Sage Art Cursed Seal

Before long, they had butchered the wild boar. The plump meat was hung over the fire to roast, fat constantly dripping into the flames with crackling pops.

Naruto stared at the roasting meat, drooling, but the meat they had just put on would not be ready anytime soon.

Hyuga Kei started a conversation and asked, "What are your dreams? Maybe I can help you achieve them."

Naruto answered without hesitation, "My dream used to be becoming Hokage, but now I not only want to become Hokage like my father, I also want to become the strongest ninja in the world and revive my parents."

Hyuga Kei picked up a skewer that was already cooked and handed it to Naruto. "Mm, a very great dream."

"Of course. There are no shortcuts to becoming Hokage."

Hyuga Kei then asked Sasuke, "What about you, Sasuke?"

"I want to kill that man."

"Uchiha Itachi?"

"That's right!"

"Sakura, what is your dream?"

"My dream is to marry..." Sakura shyly glanced at Sasuke.

But Hyuga Kei already understood what Sakura meant.

"A simple, unpretentious dream. I probably can't help much with that."

Hyuga Kei looked at Sasuke and Naruto. "Both of your dreams require you to become stronger. That is something I should be able to help with."

Hyuga Kei took out a scroll. "Naruto, this is a secret bloodline technique of the Uzumaki Clan—Adamantine Sealing Chains. It can attack and defend, and it was your mother Kushina Uzumaki's specialty."

The moment Naruto heard that it was his mother's specialty, he excitedly accepted it. "I'll definitely study it seriously."

Noticing the excitement in Sasuke's eyes as well, Hyuga Kei said, "Sasuke, have you heard of sage arts?"

"Sage arts?"

"Sage arts are ninjutsu activated by fusing natural energy with chakra. This power can comprehensively enhance ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu."

"I developed a cursed seal called the Sage Art Cursed Seal. Its purpose is to generate rudimentary sage chakra within the recipient's body. But don't worry, this cursed seal has undergone human testing and is very safe."

Sasuke remained cautious. "Why are you so concerned about us? Do you have some ulterior motive?"

Naruto was the first to get upset upon hearing that. Kishu was his benefactor. "Sasuke, how can you say that?"

Sasuke's gaze was sharp. "It isn't that I'm overly suspicious. There is no kindness without reason in this world. You've been far too good to us."

"As expected of an Uchiha descendant. You really are cautious. Of course, I have my reasons for doing this. You could call it an investment."

Naruto made a puzzled sound. "An investment?"

"That's right, an investment. I believe you have limitless potential. I'll help you now, and you'll help me in the future."

Hyuga Kei's words were indeed convincing. The last descendant of the Uchiha, the son of the Fourth Hokage—both were worth investing in.

Naruto readily agreed. "Hahaha, so that's how it is. Brother Kishu, don't worry. Just tell me if you need anything in the future, and I guarantee I'll get it done."

Sasuke also lowered his guard. "Sorry. I was overthinking it."

"It's fine. That is also what I value about you. You and Naruto always complement each other's strengths. Naruto treats people sincerely, while you are cautious and careful."

Sasuke shot Naruto a sidelong glance and haughtily said, "Who complements this guy?"

"Hahaha. Then do you want to try the Sage Art Cursed Seal I developed?"

Sasuke pondered for a moment, then nodded decisively. "Please. I will repay you generously in the future."

"It's nothing."

Hyuga Kei said, "Then take off your shirt. It'll make it easier for me to perform the technique."

Sasuke did not hesitate and promptly took off his shirt.

Naturally, Hyuga Kei would not bite him himself like Orochimaru did.

Hyuga Kei warned Sasuke, "It will hurt. You need to endure it."

"Understood."

Hyuga Kei absorbed the surrounding natural energy and entered Sage Mode in an instant. Cyan sage markings appeared around his eyes, while cyan sage chakra snakes slithered around his body.

"So cool!" Naruto exclaimed.

A chakra snake bit down on Sasuke's shoulder.

"Ah!" Sasuke let out a pained howl as natural energy instantly ravaged his body.

Not long after, the chakra snake released Sasuke's shoulder. A Sage Art Cursed Seal shaped like Three Tomoe appeared on his shoulder.

Hyuga Kei swiftly formed hand seals and slammed his palm onto the Sage Art Cursed Seal. "Sage Art: Snake Seal."

Two more black snakes appeared around the Sage Art Cursed Seal. Their heads and tails connected, sealing the cursed seal within them.

Hyuga Kei exited Sage Mode, and its traits faded from his body. "It's done."

Sasuke gasped for breath. Just now, he had felt as if he were on the verge of death.

"You can try activating your Sharingan and use it to guide this power."

Sasuke excitedly activated his Two Tomoe Sharingan and used his dojutsu power to lightly touch the seal. A massive amount of natural energy instantly fused with his own chakra through the cursed seal.

Pain coursed through his entire body as black markings appeared on Sasuke. Starting from the cursed seal, they spread across his body.

Hyuga Kei asked, "How does it feel?"

"It feels... very good."

Naturally. This Sage Art Cursed Seal had been tailored by Hyuga Kei specifically for Sasuke.

"Then test its power. Come at me again!"

The corners of Sasuke's lips curled up. "As I should!"

Sasuke moved at incredible speed, appearing before Hyuga Kei in an instant and throwing a punch.

Bang! Hyuga Kei raised a palm and caught it. "Your strength and speed have both increased by thirty percent. Not bad."

"It's not over yet." With one hand restrained by Hyuga Kei, Sasuke planted his other hand on the ground and fiercely kicked toward Hyuga Kei's face.

Hyuga Kei swiftly raised his left arm and easily blocked the strike.

He grabbed Sasuke's fist and flung him away with force. Sasuke flew straight out like a kite with its string cut.

Sasuke quickly adjusted his posture in midair and landed as lightly as a swallow.

"Sasuke is so cool!" Sakura cheered.

Seeing his goddess's reaction, Naruto began cheering for Hyuga Kei. "Damn it... Sasuke, that bastard. Brother Kishu, go! Beat Sasuke up!"

Ignoring their shouts, Hyuga Kei formed hand seals. "Next, let's test ninjutsu."

Uchiha Sasuke also rapidly formed hand seals. "Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique."

Sasuke spat out a huge fireball about seven meters in diameter.

"Water Style: Water Wall Technique!"

Hyuga Kei spat out a stream of water, which formed a wall in front of him.

Fire and water collided violently, producing a sizzling sound.

In an instant, a large amount of vapor surged up around them and spread outward, making it seem as if they were standing in dense fog.

As the ninjutsu dissipated, the surrounding mist grew even thicker, obscuring everyone's vision.

Hyuga Kei's voice came from within the fog. "Next, we'll test your reaction speed."

Hyuga Kei fired several kunai and shuriken.

Sasuke drew a kunai and knocked all the incoming weapons away.

The vapor gradually dispersed, and Hyuga Kei walked over to Sasuke and asked again, "How does it feel?"

"It's too strong! Is this really me?"

Sasuke looked at his palm. "Not only have my strength, speed, and reaction time improved, even my dojutsu power has become stronger."

Hyuga Kei patted him on the shoulder. "Try deactivating the cursed seal state. You cannot use this mode often. It will burden your body."

"Also, don't casually reveal your cursed seal. It will naturally hide itself when not in use. That can save you a lot of trouble."

"I understand." Sasuke forced the cursed seal's power back into the seal. As expected, waves of soreness immediately swept through his body, and his stomach growled as well.

"Hahaha, looks like this consumes a lot of energy too." Hyuga Kei laughed. Opportunities to see Sasuke this discomposed were rare.

"Let's eat first. The meat should be ready."

The two returned to the campfire, and Naruto immediately came over, eagerly handing a skewer of roasted meat to Hyuga Kei. "Brother Kishu, do you think I'm suited for that cursed seal?"

Hyuga Kei answered bluntly, "No."

"Why?"

"You possess the Uzumaki Clan's Sage Body. Your physique is powerful, and you may have a chance to master true Sage Mode in the future, like mine."

"Really? Then when will you teach me?"

"When the opportunity comes."

"Alright..."

What Hyuga Kei gave them would naturally be recovered from them many times over in the future.

Every gift had its price secretly marked.