Chapter 274: The Path of the Shinobi!
"Lord Genichi, is it impossible to become a Kage without 10 Ka of chakra?"
The question came from a young Jonin in his twenties, dressed in the attire of the Hidden Cloud. For someone his age, his chakra capacity was likely already set. The only areas left for significant improvement were combat experience, nature and shape transformation, and chakra control. His physical stamina, after maintaining its peak for a dozen years, would inevitably begin to decline.
Eventually, he would end up like Hiruzen Sarutobi in the original timeline during the Konoha Crush, his stamina so depleted that a few exchanges with Orochimaru left him gasping for breath, unable to even risk using a Shadow Clone. In that same timeline, even the notoriously chakra-deficient Kakashi could still employ Shadow Clone tactics. Without stamina, it doesn't matter how many masterful jutsu you know; you won't have the chance to use them.
In contrast, the version of Hiruzen brought back by the Edo Tensei seemed far more powerful. In his prime, Hiruzen Sarutobi's chakra reserves were certainly no less than Jiraiya's 10 Ka, and may have even been at a Tailed Beast level. A shinobi like Kakuzu, who could spam his most powerful techniques, only had about 9 Ka of chakra. This meant that a prime Hiruzen, with 10 Ka, would have been an even more terrifying artillery platform than Kakuzu, and Hiruzen was far more than just an artillery platform. During the Nine-Tails' attack in the original timeline, he was able to use Monkey King Enma, transformed into the Adamantine Staff, to push the fully-formed Nine-Tails a great distance out of the village—a testament to his power.
In the current timeline, Kakuzu had already fought Hiruzen and was forced to retreat.
Faced with the young Jonin's question, Kinoshita Genichi smiled. "Of course, it's not an absolute rule. Chakra is the foundation, the bedrock. If you possess exquisite nature and shape transformation, masterful chakra control, and a sufficiently brilliant tactical mind, you can still wield Kage-level power."
"A shinobi's strength is measured across many dimensions: chakra reserves, ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu, hand seals, intellect, and speed. Think of these dimensions as the wooden planks that form a barrel. The amount of water a barrel can hold is determined not by the longest plank, but by the shortest one."
"Furthermore," he continued, "the capacity of the barrel is also determined by its overall size. In my view, the size of the barrel is your chakra reserve. The jutsu you master—ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu—are the planks, each of varying lengths."
This explanation was easy for Kisame and the others to grasp. A shinobi's combat power was like the barrel Genichi described. Its capacity depended on both its size and its height. But it was undeniable that chakra, the foundation, was what made the barrel wider. The wider the barrel, the easier it was to reach the Kage level. And when all other abilities were equal, the one with more chakra naturally had the advantage. If the Kakashi of the original timeline had Kakuzu's chakra reserves, his fights wouldn't have been nearly so draining. If Kakuzu had fought Jiraiya, the spectacle would have been magnificent—a dazzling exchange of high-level ninjutsu.
But alas, Kakuzu was already dead.
Should I use the Edo Tensei to bring him back for a test run? Genichi's thoughts wandered for a moment. Perhaps some of the deceased could be brought back... to serve as whetstones, or touchstones?
The thought vanished as quickly as it came.
After repeatedly emphasizing the importance of chakra, Genichi moved on. "Next, let's discuss how to increase your chakra limit. As I've said before, based on my own verification, there is currently only one viable method."
"And that is the development of a Kekkei Genkai, or even a Kekkei Tōta. Some of you may see Kekkei Genkai as mysterious and difficult to master, but you must understand this: a Kekkei Genkai or Kekkei Tōta is, in essence, just another form of nature transformation. It is simply a transformation born from the fusion of two, or even three, basic natures. The birth of a new nature transformation can alter your physical constitution, thereby increasing your chakra reserves."
He paused, a faint smile on his lips. "There was a time when my own chakra was merely average. But now… it is unmatched."
Hearing this, Hozuki Suigetsu couldn't stop himself from asking, "Lord Genichi, how many Kekkei Genkai have you mastered?"
Swish. Every head in the training ground snapped in his direction.
Kisame couldn't help but chuckle. The little guy certainly had courage. Hozuki Mangetsu, on the other hand, looked like he wanted to murder his younger brother. How could he ask such a foolish question?
Genichi, however, didn't seem offended at all. "How many?" he laughed. "I've never counted. However, I have mastered every Kekkei Genkai that currently exists in the shinobi world."
His words fell into a deafening silence.
It wasn't just the shinobi from the Cloud and Stone who were unfamiliar with him; even Naruto and the others stared, mouths agape, completely dumbfounded.
Is that something a human can even say?
Suigetsu was stunned silent for a moment before swallowing hard and muttering, "Every Kekkei Genkai… How… how many is that?"
Shikamaru's initial shock gave way to a grave expression. "Every one… Does that mean he's mastered the Byakugan as well?" He already knew Genichi possessed the Sharingan.
"That's… that's just insane," Ino whispered in disbelief.
No one disagreed. It was an outrageous claim, but not a single person doubted he was telling the truth.
Then, Genichi dropped another bombshell. "Kekkei Genkai and Kekkei Tōta do more than just alter your body and increase your chakra. They also extend your lifespan."
This was a fact known to very few, and this was the first time it had been stated publicly. Another wave of stunned murmurs rippled through the crowd.
A longer life.
Hiss!
Kiba Inuzuka couldn't hold back. "Lord Genichi, how much does one Kekkei Genkai extend your life by?"
Genichi smiled. "That's something that can't be quantified just yet. However, you can ask the Third Hokage."
Everyone knew Hiruzen Sarutobi's stamina had been in steady decline, but since mastering a Kekkei Genkai, he had returned to his peak condition. The fluctuation of his chakra reserves was a clear indicator of his body's vitality.
The reason Genichi brought up longevity today was to plant a seed, to further shift the mindset of the shinobi. From the Warring States Period to the era of the hidden villages, ninja had essentially become war machines, mercenaries for hire. Genichi didn't particularly care about that, but it didn't align with his interests. While war often spurred the rapid evolution of the shinobi system, in the long periods of peace to come, a different catalyst was needed.
He had chosen the promise of a longer life. Whether it would work or not, he had to try.
His gaze swept over the shocked faces before him. "Above the Jonin is the Kage level. And above the Kage is the Beyond Kage level. The 'Beyond Kage' are those whose power far surpasses that of a typical Kage. They possess chakra on the level of a Tailed Beast and the strength to overwhelm any Kage."
"Naruto, Sasuke, the First Hokage, and Uchiha Madara before he became the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki—all are examples. And among them, the First Hokage and Madara stand at the very pinnacle of that level."
Naruto couldn't help but puff out his chest. "So I'm already 'Beyond Kage,' huh? Heh heh!"
Genichi glanced at him, then continued, "And above the Beyond Kage is the Six Paths Level, those who possess chakra that surpasses even the Tailed Beasts. For example, Uchiha Madara as the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, the Sage of Six Paths… and myself."
"And even beyond the Six Paths, the path continues…"
"So, you see, the path of the shinobi is a long, long road."