Kyoichi had no idea that Tsunade nning to return.

  As for the forbidden jutsu, he wasn’t about to make a big publiou about it. At the moment, the only ones aware of his iiohose in the jōnin-level circles. Even Kakashi, who had been sitting in on parts of the in exam discussions, only had a vague idea.

  Not that it was his fault…

  Kakashi had udied forbidden teiques.

  Certain jutsu, like Impure World Reination or Soul Binding Teiques, were absolute taboos—pletely off-limits. Even attempting to secretly use them would make Konoha the target of the entire shinobi world.

  But…

  Teiques like Strength of a Hueique?

  At the core, it wasn’t even a forbidden jutsu. If someone had the physical ditioning to withstand the backsh of superhuman strength, then there was no real reason to cssify it as forbidden.

  And as for Breathing Activation Teiques?

  Those were even less of an issue.

  If they were to be sidered forbidden, then Kumogakure’s Lightning Release Chakra Mode, which simirly stimuted the body, would have to be banned as well.

  Kyoichi had his eyes oypes of teiques.

  If he didn’t, there would have been o develop a lower-tier version of the Breathing Activation Teique—he could have just introduced the Seven Heavens Breathihht away.

  Hiruzen uood this as well.

  Otherwise, given his stubborn and rigid mi, he never would have agreed to hold a closed-door meeting on the subject.

  However…

  Kyoichi knew full well that the Third Hokage likely had his own thoughts about the matter.

  Orochimaru.

  It was unclear whether it was Kyoichi’s as that had subtly shifted the timeline or if something else y, but tely, both the Third and Jiraiya had been far more cautious about Orochimaru than they had been in the is.

  They had brought up his name several times in versation.

  They must have suspected something.

  Most likely, Orochimaru had slipped up during the jōnin exams.

  For Kyoichi, that was good news.

  He art of the Senju lineage, after all.

  Having both Orochimaru and Danzo secretly watg his every move was a real nuisance.

  It was impossible to stantly guard against thieves.

  F them into the open with a preemptive strike would at least make things a little safer.

  Kyoichi drafted a letter and had Katsuyu deliver it. As he waited for Tsunade’s response, he pondered a critical question—would Tsunade be able to grasp the essence of Strength of a Hueique with the guidance he had meticulously id out for her?

  A moment ter…

  A notification appeared.

  [You have successfully guided Tsunade in mastering the Strength of a Hueique.]

  [Evaluation: Excellent]

  [Reward: Principles of the Yin Seal]

  Huh?

  Just the principles?

  Kyoichi had beeed when he saw the reward, but then realized it only taihe theoretical knowledge of the Yin Seal—something he had already read about in Tsunade’s letter.

  Was the system scamming him?

  He hurriedly cimed the reward.

  Then…

  He realized he had been mistaken.

  The system was still as reliable as ever.

  The reward didn’t just taiheoretical principles; it also included all the intricate details, teiques, and specialized knowledge reted to the Yin Seal. If Kyoichi had been a woman, he could have begun training in it immediately.

  Of course…

  There was teically no gender restri on the Yin Seal, but si had beeed by Uzumaki Mito and had never beeed on men, its applicability to male shinobi was uain.

  Even Tsunade wasn’t sure if it would work.

  The teique was simply too difficult.

  It had an S-rank difficulty level.

  Only those with deep expertise in sealing teiques could even attempt to learn it. Tsunade herself had only mastered it ter in life, so there was no way she could say whether a male shinobi could use it.

  Her letter merely suggested that Kyoichi give it a try.

  At worst, he would just waste some time.

  However…

  The system’s version of the Yin Seal did mention slight anatomical differences in chakra pathways between men and women, particurly around the forehead area.

  The teique would need some modifications.

  Kyoichi was lost in thought when—

  “Sensei!”

  Shisui knocked on the door.

  Before he could even finish knog, the door creaked open.

  But…

  There was no ohere.

  Huh?

  Had his teacher developed some new jutsu?

  Shisui was stunned. He stepped inside, only to see a piece of paper fluttering through the air.

  A piece of paper?

  What the—?!

  Shisui wasn’t familiar with Konan’s abilities, but this jutsu was eye-opening. He quickly gave chase. The moment, the paper folded itself into the shape of a bde.

  It began to move on its own.

  Leaf-Style Willow?

  Shisui’s eyes widened, but after watg for a while, he realized that nothing special was happening.

  “Haha, I just copied this from someone else. I’ve only just started practig, so it’s not that impressive yet,” Kyoichi ughed.

  The Leaf-Style Willow relied on precise movements and lighting ditions to create an illusion.

  Folding paper alone wasn’t enough to achieve the full effect.

  “You’ll master it in no time, Sensei!”

  Shisui’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

  This teique…

  Was so cool!

  “For now, it’s not all that practical.”

  Kyoichi waved his hand, and a flurry of papers swirled around, carrying a teapot to the table.

  Dance of the Shikigami had its uses, but at the moment, it was just a y. A sword ssh was still far more effit.

  “Sensei, your insight is almost as sharp as a Sharingan.”

  Shisui wasn’t just fttering him—he meant it.

  Fighting someone ond immediately learning their teiques…

  That ractically a cheat ability!

  “Enough fttery. What brings you here?”

  “Right! I almost fot!”

  Shisui had been so shocked that he nearly fot why he had e.

  “I need yuidance, Sensei.”

  “Go on.”

  Kyoichi already had a hunch.

  This robably about the Uchiha.

  And sure enough…

  After listening to Shisui’s expnation, Kyoichi wasn’t the least bit surprised.

  This kid had no real i in the in rank.

  Not surprising at all.

  However…

  pared to the is, Shisui was much smarter now.

  He uood the importance of cealing his full strength.

  All that training hadn’t goo waste!

  Kyoichi reached out with his sensory abilities.

  After firming there were no hidden Anbu nearby, he finally spoke.

  “I didn’t expect you to ht refuse Fugaku’s offer, but you made the right choice.”

  “But, Lord Hokage…”

  “You couldn’t fully hide it from him.”

  Kyoichi didn’t eborate, but Shisui uood immediately.

  He had only just learoday that the Third Hokage had a Telescope Jutsu!

  “Don’t worry. If they really wao act against you, hiding your abilities wouldn’t make a difference. You’re just a kid—don’t overestimate yourself. You’re five years old and haven’t even awakened your Sharinga.”

  Kyoichi patted him on the shoulder.

  Shisui froze for a moment.

  As a so-called Uchiha genius, he had always been told how important he was to the , how he had to prioritize the family’s is above all else.

  This was the first time someone had said—

  Don’t overestimate yourself.

  “You don’t believe me? Hah. You, me, eveire Uchiha —do you think Konoha would colpse without us?”

  Kyoichi tinued.

  “Well… probably not.”

  Shisui hesitated before shaking his head.

  The Uchiha were strong.

  But without them, Konoha would still be powerful.

  “Then that’s that. When did you start thinking you were important enough to decide your ’s fate? Don’t overestimate yourself—at least, not yet.”

  Kyoichi spoke calmly.

  Blunt words, but the logic was sound.

  Shisui was far more perceptive than in the inal timeliherwise, Kyoichi wouldn't have bothered saying this much.

  And this wasn't just about now.

  Even iure, if Shisui awakehe Mangekyō Sharingan, would he truly be strong enough to sway the entire Uchiha ?

  No.

  Illusions were still just illusions; they couldn't manipute everyohoughts.

  Relying solely osu?

  That was a dead end.

  Not to mention, Uchiha Madara alone ehe Uchiha would never have an easy path.

  Shisui's mouth hung open. He wao say something several times, but in the end, no words came out.

  Because…

  Whehought about it carefully, he realized—he really wasn’t that important.

  "Improving your strength is the first priority," Kyoichi tinued. "But beyond that, you o build your own fa within the . You need people who will listen to you, people who will support you."

  "I uand now, sensei."

  Shisui nodded solemnly.

  He finally got it!

  Uchiha Fugaku was intelligent, but unreliable. If Shisui wanted his ideals to take root, he needed his own supporters. Otherwise, there was no way Fugaku would openly stand with him—

  That was just the kind of person Fugaku was.

  So…

  Strength wasn’t enough. He also had to make his derstand his iions, uand what his teacher called the Will of Fire.

  Ideological education was essential!

  Gcell