Chapter 148: Yang Seal

Chapter 148: Yang Seal

Ino rushed over and embraced Tsunade tightly. "Teacher, thank you, thank you so much! This technique means so much to me! Please, teach me now!"

Tsunade's gaze drifted off, and she licked her lips with her red tongue, deliberately changing the subject. "So, about today's bar tab..."

Ino, who had been holding out for so long, finally gave in.

Reluctantly, she paid the bill, and the three of them headed to the residence Jirocho had provided for Tsunade. It was only then that Ino got a good look at the infamous underworld boss of the Land of Tea. Shinnoe Ida treated him with great respect, addressing him as "boss" repeatedly.

The man appeared to be in his fifties, with a kind face and polite manners, like a well-read scholar.

Whether he was actually cultured or not was irrelevant to Ino, and none of her business.

The teacher and student closed the door to begin practicing the Yang Seal.

Tsunade had only modified her own Yin Seal. As for what might happen during practice or what problems might arise, she had no idea it was all uncharted territory.

"Do you know any sealing techniques? You do? That makes things easier. Let me explain the steps of the Yang Seal in detail."

The first lesson officially began.

Tsunade quickly witnessed Ino's extraordinary talent for ninjutsu. Both the Yin Seal and the Yang Seal were S-rank in difficulty. Originally, Tsunade had planned a month for learning sealing techniques, another month for constructing the seal formula, and a final month for filling it with chakra to complete the entire sealing process.

But Ino's progress astonished her. Since she already knew sealing techniques, that step was completely skipped. Constructing the Yang Seal's formula, which combined storage and purification functions, took some time but was completed within three days. The final step of infusing chakra went even more smoothly.

Ino possessed more chakra than Tsunade herself. With just a casual infusion, she filled the initial seal formula to its maximum capacity.

Tsunade covered her face, her teeth aching. This student was a genius in every aspect except medical ninjutsu and not just any genius, but one at the very pinnacle of the shinobi world. Her talent was so exceptional it made Tsunade envious.

After a day's break, Tsunade gestured for her to remove her outer clothing. Working together, teacher and student completed the formal Yang Seal formula.

Ino felt a little embarrassed, mainly due to the rather peculiar placement of the Yang Seal.

She had assumed it would be on her forehead, like Tsunade's, but it was nothing like that.

Instead, just above her navel, a hexagonal seal mark now glowed faintly.

Tsunade's Yin Seal was purple, while her Yang Seal was silver.

"Lone yin cannot grow, lone yang cannot thrive."

This principle applied equally to Yang Release and Yin Release.

Due to the need for yin-yang harmony, the Yang Seal was filled with Yin-natured chakra. As a result, it had to be frequently exposed to sunlight to ensure the seal formula could operate independently without becoming too "ghostly" and negatively impacting Ino's physical and mental health.

In other words, to let her stomach soak up the sun regularly, she'd have to start wearing crop tops.

After all that roundabout reasoning, it seemed she was back on the same path as the original Ino, showing off her midriff.

"Do I really have to dress like this? It's so revealing, and my stomach is completely unprotected doesn't that leave me vulnerable?" Ino fidgeted uncomfortably.

Her current outfit was similar to what the 16-year-old Ino wore. Tsunade had cut slits in the sleeves and abdomen of her purple jacket, exposing her arms, collarbone, and stomach. Half the fabric was gone in an instant.

Tsunade scoffed at her concerns about defense, taking a swig of sake before flashing her fair, delicate fist.

"Could you block a punch from me?"

That wasn't even a question. Tsunade's strength, speed, and other stats completely overpowered hers.

Ino shook her head. "No, but that's not the same thing..."

Tsunade cut her off. "No excuses. Whether you're wearing clothes or not, you can't stop my punch. So wear what I tell you to wear!"

Ino gave Shizune and the pet pig, Tonton, a strange look. Is that really how it works? Sounds like nonsense to me.

Her long-legged senior sister chuckled awkwardly and shook her head slightly, as if to say, Don't even try to reason with Lady Tsunade she doesn't listen to reason!

After the Yang Seal, Tsunade also taught Ino her Strong Fist and Heavenly Foot of Pain. These taijutsu techniques required precise chakra control, which made them harder for her to learn. Her chakra reserves were too vast, making fine control difficult. There was no shortcut just relentless practice.

Ino began training under Tsunade.

Apart from training, her time was filled with drinking, gambling, eating delicious food, running from debt collectors, shopping, and soaking in hot springs.

Having traveled the world for so many years, Tsunade was well-known to many shop owners. They knew she rarely had money, but within a few days, a simp named Jiraiya would show up to pay her tabs. The shopkeepers weren't worried everything they consumed was added to the bill, and someone would settle it eventually.

After two days of grueling training, Ino relaxed as well. According to Tsunade, it was all about balancing work and leisure.

Training? × Vacation? √

She wasn't even sure why she was here anymore. At first, she'd felt anxious and guilty, thinking about how Sasuke, Naruto, and Shikamaru were all training hard while she was out drinking and shopping. Is this really okay? But once she got used to this lifestyle, she thought, Huh? This is actually pretty fun!

From time to time, Inoichi would send her updates via messenger hawks. She heard that Naruto was learning summoning techniques from Jiraiya, Kakashi had left the village to track down Danzo's whereabouts, Sasuke was training alone (though he was much stronger than in the original timeline) and was gradually refining his Chidori. Shikamaru and the others were also forging their own paths.

There were only seven days left until the official Chunin Exams, and here Ino was, still soaking in hot springs with Tsunade...

Shizune, who seemed mature, actually had a playful side. When no outsiders were around, she let loose. Right now, she had even put a little swim ring on Tonton, and the two of them were splashing around happily in the water.

Tsunade, who had been dozing off, suddenly asked Ino as if it were nothing, "Do you know about Shizune's uncle?"

Shizune's uncle? Ino paused for only a moment before answering, "You mean Dan Katou? I've heard Uncle Choza mention him apparently, he was once under Sakumo's command."

Tsunade pondered for a moment. "Ah, Choza Akimichi? Well, they weren't just superior and subordinate they were also good friends."

Ino smiled politely.

These days, whether male or female, everyone loved being friends with the Akimichi clan.

No matter how plain someone looked, standing next to a big, chubby guy would make any man feel dashingly handsome and any woman feel stunningly beautiful.

The Akimichi clan was practically the best friend family of the shinobi world. Everyone, young and old, loved being friends with them. Ino was no exception, and it seemed Dan Katou had felt the same way.