What's Your Ideal Type?

Hyuga Neji rubbed his brow, feeling a dull ache in his temples. "Core members of the Hyuga Main House rarely venture out without significant cause or heavy guard. You want to break into the Hyuga compound and kidnap someone under the eyes of the Military Police Force and countless Byakugan?"

"Fair enough." Akimichi Denji reluctantly let the idea go.

The conversation returned to square one.

"Then, if we need a ninja proficient in soul-related ninjutsu and Sealing Jutsu, who should we look for?"

Akimichi Denji stroked his chin, and a name carrying a cold, slippery aura was the first to enter his mind—Orochimaru!

That legendary Sannin was deeply accomplished in soul transfer, forbidden jutsu development, and seal research. If anyone could break the Caged Bird, he was undoubtedly the best candidate.

Unfortunately, that was impossible for the time being.

Perhaps when his strength was sufficient in the future, he could try to make contact.

"What about a ninja from the Yamanaka clan? They also have research on the soul through the Mind Transfer Jutsu." Akimichi Denji thought of Yamanaka Ino.

"Do you think a ninja from the Yamanaka clan would join us?" Hyuga Neji shot Akimichi Denji a look.

"That's for me to worry about." Akimichi Denji waved a hand.

"And what about a candidate for Sealing Jutsu?"

"We'll see about that later," Akimichi Denji said.

When it came to Sealing Jutsu, the Uzumaki clan of the Land of Whirlpools was naturally the best choice, but the Land of Whirlpools had already been destroyed, and it was unclear if any of their sealing techniques had been passed down.

The only remaining bloodlines of the Uzumaki clan were Uzumaki Naruto and Karin, who was far away in the Land of Grass.

Not to mention how to bring Karin back, even acquiring knowledge about Sealing Jutsu would be a troublesome affair.

The Scroll of Seals should contain information regarding Sealing Jutsu.

But that was not something he could access at his current level.

Akimichi Denji set his sights on Tsunade; if she became the Hokage, he would have a chance to access the Sealing Jutsu.

Dispelling these thoughts, Akimichi Denji felt a bit weary; the mental load was still too much for him.

It was simpler to just use his fists.

"Oh, right, your sister will be coming to my place for training every other day from now on. You can continue to escort her," Akimichi Denji instructed.

"My sister?" Hyuga Neji was puzzled, taking a long moment to recall who Akimichi Denji was referring to. "Hinata?"

The two sat outside the threshold, and Akimichi Denji patted his clothes as he stood up. "Since your injuries are fine, I'll be heading back."

Hyuga Neji nodded and also stood up to leave.

"Sister Shizune, I'll be back late tonight! Please tell Teacher Tsunade," Akimichi Denji requested. Today, he had to arrange the training for Uchiha Sasuke and Hyuga Hinata.

"Alright~" Shizune replied from inside the room. "Remember to come back early; Lady Tsunade said she would teach you the Yin Healing Wound Destruction today."

Hyuga Neji, who had stood up with him, looked at Akimichi Denji. "You're already able to practice the Yin Healing Wound Destruction?"

The Yin Healing Wound Destruction was a B-rank medical ninjutsu; any ninja capable of learning it had already stepped into the threshold of a medical jonin.

Akimichi Denji waved his hand, keeping it low-key.

"Why don't you help me research the Caged Bird seal instead," Hyuga Neji retorted.

"Let's find the method used to place the Caged Bird seal first."

A flicker of thought passed through Hyuga Neji's eyes as he took those words to heart.

When the two returned to the training ground, they saw a crowd had already gathered, buzzing with discussion. The level of excitement was no less than when Akimichi Denji and Hyuga Neji had sparred.

"How are these two still fighting?"

"This is a pure taijutsu duel."

"These two aren't throwing a single ninja tool!"

"Is it possible that it's not that they won't throw them, but that they don't know how?"

"That makes sense."

In the crowd, Akimichi Denji spotted that iconic golden hair at a glance—Yamanaka Ino.

She was staring intently at the match in the training ground, completely unaware of his approach.

Denji walked behind her and reached out to tap her shoulder lightly. Hearing the sound, Ino turned her head, her silky hair sweeping across the tip of Denji's nose with the movement.

"So close!" Only then did Ino realize the distance between them was incredibly small, almost face-to-face.

Two blushes instantly flew across her fair cheeks.

Denji didn't seem to notice her embarrassment, only asking curiously, "What's wrong? Why is it so lively?"

"Oh!" Ino steadied herself and quickly pointed to the arena. "It's Uzumaki Naruto, he's on the field again! His opponent is... uh..." She stalled, unable to recall the name.

"Forgot his name, some green-clad weirdo. Feels even stranger than Naruto."

Hearing this description, even the usually composed Hyuga Neji showed a hint of helplessness on his face; clearly, he knew who she was talking about.

Akimichi Denji looked toward the center of the field, where Rock Lee and Uzumaki Naruto were evenly matched, locked in a fierce exchange.

"They've been fighting for over twenty minutes."

Both of them were panting, completely exhausted.

"To think these two are actually fighting each other..."

Akimichi Denji was somewhat surprised.

Umino Iruka really couldn't bear to watch any longer, so he stepped forward and said, "Alright! Both of you are evenly matched, so let's call this match a draw!"

"I can still fight!" Uzumaki Naruto said defiantly, though his footing was already unsteady.

"Me too! Youth must burn until the very end."

With that, the two collided once again.

Umino Iruka looked at them helplessly.

After another five minutes of stalemate, Uzumaki Naruto threw a punch at Rock Lee, and Rock Lee kicked Naruto, causing both of them to collapse to the ground.

Seeing this, Umino Iruka hurried forward.

"Alright, alright! Let's fight again next time!" Umino Iruka forcibly paused the match.

"Not bad!" Rock Lee propped himself up, "You are a respectable opponent; I acknowledge you!"

"This Great One also thinks you're not bad, to be able to go back and forth with me like that," Uzumaki Naruto said.

"What is your name?"

"Uzumaki Naruto, the man who will become the Hokage," Uzumaki Naruto declared.

"Good! With such lofty ambitions, you are worthy of being a man I acknowledge. I can already see the youth burning within you!"

The two walked off the field; having fought, they now seemed to have become good buddies.

Akimichi Denji was not surprised; Naruto's personality was indeed one that could get along with Rock Lee.

Rock Lee suddenly put an arm around Naruto's shoulder, his expression incredibly serious: "My friend, for the sake of our shared youth, I must ask: what is your ideal type?"

Uzumaki Naruto was stunned, not expecting Rock Lee to say such a thing. He glanced at Sakura on the edge of the field, feeling a bit embarrassed:

"Do I really have to say it?"

"Of course! This is also an important subject of youth!" Rock Lee said firmly.

"If I have to say it..." Naruto's voice was as soft as a mosquito's hum, "Pink hair... wide forehead... I don't mind if she has a fierce temper..."

Rock Lee froze instantly.

How could this be? It was an exact match!

He could practically see the two of them training, eating, and sweating together.

His eyes grew hot beneath his thick eyebrows, and a line of tears slid down.

"We are... best friends!"