Chapter 39

Anyway, she had more than enough Chakra to spare. Having a Shadow Clone attend class for her was no problem at all.

"Then I'll use a Shadow Clone to attend class too."

Kushina made the decision on the spot, then turned to Xunjing. "Tsunade said you're studying Sealing Arts too now?"

"That's right."

Xunjing nodded. "My mother made a deal with Lady Mito and got hold of quite a few Sealing Arts scrolls. They're perfect for practicing with."

Kushina immediately said, "I was planning to learn Sealing Arts from Grandma too. Why don't we do it together?"

"Then we can study Sealing Arts together, exchange what we learn. What do you think?"

Kushina tilted her head. She felt that having a companion to learn with would definitely make things more motivating.

Even if they did not learn much, seeing that face every day would still be pretty pleasant.

She had always liked Xunjing's rugged sort of looks.

Unlike that guy beside him, all soft and delicate. He barely looked like a man.

"Hm? Can that work? Lady Mito would have to agree, wouldn't she?"

Xunjing was slightly stunned after hearing that.

If Uzumaki Mito taught him personally, of course he had no objection.

With a master guiding him step by step, he would definitely learn much faster than if he muddled through on his own.

He had tested it long ago—when someone taught him, skill proficiency really did rise faster.

The more capable the teacher, the more obvious the effect.

Even though he could learn it by himself through the Heaven Rewards Hard Work talent, who would ever complain about having more cheats?

"Of course it'll work! I'll tell Grandma as soon as I get home!"

"She actually likes you quite a bit. She even told me before to look after you more at school."

Kushina patted her chest, looking utterly confident.

"Fine, go ask her. It's no big deal if it doesn't work out."

Xunjing nodded and did not refuse.

When Minato heard this beside them, he felt a little uncomfortable.

He wanted to learn with them too.

But he knew it was impossible.

Xunjing could do it because Lady Mito had already given him Sealing Arts scrolls.

Besides, Lady Mito knew Xunjing and thought rather well of him.

But Minato himself did not meet any of those conditions.

Besides, he did not know the Shadow Clone Technique.

When Xunjing saw Minato's dejected expression, he reached out and patted his shoulder.

"Don't get discouraged. We can't spend all day buried in Sealing Arts anyway."

"How about we set aside some time every week to practice ninjutsu and taijutsu together?"

He had calculated things clearly—Minato was someone worth investing in.

While Minato was still young, he could first build up his favorability, then tie him to his own side.

In the future, Minato would definitely become one of his people.

Rather than let someone like that fall into the Third Generation's hands and become an opponent later, it was better to win him over early.

Of course, he would also have to guide him little by little along the way.

He had to let him see the Third Generation's group for what they truly were, understand what the so-called Will of Fire really was, and see through the Ninja World's **.

He could not let the Third Generation brainwash him.

"I don't have any objections."

Kushina glanced at Minato and nodded lightly.

Though she still felt Minato's mild-mannered appearance was a little girlish, he was a friend at least. There was nothing wrong with considering his feelings.

"Um... is this really okay?"

Minato raised his head, his eyes slightly reddened as he looked at Xunjing with a moved expression.

Xunjing really was not like those children from great clans.

Not only was he usually unpretentious and willing to befriend him, he was even taking the initiative to help him now.

Minato's heart churned with indescribable emotion. His mouth opened and closed, but he could not force out a single word for a long while.

Xunjing glanced at the system panel. Well, that move had directly raised Minato's favorability by 10 points, bringing it to 65 already.

"What's inappropriate about it? Training is training. Wouldn't it be better if we improved together?"

Xunjing smiled and waved his hand, his tone casual. "Aren't we friends?"

Honestly, even without considering the benefits, he was quite willing to deal with someone like Minato. At the very least, Minato did not have any of those twisted schemes. He would not have to worry about him stabbing him in the back someday.

Minato hesitated, scratching his head awkwardly. "But I don't know the Shadow Clone Technique, and I can only practice after school... is that really okay?"

"That's no big deal."

Xunjing waved it off carelessly, his tone carrying a few traces of certainty. "Minato, I think highly of your talent and your future. Consider it an early investment. I can teach you the Shadow Clone Technique, along with other ninjutsu suited to you. Once you make something of yourself in the future, just repay me and the village. So, do you dare accept?"

Afraid that Minato would hem and haw and decline, he simply used a little provocation.

But in his heart, he understood things perfectly well: by the day this kid truly grew up, this village would probably have changed its surname to Uchiha Xunjing.

"I dare! Why wouldn't I?"

Sure enough, Minato nodded decisively after being provoked.

But once that surge of passion passed, he awkwardly rubbed the back of his head. There was some hesitation in the way he looked at Xunjing. "But... isn't that too much for me to owe you?"

He did not even know whether he would be able to repay this debt of gratitude in the future.

Xunjing had more confidence in him than he had in himself.

"Then pay it back slowly. I'm not afraid of you owing me too much, so what are you afraid of?"

Xunjing casually patted Minato's shoulder, his tone crisp and decisive. "It's settled, then."

"Thanks, Xunjing."

Minato's eyes were full of gratitude, and his throat tightened.

Since he was little, this was the first time anyone had treated him so well or thought so highly of him.

He silently swore in his heart that Xunjing would be his best brother for the rest of his life.

At the same time, Xunjing received a system notification: Minato's favorability had soared all the way to 84 points.

"Whoa, that high? Doesn't that mean I can contract him directly?"

Xunjing remained expressionless on the surface, but inwardly, he was startled.

But on second thought, they had only known each other for a few days. Bringing up a contract right away would be a little too utilitarian.

He would wait a few more days. First, he would teach Minato the Shadow Clone Technique and a few other ninjutsu he had promised him, solidify the favorability a little more, then bring it up.

The favorability had risen so quickly that it even made him a little uneasy.

All he could say was that Minato's heart was pure.

"Come on, go home with me first. I'll teach you the Shadow Clone Technique, and we'll talk about the rest later."

Xunjing turned to Kushina. "Then let's go our separate ways for today. Go ask Grandma Mito what she thinks first. If she doesn't agree, don't force it."

"Mm, no problem. You two go on ahead." Kushina nodded, waved, then turned and ran off.

Xunjing patted Minato's shoulder. "Let's go. We should head back too."

The two soon entered the Uchiha Clan Compound.

Along the way, quite a few clan members studied them with curious looks.

"Xunjing, you're back? Is this your friend?" A middle-aged man stepped forward to start a conversation.

Xunjing smiled in reply. "Uncle Shiyu, how was business at the shop today?"

"Not bad, but only for today. The clan's pharmacy opens tomorrow, so I have to go help manage it." Uchiha Shiyu's tone was filled with anticipation.

He had already looked over those new medicines in advance.

He knew perfectly well that once this batch of medicines hit the shelves, there would definitely be no shortage of customers.

As long as they sold, the clan should not have to worry about funding anymore.

The recent reforms had been burning through money fiercely.

The Clan Academy, the Police Force, the new rewards, punishments, and welfare systems—every single one of them required money.

"Oh? It opens tomorrow? That's great news." Xunjing's eyes lit up.

Over the past few days, he had only spent two hours a day making medicine and had barely concerned himself with anything else.

He had not expected his mother to move so quickly.

It looked like he would have to work overtime and stockpile more goods next, or there simply would not be enough to sell.

Xunjing calculated quietly.

He actually wanted to hand this work off to someone else too.

But at the moment, there was no suitable and trustworthy person.

Many medicinal ingredients could not do without Sea Kings materials, or the required pharmacy level was simply too high.