Chapter 41

Those distinctive eyes seemed to inherently involve the spiritual realm, perhaps even the soul.

She had seen them in both Uchiha Chisato and Uchiha Mikoto.

As for that kid Xunjing, he apparently had yet to awaken that particular trait.

Dr. Kureha figured it was probably because he was not old enough yet.

With Xunjing's talent, awakening it in the future was practically guaranteed.

"Maybe."

Xunjing paused slightly at that, then nodded casually.

"Enough. Now that you've got it sorted out, stop messing around with this kind of training. You're making too much noise for me to read in peace!"

After grumbling that, Dr. Kureha turned and went back inside.

Xunjing and Mikoto looked at each other, then both burst out laughing.

Xunjing said, "So, that's it for today?"

"Yeah! I need to go back and think this over properly too, figure out exactly how to use Observation Haki. I'm off!"

Mikoto answered, then flashed away and returned to the Ninja World.

Xunjing did not linger either and teleported back right after her.

"Back already? Dinner's ready. Go wash your hands first!"

The moment he entered, he saw Uchiha Chisato carrying dishes over to the table.

Mikoto had already slipped into the kitchen.

"Got it."

Xunjing went back to his room, changed into something lighter, washed his hands, and only then returned to the table to eat.

"Mikoto said you two both awakened Observation Haki?"

Uchiha Chisato could not help asking.

"Mm." Xunjing nodded vaguely with a chunk of meat in his mouth.

"Pretty lucky that it happened at the same time." Chisato smiled. "With Observation Haki, you'll have a much better chance of staying alive in the future."

She paused, then continued, "Practice this Observation Haki more from now on. It can improve not only your perception and evasive ability, but also your spiritual power."

"You get two benefits at once. For now, it seems more practical than my Uchiha clan's Meditation Method."

"But that doesn't mean you should throw away the Meditation Method."

"The Meditation Method and Observation Haki reinforce each other. You can't neglect either one, understand?"

"Understood!"

Xunjing and Mikoto answered in unison.

This was the conclusion Chisato had reached from studying Observation Haki over the past while.

The Uchiha clan's medicine shop was set to open the day after tomorrow.

"For the next few days, you'll need to make more medicine. It'll be hard work." Remembering that, Uchiha Chisato added another reminder.

"I know. I've got it handled." Xunjing nodded, then suddenly recalled something. "Right, the Ninja Eagle we caught has enough favorability now. I've already contracted it."

"I put it in the Space-Time Gate space. If you need it, you can summon it through the space anytime."

"It'd be best to add a summoning contract too. It'll be more convenient to use, and less likely to make people suspicious."

As he spoke, Xunjing willed it and granted the relevant permissions to Chisato and Mikoto.

They had gotten that Ninja Eagle several days ago.

Xunjing had fed it every day to raise its favorability, and he had finally succeeded in contracting it.

With its wings fully spread, the Ninja Eagle had a wingspan of fifteen meters, looking just like a small airplane.

Its Chakra reserves had reached Jonin level, and it had mastered Wind Release. Its speed was incredibly fast.

At full burst, it could break the sound barrier and fly over four hundred meters in a second.

It was terrifying.

Of course, if they wanted to ride it at that speed, they could not bring too many people.

And the rider had to withstand that impact and wind speed as well.

There were blank summoning scrolls at home. They could use one to bind the Ninja Eagle first, then have everyone sign their names on it later.

Uchiha Chisato nodded. "With this Ninja Eagle, scouting ahead will be much easier from now on."

"I'll make time every day to explore the map. Xunjing, just stay home and wait at ease."

"Once I've figured out the map, I'll call you over."

She truly could not rest easy about letting Xunjing sail out alone.

Xunjing felt warmth rise in his chest and naturally would not refuse her kindness. "All right."

After dinner, Uchiha Chisato immediately took out a blank summoning scroll and brought Xunjing and Mikoto into the Space-Time Gate space. They returned home only after completing the contract with the Ninja Eagle.

Over at the Senju Clan Grounds, Kushina told Uzumaki Mito about her idea as soon as she got back—using Shadow Clones to attend school while she learned Sealing Arts from the old lady together with Xunjing.

Uzumaki Mito raised her brows, sounding somewhat surprised. "Oh? Looks like our Kushina is getting closer and closer to Xunjing."

"You even want to attend class together. Don't tell me you've taken a liking to him?"

The moment she said that, Nawaki, who had slipped back long ago, and Tsunade, who had just entered, both turned to stare at Kushina, their faces full of gossip.

Kushina's cheeks burned as she stubbornly protested, "Grandma! That's not true!"

But she could not help muttering inwardly, Was that really it?

She had never thought of it that way before.

At first, she had gotten close to Xunjing because Mikoto and Uzumaki Mito had told her to.

But later, for some reason, the two of them simply got along better and better.

Whenever she was with Xunjing, she felt comfortable all over, completely relaxed.

Because everything that guy said and did always hit exactly the right spot for her.

Before she knew it, things had become this way.

If Uzumaki Mito had not pointed it out, she might have needed a while longer to realize that her feelings for Xunjing had changed long ago.

It was just that the change had come a little too suddenly.

Feelings were something no one could control or predict.

"Really not?"

Kushina was still too green. Even Tsunade could tell something was off from her expression, let alone Uzumaki Mito. The old lady smiled and pressed again.

"No! No!"

Kushina shook her head fiercely.

I wouldn't admit it either.

Trying to get gossip out of her?

No chance!

"All right, all right. If you say no, then no."

Seeing how Kushina's red hair was practically standing on end, Uzumaki Mito stopped teasing her and casually said, "Since you want to, let him come along."

"Letting him obtain those Sealing Arts cultivation methods is merely forming a good connection."

"That kid's medical skills are so monstrous that he's worth the price."

Over the past few days, Tsunade had repeatedly praised Xunjing in front of Kushina, saying he was talented and highly perceptive.

"That's great! I'll tell him the good news tomorrow! Hehe!"

Kushina was so happy she nearly jumped up.

Tsunade also smiled until her eyes curved. "So you're planning to use Shadow Clones to attend class for you?"

"Perfect! Then I can spend more time discussing medical skills with Xunjing every day too! Hahaha!"

"How about having him send a Shadow Clone directly to study under me?"

"Yes! That's exactly what we'll do!"

"How did I not think of that before? I wasted several whole days for nothing!"

The more she thought about it, the more cheated she felt. She had to make up for that lost time.

Uzumaki Mito said nothing.

She actually hoped Tsunade would learn more from Xunjing.

That way, Tsunade's medical skills would only become more formidable.

If she ever encountered a situation like Mito's again, or someone in the clan came down with an incurable illness, she could handle it herself instead of asking outsiders for help.

Early the next morning.

"Xunjing, I asked Grandma, and she agreed!"

"Should we start today or tomorrow?"

The moment Kushina arrived at school, she excitedly told Xunjing about it.

"Today."

Xunjing answered without even thinking.

He did not want to stay in this lousy school for even one extra second.

"Perfect. Minato has learned Shadow Clone too. Let's find a place first and decide where we'll train."

"We can send Shadow Clones to learn Sealing Arts too."

"As for our real bodies, I think it's more practical to train taijutsu and temper our bodies."

"Shadow Clones can't replace that, right?"

"But since it's the first day, our real bodies should still go meet Lady Mito and explain things in person. It would be rude otherwise."

Xunjing continued with his suggestion.

Having his real body spend so much time learning Sealing Arts was far too inefficient.

Every day he had now was precious.

Every minute and second could be used to improve himself.

None of it could be wasted.

Besides, he had noticed yesterday evening.

Kushina's favorability toward him had risen again.

It had shot straight up to 81 points.