"Would I lie about something like that?" Shin said firmly.
"It's... well... that nurse at your hospital, Nao..." Sakumo stammered, then immediately wished he could dig a hole and crawl into it. It was just too damn embarrassing. But in this matter, Shin actually could be of help.
"Damn!" hewas shocked. "Are you spying on me or watching that girl? You're really being irresponsible here."
"Ahem..." Sakumo coughed twice again, his face flushed as he forced an explanation. "It's not like keeping an eye on you is going to change anything. Can't I at least glance at a girl I like? Besides, everyone appreciates beauty. What's wrong with just looking?"
"Hahaha!" Shin burst into laughter at that.
Noticing Sakumo's expression darkening, Shin quickly composed himself, "Don't worry, I understand. I'll help you with Nao. Consider it handled."
Sakumo finally let out a breath and said, "What about the surveillance on you?"
"In seven days, the surveillance on me will be lifted," Shin guaranteed. "Also, you'll be penalized for not keeping a close watch, but it won't be serious. When the time comes, just formally resign from ANBU. Then you'll be completely free."
"You can really pull that off?" Sakumo exclaimed in surprise.
"Do you think it's that hard? Alright, I'm heading home for some rest. Just wait for my good news!" Shin waved behind him and left, even humming a cheerful tune as he walked.
---
Unlike yesterday, when going to work felt like torture... A new day had begun, and both Shin and Tsunade woke up early.
The two of them went to have a bowl of ramen together, then arrived at the hospital office an hour early.
Newly official as a couple, they couldn't stop talking, one moment exchanging heartfelt thoughts, the next discussing ideas for new medical ninjutsu, then pondering what to have for lunch.
Every now and then, they'd share a sweet, intimate moment. In the end, both of them agreed: going to work really was a joy.
After three days of lovey-dovey time, he returned once again to Tsunade's home. Today was the day Mito would reinforce the Nine-Tails seal, and he had been specifically called over.
"Mito-sama," Shin respectfully greeted upon arrival. Shin had genuine respect for her, both because of Tsunade and because the elderly woman truly deserved it.
"Still calling me like that?" Mito feigned dissatisfaction.
"Ah… Obaachan!" Shin quickly corrected himself.
"Much better," Mito's mood lifted instantly. She looked at Shin, then at Tsunade, completely satisfied with what she saw.
She had immediately noticed the change in Tsunade. That overflowing sense of happiness couldn't be hidden.
Finally, after some probing, Tsunade blushed and nodded to admit her relationship with Shin.
"Shin, have you studied sealing techniques?" Mito asked once the mood had settled.
"No, I haven't. I've created a few sealing jutsu myself, but none of them are particularly impressive," Shin replied.
"What?" Mito's eyes widened. "You mean you created sealing techniques without ever studying any?"
"Yep," Shin nodded truthfully.
Mito fell silent, processing this information.
Without other sealing jutsu as reference, it was impossible to understand the principles of sealing, let alone create them, this was a universally accepted fact in the shinobi world. She herself had created sealing techniques too. But that was because she had been exposed to countless sealing techniques since childhood and deeply understood their principles.
Plus, with the natural talent of the Uzumaki clan and her own exceptional abilities, she managed to pull it off.
"Would you be willing to show me?" Mito asked.
"Of course," Shin replied, pulling three scrolls from his robe and handing them to her. These scrolls weren't something he usually carried. He never needed to. But after he figured out what Mito might be planning, he had brought them with him specifically today.
As she examined the sealing technique scrolls, Mito nodded repeatedly.
"These are remarkable," she said eventually. "Although the lack of reference materials has left these sealing techniques somewhat imperfect, the conceptual design is absolutely brilliant. With the right guidance and some refinement, these could develop into truly significant techniques."
She nodded decisively. "I believe you can help me. First, we'll establish a mental connection, I'll guide you through the reinforcement process step by step."
"I'm ready," Shin replied. As Mito opened her consciousness, Shin activated his Sharingan.
Soon, guided by her, his eyes locked onto the seal's location, and he used a genjutsu projection. His consciousness appeared in front of a sealed cage. There was no denying it, the Uchiha clan truly was blessed by the heavens. These eyes held unfathomable power. Inside the cage, the colossal form of the Nine-Tails was tightly bound by countless chains, struggling furiously.
"You're really full of energy," Shin couldn't help but remark.
"Who are you? Why are you here?" the Nine-Tails roared as soon as it saw him.
"No... those eyes of yours…" The beast's pupils shrank as it growled coldly, "Your eyes remind me of someone... Madara!"
"Nothing but memories I'd rather forget!" the Nine-Tails grumbled irritably.
"You sure talk a lot," Shin muttered.
"If I weren't sealed, I'd make sure you learned the true meaning of fear."
"Yes, yes, I'm so terrified! Maybe try talking less."
"Shin, no need to talk to it. Just follow my instructions," Mito appeared in the consciousness space and said.
From there, he followed her guidance step by step, reinforcing the seal on the Nine-Tails. No matter how fiercely it roared, it was futile. In the end, as the binding chains tightened further, the Nine-Tails was rendered completely immobile.
"Whew!" With everything done, he finally let out a breath of relief.
Thank goodness for Mito's incredible skill in sealing arts, he wouldn't have been able to manage it on his own.
"Did you learn it?"
"I did."
"Good. Kushina will need your support in the future. If there are complications with the seal, you now know how to stabilize it."
She paused, considering him. "I've decided to share the Uzumaki sealing techniques with you. Your natural aptitude suggests you'll master them quickly."
"Thank you," Shin said, genuinely moved by her trust.
"We're family now," she replied simply. "No thanks necessary."
After leaving the mental space, Mito told Shin to come to her house for dinner every evening after work, and afterward, he'd study sealing techniques under her guidance.
Naturally, Shin happily agreed. So, his meeting with Orochimaru was scheduled during the day.
---
The following day, Tsunade accompanied Shin to meet with her teammate. The moment Orochimaru saw him, the usually composed and cold ninja became unusually excited. His tongue involuntarily licked his lips, as if he had just laid eyes on a rare and priceless treasure.
"I've long admired you," Orochimaru stepped forward eagerly and warmly grasped Shin's hand.
Tsunade, watching from the side, felt extremely uncomfortable.
She knew Shin was popular at Konoha Hospital, and many girls liked him, but now even Orochimaru seemed to be competing with her?
"I've been curious about your work as well," Shin said, though his tone lacked warmth and was clearly unfriendly, nothing like Orochimaru's enthusiasm.
Then, his expression shifted to something more serious. "Orochimaru, you should run."
Shin suddenly said something that left both Orochimaru and Tsunade stunned.
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400 = +1 bonus chapter
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40+ Advance chapters!
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