Yuzuru's clean, decisive fight surprised Uchiha Tekka and Guy.
However, because of Yuzuru's earlier assessment of the Hyuga Clan, Uchiha Tekka had quite a favorable impression of him.
The Hyuga and their Uchiha Clan had always fought over which was Konoha's number one Dōjutsu clan, but now Yuzuru's words had cut straight to the heart of it all.
The Uchiha Clan had been renowned since the Warring States Period, and Madara Uchiha had even founded Konoha alongside the First Hokage. Although he had later "betrayed" Konoha, his strength was undeniable.
By comparison, what did the Hyuga have?
They didn't have a single powerful shinobi worth showing off. Didn't that say it all?
At that thought, Uchiha Tekka wanted nothing more than to throw back his head and laugh. Though he was doing his utmost to restrain himself, he still couldn't keep the corners of his mouth down.
Guy walked up to Yuzuru and exclaimed, "So you're this strong, Yuzuru!"
At those words, Yuzuru stiffened and hurriedly explained:
"No, you've got it wrong. I'm not strong; Hyuga Asa is just too weak. If it were Kakashi, he probably wouldn't even need to move. He could knock him down with a casual strike."
"Is that so? As expected of my lifelong rival, Kakashi!"
Having successfully redirected Guy's attention to Kakashi, Yuzuru finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Afterward, the remaining students continued sparring.
Yuzuru had the terrible luck of being paired with Guy, and his face immediately scrunched up.
Seeing his expression, Kurenai couldn't help laughing and reached out to pat his head.
"Mm, you'll have to rub my stomach in a bit, Kurenai."
"Why?"
"You'll find out soon."
Yuzuru and Guy began their first match.
Guy opened with Konoha Whirlwind as usual. Yuzuru made a show of exchanging a couple of moves with him, even using the Substitution Technique to dodge a few times. Then he acted as though he couldn't keep up, letting Guy seize an opening and kick him in the stomach with a Strong Fist Whirlwind, successfully landing himself on the ground.
Kurenai's face immediately filled with concern.
Guy was startled too and hurried over to help Yuzuru up.
"Are you okay, Yuzuru?"
"Ah, I'm fine. But you're really strong, Guy. You put me under the same pressure as Kakashi."
Yuzuru spoke at once.
"Really? Hahaha, of course! I'm going to be Kakashi's lifelong rival."
"But it's still not enough. The pressure you put on me is only about the same as Kakashi a year ago. Kakashi is even stronger now, so you need to keep working hard, Guy!"
Seeing the two start chatting, the teacher standing nearby was rather speechless.
"Hurry up and make the Seal of Reconciliation. The next pair is still waiting."
"Oh, right."
After they made the Seal of Reconciliation, Yuzuru returned to Kurenai's side, looking as though his stomach hurt.
Kurenai hurriedly reached out and gently rubbed his stomach.
The sight made Asuma grit his teeth even harder.
Uchiha Tekka watched Yuzuru, his eyes full of suspicion.
That guy definitely held back! But why?
Tekka was rather puzzled.
After that, Yuzuru had nothing else to do and rested at ease on the sidelines, watching Kurenai's matches.
Unfortunately, Kurenai still lost to Uchiha Tekka in the end.
By then, Kurenai was already one of the last eight students remaining in their class.
It was no surprise that she lost to Uchiha Tekka. After all, Uchiha Tekka was a genius too, just not an outrageously gifted one.
With his Uchiha bloodline and considerable talent, it would have been strange if Kurenai could beat him.
When she returned to Yuzuru's side, Kurenai wasn't disappointed at all. Rather, she was quite satisfied.
Lasting so many exchanges against Uchiha Tekka before losing was indeed very impressive.
Once the practical combat class ended, all their classes for the day were over.
The academy left the students plenty of time to review and rest.
After parting with Kurenai, Yuzuru headed straight for the Senju Clan's residence.
Kushina also knew that Yuzuru was now Tsunade's student. On top of that, he was good-looking, talented, and had helped Minato, giving Minato more time to spend with her. Naturally, she welcomed him wholeheartedly.
However, the two sat inside for quite a while without seeing Tsunade.
Eventually, Yuzuru couldn't help asking, "Where's my teacher?"
"Well, Sister Tsunade, um, went out to take care of something. She should be back soon."
Kushina gave an awkward smile.
Seeing that, Yuzuru had already guessed what had happened.
There was no need to think about it. Konoha's gambling fiend had definitely gone off to give away her money.
That was in character for Tsunade.
"Well, Yuzuru, your big sister Kushina is actually pretty amazing too. What do you want to learn? I can teach you as well."
Kushina patted her chest as she spoke.
Hearing that, Yuzuru caught on.
"You're from the Uzumaki Family, right, Sister Kushina?"
"Yes."
"Then you must know some really powerful Sealing Jutsu, right? Could you teach me? I really want to learn Sealing Jutsu too."
Looking at Yuzuru's expectant gaze, Kushina felt her vanity immensely satisfied.
"Of course! In Konoha, if I claimed second place in Sealing Jutsu, no one would dare claim first!"
"That's amazing!"
Yuzuru played along enthusiastically.
"So, what Sealing Jutsu do you want to learn, Yuzuru?"
Kushina forcibly held back her smile and asked with a serious expression.
"Well, I don't know much about Sealing Jutsu. Sister Kushina, why don't you teach me something simple first?"
Yuzuru scratched his head as he spoke.
"Hmm, something simple?"
Kushina began searching through the Sealing Jutsu she knew for something simple.
But...
As a member of the Uzumaki Clan, even the worst Sealing Jutsu she knew was on the level of the Four Symbols Seal.
Ooh, will that be too difficult for Yuzuru? If I can't teach him, won't I completely embarrass myself?
Looking at Yuzuru sitting obediently across from her, his eyes full of anticipation, Kushina gritted her teeth.
"How about this? I'll teach you a Sealing Jutsu called the Four Symbols Seal. It's very powerful; it can even seal a Tailed Beast. However, it's also very difficult, so you need to be prepared for the possibility that you won't be able to learn it."
Kushina explained that in advance. After all, Sealing Jutsu really wasn't simple, and she truly couldn't be blamed if he couldn't learn it.
"Don't worry, Sister Kushina. I'll work hard. But in that case, should I call you Teacher too?"
"Hmm?"
At those words, Kushina's eyes lit up. This would be her first time teaching, and the thought sounded pretty good.
However, remembering that Yuzuru was already Tsunade's student, Kushina began to waver again.
"Never mind. Just keep calling me Sister. After all, you're already Sister Tsunade's apprentice. You can be my little brother."
"Okay."
"All right, then I'll teach you the fundamentals and key points of Sealing Jutsu now. Once you understand those, I'll tell you the hand seals for the Four Symbols Seal."
"No problem!"
And so the two sat in the main hall, with Kushina carefully explaining Sealing Jutsu to Yuzuru. Yuzuru listened very attentively too, every bit the model student.
Only in the evening did Tsunade return, looking thoroughly displeased.
Seeing Yuzuru and Kushina sitting together, she instantly remembered what she had forgotten that day.
"You're back, Sister Tsunade."
Kushina spoke with a smile.
Yuzuru looked at Tsunade, his eyes full of questions. "Where were you this afternoon?"
"Ahem, well, I went out to take care of something."