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Shin and Kushina arrived at the Academy just in time.
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But someone was even later: Nawaki. Under Shin''s amused gaze, Nawaki was sent out to stand in the hallway as punishment.
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"Huh, where''s Akiko?"
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Shin scanned the classroom, but Akiko was nowhere to be seen.
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"Shin, what are you thinking about?"
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Mikoto asked curiously, noticing his distraction.
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"I was just wondering why Akiko isn''t here."
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Kushina, who had been drowsy, suddenly perked up, her eyes fixed on Shin.
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"Shin, don''t tell me you have a thing for Akiko?" she asked suspiciously.
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"Kushina, your eyes are scary," Mikoto giggled.
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"I''m not interested in Akiko. I was just curious," Shin said, a bit exasperated.
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He had no interest in little girls. He wasn''t a creep.
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Besides, Akiko wasn''t as pretty as Kushina or Mikoto.
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"I have an announcement regarding Uzumaki Akiko. I''m sure many of you are wondering why she isn''t here today."
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Tanaka-sensei stood at the podium.
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"Akiko has taken a leave of absence. She won''t be coming to school for a while."
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Shin pondered the announcement, a suspicion forming in his mind.
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After class, Shin approached Kai. "Kai, you live with Akiko. Do you know why she''s absent?"
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"Why should I tell you?"
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Kai glared at Shin.
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"Good question. How about this?" Shin placed a hand on Kai''s shoulder, applying pressure.
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Kai broke out in a cold sweat, his shoulder screaming in pain.
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He didn''t cry out, though, maintaining his pride. But he quickly caved.
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"Akiko was called away early this morning. I think she went to Lady Mito''s place."
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"Thanks for the info." Shin smiled and returned to his seat, his suspicions confirmed.
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He guessed that Akiko had been chosen as the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. He didn''t know why Akiko, but it was good news for him and Kushina.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
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Becoming a Jinchūriki wasn''t a good thing. Not everyone could be like Naruto and gain the Tailed Beast''s approval.
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"Shin, you''ve never cared about Akiko before. Why are you suddenly interested in her?"
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Kushina asked when Shin returned to his seat.
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She knew Shin wasn''t romantically interested in Akiko, but she couldn''t help but feel jealous.
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"Because it''s important to us," Shin said cryptically.
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If he or Kushina had been chosen as the Jinchūriki, he would have had to find a way to refuse.
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Now, he didn''t have to worry about that.
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Akiko''s absence meant she was probably receiving special training from Mito. Becoming a Jinchūriki wasn''t easy; it required rigorous preparation.
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After school, they received a notice that they wouldn''t be attending Mito''s lessons for the time being.
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Shin wasn''t disappointed. He had already learned everything he needed to know.
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''Mind''s Eye of Kagura!!!''
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Shin closed his eyes, and his surroundings appeared in his mind. He could sense Chakra with incredible clarity.
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He had awakened the Mind''s Eye of Kagura, a secret technique that only the Uzumaki Clan could learn. Mito had taught it to him.
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She had also taught it to the others, but he didn''t know if they had mastered it. Kushina hadn''t. He doubted Kai and Akiko had either.
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He scanned the entire Senju compound and its surroundings with his expanded sensory range.
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He continued using the Mind''s Eye of Kagura for an hour before finally opening his eyes, exhaustion weighing on him.
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It was mental exhaustion. The Chakra cost was minimal, but the strain on his mind was significant, especially with prolonged use.
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But it had its benefits. It slowly increased his mental power. It was one of the ways he had found to strengthen his mind.
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The other method was to use the System''s Replication Cards to copy Uchiha ocular prowess.
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"Looks like Tsunade isn''t coming back. Let''s eat."
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Shin exited his room and announced to Kushina.
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"I''ve been waiting forever! I''m starving!" Kushina whined dramatically.
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Shin chuckled and prepared a lavish dinner. They had money now; there was no need to be frugal.
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After dinner, Shin trained his Taijutsu and Kenjutsu in the training ground. He then dispelled his Shadow Clones, absorbing their memories and experiences.
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He had secretly sent them out to train in Ninjutsu.
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Shin organized the knowledge he had gained, refined Chakra for an hour, then took a bath and prepared for bed.
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Just as he lay down, his door creaked open, and Kushina entered, clutching a blanket.
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Shin stared at her, bewildered.
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"Kushina, what are you doing in my room? Shouldn''t you be sleeping?"
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"Did you forget what you said this morning? We''re sleeping together from now on. You promised! Don''t tell me you''re going back on your word?"
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Kushina tried to sound fierce, but Shin only saw cuteness. Fierce cuteness.
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"Kushina, you''re really going to sleep with me?" Shin asked, surprised.
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"Of course! And we''ve slept together before, haven''t we?"
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Kushina climbed onto the tatami mat, snuggled up next to Shin, wrapped her arms around him, and rested her head on his chest.
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"That was when we were little. Don''t you feel awkward now, Kushina?"
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Shin inhaled the sweet scent of her hair.
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"Not at all. I feel comfortable sleeping with you, Shin."
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Kushina snuggled closer, nuzzling him.
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Shin wasn''t going to argue. That would be stupid.
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"Alright, let''s get some sleep. But try to stay still, okay? No moving around."
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"Shin, do you dislike me?"
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Kushina pouted. Even in the darkness, with only the moonlight filtering through the window, Shin could see her expression.
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"Even if I were to dislike someone, it wouldn''t be you. Now go to sleep."
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Shin pinched her cheek and closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth of this human-shaped pillow.
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Kushina also felt comfortable and safe in Shin''s arms. She quickly drifted off to sleep.