He was of the same generation as Orochimaru, but about six years older.
When Orochimaru graduated from the Ninja Academy at age six, Kin was already twelve and had become a Genin.
He had personally witnessed how the young Orochimaru, despite his civilian origins, rose to his current heights after becoming a disciple of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Thus, Iwate Kin could see that with Uchiha Gen possessing such strength at this age, his future rate of growth would likely be no slower than Orochimaru's back then.
"Then it probably won't be long before young Gen becomes a Special Jōnin like us; he might even become a Jonin sooner than we did."
"Ruri, you and Master Enjun need to work hard too."
Gekkō Hakuan said with a smile as she patted Uzuki Ruri's head.
The Uzuki and Gekkō clans were not large.
Since the Warring States Period, they had formed an alliance similar to the Ino–Shika–Chō for mutual protection during eras of war.
After Konoha was established, the two families remained close for generations, with even tighter bonds and frequent intermarriages.
In terms of blood relations, she was actually Uzuki Ruri's aunt.
"Ahem, well, Sister Hakuan, there's no need to call me 'Master' or anything like that. That kind of title distorts the value of my hard work."
Sarutobi Enjun said, scratching his head.
"The two of us will try our best to keep up, as long as we don't get left too far behind by this freak."
Uzuki Ruri shrugged helplessly.
There are differences between people, but between a person and a freak, they are simply from two different worlds.
Uzuki Ruri considered herself very hardworking.
After becoming Orochimaru's disciple, her strength had improved by leaps and bounds.
Such a rate of progress was unimaginable before, and there was a high probability she could be promoted to Jonin before reaching adulthood.
But compared to Uchiha Gen's progress, she paled in comparison.
She was driving a sports car, while he was riding a rocket.
It hadn't been long, yet he could already fight to a draw with a Special Jōnin who had mastered Water Release Nature Transformation while simultaneously killing another Chunin.
Even without the subsequent reinforcements, it was hard to say who would have won between those two.
Before long, the Konoha headquarters stationed in the Land of Rain was informed of the matter.
At the moment, the person handling most of the affairs at the headquarters was none other than Orochimaru.
Since it involved his own disciples, Orochimaru personally came to the scene, inquired about the details, and inspected the battlefield before nodding to his three disciples with satisfaction.
Sarutobi Enjun and Uzuki Ruri's overall strength was above average even among Chunin.
Uchiha Gen was even capable of contending with a Special Jōnin whose mastery of Water Release reached Jonin standards.
One couldn't say this team's strength would definitely guarantee their survival on a battlefield fraught with danger and powerful foes.
Not just them, but even figures like Orochimaru or the Five Kage, who stood at the peak of the ninja world, had times when they could fall in a Great Ninja War.
However, with the strength of this lineup combined with Uchiha Gen's intellect, as long as they didn't encounter those rare top-tier experts or get surrounded by a large-scale army, they wouldn't die so easily.
"You did well. The Hidden Rain Village noticed the changes in our defensive lines and came to investigate."
"Although that Rain Ninja's strength was decent, there was still some gap between him and a true Jonin."
"According to the rules, unless it involves the situation of major nations or directly affects the village's safety, a mission is only rated as an A-rank mission if a true Jonin-level expert appears among the enemies."
"Therefore, I can only report this as a top-tier B-rank mission."
Back at the camp, in front of his three disciples, Orochimaru picked up a brush to draft a mission scroll and stamped it with his seal.
A B-rank mission?
That's fine. Once the mission is submitted and approved, it should be enough to get me to level twenty.
Although the total experience rewarded for missions of the same rank is within the same order of magnitude, since this was a top-tier B-rank mission and he was the one who contributed the most, the experience would definitely be substantial.
He might even have a significant amount left over after leveling up.
"Orochimaru-sensei, does this mean our team is now capable of performing B-rank missions?"
Uchiha Gen asked as he looked at the mission scroll Orochimaru had finished writing.
If there were opportunities to perform more B-rank missions, his subsequent leveling speed would be even faster.
"In terms of ability, yes, but there will be a certain level of danger."
"However, your ninja ranks are not high enough. Chunin have the ability to participate in B-rank missions, but to lead a team as captain, they can only perform C-rank missions."
"The leader of a mission ranked B or higher must be a Special Jōnin or a Jonin."
Orochimaru glanced at Uchiha Gen, feeling a bit puzzled in his heart.
This disciple was good in every way, so why was he so fanatical about performing missions?
"However, all of you indeed have the ability to participate in B-rank missions now."
As Orochimaru spoke, he took two green Konoha flak jackets from a drawer and tossed them to Sarutobi Enjun and Uzuki Ruri.
"Tomorrow, go find Zixiao and collect your Chunin certificates."
Uzuki Ruri and Sarutobi Enjun looked at each other, both seeing the pleasant surprise in the other's eyes.
The two of them were likely the first among this year's Ninja Academy graduates to be promoted to Chunin, aside from Uchiha Gen.
This pace was already very fast.
Compared to their monstrous teammate, they were as mediocre as could be, but compared to others, they were the prodigies of the new generation.
"Coincidentally, I'm free this afternoon. If you have any doubts regarding your training during this period, speak up."
Orochimaru poured himself a cup of tea and asked.
Recently, Orochimaru had been so busy he could hardly spare a moment.
There was no support from clan elders here.
Although there were Jonin like Mitarai Zixiao on the front lines who belonged to Orochimaru's faction and could offer some guidance, they didn't follow the same path.
Mitarai Zixiao specialized in Lightning, Wind, and Earth Release, which was different from what Uchiha Gen and the others specialized in.
He wasn't an all-around genius proficient in everything like Orochimaru.
During this time, the three of them—Uchiha Gen and his teammates—had been fumbling along by adjusting their training plans based on their own experience and knowledge.
They had accumulated many doubts, and their training plans needed more targeted modifications based on Orochimaru's guidance.
"Hmm, are there any other questions?"
Orochimaru said to his three disciples again.
"If not, then it's my turn to speak. Although it's still a bit early for Enjun and Ruri, there's no harm in listening now."
Orochimaru looked at Uchiha Gen again and asked:
"How did it feel to fight an enemy who has mastered Chakra Nature Transformation for the first time?"
Gen lowered his head slightly, and after thinking for a moment, replied:
"That Rain Ninja's gelatinous Water Release was more eerie than ordinary Water Release Ninjutsu."
"I think Nature Transformation is where Ninjutsu of the same attribute truly begins to differentiate."