Mito's Gratitude (Two-in-One)

Natsuhiko spread out the scroll of the Book of Seals on the table and reviewed the recorded ninjutsu one by one.

Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu... He didn't have that much chakra! Genjutsu: Darkness Technique... He already had a similar technique! Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags... Though it's specialised, it's too costly. Summoning: Rashomon... This might be worth considering.

After all, the Rashomon summoned by this technique possessed defensive power strong enough to alter the trajectory of a Tailed Beast Ball. Natsuhiko was currently lacking in AOE defensive ninjutsu.

Moreover, despite Rashomon being an inanimate object, it required a blood contract for summoning, just like a summoning beast, which intrigued Natsuhiko.

Could it be that these Rashomon were indeed summoned from the netherworld, as the description suggested? Furthermore, given the robust defence of Rashomon, the materials used must be exceptional. If he could find a way to retain some of these materials each time, wouldn't he gain a steady source of valuable materials?

After temporarily listing Rashomon as an option, Natsuhiko continued to browse and found another ninjutsu that greatly interested him.

I am flying Thunder God Technique! An S-rank space-time ninjutsu invented by Tobirama Senju and later refined by Minato Namikaze!

Abilities involving space are potent in any world. For instance, Obito's Kamui alone left many strong opponents helpless.

The only issue was that this technique needed to be simpler to learn. Aside from Tobirama Senju, only Minato had mastered it. The collaboration technique performed by Genma Shiranui, Raidō Namiashi, and Iwashi Tatami was actually a lower-tier version known as the Flying Thunder Formation.

Natsuhiko clearly understood his ninja talent. He knew that even with various tricks, it would probably take a very long time to master this technique. After all, despite being in the ninja world for many years, the only proper ninjutsu he had learned were the Clone Technique and the Shadow Clone Technique, along with a single C-rank Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique.

Even if he approached it from the perspective of seal techniques, the Flying Thunder God Technique involved advanced spatial rune knowledge, which was a completely foreign field for Natsuhiko. It couldn't be compared to basic storage techniques.

Therefore, fully understanding and implementing the Flying Thunder God Technique in terms of seal techniques would likely take years.

However, given how excellent the technique was, Natsuhiko still added it to his list of options.

Most of the remaining ninjutsu were quite common, suggesting that this catalogue had been edited and did not include forbidden techniques like Edo Tensei.

It mainly listed various high-level elemental ninjutsu, such as Water Release: Hard Whirlpool Water Blade, Water Release: Water Severing Wave, Water Release: Water Dragon Biting Explosion, and Water Release: Heavenly Weeping...

Damn! They're all high-level Water Release techniques!

Every time Natsuhiko saw the plethora of high-difficulty Water Release ninjutsu on the scroll, he felt a headache.

Second Hokage, could you really use all these in battle?

It seemed Tobirama Senju was relentlessly focused on countering the Uchiha clan. They specialise in fire release, so he developed many water release techniques to counter them. Their Sharingan had great insight, so he created the Darkness Technique to blind them. They had dynamic vision, so he developed the Flying Thunder God Technique for instant slashes.

Natsuhiko was willing to call him the Batman of the ninja world.

At the end of the scroll, some sealing and barrier techniques were recorded, such as the Four Symbols Seal, Five Elements Seal, Contract Seal, Four Violet Flames Formation, and so on.

In fact, these were the ninjutsu Natsuhiko should choose. The sealing techniques he currently mastered were all quite basic. If he decided on these, not only would they be more accessible to learn, but they would also help him improve his overall sealing technique proficiency.

The only hesitation he had was that Mito had mentioned formally thanking him and inviting him to her house during the winter break. Natsuhiko felt that, following standard protocol, Mito would likely give him one or two sealing technique scrolls as a gift.

To avoid the unfortunate scenario of buying new equipment only to find the same equipment in a dungeon chest, Natsuhiko decided to see what reward Mito would give him before making his final decision...

...

The following day, in the Senju compound courtyard.

"...Natsuhiko, your idea of copying movements with sensing ninjutsu is truly eye-opening." "...Tracing back to the original runes, huh? That's indeed an interesting approach." "...I've also constructed the projection technique's formula. Natsuhiko, take a look at it."

Under the pomegranate tree, Mito was enthusiastically discussing sealing techniques with Natsuhiko at a stone table filled with various talisman papers.

Natsuhiko had come to the Senju residence early in the morning by invitation. Still, before they could exchange a few pleasantries, Mito had pulled him into a discussion about sealing techniques. It was nearly noon, and Mito showed no signs of stopping.

Initially, Natsuhiko felt a bit restrained, but after chatting for a while, he found Mito's speech to be gentle, transparent, and innovative, which inspired him a lot. It was hard to tell she was actually an elderly woman.

He soon became fully engaged in the discussion, chatting fervently with Mito.

Their engrossed state left Kushina, sitting nearby with her chin in her hands, feeling a bit out of place.

She felt like she was redundant...

Moreover, what should have been an ordinary visit had turned into a sealing technique seminar. As their discussion grew more profound, Kushina felt like she understood every word they said individually, but when put together, she couldn't make any sense of it.

This brought back the fear of being dominated by sealing technique runes from her childhood...

Seeing Mito take a sip of tea with a dry throat and noticing Kushina's forlorn expression, Mito couldn't help but chuckle.

She then said, "Kushina, why don't you go check if lunch is ready in the kitchen?"

"Sure... ah, I mean, I'll go right away!"

Kushina gratefully stood up and ran towards the kitchen.

"She's so grown up yet still so unruly."

Mito shook her head with a smile as she watched Kushina's hopping figure.

Then she turned her gaze to Natsuhiko and suddenly asked, "Natsuhiko, have you ever wondered why the ninja from Kumogakure specifically kidnapped Kushina?"

"And even though Kushina's identity is somewhat special, the merit of rescuing her doesn't seem enough to warrant a forbidden technique from the Book of Seals as a reward."

"Do you know why?"

Natsuhiko was taken aback and finally snapped out of his programmer mode.

It turned out Mito had deliberately sent Kushina away to ask him this question.

After pondering for a moment, Natsuhiko decided to be straightforward:

"Is it about the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"

Mito nodded slightly, not looking surprised at all.

"Although the identity of a Jinchuriki is confidential within the village, it's not surprising for a sealing technique ninja like you to figure out part of the truth."

"Yes, Kushina is destined to become the second Nine-Tails Jinchuriki after me."

"That's why Kumogakure attempted to kidnap her, and that's why Hiruzen rewarded you so highly."

Mito lowered her gaze to her abdomen and continued:

"Humans, in their quest for the power of the Tailed Beasts, invented the technique of sealing them within a human body, creating the Jinchuriki."

"Though Jinchuriki gains great power, they also bear the burden of being viewed differently by others and constantly risk their consciousness being eroded by the Tailed Beast within them."

Mito's expression darkened slightly:

"So if there were another choice, I wouldn't want Kushina to bear such a heavy fate..."

"Sometimes I think that Hashirama's idea of achieving peace in the ninja world through the sacrifice of nine Jinchuriki might have been wrong from the start."

Mito shook her head and chuckled softly, looking at Natsuhiko:

"Natsuhiko, I think you understand why I'm telling you all this."

"Soon, Kushina will become the new Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

"She will face the challenges I mentioned, but by then, I won't be able to be there for her."

"Because the day Kushina becomes a Jinchuriki will be the day I leave this world."

"Although there's Tsunade, she sometimes worries me more than Kushina does..."

At this moment, Natsuhiko could see a hint of plea in Mito's eyes as she said:

"So, Natsuhiko, after I pass away, will you continue to take care of Kushina for me?"

"!!!"

Natsuhiko was quite taken aback by Mito's words, which sounded like she was entrusting him with her last wishes.

Was this only their second meeting today?

Natsuhiko began to doubt whether he possessed a unique ability like Obito, where old ladies had a doubled affection for him.

Then he cautiously observed Mito's smiling expression and hesitantly said:

"Whether as a colleague or a friend, if something happens to Kushina, I definitely won't stand by and do nothing."

"—But, Lady Mito, Kushina and I are not in the kind of relationship you might be imagining!"

Upon hearing this, Mito chuckled and said with a twinkle in her eye:

"One of the few benefits of being the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is that I can discern people's good and evil intentions."

"For instance, back when we were in the Hokage's office, I could tell that Danzo was full of malice towards you."

"—Well, actually, that guy seems to be full of malice towards everyone."

Natsuhiko knew that Mito was also reminding him to be wary of Danzo, so he nodded to show he understood.

Then Mito returned to the main topic:

"So, I can see that you also have a lot of affection for Kushina."

"In fact, this was evident when you travelled a long distance alone to rescue the kidnapped Kushina."

"After all, for an ordinary colleague or friend, it's hard for most people to go to such lengths."

"However, I can sense that you are somewhat confused and seem to be suppressing your thoughts."

"..."

Natsuhiko opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words, which was unusual for him.

He knew that the ability to sense malice was indeed one of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's abilities.

But when Mito said she could also sense goodwill, Natsuhiko wasn't sure if she was being truthful or trying to fool him.

However, whether through sensing or experience, Mito's words did hit Natsuhiko's sore spot.

He was indeed somewhat confused.

Actually, even before Kushina was kidnapped, Natsuhiko could feel that Kushina had some affection for him.

But he unconsciously ignored those signs.

After all, although Natsuhiko had set a grand plan to become the God of Chakra, he secretly thought that if he failed, there would still be Naruto, the saviour.

If he genuinely accepted Kushina's feelings, Naruto would not have been born into this world.

This also meant that Uchiha Madara's plans, Black Zetsu's conspiracy, and even the invasion of the Otsutsuki clan—these heavy responsibilities that were supposed to be borne by Naruto—would all fall on him!

This confusion reached its peak after Kushina was kidnapped.

That's why he made the contradictory move of letting Kushina use her hair to signal Minato and then personally rescuing her himself.

However, he told himself that it was a flexible response to urgent situations.

But it was clear that his act of rescuing Kushina had unknowingly severed the red thread between Kushina and Minato, plunging the future of the world into chaos.

Had he unconsciously fallen for that silly girl?

To the point of willingly giving up the advantage of foresight as a transmigrator?

Seeing Natsuhiko's face change unpredictably, obviously unable to clear his thoughts for a moment, Mito laughed again:

"There is no need to rush, Natsuhiko. You and Kushina are still young and have plenty of time to find the answer."

"Just make sure Kushina doesn't end up like Tsunade, who is still unmarried and in her thirties."

Natsuhiko was slightly startled upon hearing this, then exhaled deeply, his expression easing a bit.

But then Mito sighed slightly:

"It's just a pity that this old body of mine can't hold on for that long."

Just when Natsuhiko's heart tightened, thinking that Mito was going to "urge marriage" again, she changed the subject with a smile:

"But even if you can't protect Kushina as a partner for the time being, you can still protect her in another capacity."

Seeing Natsuhiko's puzzled expression, Mito smiled slightly and said:

"Natsuhiko, although there isn't much time left, would you be willing to become my last disciple?"

...

In the afternoon, as Natsuhiko walked out of the Senju residence with several advanced sealing scrolls in his hand, his face still held an expression of disbelief.

He had thought that Mito's thanks would be just one or two advanced sealing techniques.

If she could personally guide him, he would have been extremely grateful.

Unexpectedly, she gave him such a big gift—directly accepting him as her last disciple.

But clearly, there was someone even more sceptical than Natsuhiko.

Standing at the door to see Natsuhiko off, Kushina was still pouting and muttering:

"Grandma Mito is so biased. I entered the school earlier than you, so why are you the senior brother?"

"I don't care; I must be the senior sister!"

In a great mood, Natsuhiko didn't mind Kushina's habitual defiance and laughed:

"Alright, junior sister. No problem, junior sister. Goodbye, junior sister."

"Natsuhiko, you jerk!!"

Kushina pounced with bared teeth and claws but ended up grabbing nothing but air.

Then she realised that the Natsuhiko left behind was just a projection. Natsuhiko had probably already fled the scene...

"Natsuhiko, you'll regret this."

"I am the senior sister!"

Kushina vented a few more times at the door before angrily returning to the Senju residence.

Standing behind a tree in the distance, watching her, Natsuhiko began to wonder if he had really fallen for this silly girl.

After watching Kushina leave, Natsuhiko walked towards the Hokage building.

Since he had become Mito's disciple, there was no need to consider the option of exchanging for sealing techniques.

At the same time, his conversation with Mito had given him many insights, once again clarifying his thoughts.

So, he already knew what technique he wanted to choose.

It was time to start swallowing blades...

(This chapter ends here)

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