"I promised the Fourth Hokage that I would serve as acting Hokage assistant..."
Seeing Kushina's expression suddenly turn rather unpleasant, Chiba's lips twitched slightly as he explained why.
Yet there was a trace of awkwardness and uncertainty in his tone.
Yes, awkwardness! In truth, he had only just realized that he had no time to study Curse Mark Jutsu.
Before this, he had been consumed by the lingering fear that things were going too smoothly. Then came Yukina's question, followed by a series of emotional ups and downs, and he had somehow failed to notice this issue.
It was only after Kushina's comforting words took effect and Curse Mark Jutsu was brought up that he suddenly realized he seemed to have no time to study it.
After all, as Hokage—especially a newly appointed Hokage, with external threats unresolved and internal troubles only just settled—the workload for the Hokage Assistant would probably be astronomical. He likely would not be able to spare much time to study Curse Mark Jutsu.
Moreover, the Hokage Assistant generally worked during the day, so he probably would not have time to visit the Third Hokage then. At night, not only might he need to work overtime, but even if he could make it over, the Third Hokage was still recuperating and might not have much time to teach him.
Although Curse Mark Jutsu was very similar to Sealing Jutsu and overlapped with it in some areas, they were ultimately two different techniques. Even with the Third Hokage's ability as a renowned teacher, too little time simply would not do.
What was more, after a master led him through the door, he would still have to walk part of the path himself. And that part would require time too.
But since he had promised the Fourth Hokage,