Chapter 36: Intimate Extras?

Sakuraba Sadataki had returned home, and with their mission completed, they were free to head back to the village.

Tenten felt a touch of emotion.

"It turns out that women in great clans don't have it easy either."

Previously, she had envied the children of noble families, believing they were born with superior treatment, unlike commoners like them who had to exert much more effort to become ninja.

But now, she felt that her own situation wasn't so bad after all.

"Every position comes with its own hardships. In many ways, the lives of those in great clans are actually less free than ours. This is true not only for the nobles in the capital but for our village as well," Chiba remarked with a hint of implication.

A figure in white flashed through Tenten's mind.

Was he talking about that guy?

Hyuga Neji...

Does he face similar hardships?

She remained silent, but Tsukikage Kazusa spoke up.

"About the Hyuga—I've heard the treatment between the branch house and the main house is vastly different, and in every generation of the main house, only one becomes the head, while the others are relegated to the branch house."

"Is there really such a difference between the main and branch houses?" Tenten asked, confused.

Even if they are in the branch house, they can still learn many ninjutsu and possess the Byakugan, right?

Kazusa shook her head. She wasn't sure about the details.

They both looked toward Kakashi and Chiba, hoping for an answer, but Kakashi remained silent.

Chiba did not answer immediately. After pondering for a moment, he said, "I don't know for sure, but I've been studying sealing jutsu lately and discovered that many books mention curse-mark style seals."

"You mean...?"

Tenten grasped the implication immediately, her eyes widening in mild shock.

"Perhaps."

"Alright, the affairs of great clans have little to do with us, and we are in no position to manage them anyway," Kakashi said, looking at Tenten and Kazusa. "Are you both full?"

"Yes, we're full."

"Then... hmm? Wait, you two continue eating; I’m going to buy something."

Kakashi stood up, intending to leave, but then he glanced to the side and suddenly seemed full of energy.

A bookstore!

"Hey, Kakashi-sensei, where are you going?"

"Forget it, let's just wait here for a while," Chiba said, stopping Tenten as she moved to follow him.

He had already finished the three books on sealing jutsu. There was little point in reading them again, and now that he had some downtime, he closed his eyes to contemplate the "Bodhi Seed" in his mind, intending to observe the changes in its markings. As a result...

Chiba noticed that a previously faint marking seemed to have become much deeper.

Was this the one representing chakra threads?

He was slightly surprised, then realized the reason.

Previously, he had only taught the manipulation of ninja tools via chakra threads, but now he had developed the "cutting" ability as well. Therefore, the potential mapped onto the Bodhi Seed had increased?

So it could work like that.

Hmm, it seems these simple ninjutsu are worth exploring further.

There are some things he cannot use himself, but if he lets others learn them, it should yield some bonuses.

Thinking of this, Chiba took out his notebook and began to write.

Tenten glanced over, eager to peek, but worried about seeing something classified. Ninjutsu was, after all, quite private.

"If you want to see, just come over. Don't hesitate; it's not any major new technique." Chiba couldn't help but smile.

Tenten excitedly moved closer and saw "Nature Transformation of Threads" written in the notebook. After a moment's thought, she understood what Chiba meant.

"Chakra threads can undergo nature transformation?"

"Why wouldn't they?" Chiba retorted.

Tenten was momentarily speechless. After a long pause, she managed to ask, "But surely not every chakra nature can be used, right?"

"Of course. I've thought about it, and Wind Release would be the most suitable, followed by Lightning and Fire."

"What about Water Release?"

"Water Release is possible, but it is essentially a technique of the Second Hokage, so there's not much point," Chiba explained.

Tenten nodded thoughtfully.

"I've heard that the Hidden Stone Village has mastered two special types of Earth Release nature transformations. If we could integrate that into chakra threads, it might have miraculous effects," Chiba added after finishing his meal.

Tenten thought about it for a long time, then shook her head with a bitter expression. These were all great ideas, but her highest chakra affinity was Earth Release, and ninjutsu was only a secondary skill for her. Who knows how long it would take to develop a second nature transformation. It seemed she wasn't destined for this.

"Don't dwell on it too much. The volume of chakra threads is too small; the only truly useful one is integrating Wind Release. Lightning and Fire would mostly serve as auxiliary effects," Chiba comforted her.

"Because Wind Release's nature transformation is better?" Kazusa asked.

"For cutting."

"Got it! If I'm going to develop a second nature transformation, I'll definitely strive for Wind Release!" Tenten decided immediately.

Regarding nature transformation, Chiba could only offer advice; he couldn't do the work for them, nor was his interest focused there. Ninjutsu has its limits. Unless it's a Kekkei Genkai, how could it ever be stronger than Senjutsu?

Writing these things down was primarily to give the chakra threads a direction for development, allowing others to help him research and create—a small experiment of his own.

Whether it would succeed... it was hard to say for now. Either way, it didn't cost him much effort; he was just casting a wide net.

Kakashi returned soon after. He looked refreshed, almost glowing.

On the way back, Chiba whispered, "Sensei, did you manage to buy the new installment?"

"No, Master Jiraiya hasn't released a new book yet. Currently, it's still... *ahem*, why am I telling you this? Kids shouldn't pry!" Kakashi reprimanded him sternly.

Chiba chuckled.

He didn't know who it was that had been reading a book in front of Tsukikage Kazusa, so immersed that he hadn't even noticed her presence. If Chiba hadn't reminded him, Kazusa probably could have read several chapters.

Kakashi's face turned red, though his mask hid it from outsiders.

After a moment, he whispered, "Although I didn't buy the book, I did buy some merchandise. They claim it's a violent side story."

"Sounds like something the publishers wrote themselves under license, right?" Chiba glanced at it.

Kakashi coughed lightly and said, "That's not important."

"Heh."

"..."

This brat really isn't cute at all.

Well, "cute" didn't really apply to him; this guy was far more lethal than his peers when it came to killing. Kakashi grumbled inwardly.

With no one left to escort, and relying on ninja speed, it didn't take long to return to Konoha. By dusk, the group saw the gates of the village.

"Finally back!" Tenten stretched and said, full of fighting spirit, "Kakashi-sensei, there's nothing else for today, right?"

"No, that's all for today. However, come to Training Ground 25 tomorrow. Kazusa, you too. As for Chiba, suit yourself; tomorrow is mainly for teaching ninjutsu," Kakashi said, uncharacteristically serious.

"I have something to take care of tomorrow morning. I'll bring some special military rations in the afternoon."

"That works."

Kakashi walked through the gate, signed the log under the guidance of the Chunin on duty, and waved his hand. "Dismissed."

"Understood!"

In the blink of an eye, only Kakashi and the two Chunin remained at the gate.