"Hmph! I really can't figure out whose disciple he is. Learning from Jiraiya, learning from Granny, learning from you, even now learning from Uchiha, but not learning from me!"
In the Land of Fire, by a small river, Tsunade looked at Tatsuma, who was among the Uchiha team, with some resentment in her words. Orochimaru beside him folded up the map and said,
"Tatsuma is a very clear-minded person. He always knows what to learn. If in the future, when he grows up and possesses astonishing physique and chakra levels, he will also come to learn from you. But he may not necessarily have your talent. I suggest you should organize the Water Release and Earth Release techniques that Second-sama left behind as soon as possible. That's what you, as a sensei, should prioritize."
"You dare to teach me how to be a good sensei? My disciples have been on the battlefield, killing enemy Jonin! What about your disciples? They're eleven years old and still in the Academy!"
Tsunade stood with her hands on her hips, speaking with an irrational but assertive demeanor, leaving Orochimaru speechless. He calmly said, "Nawaki is also your brother."
"What does that matter? My disciples are my disciples, regardless!"
Seeing Tsunade in this state, Orochimaru decided not to say anything further. He looked towards Tatsuma, who was consulting with Uchiha Fugaku and others about Fire Release, silently wishing that Tatsuma could free himself from the unfavorable influence brought by his sensei.
After resting for a while, the group set off again. Tatsuma and Minato had pleased expressions on their faces, despite already having notes from Jiraiya and Orochimaru on Fire Release Ninjutsu. However, as the saying goes, there are a thousand Hamlets in the eyes of a thousand people. Different ninjas have different understandings of the same ninjutsu. Just as the Uchiha Clan is renowned for its Fire Release, the Sarutobi Clan also has its unique understanding.
The Uchiha Clan's unique insights into Fire Release greatly helped Tatsuma and Minato. Moreover, Tatsuma didn't just learn some knowledge about Fire Release from the Uchiha; he also learned about the principles and production of Explosive Tags.
This is another classic example of combining Ninjutsu with Sealing Jutsu, where the Ninjutsu is transcribed into a Sealing Jutsu format. After injecting Chakra into the Sealing Jutsu, the technique transforms into Fire Release Ninjutsu, appearing as simple but actually an ingenious invention.
This is the most basic form of Explosive Tag. Later, people made more than one improvement, adding functionalities such as delay or trigger mechanisms to make Explosive Tags more practical in combat.
This knowledge isn't particularly valuable; it's just that Tatsuma hadn't thought about learning it before. His interest in learning stemmed from Orochimaru's inspiration about the combination of Ninjutsu and Sealing Jutsu.
To show his gratitude to the Uchiha, Tatsuma also shared a little creative idea he had about Explosive Tags, which is to add another layer of Sealing Jutsu at the bottom of the Explosive Tag. This layer would seal in some failed forged ninja tools or rusted, discarded ones.
Another layer of Explosive Tag pattern would be drawn on top of this Sealing Jutsu layer. Finally, using a simultaneous triggering technique to activate both layers of patterns, a single Explosive Tag made from a broken fragment would be completed.
The difficulty in implementing this idea lies in simultaneously triggering two segments of Sealing Jutsu patterns. Uchiha Fugaku expressed his intention to go back and research it further.
Tatsuma is eagerly awaiting the research results from Uchiha, and if successful, the objects sealed by the bottom layer Sealing Jutsu could hold great potential.
Adding oil to form high-explosive Explosive Tags, incorporating some reactive metals to create flash Explosive Tags, or being bolder by layering different attributes of Ninjutsu patterns to form composite Ninjutsu effects.
Due to the urgent need to report back to the village, the team did not rest for too long. With few members, they maintained a swift pace, basically pushing the limits of Tatsuma and Minato.
In less than two days, the group finally returned to the outskirts of Konoha in the early morning.
Orochimaru and Tsunade were coordinating with the village guards at the entrance, while Tatsuma was gazing ahead at Konoha village. It had been over three months since he left Konoha, and now he was back again.
This was his first time being away for so long, and he couldn't help but feel nostalgic. However, there was also some anxiety, with thoughts constantly swirling in his mind about whether his accommodation's door was locked and if there was a power outage.
If there's a power outage, has his refrigerator been emptied before the power went out? And, have the windows been closed properly? What if they weren't closed properly, and a stray cat made itself at home inside?
What if it's not just making itself at home, but turning it into a... birthing room or a toilet?
As Tatsuma thought about these things, he couldn't help but shiver with anxiety. At this moment, Uchiha Fugaku came up behind him, ruffled his hair, and said, "You'll get used to it."
In Fugaku's view, these two little troublemakers were just feeling homesick after being away for too long. But for ninjas, there isn't much time to spend at home, unless they inherit the position of family head. However, even Fugaku wore a troubled expression on his face. He didn't have much confidence in reconciling the village and the clan.
"Let's go! It's time to report back!"
At Tsunade's loud call, the melancholy atmosphere was broken. Everyone followed Orochimaru and Tsunade, walking on the sparsely populated streets of Konoha in the early morning, heading towards the Hokage's office.
Arriving at the Hokage's office, it was quite deserted at this time. After a while, an ANBU informed Orochimaru and Tsunade to proceed with their report, while Fugaku took the other Uchiha members to transfer the data files.
Tatsuma and Minato waited boredly again. After Fugaku and the others finished handing over the files and left, the two of them waited in place for over two hours. It was already bright outside, and the summer heat had begun to set in.
"You two, come in."
At this moment, the door to the Hokage's office opened, and Tsunade beckoned to the two of them. They hurriedly ran towards the Hokage's office and upon entering, they saw Sarutobi Hiruzen with a smiling face.
"Hokage-sama." x2
After exchanging greetings, Tatsuma glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen and then deliberately swiped his right hand over his own mouth corner. Sarutobi Hiruzen looked puzzled but also wiped his own mouth corner.
Feeling the granular sensation on his fingers, Sarutobi Hiruzen understood what it was. His expression turned serious, and he shot an unpleased glance at his two disciples. How could they not remind him of such a dignified matter!
Tsunade suppressed her laughter, while Orochimaru pretended not to notice Sarutobi Hiruzen's reproachful gaze.
Letting out a sigh of emotion at his unfortunate choice of disciples, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled again and looked at the bowed heads of Tatsuma and Minato. He said, "Tatsuma, Minato, both of you have performed admirably on the front lines. Not only have you excellently completed various tasks assigned by the village, but you have also shown the prowess of our Konoha youth in battles with other villages. Your attentiveness and caution will greatly aid the village."
Upon hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's praise, Minato blushed a bit. He felt he had only done what he was supposed to do and didn't consider himself as outstanding as Sarutobi Hiruzen portrayed.
However, his eyes were filled with fervor, silently urging himself in his heart that one day he would deserve the praise of Hokage-sama.
Tatsuma remained much more composed. His past work experience made him understand that such meaningless compliments were worthless; the most practical reward was the one he will soon obtain.
As Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the two children, one burning with the will of fire, the other young but mature and reliable, his smile grew even fuller. He then continued:
"You are all so outstanding, and the village should reward you adequately. Unfortunately, the village's finances, along with the allocation from the Daimyo, are all poured into the war with the Wind Country," Sarutobi Hiruzen said.
As he spoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen's smile faded, replaced by a look of distress and dilemma. Seeing this, Minato Namikaze was about to decline the reward, not wanting to burden the village further.
However, Tatsuma reacted quickly. He immediately said, "Hokage-sama, the fact that the village arranged for us to go to the battlefield for training is already a great favor to us. We don't need worldly rewards."
Hearing this, Minato also nodded, indicating that he felt the same. Though if he were to say it, he would omit the "worldly" part.
Orochimaru showed a barely perceptible smile. Indeed, compared to other people his age, Tatsuma was far too mature, understanding what is worth fighting for and what is not.
Sarutobi Hiruzen noticed this smile, wondering if his own disciple was teaching this kid to take advantage of him. However, he didn't feel upset about it.
After all, Tatsuma and Minato, one being Tsunade's disciple and the other Jiraiya's disciple, are one of their own! What's wrong with giving them some benefits?!
"Haha, it's best that you understand. But it's not reasonable to give no rewards at all. How about this: you can each choose a Ninjutsu technique as the village's support for your training."
Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, Tatsuma couldn't help but feel impressed. No wonder he's the Hokage; he's a master at changing the subject. Clearly, the reward they deserved had turned into the village's support for them.
But after the initial awe, Tatsuma began to think about what Ninjutsu to choose as "support." What he wanted most was the Flying Thunder God technique, but Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't possibly grant that, as the value was disproportionate.
Ninjutsu techniques of similar level, such as the Impure World Reincarnation or the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, were also out of the question. Tatsuma believed that the highest he could aim for was an A-rank Ninjutsu, but not all A-rank Ninjutsu would be available to him.
Among the A-rank Ninjutsu options suitable for him and Minato now, Tatsuma thought for a moment before tentatively suggesting, "Hokage-sama, I've heard from Jiraiya sensei that you developed a Ninjutsu called Shuriken Shadow Clone. If we could learn this Ninjutsu, it would be of great help to me and Minato. Also, there's the Bringer of Darkness Jutsu from the First Hokage sama. I believe this technique could greatly compensate for our shortcomings in Genjutsu."
Both of these techniques are A-rank Ninjutsu, and they are not particularly dangerous or demanding. Tatsuma knew better than to suggest something too risky or strict, like mutual Explosive Tag, as Sarutobi Hiruzen would likely reject it for being too dangerous.
As for the more iconic Multiple Shadow Clone technique, it wouldn't be very meaningful for the two of them because their Chakra isn't sufficient to fully unleash the power of this technique. Even regular Shadow Clones are currently a bit of a stretch for them.
Upon hearing Tatsuma's request, Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Very well, let's go with these two techniques. During this period, I'll also make time to personally guide the two of you in practicing them."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!" Tatsuma immediately bowed respectfully, then gave Minato a subtle hint with his eyes, prompting Minato to belatedly follow suit with a bow.
With that, the reporting work was preliminarily completed. Next up were matters concerning the Hidden Rock Village, but decisions on those would have to wait until the village reviewed the data Orochimaru brought back. So, for now, they welcomed a brief period of rest.
Since the Academy was currently on break, Orochimaru, having nothing else to do, tagged along with Tsunade to visit his disciple at the Senju clan's estate. Minato was also dragged along by Tatsuma.
"Sister!"
As they entered the Senju clan's estate, a boy in a tight-fitting bodysuit with a watermelon-shaped head came running towards them.
"Boom!"
Tsunade instinctively threw a punch and shouted, "What kind of monster is this?!"
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