Kushina Becomes a Teacher; Hinata Hyuga: I Won't Let You Down

The morning mist over Shikkotsu Forest had yet to disperse when Kushina Uzumaki finished six hours of deep meditation.

She sat cross-legged beside the hot spring, her hands loosely cupped before her chest as a pale golden sphere of energy slowly rotated.

Scarlet patterns of Nine-Tails Chakra intertwined across its surface with Sage Art energy and Sealing Jutsu characters resembling tadpoles.

The three powers had achieved an unprecedentedly stable balance.

"Phew..."

Kushina opened her eyes, and a flash of gold vanished from her pupils.

"The thirty-seventh attempt is finally completely stable."

She called out within her consciousness.

"Kurama, do you feel it? The formation time for this Sage Sealed Tailed Beast Ball has been reduced to ten seconds, and its consumption is down to twenty percent of my Chakra."

The Nine-Tails lazily rolled over within their mental space, his nine tails swaying halfheartedly.

"Passable. But improving it this much in such a short time... at least you haven't disgraced me."

Kushina chuckled, dispersed the energy sphere in her hand, and rose to stretch her somewhat stiff limbs.

Morning light fell over her through the gaps between ancient trees. Her white training clothes clung to her sweat-soaked body, outlining a balanced, powerful figure.

"Time to head back."

She murmured to herself.

"Chiyo said he had something arranged for today."

As soon as the words left her mouth, she was about to take out a Scroll.

The space before her rippled.

A black gateway silently unfolded, and Chiyo stepped out of it.

Today, he wore the dark-blue everyday uniform of the Federal Leader. The forehead protector on his brow reflected a metallic gleam in the morning light.

At the sight of Kushina, a trace of approval flashed through Chiyo's sharp eyes.

"Looks like you gained quite a lot."

Kushina's eyes lit up,