On the way home, Minato apologized, his face filled with regret. "Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't think it would turn out like this."
Yoruichi smiled faintly. "Minato, you didn't plan this, did you? Deliberately luring me out?"
Minato's expression changed, and he quickly waved his hands. "No way! I never intended that. If I hadn't called you, none of this would've happened."
Yoruichi shook his head. "This was bound to happen sooner or later, with or without you calling me out. Don't worry about it."
He glanced at Kushina, her small hand quietly held in his own. She didn't pull away, and it felt oddly natural.
As they walked, Yoruichi's thoughts lingered. His strength was becoming clearer to him. In a real fight, he was confident he could hold his ground against a Kage-level ninja. At worst, he was at a quasi-Kage level.
But right now, the most important thing was Kushina's favorability towards him—it was above 90. There were... many things he could do with that trust.
Ahead of them, Uzumaki Mito smiled warmly. She seemed content, pleased by how things were unfolding between Yoruichi and Kushina. If they ended up together, it would fulfill one of her wishes.
Minato, still walking beside them, looked troubled. His eyes occasionally drifted to Yoruichi and Kushina holding hands. He forced a smile. "Old Lady Mito, thank you, but I won't join you for lunch. Yoruichi, we'll talk next time."
Before Yoruichi could respond, Minato performed the Body Flicker Technique and disappeared.
Yoruichi smirked slightly. 'He's upset, huh?'
Just then, a mechanical voice rang in Yoruichi's mind.
[Ding! Choice activated!]
[Option 1: Abandon Kushina and invite Minato to Ichiraku Ramen. Reward: Ichiraku Ramen VIP Card.]
[Option 2: Let Minato calm down and grow on his own. Reward: B-Rank Jutsu – Water Style: Water Wall.]
[Option 3: Forcefully invite Minato to join for lunch, maintaining the friendship. Reward: S-Rank Sealing Technique – Yin Seal.]
Yoruichi's eyes glinted. The Yin Seal was a significant technique. It stored vast amounts of chakra and could unlock powerful jutsu, including regeneration techniques and advanced medical ninjutsu. With his already immense chakra reserves, mastering the Yin Seal would put him on another level.
Yoruichi didn't hesitate. "Minato! Wait up!"
With a leap, he caught up to Minato, grabbing him by the shoulder. "Come on, stop being shy. Join us for lunch."
Minato hesitated, his gaze darting away. "I... I don't think that's a good idea."
"What's not good about it?" Yoruichi dragged him along without giving him a chance to refuse. "Ichiraku Ramen can wait. You're coming with us!"
---
An hour later, the group sat around a table in the Uzumaki courtyard. Yoruichi, Kushina, Minato, and Mito were ready to eat.
[Ding! Choice completed. Reward: S-Rank Sealing Technique – Yin Seal.]
Yoruichi felt the knowledge flood his mind. He smirked inwardly. 'With this, I'm one step closer to becoming an all-powerful ninja.'
"Minato, eat. Don't hold back!" Yoruichi gestured at the dishes.
"Yes, Minato, don't be shy," Mito added, smiling as she served him.
Minato nodded, slightly flustered. "Thank you, ma'am."
Kushina, sitting next to Yoruichi, suddenly picked up a piece of meat and placed it on his plate. "Here, eat this."
Minato froze, watching the interaction. His heart sank. 'They're already this close?'
He sighed internally. 'Why did I even come here?'
As lunch continued, Minato kept a polite smile, but his thoughts spiraled. 'I need to get stronger... and maybe find a girlfriend.'
By the end of the meal, Minato stood to leave. "Yoruichi, let's have a spar a week from now. I'm working on a new jutsu, and when I perfect it, I'll surprise you!"
Yoruichi chuckled. "A new jutsu, huh? Sure, I'll be waiting."
As Minato disappeared with a flicker, Yoruichi smirked knowingly. 'Maybe Flying Thunder God Technique? Then he's going to be shocked when I use it too.'
###
At dinner, when it was just the three of them, Uzumaki Mito spoke up, her voice soft but firm. "Yoruichi, don't take unnecessary risks like that again. Let me know right away if something happens, alright? With me here, no one will dare to target you."
Kushina, seated beside her, nodded quickly. "She's right! You shouldn't handle everything alone."
Yoruichi chuckled. "Got it, old lady."
Kushina glared at him. "Call her Grandma Mito!"
"Alright, alright. Grandma Mito."
Mito smiled warmly at Yoruichi, her gaze filled with affection.
Despite the lighthearted moment, Yoruichi's thoughts wandered. He had always wondered—what had truly happened to the Senju and Uzumaki clans? Who had orchestrated their downfall?
As if sensing his thoughts, Mito sighed and began explaining. "The remaining Senju didn't stand out much after the wars. Without the bloodline limit, they scattered and started their own lives, no longer uniting under the Senju name."
Yoruichi frowned. "So… the mighty Senju clan just faded away like that?"
Pain flickered in Mito's eyes. "Yes. It's a bitter truth." Memories of her grandson, Nawaki, flashed in her mind. If only he had lived, he'd be Yoruichi's age now. But fate had other plans.
"The wars took their toll," she continued. "As Konoha's cornerstone, the Senju were always sent to the frontlines. We won battles, but our numbers dwindled. Even Nawaki... he was lured out and..." Mito's voice trailed off, her sorrow evident.
Yoruichi's expression hardened. He could almost see the shadow of Danzo and the other village elders behind this tragedy.
Trying to lighten the mood, Mito smiled again. "But there are still some Uzumaki and Senju out there, living their lives. Young people these days prefer independence over staying with someone as old as me." She turned to Kushina. "I wonder when you'll leave me too."
"Never!" Kushina declared. "I'll stay with you forever, Grandma Mito!"
Mito chuckled. "Silly girl. It's natural to marry and start your own family someday. Right, Yoruichi?"
Kushina's face turned red instantly. "Grandma Mito, stop teasing!"
Yoruichi couldn't help but laugh. "She's got a point, Kushina. It's just how things work."
Mito nodded. "When I was young, I met Hashirama on the battlefield, and one thing led to another… we founded Konoha together. Starting a family gave us strength. Yoruichi, maybe it's time you considered it too."
Yoruichi looked away awkwardly, scratching his head. Meanwhile, Kushina buried her face in her hands, too embarrassed to look at him.
Mito smiled knowingly. "Let's eat."
---
The next day, Konoha was unusually tense. Masked ANBU operatives patrolled the streets, their movements swift and purposeful. According to Mito, they were investigating Danzo and his Root operatives after the recent attack on Yoruichi.
In the Uzumaki courtyard, Yoruichi watched as Mito patiently guided Kushina through sealing techniques. They were Uzumaki clan secrets, including the complex Yin Seal.
Kushina spent the entire day practicing, eventually forming a faint, barely visible mark on her forehead. Mito beamed with pride. "Well done, Kushina! Even Tsunade didn't learn this so quickly."
Kushina turned to Yoruichi, her face glowing with excitement. She wanted to show him her progress, but froze when she saw the bold, diamond-shaped mark already clear on his forehead.
"Wait… when did you…?" Kushina stammered.
Mito's eyes widened. "Yoruichi, you've mastered the Yin Seal already?!"
Yoruichi shrugged. "I just watched you both, and it clicked. I gave it a try, and… well, here we are."
Mito laughed in amazement. "What a genius! You have Hashirama's bloodline and his talent for ninjutsu!"
Kushina stared at Yoruichi, her admiration growing. She thought she was skilled, but Yoruichi's abilities were on another level.
Mito, still in awe, said, "I had planned to teach you the next technique later, but your progress is incredible. I'll now teach you the Four Symbols Seal, one of the Uzumaki clan's greatest techniques."
The Four Symbols Seal was designed to trap powerful enemies or suppress dangerous entities. It was an advanced sealing jutsu requiring immense skill.
Yoruichi hesitated. The Yin Seal was something he'd learned from the system, not through effort. Could he pull off the same trick with the Four Symbols Seal?
---
[Ding! A choice is available:]
1. Accept Mito's teachings and work hard. Reward: A-rank Sealing Jutsu – Four Symbols Seal.
2. Slack off and go home. Reward: A-rank Ninjutsu – Remote Vision Technique.
3. Politely decline and observe as a student. Reward: A-rank Sealing Jutsu – Four Symbols Seal; S-rank Sealing Jutsu – Reaper Death Seal.
Yoruichi's lips twitched. These choices… being a genius wasn't all fun and games.
###
Translator Note;
Third one....
...
Advance Chapters Up To Ch: 40 in my new Patreon, all ready to be consumed by you guys. Here's the link; P@treon.com/Tyrouge