"You've gotten taller than me," the blonde woman stood up, comparing her height to her disciple and finding that the boy was indeed one centimeter taller.
In a few years, she would have to look up to him. Tsunade thought this as she tapped her forehead.
Yuto understood her gesture and removed his forehead protector, revealing the Caged Bird Seal and the The Strength of a Hundred Seal at the center.
The woman's fingertips gently touched the boy's brow. The chakra from her medical ninjutsu was warm, but her fingers felt cold.
"You've never disappointed me," Tsunade said approvingly. "Forming the Strength of a Hundred Seal is quite useful. It not only adjusts your body and chakra pathways but also stores the chakra that is naturally consumed daily. This seal can serve as a foundation to unleash various powerful jutsu. Those who master this seal can even maintain a youthful appearance indefinitely!"
The blonde woman suddenly stopped, sighed, and squeezed Yuto's shoulder.
Not understanding why his sensei sighed, Yuto smiled and pulled a young girl in front of him.
"Sensei, you should know about Ruri. Hokage-sama said she should stay here temporarily. Can I find a room for her?"
"Sure," Tsunade said with a cheerful pinch on the girl's cheek. "This little girl is still young. Let her stay with Shizune."
"Alright... Ruri, this lady is my teacher, Tsunade-sama."
"Tsunade-sama," Ruri bowed and said nothing more.
Her white hair was beautiful, but perhaps because of her thin lips, she seemed aloof and proud when silent, exuding an air that kept strangers at bay, unlike the sharp-tongued girl she was when alone with Yuto.
Tsunade didn't mind. She had experienced two great wars and seen many life-and-death situations. She had seen many pitiful children who lost their parents and knew each had their own scars and temperaments, different from the children of Konoha.
When Shizune returned, Yuto handed Ruri to her and no longer paid attention to his clones.
Although the clone looked like a child, its mind was an exact copy of his, understanding the importance of situations. Moreover, Shizune had matured over the years, becoming more capable and reliable, making it easy for her to take care of a child.
These Kaguya clones, as well as the future "Uzumaki, Senju, and Uchiha" clones, were seeds. Yuto planted them intending to devour them later, completely merging their bloodlines. He couldn't always be a babysitter watching over their growth.
He had to consider the possibility of the "devour plan" failing. Even if he consumed the four clones, there was a chance he might not break through his bloodline limits. Although this possibility was slim, Yuto had to be mentally prepared.
Thinking ahead about the consequences of failure was a villain's compulsory course.
He had never stopped training. When all plans failed, at least he could carry out the most reckless plan—if his bloodline couldn't revert, he would kill all those who could control the Caged Bird Seal, and the curse mark would naturally dissolve!
In a world with supernatural energy like chakra, power is the source of a person's confidence!
...
Returning to the village, Yuto's life remained routine.
On the battlefield, he ambushed his companions and clan members, conducted experiments, killed enemy shinobi, and reported back to the main camp—a four-point cycle.
In the village, he trained new jutsu with Tsunade in the back mountain, occasionally visited the Hyuga compound, chatted with familiar people, and thought about his next plans before sleeping. His stable life was uneventful.
He immersed himself in training, not daring to stir up trouble.
As the Bone Clone said, it was best to completely separate his identity as "Yuto Hyuga" from "Aizen Sōsuke." If wherever he went, the Moon God caused chaos, people would eventually notice something was wrong.
Furthermore, both "Hashirama cells" and "Kushina's body tissue" were extremely difficult to obtain. The former was heavily guarded, and even Yuto didn't know where the First Hokage's grave was. The latter was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. If the tailed beast rampaged, he would definitely die without a burial place.
When the plan stalled, Yuto chose to train. At least his strength would increase solidly, not wasting time.
Two weeks after returning to the village, Yuto received his appointment from the Hokage Tower.
His position was quite good, not the relatively arduous garrison duty, but as a medical captain at Konoha Hospital!
Thanks to Tsunade's status and Yuto's performance in "saving lives during the war," this high-ranking position fell to him.
The benefits were plenty, but there wasn't much work.
During wartime, the village's population was low. Frontline wounded were either sent to nearby field hospitals or died en route to Konoha. In a month, Yuto hardly had any tasks. As the "medical captain," he specialized in difficult and urgent cases, leaving minor illnesses to the doctors.
Thus, Yuto only needed to show up at work, give a few instructions, then sneak off to train with Tsunade—the head of Konoha Hospital.
Clock in, leave work, get paid, and train with his beautiful superior. If this job were given to pre-transmigration Yuto, he would probably laugh himself awake.
Such peaceful yet busy days passed by in a flash.
When all the snow melted and trees sprouted new buds, Hiruzen called Yuto again.
"Hokage-sama, you wanted to see me."
"Yes, Yuto, sit," Hiruzen handed him a stack of files. "Take a good look. These will be your direct subordinates and students from now on."
Yuto was slightly surprised. He had thought the Third Hokage called him to return to the battlefield, but it turned out he was to become a team leader.
At fourteen, I might be the youngest Jonin instructor in Konoha's history... Yuto thought as he looked through the files.
The first photo was of Ruri.
As expected, given their relationship and her kekkei genkai, she was indeed suitable to be his student.
Yuto smiled and looked at the second photo.
The boy in the photo was very handsome, wearing a black short-sleeved shirt and smiling while making a seal towards the camera.
Shisui... Uchiha
(End of chapter)