On the way back, Ryuji pondered his training progress over the past few days.
After a week of practice, he had perfectly adapted to his new body, and various Ninjutsu came to him effortlessly.
However, his timing in using them was still somewhat lacking.
After all, he previously used Ninjutsu via gauntlets, just raise a hand and activate. Now, he needed to form hand seals and perform follow-up actions.
Moreover, machine-executed Ninjutsu had fixed power, but a person could adjust a technique's range and power by increasing or decreasing Chakra Input.
Not only did the speed of execution differ greatly, but the timing options also multiplied. The discrepancy between the two caused significant changes in combat rhythm and style, requiring time to adapt.
Even so, he had comprehensively surpassed his previous exoskeleton-enhanced self.
If scored according to the databook's power rating system, it would be: Ninjutsu 10, Taijutsu 10, Genjutsu 10, Hand Seals 5, Intelligence 10, Chakra 10, Strength 8, Speed 8… a total of 71 points.
Here, 'Intelligence' refers to a comprehensive assessment of wisdom, knowledge, and combat experience. 'Chakra' is self-explanatory. The others should be obvious, so no further explanation.
Ryuji previously relied on tools for Ninjutsu, so his hand seal proficiency was poor… at a beginner's level.
With the Sea of Consciousness as his foundation for Genjutsu, he doubted anyone could compete with him in that field.
As for Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Intelligence, and Chakra, they were mentioned earlier, so no need to elaborate.
Strength and Speed at 8 mean he's inferior to dedicated Taijutsu specialists but top-tier among normally developed Shinobi.
However, this doesn't mean he would lose in strength or speed to those with higher scores in those areas.
Because a Shinobi's physical performance largely depends on Chakra Enhancement of the body.
The elderly Third Hokage had Strength, Speed, and Chakra scores of only 6, yet his burst speed surpassed the Second and Fourth's, and his strength was formidable, as during the Fourth Shinobi World War, while starting later and from farther away, he reached Naruto, who is captured by the God Tree, before the Second and Fourth.
With a maxed Taijutsu bonus, his physical explosive power wouldn't be inferior to any dedicated Taijutsu Specialist.
"Once I improve my hand seal speed and precision and adapt to the new combat rhythm and style, my overall rating could increase further," Ryuji concluded.
Reaching this conclusion didn't elicit much emotion.
Not because he hadn't seen the databook and didn't understand what increasing a few points from a base of 71 meant...
In fact, while Ryuji hadn't read the databooks in his previous life, he frequented Naruto forums and saw plenty of screenshots about characters' stat ratings.
He knew 71 points was the highest score among original characters, achieved only by Itachi and Jiraiya.
Increasing a few points from 71... in the entire Shinobi World, only the legendary peak Third Hokage in his youth might surpass that.
However,
While ratings can indicate someone's strength, they don't definitively represent it.
Especially with an upper limit of 10 for each stat.
Moreover, these eight stats don't include external factors like forbidden techniques, sage techniques, tools, summonings, or Tailed Beasts.
Therefore, a higher rating doesn't guarantee victory over someone with a lower rating.
Gaara during the Fourth Shinobi World War had a total rating of only 56, which is far from Elite Jonin-level… yet he was undeniably a powerful Shinobi even among the Five Kage.
Additionally, due to the power escalation in later parts of the story, characters after Sasuke's final battle with Itachi weren't given numerical ratings.
So, these ratings should be taken as a rough reference.
Even so, they give some indication of Ryuji's formidable strength.
Exiting Training Ground 32 and walking for about half an hour, the luxurious mansion situated on the outskirts came into view.
Noise and commotion carried from afar.
"Why so noisy?"
Ryuji looked toward the mansion in surprise. Built on the forest edge in the suburbs, it was originally a tranquil, serene place.
Even with over a hundred people living there, it hadn't become particularly lively.
But now, it was so clamorous.
Boom!
A loud crash suddenly sounded. A Sunagakure's Shinobi flew out from the distant mansion.
"Someone's causing trouble."
Gin's face darkened, then she looked at Ryuji.
Though eager to resolve the problem, with her Master present, his safety was her top priority unless he gave a direct order.
"Let's go see."
While he could instantly understand the situation by asking Aka, who was at the mansion, via the Sea of Consciousness, the distance was only a couple hundred meters… a few dozen steps. He was too lazy to ask.
They quickened their pace, arriving at the mansion gate moments later.
Just as they were about to enter, a house-sized creature leaped out from inside the wall.
A toad.
A giant toad with orange and brown coloration jumped dozens of meters high, clearing the wall.
Rumble!!!
The massive creature's landing stirred fierce winds and shook the ground.
The man standing atop the toad's head wore wooden sandals, hopping up and down. His arms were spread wide, white hair wild, his expression brimming with nonchalance. "Even if I'm not welcome, the toad's fiery blood won't dry up. I'll wait right here for Senki Ryuji to return."
Aka jumped onto the roof, her gaze icy as she stared at him. "Jiraiya, get lost. If not for Master wanting to maintain the Konoha-Suna alliance, your earlier disrespect toward him would have been enough for me to kill you."
"If Senki Ryuji cares so much about Konoha-Suna relations, why couldn't he maintain peace with other villages too?" Jiraiya's expression turned sorrowful. "My three pitiful disciples died in the war between Suna and Ame. If he doesn't give me an explanation, I won't let this go."
"Then what explanation do you want?"
Ryuji's voice came from below the toad.
Both Jiraiya and Aka were startled, then spotted the two figures approaching the center.
"Master!"
Aka's face lit up with joy as she jumped down from the roof.
"So, what explanation do you want from me?" Ryuji ignored Aka, who had come to his side, and looked directly at Jiraiya. "Do you want revenge for your disciples? Or are you here to question why I killed them? I don't think you're foolish enough to ask that."
"Foolish?" Jiraiya wore a self-mocking smile. "Since childhood, countless people have called me a fool. One more makes no difference."
Ryuji frowned. "I have nothing to say to you. If you want revenge for your disciples, come at me."
A proper explanation might avoid this conflict.
But only might… most likely, it would just be a waste of breath.
From Jiraiya's earlier words, Ryuji gleaned one thing: this Jiraiya wasn't yet the future legendary sage.
…
(A/N: Regarding the legendary peak of the young Third Hokage... official sources have not provided any relevant data; it's all conjecture from fans.
Because the Third Hokage's stats are too impressive.
His total score across eight attributes is 68.
But except for Strength, Speed, and Stamina, which are only 6 due to his advanced age causing a decline in physical function, the remaining five attributes are all at the full value of 10. He is also the only Shinobi in all of Naruto with five attributes at 10.
Moreover, at the age of 58, the Third Hokage was able to thrust the Nine-Tails from near the Hokage Rock all the way outside the village with his staff, proving his strength in his youth was explosively powerful.
During the Fourth Shinobi World War, he was the last to head to the battlefield but the second to arrive. When saving Naruto, he started from afar but arrived first, surpassing the Second and Fourth Hokage to rescue Naruto, demonstrating astonishing speed.
Furthermore, in the 'Jin no Sho', it is stated that he could freely combine Ninjutsu of all five Chakra Natures from a young age, possessing talent far surpassing that of the Second Hokage. Also, in Naruto, those with strong physical constitutions basically do not have weak Chakra.
Therefore, many speculate that the young Third Hokage was the only Shinobi with all attributes at full value.
And a full score of 10 is terrifying.
Asuma's total score is 64, one point higher than Guy's. However, Asuma does not have a single ability at 10; all eight of his attributes are high but very average. Meanwhile, Guy has four attributes related to Taijutsu at full value, with other attributes being weak, yet he is still stronger than Asuma. This clearly illustrates the difference between a score of 10 and scores below 10.)