Takeshi then entered a period of peaceful days.
During this time, he spent almost all his time at Konoha Hospital.
He dealt with patients daily and diligently studied the human body's acupoints.
In terms of human acupoints, the Hyuga Clan, with their Byakugan, could be considered experts.
They primarily focused on close-quarters Gentle Fist, and when activating their Byakugan, they could even see through the human body's Chakra pathways and Chakra points where Chakra is released.
Therefore, they were incredibly familiar with the body's meridians and acupoints.
Thinking of this, Takeshi quickly went to the Hyuga Clan to seek guidance.
However, the process was not smooth; Takeshi was decisively rejected.
It was well-known that the Uchiha and Hyuga were considered the two great ocular jutsu clans of Konoha, on par with each other.
They were in a competitive relationship, so the Hyuga would naturally not help their opponent improve.
But to Takeshi, this was completely a joke.
The Hyuga's Byakugan might be strong, but its limitations were too great.
Except for its excellent abilities in perception, it was almost completely defeated by the Uchiha's Sharingan in other aspects.
How could they compete with the Uchiha?
If it weren't for those high-ranking Konoha officials wanting to restrict the Uchiha's development, the Byakugan of the Hyuga Clan would not even be presentable.
Let alone competing, it wasn't even fit to carry their shoes!
Unless their Byakugan evolved into the Tenseigan, but the evolutionary conditions for the Tenseigan were extremely stringent.
It not only required a certain concentration of their own bloodline but also demanded a sufficiently high purity of the Byakugan.
To achieve this condition, no one in the Hyuga Clan had yet been able to do so.
So Takeshi didn't take them seriously.
Since I politely asked for your guidance, and you refused.
Then I will resort to direct coercion.
He was currently Lady Tsunade's disciple, and Tsunade's status in Konoha Village naturally went without saying.
Just the title of Third Hokage's disciple was enough to make everyone fearful, let alone anything else.
So Takeshi also used his teacher's title and began a series of maneuvers.
Ultimately, he got what Takeshi wanted.
The Hyuga Clan could only grudgingly teach Takeshi.
Although this matter might eventually reach Hiruzen Sarutobi, leading to his suspicion, Takeshi didn't care.
This was just a simulation; even if he became suspicious and wanted to kill him, it didn't matter.
Once he completed Kushina's mission, everything would be over, and he would still die.
Being killed by someone and dying of old age were no different.
Rather than that, it was better to do more meaningful things.
Moreover, once he completed the experiment on the surging meridian, his Sharingan might even evolve into a Mangekyo, and at that time, who would kill whom was still uncertain.
Takeshi would not hesitate in the slightest to get rid of the Third Hokage, that old schemer.
And so, Takeshi resumed his busy life.
Then, a familiar scene appeared again.
"So... what do you want from me again this time?"
Looking at Kushina, who was standing in front of him again, Takeshi was numb.
No, are you lonely again?
Why are you here again?
Is it that hard to let me quietly research and experiment?
Takeshi stared with dead fish eyes, then glanced at Mikoto, who was standing beside her.
He noticed her waving at him and even giving him a peace sign, as if showing off her achievements.
"?"
Takeshi was completely bewildered, frowning deeply.
For some reason, he always felt like something had gone wrong again.
"Ji-Takeshi!"
Hearing this call, he shifted his gaze back to Kushina.
She, who should have had a fiery personality, now looked extremely shy, her small head bowed, her two fingers nervously poking around.
Takeshi had never seen Kushina like this before; she was surprisingly cute.
"What's wrong?"
Takeshi asked, regaining his composure.
"Ah... ah... it... it's just, that..."
Kushina's shoulders trembled slightly, clearly flustered, and she started speaking incoherently.
"Which one?" Takeshi pressed.
At this moment, Mikoto whispered something in her ear, which helped Kushina calm down again.
She stood still, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then opened her eyes, her expression becoming serious.
Under Takeshi's puzzled gaze, she said earnestly:
"Takeshi, I... I want to be friends with you. I hope you don't fail to appreciate my kindness!"
"???"
Takeshi was stunned for a moment, unable to figure out what this new tactic was.
But then, seeing Mikoto give him another peace sign from the side, he temporarily understood who was behind this scene.
Takeshi's mind was a mess. He looked at Mikoto, who was seeking credit, then at Kushina, who was trying to act calm, and then suddenly slapped his forehead. It was wrong, all wrong!
Mikoto, you misunderstood what I meant!
But in this situation, it was clearly not easy to back out.
"Well, actually, we're already friends."
He had originally intended to refuse.
After all, he still wanted to focus on researching techniques to increase bloodline concentration.
But for some reason, the words changed course once they reached his lips.
Upon hearing this, Kushina, who had been biting her lip, immediately relaxed her teeth, and her clenched fists also released their tension, her eyes visibly brightening.
"Hmph!"
She crossed her arms, turned her head, and pretended to be indifferent, but the curve of her lips couldn't quite be suppressed, curving upwards.
"Since we're already friends, I'll reluctantly take you out to play!"
"???"