Hokage Tower. A puff of smoke escaped Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips as he reviewed the latest intelligence reports from the Land of Fire's borders.
"Hiruzen, I don't understand. Why put a failure like that in Class A? It's a waste of resources." Homura Mitokado's face was creased with confusion. Koharu Utatane also looked at Hiruzen questioningly.
The news of an Uchiha unable to use ninjutsu had spread throughout Konoha. The Uchiha clan, known for producing prodigies, had birthed an unprecedented dud. It was naturally a topic of much discussion.
Their confusion stemmed not from Jin's placement in Class A, but from Hiruzen's specific instructions regarding the matter. And because it involved the Uchiha, they had to inquire. The Uchiha, after all, were a volatile element within the village.
"The Uchiha and the village need a channel of communication," Hiruzen said, setting down the reports, his voice grave. "Perhaps he is our chance to bridge the gap." More importantly, Jin posed no threat. A harmless Uchiha was the perfect link between the village and the clan. Though his later decisions would be questionable, and his current ones tinged with ambition, Hiruzen genuinely desired unity within Konoha. The Uchiha were part of the village, weren't they?
"Let's hope so," Homura and Koharu said, unconvinced. The proud Uchiha had isolated themselves, partly due to Tobirama's policies and partly due to… certain actions they themselves had taken. Of course, they were never at fault.
"Where's Danzo?" Homura looked around, curious. Usually, when Uchiha matters were discussed, Danzo was the first to arrive. He was the one who truly inherited Tobirama's… distrust of the Uchiha.
"He's not interested. Jin poses no threat to him." Hiruzen's words were pointed. Jin's lack of talent and the absence of a Sharingan held no interest for Danzo. He wouldn't bother with such trivial matters. The idea of building bridges with the Uchiha was something he wouldn't participate in; he considered it a fool's errand.
Just then, a figure appeared in the office. A masked ANBU agent knelt, reporting, "Hokage-sama, Uchiha Jin has made contact with the jinchuriki."
The room's atmosphere instantly grew heavy. The memory of Madara's attack with the Nine-Tails was still fresh in their minds. Any Uchiha approaching the jinchuriki was a cause for alarm.
"Leave it be," Hiruzen said calmly, seemingly unconcerned about a repeat of Madara's actions. A ninjutsu-less Uchiha posed no real threat.
"Yes, sir!" The ANBU agent vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Hiruzen, you'd best be right," Koharu said, her gaze fixed on the Hokage. His indifference to Jin's contact with the jinchuriki showed his determination to support the boy. But the Uchiha might not see it that way. They might even consider it an insult.
"I am the Hokage, after all."
Hiruzen turned to the window, gazing out at Konoha. Compared to its former vibrancy, a certain bleakness had settled over the village. Compared to Tobirama's era, the village had indeed declined.
"Our village…" he murmured.
…
Jin led Minato and Kushina to a secluded clearing by a small stream. His sharp senses, honed by the Foundation Training, detected several figures hidden among the trees. He pretended not to notice. They wouldn't expect him to have such heightened awareness. He'd chosen this location specifically to conceal their conversation. The open area and the shallow stream offered little cover for anyone attempting to eavesdrop.
Unless they possessed the Hiding in Mist Technique, and the Yuki clan was far too small to be assigned to guarding, or rather, spying on the jinchuriki.
"Um… is it okay for us to learn Uchiha techniques?" Minato asked nervously. He'd been lured here by the promise of learning a new jutsu. As a commoner, he only knew the Academy's three basic techniques. The prospect of learning something new had been too tempting to resist. But now, he was having second thoughts. Was it ethical to learn an Uchiha technique? His moral compass clashed with his desire for knowledge.
"Relax, it's not an Uchiha technique. It's something I inherited from my parents," Jin reassured him. Claiming he'd created it would probably scare them off.
"But… Senpai, you can't use ninjutsu, can you?" Minato pointed out. Jin's reputation preceded him.
Kushina also perked up, listening intently.
"It's a long story," Jin sighed dramatically, gazing at the sky as he concocted a believable explanation.
"The technique I learned, while not requiring high talent, has very specific conditions. You can't use ninjutsu until you reach a certain level. That's why I'm like this. But I'm close to breaking through. I'll be able to use ninjutsu soon. If you're worried about your talent being too low, then forget it." He added a touch of condescension for good measure.
Kushina bristled. "Who has low talent?! Show me! I'll surpass you in no time!"
"Wait, Kushina," Minato said, quickly pulling her back. He turned to Jin, a polite smile on his face. "Jin-senpai, what does this technique do?" He was confident in his talent, but he also had concerns. If it prevented him from using ninjutsu, that would be a serious problem. Ninjas relied on jutsu. Without them, they were like tigers without teeth.
Jin grinned. "You've already seen some of its effects."
Minato considered this. "Strength, speed, reflexes… they all seem to exceed that of a normal Genin." He knew Jin had been holding back during their spar. The ease with which Jin had dodged his attacks was unnerving.
"Not just that. It also enhances beauty, prolongs life, and once you break through, grants you one hundred percent chakra control."
Both Minato and Kushina's eyes widened.
"One hundred percent chakra control?!" Minato exclaimed.
"Enhances beauty?!" Kushina echoed.
This was getting ridiculous. Could a jutsu really do all that?
Jin, prepared for their reaction, pulled out a small notebook and handed it to Minato. "Take a look."
They leaned in, studying the pages filled with text and diagrams of the human body. The complex explanations of chakra theory were difficult for Minato to grasp.
Kushina, however, let out a gasp. "This is… a sealing jutsu?"
"Uh-huh," Jin confirmed.
"You can use sealing jutsu like this?" Compared to Minato, Kushina, with her Uzumaki heritage and latent knowledge of sealing techniques, found the concepts easier to understand. The notebook provided detailed instructions, almost foolproof. She mentally calculated the potential effects. Longevity and beauty enhancement she couldn't confirm, but the other claims seemed plausible.
"But… why are there three connected seals?" she asked, pointing to a diagram.
"That's the key to breaking through. It's essentially a fusion of three sealing techniques. Completing each one leads to a significant improvement."
Minato couldn't contain his curiosity. "Kushina, can this technique really work?" He didn't understand the theory, but the instructions were clear and simple.
"Theoretically, yes. Practically… I don't know." Kushina glanced at Jin. He was living proof, it seemed. She paused, considering. "If it works as described, it can achieve the effects he mentioned. The first seal is simple, the second ten times harder, and the third another ten times harder than that."
Minato clutched the notebook. For a commoner ninja, jutsu were everything. And this one was incredibly appealing. Despite his excitement, he remained cautious. He looked up at Jin. "Senpai, why are you so willing to teach us this? What's your purpose?" He wanted to believe in the idyllic image of a united village, but logic dictated that Jin must have an ulterior motive. What could a commoner like him possibly offer? He glanced at Kushina, who was still absorbed in the notebook, and stepped protectively in front of her.
Jin, oblivious to Minato's protective stance, was lost in thought. He just needed someone to learn the technique and help him break through this frustrating bottleneck. This damned limitation… what else could he do? He couldn't reveal the truth about Deduction. What if they simply took the technique and practiced it on their own? It wouldn't affect him, but he preferred someone conscientious like Minato.
He needed a different approach. He raised a finger.
"Minato, I believe in your future. So, if you agree, I want you to do something for me in the future, something that doesn't violate your principles."
Minato frowned. That sounded reasonable… not! This kind of thing never happened in the shinobi world… did it? He couldn't recall any such precedent. But if that was all…
"I agree. As long as it doesn't violate my principles, I'll do one thing for you in the future."
Jin extended his hand. "Deal."
Minato shook his hand. "Deal."
They both smiled, though Minato's smile was tinged with apprehension. Jin, on the other hand, was ecstatic.
The hope of breaking through the limitations of the Foundation Training…
Had finally arrived.