Guards and Sparring Partners!

A week passed in the blink of an eye, and the time promised to Shinichi Hyuga to study the Scroll of Seals expired that evening.

Though the time given to Shinichi Hyuga was very short, his gains were undoubtedly immense. With his exceptional memory, he had copied down most of the Scroll of Seals' contents, adding them to the Hyuga Clan's private collection.

"Starting tomorrow, I'll formally teach you Sealing Jutsu."

"With your talent, you should learn quickly. I think you'll be able to try practicing the Flying Thunder God Technique in half a month at most."

Inside the Hokage's Office, Minato Namikaze put away the Scroll of Seals after rolling it back up. Kushina, seated beside Shinichi Hyuga, spoke to him with complete confidence.

Over the past week, under Kushina's guidance, Shinichi Hyuga had gradually learned some basic knowledge of Sealing Jutsu. He had also tried activating several complete seals whose patterns had already been drawn.

The whole process had gone very smoothly, indirectly proving his talent in this area.

However, learning Sealing Jutsu was not so simple. Activating a complete sealing technique was merely the easiest step. The difficult part was drawing the sealing techniques himself.

And to master the Flying Thunder God Technique, he needed a foundation in that area. The principle behind the Flying Thunder God Technique was for the user to first mark certain objects, then make a Space Jump to a location bearing that mark.

This technique was not actually as invincible as people imagined. Enemies who understood the principle of the Flying Thunder God could completely set up defenses in advance around locations bearing Flying Thunder God Marks.

In a battle between experts, the Flying Thunder God might not necessarily bring its user much of an advantage. On the contrary, because of this trait, it might even be exploited by the enemy.

Minato Namikaze had once encountered Kumogakure's A and B Brothers on the battlefield of the Third Shinobi World War. When he attacked Killer B, Killer B had once managed to counter him.

While Minato held a kunai against Killer B's head, the blade in Killer B's hand was also pressed against Minato's chest.

If neither had stopped, it was hard to say who would have died.

And that was Minato, who had been extraordinarily proficient with the Flying Thunder God Technique. If someone's mastery of the Flying Thunder God was insufficient, their Space Jump would not be anywhere near as fast as Minato's, and the openings they exposed would only be greater.

Even so, Shinichi Hyuga still needed this technique badly. Even if he did not use it in battle, it would still be excellent as an escape technique.

The Flying Thunder God was far stronger than Reverse Summoning. One relied entirely on one's own will, while the other required coordination and communication.

On the future battlefield, where opportunities vanished in an instant, the Flying Thunder God would undoubtedly give Shinichi many more lives.

"Teacher Kushina, I'll be relying on you from now on."

Shinichi Hyuga rose from the sofa and gave Kushina a slightly solemn bow. Although he had become fairly familiar with Kushina and Minato over this period, Shinichi had always maintained basic courtesy.

"Shinichi, what arrangements has the Hyuga Clan made for you?"

"How much time can you spend practicing Sealing Jutsu every day?"

Kushina was genuinely invested in teaching Shinichi; she was not merely putting on a show. As the only remaining member of the Uzumaki Clan in Konoha, Kushina felt that she had a duty to pass down her clan's Sealing Jutsu.

She had always thought well of Shinichi. Seeing that he had talent, she intended to teach him wholeheartedly.

Speaking of teaching students...

Ever since those two children from Team Minato had died, Minato Namikaze had never led genin again. Kushina still somewhat missed those days.

Although she had been those children's "teacher's wife," Kushina had also put some care into them.

Whenever Minato trained Kakashi and the others, she, as their "teacher's wife," would often make boxed lunches for them.

Looking at Shinichi before her, Kushina could not help but become dazed as she remembered Minato's two students who had fallen on the battlefield.

"I've already informed the clan in advance."

"Sister Kushina, you're currently pregnant, so you need to ensure you get good sleep."

"In the mornings, I'll practice taijutsu at home, refine my Chakra, and teach myself some simple techniques."

"After two-thirty in the afternoon, I'll come trouble you to teach me Sealing Jutsu."

"As for when we finish, you can decide."

Shinichi Hyuga replied with a smile. In order to study under Kushina, Shinichi had gone to great lengths to persuade Hyuga Hiashi.

Even so, Hiashi had been deeply dissatisfied. His original intention had been to invite Kushina to the Hyuga Clan Compound to teach Shinichi.

Hiashi placed enormous importance on Shinichi's safety.

Kushina was, after all, a Jinchuriki. Though nothing had happened so far, who could guarantee that it never would?

If they were in the Hyuga Clan Compound, then should anything happen, there would be numerous elite Hyuga Clan Members present.

But... if they were elsewhere, then if an accident occurred, they would not be able to get there in time at all.

Shinichi's attitude had been firm, however, and Hiashi, who doted on his son, could only compromise. Still, out of concern for his son's safety, he planned to assign several Shadow Guards to protect Shinichi.

Shinichi did not hide this matter and informed Minato and Kushina.

Upon hearing this, the excitement on Kushina's face dimmed for an instant, but she quickly adjusted her mood.

Jinchuriki...

Was that identity not also a thorn in Kushina's heart? Although Minato had healed much of that wound, whenever it was brought up, Kushina still found it hard to remain calm.

Minato's reaction, however, was somewhat different. He gently patted his wife's shoulder in comfort, then smiled and said to Shinichi:

"Then I should thank Hiashi instead."

"If Hyuga Clan ninja are watching over Kushina during her daily routine as well, I'll be more at ease."

Minato meant those words sincerely. Though he was the Fourth Hokage, his authority was ultimately limited, and the number of Anbu he could command was quite limited as well.

The current Anbu captain was the Third Hokage's eldest son. The Hokage's Direct Anbu still largely took Hiruzen Sarutobi's lead.

For something as important as protecting a Jinchuriki, Minato could only assign the young Kakashi.

The Hyuga Clan might have increased the guards out of concern for Shinichi's safety, but were these elites not also protecting Kushina?

After briefly settling the plans for his future studies, evening gradually fell. Shinichi rose to say goodbye, then returned to the Clan Compound with Hyuga Hiashi, who had already been waiting downstairs.

Minato stood by the office window and watched Hyuga Hiashi personally handle the pickup and drop-off below. He gained an entirely new understanding of Shinichi's status within the Hyuga Clan.

The Hyuga Clan valued its heir even more than he had imagined.

"The Hyuga Clan..."

Minato watched the departing Hyuga Clan Members and murmured inwardly, his expression deep as he wondered about something unknown.

After returning to the Clan Compound with Hiashi, Shinichi enjoyed a brief but warm moment of "father-son time" during dinner.

But soon afterward, Hiashi called Shinichi to the Training Ground.

Once they arrived at the Training Ground, it was not the "evening training" Shinichi had expected. Instead, Hiashi had arranged guards for him and introduced three clan members.

"Shinichi, from today onward, these three will be your guard ninja."

"This is Keisuke Hyuga. He's thirty-two this year, proficient in the Gentle Fist, and extremely capable. He's one of the top experts in the Branch Family."

Hyuga Hiashi pointed at a broad, burly man with a square face as he introduced him to Shinichi.

As soon as he finished speaking, Keisuke Hyuga dropped to one knee before Shinichi Hyuga. While saluting, Keisuke raised his head to examine Shinichi, his eyes filled with scrutiny.

"This is Mio Hyuga. She's twenty-seven and a Special Jonin. When you're spending time with Kushina, let Mio attend beside you. Since they're both women, there shouldn't be any problem."

She was a young woman with a slender figure and dignified, beautiful features. Her cold, stern expression gave off an air that kept strangers away.

After Hiashi finished the introduction, Mio Hyuga lowered her head and knelt on one knee. Her face showed neither joy nor sorrow.

"This is Kazutaka Hyuga. He's twenty-two. His strength is only so-so, but he's steady and keeps his mouth shut."

At the mention of Kazutaka Hyuga, the thin young man immediately dropped to one knee in salute, his body even trembling slightly.

Seeing Kazutaka Hyuga like that, Shinichi thought he was afraid. Just as he was about to crack a small joke to ease the atmosphere, Kazutaka raised his head. His gaze toward Shinichi was filled with reverence and fervor.

"..."

Seeing that look, Shinichi swallowed the words that had reached his lips. He knew he had misunderstood.

"The three of them will be your close guards from now on. Whenever you leave the Clan Compound, they will accompany you."

"Shinichi, get along well with them."

Listening to Hiashi's words and looking at the clan members kneeling on one knee, each wearing a different expression, Shinichi's face broke into a warm smile. He helped them up one by one, then turned his gaze toward Keisuke Hyuga.

"Father says you're exceptionally capable."

"One of the top experts in the Branch Family?"

"Perfect... Practice taijutsu with me!"