The Most Expensive Things Are Free

"Was that taijutsu you used earlier taught to you by Lady Tsunade?"

In the Tokuhiro family's living room, Hyuga Tokuhiro first glanced at Tsunade with a smile, then turned to Shuji and asked.

No matter what, he first had to determine whether this technique had anything to do with Tsunade. As long as it had nothing to do with her, then this was an internal matter of the Hyuga clan.

"Not at all. The Senju clan does not have any similar taijutsu."

Before Shuji could speak, Tsunade answered directly.

The main reason she had come here was that she was rather interested in this technique as well.

No ninja who specialized in taijutsu would refuse a technique that could rapidly close the distance between themselves and an enemy.

"Mm... Here's the thing, Shuji. The clan naturally respects techniques independently developed by its members."

Tokuhiro nodded at that, pondered for a moment, then spoke to Shuji.

"However, this technique is indeed quite practical. If our clansmen can learn it, the clan's strength will improve as well."

"Mm-hmm."

Shuji nodded obediently and continued waiting for Tokuhiro to finish.

When he had used this technique in the arena, Shuji had already prepared himself to hand it over to the clan.

Today was all about giving gifts.

"I like this technique as well. If you are willing to give it to me, I can trade you a technique for it, including but not limited to forbidden techniques developed by Senju Tobirama."

Frowning slightly, Tsunade shot the long-winded Hyuga Tokuhiro a look of distaste and spoke directly to Hyuga Shuji.

"Eh?"

Shuji immediately stood up. Without the slightest hesitation, he pulled a scroll from his clothes.

"You're my teacher. If you need it, why would you have to trade a technique for it?"

As he spoke, Shuji walked over to Tsunade and directly pressed the scroll into her hand.

Trading techniques? If Shuji traded Shunpo to Tsunade for a technique today, then when Tsunade wanted to teach him a technique tomorrow, would he have to find another technique to trade with her?

Perhaps Tsunade was generous by nature and did not care about such things.

But this was not how the matter should be handled.

"Or are you saying that if I want to learn something from you, I have to trade another technique for it?"

After saying that, Shuji continued smiling at Tsunade.

"You little brat..."

Tsunade chuckled, accepted the scroll Shuji offered her, and lightly flicked him on the forehead.

Compared to gaining or losing a single technique, Shuji's attitude pleased Tsunade far more.

"The clan has no way to give you any new techniques."

Seeing this, Tokuhiro spoke to Shuji. As he spoke, he glanced at Kiyosada and Chinatsu.

The two members of the Main Family basically knew every technique within the clan.

"So, if you are willing to hand this technique over to the clan, you will receive material compensation."

Changing tack, Tokuhiro said to Shuji.

"Sure. I am naturally willing to make a contribution to the clan."

Shuji answered without the slightest hesitation.

As for what exactly that so-called material reward would be, Shuji had no intention of asking.

Because Shuji knew very clearly that what he could receive from the clan did not depend on the value of this technique itself.

It depended on... how many Jonin there were in his family.

And honestly, Shuji was not short on money. He was not handing this technique over to the clan to make money, either.

He simply wanted to use a technique to deepen the impression he left on the clan and on Tsunade.

That way, he could not say that someone would handle every problem he caused in the future.

But at the very least, the clan and people like Tsunade, who held a certain degree of influence in Konoha, would definitely change their attitude toward him.

Ordinary ninja might not notice such changes, but if people who also possessed considerable influence in Konoha wanted to do something to him...

They would be able to detect them very keenly.

Even Shimura Danzō, no matter how brainless he might appear, would investigate a ninja's background before making a move against them.

And that was called influence.

"Good. Having a genius like you in the clan is truly one of the best things that could happen."

Tokuhiro immediately laughed, looking at Shuji with open admiration.

"Then there is nothing else. Go back and train properly. You will soon be attending the Ninja Academy, so make sure to perform well."

"Alright. I will train hard."

Shuji nodded and left Tokuhiro's home.

He had handed over a technique for free, yet received nothing in the end.

Was it a loss?

It looked like a huge loss.

But every valuable thing in this world had its price secretly marked.

During the two days before the Ninja Academy entrance examination, the things Shuji was meant to receive gradually began arriving in his hands.

The quickest was the material reward promised by the clan.

It was a huge sum of money—thirty million ryo in total. In the Shinobi World, that was enough to buy Sarutobi Asuma's head.

However, only five million ryo actually reached Shuji. Chinatsu withheld the rest on the grounds that he was too young and that she would hold it for him.

Well... what could he say?

He could only obey the arrangement.

As for the other benefits, they were slowly revealing themselves bit by bit in daily life.

For example, Shuji now had more say within the household, and Chinatsu and Kiyosada were more willing to respect his opinions.

For example, more Jonin in the clan had clearly changed their attitudes toward Shuji.

For example, Tsunade asked Uzumaki Mito to see whether the Yin Seal could be modified to some extent so that men could practice it as well.

Some benefits might not become apparent on the very same day.

But they would eventually appear.

No matter the world, free things were always the most expensive.

Of course, a major prerequisite for doing this was that Shuji's parents were both Jonin of the Hyuga Main Family and possessed considerable influence themselves.

If his identity had been different—if Shuji had not been the child of two Hyuga Main Family Jonin, but a child from a Konoha orphanage, or a Hyuga Branch Family member whose parents had both died—

Then he should honestly cling to his golden finger, find an inconspicuous corner, and train slowly.

His training efficiency might be a little lower that way, but it would be safe enough and inconspicuous enough.

Of course, even with such an excellent family, Shuji would not slack off in his training.

Whether it was the Gentle Fist or Nen Energy.

Both were extremely important to Shuji.

After all, the Gentle Fist might seem unremarkable when placed in the entire Shinobi World.

But what if the energy driving the Gentle Fist was changed from Chakra to Nen Energy?

Wouldn't its power suddenly become much greater?