Teaching You Something Else

Inside the cabin.

Sōji returned to his cabin and closed the door.

The space was rather cramped, with only a bed, a table, and a chair, but it was quiet and private enough.

He sat on the bed, closed his eyes, and silently called out in his mind.

System!

A screen of light appeared before him.

[Jujutsu System · Personal Interface]

[Host]: Kaguya Yama (Yamada Sōji)

[Overall Strength Rating: Shadow Initial Stage–Shadow Mid Stage]

[Core Ability System]

① Total Chakra: Elite Jōnin level

Chakra Nature Transformations: Wind (Mastery), Water (Proficient), Earth (Proficient), Yang (Proficient)

Kekkei Genkai: Shikotsumyaku (Mastery)

[Rating standards: Beginner, Proficient, Mastery, Master, Legend]

② Total Cursed Energy/(Semi-Grade 1)

❶ [Six Eyes]: Omnidirectional vision, energy perception and fine control, analysis of techniques and ninjutsu, long-range insight, prediction of minute movements and energy flow.

❷ [Ice Formation]: Converts Cursed Energy into absolute low temperatures, capable of freezing matter, energy flow, and even conceptual things.

❸ [Black Flash]: When Cursed Energy, chakra, and physical strikes align within an error measured in fractions of a second, they produce destructive power raised to the fifth power of the maximum output.

[Cursed Energy Threshold Reward Available: 1]

[New Function Unlocked: Gold Coin Shop]

Sōji's gaze fell on that string of numbers.

It had increased by 2,000 points. Averaged out, that was 400 points per person. Based on his past experience, an Elite Jōnin should have provided 300 points of Cursed Energy.

What was going on? Did differences in strength among Elite Jōnin result in different Cursed Energy values?

Or was it because those five were members of the Xuan Yuan Corps?

Something beyond his expectations had happened, and Sōji's brow furrowed slightly.

The Xuan Yuan Corps.

In the original story, they had been a mercenary organization in Naruto that specialized in dirty work.

Their strength was not particularly outstanding, but their secret techniques were troublesome. Explosive Insects, poison techniques, and tracking techniques were all headaches to deal with.

But they had indeed appeared in the original story. Though they had not been important enough to become main characters, they had shown their faces.

Could it be because of their connection to the original story?

Sōji fell into thought.

If that was the case, then perhaps his future Cursed Energy growth would not have to rely on meaningless slaughter.

Killing people who had appeared in the original story, even minor extras, yielded more Cursed Energy than killing ordinary shinobi.

That was important. Extremely important.

Still, he could test that later. Sōji withdrew his thoughts and looked at the other newly added function, which had automatically unlocked upon reaching Semi-Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer.

[Gold Coin Shop]

Exchange Rate: 100,000 ryō = 1 coin

[Product List]

Fly Head Curse: 1 coin

Cursed Remnant: 5 coins

Cursed Tool · Uchigatana (Common): 10 coins

Cursed Tool · Wakizashi (Common): 10 coins

...

Special-Grade Cursed Object · Ryomen Sukuna's Finger: coins

[Locked (Requires a higher level to unlock)]

However, Sōji's gaze landed on the line beneath Sukuna's finger.

[Jujutsu · Limitless, Price: coins, No Permission]

One billion.

Asuma Sarutobi's head was worth only thirty-five million ryō. That was equivalent to dozens of Asumas, and he did not even have permission to exchange for it yet.

Sōji had coveted it for a long time. Then, in silence, he exited the shop and looked at the unclaimed threshold reward.

This was an opportunity to defy fate. If he got lucky, he might directly draw [Limitless].

But after thinking it over, Sōji did not rush to draw.

He first needed to digest those twenty-seven ninjutsu, familiarize himself with his vastly increased Cursed Energy, and adapt to the strength boost brought by becoming a Semi-Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer.

The draw could wait!

He closed the system interface and leaned against the headboard. The cabin was small and quiet, filled only with the gentle rocking of the ship and the faint sound of distant waves.

He closed his eyes, and many thoughts passed through his mind.

The key was those additional 2,000 points of Cursed Energy.

If killing people who had appeared in the original story truly granted more Cursed Energy, then his path might be broader than he had imagined—but also more dangerous.

Sōji opened his eyes. Beneath the black cloth, his Six Eyes glimmered faintly.

He stood and walked to the window. Beyond it stretched the boundless sea, sunlight scattering across the water in shimmering ripples.

As he looked at the sea, he suddenly reached up and touched his forehead. The corner of his lips curved slightly, so faintly it was almost impossible to notice.

On the deck.

Tsunade was still leaning against the railing, a flask of alcohol in her hand. The sea breeze stirred her golden hair and sent the hem of her clothes fluttering.

She stared into the distance, seemingly lost in thought. Then she suddenly smiled, softly, as though the sea breeze had scattered it away.

"That brat..." she murmured. "He really is a troublesome one."

As she spoke, she took a swig of alcohol. The liquor slid down her throat, carrying a faint burning sensation.

Sunlight fell over her body, warm and pleasant.

Three months later.

The sea breeze swept across the deck with its salty, damp scent as the merchant ship slowly followed the coastline.

In the distance, the outline of a small island appeared and disappeared from view. That was their stop for the day.

Sōji stood atop the mast, balanced on one foot over the crossbeam, his body utterly motionless.

Over the past three months, the merchant ship had sailed on, stopping and departing, docking at countless small countries: the Land of Bears, the Land of Claws, the Land of Sea, the Land of Waves...

Every place had its own customs, scenery, and experiences, but to Sōji, the scenery was not what mattered most.

What mattered was becoming stronger. He could clearly feel himself growing stronger.

His body sank slightly as chakra circulated through him. Then he abruptly released his grip and fell from the top of the mast.

The wind howled past his ears.

"Ah—"

Shizune cried out from the deck.

Just before he could slam into the deck, Sōji's body suddenly became light, as though an invisible hand had caught him.

His falling speed plummeted. He floated gently in midair before slowly descending onto the deck, touching down on the tips of his toes without making a sound.

Shizune clutched her chest and let out a long breath. "Sōji-kun, you scared me to death!"

Sōji tilted his head slightly. "Sorry, Sister Shizune. I was practicing ninjutsu."

"I know."

Shizune sighed helplessly. "I know you were practicing, but could you pick somewhere safer? What if you fell..."

"I wouldn't fall." Sōji's tone was calm, as though he were merely stating a fact.

Shizune opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately swallowed her words.

It had been three months. She was already used to it. This boy never did anything he was not confident about.

At that moment, a snort sounded from beside them.

Tsunade leaned against the cabin doorway, a flask in hand. Her long golden hair draped carelessly over her shoulders, and sunlight cast a warm glow across her short kimono.

"Shizune, leave him alone. This brat won't die from a fall."

Shizune pouted aggrievedly. "Lady Tsunade..."

Tsunade ignored her and merely looked at Sōji. "Brat, how's the training going?"

Sōji nodded slightly. "Not bad."

"At present, I can freely control my own weight. At my limit, I can achieve brief flight, but the duration and precision still need improvement."

Tsunade curled her lips. "This secret technique is hard enough just to get started with. Reaching this level in three months is already freakish enough."

She took a swig of alcohol, her gaze carrying a trace of scrutiny. "What about the Mystical Palm Technique? Let me see. You haven't been slacking off, have you?"

Sōji did not waste words. He directly raised his right hand, palm facing upward.

Pale green chakra flowed from his palm, condensing into a soft halo of light.

The halo was as steady as a motionless surface of water, without the slightest fluctuation or disorder. Then he took a leaf from his clothes with his left hand and placed it on his right palm.

The pale green light slowly enveloped the leaf.

The fine veins on the leaf began to twitch. The tiny damage caused during picking was gradually being healed by the Mystical Palm Technique.

Three seconds later, the leaf was completely restored. It was even fresher and more tender than when it had first been picked.

Tsunade narrowed her eyes slightly. "When did you reach this level?"

Sōji fell silent for a moment. "A month ago."

"You could make an inanimate object regain vitality a month ago?"

"Not regain vitality."

Sōji shook his head. "It's simulated vitality."

"Making the leaf believe it is still alive, making its cells continue dividing and repairing themselves. In essence, it's a kind of deception."

Tsunade looked at him, and her gaze became more complicated.

"Brat, do you know that many medical ninja spend their entire lives studying and still never reach your level of understanding?"

Sōji said nothing.

Tsunade put away her flask and walked over to him. "You've learned most of what there is to learn about Medical Ninjutsu. What remains is the accumulation of experience. I can't teach you that. You can only rely on yourself."

Sōji nodded. "Understood."

So, was it time to say goodbye? For some reason, Sōji felt a little disappointed.

"So..."

The corner of Tsunade's lips lifted slightly as she continued, "Next, I'm going to teach you something else."

Sōji raised his head. "What?"

Beneath the black cloth, the Six Eyes turned slightly.