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Kushina's desire for power was understandable. She had previously sought strength to assist on the battlefield. After the war ended, the perceived reduction in danger, combined with her pregnancy, had led her to gradually abandon her pursuit of power.
Minato's death served as a wake-up call for Kushina. Even without war, the ninja world was fraught with dangerous missions. Without power, she feared she would end up like a helpless housewife, waiting at home while Naruto went on missions, unable to leave the village even if he were in danger due to being the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki.
Kushina refused to accept this fate. She needed to master the Nine-Tails' power, no matter how difficult the process.
Upon hearing Yoichi's agreement to help, Kushina felt relieved. She had learned from Mina about the relationship between the Fourth Hokage and Yoichi, so she believed that coming to the Uchiha clan wouldn't result in the same restrictions she faced under the Third Hokage.
Yoichi's claim that he couldn't help her control the Nine-Tails immediately wasn't a lie. His ocular power truly needed time to recover. Otherwise, the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan would have no problem controlling the Nine-Tails for an entire year without any issues.
Kushina eventually returned home, her emotions stabilized, preventing the Nine-Tails from breaking free due to excessive grief.
Mina and Mikoto decided to take turns accompanying Kushina. Previously, Kushina had been a bundle of joy, frequently visiting them. Now that she was in mourning, they felt it was their duty to support her.
Yoichi didn't involve himself in their plans. The friendship between close friends was not something he could meddle in.
Back in the village, Yoichi shifted his focus to internal matters. The Six Styles, a taijutsu technique, was roughly between C and B rank. With the help of [Research Assistant], it had been fully developed into a chakra-based technique and could now be taught to his clan members.
Even those specializing in genjutsu or ninjutsu could benefit from learning one or two Six Styles techniques, enhancing their overall strength through pure chakra control.
As for Armament Haki and Observation Haki, these were undoubtedly between B and A rank taijutsu techniques. Even a Jonin would struggle to learn these without a solid body and excellent chakra control.
While organizing the Six Styles, Yoichi gathered his students and Itachi, checking their training progress.
After reviewing their progress, Yoichi had a clear idea of their capabilities. His students showed great potential. Even the least talented, Ichigo, had mastered four of the Six Styles. (Also change his name, it was Kazuhito now Ichigo.)
However, Yoichi kept a stern face and said, "Kurenai, Ichigo, as seniors seven or eight years older than Itachi, you've only mastered the same number of Six Styles. What do you think about that?"
Ichigo looked down in shame. Both Haku and Kimimaro had limited chakra reserves, preventing them from extensive training, but even Itachi, who had just entered the academy, had surpassed him, making Ichigo, a Chunin, feel guilty.
Especially since his teacher was Yoichi.
"Because you didn't guide us on Kami-e and Tekai, they don't seem to suit me," Kurenai said, sensing that Yoichi wasn't truly angry. She added in a slightly pleading tone, "Yoichi-sensei, once I pass the Jonin exam, I'll train hard."
"You can't skip these two techniques. If you do, progressing to more advanced taijutsu will be even harder," Yoichi explained, wrapping his right hand in Armament Haki until it turned black. He then took out a kunai, infused it with lightning chakra, and stabbed it into his palm.
Ping! Ping!
The kunai, despite being enhanced with lightning chakra, shattered against his blackened palm, as if striking a metal even harder.
"Training in Paper Drawing and Iron Body helps prepare for more powerful taijutsu. If you don't want to continue, that's fine," Yoichi said.
"I'll resume training as soon as I get home!" Kurenai quickly responded.
Yoichi smiled and continued, "Haku, Kimimaro, and Itachi, your bodies are still too young. After graduation, you can start training again. For now, keep resting. As for the rest of you, when your Iron Body can block shuriken without chakra enhancement, come find me to learn Armament Haki."
Kurenai raised her hand, "Sensei, I plan to take the Jonin exam soon. Can I come to you for training advice?"
Rumi added, "Yoichi-sensei, me too."
Yoichi nodded. "If you're both preparing for the Jonin exam, I'll be available every morning at the usual spot. Ichigo, what about you?"
Ichigo scratched his head. "I need a bit more time. I'm not ready yet."
Kurenai and Rumi were nearly fourteen. Without activating the Sage Seal, they were just shy of Jonin level. But with the Sage Seal, they were definitely at Jonin level, making the exam reasonable.
After the three left, Yoichi checked on Haku, Kimimaro, and Itachi, noting their similar strengths. While Itachi knew more techniques, Haku and Kimimaro could already use their kekkei genkai.
Haku had inadvertently used his Ice Release to defend himself as a child, while Kimimaro was treated as a weapon by the Kaguya clan due to his Shikotsumyaku.
However, Kimimaro's illness hadn't surfaced yet. Yoichi planned to graft Hashirama cells into both Haku and Kimimaro to boost their strength to Jonin level by graduation.
As for Itachi, Yoichi had mixed feelings about him, remembering his actions in another timeline. But considering Mikoto and Itachi's relationship with Sasuke, Yoichi resolved to treat him fairly.
"Itachi," Yoichi called out as the three prepared to leave. "I know you've mastered the academy's curriculum. But don't rush. I'm allowing you access to all the Uchiha clan's secret techniques and ninjutsu for self-study. Even if you can't master them, understand their strengths and weaknesses. Once you've done that, come see me."
"And read three extracurricular books each year. I'll have Mikoto pick them for you," Yoichi added.
Too early an introduction to the harsh realities of being a ninja could accumulate psychological pressure, which could explode without a strong mind. Kakashi, for example, took months to recover after killing Rin.
After sending the three off, Yoichi headed to the Hokage building. He had intended to discuss Pakura's situation but had been sidetracked by other matters.
...
Outside the Sand Village
The battle had reached its climax. Over a thousand Sand ninjas stood on the high cliffs surrounding the village, watching the confrontation between Pakura, the hero of the Sand, and the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.
It was clear that Rasa had the upper hand. Despite Pakura's strength, she couldn't defeat Rasa and his Gold Dust techniques in the desert.
The truth behind Pakura's accusations of betrayal was murky. Rasa's reputation and Pakura's unwavering certainty made it hard to discern the truth. But in this duel, it was clear that Pakura was losing.
If they were on the plains or in another environment, Rasa might have had to be cautious of Pakura's Scorch Release, which could reduce someone to a desiccated corpse with a glancing blow.
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Wave!" Rasa formed seals, and a vast wave of gold dust surged towards Pakura from all directions.
Pakura leaped to dodge, her taijutsu skills and Scorch Release fireballs helping her evade the gold dust. However, a misstep on some concealed gold dust caused her to stumble. As the gold dust wave approached, she threw a kunai with an explosive tag into it.
Boom!
The explosion scattered the gold dust, allowing Pakura to escape. She quickly formed seals, merging her Scorch Release fireballs into one large, golden sphere.
"Scorch Release: Extreme Sun Strike!" she shouted, launching the massive golden fireball at Rasa.
Though the fireball was only six or seven meters wide, its heat made Rasa wary. "Gold Dust Shield!" he called, forming three layers of gold dust shields around himself.
The fireball struck the shields, causing a massive explosion and raising a cloud of dust. When the dust settled, two of the shields had been destroyed, with the first layer showing signs of crystallization.
"Pakura, you can't win. Surrender," Rasa demanded, his eyes cold. In the desert, he held the advantage. Even though Pakura's Scorch Release was formidable, it consumed significant chakra, and in this environment, he had the upper hand.
Pakura, however, refused. "Apologize to you, a traitor to the village? Never."
Feeling her chakra reserves, Pakura hesitated before making a difficult decision. She reached for her neck, activating the Sage Chakra left by Yoichi. Strange markings spread across her body, transforming her into a paler version with wings and a horn.
"What is this?" Rasa exclaimed, shocked by Pakura's transformation and the surge in her chakra.
"Let's see you handle this, Rasa! Scorch Release: Extreme Sun Strike!" Pakura flew into the air, forming a massive twenty-meter-wide golden fireball.
Rasa's eyes widened in disbelief. "Magnet Release: Gold Dust Burial! Magnet Release: Gold Dust Shield!"
Desperately using his chakra, Rasa created a large wave of gold dust and reinforced his shields. Pakura, however, combined her Scorch Release fireballs into one overwhelming attack.
"Die, Rasa!" she screamed, launching the fireball at him.
From a distance, Chiyo saw the impending disaster and ordered, "Earth and Water ninjas, stop them! Don't let them kill each other!"
But it was too late.
Boom!
Four massive Scorch Release fireballs collided with the gold dust wave, creating a violent explosion that sent shockwaves for miles. The heat and force threw Pakura a hundred meters away, draining her Sage Chakra.
When the dust settled, Rasa was buried in gold dust, unconscious with burns on his face. Pakura struggled to stand, her strength nearly spent.
"Still alive?" she muttered, drawing a kunai to finish him off. But several Sand ninjas blocked her path.
"Out of my way! Do you want to interfere in our duel?" Pakura shouted.
"Pakura," Chiyo interjected, arriving to mediate. "You've won. Don't finish him off."
(End of Chapter)