Inside the Hokage Tower.
Hiruzen, in his prime, exhaled a long puff of smoke while holding the latest intelligence report from the borders of the Land of Fire.
"Hiruzen, I don't understand why you would place such a failure in Class A. It's a waste of educational resources."
Koharu and Homura looked at Hiruzen with puzzled expressions.
The news of an Uchiha who couldn't use ninjutsu had spread throughout the entire village. It was notable because the Uchiha clan, known for producing geniuses, had an unprecedented failure.
Their confusion wasn't about putting Uchiha Gin in Class A, but rather why Hiruzen specifically instructed this arrangement. Given the implications involving the Uchiha, they had to inquire.
After all, the Uchiha were seen as unstable elements within the village.
"The Uchiha and the village need a communication channel," Hiruzen said with a deep tone as he put down the report. "Perhaps he is our chance to connect with the Uchiha."
Importantly, he posed no threat.
A non-threatening Uchiha was the best bridge between the village and the Uchiha clan.
Although his decisions might seem like blunders now and he might appear self-aggrandizing, Hiruzen genuinely wanted to unite the village. The Uchiha were part of the village too, weren't they?
"Let's hope so," Koharu and Homura didn't hold much hope.
After all, the proud Uchiha had always refused extensive communication with the village, partly due to policies left by their teacher, Tobirama, and also because of their own slight targeting of the Uchiha.
Yet, the fault could never lie with them.
"Where is Danzo?" Homura looked around curiously.
Normally, whenever the Uchiha were involved, Danzo would be the first to appear, but he was absent this time.
He truly inherited their teacher's animosity toward the Uchiha.
"His threat is too low," Hiruzen implied.
Gin's talent was meaningless to Danzo. Gin couldn't use ninjutsu, nor had he awakened the Sharingan. Danzo didn't bother with such trivial matters.
Danzo had no interest in establishing a bridge with the Uchiha, as he deemed it impossible.
At that moment, a figure appeared in the office.
A masked Anbu knelt respectfully, "Hokage-sama, Uchiha Gin has contacted the Jinchuriki."
Everyone's expressions turned grim. The memory of Madara controlling the Nine-Tails to attack the village was still fresh.
Any Uchiha approaching the Nine-Tails was a red flag.
"Don't worry about it."
Hiruzen's tone was calm, as if the threat posed by someone like Madara was nonexistent.
A laughable matter.
A Uchiha who couldn't use ninjutsu posed no threat.
"Understood!"
The Anbu vanished into smoke.
"Hiruzen, I hope your decision is correct," Koharu's gaze lingered on Hiruzen.
Allowing an Uchiha to contact the Nine-Tails without interference showed Hiruzen's firm support for Gin.
However, the Uchiha might not accept this, or they might see it as an insult.
But they weren't Hokage.
"After all, you are the Hokage."
"Let's hope so."
Hiruzen turned to look out the window. The sight of Konoha had grown somewhat desolate compared to its previous bustling state.
Compared to the era of the Second Hokage, the village indeed felt much more deserted.
"Konoha..."
...
Gin led Minato and Kushina to a secluded spot by a stream.
His sharp senses had already detected several hidden figures among the distant trees.
He pretended not to notice. After all, they wouldn't expect him to have such keen perception.
He had chosen this spot specifically because it was open and the stream was clear, making it hard to hide anyone.
Unless someone had the Transparent Escape Technique, which was rare, and definitely not used for guarding or monitoring a Jinchuriki.
He chose this place to keep their conversation private.
"Um, learning Uchiha ninjutsu might not be right."
Minato was apprehensive. Hearing about learning ninjutsu made him excited, but now that they were here, he felt a bit uneasy. Learning Uchiha ninjutsu felt like stealing. Was it unethical?
Conflicting emotions of morality and anticipation mixed within him.
"Relax, it's not Uchiha ninjutsu. It's something I inherited from my parents."
Gin reassured Minato.
If he said he created it, it might scare them off.
"But aren't you unable to use ninjutsu, Senpai?" Minato was puzzled. He had heard about Gin's reputation.
Kushina also pricked up her ears to listen.
"It's a long story," Gin sighed, looking up at the sky, his mind racing for a reason.
He quickly thought of an explanation.
"The ninjutsu I received has low learning requirements but harsh conditions. If you don't reach a certain level, you can't perform ninjutsu."
"That's why I'm in this situation. But I'm close to a breakthrough and will be able to use ninjutsu soon."
"If you're afraid of your own talent being too low, you can forget it."
Gin's dismissive tone angered Kushina.
"Who's low on talent? Show me, I'll surpass you right away!"
"Wait, Kushina," Minato hurriedly stopped the angry girl and asked Gin with an apologetic smile.
"Senpai, what's the effect of this ninjutsu?"
Minato was confident in his talent but cautious about the possibility of being unable to perform ninjutsu.
As a ninja, not being able to use ninjutsu was akin to a tiger losing its teeth.
Gin chuckled, "You've already seen part of its effect."
Minato pondered.
"Strength, speed, reflexes, all seem to exceed a normal Genin."
In their earlier match, Gin had clearly been holding back. Minato could feel it. Gin's ability to dodge his attacks effortlessly was baffling.
"Not just that, it can also enhance your appearance, extend your lifespan, and if you break through, give you complete chakra control."
Both Minato and Kushina's eyes widened.
"Complete chakra control!" Minato exclaimed.
"Enhance appearance!" Kushina added.
It sounded more and more unbelievable. Could ninjutsu really achieve this?
Gin was prepared. He pulled a small notebook from his pocket and handed it to Minato.
"Take a look."
They both flipped through the pages, reading the text and the diagrams of the human body.
The extensive understanding of ninjutsu was hard for Minato to grasp.
Kushina made a curious sound.
"This is sealing jutsu?"
"Uh-huh."
"I didn't know sealing jutsu could be used this way."
Unlike Minato, Kushina had residual knowledge of sealing jutsu from her clan, making it easier for her to understand.
The detailed instructions on the method made sense in her mind. She couldn't verify the beauty and longevity claims, but the other effects seemed achievable.
"But why are there three connected seals?"
"That's the breakthrough point. It's essentially the fusion of three sealing techniques. Completing each one brings a qualitative leap."
Minato couldn't help but ask.
"Kushina, can this really be done?"
Although he didn't understand the intricacies, the detailed steps seemed like a foolproof guide.
"Theoretically, yes. Practically, I'm not sure."
Kushina glanced at Gin. He seemed to be a living example.
After a moment's thought.
"If it works as described, the effects can be achieved. The first seal is simple, but the second is ten times harder, and the third is ten times harder than the second."
Minato held the notebook, knowing that for civilian ninjas, ninjutsu was crucial. No civilian ninja could remain calm about learning new ninjutsu, especially one so remarkable.
Excitement mingled with caution, Minato asked Gin.
"Senpai, why are you teaching us so easily? What's your motive?"
Despite wanting to believe in the village's unity, logic told him that Gin must have a reason for sharing this ninjutsu.
As a civilian, what could he offer in return? He glanced at Kushina, stepping protectively in front of her.
Gin didn't notice, lost in thought.
He just wanted someone to learn the ninjutsu and quickly break through to avoid his current awkward situation.
This damn restriction left him no choice.
But he couldn't reveal his golden finger. Some people might learn the ninjutsu and then deny it, training secretly.
Although it wouldn't affect him much, he preferred someone like Minato, who was conscientious.
He had to think of another excuse.
He raised a finger.
"Minato, I believe in your future. So, if you agree to do one thing for me in the future, within your moral limits, I'll teach you."
Minato pondered. His words made sense...sort of.
This had never happened in the ninja world, at least not in his memory.
But if it was just that.
"I agree, as long as it doesn't violate my principles, I'll do one thing for you."
Gin extended his hand.
"Deal."
Minato shook his hand.
"Deal."
They both smiled, though Minato felt slightly heavy-hearted.
Gin, on the other hand, was overjoyed.
The restriction that had held him back for so long.
The hope for a breakthrough.
Had appeared.
(End of Chapter)