Clap Hands, Call What Comes

Yusuke visibly relaxed, answering Tohka Senju's previous question.

"Teacher, the weapon I currently use is primarily a greatsword, and my style leans toward head-on combat."

"How to naturally and fluidly integrate genjutsu into intense taijutsu exchanges to create killing blows—that is the difficulty I have been pondering."

"Switching between taijutsu, genjutsu, and ninjutsu feels sluggish; it is hard to make it seamless and untraceable."

Especially since Incursio is his trump card for survival, figuring out how to perfectly weave genjutsu and ninjutsu into his movements while in the first-stage leather armor state—where his speed and strength skyrocket—is a problem he urgently needs to solve.

Upon hearing this, a flicker of surprise crossed Tohka Senju's cold face; the intelligence reports had not indicated that Yusuke was skilled in swordsmanship.

It seems this kid has quite a few secrets of his own, but the stronger he is, the more he can help Tsunade, she thought to herself.

Tohka Senju looked at Yusuke, her tone carrying a hint of mystery: "Regarding the integration of weaponry with genjutsu and ninjutsu, there is indeed a bottleneck."

"However, someone has already solved this problem."

"Oh? Who?" Yusuke asked instinctively.

Tohka Senju stood up and walked toward an antique bookshelf on one side of the room.

Her fingertips brushed over several scrolls before she finally pulled down one with frayed edges.

She handed the scroll to Yusuke.

"Your problem, regarding the fusion of techniques, weapons, and taijutsu, has its roots in the constraints of 'hand seals'."

"Hand seals are the universal method for guiding and controlling chakra, but for top-tier experts, they can also become a weakness and a source of delay."

"Thus, the optimization of hand seals—and even seal-less ninjutsu—emerged."

Yusuke received it respectfully with both hands, his heart trembling, knowing this scroll was of immense importance.

Tohka continued: "The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, also needed to use hand seals in his youth."

"But later, relying on his unparalleled affinity for and control over chakra, he gradually transcended the limitations of 'seals' and developed numerous seal-less ninjutsu."

"Only then could he act as easily as moving his own arm in battle, with techniques manifesting the moment a thought crossed his mind."

Good heavens, Yusuke exclaimed internally, so that's how the "clap your hands together and whatever you want appears" evolved?

A surge of irrepressible excitement welled up in Yusuke's heart.

Previously, while using Incursio was immensely powerful, the burden and risks were equally terrifying, and it was essentially biased toward taijutsu and armor defense.

If he could follow the path of the First Hokage and cast genjutsu or other ninjutsu instantly through his Red-Backed Shrike or his greatsword, the possibilities would be breathtaking.

Where the greatsword points, ninjutsu erupts—this was an evolutionary path tailor-made for him.

Seeing the gleam in Yusuke's eyes, Tohka Senju nodded slightly, knowing the boy understood the value of what he held.

"That's right. This scroll records the First Hokage's early insights and concepts regarding chakra shape transformation and seal-less casting."

"It is not a specific technique, but a guide to a 'Way'."

"How much you can comprehend depends on your own fortune."

"But remember, haste makes waste; the foundation is always the root of everything."

"Yes! Teacher! I understand!" Yusuke gripped the scroll tightly.

The value of this scroll absolutely exceeded that of any forbidden technique; it pointed toward a path leading to a higher level.

For the time that followed, Yusuke immersed himself in the vast and profound contents of the scroll.

Hashirama Senju's descriptions were not a step-by-step training manual, but rather a collection of realizations and hypotheses.

It required extremely high comprehension and chakra control to understand and attempt.

And this was exactly what Yusuke possessed; having transmigrated, he displayed extraordinary aptitude.

Yusuke was mesmerized, occasionally frowning in deep thought, occasionally appearing enlightened.

Before he knew it, dusk had fallen, and the day's training came to a temporary end.

Although Yusuke was mentally exhausted, his heart was incredibly excited, as he had even caught a glimpse of a method to simplify the Flying Thunder God technique within the concepts laid out by Hashirama Senju.

Just then, a knock sounded at the courtyard gate.

Tsunade's figure appeared at the entrance, carrying a package of what looked like exquisite tea leaves.

"Grandma Tohka, I brought some newly arrived tea."

Tohka Senju glanced at her, the corners of her mouth curling into a knowing, half-smile.

"Oh? Did the sun rise in the west today? Our little Tsunade actually knows how to bring gifts to visit this old woman?"

"I never saw you being this polite when you came to ask for my help before."

Tsunade's face turned bright red in an instant, and she complained with a tone of spoiled petulance: "Grandma Tohka! I... I just forgot because I was busy."

She snuck a glance at Yusuke and found him watching her with a smile, which only made her more embarrassed.

Having suffered two social deaths in just a few days, Tsunade felt that if there were a crack in the ground, that would be her permanent home.

Tohka Senju looked at Tsunade's shy expression and stopped teasing her.

She took the tea, her tone softening. "Alright, I know you've been keeping it in mind."

"Let's call it a day here, Yusuke. Go back and digest everything properly."

Yusuke and Tsunade bowed to Tohka Senju to bid her farewell.

After stepping out of the courtyard, Yusuke expanded his sensory perception to carefully scan the surroundings.

The presence that had been tailing them since the morning was gone; there was nothing around but the mundane atmosphere of ordinary residents going about their lives.

He let out a long sigh of relief. "It seems the prestige of our teacher is truly effective. Shimura Danzō has temporarily called off his dogs."

Hearing this, Tsunade lifted her chin triumphantly. "Well, obviously."

"With Grandma Tohka stepping in, even that old geezer has to weigh the consequences."

"It's all thanks to our Konoha princess." Yusuke looked at Tsunade, his eyes filled with tenderness.

A smile played on Tsunade's lips as the two walked side by side along the darkening street, the setting sun stretching their shadows out long—long enough to last a lifetime.

They chatted idly as they walked.

Yusuke spoke of the shock and inspiration the First Hokage Scroll had brought him.

Tsunade, in turn, complained about the bizarre cases she had encountered at the hospital and a certain white-haired teammate who was always slacking off.

The atmosphere between them was relaxed and warm, and before they knew it, they had reached the vicinity of the Senju Clan ancestral home.

Under the tree outside Tsunade's front gate, the two came to a halt.

The ambiguous tension from earlier that day at Tohka's place seemed to quietly resurface in this moment.

Tsunade lowered her head slightly, her fingers unconsciously twirling a strand of her golden hair, the lingering glow of the sunset outlining the graceful lines of her profile.

She seemed less boisterous than usual, possessing a newfound softness.

Watching her rare display of shyness, Yusuke felt moved. He said softly, "Thank you for today."

Tsunade looked up, her amber eyes shining exceptionally bright in the night. "Thank you for what?"

"Thank you for bringing me to see Teacher Tohka, and even more so for trusting me this much." Yusuke's voice grew even gentler.

Tsunade's cheeks flushed again, but she forced herself to remain composed.

"Hmph, don't be so mushy. I just... I just didn't want to see a teammate I acknowledge being schemed against by those rats in the gutter."

Yusuke smiled, choosing not to expose her insincerity.

He took a slow step closer, close enough to catch the faint, delicate fragrance from her hair.