He Paused, Then Changed the Subject

But that was a story for another time. Hibari had no intention of pressing him for details.

"Second Grandpa," he said with a grin, "what does the world of the dead have to do with my condition? Don't go off on a tangent again. Could it be... you're thinking of creating a jutsu to reincarnate me? Is that even reliable?"

Second Grandpa Tobirama rolled his eyes at him, but stroked his chin with a smile that sent a chill down Hibari's spine.

"Reincarnation..." he murmured. "That's not a bad idea. It might even give me some inspiration for the jutsu I'm working on..."

Hibari's eyes lit up at once.

"Second Grandpa!" He leaned closer. "So you really are working on something new? Can't you give me a hint?"

Hibari's interruption brought Second Grandpa Tobirama back to the present. He glanced at the boy, whose face practically screamed "Tell me!" It almost made him laugh.

"With the level you're at now," Second Grandpa Tobirama said, one corner of his mouth lifting, "you're nowhere near ready for this. You're not even quite qualified to know about it.

"But... if you're really interested, then keep your head down and learn more from me. Sooner or later, I'll pass on all those 'crazy' things you're always talking about."

"I'm not good enough?" Hibari's eyes widened, and his voice rose. "Second Grandpa, that's a pretty harsh thing to say! It's true that I still can't handle Water Release chakra, but I've got four chakra natures!

"I can use A-rank Sealing Jutsu, and apart from Water Release, I know a few Ninjutsu from every other nature. I've kept up with my Taijutsu, too, and I'm great with ninja tools. Surely that makes me a ninja who can stand on his own? And that's still... not enough?"

The more he said, the more indignant he became, until his cheeks puffed up.

For someone Hibari's age, what he could do was already remarkable. He was only a little green when it came to experience. Otherwise, in this era, he might well have qualified as an elite ninja.

Of course, compared to the monsters who came later, people like Uchiha Itachi and Kakashi Hatake, he might seem a little lacking at first glance. But they weren't in the same situation at all—what era was Hibari living in?

Konoha had only been established recently. The Ninja Academy didn't even exist yet, let alone a proper system for evaluating ninja ranks.

The institutions for training and assessing ninja weren't even fully in place. Comparing people from different eras like that was nonsense. If they really wanted to settle it, they'd have to put both sides in the same era, at the same age, and have them fight for real.

That was impossible, of course, but Hibari still felt a fire burning inside him. If they could compete, he didn't think he'd lose.

After hearing Hibari's entire rant, Second Grandpa Tobirama didn't immediately argue back. He watched him for a couple of seconds before replying at his own pace.

"Hibari, you really haven't let us down," he said, his tone softening. "You can rightfully be called a 'genius.' To have these skills at your age is impressive. But..."

Then he changed the subject. "Don't get the wrong idea. Your fighting skills have little to do with what I'm about to teach you. If you truly want to cross the threshold into new Ninjutsu, what you need is this—"

Second Grandpa pointed to his temple.

"Knowledge and brains are the key. There's a world of difference between 'knowing how to use something' and 'understanding how it works.' Got it?"

Hibari had still been holding his head high, but those words left him speechless.

...That was right. Second Grandpa had a point. He should have realized it sooner. His fighting ability wouldn't be much use in a new field.

"Knowing how" and "understanding" were entirely different things.

Take the two men before him. When it came to fighting, Great-uncle Hashirama could leave Second Grandpa Tobirama in the dust. But when it came to developing Ninjutsu and analyzing its principles, even three Great-uncle Hashiramas together probably couldn't match a single Second Grandpa.

Then there was Orochimaru, from the future. He had the reputation of one of the Sannin and was undeniably powerful, yet he had still suffered at the hands of Pain and Uchiha Itachi. But when it came to research and exploring the true nature of Ninjutsu? Uchiha Itachi and Pain together probably wouldn't be fit to be his apprentices.

At that thought, Hibari's indignation completely faded. He looked up and met Second Grandpa Tobirama's eyes.

"Second Grandpa," he said, his voice much softer. "I'll remember what you said. I won't let myself get carried away over a little skill."

Seeing that Hibari had taken his words to heart, Second Grandpa Tobirama looked pleased. He liked how quick Hibari was. He understood everything with just a little guidance, so there was no need to go on and on.

"Good," Second Grandpa said with a nod. "You've always been sharp and sensible. So I won't waste time repeating myself. If you want to follow our path, the most important thing is to stay calm and not get impatient. There are countless secrets hidden in Ninjutsu, and countless truths behind how this world works... More than anyone could uncover in a lifetime."

As he spoke, a trace of regret suddenly crept into his voice, and his expression faltered.

Looking at him, Hibari couldn't help thinking of Orochimaru, who would one day become obsessed with immortality. Perhaps everyone who sought the "truth" couldn't help but complain that time moved too quickly and life was too short.

If Second Grandpa hadn't died in battle... might he have tried to extend his life, or even explored a jutsu for eternal life? Otherwise, why had he immediately thought of something when Hibari mentioned "reincarnation"?

And why had he gone to all that trouble to research "Impure World Reincarnation"? What was he really after? Could there be some deeper meaning behind it?

As Hibari puzzled over it, Second Grandpa Tobirama put his wistfulness aside. He looked over with something close to fondness and smiled.

"But then again, there's always a way forward.

"That's the meaning of passing things on. I don't have enough time, but I can teach you and let you keep moving forward. Someday, you'll find suitable students of your own and pass on what you've learned. From one generation to the next, without end."

He paused, and something in his eyes seemed to glimmer faintly.

"I believe that one day, our line will uncover the truth of this world... with our own hands."

Second Grandpa Tobirama waved a hand, not intending to let Hibari interrupt. "All right, there's no point going on about things so far in the future. Let's get back to your condition." His gaze swept over Hibari. "You said I was going off on a tangent? Actually, I wasn't... According to my research, after a person dies, their soul enters the Pure Land, where it's naturally cleansed. So..."

Under Second Grandpa Tobirama's stare, Hibari felt a chill run down the back of his neck. He hurriedly interrupted, "Second Grandpa, you're not suggesting I go and die, are you? How's that any different from sending me straight off to be reincarnated?"

"Ha ha ha ha!" Second Grandpa Tobirama laughed. "You can only find out the truth through practice.

"How can you know unless you try? Don't worry, I won't do anything reckless. It's just an idea. If I ever work out a safe method, you could try it this way. It might not be a bad option."

Hearing that he wasn't planning to send him off right away, Hibari felt a little more at ease. He continued, "What about the Death God? What's the deal with that?"

At his question, Second Grandpa Tobirama's brow furrowed slightly. "Hibari, stay as far away from the Death God as you can." His tone grew more serious. "It's too dangerous. It devours human souls. Once it drags you inside, getting back out is difficult."

He paused, then changed the subject. "But... I've been thinking that if someone could make it through a trip inside the Death God's stomach, maybe their soul could be 'cleansed' too."

Before Hibari could think it over, he patted him on the shoulder. "Those are the three methods I can think of for now. But clearly, the first and last aren't feasible at the moment.

"So, to deal with the trouble you're having, we need to come up with a Sealing Jutsu as soon as possible and seal that thing away."

After hearing that, Hibari's face fell. "Second Grandpa, your first and third methods are way too unreliable." He looked as if he were about to cry. "It looks like I'll have to carry this seal around for the rest of my life."

"Ha ha ha ha!" Second Grandpa Tobirama laughed again. "They were only suggestions! You got yourself into this mess, so you'll have to put in some effort to figure it out yourself, too.

"Maybe there's a fourth method, or even a fifth. Didn't I tell you? There are more mysteries in this world than anyone could count. Your Second Grandpa can't be the only one trying to break the curse. You'll have to work at it yourself, too."

He even thought that if this trouble became the motivation Hibari needed to seek out the world's mysteries, it might turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Everything did have two sides.

Early the next morning, the Senju Residence was in an uproar. Two figures, one big and one small, chased each other around the courtyard.

"Tsunade! Get over here! I'll beat your butt black and blue today, and then you'll know what's what!"

The clan members saw Hibari yelling as he chased little Tsunade around.

Looking closer, they noticed that at some point, a bruised and swollen patch had appeared around Hibari's eye, as if he'd taken a punch straight to the face.

A few clan members who remembered how the two usually tormented each other immediately understood. The Senju Clan's little princess, Tsunade, had given young master Hibari a black eye.

The injury was a little embarrassing to look at, but everyone in the Senju Clan knew Hibari had been tough since he was little. Taking a punch was nothing. So nobody tried to stop them. A few aunts and older female cousins even gathered nearby, laughing and cheering Hibari on.

"Hibari, run faster! You're so much bigger, and you still can't catch little Tsunade?"

"Are you going easy on your little sister?"

"Oh, look at our Hibari, taking such good care of her..."

"Ha ha ha..."

With all those aunts and female cousins teasing him, Hibari felt his face grow hot. That bruise around his eye really was the work of that little rascal Tsunade.

That morning, he'd still been lazing in bed when he felt a "little mouse" sneak into his room. He'd been half asleep and hadn't paid much attention. He'd assumed it was either Second Grandpa Tobirama's cat or that girl Tsunade.

But when Hibari had slept enough and gotten up, dressed, and was about to leave—he'd planned to buy some cakes Grandma Mito liked, to show the old woman some respect, and maybe "mooch" a couple of powerful Ninjutsu from her while he was at it—he'd felt around in his pocket and found his wallet was gone!

Fortunately, he still had the title of young master of the Senju Clan, and the village shops trusted the clan's reputation. He'd swallowed his pride and bought the cakes on credit at the pastry shop.

But the whole experience was embarrassing to think about. Every time he remembered the shopkeeper's teasing, knowing smile, his face burned.

After finally calming down, Hibari had decided to get some breakfast first and take the cakes to Grandma Mito afterward.

But when he came back after eating and pushed open his door, he found that little Tsunade had already eaten most of the cakes. That wasn't all. Crumbs were scattered all over the table, and his empty wallet had been tossed carelessly to the side.

Well, well. The "little thief" who'd taken his wallet that morning had come back to "turn herself in"!

Remembering how the little girl had sold him out without hesitation in front of Second Grandpa Tobirama, Hibari felt all his old and new grudges rise up at once.