"Yueye? Only four years old?"
"The child of the Nara family?"
Shikaku immediately revealed Yueye's identity, causing Choza to repeatedly exclaim in surprise.
Four years old, just four years!
Recalling when he himself was four, he had only just begun to cultivate chakra and was already considered a prodigy within the clan. Compared to Yueye before him, Choza felt he was utterly weak. At the same age, Yueye had already completed the tree climbing training and mastered the water walking training in just ten minutes—an almost monstrous talent!
Unknown to Choza, while he was secretly shocked, Shikaku's heart was also stirred with great waves.
Not long ago, Shikaku had just heard about a genius in the Uchiha clan—Uchiha Itachi—who, also at the age of four, had mastered basic Fire Release techniques and was hailed as the pride and heir of the new generation.
At that time, Shikaku had sighed quietly within the clan, thinking the new generation would inevitably grow under the shadow of others. But Yueye's appearance shattered Shikaku's preconceived notions. Compared to Itachi, Shikaku even felt Yueye's talent was more outstanding.
Because Shikaku who had been close to Yueye knew very well that Yueye had only truly started his cultivation three months ago!
To achieve such accomplishments in just three months and surpass the Uchiha genius was only a matter of time!
After his shock subsided, Shikaku calmed down and tugged at Choza's sleeve, cautiously asking, "Choza, between Yueye and that Uchiha kid, who do you think is stronger?"
"Of course, that Uchiha kid!"
"But…"
Hearing Choza's answer, Shikaku was a bit disappointed.
However, when Choza changed his tone, Shikaku's face broke into a smile.
"But your Yueye seems to have only just started training. As long as you focus cultivation resources on him, he might not be inferior to that Uchiha kid!"
"Hmm, I see. Let's watch Yueye's training some more!"
Smiling and nodding, Shikaku composed himself and focused intently on Yueye training in the distance, his gaze filled with hope—as if looking at the future of the Nara clan.
What shocked both Shikaku and Choza even more as time passed was that Yueye's water walking training became increasingly perfect.
Even the two Jonin—Shikaku and Choza—had to admit Yueye's displayed talent had surpassed Uchiha Itachi's and might well replace him as the brightest new star of the new generation!
"Huh? Time's up again?"
"But luckily, the 60-minute limit was enough for me to perfectly complete the water walking training. The APP training cards are really useful, just too few!"
After perfectly completing the water walking training, Yueye felt his chakra reserves had increased so much that the maximum number of Shadow Imitation Technique uses was raised to at least five times—a qualitative leap.
Unfortunately, future cultivation speed would probably slow down.
Lack of sufficient chakra had become a major limit on Yueye's progress. Unless his physical strength suddenly improved drastically, or unless he got the scrolls left by his parents from Shikaku to accelerate mastering the Nara clan's secret techniques, Yueye's cultivation would hit a plateau—waiting until his chakra reached at least the level of a genin before making the next leap.
Yueye didn't mind.
Even if chakra accumulation was slow and he couldn't fully master the clan's secret arts, he could still train in weapons and taijutsu!
No matter what, Yueye's future goal wasn't to become like his uncle Shikaku—a ninja who could only use the Nara clan's secret techniques and had a single style. Like Itachi or Madara from the original story—well-rounded ninja—was the path Yueye pursued.
After briefly recovering his stamina from training, Yueye tidied his clothes, ready to enjoy a good meal as a reward.
Before he could leave the pond, Shikaku and Choza—who had watched him train for a while—appeared.
"Uncle Shikaku, Uncle Choza, what brings you here?"
Since he had just escaped a funeral, Yueye felt a little awkward seeing them appear.
Shikaku and Choza paid no mind to this; Shikaku closed his eyes upon arrival, silently sensing Yueye's chakra, making Yueye nervous, thinking he was about to be scolded.
Choza was kinder—holding a large bag of chips, he came over and patted Yueye's shoulder with a smile:"Yueye! We saw you training just now, so we didn't want to disturb you. Now that you're done, we wanted to ask how your training is going? Are you facing any difficulties?"
"Hmm, I do have a few."
Choza's words gave Yueye a sense of relief.
Adding to this was the smile Shikaku couldn't hide at the corner of his mouth. Yueye thought this might be a good chance to get those ninjutsu scrolls, so he mustered courage and said,"Uncle Choza, the training problems aren't big. You know, we Nara all cultivate secret techniques! I just recently mastered the Shadow Imitation Technique, but I'm worried there are no advanced secret arts to train next."
"What? You mastered the Shadow Imitation Technique?"
As soon as Yueye said this, not only Choza but even Shikaku looked as if they'd been hit by a thunderbolt. Their jaws dropped, eyes on Yueye filled with disbelief—like looking at a monster.
At last, Shikaku shrugged lightly, recovering his composure.
After exchanging a glance with Choza, Shikaku ruffled Yueye's hair and smiled:"Good kid, already mastered the Shadow Imitation Technique. I was six when I first learned it!"
"Come on, show me what you've got!"
With that, Shikaku's smile grew wider as he beckoned Yueye over with a wave.
Choza looked interested too—he even picked up the pace eating his chips, eagerly awaiting Yueye's performance.
But the most excited of all was Yueye!This was a chance to spar with a Jonin—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Hearing that Shikaku was going to instruct him, Yueye quickly formed the Nara clan's secret hand seals, smiling:"Uncle Shikaku, I won't hold back!"
"Careful, don't get hurt!"
"You little brat, you think you can look down on me? I'm a Jonin after all!"
Hearing Yueye, Shikaku smiled and shook his head, then encouraged him:"You said you want the Nara clan's secret scrolls, right? Well, if you can make me take a hit, the scrolls your parents left will be yours!"
"Deal!"
With that bet, Yueye's excitement surged, his eyes burning with determination.
Just by glancing at Choza's position, a perfect surprise attack plan formed quietly in Yueye's mind.
"Uncle Shikaku, underestimating me will cost you!"