Uzumaki Mito

"Sorry, Shin. I didn't control my strength well earlier. Come, let me heal you."

Tsunade walked up to Shin, a ball of green chakra appearing in her hand—clearly a medical ninjutsu she was casting.

As Tsunade applied the medical ninjutsu to him, Shin felt absolutely nothing, for he hadn't been injured in the first place; how could he feel anything?

Besides, even if he had been injured, Shin possessed the Perfect Sage Body and could recover in an instant.

Tsunade, who was treating Shin, saw her expression suddenly shift from worry to a dark scowl.

"You brat, you actually lied to me!"

Tsunade threw a punch, but fortunately, Shin's reaction was fast enough; otherwise, he would have taken that hit.

"So I've been found out."

Shin rubbed his nose sheepishly. Well, Tsunade was a medical ninja after all—the most formidable one in Konoha—so it was always going to be difficult to fool her.

"Ahem, Lady Tsunade, you've seen it yourself; my strength is just so-so, so let's not fight anymore."

Tsunade glanced at Shin and nodded.

Tsunade figured she had a rough grasp of Shin's strength. First, his physical power was immense and his speed was high; she estimated he was no weaker than an elite Chunin, perhaps even higher.

As for ninjutsu, he had only used the Substitution Technique, which he executed quite skillfully, but he likely didn't know any others.

His combat experience was still hard to gauge, as they had only exchanged a few moves, and she hadn't even gained the upper hand.

Watching Shin, who looked completely fine as he chatted with Kushina, and then feeling the soreness in her own arm, Tsunade cursed him as a monster under her breath.

It was no wonder he didn't want to reveal his strength; if this level of power were truly exposed, it really wouldn't be a good thing for him.

If Tsunade knew that Shin hadn't even used his full power, one wonders what her expression would have been.

"Um, Lady Tsunade, shouldn't that A-rank ninjutsu be honored?"

Shin stared intently at Tsunade, his eyes filled with anticipation.

"I promised, so naturally I won't go back on my word. What is your chakra nature?" Tsunade asked Shin.

"Lady Tsunade, there's no need to ask about my chakra nature. I want to learn the Multi Shadow Clone Technique."

Shin had already decided on this beforehand; the Multi Shadow Clone Technique would be of immense help to him.

"The Multi Shadow Clone Technique?"

Tsunade frowned, looking at Shin seriously as she said, "You should choose something else. This Multi Shadow Clone Technique is very dangerous; it is a forbidden jutsu."

If one wasn't careful with the Multi Shadow Clone Technique, they could easily kill themselves. Tsunade clearly didn't want to teach such a dangerous jutsu to Shin.

"Lady Tsunade, I have some understanding of the Multi Shadow Clone Technique. Don't forget, I am a member of the Uzumaki Clan."

Shin smiled slightly at Tsunade, knowing that the Multi Shadow Clone Technique could help him train rapidly.

Although Shin already possessed the Shadow Clone Technique, it required creating clones one by one, which was very troublesome.

"Fine. Although I don't know why you want to learn this jutsu, I can teach it to you. I just hope you will use it with caution."

Seeing Shin's persistent expression, Tsunade nodded and agreed to teach him the Multi Shadow Clone Technique, though she still warned him solemnly about its dangers.

Even for a member of the Uzumaki Clan who didn't lack chakra, one had to be cautious when using this technique.

"I haven't learned the Multi Shadow Clone Technique myself, but I have a Ninjutsu Scroll that records the method for practicing it. I'll give it to you."

Tsunade took a small scroll from her Ninja Tool Pouch and handed it to Shin.

"Uh, you're just throwing it at me to practice on my own? Aren't you afraid I won't be able to learn it?"

"The ninjutsu is already in your hands; if you can't learn it, that's your own business. Besides, I don't even want you to learn it," Tsunade said.

Shin shrugged. It was impossible for him not to learn the Multi Shadow Clone Technique, as it wasn't difficult for him at all.

The Multi Shadow Clone Technique only required one hand seal. For a ninja with little chakra, it might be impossible to learn, but Shin had more chakra than he could ever use.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing I almost forgot."

Tsunade patted her head and said to Shin and Kushina, "You two need to come with me to see my grandmother."

Shin's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. Tsunade's grandmother was none other than Uzumaki Mito, the wife of Senju Hashirama and a former princess of the Uzumaki Clan.

Moreover, Uzumaki Mito knew all the sealing techniques of the Uzumaki Clan and was the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails; her strength shouldn't be underestimated.

Shin estimated that Uzumaki Mito's strength might even be greater than the Third Hokage's. Of course, this was just his own speculation; perhaps Uzumaki Mito wasn't even skilled in combat.

Afterward, Tsunade called for the other three members of the Uzumaki Clan; she certainly wouldn't be taking only Shin and Kushina to see Uzumaki Mito.

Following Tsunade, they arrived deep within the Senju Clan Grounds, at a small, exquisite courtyard.

Here, Uzumaki Shin met Uzumaki Mito, who appeared somewhat aged, having lived through the Warring States period after all.

However, Uzumaki Shin did not understand; since Uzumaki Mito possessed the Yin Seal, why did she look so old?

The Yin Seal is an S-rank ninjutsu that stores chakra in the forehead, simultaneously forming a diamond-shaped mark.

When needed, one can release the seal through the technique Yin Seal: Release to unleash a massive amount of chakra.

Furthermore, the Yin Seal possesses an ability that drives women wild: eternal youth.

Uzumaki Mito also knew the Yin Seal, so why had she not maintained her youth? Perhaps she no longer cared about her appearance.

After all, she was nearly at death's door; why would she still concern herself with how she looked?

"Grandmother, I am so sorry. The Uzumaki Clan has... now, only these few survivors remain." Tsunade hung her head, unsure of how to face Uzumaki Mito.

"Sigh."

Uzumaki Mito let out a sigh, never expecting the Uzumaki Clan, which had been passed down for thousands of years, to suffer such a catastrophe.

Then, Uzumaki Mito's gaze swept over Uzumaki Shin, Kushina, and the others, finally resting entirely on Uzumaki Shin.

"Hmm."

Being stared at by Uzumaki Mito, Uzumaki Shin felt as though he were being seen through, a sensation even more intense than when he met the Third Hokage.

Uzumaki Mito offered Uzumaki Shin a kind smile and asked, "What is your name?"

"Uzumaki Shin."

Uzumaki Shin looked at Uzumaki Mito and replied, sensing that she held no hostility toward him.

"Shin, I can feel that you possess an extraordinary power. I hope you will use that power well," Uzumaki Mito said to Uzumaki Shin with a hint of gravity.

"An extraordinary power?" Tsunade looked at Uzumaki Shin in surprise.

Uzumaki Shin was inwardly astonished. Could Uzumaki Mito be referring to the Perfect Sage Body? Had she realized he possessed the Perfect Sage Body?

Then, Uzumaki Shin thought of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, who also possessed the Perfect Sage Body. Since Uzumaki Mito was the wife of Senju Hashirama, it did not seem strange that she might be able to discern something.

In truth, Uzumaki Mito did not know what the Perfect Sage Body was; she merely sensed that the vast life force within Uzumaki Shin was somewhat similar to that of Senju Hashirama.