Yin Seal

The headache of a problem was finally solved, and everyone could relax at last.

They began to eat and drink to their hearts' content.

After resting, they set off the next day.

The journey back to Konoha went smoothly. No one foolishly picked a fight with them.

Everyone was fairly strong. Even the weakest elite among them had the strength of a jonin.

So they made it back quickly.

Meanwhile, Konoha was bustling with activity.

Tsunade might not have been the strongest, but she was definitely the most popular.

She had a prestigious background and a beautiful face, and she was a Medical Ninjutsu user. Civilians and ninja alike respected her greatly.

When the Konoha elders heard that Tsunade was returning, they led a crowd out to welcome her. People lined both sides of the Konoha Gate, both ordinary citizens and ninja.

"Ah, that's Lady Tsunade! She's so beautiful!"

"She's so cool!"

"Lady Tsunade is so cool!"

"I want to become a ninja like her!"

Men and women alike gazed at Tsunade at the head of the group, their eyes sparkling.

Jiraiya and Naruto followed behind and basked in some of the attention, too.

But the crowd still looked at Naruto with some displeasure.

Naruto didn't care in the slightest. However, when he spotted Hinata in the crowd, his eyes lit up.

"Pervy Sage, I'm heading back first."

He called out to Jiraiya, then vanished in an instant.

"So fast."

Naruto hadn't wasted any time on the journey back. With two Kage Level powerhouses teaching him, he had made rapid progress.

Tsunade, in particular, had unique insights into precise chakra control.

Meanwhile, Hinata watched Naruto from the crowd, tears of excitement welling in her eyes.

She had been worried sick after not seeing Naruto for days.

She had asked around for news of him, but only the Konoha High Command knew about his mission this time.

Even her father, Hiashi, hadn't known. Hinata had been terribly worried.

The whites of her eyes were streaked with red.

"Hinata, long time no see."

Naruto suddenly appeared behind her.

"You..."

Hinata wanted to say something, but her voice trembled.

"This isn't the place to talk."

Seeing how excited the crowd was, Naruto put a hand on Hinata's shoulder.

The two of them vanished in an instant.

Naruto carried Hinata in his arms to a quiet spot by the river.

It was her first time being carried like a princess. For a moment, all Hinata felt was embarrassment; her grievance and worry vanished.

"I made you worry. Things were urgent this time, and I didn't have a chance to tell you. I'm sorry."

Even if Naruto was a bit of an idiot, he was old enough to understand a little girl's feelings.

He felt a twinge of guilt.

"It's okay, Naruto."

Children were easy to comfort. Hinata soon cheered up.

Naruto told her what had happened.

As for the ninja code of secrecy, he didn't care in the slightest. He wasn't even a ninja yet.

So he told her the whole story honestly.

"Lady Tsunade is going to become the Fifth Hokage?"

Hinata was surprised.

The people of Konoha still didn't know that the Third Hokage had died.

As for the crowd welcoming Tsunade that day, it was because of her personal charisma.

They had also been building support for her over the past few days.

"Yeah. If nothing unexpected happens, it'll be Lady Tsunade."

Naruto nodded.

"Lady Tsunade is amazing. I want to become a ninja like her."

Hinata's eyes sparkled.

In this world, powerful women were role models: they were strong, knew Medical Ninjutsu, came from prestigious backgrounds, and were beautiful, with perfect figures.

They had so many virtues that any girl would admire someone like that.

"Don't worry. You'll get your chance. Once you're a little older, we can go find Tsunade together. Then you can ask her to take you as her student."

"Can I really?"

Hinata wasn't sure of herself.

"Don't worry. Tsunade is a very kind person."

In truth, Naruto could already help Hinata become stronger.

But they were both still too young. It wouldn't be good if anything affected her development, so Naruto hadn't tried to do anything for her yet.

Still, there were some things he could do.

"By the way, I can give you something good first."

"What is it?"

"See that little mark on Tsunade's forehead?"

"Mm-hmm."

"That's a Sealing Jutsu. It stores excess chakra in your body and can nourish you while keeping you looking young."

Naruto smiled.

Naruto had naturally learned the Yin Seal from Tsunade.

He liked this jutsu, which was similar to a Dantian, and had asked to study it and make some improvements.

With what Naruto knew now, he couldn't create an A-rank jutsu like this, but he could make a few changes to the original.

"Really?"

"Don't worry. Stay still and I'll help you."

Naruto got to work, using Twin Palms. Soon, he had helped Hinata form a Yin Seal.

"Little Nine, help me out. Remember, use only the purest chakra."

Naruto couldn't help reminding him.

The Nine-Tails' chakra carried intense negative emotions.

To use the Nine-Tails' chakra, those emotions had to be purged first. That required the Nine-Tails' cooperation.

"Hmph."

The Nine-Tails snorted, but knew who the little girl was, so he didn't say anything.

Golden chakra flowed into the Yin Seal, and soon filled it.

A small red mark appeared in the middle of the girl's fair forehead.

"Done."

Naruto took out a mirror.

Hinata looked at herself.

"Don't worry, it's cute."

Naruto smiled. He really thought it was cute.

Hinata's face flushed instantly.

"I've already filled it with chakra for you. You won't need to draw any yourself."

The ninja system relied on squeezing the body's resources. Naruto did the opposite: he helped Hinata form a Dantian, then filled it with the Nine-Tails Chakra.

That would nourish her body instead.

The benefit was that it could increase her potential.

"Thank you, Naruto."

Hinata was even more moved, her big, adorable eyes brimming with tears.

"Okay, don't overthink it."

Meanwhile, Tsunade had barely returned before she was forced to deal with the Uchiha Clan's affairs.

By now, many people knew what had happened to the Uchiha Clan.

The Hokage Building had been repaired.

The three elders, Jiraiya, and Tsunade were gathered in a room for a meeting.

"I understand the situation. I've thought of a way to handle it. I'll explain it, and you can tell me what you think."

Tsunade got straight to the point, efficient and decisive.

She quickly explained Naruto's plan.

The three elders furrowed their brows.

"Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

"Why not?"

"The Uchiha Clan's leaders have already been killed. Now is the best time to deal with them."

"What if they refuse?"

"If they refuse, I'm sure Elder Danzo will have a way to handle it."

After hearing Tsunade's plan, Danzo kept his brows furrowed and said nothing.

But although Danzo was extreme, he wasn't stupid. He knew the plan was very feasible.

And it wouldn't be a case of killing the goose that laid the golden eggs.