Yin Seal

With the headache-inducing matter thoroughly resolved, the group finally let their guards down.

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

The day after resting, they set off on their journey.

Everything went smoothly on the road back to Konoha, with no short-sighted fools coming to cause trouble.

The group possessed considerable strength; even the weakest among them was at the level of a Jonin.

Thus, the journey back was swift.

Meanwhile, Konoha was bustling with activity.

Tsunade might not have been the strongest, but her popularity was undoubtedly the highest.

With her noble status, beautiful appearance, and role as a medical ninja, she was deeply respected by both civilians and ninjas alike.

Upon receiving word of Tsunade's return, the Konoha elders led a crowd out to welcome her. The gates of Konoha were lined with people on both sides, consisting of both ordinary citizens and ninjas.

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

"She's so cool."

"Lady Tsunade is amazing."

"I want to become a ninja like her too."

Regardless of gender, everyone looked at Tsunade at the head of the group with stars in their eyes.

Jiraiya and Naruto Uzumaki followed behind, basking in some of that popularity.

However, the crowd still cast displeased glances toward Naruto Uzumaki.

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

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

After saying this to Jiraiya, his body vanished in an instant.

"So fast."

Throughout the journey back, Naruto Uzumaki had not wasted any time, receiving guidance from two Kage-level powerhouses.

In particular, Tsunade possessed unique insights into the precise control of chakra.

With her instruction, Naruto Uzumaki had made rapid progress.

But Hinata, watching Naruto Uzumaki from within the crowd, had tears of excitement welling in her eyes.

She had been worried sick not seeing him for all these days.

She had tried to ask around for news of him, but only the high-ranking officials of Konoha knew about Naruto Uzumaki's mission this time.

Even her father, the head of the Hyuga clan, had been kept in the dark, which had only added to Hinata's anxiety.

Bloodshot veins had even appeared in her eyes.

"Hinata, long time no see."

Naruto Uzumaki's figure suddenly appeared behind her.

"You..."

Hinata wanted to say something, but her voice trembled faintly.

"This isn't the place to talk."

Looking at the excited crowd, Naruto Uzumaki placed a hand on Hinata's shoulder.

The two vanished in an instant.

They arrived at a deserted riverside, Naruto Uzumaki carrying Hinata in his arms.

Being carried bridal-style for the first time, Hinata's heart was filled only with shyness; all her grievances and worries vanished.

"I'm sorry for making you worry. The situation was urgent, and I didn't have time to tell you."

Even though Naruto Uzumaki was a bit of a blockhead, his age meant he could still easily guess the thoughts of a young girl.

He felt a faint sense of guilt in his heart.

"It's okay, Naruto."

Children are easy to comfort; Hinata quickly regained her composure.

Naruto Uzumaki began to tell her about the situation.

As for the taboos regarding ninjas, Naruto Uzumaki didn't care at all, since he wasn't officially a ninja yet anyway.

So, he honestly explained everything that had happened.

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

Hinata was somewhat surprised.

The people of Konoha did not yet know that the Third Hokage had passed away.

As for today's welcoming party for Tsunade, it was purely a result of her personal charisma.

It was also because they had been building momentum for Tsunade these past few days.

"Hmm, if nothing goes wrong, it will be Lady Tsunade."

Naruto Uzumaki nodded.

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

Hinata's eyes were filled with stars.

In this world, Tsunade was the benchmark for women: powerful, skilled in medical ninjutsu, noble in status, beautiful in appearance, and possessing a perfect figure.

It could be said that she was a collection of virtues; any girl would naturally worship such a powerhouse.

"Don't worry, you'll have your chance. When you grow up a bit more, we'll go find Tsunade together, and you can ask to be her apprentice."

"Can I really?"

Hinata sounded a bit insecure.

"Rest assured, Big Sister Tsunade is a very kind person."

In truth, Naruto Uzumaki could already help Hinata become stronger right now.

However, since they were both still too young, it wouldn't be good to affect her physical development, which was why Naruto Uzumaki hadn't done anything to Hinata yet.

But there were still some things that could be managed.

"Right, I can give you something good first."

"What kind of good thing?"

"Do you see that little mark on Big Sister Tsunade's forehead?"

"Mm-hmm."

"That is a type of sealing jutsu. It can store excess chakra within the body, nourishing the physique while keeping one's appearance unchanged."

Naruto Uzumaki smiled.

He had naturally obtained the Yin Seal from Tsunade.

He quite liked this jutsu, which functioned similarly to a dantian, and wanted to study it and perhaps improve it along the way.

With Naruto Uzumaki's current reservoir of knowledge, creating an A-rank jutsu like this from scratch was still beyond him, but making slight improvements to the existing foundation was well within his reach.

"Really?"

"Don't worry, stay still and let me help you."

Naruto Uzumaki took action, utilizing the Twin Palms in coordination, and quickly helped Hinata condense the Yin Seal.

"Nine-Tails, lend me a hand. Remember, I need the purest chakra."

Naruto Uzumaki couldn't help but add a reminder.

The Nine-Tails' chakra carried intense negative emotions.

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

"Hmph."

The Nine-Tails let out a cold snort, but knowing the little girl's identity, it didn't say anything more.

Golden chakra was injected into the Yin Seal, filling it up in no time.

A small red dot appeared in the center of the young girl's fair forehead.

"All done."

Naruto Uzumaki took out a mirror.

Hinata looked at her reflection.

"Don't worry, it looks very cute."

Naruto Uzumaki smiled; he truly felt it was adorable.

Hinata blushed instantly.

"I've already helped you fill it with stored chakra, so you don't need to extract it yourself."

The ninja system was all about squeezing the body for power, but Naruto Uzumaki did the opposite; he helped Hinata open her dantian and then filled it with the Nine-Tails' chakra.

This worked in reverse to nourish her body.

The benefit of doing this was that it could enhance her potential.

"Thank you, Naruto Uzumaki."

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

"Alright, don't overthink it."

On the other side, Tsunade, who had just returned, was forced to deal with the affairs of the Uchiha Clan.

By now, many people were already aware of the situation regarding the Uchiha Clan.

The Hokage office building had already been repaired.

Inside the room at this moment.

The three elders, Jiraiya, and Tsunade were all gathered there for a meeting.

"I am already aware of the situation, and I have conceived a method to handle it; listen to what I have to say."

Tsunade did not waste words, acting with swift and decisive efficiency.

She quickly laid out the method proposed by Naruto Uzumaki.

Upon hearing it, the three elders all furrowed their brows.

"Is this not inappropriate?"

"Why would it be inappropriate?"

"The upper echelons of the Uchiha Clan have already been killed by you; now is the best time to deal with them."

"What if they do not agree?"

"For those who do not agree, I believe Elder Danzo will have a way."

Danzo, having heard Tsunade's plan, kept his brows knitted tight without saying a word.

However, although Danzo was extreme, he was not stupid; he knew this method was highly feasible.

Furthermore, it would not drain the pond to catch the fish.