Tsunade scratched her hair, attempting to explain, "My grandmother, Mito-sama, was the most famous genius of the Uzumaki Clan. It's perfectly reasonable for me to teach my student the knowledge of sealing jutsu..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent, simply gazing calmly at Tsunade.
He wasn't tall, nor was he particularly handsome. He usually enjoyed puffing on his pipe and speaking to others with a smile, looking no different from a friendly neighbor.
But when Hiruzen Sarutobi was truly angered, he exuded an intimidating pressure, as if one were staring into a boundless abyss, about to be swallowed whole.
He was the Hokage, one of the "Five Great Shinobi Nations" leaders. His every word and action could decide the life and death of countless people.
"A million corpses laid before him in his wrath" was not just an empty phrase.
Tsunade pursed her lips, no longer daring to act playfully in front of her teacher.
"Tsunade Senju..." Hiruzen Sarutobi began, addressing his disciple by her full name.
"In the name of the Hokage, I order you to refrain from teaching Hyuga Yuto the high-level sealing jutsu of the Uzumaki Clan."
"Sensei..."
"In this office, you should address me as Hokage-sama," Hiruzen Sarutobi said calmly.
"Tsunade Senju, you are the granddaughter of the First Hokage-sama and Mito Uzumaki. No one in the village understands the power of sealing jutsu better than you."
"Those who have just scratched the surface can seal the body and chakra of others. Those who are proficient in it can even bind the [soul]. The most advanced grand sealing jutsu can achieve unimaginable feats, almost exceeding the scope of ninjutsu."
"The Hyuga Clan's Caged Bird Seal can seal the optic nerves of the Branch House members. It's tenacious and permanently etched into the body and soul... The Second Hokage-sama once said that when summoning a Hyuga Branch House member using the Impure World Reincarnation, the Caged Bird Seal was still present on their forehead."
"If there is a way to remove the Caged Bird Seal in this world, then I believe that an extremely powerful sealing jutsu could potentially achieve it."
"But we absolutely, absolutely cannot let the Hyuga Clan entertain the thought that 'the Hokage wants to remove the Caged Bird Seal.'"
"Even if the chance of Hyuga Yuto breaking free from the Caged Bird Seal using sealing jutsu is infinitely small, we must nip this possibility in the bud... It's a root of disaster that could overturn the village."
"The foundation of the Hyuga Clan is the Byakugan and the Caged Bird Seal. The foundation of Konoha's existence is the Ninja Academy and those powerful ninja clans, including the Hyuga."
"For the sake of the village, the Caged Bird Seal must exist."
After Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, silence fell upon the Hokage's office.
After a long while, Tsunade spoke hoarsely, "But... But I'm Yuto's teacher. If he has talent in this area, I have an obligation..."
"What you teach is your choice," the Hokage's voice was soft.
"But at that point, I will regard him as a [potential factor that disrupts the peace of the village]. Apart from fulfilling my duties as Hokage, I will have no other choice."
—If you dare teach him high-level sealing jutsu, I will kill him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was gentle, but the blonde woman knew that this was practically an ultimatum from her teacher.
"Alright..." Tsunade closed her eyes, saying with difficulty, "I will obey your orders... Hokage-sama."
"Your choice is correct, Tsunade. Peace is everything to the village... Even if it's built on sacrifice." Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, perhaps feeling that his tone towards his disciple was too harsh. He softened his voice,
"Of course, Tsunade, apart from those high-level sealing jutsu that involve the soul and more profound matters, I won't restrict your teaching."
"Yin Seal, Strength of a Hundred, Creation Rebirth... You can teach all of these to Hyuga Yuto."
"These are enough for him to become an outstanding ninja who can stand on his own."
"As you command, Hokage-sama." Tsunade's face remained cold.
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a headache coming on. He said helplessly,
"Tsunade, don't dwell on it anymore. I will never compromise on the matter of sealing jutsu."
Tsunade continued to stare at him blankly, refusing to leave the office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi realized what she was doing. She was seeking compensation for her beloved student.
"Alright, alright, Tsunade. Isn't it the day for Hyuga Yuto and the others' assessment in a few days? I'll find an excuse to reward him."
"Hmph..."
Having finally secured a benefit for Hyuga Yuto, Tsunade snorted softly and turned to leave.
Inside the room, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep puff from his pipe, exhaling white smoke. His murmurs drifted along with the smoke,
"The tragic Caged Bird... I'm sorry, it's all for the village..."
...
Hyuga Yuto once again immersed himself in the tedious and repetitive training.
Yin Seal, Super Strength, medical ninjutsu, and Hyuga Gentle Fist were his daily compulsory courses. In addition, as a ninja specializing in taijutsu and ninjutsu, physical conditioning, studying medical theory, and training his Byakugan... These daily exercises were also essential.
Although training was arduous, Hyuga Yuto enjoyed it. The exhaustion of his body and mind made him realize that he was progressing on his path, even if that path was filled with blood and death.
"Why is the power of your punch dissipating!" At the back mountain of the Senju Clan compound, Tsunade grabbed Hyuga Yuto's arm and slammed it to the side. The Branch House boy's body crashed into a boulder, his blood churning, and his chakra flow disrupted.
He saw stars and gasped in pain.
"Yuto, you're mixing up Gentle Fist and Super Strength!" Tsunade crouched beside the boy, tapping his forehead protector with her finger. The metal clinked against her finger, making a pleasant sound.
"The essence of Super Strength is not brute force, but the coordination of your body and chakra!" Tsunade pulled Hyuga Yuto up, still standing behind him. She grasped his wrist, guiding him through the punch, hand in hand.
"How does it feel?" the blonde beauty asked.
You smell nice. Are you wearing citrus perfume today? Hyuga Yuto thought, but he wouldn't dare say that out loud. After pondering for a moment, he could only shake his head.
Tsunade said softly,
"Remember, for Super Strength... I am the chakra, and you are yourself."
Hyuga Yuto's eyes lit up. He was truly intelligent and immediately understood what Tsunade was trying to convey.
"Sensei, you mean the chakra should lead the body?"
"Hmph... You're quite sharp. Since you've figured it out, continue practicing."
Tsunade released him and walked to a boulder, sitting down and resting her head on her arm, looking away.
Hyuga Yuto glanced at his teacher, feeling a bit puzzled.
These past few days, the Branch House boy had intuitively sensed that Tsunade was avoiding him. She always kept her distance, as if sulking, and her gaze towards him was always subtly evasive... as if she felt guilty towards him?
Strange... Had she done anything wrong to him? Hyuga Yuto couldn't figure it out, so he simply put his teacher's odd behavior aside and continued his training.
A gentle breeze swept through the forest, swirling among the leaves, rocks, and the woman, finally reaching the boy's nose.
It's definitely citrus, he thought.