Natsuhiko, who couldn't think of a good solution at the moment, decided to temporarily put the matter aside.
Afterwards, Mito changed the subject to something lighter and began fulfilling her responsibility as a teacher by reviewing their recent battle.
"...By the way, Natsuhiko, that technique you used earlier was exciting."
As she mentioned the giant rock snake Natsuhiko had created at the end, a smile of approval appeared on Mito's face.
"To think you combined the Flower Clone Technique with Iwagakure's Rock Fist Technique to compensate for the weakness of the Arm Shadow Clone's fragility while also significantly enhancing its destructive power."
"And besides Earth Release, other types of techniques should also be able to work with the Flower Clone Technique to achieve different effects."
"You could say this is a jutsu with infinite possibilities!"
Although Natsuhiko heard Mito's praise, his expression showed little joy. Instead, he smiled wryly and said, "But it was still easily broken by your chains, Sensei."
Mito chuckled, "That couldn't be helped."
"Natsuhiko, you might not realise it, but in battles above the Jonin level, the amount of chakra often determines the outcome."
"Although your technique looked intimidating, the amount of chakra it contained was average. Naturally, in terms of strength, it couldn't compete with the chains I reinforced with a large amount of chakra."
Mito continued, a bit nostalgic, "To be honest, it is indeed somewhat unfair since the amount of chakra one has is determined at birth."
"Although Natsuhiko, you've increased your meridian capacity through the Foundation Plan, you still can't raise the upper limit of your chakra."
"And the Rock Snake you created, as well as my chains, are techniques whose power depends on the amount of chakra infused. So, naturally, your Rock Snake couldn't match my chains."
After laying the groundwork, Mito finally moved on to the main topic of the day, which was also the reason she had sparred with Natsuhiko and defeated him with her full strength.
With a smile on her face, she said, "Luckily, you're my student, so this flaw isn't without a solution..."
Although Mito deliberately paused to create suspense, Natsuhiko already had an idea of what she wanted to say.
As expected, Mito then spoke with a mysterious expression, "Natsuhiko, have you heard of the Yin Seal?"
Having read the original story, Natsuhiko naturally knew what the Yin Seal was.
He even knew that Tsunade would later develop an S-Rank medical ninjutsu called the Creation Rebirth Technique based on this technique.
However, since he couldn't explain how he knew this information, Natsuhiko remained silent and listened attentively to Mito's explanation.
As Natsuhiko remembered, the Yin Seal was a technique for sealing excess chakra on one's forehead, eventually forming a diamond-shaped mark.
When needed, the seal could be released using "Yin Seal: Release," providing a temporary boost of chakra.
After explaining the Yin Seal, Mito smiled slightly and said, "So, as long as you master the Yin Seal, Natsuhiko, you won't have to worry about running out of chakra at critical moments."
"Although this technique is complicated to learn and requires a lot of knowledge in medical ninjutsu, I believe you'll be able to master it eventually."
Natsuhiko nodded slowly and said, "It does sound like a technique that suits me."
After all, if Natsuhiko were to compare it to something from his past life, the Yin Seal was basically a portable charger.
But one of those low-quality chargers that takes months to charge and only lasts for five minutes.
However, for someone like Natsuhiko, who didn't fight frequently, it was a very cost-effective technique, enough to make up for his natural shortage of chakra.
So, even before becoming Mito's disciple, he had already planned to study the Yin Seal in the future.
The only difference now was that instead of developing it entirely on his own, he could directly learn from Mito.
However, Natsuhiko felt it wasn't yet the right time to learn this technique.
Since the Yin Seal required constantly injecting excess chakra into the forehead to form the mark, Natsuhiko used up all his chakra every day in training and research, leaving none in excess.
So, he had planned to wait until he developed chakra conversion techniques, which would allow him to convert other people's chakras into his Yin Seal and skip the slow accumulation process.
"It seems I'll need to prioritise the research on chakra conversion."
Natsuhiko thought with some resignation, realising he had too many research projects. Even with the help of his three little apprentices, his time was still insufficient.
"I wonder if Orochimaru has yet developed a jutsu to absorb chakra. Maybe I can outsource this part to him..."
After some contemplation, Natsuhiko decided not to miss the opportunity to learn the Yin Seal.
After all, mastering this technique also required learning a lot about medical ninjutsu, which couldn't be done overnight. So, he figured it would be a while before he reached the stage of storing chakra and didn't need to worry about it for now.
Having made up his mind, Natsuhiko looked at Mito and said, "Sensei, please teach me the Yin Seal."
"Of course, no problem."
Mito nodded slightly, a bit sentimental as she said, "After all, this might be the only thing I, as your teacher, can teach you."
After speaking, she added, "But most of my time now is spent writing a new textbook on sealing techniques, so you'll need to learn most of the Yin Seal on your own."
"That's perfectly fine."
Natsuhiko nodded in understanding.
Given his current proficiency in sealing techniques, he no longer needed hands-on instruction from a teacher.
Then, as if remembering something, Mito clasped her hands together and said, "It just so happens that Kushina has recently resumed practising the Yin Seal, so Natsuhiko, you can help guide her training as well. Consider it fulfilling your responsibility as her senior."
"Kushina is also learning the Yin Seal?"
Natsuhiko asked in surprise.
After all, in the original story, Kushina never mastered the Yin Seal.
Mito's expression stiffened slightly, feeling unable to explain why Kushina was learning the Yin Seal.
But Natsuhiko didn't mind too much.
His presence had already changed many things, and Kushina learning the Yin Seal was a good thing.
So, he readily agreed to help Kushina with her training.
At the same time, the realisation that Mito might not have long to live gave Natsuhiko a sense of urgency.
He began to consider teaching Kushina another technique besides the Yin Seal.
Mito, satisfied with Natsuhiko's response, smiled and thought to herself, "Kushina, this is the best I can do for you..."
...
The next morning.
Kushina left home early, happily making her way to the southeast street of Konoha.
She had dressed exceptionally nicely today, even wearing the red cheongsam she usually couldn't bear to wear.
This was because she had received a message from Natsuhiko through her bracelet last night, asking her to come to his house in the morning as he had something important to discuss.
"I wonder what this important thing could be, could it be..."
Kushina, hands behind her back, blushed slightly, clearly thinking of something embarrassing.
Before long, she arrived at the door of the Usui household.
It was her first time visiting Natsuhiko's house, so she felt a little nervous.
She glanced at her bracelet and considered using it to notify Natsuhiko, but she decided to knock on the door instead. It felt more ceremonial.
Knock, knock, knock.
After knocking a few times, Kushina heard light footsteps approaching from inside.
Her nerves grew, and she couldn't help but recheck her appearance before regaining her composure as the door opened.
However, her calm expression quickly faltered, and she was surprised to see that it wasn't Natsuhiko who opened the door but a small boy with white curly hair and a blue outfit.
Looking closer, Kushina noticed that this child looked a lot like Natsuhiko.
Could he be a relative of Natsuhiko's?
This thought naturally crossed Kushina's mind.
So, she smiled, bent down slightly, and asked in a gentle tone, "Hello, is Natsuhiko home?"
The boy's eyes sparkled mischievously as he responded in a cute, Conan-like voice, "Oh? Big sister, why are you looking for my dad?"
(End of the Chapter)
P.S.: This Note will be posted for the following 7 chapters guys so please do not mind it.
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