Chapter 40: Dreams

Taijutsu refers to techniques that use the body for direct attacks, making it the most versatile form of combat.

During the genin and chunin stages, when chakra is scarce and knowledge of ninjutsu is limited, taijutsu is often more practical than ninjutsu. Even at the jonin level, one cannot rely on ninjutsu at all times. The necessity of engaging in close-quarters combat with a kunai highlights the importance of taijutsu.

However, while taijutsu is easy to learn, it is incredibly difficult to master. Among so many ninja, there has only ever been one who was overwhelmingly powerful: the master of taijutsu, Might Guy. The fact that he nearly kicked his way to the end of the world proves that taijutsu, when taken to its peak, is in no way inferior to ninjutsu.

Anyway, back to the story.

Ruri naturally had no reservations about teaching Kaito taijutsu and readily agreed.

"Me too! I want to learn taijutsu, too!" Kushina raised her hand and shouted, her face flushed with excitement. Ruri's cool and efficient movements had instantly made her a fan, and she wanted to become that kind of outstanding female ninja herself.

"Of course. But you're still young, so for now, you're only suited for basic foundation training," Ruri said with a smile, then looked at the unmoved Ryunosuke and Jinta.

"Don't you two want to learn?"

After experiencing the destruction of her clan, Ruri profoundly understood the importance of strength. She wished she could immediately grant them all the power to surpass her.

"Nope! Taijutsu isn't cool at all. If I'm going to learn anything, it's going to be Big Brother Kaito's ninjutsu. Fire in one hand, ice in the other… how cool is that?" Ryunosuke, after all, was still just a child.

Jinta had nothing to say. He was Ryunosuke's shadow and lacked his own strong opinions.

"Haha, Ryunosuke, didn't you see how badly Big Sis Ruri just beat me?" Kaito laughed. "If you learn from me, Kushina will be using you as a punching bag in no time."

"Huh? Is that right?" Ryunosuke looked at the disheveled Kaito, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded. "Then I guess I'll learn taijutsu first. Getting beaten by a girl would be way too lame."

"…"

"Kaori, what about you?"

"I… I'd rather learn medical ninjutsu," Kaori said softly, clutching the hem of her dress. "That way, if anyone gets hurt, I can help treat them."

This child… does she want to learn medical ninjutsu because I was so badly injured and almost died? The thought crossed Ruri's mind, and her smile softened even more. "Medical ninjutsu, huh? That's a wonderful idea. Unfortunately, that's my weakest area, so for now, you should probably learn taijutsu with me."

"Okay." Kaori couldn't hide the disappointment on her face.

"Don't worry. I know a few healing skills myself, so I can be our family doctor for the time being," Kaito consoled her. "When we get the chance, I promise I'll find a powerful medical ninja to teach you."

"Mhm, mhm! Thank you, Big Brother Kaito."

"Speaking of which, do you all have dreams of your own?" Kaito asked, sitting down in a chair and speaking in a casual tone. "When you grow up, what kind of person do you want to be? What do you want to do?"

"A dream?" Ruri's gaze grew distant. "Before, my dream was to become an excellent teacher and raise many outstanding students. Now… now I just want to raise you all to be successful and ensure the legacy of the Uzumaki clan doesn't die out."

"That's too easy to achieve. That's not a dream, it's a small goal. A dream should be bolder! For example, restoring the Uzumaki clan to its former glory and becoming the number one noble clan in the ninja world!" Kaito said.

"Alright then. That will be my dream."

"No need to ask Kaori, her dream is to become a benevolent medical ninja, right? What about you, Kushina?"

"I want to become a super-strong female ninja and protect everyone!" Kushina pursed her lips, her slightly chubby, round face showing an incredibly serious expression.

"My turn, my turn!" Ryunosuke grinned, unable to wait. "My dream is to become the head of the Uzumaki clan and lead all our clansmen to glory!"

Jinta looked at Ryunosuke with adoration and said quietly, "I… I just want to always be by everyone's side."

"Alright! From now on, you'll be my number one minister!"

"I'll do my best!"

Their exchange made Ruri laugh. She looked at Kaito and said, "Everyone has spoken. You're the only one left."

"Me?" Kaito looked up at the sky and smiled. "I'm going to end this chaotic era and create a peaceful world without war!"

And most importantly, I'm going to vigorously develop the entertainment industry. A life without novels to read and games to play is just too hard to bear.

"That's not just your dream alone. There must be many people who long for that day to come."

"Mm. By uniting everyone in the ninja world who shares the same dream, it will definitely come true!"

"You'll have to work hard, too." Ruri stood up again and beckoned to Kaito with her finger. "And we'll start with your taijutsu training."

"Alright!"

That night, Kaito lay on his bed, wincing in pain.

"Big Sis Ruri, you hit way too hard."

"How can it be effective if I don't?" Ruri sat on the edge of the bed, her small hands rubbing his back. "Use this special ointment. You'll be fine by the time you wake up tomorrow."

"Alright. Please continue to be just as forceful tomorrow. Don't show me any mercy."

"…"

After applying the ointment, Ruri tucked in the two sleeping boys on the other side of the room and left.

Kaito rolled over, closed his eyes, and entered the seven-colored space.

This time, he chose the orange Fist Plate.

"I took so many hits today. My fighting skills should have improved. It's only natural that I'd learn a new skill now… right?"

Konoha, Supreme Casino.

"This… this is impossible!"

Everyone stared at the figure who was the center of attention, their faces etched with disbelief.

"Hey, hey, what's with all of you? I just won a little money. Is it really necessary to be so dramatic?" Tsunade grumbled, flinging the jacket with the character for "Gamble" on its back over her shoulder. "Forget it, I'm done!"

Stepping out of the casino, Tsunade looked up at the blazing sun and felt a terrible premonition coiling in her gut.

Strange… what's wrong with me?

She walked forward a few steps absentmindedly, then her brow furrowed, and she ducked into a nearby alley.

A familiar figure emerged from the shadows before her.

"Danzo? What do you want?"

"Princess Tsunade, I came specifically to inform you of something." Danzo lowered his head slightly, hiding the strange glint in his eyes. "Do you know about the Nine-Tailed Fox?"

"Hm?"

"It seems you don't know the details. No matter. I will tell you. The Nine-Tailed Fox… is real…"

As Danzo spoke, Tsunade's eyebrows rose higher and higher. Finally unable to contain her rage, she clenched her fist and threw a devastating punch at him.

With a deafening boom, half the alley was reduced to rubble.

"Princess Tsunade, what is the meaning of this?" Danzo's figure reappeared on the other side of the destruction.

"I appreciate you coming to tell me this. However, your actions infuriate me even more. Remember this: you do not leak the village's secrets, not even to me. Whatever little schemes you're plotting, you'd best not involve me in them again. Otherwise, I will kill you!"

Watching Tsunade's retreating figure, Danzo opened his eyes.

"…You're less like the First and more like the Second Hokage, Princess Tsunade."

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