บท 30: Chapter 30: Hitting three birds with one stone
Following the challenge incident involving Kushina, there was a notable shift in her treatment within the class, just as Uzumaki Mito had anticipated. The atmosphere improved considerably, thanks to everyone witnessing her loss against Minato Namikaze and Sakamoto Tatsuma, the two prodigies from different families.
With a newfound purpose driving her, Kushina refrained from causing any more disruptions at school. She dedicated her days to mastering ninja academy knowledge, and her nights were consumed by the intricacies of the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Jutsu. Adopting a more subdued approach, she skillfully slipped out of the spotlight, becoming a diligent student without drawing unnecessary attention to herself.
Tatsuma and Minato remained blissfully unaware that they had unwittingly become pieces in Uzumaki Mito's three-fold strategy, each challenge inadvertently resolving multiple issues for Kushina.
The first matter revolved around the evaluation initiated by Uzumaki Mito and Sarutobi Hiruzen to determine Minato as the prospective future partner for Kushina Uzumaki. Both contenders displayed the necessary talent and demeanor, albeit in distinct ways.
Minato's exhibition of gentleness and chivalry proved to be an excellent match for Kushina, destined to bear the burden of being a Jinchuriki. These qualities acted as a softening agent, easing her resistance and estrangement.
Conversely, Tatsuma showcased recognition and impartiality. Uzumaki Mito, with her ability to discern between good and evil with her malicious sensory techniques, appreciated Tatsuma's sincerity. His genuine praise for others did not go unnoticed, adding another layer to the intricate web of Uzumaki Mito's strategic maneuvering.
In the years spent as a Jinchuriki, Mito's most significant revelation was the shift in how people perceived her—no longer as an individual but as a "Jinchuriki." Tatsuma's unwavering impartiality can play a crucial role in ensuring she wasn't treated differently.
Tatsuma and Minato emerged as stellar candidates for Kushina's potential partners, each possessing unique qualities. The ultimate decision rested on Kushina's choice.
The second objective involved facilitating Kushina's seamless integration into the village, particularly within her small group of classmates. The outcomes were undeniably favorable, indicating a successful endeavor.
As for the third objective, it entailed bringing Kushina face-to-face with her shortcomings, fueling her drive to master the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Jutsu. Drawing a clear distinction between passive and active knowledge acquisition, Uzumaki Mito recognized the importance of self motivation.
While she could have commanded, given her elder status, that Kushina learn the Sealing Jutsu, the impact would not have been as profound as the current scenario where Kushina found her inspiration from within.
Uzumaki Mito transcended the role of a mere Tailed Beast container or a sacrificial force. In her era, she symbolized the unbreakable bond between the Uzumaki Clan and the Senju Clan, solidified through a strategic alliance contract.
In the midst of the successions of Second Hokage Senju Tobirama and Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, she played an exceedingly crucial role. Although not inclined to take center stage, it by no means implied a lack of capability on her part.
Particularly when dealing with a group of children, direct intervention was unnecessary. A subtle manipulation on her part sufficed to achieve the desired outcomes, all while adeptly staying concealed in the shadows.
"Tsume, do you know what's going on with those two guys' hair? Why does it go from long to short and vice versa?"
Kushina and Inuzuka Tsume, who had just become acquainted, were discussing Tatsuma and Minato after class. Seated next to them, Kushina had harbored a curiosity about this topic for some time but hesitated to ask the two directly.
In a certain regard, she shared a similarity with Tatsuma; both harbored a dislike for their own hair. Tatsuma found his naturally curly hair bothersome, while Kushina faced criticism for her distinctive red locks.
Therefore, when Kushina observed that these two individuals appeared to have a method of controlling their hair, her curiosity had persisted for a while. Today, having successfully forged a friendship with Inuzuka Tsume, she found the perfect opportunity to inquire.
Inuzuka Tsume cast a brief glance at the two before sharing, "As per what Shikaku mentioned, it appears they've acquired a Ninjutsu from Jiraiya-sama that enables them to control their hair in combat. When their hair is left long, it means they're casually manipulating it. Sometimes, during particularly busy or crucial classes, they don't bother, and their hair shortens as they focus on the lecture."
"Jiraiya? The one on sister Tsunade's team, right? I wonder if he has a Ninjutsu for hair dyeing. I've been itching to get rid of this red hair for quite some time."
Kushina gripped her own hair as she spoke. In response, Inuzuka Tsume also ran her fingers through her hair, but compared to Kushina's fine and soft strands, Tsume's locks were rugged and coarse, reminiscent of many boys.
After a moment of contemplation, Inuzuka Tsume remarked, "If you manage to learn it, you've got to teach me. But... those two have been at it for so long and still haven't mastered it. Must be pretty challenging, huh?"
"I heard from Shikaku that not only have these two mastered the Transformation Jutsu we are supposed to learn this year, but they've also mastered the other two Basic Jutsu as well. Now, they've even started delving into D-rank Ninjutsu," Kushina added.
"Hmph! Just D-rank Ninjutsu. I'm already delving into C-rank Sealing Jutsu. Once I master it, I'll certainly be able to outmatch those two."
Upon learning that Minato and Tatsuma had not only conquered the Three Basic Jutsu but were advancing to higher-level Ninjutsu, a sudden sense of urgency surged within Kushina.
During this period, the prevailing talk revolved around the prodigies Minato Namikaze and Sakamoto Tatsuma. Even peers from the Uchiha and Hyuga clans found themselves unable to surpass them. Initially skeptical, Kushina dismissed it as mere cleverness in playing tricks. However, now that she heard they were engaged in mastering authentic Ninjutsu, she felt a pressing need to catch up and defeat them within a limited timeframe.
In Kushina's perspective, acquiring Ninjutsu skills equated to becoming a ninja, especially in the Hidden Whirlpool Village where she had spent her earlier years.
This connection was intrinsically tied to the unique constitution of the Uzumaki Clan. Members of the Uzumaki Clan faced no concerns about whether their physique, strength, and speed could keep pace. Even without specialized training, they naturally evolved into formidable individuals with the passage of time.
As a result, their emphasis centered on harnessing their abundant Chakra. By mastering a few technique-based Ninjutsu or Sealing Jutsu and demonstrating precise control over their Chakra, they could effortlessly transition into the ranks of accomplished ninjas.
However, for other ninjas, the path is not as straightforward. They must engage in the learning of Ninjutsu, explore methods to augment their Chakra levels, and commit to specialized training for physical fitness and Taijutsu.
Perhaps, when compared to the Uzumaki Clan, the advantage for others lies in not harboring an excess of Chakra within their bodies, thereby making it less mentally taxing to control.
Nevertheless, this proves to be only a minor advantage at the Genin or Chunin stages. As they progress further, the majority find that their physical fitness does not adequately support the refinement of the Chakra quantity required to meet the standards expected at the Jonin level.
Without an adequate reserve of Chakra, they find themselves unable to unleash large-scale Ninjutsu, directly undermining their strength. A hallmark of a Jonin is their robust strength, and achieving this proves impossible without a substantial Chakra supply.
This juncture becomes a roadblock for many aspiring ninjas aiming for further promotion.
Yet, the somewhat rudimentary educational system in the Hidden Whirlpool Village struggles to fully tap into the talents of the Uzumaki Clan, and they appear to have grown accustomed to this limitation.
After all, leading a decent life, relying on their physical prowess and mastery of Sealing Jutsu, gives them little incentive to strive for more.
Throughout this academic year, Tatsuma and Minato maintained their familiar rhythm of studying and living, and the world around them appeared relatively unchanged, except for one notable shift—prices steadily rising.
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