A 15% increase in Otsutsuki Bloodline?
What was going on?
As everyone knew, the world of Naruto was all about bloodlines. Almost every powerful person had one.
Even Guy, hailed as the model of a hard-working civilian ninja, had a father who was just as hardworking.
That proved that hard work was inherited through the blood!
Bloodlines were everything.
And the strongest bloodline in Naruto belonged to the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
The strongest clans—the Uchiha Clan, Senju Clan, Uzumaki Clan, and Hyuga Clan—were all branches of the Ōtsutsuki bloodline.
They were all just watered-down versions of the Ōtsutsuki!
Every Ōtsutsuki who appeared in Boruto was practically a god. Even Sasuke and Naruto were no match for them.
To sum it up in one sentence: whoever had the Ōtsutsuki bloodline ruled the world!
(Otsutsuki Lineage: Uzumaki Kushina: The Uzumaki Clan possesses the bloodline of the Ōtsutsuki, which contains immense power.
The host has unlocked the ability "Uzumaki Constitution." The host's physical constitution has greatly improved, granting Chakra Enhanced Strength and an extremely sturdy body that can take a beating.
The host has unlocked the ability "Physical Healing." By biting their own skin, the host can quickly heal wounds on themselves or others.)
Uchiha Kurohane quickly read through the description of his reward, feeling a little disappointed.
Perhaps it was because Kushina was still young and her abilities had yet to awaken.
Her bloodline ability didn't include the Mind's Eye of the Kagura, only Physical Healing.
However, Uchiha Kurohane already had the full-map reconnaissance provided by Yatagarasu, so he didn't really need the Mind's Eye of the Kagura.
On the other hand, Physical Healing was a divine ability far superior to the Mystical Palm Technique. It could even save Tsunade after she'd been cut in half, making it the most powerful healing technique in Naruto.
And since he could heal himself, this ability was truly powerful.
Compared to this ability, Tsunade, who'd been helpless when Dan Katō's internal organs were injured, was a joke.
Combined with the full-map vision provided by the crows, even if Uchiha Kurohane couldn't beat his enemies, he could survive through his powerful healing ability.
In the cruel Shinobi World, staying alive was what mattered most.
Only those who lived to the end could have the last laugh.
That was exactly what Orochimaru, who was immortal, had done.
So what if Uchiha Itachi could kill Orochimaru in an instant? He was just a blind, short-lived man.
And what good were all Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha's cheat abilities?
Eighty years later, they'd just be old men.
But Orochimaru had obtained an immortal body. A hundred years later, when all the other powerful people had died, he'd be the strongest in the Shinobi World.
Uchiha Kurohane had a goal similar to Orochimaru's. Rather than learning powerful Ninjutsu, he hoped to gain the ability to live forever.
Now that he had Physical Healing, he felt much more at ease.
...Eight seconds, nine seconds.
Time had now reached the ninth second.
Kushina Uzumaki finally came to her senses.
The other person had saved her, and she hadn't even thanked him yet.
Besides, she still didn't know his full name. She only knew that he was called Kurohane.
And he'd called her "redhead" earlier, so it seemed he hadn't remembered her name either.
That wouldn't do.
He was her classmate. How could he not know her name?
Kushina Uzumaki had to make it clear to him and get him to call her Kushina properly!
Kushina Uzumaki lifted her snow-white foot to take her first step, but noticed an intense gaze behind her.
She turned to look and saw another boy standing on a distant tree branch.
He had spiky blond hair and wore a white hooded jacket.
His head hung slightly as he watched Kushina Uzumaki expressionlessly. No one could tell what was going through his mind.
Kushina Uzumaki silently met his gaze from afar.
She remembered that the boy's name was Namikaze Minato.
That morning, when Kushina Uzumaki had introduced herself in class and said she wanted to become the first female Hokage, the whole class had laughed at her.
Namikaze Minato had stood up then and said he wanted to become Hokage too, as if he wanted to work hard alongside her.
Kushina Uzumaki had thought Minato was a kind and gentle person, and had immediately considered him a friend.
She never expected that when he saw her being bullied, he wouldn't step in to help.
It made Kushina feel as if her friend had betrayed her.
Hmph, he must think I'm an outsider too, so he doesn't want to help me!
Forget it. I'm not going to bother with that girly boy. I have to catch up with my savior.
Kushina Uzumaki gave a quiet snort, ignored Minato, and turned to run after Uchiha Kurohane.
Pitter-patter~
Kushina Uzumaki hurried after him on her short, snow-white legs and reached out to tug at his sleeve.
"Wait, don't go yet. I still don't know your name."
Just as Uchiha Kurohane had expected, Kushina Uzumaki really had chased after him. It gave him the feeling that a big fish had taken the bait, and he couldn't help smiling with satisfaction.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Kurohane's crow had also spotted Minato standing in the tree. Another reason he'd walked away was that he didn't want Minato to hear his conversation with Kushina.
Namikaze Minato was the future Fourth Hokage, known as the Yellow Flash. He was the fastest man in the Shinobi World—quick to run, and quick to die.
He was also often late.
Sometimes, even when he wasn't late, he still failed to do anything.
Like just now: Minato had seen a girl being bullied and had quietly watched from the sidelines, spouting nonsense about how he believed in her abilities.
That was such a strange way to think.
Minato, if you keep dragging your feet like this, watch out—someone might steal your future wife!
Uchiha Kurohane was referring to the incident when the Third Raikage sent people to capture Kushina Uzumaki.
At that time, Kushina hadn't yet become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. The Third Raikage had sent people to capture her simply because he wanted her Uzumaki Constitution.
Kushina had nearly been taken away by the Raikage...
Uchiha Kurohane stopped and slowly turned around to look into Kushina Uzumaki's bright, limpid eyes.
"My name is Uchiha Kurohane."
He was a member of the Uchiha Clan!
At the time, the Uchiha Clan's reputation resounded throughout the Shinobi World. Ninja from outside Konoha trembled with fear when they heard the name.
Kushina Uzumaki felt a little more admiration for Uchiha Kurohane.
She pursed her lips and gave him a shy smile.
"My name is Kushina Uzumaki. It's nice to meet you."
Kushina Uzumaki timidly held out her little hand, wanting to shake Uchiha Kurohane's hand.
Uchiha Kurohane looked at her snow-white hand, soft as if it had no bones, and reached out to grasp it firmly.
Her little hand was as soft as cotton candy. It felt squishy and tender to the touch, and was incredibly pleasant.
Uchiha Kurohane squeezed the back of her hand, then studied her face.
Her features were delicate, and she looked especially young.
Her exquisitely sculpted little face had a hint of baby fat, making her as adorable as a porcelain doll.
Perhaps because of her Uzumaki bloodline, she'd developed quickly. Though she was only a year older than Uchiha Kurohane, she was half a head taller.
Standing in front of Uchiha Kurohane, she looked like a big sister.
Uchiha Kurohane liked big sisters, so he liked Kushina just the way she was.
Meanwhile, Kushina Uzumaki breathed a sigh of relief.
Since Uchiha Kurohane had turned and walked off just now, Kushina Uzumaki had worried he might be cold and distant, or that he disliked her for being an outsider and didn't want to talk to her.
Now, feeling the warmth of his hand in hers, a sweet feeling welled up inside her.
She blinked her bright, emerald-green eyes and carefully studied Uchiha Kurohane.
Seeing how young he looked and how much shorter he was than her, she suddenly thought of herself as the big sister and Uchiha Kurohane as her little brother.
Kushina Uzumaki had a strong-willed personality and thought being a big sister was an honorable thing. She immediately grew smug.
She raised her little head, showed her white teeth in a cute smile, and spoke to him as if he were a little boy.
"You helped me, so you're my savior. I owe you a favor. Is there anything you need help with? I can help you."
Uchiha Kurohane pretended to consider it for a moment, then replied calmly.
"I want an underling. From now on, you can be my underling."
(For anyone who thinks I'm making things up, let me explain. A lot of stories say Kushina was captured after she became a Jinchuriki, then claim there were no guards and come up with all sorts of conspiracy theories.
But in the original story, she hadn't actually become a Jinchuriki yet. The evidence is that the Cloud Ninja only wanted to capture her because of [the special nature of her chakra]. They targeted her because of her Uzumaki bloodline.
Kushina Uzumaki only became a Jinchuriki when she was close to adulthood, after which she was confined inside a barrier.)
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