Naruto: Starting with Creating a Genius Persona

Our attention returned to Tsunade at the barbecue restaurant.

The shop was a mess, the customers had already quietly left, and even the owner was hiding behind the counter, not daring to make a sound.

Tsunade sat there alone, staring blankly at the empty bottles and the cooled charcoal fire on the table.

The cold wind that Shinichi brought with him when he left had long since dissipated, leaving only a deeper silence and the lingering smell of alcohol in the air.

The conflict just now, especially the boy's resounding words at the end, was like a boulder thrown into a lake of her heart, stirring up the muddy memories buried deep within her.

In a daze, she seemed to return to her childhood, playing in her great-grandfather's broad hands, listening to her second grandfather's stern yet caring admonitions...

Back then, being the Hokage was the highest honor of the clan, protecting the village was a matter of course, and Konoha was the warmest home under the sun.

Younger brother Nawaki, beaming with joy, shouted, "I want to become a great Hokage like my great-grandfather and great-uncle!" Dan, gentle yet resolute, spoke of his dream to protect his kin...

The beliefs and face that once supported and defined her are now blurred and painful under the erosion of alcohol and years of pain.

Just as she was lost in the whirlpool of memories, almost swallowed by the heavy feeling of suffocation, a small voice, tinged with worry and a hint of annoyance, rang out at the door:

"Lady Tsunade!"

Tsunade turned her head somewhat slowly. At the doorway, Shizune's small figure stood there, wrapped in a thick scarf, her face reddened by the cold wind, pursing her lips, looking at her with a mixture of anger and helplessness.

Was it that kid...? Did he go to find Shizune after he left?

The thought flashed through Tsunade's chaotic mind.

"Seriously! Another person running out to drink so much!" Shizune walked over quickly, expertly checking the number of empty bottles on the table, her brows furrowing even more.

She complained, but deftly steadied Tsunade's swaying arm: "You reek of alcohol and look like this... Let's go home."

Tsunade did not resist being helped up by Shizune, who was not strong but unusually firm.

Leaning on the girl's slender shoulder, feeling the small strength that was trying to support her, and the concern that couldn't be hidden in her words, a sudden warm current quietly surged into Tsunade's heart, diluting some of the icy pain and dejection.

She didn't say anything, letting Jingyin half-support and half-drag her as they walked, one step at a time, on the still-snowy street.

Jingyin was still quietly nagging beside her, saying things like "you don't take care of your health," "you throw tantrums again," and "you make people worry," the words buzzing in her ears.

Strangely enough, these nagging words that would normally annoy her made her feel even more warm at this moment.

The cold night wind blowing on her face actually cleared her drowsy mind a little.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, the familiar courtyard gate came into view.

"We're here." Shizune breathed a sigh of relief, struggled to find her key, opened the door, and helped Tsunade into the warm house.

And just like that... we're home.

Tsunade leaned against the porch, watching Shizune bustling about, turning on the lights and boiling water, her small figure busy under the lamplight.

Outside, it was a cold winter night; inside, there was a dim yellow light and faint noises.

The traces of the argument have not been completely erased, and the worries have not dissipated, but this space called "home," and the girl in front of her who is complaining while taking care of her, truly exist.

Looking at the little girl in front of her who was still sulking but was still taking meticulous care of her, she suddenly let out a long, silent sigh of pent-up frustration.

Tsunade thought that she probably wouldn't have another chance to see that sharp-tongued, determined black-haired boy anytime soon.

He was like a mirror that was too bright, reflecting the embarrassing situation she didn't want to face.

However, just a few days later, on a snowy afternoon, urgent knocking broke the tranquility of the courtyard.

Standing outside the door was an ANBU member wearing an animal mask, his posture upright and his aura deep and composed.

Tsunade recognized him; he was one of the elite guards who had served the Third Hokage for many years.

Without any pleasantries or unnecessary formalities, the Anbu members stated their purpose in the most concise and rapid language the moment Tsunade opened the door:

Shinichi Higashino suffered a serious accident during his training, and his injuries were extremely difficult to treat. The existing medical ninja team at Konoha Hospital was helpless after consultation, and his situation was critical.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, personally ordered him to be dispatched here urgently, requesting that Lady Tsunade go to the hospital immediately.

Injuries sustained during cultivation?

What kind of injury could be so serious that the entire hospital team was at a loss for what to do, and even required the old man to use the secret service to personally come and ask him for help?

Tsunade frowned instantly, hesitated for a moment, then followed the ANBU member and stepped into the vast snowstorm, hurrying towards Konoha Hospital.

The footprints were quickly covered by the fresh snow, leaving only a trail that swiftly disappeared into the distance.

........

Let's rewind to that morning.

The fourth training ground in Konoha was covered with thick snow. The sky was gray and the fine snowflakes swirled down in the north wind, casting a cold silence over the entire field.

In the center of the arena, Shinichi Higashino was slightly out of breath, holding a steadily spinning azure chakra ball in his hand—the Rasengan.

Beside the field, the tall and imposing Ape Demon King stood with his arms crossed, like a rock sculpture in the wind and snow, his golden pupils intently watching Shinichi's movements.

"drink!"

With a low shout, Shinichi's Rasengan suddenly emitted a deep hum, its size expanding at a visible speed. At the same time, a wisp of intense crimson color, like thick ink dripped into clear water, rapidly spread from the core of the sphere!

Whoosh!

The originally attribute-less chakra vortex instantly transformed into a raging storm filled with explosive fire-attribute chakra!

The crimson Rasengan pulsed in Shinichi's palm, its interior seemingly compressed with molten lava. The intense heat emanating from it instantly vaporized the surrounding snowflakes into white mist, producing a hissing sound and forming a twisted, surging heatwave in the snowstorm.

The Monkey King stared intently at the steadily burning crimson sphere. After a few seconds, he finally nodded slowly and said in a deep voice, "The injection of chakra nature transformation is stable, and the shape is maintained perfectly... Kid, you've succeeded."

"Have you decided on a name for this technique?"

Shinichi's forehead was beaded with sweat, but his eyes remained calm as he said:

"I plan to call it—Fire Release: Great Flame Rasengan."

The name is simple and direct, highlighting its esoteric nature and its origin from the Rasengan, while also exuding a fierce aura.

"A good name," the Ape Demon King commented, then his gaze became even more serious: "Then, the final step, and the most important one, is to release it safely and test its true power and controllability. Remember! Creating and stabilizing it is only the beginning; being able to master it is what truly belongs to you."