stunned. "Mister, what kind of jutsu is that?"

Before Jiraiya could answer, a voice shouted from nearby, "Who's there? Setting off fireworks in the park at this hour!"

Jiraiya quickly grabbed Naruto and ran off, disappearing in a flash.

The next morning.

As usual, Shinji was overseeing Mizore's morning training.

He had also been keeping an eye on Mizuki's situation.

When the academy announced that Mizuki had been transferred, he knew his plan had mostly succeeded.

As for what would happen to Mizuki—whether he lived or died—that wasn't something Shinji needed to worry about.

"With that spy uncovered, the village should calm down a bit, right?"

He pondered silently.

Suddenly, Mizore stopped training and ran off to the side.

Shinji looked over and saw Tenten, Ino, Hinata, Yūgao, and Mizore, who had just run over, gathered around Sakura, comforting her.

Shinji walked over and pulled Mizore aside. "No slacking off during training!"

Mizore quickly explained, "Sakura's so pitiful. I was just comforting her!"

Shinji was speechless.

Tenten then said, "Shinji, can you talk to Sasuke? If he changes teammates now, Sakura will be in a tough spot."

Sakura looked at Shinji with hope in her eyes.

Everyone else also turned to Shinji.

Mizore even tugged on Shinji's sleeve. "Shinji, please help Sakura!"

Shinji looked at Sakura. "Why bother?"

Yūgao said, "You're a genius. You wouldn't understand how we feel! Do you know how bad it would be for Sakura if she got replaced? Forget the ridicule from others—do you think anyone would even want to team up with her?"

Shinji thought about it and realized Yūgao had a point.

Things he didn't care about might be a big deal to others. Looking at things only from his perspective could come off as insensitive.

Mizore quickly added, "Yūgao, Shinji didn't mean it like that!"

Yūgao snorted but didn't say more. She knew this wasn't Shinji's problem, and he couldn't really decide anything.

Shinji sighed helplessly, then said to Sakura, "Come with me."

With that, he turned and walked toward Sasuke.

Sakura and the others quickly followed.

Sasuke, who was training in the distance, noticed Shinji and the group approaching and stopped, crossing his arms.

When Shinji reached Sasuke, he asked, "I heard you want to change teammates?"

Sasuke replied, "So what?"

Shinji smirked slightly, then turned and walked away without saying another word.

Sakura and the others were stunned.

They thought Shinji would try to persuade Sasuke not to change teammates, but instead, Shinji just gave a smug smile and left.

At that moment, Sasuke shouted angrily, "Don't get cocky! I haven't admitted defeat yet! Don't worry, I won't change teammates. Next time, I'll definitely win!"

Sakura was taken aback, wondering if she had misheard.

Yūgao quickly realized Shinji's intention. Watching Shinji's retreating figure, she thought to herself, "Is this what a genius is?"

As Shinji walked away, he didn't care what the others thought.

Right now, his mind was filled with the 'Rinnegan Plan' involving Karin and Sasuke, as well as the 'Tenseigan Plan' involving Neji and Kimimaro.

He was waiting. Once he confirmed that the village had stopped its investigations, he would immediately restart these plans.

After all, time was running out for him to grow stronger. He had to cherish every day because no one knew when the 'Lampbearer' from the Demon Slayer world would launch the next attack. During this uncertain period of respite, he had to maximize his strength and influence to prepare for any crisis that might come.