Er... Not exactly. [He frets a little sheepishly.] When I was young and starting at the academy, I was said to be mediocre at the physical arts. It was believed that I would be hopeless as a ninja. That is why I worked so hard for so long, in order to get where I am now.

Almost all of what I am is the result of hard work. I suppose that may be why Gai-Sensei called me a natural at one thing... he called me a genius of hard work! [He smiles warmly at the memory.]