After parting ways with his teacher, Minato, Shuichi returned to his study at home. He focused his gaze on the Tag Tree, reviewing and organizing his various abilities.
The Earth Release Master tag was already secured, leaving just one final step: mastering Water Release to complete all five basic nature transformations alongside the seven foundational nature changes.
"Once I further improve the Star God, the next step will be advancing to Kekkei Tōta and expanding into Kekkei Mōra," Shuichi pondered to himself.
"It would be ideal to create a single technique that merges all the Kekkei Genkai I've mastered."
"Hm… starting with the Truth-Seeking Orbs might be the best approach."
Ordinary Truth-Seeking Orbs weren't considered Kekkei Mōra. They were simply a fusion of the seven chakra natures, created using Yin-Yang Release.
Aside from this path, another crucial goal loomed: Sage training.
"Why is there no Sage-related tag in the system? This is unacceptable!"
Shuichi felt deeply dissatisfied.
"Taijutsu forbidden techniques, immortality, medical ninjutsu to reverse life and death... there's still so much to accomplish."
"Right. The next major focus will be solving the problem of medical techniques that can revive the dead."
Shuichi's thoughts wandered to the Sage Seals of Mount Myōboku.
He wondered if any still existed. Perhaps they could be borrowed for research? When it came to resurrection, jutsu like One's Own Life Reincarnation or Dragon Life Resurrection were far less appealing due to their significant drawbacks. The Sage Seals, however, had no such side effects.
---
Time passed, and before he realized it, evening had arrived.
The enticing aroma of food wafted through the air, pulling Shuichi's thoughts away from the scrolls on his desk.
Stretching lazily, he packed up the scrolls and left the study, heading toward the kitchen.
To his surprise, he found Asuka and Shizune working together on dinner.
One carried a mature charm, while the other exuded youthful vibrancy. Together, they complemented each other perfectly.
"Shuichi!"
Asuka and Shizune both looked up, spotting Shuichi leaning casually against the doorframe.
Shuichi waved and smiled. "Is Tsunade joining us too?"
Shizune nodded with a smile. "Yes, Nonō-senpai invited her."
As they chatted, Shuichi stood by, enjoying the sight of the two women busily preparing food. It was a peaceful moment, one he wished could last forever.
Before long, the meal was nearly ready, and Nonō Yakushi arrived with Tsunade in tow.
They all washed up and sat down for dinner.
---
As soon as they began eating, Asuka smiled and announced, "Shuichi, I have some good news! I've successfully integrated the Soul Sealing Technique into the Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
Shuichi's eyes lit up with excitement. "That's incredible! Well done!"
He gave her a big thumbs-up, making Asuka laugh with joy.
Nonō, Tsunade, and Shizune all congratulated her as well.
Shizune couldn't help but express her admiration, saying, "Asuka, you're amazing! Sealing techniques are such a headache for me."
Her talent in sealing techniques was limited at best.
Nonō smiled gently and reassured her, "Everyone has different talents, Shizune. Your medical ninjutsu is already exceptional."
"And you have a knack for working with poisons as well," she added.
Tsunade chimed in, "Shizune, you could consider diving deeper into poisons to expand your skillset."
Shizune's talent in taijutsu was minimal. Even with Shuichi's guidance and sparring, her level could only be described as average.
Of course, Shuichi's Seal of Life could temporarily enhance her taijutsu abilities, but clearly, her efforts were better spent elsewhere. Maintaining her current level was sufficient.
Listening to everyone's advice, Shizune nodded earnestly.
Meanwhile, Shuichi mulled things over.
Shizune's chakra reserves were comparable to Kakashi's—not exactly low. This already set a decent foundation for her potential.
However, she inherently lacked combat instincts. Talent, unless augmented by cheats or hacks, had its limits regardless of training.
Shuichi didn't want Shizune to be on the front lines anyway. Fulfilling the role of a "healer" suited her perfectly.
Perhaps developing a medical Kekkei Genkai for her would be worthwhile?
The idea simmered in Shuichi's mind, but he chose not to voice it yet.
Without any clear direction, expecting Shizune to develop a Kekkei Genkai on her own would be like hoping for a miracle.
---
After dinner, they all went out for a walk together.
"Lord Shuichi!"
"Good evening, Lord Shuichi!"
Along the way, people greeted Shuichi and Tsunade constantly.
Once they passed, murmurs of conversation lingered behind them.
"As expected of Lord Shuichi, attracting the admiration of so many remarkable women!"
"Indeed. Lady Tsunade and the others are all exceptional medical-nin!"
"By the way, who do you think Lord Shuichi will choose in the end?"
"He must be struggling to decide, don't you think?"
"If it were me, I'd choose Lady Tsunade!"
"But isn't Lady Tsunade almost forty years old now?"
...
Tsunade Overhears the Gossip...
Hearing the chatter ahead, Tsunade's fists involuntarily clenched.
How dare they call her old!
Men can be so infuriating!
When she turned her head, her mood only worsened. That infuriating brat Shuichi was currently being fawned over by Asuka and Shizune, one holding onto each of his arms.
Tsunade's anger boiled, and she looked ready to separate the trio by force.
Sensing the brewing storm, Nonō Yakushi quickly stepped forward and gently pulled Tsunade aside, suggesting with a smile, "How about we have a drink? Let's give those three some space."
---
"Shuichi!"
A familiar voice called out from behind.
Shuichi and the two women turned to see Tenka approaching with a small child in her arms.
"Tenka-san!" Shuichi greeted her warmly, and Asuka and Shizune followed with cheerful hellos.
Tenka smiled as she reached them and lightly jostled the child in her arms. "This is Tenten, my sister's daughter."
Turning to Tenten, she added, "This is the amazing ninja I told you about—the strongest in the Shinobi World!"
The toddler, barely three years old, looked up at Shuichi with wide, sparkling eyes. Her voice, soft and sweet, piped up, "You mean… Lord Shuichi?"
Tenka nodded with a smile.
Excited, Tenten wriggled out of her Tenka's arms and stood firmly before Shuichi. Bowing deeply, she said, "Lord Shuichi, I'm Tenten! I want to be a strong ninja someday!"
"What great ambition!"
Shuichi crouched down, gently poked her chubby cheeks, and lifted her into his arms. "I believe you'll become a great ninja in the future."
Tenten beamed with joy, nodding enthusiastically. "Yes! A strong ninja like Lord Shuichi!"
Shizune chuckled. "You'll have to work very hard for that, little one."
Tenten turned to Shizune curiously, and Shuichi introduced her. "This is Shizune, a very skilled medical ninja."
He gestured to Asuka. "And this is Asuka, another remarkable kunoichi. They're both excellent role models for you to follow."
With her sweet voice, Tenten declared, "Lady Shizune, Lady Asuka, I'm Tenten! I'll work very hard in the future!"
"So adorable!"
Asuka took Tenten's tiny, pudgy hands in hers, her eyes brimming with warmth.
In her heart, Asuka hoped to have such a cute daughter someday.
---
With warm farewells to Tenka and little Tenten, the group returned home around 9 p.m.
After washing up, everyone exchanged goodnights and retreated to their rooms.
However, just as Shuichi was preparing to leave for Amegakure, a shadow slipped quietly into his room.
The blanket was lifted, and a soft, warm body nestled against him.
In the darkness, Asuka clung to Shuichi's chest like a small, vulnerable creature.
Her eyes glimmered in the faint light, bright yet tender.
Their gazes met, and Shuichi wrapped his arms around her waist, a teasing smile on his lips. "What's this? Seducing me? That's not allowed, you know."
Asuka giggled shyly at his words, then lowered her head and playfully nibbled at his chest.
"Ow…" Shuichi feigned pain, then retaliated with a grin, unleashing his newly developed Secret Technique: Eighteen Unveiling Touches. His hands found their way to her curves, gently teasing and exploring.
If Asuka's "combat power" was a mere 1,000, Shuichi's was at least 10,000.
Faced with an unfamiliar and overwhelming "jutsu," Asuka was swiftly defeated, left soft and breathless in his arms.
"Such a feisty challenger," Shuichi thought to himself, amused by her audacity. But in this moment, Asuka's allure was undeniable.
---
Despite the sweetness of the moment, Shuichi couldn't resist the temptation for more.
"Peaches are delightful," he mused, "but they're not filling." Or rather… "Peaches are delightful, but just one won't suffice."
With that, Shuichi flipped over, pinning her beneath him.
Asuka gazed up at him, her face flushed with shyness, yet her eyes sparkled with bold anticipation.
Looking down, Shuichi marveled, "How are these so soft and full, like perfect snow pears?"
"Asuka," he murmured gently, his voice filled with affection, "let me take care of you tonight."
Caught off guard, Asuka froze momentarily before Shuichi leaned down to claim her attention entirely.
...
In Amegakure, while Shuichi was enjoying a late-night snack, Konan had already finished freshening up and returned to her bedroom, sitting quietly on the bed.
This time, she was dressed neatly and properly.
As the night passed, Konan sat silently, waiting. Before she realized it, dawn had broken outside.
He stood me up!
A mix of disappointment and anger swirled in her heart as she glanced at the morning light outside. Without a word, she rose to freshen up.
---
After finishing her meal and drinking her fill, Asuka got up early and went back to her room first, then stepped out to wash up and prepare breakfast.
Shuichi also got up soon after. Following his routine, he cleaned up and stepped outside into the snow to begin his morning training.
Wait… wasn't I supposed to do something?
Unable to recall immediately, he shrugged it off and headed to the training grounds outside the Forest of Death. There, he cast Added-Weight Rock Technique on himself and began swinging his large blade.
This method not only honed his swordsmanship but also served as an intensive workout, pushing his physical limits and unlocking latent potential.
Every swing was slow, every step deliberate, leaving deep footprints in the snow. His bare upper body glistened with sweat, which rolled down steadily despite the cold.
After an hour, Shuichi was gasping for air.
Dispelling the technique, his body felt a hundred times lighter. Resting his blade on the ground, he looked up at the snowflakes drifting down and suddenly remembered.
Oh no… I forgot about Konan!
He scratched his head and smiled wryly. "Oh well, keeping her hanging adds a bit of intrigue. I'll sneak over tonight instead."
Can't be too eager, after all.
Even though, in truth, he was aiming to PUA her.
---
After finishing his training, Shuichi donned his robe, shouldered his massive blade, and started heading home. On his way, he ran into Might Guy and Might Duy, who were also out for morning training.
"Shuichi! Long time no see!"
Duy greeted him warmly, his enthusiasm uncontainable.
Shuichi set his blade down and waved. "Uncle Duy, Guy!"
Guy, who had been walking on his hands, flipped upright with a wide grin. "Shuichi, it's been a while since we last sparred. How about a passionate duel of youth right here in the snow? After all, the flames of youth cannot be extinguished, even by ice and snow!"
As always, Guy was overflowing with unrelenting energy.
Shuichi chuckled. "Sure, let's do it!"
The two prepared themselves, and Might Duy stepped forward as the referee. "Begin!"
At his signal, Shuichi and Guy charged at each other, leaving afterimages in the snow. Their fists and kicks collided with force, the sound of impacts echoing loudly. The shockwaves kicked up snow, scattering it into the air.
Both fighters relied solely on their physical strength. Each punch and kick hit with precision, leaving craters in the snow and cracks in the frozen ground.
"Haahhh!"
Guy shouted with each strike, his punches and kicks slicing through the air with powerful gales.
However, Shuichi easily parried every attack.
Physically, the current gap between Guy and Shuichi was far too vast.
Soon, Guy was gasping for breath, dropping to one knee in the snow, utterly spent. Shuichi, on the other hand, remained composed, without so much as a flushed face.
"Shuichi, your stamina is amazing!"
Guy gave him a thumbs-up, grinning despite his exhaustion. "But I won't stop chasing after you!"
Might Duy nodded with pride, encouraging his son. "Guy, the flames of youth never die! I'm a small hill you've already conquered, but now you have an even higher mountain to climb. Keep going!"
Guy nodded vigorously. "I will! I won't give up!"
Shuichi couldn't help but smile as he watched the father-son duo. "Guy, I've found a training method even better than practicing under a waterfall."
Guy's eyes lit up, and he leaped to his feet. "Really? What is it? Is it in a river?"
"I've tried that—it works well too," Shuichi said with a smirk. "But this one's different. You're wearing weights, right?"
Guy nodded. "Yes, but as my body adapts, the training effect diminishes. That's why I use them to push myself further."
Shuichi gestured for Guy to remove the weights, then patted him on the shoulder.
Added-Weight Rock Technique!
Guy's expression changed instantly as his body grew significantly heavier.
This sensation was completely different from wearing weights—it affected his entire body uniformly, down to every limb.
"This is incredible!"
Guy exclaimed excitedly as he moved his arms and legs, marveling at the intensity.
"I've altered your body's density, increasing your overall mass and making gravity feel stronger," Shuichi explained.
Guy didn't quite understand but grinned regardless. "I don't care how it works, as long as it helps! Thank you, Shuichi!"
Shuichi chuckled. "If you're going on a mission, swing by my base to have the technique dispelled. But once you're used to it, it shouldn't hinder you too much."
Guy nodded solemnly. "I'll adapt as quickly as possible!"
---
(End of Chapter)
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