Forbidden Techniques Mastered! Tsunade Wants to Return to the Village?

Over the next week, Naruto's clones all studied the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Why did it take as long as a week?

It was because the Flying Thunder God required marks. He needed to send out a large number of clones to place them.

The Flying Thunder God was a Space-Time Ninjutsu. As long as a location was within his sensory range,

he could instantly arrive at any place marked with the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Combined with the terrifying range of his Mind's Eye of the Kagura,

and the Nature Power of the Woods-Woods Fruit,

he could arrive anywhere within a hundred kilometers in the blink of an eye.

He could even do so with perfect precision.

He then spent another week learning all the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques.

There were not many powerful sealing ninjutsu, but there were quite a few methods for strengthening seals.

With the Flying Thunder God, it was not Minato and Kushina's originals who went out to search for the Land of Whirlpools Ruins.

Kushina did not feel much about it, but Eternal Sister was truly shocked.

The terrifying amount of Chakra made it all feel unreal.

The original remained in Konoha. After handling official business, he spent most of his time keeping Kushina company.

As for gaining control over Kurama and Konoha's foundational strength—

namely, the Konoha ninja—

Eternal Sister, who had once been Hokage, was clearly far more familiar with the matter.

In two weeks, he had gained control over two-thirds of Konoha's ninja!

Note that these two-thirds did not include major Ninja Clans and the like.

No one would leak anything, because anyone who did had already had their Chakra extracted by Kurama, every last bit of it.

Civilian ninja, as well as people like Rock Lee who could not control Chakra, received help from the Ninja Sect.

They all became ninja.

Konoha alone was far too limited.

Outside Konoha, Rogue Ninja throughout the Land of Fire were screened for character and talent,

then all secretly brought under their control.

There were many of them. Would Kurama run short on Chakra?

No. Once someone had completed their training, there was no need to give them Chakra anymore.

Instead, they would collect regular fees—Chakra.

The wool came from the sheep.

Kurama was overjoyed.

At the same time, he urged Eternal Sister and Kushina to hurry up and find the Uzumaki Clan's homeland.

Meanwhile, Naruto's improvements were equally immense.

He had over ten thousand Shadow Clones studying ninjutsu.

The sight was simply spectacular.

Once each Shadow Clone gained a certain level of understanding, it automatically dispersed.

Naruto's original sat in the middle of them, meditating.

Whenever he sensed memories and experiences returning, he created another Shadow Clone to continue studying.

After another two weeks,

he had thoroughly mastered every ninjutsu in the Scroll of Seals!

Where had the Scroll of Seals come from?

Naturally, Eternal Sister, who was intimately familiar with the Konoha Barrier, had gone and retrieved it.

As for the barrier on the Scroll of Seals,

don't forget that Kushina was a pure-blooded member of the Uzumaki Clan.

A mere sealing technique?

Even Konoha had learned such things from the Land of Whirlpools.

Yet thoroughly studying every ninjutsu in the Scroll of Seals was almost too much for Naruto.

The amount of information was simply overwhelming.

Even though he had used a very simple and efficient method,

his brain was still overloaded.

Lying on the bed, Naruto's azure eyes were filled with bloodshot veins.

At that moment, Naruto truly admired the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

Every Forbidden Technique in the Scroll of Seals belonged to a different system.

The underlying logic behind developing each ninjutsu was completely different.

It was not as simple as learning one technique and applying the same principles to others.

Leaving aside the sheer number of them, those ingenious ideas alone were enough to earn Naruto's admiration.

Where had they come from?

Simple. Human experimentation, just like Snake Aunt.

There was another point as well. Perhaps the Scroll of Seals did not record every Forbidden Technique.

Perhaps he could obtain more from Tsunade.

Including the First Hokage Hashirama Senju's Wood Release Scroll.

Nearly four weeks of intense training had left Naruto exhausted in both body and mind.

He planned to rest properly today.

"Then, Dad, Mom, you should both go relax too."

"See you tomorrow."

"Naruto, make sure you get plenty of rest!"

"Got it."

After crying and making a huge fuss last week, Kushina had finally completely moved on from the Tsukuyomi World.

Kurama had been so frightened at the time that he stood at attention.

Because Kushina had been ready to throw everything aside and demand that Kurama give her all his Chakra.

She insisted on destroying Konoha one more time.

Fortunately, she was stopped in the end.

Though poor Minato suffered for it.

Naruto and Kurama were fine. Only Eternal Sister got beaten black and blue.

With Kurama's Chakra, he recovered especially quickly.

Every time Kushina saw him, she got angry again. After beating Eternal Sister up, she patiently waited for him to recover before beating him up again.

After Naruto left,

Kushina looked at Kurama inside the temporary base.

"Kurama, give me some. Not much, fifty thousand ryo will do."

Minato merely smiled gently from the side.

Kurama might agree to other things, but when it came to money, he was truly stingy as iron.

"Do you know how much fifty thousand ryo is?"

"Um... a few A- or B-Class missions?"

"That's fifty months of Naruto's living expenses!"

"How long are fifty months?"

"It would take four years of saving without eating or drinking!"

Kushina and Eternal Sister were immediately silenced.

They were truly silent—and utterly crushed.

"Money? No!"

"Fine! Once I find the Land of Whirlpools Ruins, I'll keep whatever valuables are left there myself!"

"Wait, I've thought it over. Fifty thousand ryo?"

"Do you know how much fifty thousand ryo is?"

Kushina and Eternal Sister were both full of question marks.

"One million ryo each!"

"How could fifty thousand ryo possibly match your status?"

Eternal Sister and Kushina: "..."

Meanwhile, Naruto returned home.

Kurenai Yuhi and Anko appeared right on time.

Fortunately, Kushina and Eternal Sister had been very busy lately and had no time to eat at home.

Otherwise, Kushina would immediately find out who had turned her young son into an adult.

The Konoha 12 could cover for him at noon, but not at night.

"Naruto~!"

That damned suffocating feeling had returned.

Nothing was said that night. Early the next morning,

his friends arrived.

The moment they entered, Uchiha Sasuke looked at Sakura and said:

"Sakura, I want to fight you."

"Hey, hey, you're already planning today's training first thing in the morning?"

Shikamaru spread his hands. "You're all working so hard that I'm starting to feel a little embarrassed."

But Uchiha Sasuke ignored him and looked at Sakura with complete seriousness.

If he remembered correctly, shouldn't that line have been said to Naruto in the original story?

Sakura was stunned for a moment, then the corners of her lips lifted slightly.

"Perfect. I was thinking the same thing."

"Good. Let's... Don't leave after the mission is over!"

"I'll pick a place."

Uchiha Sasuke did not even eat breakfast. He turned and headed outside.

Hinata hurried over and tugged on Sakura's sleeve.

"What is it, Hinata?"

"Sakura, hold back a little. Don't beat Sasuke to death."

"Yeah, Sakura, your talent is incredible. Training in Super Strength is like riding a rocket—you're progressing so fast."

The girls chattered away. Aside from mentioning at the beginning that Sakura should not beat Uchiha Sasuke to death,

the rest was all girls' secrets.

They were not worried in the slightest that Sakura would lose to Uchiha Sasuke after he activated his Sharingan.

Kurenai Yuhi and Anko had finished eating early and left ahead of time.

At noon, once the mission was over, Uchiha Sasuke immediately said:

"Let's go. I've already picked the place."

Kakashi sighed. "Well, the results of your special training weren't meant to be used against your companions."

"Forget it. I'll come along too."

Thus, Team Seven arrived at the Training Ground where they had once fought over bells.

It was here that Uchiha Sasuke had begun pulling ahead of Sakura.

Uchiha Sasuke really knew how to pick a battlefield.

Standing between the two eager fighters, Kakashi said helplessly:

"There are no particular rules for this match. It ends when one side falls or admits defeat."

"Remember, both of you hold back. Otherwise, Naruto and I will have to intervene."

"Got it!" x2

To be honest, Sakura had never imagined that Uchiha Sasuke would challenge her one day.

Of course, she had never imagined that she would become so powerful either.

"Don't go for the kill."

Kakashi added another warning.

"Don't worry, Kakashi-sensei. I'll hold back."

"What did you say?"

"Damn it, you dare look down on me?"

"I'm from the Uchiha Clan!"

Uchiha Sasuke instantly bristled.

Sakura merely smiled without saying anything. For a moment, she compared them.

How had she ever been so completely fixated on Sasuke?

In terms of looks, personality, and charm, Sasuke seemed completely inferior to Naruto.

Sakura-bro: Didn't you think Sasuke was the most handsome?

Pink Hair: After losing her halo, she seemed... less pretty and less enduringly attractive than Naruto-kun.

"Looks like you can't wait any longer."

"Then let's begin!"

Kakashi closed his right eye.

Now, following Naruto's advice, he kept his Sharingan active for extended periods.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

Uchiha Sasuke immediately started showing off his Chakra.

He knew Sakura had not learned ninjutsu because she lacked Chakra.

But how could such a minor attack possibly provoke Sakura?

"Bastard!"

Rumble—!!!

Sakura slammed a fist into the ground.

A Super Strength version of Earth Style: Mud Wall rose up.

All of Uchiha Sasuke's fury went to waste.

Whoosh—

Sakura jumped above the rubble and looked down at Uchiha Sasuke.

"It's over, Sasuke."

With that, she leaped high into the air, her little pink fist clenched tight.

The pressure was overwhelming!

Uchiha Sasuke's dark eyes instantly turned blood-red.

Sharingan!

Two tomoe.

His special training during this time had improved him greatly.

Even his Sharingan, which he had not specifically trained, had evolved.

"Before these eyes of mine, your attacks will never hit me."

Uchiha Sasuke swiftly retreated.

At the same time, his hands rapidly formed seals.

"Lightning Release: Earth Flash!"

Zzzt—

Still in midair, Sakura looked down.

The spot where she was about to land was covered in arcs of lightning.

Her brows furrowed. She withdrew her Super Strength and quickly formed seals with both hands.

"Is that so?"

"Then let's see if your eyes can keep up with my speed!"

I'll definitely defeat Sasuke!

Naruto-kun~ did you see that?

I've always been working hard to catch up to you!

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

Poof—

The Shadow Clone Sakura created appeared beneath her.

"Sasuke!"

Sakura's Shadow Clone roared and hurled Sakura's Original body forward.

It then landed on the ground and was swallowed by countless arcs of lightning.

"Damn it, using a Shadow Clone... Hmph, then let me show you Brother Shisui's Phantom Body Flicker!"

"Without the Sharingan, you'll never grasp the essence of this move."

Uchiha Sasuke then created five Phantom Clones.

His Sharingan spun madly.

Sakura, flying toward him at high speed, frowned.

"Release!"

With one hand forming a seal, she dispelled the Sharingan's Genjutsu interference.

"Take this!"

Her fist slammed into one of Uchiha Sasuke's Phantom Clones.

It passed straight through.

"Heh, I told you. Your attacks will never hit me."

But the next moment, Uchiha Sasuke realized he was wrong.

Sakura's target had never been the Phantom Clones.

It was the ground beneath his feet.

Her fist came down.

The ground split apart, and countless stones shot in every direction like bullets.

"Found you!"

Amid the dust, Sakura spread out her senses. Four Phantom Clones were being struck by countless flying stones.

Her legs bent slightly before she forcefully kicked off.

Another thunderous boom rang out.

Whoosh—

This time, she was twice as fast as when her Shadow Clone had thrown her.

Kakashi's eyes widened.

He had watched everything from beginning to end.

He could see it clearly, but it still made his heart pound.

Uchiha Sasuke had already opened the first three of the Eight Inner Gates.

Only by relying on the traits of his Phantom Clones had he managed to keep up with Sakura, who moved purely through Super Strength.

"Sakura... she's even stronger than she was in the Land of Waves!"

Kakashi could not help looking at the calm Naruto beside him.

"Just how far has this kid grown?"

"I still haven't seen him make a move."

Noticing Kakashi's gaze, Naruto turned and smiled.

"Oh, right, Kakashi-sensei. I have something to tell you later, so prepare yourself mentally."

At those words, Kakashi's pupils abruptly shrank.

Memories of his first meeting with Naruto surfaced in his mind.

"Is it coming?"

"Of course... there was no reason for him to forget everything from the past."

"Then, Naruto, what will you do?"

"Will you destroy Konoha?"

A bitter smile appeared at the corner of Kakashi's mouth.

He did not know how he should handle this either.

Suddenly, Naruto raised a brow.

He sensed a fairly powerful Chakra appearing within Konoha's borders.

Moreover, that Chakra carried a trace of inexplicable familiarity, yet it was also unfamiliar.

"Could it be... because of Mom?"

Meanwhile, at the Hokage Building.

Inside the Hokage's Office.

"Lord Hokage..."

An Anbu Ninja wearing a mask appeared before Sarutobi Hiruzen and dropped to one knee.

"A ninja currently carrying out a mission outside has just sent back intelligence."

"They seem to have spotted Lady Tsunade on Konoha's outskirts... She appears to be returning to Konoha!"

"Hm?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen was currently reviewing this year's registration forms for genin applying for the Chunin Exams.

Hearing the Anbu Ninja's report, his cloudy old eyes instantly narrowed.

"Tsunade?"

"She's coming back?"

"Yes, Lord Hokage. That ninja confirmed it repeatedly—it is Lady Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin!"

"You may withdraw for now. Keep track of Tsunade's speed and location, and report back promptly."

"Yes!"

The Anbu Ninja answered before using the Body Flicker Technique to leave.

"Why is she returning, and at a time like this?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned. His right eye had been twitching constantly lately, and he had an ever-growing sense that a storm was approaching.

"Am I overthinking this?"

Back then, it had been near the end of the Third Shinobi World War.

Growing increasingly dissatisfied with Konoha's corrupt upper ranks, Tsunade had ultimately chosen to leave.

When she left, her former friend Jiraiya had even said that if she ever tried to harm Konoha, he would personally stop her—he would even kill her.

That made Tsunade, of the Land of Fire, Konoha, the Senju, and Princess Katsuyu, laugh.

Jiraiya had clearly seen all of it too, yet he remained obsessed with the Old Toad's so-called Child of Prophecy.

If someone like her—a superb medic, one of the Sannin, and a Jonin with tremendous combat power—returned,

it would indeed cause quite a stir.

"It's fine. She has no interest in this position."

"Her return is also a good thing. She happens to be arriving in time for the Chunin Exams."

How could Sarutobi Hiruzen, corrupted by power, possibly be as unconcerned as he sounded?