The further development of the secret technique Fiery Lotus Steps would require significant time, and the same goes for medical ninjutsu, which demands a deep accumulation of knowledge over time.
"Next, my focus should be on swordsmanship, especially mastering an S-rank kenjutsu secret technique."
"Then, I'll tackle Wind Release, aiming to unlock the [Wind Release Expert] Tag, and from there, I'll strive for [Wind Release Master]."
"After that, I'll move on to genjutsu and sensory ninjutsu."
"Hmm, I also need to figure out how to obtain a summoning beast and learn the Summoning Technique. Since it's a space-time ninjutsu, it should trigger the corresponding Tag."
"The same applies to sensory ninjutsu, but I hope that if there's a [Sensory Expert] Tag, the conditions to unlock it won't be as challenging as [Fire Release Expert]; otherwise, it'll be a hassle."
Shūichi Hoshita contemplated, carefully planning the path he needed to take.
There was so much to learn, so he had to take it step by step, prioritizing one discipline at a time—specializing first, then broadening his skills.
Once he had rested enough, Shūichi got up and continued practicing the Fiery Lotus Steps technique, determined to master it for use in real combat.
By 4 PM, he finished his training and headed to the usual spot to meet up with Shizune and the others for their workout, and even had a spirited taijutsu sparring match with Guy.
On the third day of his break, Kakashi returned from a mission.
"Here, this is something my father asked me to give to you."
On a cliffside, Kakashi handed Shūichi a scroll.
"A gift from a senpai can't be refused. Since it's from Sakumo Senpai, I'll gladly accept it."
Without hesitation, Shūichi took the scroll and opened it to take a look.
Kakashi, curious about the contents, immediately leaned in to see, as he had no idea what was inside.
"Lightning Release..."
Shūichi's eyes lit up.
The scroll contained key insights into the nature transformation training for Lightning Release.
However, as Shūichi read further, he discovered that it wasn't just about Lightning Release—there were also training tips for Earth, Wind, and Water Release nature transformations, with content ranging from simple to complex, reflecting Sakumo Hatake's mastery of these techniques.
Kakashi's eyes widened as well, and he asked, "Is my father planning to take you on as a disciple?"
Shūichi grinned, "What, are you against it, Kakashi?"
Kakashi quickly replied, "Of course not."
"Hahaha, just kidding."
Shūichi laughed before turning serious. "Kakashi, you'd better work twice as hard."
"Sakumo Senpai sees great potential in me, which is why he's passing on these secrets."
"As they say, the student surpasses the master. Kakashi, our goal shouldn't just be to become the next Konoha's White Fang. Otherwise, people might say that the tiger father has raised a dog son."
"And by 'dog son,' I mean you."
Kakashi felt like ants were crawling all over him and immediately stood up, "I'm going to train!"
As Kakashi walked away, Shūichi rolled up the scroll and watched him go, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Kakashi, just you wait—there's more motivation coming your way!"
The days off were fulfilling and enjoyable, filled with training at the Konoha Hospital, in the small grove, and hanging out with friends. Not to mention, Nono Yakushi officially moved in with Shūichi.
Time flew by, and the seven-day break was over in a flash.
It was time to get back to missions—this time, they were heading to the Land of Rivers again.
On the road, Shūichi asked, "Minato-sensei, has the new Daimyo of the Land of Rivers been decided yet?"
Minato Namikaze replied, "Not yet."
"There are multiple factions involved now—not just us and Sunagakure, but Iwagakure as well. Even Kumogakure's spies have been spotted."
"However, the matter of the Daimyo is not our concern. The Third Hokage has entrusted this to Root and the ANBU."
"Our mission this time is simply to secure the trade routes."
Hearing this, Kurama Sanyō couldn't help but say, "I hope nothing unexpected happens this time."
Shūichi and the others couldn't help but laugh at that.
This time, however, Sanyō didn't jinx the mission—everything went smoothly.
Minato Namikaze's reputation as the Yellow Flash was already well-known among the Sand Ninja. Although there wasn't an official order to abandon missions if they encountered him, his presence was undeniably intimidating.
During the seven-day mission, Shūichi Hoshita and his team only had to deal with a group of rogue ninjas.
However, throughout September, October, and November, all of Shūichi's missions were centered around the Land of Rivers.
They were tasked with guarding mines, protecting merchant caravans, and defending various towns in the Land of Rivers. Most of these were C-rank or B-rank missions.
The only A-rank missions they undertook involved skirmishes with ninjas from Iwagakure and Kumogakure.
By December, the situation in the Land of Rivers had finally started to calm down.
Konoha and Sunagakure, as well as the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, eventually reached an agreement and joined forces to drive out the meddling ninjas from Kumogakure and Iwagakure.
It's worth noting that in December of Konoha Year 40, Kakashi's team, much like Minato's team before them, was invited to the Daimyō's mansion by the Daimyō of the Land of Fire.
When Shūichi heard this, he couldn't help but ask, "Minato-sensei, will Kakashi go through the same experience as I did?"
Minato shook his head. "One double agent is enough."
"Besides, the Third Hokage believes that Kakashi's personality isn't suited for being a double agent."
Shūichi thought about it and agreed. Cold and a bit tsundere, Kakashi wasn't really cut out for the role.
"What a shame," Shūichi chuckled. "The Daimyō is quite generous."
Being able to enjoy feasts every day, buy various items, etc was all thanks to the Daimyō's support.
After discussing the matter of the Daimyō, Shūichi asked, "Minato-sensei, how should I go about raising a summoning beast?"
"Raising a summoning beast?"
Minato laughed, "Powerful summoning beasts typically come from the wild and need to be tamed."
"If you're raising one yourself, you'll need not only various valuable medicines but also a bit of luck."
"The Inuzuka Clan sells specialized medicines for raising summoning beasts, but even with those, there's no guarantee you'll raise a suitable summoning beast, let alone one that can understand human language."
Shūichi grinned, "Minato-sensei, I'm not aiming too high."
"If raising one doesn't work out, I'm still young enough to search for and tame one from the wild later on."
Minato thought of the toads from Mount Myōboku, but since he couldn't make a decision about signing a contract with them, he suggested, "In that case, tomorrow we can head to the Forest of Death and try to capture a spiritually attuned creature to raise."
Shūichi nodded in agreement.
The next day, Minato's team gathered and headed into the Forest of Death to look for a spiritually attuned animal.
Before entering the forest, Kurama Sanyō asked, "Minato-sensei, I remember we once had a mission to capture a summoning beast that appeared in the Forest of Death. Can Shūichi buy that one?"
Minato smiled, "I already checked on that. The cat has been sent to the Ninneko Clan."
"Ninneko Clan?"
Kurama Sanyō glanced at Shisui Uchiha, "Shisui, I remember that clan has a close relationship with your Uchiha Clan."
Shisui nodded, "Yes, that's true, but I prefer crows."
Shūichi stroked his chin and said, "Raising crows sounds good too."
"Shisui, teach me how to raise crows!"
With the Clone Technique, Shadow Clone Technique, and Fire Release: Clone Technique, Shūichi already had three clone jutsus. If he could add two more, he'd unlock the Clone Expert Tag.
Raising crows and creating a Crow Clone Technique seemed like a pretty good idea.
Moreover, he still hadn't unlocked the Transformation Master Tag. Raising crows could give him an additional transformation option.
Entering the Forest of Death, Shūichi Hoshita and his team split up to observe the animals in the forest, searching for those with spiritual potential that could make suitable summoning beasts.
A giant python!
A massive spider!
A huge gorilla!
The Forest of Death was home to a diverse array of wild animals, each of them enormous in size.
After spending the entire morning searching, the group gathered at the agreed meeting spot around noon to share the information they had collected.
"Shūichi, I think this black gorilla would be a good choice. It's powerful, huge, and has thick skin that's tough to penetrate."
"This black wolf is also a strong contender—it's agile, has sharp claws and teeth, and is highly intelligent. It's also excellent at tracking prey, which could make it a great companion if trained properly."
"What about the spider? It's venomous and can spin large webs to trap enemies."
Kurama Sanyō was the most enthusiastic, eagerly introducing the targets he had selected.
On the other hand, Minato Namikaze and Shisui Uchiha had fewer selections, but their notes were far more detailed.
Shūichi carefully reviewed the options and finally locked his gaze on one specific target.
It was the one Shisui Uchiha had chosen.
"Shūichi, you're interested in this white tiger?" Shisui noticed where Shūichi was looking.
Shūichi nodded, "This young tiger seems like a good pick. It's just started hunting on its own after leaving its mother. Since you, Shisui, say it has spiritual potential, it must be quite exceptional."
"Plus, raising a young tiger offers more room for growth."
Minato immediately made the decision, "First impressions are very important. Let's go check out the white tiger Shisui found."
The four of them set off at once, following Shisui to the young white tiger's hunting grounds. They arrived just in time to see the cub lying on a rock, basking in the sun.
This white tiger wasn't entirely white; it had rings of black stripes across its body.
Because it was so young, it looked particularly adorable.
Shūichi took a liking to it at first sight and immediately decided, "This one's the one!"
He then used the Body Flicker Technique to appear right beside the white tiger.
Startled, the tiger cub let out a low, immature growl. It was about to get up, but Shūichi quickly placed a hand on its head, holding it down.
"Roar..."
The white tiger struggled and growled, glaring at Shūichi with a mix of fear and defiance, but its roars were more cute than threatening.
Shūichi chuckled softly, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid."
He kept one hand on its head and began to gently stroke its back with the other.
The tiger soon realized it couldn't break free and eventually gave up, staring at Shūichi with wide eyes.
Indeed, it seemed quite intelligent.
Shūichi grew even more fond of it and then channeled chakra into his left hand, carefully injecting it into the tiger's body.
"Roar!"
The tiger was startled again but soon found the sensation surprisingly pleasant, even closing its eyes to enjoy it.
Seeing this, Shūichi smiled and took out a special medicine he had purchased from the Inuzuka Clan earlier.
The tiger opened its eyes, sniffing the air as it caught the scent.
"Here, eat this!"
Shūichi brought the pill to the tiger's mouth.
The tiger sniffed it cautiously but hesitated to eat it.
Seeing this, Shūichi decided to take a more forceful approach, prying open the tiger's mouth and pushing the pill inside.
"Roar..."
The tiger struggled again.
Shūichi simply held it close, letting the pill slowly dissolve in the tiger's mouth.
Huh? It actually doesn't taste bad?
The tiger stopped resisting. Shūichi released it and then stood up, "From today, I'm going to call you Shiro."
"Hunt well, and I'll come back to visit you!"
With that, Shūichi's figure vanished from the tiger's sight, leaving the confused cub to look around in search of him.
...
"Shūichi, aren't you planning to take him back?" Kurama Sanyō asked when he saw Shūichi Hoshita returning empty-handed.
Shūichi smiled, "No, he's better suited to stay here."
Minato Namikaze nodded in agreement, "This environment will help nurture his wild instincts and ferocity."
"But Shūichi, you'll need to visit him regularly. The more time he spends with you, the more he'll get used to you and even absorb some of your spiritual energy."
Shūichi nodded, "Got it!"
The three of them left the Forest of Death, and Shūichi treated everyone to a barbecue meal.
...
Back home, Shūichi spread out the scroll of ninjutsu he had received from Minato. The scroll detailed the Summoning Jutsu, including its principles, the sealing formulas, and the hand signs, along with Minato's own training experiences and insights.
Even though Shūichi had an exceptional memory, he still read through the scroll three times, carefully pondering its contents before closing it. He then began practicing the hand signs to familiarize himself with them.
Before going to bed, he focused on studying the summoning seals.
To establish a contract with a summoning beast, it was necessary to create a summoning scroll.
While it was possible to purchase such a scroll, Shūichi, who had a solid understanding of sealing techniques and curses, decided to make one himself rather than waste money on a pre-made one.
This required him to delve deeper into the summoning jutsu's seals and fully understand them.
...
The next day, which was the last day of his vacation, Shūichi headed to the Ninja Academy.
He wasn't alone—Kakashi, Shizune, Kurenai Yūhi, Asuma Sarutobi, and Rin Nohara were also there.
Today was the day of the graduation exam for Might Guy and Obito Uchiha.
Of course, this wasn't Obito's first attempt at the graduation exam.
Not long after, a dejected Obito walked out of the academy.
Shūichi and Kakashi exchanged glances, both showing a bit of helplessness.
Obito wasn't weak—his taijutsu was strong enough to hold his own against them, and his Fire Release jutsu had improved considerably.
But his clone jutsu was lacking, and he often messed up during exams.
He even had a tendency to mess up at critical moments.
Shūichi remembered that Obito had failed his last exam because of a stomachache, which caused him to botch his transformation jutsu.
"If he were a bit more serious during practice, he would've passed by now."
"And, you were almost late just now!"
Kakashi showed no mercy, delivering a sharp comment to the already downcast Obito.
Immediately, Obito's dejection turned into a burst of energy, his fists clenching in determination. "Kakashi, you… That was just an accident, and I wasn't late!"
Kakashi replied calmly, "But you didn't pass."
Obito huffed, "Next time, I'll definitely pass!"
Kakashi, unfazed, said, "You said that last time too."
Obito, clearly frustrated, snapped, "Kakashi, I challenge you to a duel!"
Kakashi was about to respond when Rin quickly stepped between them. "Kakashi!"
Kakashi turned his head away, staying silent.
Rin then hurried to pull Obito away.
Shūichi watched the whole scene with great interest.
"He's out!"
Shizune suddenly pointed out.
It was Might Guy who had come out.
Before anyone could ask how it went, Guy rushed over to embrace his father, Might Duy, and then burst into tears.
Immediately, Shūichi and the others stood awkwardly on the spot.
Watching the tears stream down their faces, Shūichi couldn't help but think to himself, "Guy and Duy have incredibly active tear ducts."
But listening to their conversation, it was clear that the news was good.
At the age of seven, Might Guy had finally graduated from the Ninja Academy!
...
December quietly slipped away, and three days before the New Year, Shūichi Hoshita officially went on holiday, pausing all missions.
However, this didn't change much for him—he was still as busy as ever.
Every day, he visited the Forest of Death, Konoha Hospital, engaged in physical training, continued refining his technique, Fiery Lotus Steps, and pondered the development of his next jutsu, which had to be at least A-rank in difficulty.
He already had four A-rank or higher jutsu: Rasengan, Blue Flame Sky Blade, Fire Release: Fiery Lotus of Buddha's Wrath and Fiery Lotus Steps. But he still needed one more A-rank jutsu to unlock the [Pioneer] Tag.
Unfortunately, his Fire Release Clone didn't meet the criteria, and neither did the Eight Trigrams Seal.
"Maybe I should try creating the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken?"
"Even if I only complete 50%, it would likely be rated S-rank."
Shūichi mused after finishing his kenjutsu practice in the snow.
However, the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken wouldn't be particularly useful to him unless it was 100% complete, even though he had mastered advanced medical ninjutsu like Yin Healing Wound Destruction.
"Perhaps I need a flash of inspiration from the [Pioneer] Tag to fully perfect the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken."
After considering this, Shūichi returned to what he was most skilled at: Fire Release.
Fiery Lotus Steps was a movement technique, Fiery Lotus of Buddha's Wrath was executed through fire clones, making it effective in close combat.
His other five Fire Release jutsu covered mid- to long-range attacks.
"But even though the temperature of my Fire Release can rival Scorch Release, my mid- to long-range offensive capability still seems somewhat lacking," Shūichi pondered. "Water and Earth Style jutsu can easily counter it."
"So, should I develop a Fire Release jutsu with strong offensive power?"
Once this thought crossed his mind, Shūichi immediately considered two existing jutsu.
The first was the Water Release: Water Severing Wave, used by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, and by the toads of Mount Myōboku. During the battle between the reanimated First, Second, and Third Hokage, Tobirama's Water Severing Wave pierced through the Third's Earth Wall.
The second jutsu was the Sage Art: Storm Release Light Fang used by Six Paths Madara, which sliced through the black rods created from Six Paths Naruto's Truth-Seeking Orbs.
"High-Temperature Laser?"
Shūichi stroked his chin and made a decision.
Developing a Fire Release jutsu with strong offensive power would allow him to temporarily conclude his work on Fire Release jutsu, except for Fiery Lotus Steps and the Fire Release Chakra Cloak, and then shift his focus to kenjutsu and Wind Style.
"High-Temperature Laser..."
Shūichi pondered, "Actually, techniques like the Grand Fireball Jutsu start as a laser or stream of fire when first expelled from the mouth."
"For a ninja, the farther you project chakra, the harder it is to control."
"Water's fluidity makes shape transformation relatively easier, but Lightning, Wind, and Fire Release are more difficult."
"Most Fire Release jutsu are spherical, and even the Dragon Fire Technique isn't as detailed in form compared to something like the Water Dragon Bullet."
"This is closely related to the nature of the chakra."
"Moreover, maintaining a stable form after shape transformation requires additional control."
After thinking it through, Shūichi stood up and walked to the frozen riverbank.
Clap!
He clasped his hands together and, after a moment of concentration, opened his mouth and expelled a blazing white beam of fire.
However, the beam dispersed into a burst of white flames after extending only about six meters.
This was still only a medium-range attack.
He continued practicing, gradually increasing the attack's range.
This process involved constantly condensing his Fire Release chakra, requiring both strong chakra control and adeptness in shape transformation.
To prevent the fire from dispersing, a stable form had to be established.
...
Time passed, and before long, the New Year of the 41st year of Konoha arrived.
This year was different from the past; Shūichi Hoshita spent it at home with Yakushi Nono, and only visited the orphanage the next day.
On the fourth day of the New Year, Shūichi went to visit Miss Tenka.
It was his first time meeting Tenka's already-engaged older sister, who was only about sixteen or seventeen years old, not much older than Minato Namikaze. Her name was Tennai.
After having lunch at Tenka's home and being sent out, Tenka asked, "Shūichi, you've become very skilled with medical ninjutsu. Are you able to create medical ninjutsu scrolls?"
"Medical ninjutsu scrolls?" Shūichi asked, puzzled.
Tenka nodded, "Yes, for battlefield first aid."
"They're quite rare because they're not cost-effective. Medical ninjutsu often requires precise control, and scrolls are difficult to meet those requirements."
"But for first aid in the absence of medical ninjas, it's still viable, though it will waste some chakra."
Hearing this, Shūichi smiled, "Is this for Tennai's fiancé?"
Tenka poked Shūichi's forehead, "Clever!"
Shūichi patted his chest, "Since it's your request, Sis Tenka, I'll make sure to do it."
"Leave it to me!"
Tenka smiled and nodded, "I'll have someone bring blank scrolls to your home later."
"And…"
She took out a wooden box, "Here, this is a New Year's gift from me."
"You're going on a mission, so you might miss your birthday!"
Shūichi immediately accepted the box with a smile, "Then I'll take it without hesitation. Thank you!"
After saying that, he leaned in and gave Tenka a kiss on the forehead before using Body Flicker Technique to disappear.
"Little rascal!" Tenka scolded with a smile, then touched her forehead with a faint blush on her cheeks.
...
Taking advantage of the gift, Shūichi now found himself on an empty rooftop, opening the wooden box Tenka had given him.
Inside was a kunai.
"Is this made of the same material as the Tostuka Blade?" Shūichi wondered, taking it out to test. It indeed had high chakra permeability.
Holding the kunai, he suddenly had an idea.
"The High-Temperature Laser might be used with the kunai to allow the Fire Release chakra to adhere."
"But this doesn't seem very different from the Blue Flame Sky Blade."
Shūichi thought, "But I can practice with the kunai first and then gradually phase out the kunai."
With this thought in mind, Shūichi bought sake and some of Shizune's favorite snacks and went to the Senju family estate. This was a prior arrangement, so he couldn't go back on his word.
When Shizune opened the door and happily accepted the gift, she led Shūichi to Tsunade.
Upon entering, Shūichi saw Tsunade engrossed in some scrolls, with many scrolls scattered across the table and the floor.
These scrolls were clearly quite old.
Such depth of knowledge!
Shūichi sighed inwardly, then focused on the two mountains on the table.
No, it was Tsunade sitting behind the table.
"Lady Tsunade!" Shūichi greeted.
Tsunade looked up briefly before lowering her head again, slightly annoyed, "Just sit anywhere, or go play with Shizune. I don't have time to entertain you right now."
This mood seemed off!
It looked like she was facing a problem.
Shūichi glanced at Shizune, exchanged a look, and confirmed his suspicion.
He immediately walked over and sat down opposite Tsunade, saying, "Lady Tsunade, if you're facing a problem, maybe talking about it could help. I might be able to assist."
Tsunade looked up, frowning, "You won't be much help."
Shūichi shook his head, "That may not be true. While my medical ninjutsu skills might not match yours, I do have some expertise in ninjutsu development."
Tsunade rubbed her forehead and said, "It's not medical ninjutsu, but a technique for controlling chakra."
Shūichi became even more interested, "In that case, I'm more relevant. The foundation of techniques is hand signs and seals, and I'm quite skilled in that area."
The [Seal Expert] Tag also includes seals, and the basics of these are hand seals/signs that are relatively obscure and difficult for most people.
While eating snacks and watching the intense discussion between Shūichi and Tsunade, Shizune felt very happy, even though she couldn't participate in the conversation.
The discussion between Shūichi and Tsunade continued well into the night, only stopping when Shizune finished preparing dinner.
During dinner, Tsunade said, "Shizune, once school starts, apply for graduation."
Shizune was taken aback, then instinctively nodded, "Okay, Lady Tsunade."
Tsunade glanced at Shūichi before continuing, "After you graduate, start at Konoha Hospital. I'll have Yakushi Nono mentor you."
Shūichi understood and quickly added with a smile, "Don't worry, Shizune, I'll talk to the director too."
With her cheeks puffed up from the delicious food, Shizune nodded happily, "Mm!"
After dinner, Shūichi, wrapped in the scarf Shizune had given him, waved goodbye and left.
Under the streetlights, Shizune watched as Shūichi disappeared into the darkness, snowflakes swirling around him.
"He's already out of sight!" Tsunade's voice suddenly broke the silence.
Blushing, Shizune turned around to see Tsunade leaning slightly tipsy against the doorframe, holding a sake bottle.
"Lady Tsunade, it's too cold out here. Let's go back inside!" Shizune quickly stepped forward to support Tsunade.
Tsunade took another sip of sake and muttered, "That little rascal is just like Jiraiya—such a pervert!"
"That's not true, Lady Tsunade. You must have misunderstood Shūichi," Shizune softly defended.
"Hmph, that kid always stares at my chest!"
"Oh no..."
As the door closed behind them, their voices were gradually drowned out by the wind and snow.
...
Returning home through the snow, Shūichi found that Yakushi Nono had already prepared a hot soup.
After taking a sip, the chill in his body melted away, and he smiled, "Director, your cooking is getting better and better!"
Nono smiled as she gently brushed the snow off Shūichi, "As long as Shūichi likes it."
"The herbal bath is ready too, so head there after you finish your soup."
Nodding, Shūichi downed the rest of the soup, then gathered his clothes and headed to the bathroom for a bath.
When he emerged from the bathroom, he saw Nono quietly mending his clothes with a focused and tender expression that tugged at his heart.
Stepping closer, Shūichi grinned, "Director, could you help dry my hair?"
"Shūichi, you're almost eight years old now!" Nono chuckled.
Despite her words, she set aside the needle and thread.
Shūichi immediately lay down on the sofa, resting his head on Nono's lap.
With gentle care, Nono used a towel to dry and comb Shūichi's medium-length hair.
As the familiar scent surrounded him, Shūichi unknowingly drifted off to sleep, his arms wrapped around Nono's waist.
Seeing him asleep, Nono became even more tender in her actions.
She was well aware of the unique attachment Shūichi had toward her, but she also saw his relentless efforts, and her heart ached with sympathy, unable to refuse any of his requests.
"Being able to stay by Shūichi's side like this... it's good," Nono thought to herself.
...
Shūichi Hoshita woke up at 5 AM, feeling refreshed after rolling around in bed, thinking about the events of the previous night.
The world outside was covered in a blanket of snow, but that didn't stop Shūichi from heading out for his morning training.
"Shūichi, I knew you'd be here!"
In the snowy landscape, Might Guy, dressed in his iconic green outfit, stood out vividly.
The cold did nothing to dampen his enthusiasm. "Since we've run into each other, let's have a sparring match, Shūichi!"
"As you wish!" Shūichi agreed with a smile.
Training with a partner was always more effective than going at it alone. Soon enough, the two of them were leaving clear tracks in Konoha's snow-covered world.
Partway through, they encountered Kakashi, and their duo became a trio.
...
After finishing his morning training and returning home for the hearty breakfast Nono had prepared, Shūichi didn't follow his original plan to go out and train.
Instead, he headed to the study.
Last night, he had intended to complete the summoning scroll and wrap up his summoning jutsu training, but he had been derailed by Nono's kindness.
"As expected, a gentle embrace can be a hero's downfall!" he sighed to himself before activating his double concentration mode to get to work.
Time flew by, and after two hours, Shūichi deactivated his double concentration mode and let out a deep breath.
"Finally done!"
He smiled, satisfied after inspecting the seal on the scroll. Then, he walked to the window and opened it, letting the cold air clear his slightly foggy mind.
Just then, Nono entered with a bowl of bone broth. "It's fine to air out the room, but don't stand by the window!" she reminded him as she gently pulled him away to sit down.
"Thanks, Director."
Shūichi took the hot soup and drank it down in big gulps.
Glancing at the scroll, Nono asked, "Is it finished?"
"Of course."
Feeling warm and content after finishing the soup, Shūichi smiled. "I am a genius, after all."
"Amazing!"
Nono took the bowl from him, cautioning, "Even geniuses shouldn't be arrogant, Shūichi!"
"I know."
Shūichi replied earnestly, "I promised to protect you for a lifetime, didn't I?"
Nono responded with equal sincerity, "I believe in you, Shūichi!"
The two exchanged smiles.
After Nono left the study, Shūichi retrieved his Totsuka blade and placed it on a scroll inscribed with a seal.
He then formed a series of hand seals and finally pressed his hands onto the Totsuka blade.
In an instant, the seal on the scroll activated, quickly moving onto the sword, and forming the word "Totsuka" on the hilt.
With the sealing process complete, Shūichi grabbed the Totsuka blade, swung it, and stabbed it into the snow outside the window.
Next, he approached another summoning scroll, leaving his bloody handprint and chakra on it. With everything ready, Shūichi formed the hand seals again.
Summoning Jutsu!
As soon as he completed the jutsu, the Totsuka blade, which was stabbed into the snow outside, reappeared in his hand.
The summoning jutsu was a success!
Almost simultaneously, Shūichi noticed some movement in the "Tag Tree" within his mind.
Focusing his attention, he was surprised.
"Huh?"
He had expected to unlock something like the "Space-Time Expert" tag, but it turned out to be more than that.
The "Ninjutsu Master" tag had also unlocked.
"So I've already mastered 30 ninjutsu?"
Shūichi realized belatedly and started counting. Including the summoning jutsu, he had indeed mastered 30 ninjutsu.
He used to think mastering 30 jutsu was a huge task, but now, it was completed almost without him noticing.
But how many Chunin in the entire ninja world could boast of mastering this many jutsu?
It wasn't just about having the talent and time to train; resources played a crucial role too.
Back when Shūichi decided to graduate early, it was primarily for access to more jutsu resources.
Without graduating early, he would have been limited to medical ninjutsu resources—other than what Nono knew, there would have been nowhere else to learn from.
...
Tag: [Ninjutsu Master]
Condition to Obtain: Proficiently master at least 30 ninjutsu.
Effect: Any ninjutsu hand seals can be reduced to two, and ninjutsu talent is increased by 100%.
The effect of this tag is undoubtedly exceptional, as expected from a master tag.
Being able to reduce any jutsu to just two hand seals will significantly enhance the first-strike advantage.
The increase in ninjutsu talent applies to all types of ninjutsu.
Fire Release, Wind Release, Lightning Release, Water Release, Earth Release, Genjutsu, and more.
"With this, I won't have to worry about having a low aptitude for Lightning, Water, and Earth Release techniques anymore."
Shūichi Hoshita smiled.
And then there's Genjutsu. Right now, he was delving into the Darkness Technique.
After briefly savoring the thought, Shūichi shifted his attention to another leaf on the Tag Tree.
Tag: [Space-Time Envoy]
Condition to Obtain: Proficiently master at least five Space-Time Ninjutsu.
Effect: Space-Time ninjutsu talent is increased by 100%, and physique is increased by 100% (since long-distance space-time travel requires a strong body).
Reading the description on the tag leaf, Shūichi felt a bit overwhelmed.
At least five Space-Time ninjutsu!
Where was he supposed to find them?
"The Summoning Jutsu, Reverse Summoning Jutsu, Cloud Village's Heavenly Transfer Technique, the Flying Thunder God Technique—aside from the ones linked to kekkei genkai, what other ninjutsu falls under Space-Time?"
Shūichi couldn't help but scratch his head.
If it weren't for the boost to his physique, he'd be tempted to complain.
"Fortunately, both the [Ninjutsu Master] and [Konoha Genius] tags enhance all types of ninjutsu, including Space-Time. Otherwise, I wouldn't be confident about mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique."
"But the Heavenly Transfer Technique from Cloud Village will be tricky."
"Maybe I'll have to create one myself?"
After pondering for a moment, Shūichi set aside the thought, tidied up the study, and headed to the Forest of Death with the summoning scroll.
The white tiger was hibernating, but as soon as Shūichi appeared, it woke up, gave a low growl, and got up to nuzzle him.
Shūichi played with the white tiger for a while before injecting chakra into its body, helping it become more accustomed to the energy.
After feeding it some medicine, he opened the summoning scroll. While the white tiger was savoring the taste of the medicine, he quickly pricked its paw.
Blood oozed out, which Shūichi pressed onto the summoning scroll, leaving a paw print.
The white tiger didn't even have time to react before the wound was healed with medical ninjutsu, leaving it staring blankly at Shūichi.
"Hahaha..."
Shūichi laughed heartily, rubbing the white tiger's head. "Shiro, now I can feed you even when I'm on a mission."
After playing with the white tiger a bit more, Shūichi finally left.
...
Entering the Uchiha clan's compound, Shūichi curiously observed his surroundings.
The Uchiha were indeed a unique presence in Konoha, with the entire clan living in close quarters.
In contrast, even the prestigious Hyūga clan didn't live so closely together.
"Shūichi!"
A voice suddenly called out, making Shūichi stop and turn. An unfamiliar Uchiha clansman was approaching him.
After a quick glance, Shūichi suddenly remembered, "It's you!"
The person was Uchiha Yū. He walked up to Shūichi and introduced himself with a smile, "I'm Uchiha Yū. You must be here to see Shisui, right?"
Shūichi quickly greeted him, "Hello, Yū-senpai. Yes, I'm here to see Shisui."
"Let me take you to him!"
Uchiha Yū offered.
Not wanting to refuse, Shūichi quickly said, "Thank you, senpai!"
The two chatted as they walked to Uchiha Shisui's house, but Uchiha Yū soon excused himself and left.
After watching him leave, Shisui gave Shūichi a tour of his home.
It was quite large, with the layout of a mansion, completely different from the two-room apartment Shūichi lived in.
But living alone made the house seem too empty, a stark contrast to Shisui's warm and sunny personality.
Finally, the two arrived at the place where Shisui kept his crows.
Shisui had built wooden houses to serve as nests for the crows during winter.
"Look, these are specially prepared for you."
Shisui pointed to a few nests inside one of the wooden houses.
Shūichi looked inside and saw several young birds in the nests.
Shisui smiled, "But I don't recommend taking them now. The weather is too cold."
"Why not come by every day to feed them, and take them home after spring arrives?"
Shūichi agreed readily, "You're the expert, Shisui. I'll follow your advice!"
The beginning of Konoha Year 41 was rather "leisurely" for Hoshita Shūichi. Playing with the White Tiger and feeding crows had become part of his daily routine.
However, a technique he thought would be relatively easy to master—High-Temperature Ray—ended up posing quite a challenge.
By the now-thawed lakeside, Hoshita Shūichi winced, his mouth full of blisters.
He got burned!
The highly compressed fire stream in his mouth reached such extreme temperatures that even the Yin Healing Wound Destruction technique couldn't fully heal it.
The reason he needed to compress the fire stream inside his mouth was that this position offered the most control over chakra, allowing him to compress the Fire Release to a laser-like state.
Once ejected from the mouth, this would not only have an extremely long range but also tremendous power.
Unfortunately, his mouth couldn't handle it.
After treating the blisters, Hoshita Shūichi sat down on the ground, trying to reorganize his thoughts.
A high-pressure water jet doesn't harm the mouth, and the Storm Release is a combination of lightning and water, which is further enhanced by Sage Mode, offering more protection.
But plain Fire Release is different. It won't work unless he lowers the power.
However, if he lowers the power, there would be no point in developing this technique.
After much thought, Shūichi couldn't find a solution, so he decided to set it aside for now and focus his energy on other matters.
Time flew by, and before he knew it, the new academy year at the Ninja Academy had arrived.
As planned by Tsunade, Shizune submitted her graduation application as soon as school started.
On January 9th of Konoha Year 41, Shizune successfully passed the graduation exam and officially became a Genin.
Shizune then entered the Konoha Hospital, where she spent her days working with Yakushi Nono and receiving guidance from Tsunade when she returned home.
Whenever Shūichi was at the Konoha Hospital, Shizune would follow him around like a little shadow.
But after the New Year, Shūichi began taking on missions again with Minato Namikaze and the others.
March passed in the blink of an eye, and Shūichi's 8th birthday quietly came and went while he was on a mission.
However, after the mission, Yakushi Nono threw a small birthday celebration for Hoshita Shūichi, complete with a birthday cake and longevity noodles.
After eating the longevity noodles, Yakushi Nono took out a scroll. "Shūichi, happy birthday!"
"Thank you!"
Hoshita Shūichi accepted the scroll, curious. "Did the Director develop a new medical ninjutsu?"
Yakushi Nono shook her head but smiled mysteriously.
"So secretive?"
Shūichi grew more excited and immediately opened the scroll, only to be stunned. "This is..."
The scroll was filled with densely packed seals, forming a series of complex jutsu.
Given Shūichi's current level of medical ninjutsu, it was impossible for him not to understand it, even though the scroll contained more than just medical ninjutsu.
Yes, this was a ninjutsu scroll. Even those who didn't know medical ninjutsu could activate the jutsu within the scroll to perform techniques they didn't otherwise possess.
In the original story, Shikamaru Nara once used a Water Release ninjutsu scroll to fight Kakuzu.
And this scroll before him was clearly a medical ninjutsu scroll.
"Director, this is the Jutsu of Regenerative Healing, and... the incomplete jutsu that Lady Tsunade has been working on?"
Hoshita Shūichi was very familiar with the jutsu on the scroll.
Yakushi Nono nodded, smiling. "Yes, it's the Jutsu of Regenerative Healing, and also Lady Tsunade's incomplete jutsu."
"Tsunade discussed this jutsu with me before. Although it's far from complete, it can still be used."
"You made a medical ninjutsu scroll for Tenka before, so I got the idea to create this."
Yakushi Nono's smile faded as she carefully explained to Hoshita Shūichi, "However, the Jutsu of Regenerative Healing requires extremely precise chakra control. Lady Tsunade's jutsu doesn't meet the necessary requirements yet. So, when dealing with severe injuries like missing flesh or shattered organs, this scroll can heal the injuries but not perfectly, and it may cause side effects."
"Because the healing process is too rough, relying on massive amounts of chakra to force rapid cell division, it inevitably shortens the injured person's lifespan."
"Shūichi, you should know that the number of times human cells can divide is limited."
"Of course, if the injuries are so severe that ordinary medical ninjutsu can't heal them, then the shortened lifespan won't be much of a concern."
Shūichi nodded and then smiled. "Don't worry, Director. I'll make sure not to need this scroll."
"If things go south, I'll just run. I wouldn't want to leave you behind."
Yakushi Nono couldn't help but smile at his words.
But she knew all too well that as a ninja, one could never predict what dangers they might face on a mission.
The reason she made this scroll was so that even if Shūichi encountered danger, he could come back alive.
As long as he stays alive, everything will be okay!
...
The Next Day, in the Small Grove.
Shūichi held the Totsuka Blade in both hands, and soon, the blade was enveloped in blue flames.
As he continued to pour chakra into it, the blue flames extended, reaching a length of two meters within moments.
This was his new focus after hitting a bottleneck with the High-Temperature Ray—further developing the Blue Flame Sky Blade.
Extending a fire blade from the Totsuka Blade to increase attack range wasn't particularly difficult.
If he were only using regular white flames, it wouldn't have taken Shūichi nearly as long to achieve this.
Dispelling the blue flames, Shūichi shook his head. "Too slow, and the range is a bit short."
What he envisioned was a sword slash like Xianxia Novel's Blade Qi.
A giant sword extending several meters!
"Not only is the range insufficient, but it also takes too long and consumes too much chakra."
"But, in fact, the entire blade doesn't need to be made of blue flames. The key part is the edge."
Shūichi's original design for the Blue Flame Sky Blade focused on reinforcing the blade edge with Fire Release. Covering the entire blade with flames made it easier to alter its shape.
However, with the support of the [Fire Release Master] tag, his Fire Release transformation capabilities had greatly improved, and the [Medical Expert] tag further enhanced his chakra control.
It was time to test his original idea!
Hoshita Shūichi took a moment to gather himself before injecting chakra into the Totsuka Blade.
In the next instant, the blade edge was quickly covered in blue flames.
Immediately after, Hoshita Shūichi's gaze sharpened, and the blue flames, initially only covering the blade edge, rapidly expanded—not just covering the entire blade but extending outward to a length of ten meters.
It looked as if he was now holding a massive blue sword.
The blade edge was a deep blue, while the giant sword above it was a faint blue flame, giving it a somewhat ethereal appearance.
After reaching this point, Shūichi let out a low shout, raised the Totsuka Blade high with both hands, and then brought it crashing down.
In an instant, the ten-meter-long giant blue energy blade sliced downward, splitting the small grove in two.
Boom!
The trees exploded, sending debris and dust flying.
When the dust settled, a charred trench over ten meters long appeared on the ground.
Breathing heavily, Hoshita Shūichi grinned. "Not bad power!"
"Although ten meters is still considered mid-range, it's longer than the range of Chidori Sharp Spear."
Unfortunately, it still didn't reach S-rank difficulty.
Damn it!
Pouting, Hoshita Shūichi swallowed a military ration pill and sat down to rest, thinking to himself, "The sword technique extended from the Blue Flame Sky Blade will be called Blue Flame Style Swordsmanship, and this move will be... Blue Flame Waterfall Blade?"
Scratching his head, Hoshita Shūichi felt a bit awkward about his naming skills.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Hoshita Shūichi turned his head and saw Uchiha Shisui appear.
"Shūichi, Minato-sensei has called a meeting. There's an urgent, last-minute mission. We're to gather at the village gate in half an hour."
With that, Uchiha Shisui vanished in a puff of smoke—it was a shadow clone.
"That urgent?"
Shūichi didn't dare delay and immediately headed home to gather his things.
After packing, he sent a shadow clone to the Konoha Hospital to inform Yakushi Nono while his real body headed to the village gate at top speed.
When he arrived, Minato Namikaze and the other two were already waiting.
"Let's move out!"
Without any unnecessary words, Minato Namikaze gave the order.
The four of them leaped out of the village and entered the forest to the west.
"Our mission's destination this time is Kusagakure in the Land of Grass."
As they traveled, Minato Namikaze explained, "Kusagakure is an ally of Konoha. A critical situation has arisen, so they requested assistance from Konoha to send sealing specialists. The Third Hokage assigned this mission to our team."
"According to the information from Kusagakure, the object that needs to be sealed is said to be a ninja tool passed down from the time of the Sage of Six Paths, possibly even crafted by the Sage himself."
Kurama Sanyō couldn't help but exclaim, "A ninja tool from the Sage of Six Paths?"
"That must be incredibly powerful. No wonder Kusagakure is asking for help with the sealing."
"So, it looks like the key players in this mission will be you, Sensei, and Shūichi."
Minato Namikaze shook his head. "According to our own intelligence, other parties are also targeting this ninja tool in Kusagakure."
"So, this mission isn't just about sealing a dangerous ninja tool. That's why the Third Hokage selected our team, instead of sending a sealing squad."
Uchiha Shisui responded, "So, Minato-sensei, you're saying we need to be extra vigilant during the sealing process."
Minato Namikaze nodded. "Exactly."
At that moment, Hoshita Shūichi's mind was racing with thoughts.
When Minato mentioned Kusagakure, the first person he thought of was Karin.
With her Uzumaki clan bloodline, Karin would make an excellent teammate.
Without Karin, Uchiha Sasuke would likely have been defeated long ago.
And when Minato mentioned a ninja tool connected to the Sage of Six Paths, Hoshita Shūichi guessed it was probably the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
"Karin... Karin probably hasn't been born yet. Her mother might even be around the same age as Minato-sensei. I wonder if she's currently in Kusagakure."
"Maybe I can investigate while we're there."
As these thoughts ran through Hoshita Shūichi's mind, he asked, "Minato-sensei, did our village's intelligence mention who our enemies might be?"
"Iwa-nin?"
"Or Kumo-nin?"
Iwagakure had long aimed to expand its influence eastward, even eyeing the fertile land of the Land of Grass.
But Kusagakure was cunning, skillfully navigating between the great nations and ninja villages like a socialite, even managing to establish the Hōzuki Castle(Blood Prison) with support from several ninja villages.
As for Kumo-nin, Kumogakure had a reputation for stealing others' secrets.
Kusagakure's unique Fire Release techniques were noteworthy, and not to mention, Kumogakure was the most familiar with the power of the Six Paths ninja tools.
"Iwa-nin and Kumo-nin are both possible suspects."
Minato Namikaze stated, "Kusagakure also has Kumo-nin spies, which is inevitable."
Kurama Sanyō chuckled, "Looks like this mission is going to be quite challenging."
"Speaking of which, we've already fought against Suna-nin and Iwa-nin. The only ones left are Kumo-nin and Kiri-nin. It's said that Kumo-nin are more proficient in Taijutsu and Lightning Release."
Uchiha Shisui reminded him with a smile, "Proficient doesn't mean unbeatable, Sanyō. Don't underestimate the unknown enemy."
...
Since this was an urgent mission, although they chatted along the way, Shūichi and the others did not slow down at all.
After only a half-hour break, they arrived at Kusagakure by dusk.
"Greetings, friends from Konoha. I am Mu Wei, a Chūnin from the village."
The one responsible for receiving Hoshita Shūichi and his team was a young ninja who appeared to be around the same age as Minato Namikaze.
Upon hearing the self-introduction, Hoshita Shūichi couldn't help but scrutinize him.
Nothing remarkable.
"I'm Minato Namikaze, a Jōnin from Konoha, and one of those responsible for the sealing."
Minato Namikaze introduced himself with a smile.
Following that, Hoshita Shūichi and the other two also introduced themselves.
Mu Wei then led them into Kusagakure to settle in.
Since it was already evening and they were quite exhausted, none of them were in the mood to explore the village.
After meeting with Kusagakure's leader, Minato Namikaze returned and said, "The sealing is scheduled for tomorrow. After dinner, the three of you should get some rest immediately. We'll take turns standing guard after midnight."
The three of them nodded in unison, "Understood!"
Even though Kusagakure was an ally of Konoha and this wasn't a battlefield, Minato Namikaze remained vigilant.
Fortunately, the night passed without incident.
The next morning, shortly after breakfast, Mu Wei reappeared to escort Hoshita Shūichi and the others to the sealing site.
As they walked, Shūichi discreetly observed his surroundings.
In terms of scale and prosperity, Kusagakure was clearly no match for Konoha. It looked more like a "village" in the true sense.
"Perhaps I can explore a bit after the mission. I wonder if Karin's mother is currently in Kusagakure."
Hoshita Shūichi pondered quietly.
With the destruction of Uzushiogakure, the Uzumaki clan members scattered. Karin's mother might have ended up like Nagato's mother—married after wandering for a while, leaving behind descendants.
But was Karin's mother a member of Kusagakure, or did she marry into the village and then get treated as a "medical tool" after her husband's death?
Or maybe...
"We're here!"
Mu Wei's voice snapped Shūichi out of his thoughts. Looking ahead, he saw a rather impressive building with Kusagakure ninjas standing guard at the entrance and on the rooftop.
Creak!
The doors opened, and a middle-aged man, around forty years old, walked out with two Kusagakure ninjas.
Mu Wei quickly stepped forward to pay his respects, and Shūichi immediately understood that this was Kusagakure's leader.
He greeted Minato Namikaze warmly, and was considerate of Shūichi and the others, displaying great tact and hospitality.
After some polite exchanges, the Kusagakure leader said, "We'll be counting on you, Jōnin Namikaze. This ninja tool has already consumed six of our ninjas. If this continues, it could destroy the entire village."
"And according to the legends, the most worrying thing is that this ninja tool might be nurturing a terrifying demon inside."
"For the safety of the entire ninja world, even if it's a relic from the Sage of Six Paths, it must be sealed."
The Kusagakure leader spoke with heartfelt concern, and Minato Namikaze solemnly assured him that they would do their utmost to seal it.
All for the sake of the ninja world!
As Shūichi observed the scene, he couldn't help but speculate.
Did the Box of Ultimate Bliss really devour six ninjas on its own?
Would Kusagakure, which loved studying others' jutsu, really be willing to give up such a powerful ninja tool, possibly left behind by the Sage of Six Paths?
It's not overly cynical—Shūichi had to assume the worst of others to avoid letting his guard down and falling into a trap.
After the conversation, the Kusagakure leader led the four of them into the building, while Mu Wei remained outside.
Inside the spacious hall, four massive pillars stood tall, and in the center was the ninja tool to be sealed—a peculiar, even somewhat eerie, box.
Facing the entrance, the first thing Shūichi and the others saw upon entering was an exaggerated human face, representing "Joy."
Around the ninja tool, near the four pillars, stood four Kusagakure shinobi.
On the ground beneath them, and on the pillars, were inscriptions forming a large sealing array that enveloped the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
"Fire Release..."
After a few glances, Shūichi couldn't help but think, "Kusagakure, which has managed to maneuver between the great ninja villages, really has some tricks up its sleeve. They're not to be underestimated."
This reminded him of Takigakure's Earth Grudge Fear and the Jashin cult powers of Hidan from Yugakure.
"This is our village's unique binding technique, the Grand Fire Prison. Although it can bind this ninja tool, it requires constant maintenance."
The Kusagakure leader introduced the technique, with a hint of pride in his voice, but then he sighed, "But for a permanent solution, we need Jōnin Namikaze and the others to seal it."
"We'll be counting on you. Recently, foreign forces have invaded the village, so I'll personally stand guard outside to prevent anyone from disrupting the sealing process."
Minato Namikaze immediately replied, "Rest assured, we'll do our best!"
The Kusagakure leader nodded and then left with his men, leaving only the four Kusagakure ninjas maintaining the binding array.
Creak!
The heavy doors closed, and the light inside immediately dimmed.
"Shūichi, prepare to perform the Eight Trigrams Seal with me."
Minato Namikaze ordered, "Shisui, Sanyō, stand guard!"
"Understood!"
The three responded in unison. Uchiha Shisui positioned himself directly opposite the door, while Kurama Sanyō leaped up to hide in the shadows of the ceiling beams.
Minato Namikaze opened his backpack and took out scrolls and ink.
Shūichi stepped forward to assist, and together, they began drawing the sealing array on the scrolls.
But before they could finish, there was a commotion outside.
Shūichi and Minato remained focused, while Uchiha Shisui placed one hand on his sword hilt, his other hand ready to form seals.
Kurama Sanyō, still hidden in the rafters, was equally prepared to use genjutsu to create an opening for Uchiha Shisui.
The disturbance outside grew louder, to the point where the ground began to shake.
Suddenly, Uchiha Shisui shouted, "Watch out!"
Almost simultaneously, he activated his Sharingan, performed a single-hand seal, and used the Body Flicker Technique, splitting into multiple shadow clones that quickly positioned themselves behind Hoshita Shūichi and Minato Namikaze.
Then, the sound of something piercing through the air filled the room as the windows and doors were shattered by a barrage of stone bullets.
Uchiha Shisui's clones dashed around, deflecting the stones aimed at Shūichi and Minato with their blades.
Sanyō remained hidden, waiting for the right moment.
After Uchiha Shisui blocked the first wave of attacks, the door suddenly exploded, and several figures stormed in.
"Shadow Clones?"
"No!"
"Be careful, it's the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan!"
...
A Chaotic Battle Erupts,
Shisui took the lead, with Sanyō supporting him, holding off the three enemy ninjas who had stormed in.
Meanwhile, Hoshita Shūichi and Minato Namikaze finally completed the sealing array.
Both simultaneously formed hand seals and pressed their hands onto the array on the scroll.
In the next moment, the symbols, like tadpoles, swiftly moved, crawling onto the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
Just as the sealing process began, Uchiha Shisui, with Kurama Sanyō's assistance, managed to take down two of the attackers. The third retreated immediately.
However, another wave of attacks quickly followed from outside. Dense volleys of rock bullets blasted through the walls, wooden panels, and beams.
These were not only targeting Uchiha Shisui but also focusing on Kurama Sanyō, who was hiding in the shadows, using genjutsu.
Sanyō dodged rapidly, but the barrage was too intense. With several muffled sounds, Sanyō let out a groan as his body fell from the air, crashing onto the ground, his crimson blood quickly staining the floor.
"Sanyō!"
Uchiha Shisui shouted in alarm.
Shūichi, who was in the middle of the sealing, glanced back, gritting his teeth, "Minato Sensei!"
Minato Namikaze lowered his gaze and then withdrew his hand. "Let's save him first!"
But at that moment, the four Kusagakure ninjas suddenly activated the binding array. Dark red flames surged up, weaving together like a giant net, tightening toward the center.
"Jōnin Namikaze, this Box of Ultimate Bliss must be sealed, or it will awaken and devour everyone," one of the Kusagakure ninjas shouted.
"You're asking for it!"
Shūichi's anger flared, and blue flames flickered in his eyes. He drew his sword, and blue flames spread along the blade, swelling with a roar.
Blue Flame Waterfall Blade!
Wielding the massive blue blade with both hands, Shūichi slashed down.
Boom!
The Kusagakure's binding array, the Grand Fire Prison, was cleaved in half with a single strike, leaving a charred gash on the wooden floor.
"How is this possible?"
The four Kusagakure ninjas gasped in shock.
Though they were only Chūnin, they had combined their strength to maintain the array. Even a Jōnin shouldn't have been able to break it so easily.
Yet this young Konoha ninja...
Stunned, the Kusagakure ninjas watched as Hoshita Shūichi, after breaking the array, immediately formed a single-hand sign, summoning two Fire Release clones that charged forward.
At that moment, several more enemies rushed in, only to be met by the clones, which burst into blinding white flames before exploding.
Boom!
The enemies were blown back, while Uchiha Shisui carried Kurama Sanyō over to Hoshita Shūichi's side.
As for Minato Namikaze, the moment Shūichi shattered the Grand Fire Prison, he had already vanished.
"This is bad..."
Shūichi muttered as he sheathed his sword and knelt to check Sanyō's injuries.
Four wounds, each piercing through.
Heart, lungs, liver, arteries...
Cold sweat beaded on Hoshita Shūichi's forehead. He quickly unsealed a scroll, pulling out the medical jutsu scroll given by Nono Yakushi, and spread it over Kurama Sanyō's body.
Eight Trigrams Seal, Release!
Yin Seal, Release!
Hoshita Shūichi fully released the stored chakra from his Yin Seal, then pressed his right hand onto the scroll.
In an instant, a gentle green chakra glow spread out.
The medical jutsu scroll was activated, unleashing the Regeneration Technique, and the green light enveloped Kurama Sanyō's torso.
Although Hoshita Shūichi didn't personally know the Regeneration Technique, the scroll allowed him to execute it as if he did.
However, Kurama Sanyō's injuries were severe, so Shūichi focused the chakra on healing his heart and arteries first.
With one hand controlling the chakra on the scroll, Shūichi formed a shadow clone with his left hand to treat Sanyō's lung injury.
The lung was pierced; if left untreated, Sanyō would die from blood loss and suffocation.