At that moment, Uchiha Nagi suddenly thought of a character from the TV-original storyline.
Kurama Yakumo, a member of a clan whose talent for genjutsu was no worse than the Uchiha's.
Apparently, her abilities were so powerful that her body couldn't handle them, which led to a whole series of problems.
By comparison, Uchiha Nagi's only issue was falling asleep anywhere and everywhere. That was a very mild problem.
"So, could my excessive sleepiness actually be a good thing?"
Uchiha Nagi couldn't be sure. But even if his guess was right, he still believed this growth had to have a limit. It couldn't keep increasing forever.
Once his body caught up, his strength would probably undergo a qualitative change.
"Nagi, you can head back for now. Next time I have some time, I'll ask Kushina to let you know in advance."
Tsunade rubbed her forehead and spoke wearily.
"All right. Sorry for the trouble today, Tsunade."
With that, Uchiha Nagi didn't linger and left.
Tsunade watched him go and sighed. If only he weren't an Uchiha. Then she wouldn't have to worry so much about this.
In the days that followed, Uchiha Nagi's life became very monotonous.
He studied at school, then expanded his training after class. His training naturally focused on ninjutsu and shuriken-throwing techniques.
As for chakra control, Uchiha Nagi could proudly say he'd already graduated. From then on, he only needed to practice a little now and then to maintain his current level.
To improve further, he'd have to secretly learn some Medical Ninjutsu. That was one of Uchiha Nagi's plans, but he hadn't put it into action yet.
After training, he spent the final part of each day working at the barbecue restaurant, mostly grilling meat for the Akimichi Clan.
By the time he'd finished everything for the day, it was time to rest. Then the cycle began again the next morning.
"Why does this feel even more intense than my last life?"
Uchiha Nagi wanted to complain. In his previous life, he'd only worked a 996 schedule. Now it was more than that—an 807 schedule.
Even so, he had no intention of giving up.
Unlike his previous life, his current routine—whether schoolwork or extra training—improved his own abilities. It was all for his own benefit.
Only his job at the barbecue restaurant served other people, and that work wasn't tiring for him.
Besides, thanks to his cooking skills and the Akimichi Clan's love of food, it looked like he might be getting a raise soon.
"If only I'd had a job like this in my previous life." Uchiha Nagi sighed.
After school one day, Uchiha Nagi left as usual.
But as he watched Uzumaki Kushina head off, he noticed a classmate following her. It wasn't that she was going the wrong way; it was that someone was tailing her.
He remembered the classmate. They were in the same class, after all, and his home was in a completely different direction from Uzumaki Kushina's.
"So, is he going to get beaten up again? He sure doesn't know when to quit."
Uchiha Nagi muttered to himself. Lately, Uzumaki Kushina's reputation as the Blood Red Pepper had been growing louder and louder.
Every great victory was built on countless defeats. One could only imagine how many students Kushina had beaten up to earn that name.
And by now, it wasn't limited to one-on-one fights. Kushina would take on several people at once and still come out on top...
"Wait, that doesn't seem right. If he's alone, how does he have the nerve?"
Uchiha Nagi raised an eyebrow. After thinking it over, he followed them. There might be something else going on.
Sure enough, a boy wearing a Konoha Forehead Protector followed after them along the way. Judging by their relationship, they were probably brothers.
"Did he get so scared of Kushina beating him up that he brought his big brother to get even?"
Uchiha Nagi roughly understood what was going on. He vaguely remembered a scene like this, though it hadn't stuck with him.
He also seemed to recall that the Genin eventually got beaten up by Kushina anyway.
If it had been a fight to the death, Kushina probably wouldn't have stood a chance against an exceptional Genin. But against an ordinary Genin, she might still win.
The person in front of him was clearly no one Uchiha Nagi recognized as a notable figure.
The outcome seemed predictable.
Still, after thinking it over, Uchiha Nagi followed them. With him here as a butterfly effect, who knew if the story might take an unexpected turn?
Sure enough, the two boys stopped Kushina, and after only a few words, they started fighting.
Watching the scene, Uchiha Nagi saw that Kushina's speed was surprisingly close to the Genin's. As expected of someone from the Uzumaki Clan—what a sturdy physique.
And Kushina had been chosen to become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Even among the Uzumaki Clan, her physique was undoubtedly among the very best.
But...
Her age was still a serious disadvantage. No matter how talented she was, talent couldn't do much without time to develop.
Just like now: to Uchiha Nagi, it looked as though Kushina had successfully struck the Genin before dropping back down from the air.
But the Genin had already used the Substitution Technique. His real body was hidden nearby.
And judging by Kushina's expression, she hadn't noticed.
Sure enough, when the Genin who had hit the ground turned into a log, Kushina froze in surprise.
Naturally, the Genin wasn't about to waste such a perfect opportunity. He had already moved behind Kushina.
A victorious smile spread across his face as he brought a hand chop down toward her.
By the time Kushina noticed, it was too late.
Just then, something whistled through the air. The Genin's expression changed, and he quickly leaped backward.
A metal Kunai now stuck in the ground between the spot where he'd been standing and Kushina.
"Who was that?!" the Genin barked when he saw the Kunai.
Kushina was also stunned. She looked up.
Uchiha Nagi sat on a thick tree branch, looking down at them.
"A Genin at least six years older than us, picking on first-year students. Aren't you embarrassed?"
Uchiha Nagi jumped down from the branch and strolled over to Kushina, then retrieved the Kunai.
A Kunai wasn't cheap. He couldn't afford to use it just once.
When the boy beside them saw Uchiha Nagi, he looked surprised too. He quickly told his older brother who Uchiha Nagi was.
The Genin frowned when he heard, but then seemed to remember something and relaxed.
"An Uchiha? I suggest you stay out of this. I'm just standing up for my little brother, teaching this brat with the eyesore hair a lesson. Even the Konoha Military Police Force can't interfere with that, can they?"
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