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277-If you are powerful enough then you are old enough

Renjiro's gaze stayed locked on the scroll in his hands, his mind racing he held it like something precious and forbidden, her fingers grazing the edges in a way that told him this was no ordinary technique.

It was one of the final jutsu that Minato, as the fourth Hokage, used to deal with the threat of the Nine Tails. A sacrifice that he was forced to make with Obito who was masquerading as Obito.

"Hmm… the Reaper Death Seal," he muttered, letting the words roll over his tongue like an incantation.

"It sounds like a dangerous technique."

Kushina's expression shifted, a seriousness settling over her features that Renjiro didn't often see. She carefully took the scroll from his hands, her touch soft but firm, as though she were handling something alive.

"Yes," she said quietly, "it's one of the most dangerous Fūinjutsu techniques the Uzumaki clan ever created."

Renjiro of course knew all of this, but if he voiced his thoughts on the jutsu which originated from the Uzumaki, Kushina would pester him with questions on how he came across knowledge on the jutsu. So Renjiro feigned arrogance.

"So," he began, trying to sound as casual as he could, "what exactly does it do?"

Kushina hesitated, and for a moment, Renjiro wondered if she would even tell him. But after a beat, she sighed, her shoulders softening slightly.

"It's… a sealing jutsu that summons the Shinigami, the Death God itself. This jutsu binds the target's soul—at the cost of the user's own life."

The room fell silent. A seal that bound the soul, but at the cost of the user's life? Most couldn't fathom the sheer resolve and sacrifice it would take to use such a technique.

Renjiro's voice was barely a whisper when he spoke. "Teach it to me."

Kushina's answer came immediately, her voice firm and absolute. "No."

He blinked, his mouth hanging open as he processed her blunt refusal.

"Why not?" he demanded, frustration creeping into his tone. He wasn't used to Kushina denying him when it came to learning fuinjutsu—especially not ones that intrigued him as much as this.

At least this would be Renjiro's failsafe if he ever got into a solution where he did not see any way out of it. Renjiro did not hope that this day would come but it would be better if he could prepare for it.

"The jutsu is too dangerous, Renjiro," she replied, her tone gentler but still resolute.

"Especially for a child like you."

It took him a moment to realize what she'd said, and when he did, the shock was clear on his face.

"What do you mean, a child?" he spluttered, unable to keep the indignation out of his voice.

"Both you and Minato are only five years older than me!"

Kushina raised an eyebrow, unperturbed by his outburst. "Yes… and?"

He struggled to articulate his frustration, his mind racing to find something that would convince her.

"I'm also a Jōnin," he pointed out, his tone edged with irritation. "That should at least mean something."

She crossed her arms, her face showing both amusement and affection. "While that's commendable," she said, barely holding back a smirk, "it still doesn't mean you're not a child."

Renjiro gritted his teeth, fighting back the urge to argue further. "Kushina, in the shinobi world, power matters more than age. Just because I'm young doesn't mean I'm not capable. If you are powerful enough then you are old enough."

Kushina's expression softened as she met his gaze, her voice tinged with the weight of experience. "A sealing technique like the Reaper Death Seal isn't about capability, Renjiro. It's about the willingness to give everything, to lay down your life for a single cause. It demands a sacrifice that… I don't think you're ready for it. Even if you think you are I do not want you to ever think of using such a jutsu."

Her words, though gentle, struck him deeply, forcing him to confront something he hadn't considered. Could he truly be ready to face death head-on, to sacrifice his very soul? He'd never shied away from danger, even in his second life, which was more dangerous than the first, but this was different.

'Well,' he thought with a rueful smile, 'it was worth a try. Looks like I need to find another place to learn it. Maybe Minato when he is done. No, he would probably say the same thing as Kushina.'

Only Kushina and Miwa, ever looked at him like this, as if he were still young and in need of protection. Even now, he could see the traces of concern in Kushina's eyes, the way she held herself as if to shield him from something he couldn't fully understand.

To them, he was still a child, someone to be nurtured and protected, no matter how capable he proved himself. Yet, among his peers and even some senior shinobi, he was respected and feared for his abilities.

To them, he was Renjiro Uzumaki, the prodigious young Jōnin of Konoha, powerful beyond his years. But to Kushina and Miwa, he was still… Renjiro, a boy with so much yet to learn.

She must have noticed the shift in his mood, for she chuckled softly, breaking the silence.

"Anyway," she said, leaning forward with a smile, "what brings you here, Renjiro?"

He leaned back, grinning as he met her gaze with a mischievous glint. "What, I need a reason to visit you?"

"Yes," she replied with a smirk, her arms crossing again as she raised an eyebrow at him. "In fact, you do."

He chuckled, surrendering to her teasing. "Alright, alright," he admitted, letting his guard down a bit. "I came here for something."

She nodded, her expression growing curious. "And what is that?"

"I wanted your help with a jutsu I've been working on modifying," he began, excitement creeping into his voice. "It's the Rashomon Gates."

Her eyes lit up with interest, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "The Rashomon Gates? Now that's an ambitious project. How are you thinking of modifying it?"

Renjiro took a deep breath, mentally organizing his thoughts before diving into his ideas. "I've got a few modifications in mind," he said, raising his fingers to count them off. "First, changing the gate formation. The standard setup is linear, but I think arranging it in circular or staggered formations could provide a more versatile defence.

Next, I'm considering integrating chakra-draining seals to reinforce the gates' durability, and finally," he looked up, his eyes gleaming with excitement, "I was thinking of adding explosive tags to create a more offensive defence."

Kushina's brow furrowed as she considered his ideas, her fingers tapping thoughtfully on the table. "Those are certainly ambitious modifications," she mused, her tone both impressed and slightly cautious.

"But why do you feel the need to change the Rashomon Gates? The First Hokage perfected that technique for a reason."

Renjiro met her gaze, his voice steady and resolute. "Because it can always be better," he said simply.

She let out a small sigh, shaking her head with an amused smile. "I guess the stubbornness of our clan has finally caught up to you…" she muttered, a trace of exasperation colouring her tone.

But there was no real reprimand in her words; instead, there was a sense of admiration. She could see the drive and determination that defined him, the relentless pursuit of improvement that made him who he was.

"Alright," she said finally, a note of excitement creeping into her voice. "So, where do you want to start?"

Renjiro's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "I think we should begin with integrating chakra absorption into the gates. That would give them more staying power and could potentially turn them into a more sustainable defence."

Kushina chuckled, standing up as she stretched her arms. "Well, if that's what you want," she said, smiling down at him with a look of approval, "then it'll be easy. Let's get to work."

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