After much difficulty coordinating their stories, Tenko and Sento both agreed with Tatsuma that if anyone asked about it in the future, they would say that it was just the two of them sparring.
However, the two were still very displeased. Tenko, with his head held high, said, "For the Hyuga Clan to injure me like this, hardly anyone would believe it if I told them."
Sento was equally defiant, saying, "Yeah, if it were me taking action, you, a mere Uchiha, would have had to retire and couldn't be a ninja anymore."
"Boastful!"
"What, you want to fight me?"
"Bring it on! I'll show you the power of my Sharingan."
"Getting thrashed by Tatsuma, that's really impressive~"
"You!"
The two suddenly started arguing. Tatsuma felt his head buzzing, but fortunately, since both of them were boys and about to reach their voice-changing period, their voices weren't too sharp. Otherwise, he might have had to intervene and teach them a lesson.
"Alright, Sento, Tenko doesn't mind revealing that he has already activated his Sharingan in front of you, which shows his trust in you. He just loves you but can't express it."
Tatsuma quickly intervened. Sento, who was originally still defiant, was stunned for a moment when he heard Tatsuma's last sentence. His face immediately turned dark, and he pointed at Tenko around Tatsuma's body, saying:
"You disgusting guy! I forbid you to love me!"
"Who loves you?!!! I'd rather fall in love with Inuzuka's Nin-Dog than love you!"
"Haha, an Uchiha who loves dogs, I can't trust that. Stay away from me in the future."
"I wonder who shamelessly ran to my house the day before yesterday. Clearly, it was you who wanted to get close to me, right? If you dare to enter Uchiha territory again, I'll throw you out!"
Seeing the two of them switch topics and continue arguing, Tatsuma was relieved that he wasn't getting dragged into it. He was also thankful that they both only looked at each other with disdain, clearly not wanting to engage physically. At least they weren't going to fight.
Moreover, this kind of genuine argument would be more convincing when they got back.
The two of them bickered all the way, while Tatsuma and Minato occasionally handed them water to soothe their throats so they could continue arguing. Finally, by evening, the group returned to the village.
After exchanging some harsh words, the two of them parted ways at the village gate without even taking back their exit permits. The guard ninja who was verifying the information saw this and said to Tatsuma:
"The conflict still isn't resolved, huh?"
"At least they're willing to talk, right?" Tatsuma misleadingly replied. The guard ninja nodded and said, "That's true. Kids your age, whatever the conflict is, a fight and an argument usually settles it.
But from the look of you, mediating must not have been easy, right?"
The guard ninja looked at the tears in Tatsuma's clothes and the occasional bloodstains, and remarked. Tatsuma did not confirm or deny anything; he simply took back the verified exit permit and said, "Senpai, I'll be going now."
After saying goodbye to the guard ninja, Tatsuma walked over to Minato and asked, "Are you going to Grandma Mito's house for dinner tonight?"
Minato thought for a moment. There were no special activities planned for today, and Kushina likely wouldn't return to the Senju Clan's territory. Considering the time, there was still a while before dinner. After thinking it over, Minato shook his head and said, "No need, I'll eat out tonight. Please give my regards to Grandma Mito."
"Sure."
When Minato mentioned eating out, Tatsuma had a hunch. If Minato were alone, he would either cook for himself or go to Mito's house, not eat out.
"By the way, Tatsuma, tomorrow is probably your last day of vacation, right?" As he was about to leave, Minato suddenly remembered and asked
Tatsuma nodded, and Minato continued, "Then let's go back to the orphanage tomorrow. I'll check later if the grain and oil we ordered have arrived."
"No problem, I'll wait for you at home tomorrow."
Tatsuma nodded again. The two of them had previously discussed buying some grain, oil, and stationery for the orphanage. The stationery was easy to buy, but given the time of year, bulk grain and oil were hard to come by. So they had only paid a deposit and asked the store to stock up from nearby towns.
After they parted, Tatsuma returned to the Senju Clan's territory, just in time for dinner. At the table, besides Mito, the other three casually discussed their activities for the day.
Nawaki had once again gone to pursue his youthful endeavors. He mentioned that Duy's son, Guy, could already join them for runs. Nawaki's assessment was that Guy was another good kid living up to his youth.
As for Tsunade, she had been conducting her "counter-reconnaissance" mission today. Since Dan Kato had been secretly investigating her, she decided to investigate him in return. Hearing Tsunade's words, Nawaki got angry too, saying he had misjudged that guy Dan Kato.
Mito had a complicated expression as she looked at her grandchildren, sighing helplessly. She then glanced at Tatsuma, who clearly knew everything but chose to say and do nothing, and sighed again.
Tatsuma described his activities for the day in vague terms, not going into detail. He just mentioned that he had gone out of the village with Minato, Tenko, and Sento to find a place to spar.
Tsunade had a smug expression, as if she knew everything but chose not to say anything. Nawaki, on the other hand, complained about why Tatsuma didn't take him along.
In terms of trust, Tatsuma did trust Nawaki, but the problem was Nawaki's tendency to speak without thinking, which made Tatsuma uneasy.
After dinner, Tatsuma took the opportunity to consult Mito about some Sealing Jutsu issues before she rested. However, Mito didn't provide a good solution. Instead, she suggested that Tatsuma study a different area of knowledge: the Cursed Seal.
"I need to find an opportunity to get in touch with Uncle Snake again."
Lying in bed and pondering the difficulties in Ninjutsu development, Tatsuma felt a sense of powerlessness. He had initially thought that having the [Ninjutsu Development] talent would allow him to develop some of the whimsical ideas in his mind or some Ninjutsu from the original work that were supposed to appear later.
However, in reality, the effect of the Ninjutsu Development talent wasn't that magical. This talent allowed Tatsuma to understand the principles and difficulties of a technique faster. Combined with a modular learning approach, it enabled him to learn new Ninjutsu much quicker than ordinary people.
It also helped him think of the steps to implement a technique more quickly when he was developing one. But all of this depended on the accumulation of knowledge.
The talent couldn't give Tatsuma the ability to create something out of nothing. To develop a technique, he still needed to rely on the knowledge he had accumulated. The talent only allowed him to recall and combine the knowledge he had already comprehended more quickly.
Therefore, when encountering difficulties that require new knowledge during the development of a technique, his progress would also halt, awaiting the acquisition of new knowledge.
For instance, the technique he was currently trying to develop, similar to Yakushi Kabuto's Yin Healing Wound Destruction, had reached an impasse.
In fact, Tatsuma's current development progress had already reached the level of Kabuto's Yin Healing Wound Destruction. After all, Kabuto couldn't achieve real-time healing either; such an effect was only attainable by Senju Hashirama's self-healing and Tsunade's Creation Rebirth.
But Tatsuma was still dissatisfied. He felt that his technique hadn't reached its potential. What he aimed for was genuine real-time self-healing.
Achieving real-time self-healing would allow him to safely attempt perfecting Wind Release: Rasenshuriken and other similarly dangerous forbidden techniques, like Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags Jutsu.
Tatsuma was quite envious of the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags. It was a battlefield miracle technique since most ninjas would be harmed by an Explosive Tag, let alone multiple Explosive Tags.
Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags is a sacrificial art of explosive mastery, where even the practitioner could accidentally get caught in the explosions. When Senju Tobirama developed this technique, he considered using it in conjunction with Impure World Reincarnation.
However, the village would probably not agree to using Impure World Reincarnation. Ninja methods can be dirty, but they cannot be openly displayed; there are also ethical boundaries.
That boundary is the sanctity of life and death. Impure World Reincarnation treads on this minefield in order to be executed. Therefore, while both are forbidden techniques, Impure World Reincarnation is almost impossible to be taught.
As for Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, if someone could address the issue of harm to the practitioner caused by these tags, there is a chance they could persuade the village.
If that person were Tatsuma, the likelihood would be quite high.
Unlike other ninjas who might think becoming a Jonin is enough to be considered a strong force, Tatsuma stands apart. In the shinobi world, he has a certain level of self-defense.
But Tatsuma, who knows the strongest enemies in the shinobi world, is not content to stop at the level of Jonin. Compared to others, Tatsuma has a significant advantage: his potential for growth is limitless.
Through the wars of the past two years, Tatsuma has learned the quickest way to enhance his talents: commanding victories in ninja legion battles.
Tatsuma never refuses a battle victory or a sparring match because every bit of growth could potentially play a larger role later on, but this is far from enough.
Only victories in legion battles, where thousands or even tens of thousands of talent points are at stake, can possibly lift Tatsuma beyond the limits of an ordinary ninja. Even when facing the power of a Ten Tails Jinchuriki, he can still make an impact and perhaps even overcome such formidable opponents.
The key to victory in legion battles lies not only in military tactics but also in possessing formidable forces that can decisively influence the outcome.
In the realm of widespread destructive Ninjutsu, Tatsuma has chosen his path. Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags are among the most potent techniques in this category of Ninjutsu, and Tatsuma would not hesitate to seize the opportunity to acquire them if it arose.
Half-asleep and muddled in thought for a long while, Tatsuma finally drifted off to sleep.
Meanwhile, in a laboratory within the village, Orochimaru, who had been researching the special Chakra possessed by the snakes from Ryuchi Cave, paused and looked towards an ANBU operative who had appeared in the lab at some point.
The ANBU spoke up as Orochimaru glanced at him, stating the purpose of his visit.
"Orochimaru, Hokage-sama and Danzo-sama have summoned you to the Hokage Office."
Upon hearing that the two were collaborating again, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly, nodded, and replied, "Understood. Please wait a moment. I won't keep sensei and Danzo-sama waiting too long."
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