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"Tsunade took Uzumaki Shin to meet with Kurama Kaze."
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The Sandaime Hokage puffed on his pipe, his brow furrowed.
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"Yes, Sandaime-sama. Apparently, Uzumaki Shin wanted to learn Genjutsu from Kurama Kaze, but he was refused."
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An Anbu agent reported.
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Tsunade and Shin''s meeting with Kaze hadn''t escaped the Anbu''s notice. And if the Anbu knew, Hiruzen would know.
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"I see." Hiruzen nodded, dismissing the matter.
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Meanwhile, Tsunade and Shin had returned to the courtyard. Shin went straight to his room and activated his Mangekyō Sharingan.
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He could feel the increase in his Ocular Power. His Genjutsu must be even stronger now, but he had no one to test it on.
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With his immense mental energy, he felt like his Genjutsu could manifest into physical attacks.
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Copying the Kurama Clan''s Kekkei Genkai had been the right choice. His overall strength had increased, and his Genjutsu, which had been his weakest area, was now much stronger.
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His Genjutsu hadn''t been weak before, thanks to his Mangekyō Sharingan, but it had paled in comparison to his Taijutsu and Ninjutsu.
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He examined the changes in his Mangekyō Sharingan. His ocular power was immense, but he still wasn''t sure when it would evolve into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
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"Shin, come out here."
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Shin heard Tsunade''s call and exited his room.
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Orochimaru and Jiraiya were there, along with their respective Genin teams.
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"Shin-kun, long time no see."
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Orochimaru greeted Shin with a smile, surprising him.
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Not just Shin, but Tsunade and Jiraiya were also surprised. Orochimaru wasn''t the type to initiate conversations.
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"Actually, I wanted to be Shin-kun''s Jōnin-sensei," Orochimaru declared.
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"Wow, even you have your eyes on this kid, Orochimaru? But his performance at the Academy wasn''t that impressive," Jiraiya said, looking at Shin with curiosity.
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"If you want to switch sensei, Shin, you can come to me."
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Orochimaru ignored Jiraiya and continued talking to Shin.
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"Orochimaru, are you trying to steal my student?" Tsunade glared at him, her Chakra flaring.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
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This snake was trying to poach her student? Did he think she was easy to bully?
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"Such powerful Chakra..." Orochimaru glanced at Tsunade, a hint of envy in his eyes. Her Chakra reserves dwarfed his.
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But he wasn''t afraid of her. Chakra wasn''t the sole determinant of strength.
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"Shin-kun, what''s your choice?" Orochimaru looked at Shin, his eyes filled with interest.
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Shin shuddered.
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"I''m happy with Tsunade-sensei. I haven''t considered switching."
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Tsunade sighed in relief. She had been worried Shin might actually go with Orochimaru. But she had worried for nothing; Shin wouldn''t follow that creep.
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Orochimaru might be a genius in research, but he was also undeniably creepy.
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"That''s a shame." Orochimaru shook his head in disappointment.
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"What are you all doing here?"
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Shin asked Orochimaru and Jiraiya. They wouldn''t be here without a reason.
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"We have a mission that requires the three of us. So, you nine will be working together for now. The Sandaime will assign a Jōnin to lead all three teams," Jiraiya explained.
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"I see." Shin nodded, then looked at Tsunade.
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"Tsunade, if you encounter any danger on this mission, run."
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"Aww, Shin, are you worried about me?"
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Tsunade teased.
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"Yeah, it would be a pain if you died out there," Shin said, scratching his head.
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Tsunade scowled and lightly punched his arm.
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"Can''t you say something nice?"
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"The mission is urgent. I have to go. Head to Training Ground 24 and wait for your new Jōnin-sensei."
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Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya left. A mission that required the three of them must be dangerous.
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But they were all strong; they should be able to handle it.
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"Shin, we''re going on a mission together!" Nawaki said excitedly.
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"Heh, I''d rather not join you in shoveling manure."
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Shin''s words made Hiashi and Kai, Nawaki''s teammates, scowl. Nawaki had blabbed about their manure-shoveling mission.
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"Let''s go to Training Ground 24."
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Shin led the way, followed by Mikoto and Kushina. Nawaki, Minato, and the others followed.
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At Training Ground 24, their new Jōnin-sensei hadn''t arrived yet. Shin sat down, waiting.
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"Hey, Shin, have you been on any missions?" Nawaki asked.
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"Yeah, just a C-rank mission," Shin replied with a smile.
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Nawaki jumped up.
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"What?! A C-rank mission?! That''s not fair! Why do we only get D-rank missions?"
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He yelled, attracting the attention of the others.
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"Kushina, you really went on a C-rank mission?" Akiko asked.
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Kushina nodded proudly. There was no need to hide it.
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"Hmph, who knows if that''s true," Kai scoffed.
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He seemed out of place, even his teammates, Nawaki and Hiashi, ignored him.
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Nawaki had initially tried to befriend Kai, but he had given up.
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"Kai, are you looking for a beating?" Kushina stood up, glaring at him.
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"You think I''m scared of you?" Kai sneered.
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"Don''t waste your breath on him. Just hit him," Shin said to Kushina.
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Trash talk was pointless. Actions spoke louder than words.
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Kushina nodded and used the Adamantine Sealing Chains, binding Kai instantly.
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Akiko''s eyes widened. Kushina was using the Adamantine Sealing Chains so skillfully! Even she couldn''t do that.
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Akiko, as a Jinchūriki candidate, had received special training from Mito. But even so, she could barely use the Adamantine Sealing Chains. She was nowhere near as proficient as Kushina.
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Kai struggled, humiliated and enraged, but Kushina just looked at him with disdain.