Naruto: Can't Use Ninjutsu? I'll Create the Strongest Fighting Style-Chapter 17: He is Basically Tobirama 2.0

"Lord Third, I've also been thinking of mentoring that boy. I even invited him to join the anbu recently, but he hasn't shown up to talk to me or you. Seems he's not interested."

"Kakashi... take a look at this," Hiruzen said, eyes twinkling with amusement as he handed over a document. novelbuddy.cσ๓

"What's this?"

Kakashi accepted it curiously. It wasn't a scroll, but an official application.

[Project Proposal: Physical Reinforcement Herbal Bath]

'Huh?'

He read more closely.

A formula for rapidly relieving fatigue and improving nutrient absorption in the body.

If this really worked... physical conditioning could be accelerated beyond anything current techniques allowed.

"Garou made this?"

Hiruzen gave a slow nod, reclining in his chair with a long sigh. "Kakashi... if I were ten years younger, I wouldn't even hesitate. I'd take him as my student in a heartbeat."

'...Is he trying to guilt-trip me here?' Kakashi thought silently, face unreadable.

He reread the application. "How about the cost?"

"That boy developed five formula versions. The two he submitted are the cheapest, not as potent as the best ones, but good enough, and cheap enough that even genin could afford them if they budget wisely."

That was the part Hiruzen appreciated most.

Garou had come from a civilian background. He didn't just think about effectiveness. He considered accessibility. Both the military ration pills and this herbal bath project were designed with cost and scale in mind.

Kakashi still looked conflicted.

He did admire Garou, his strength, his intelligence, even his calm demeanor. Frankly, Kakashi couldn't remember the last time he'd been this impressed by a kid.

"If it's Naruto you're worried about... you don't need to be," Hiruzen said with a small smile.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm giving you discretionary authority."

"One year."

"Think you can guide Garou to Chunin level by then?"

Kakashi understood immediately.

He could take Garou under his wing for a year. If Naruto still didn't shape up by then, Kakashi could step back into the instructor role for that class.

Honestly, it wasn't a bad deal.

He was mulling it over when the Third added casually, "I might be too old to train him full-time, but I can still offer the occasional insight. You'll handle the rest."

He was worried Garou might take the wrong path, one too similar to Orochimaru's. The boy's only real weaknesses were genjutsu and chakra nature transformations. In everything else, his raw talent was monstrous, on par with the Second Hokage in his prime.

He just needed proper guidance.

Guy's approach, for example, would be far too blunt and reckless. Garou wasn't the type to thrive under brute-force mentorship.

"I understand," Kakashi finally said. "Leave his evaluation to me."

—

Later, at the medical division.

"Kitayama-senpai!"

"We've got a new project requiring a week of continuous testing..."

"What kind of project?"

A small crowd immediately gathered, their curiosity piqued. Hyakusa got stuck at the back.

Kitayama explained briefly.

"It's a medicinal bath formula project. It's already been approved by the Hokage himself. If the trials go well, we'll be greenlit for public distribution."

"A bath formula?"

Herbal baths weren't unheard of, but most were luxury fads favored by nobility and largely ineffective.

After they read through the proposal, everyone exchanged looks.

'So that's why Garou's been hanging around the Nara compound lately.' They all had the same thought.

The formula probably included ingredients from their clan. Which meant... business potential!

Even if they only got a small cut, they'd still be part of something big. Their main job would just be experimental testing and prep work. Low effort, high reward.

The mood turned enthusiastic.

"That kid Garou's a genius. It's just a shame he doesn't do medical ninjutsu."

"No kidding."

"Man, comparing ourselves to him is just depressing."

Hyakusa chuckled under her breath.

'Compare? You lot still think this is a competition?

That boy's practically the Second Hokage reborn. Trying to outshine him is asking for misery.'

She kept those thoughts to herself and quietly began copying the formula to begin testing.

When Garou arrived at the hospital, the place was buzzing. Everyone was working intensely, and the smell of herbs filled the air, even stronger than that day in the locker room.

'They're really into it.'

He was pleased.

That meant he could step back and let them take the reins.

He sat down and began contemplating his next steps, visualizing the Bodhi Seed within his mind.

One line... Two lines... A new line had formed.

It was faint for now, but wider than the one created by the military ration pill.

That probably meant greater long-term potential.

'So the length and size of these marks represent the potency of a discovery? Makes sense.'

This new one might rival the chakra needle in usefulness, though the exact effect wasn't clear yet.

Garou walked a full circuit through the hospital but found no immediate tasks that needed his attention, so he headed out for a run.

The next few days were uneventful.

Read. Train. Sleep.

But he noticed something odd. His classmates were suddenly much more studious. Even Rock Lee had started focusing during lectures.

'Is there an exam coming up or something?'

While jogging past the academy, he checked the time. Curiosity won out, and he stepped inside.

Sure enough.

The place was dead quiet.

Everyone was taking exams. A few were out on the training field instead. Among them, he saw Tenten going through drills, but no sign of Neji.

Garou scanned the yard and walked over.

"Tenten."

"Huh? Garou? What are you doing here? I thought you were at the hospital today."

She looked genuinely surprised.

Up until recently, Garou would visit once a week to submit reports. He was exempted from school requirements. Other than the occasional stroll, he had no reason to be here.

So to see him again felt almost out of place.

"Just passing by on my run," he replied. "I noticed Lee's been less active lately. I figured something was going on. Are the exams tough?"

"They're manageable," she said with a small smile. "I'll graduate, no problem."

"That's good. Where's Neji?"

Garou glanced around, but Neji was nowhere in sight.

They hadn't interacted much during school, but he remembered Neji always being just behind him in terms of scores. No way would he still be testing now.

"He graduated early, last month," Tenten explained. "You were probably busy then and missed it."

Garou thought back.

Right. He'd been deeply absorbed in studying and refining the formula at that time.

No wonder he hadn't noticed.

"Honestly," Tenten added, her expression twisting, "he's been weird ever since. Every time someone mentions you, he clenches his fists like he's ready to explode. So let's not talk about him."

Garou blinked. He didn't know what to say to that.

'Is that... unexpected?'

He'd never meant to antagonize Neji.

But without him around, Neji would have been the top of the class. Now barely anyone remembered Neji was once considered a genius too.

He could see how that'd sting.

Garou shook his head, brushing the thought aside.

"The hospital doesn't need me much right now," he said. "I go in when they call. Most of my time's just reading, training, and research. Pretty peaceful."

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Sparky's Note: It's been a rough last few days, and I'm a bit worn out, but I'm still here, and I'm not stopping. Thanks for sticking with me. Your support really means more than I can say.