"I doubt I'll be given a choice—too many are interested in acquiring my abilities one way or another," I sighed. "Anyway, all the rest aside, masters of iryojutsu and fuinjutsu don't just come knocking, especially not now."
"Still, I really don't want to endure some puppet at home for the sake of silly clan relations!" Ma pouted, crossing her arms over her chest.
"There, there, no need to be jealous," I smirked, embracing her shoulders and pulling her closer, planting a kiss on her forehead. "I love you more than anyone in the world."
"I'm not jealous, I'm concerned about your family happiness!"
"Yeah, yeah, I believe you."
"Ryo!"
As amusing as it was to tease Saya, I still needed to talk to Mito, so I had to end the fun. After explaining the situation to Ma about the team, I kissed her on the cheek and hurried to the Senju quarter.
***
Thanks to extensive practice with Shunshin over the past few months, I reached my destination in just a few minutes. Nodding to the quarter's guards, I hastened to the Uzumaki women's house. Since Kushina was still at the academy, the training ground was empty, and Mito was probably at home.
Climbing the steps, I rang the doorbell and leaned against the wall. Today had been eventful, and I wanted to sort out all my affairs quickly to get a good night's sleep. However, I didn't have to wait long—literally a few seconds later, the door swung open, revealing the elder Uzumaki in her casual kimono.
"Come in, Ryo-kun."
Slipping off my sandals, I followed the hostess, noticing a slightly tense look and a very serious expression on Mito's face. Damn, did they all conspire together? Nevertheless, the serious conversation only began after the hostess, according to all the rules, prepared tea, and we enjoyed some homemade cookies.
"Ryo-kun, yesterday you became a genin and according to the village laws, you became an adult. Our clan also follows a similar tradition, so from this day on, I can start your kenjutsu training," Mito began.
Hearing such news, I couldn't help but grin widely—finally, I would have a proper teacher instead of scrolls! From the very beginning of our joint taijutsu training, I wanted to learn the way of the sword from her. After all, if I were to go to anyone for apprenticeship, it would be to the best, and in Konoha, that was Mito, overshadowing even the acknowledged genius Sakumo Hatake.
Well, he was considered the best, but with the return of youth, that title returned to the Uzumaki. Of course, nobody was notified about this, but seeing the sword dance performed by the red-haired kunoichi a couple of times, I was captivated, not only by her skill but also by the performer. Considering that in the clan of redheads, true training in swordsmanship only begins after completing the academy and receiving the hitai-ate, I had to be patient.
"But that's only one of the reasons I called you to me," Mito continued, smiling at my enthusiastic expression. "Now that you've come of age, it's time for you to learn a little more about us and our secrets."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll find out soon, but for now, we need to take a little walk," Uzumaki said mysteriously, rising from the table.
Puzzled, I followed her. We didn't leave the Senju quarter, but the clan houses were left behind, and Mito led me into the depths of a large park, which Hashirama had planted. Judging by the almost overgrown path underfoot, it was clear that not many people walked in this part.
After about ten minutes of leisurely walking, the kunoichi stopped at the edge of a small clearing and reached out, touching a barely perceptible barrier that didn't emit any chakra and was completely undetectable at a distance of several steps even for my sensory abilities.
Before I could ask about it, the empty space suddenly began to ripple, and the illusion dissipated, revealing an old but still decently maintained shrine. The building didn't look like a temple at all. Without a word, Mito gestured for me to follow her inside.
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