After finishing a full day of training, Yue walked home with a firm goal in his heart, feeling that time was passing too quickly.
Among all the jutsu in the shinobi world, sealing techniques were the hardest to master. Yue had used three shadow clones to study the two sealing techniques Kushina had given him, but he had only managed to master the Five Elements Seal. The Four Symbols Seal still eluded him.
If sealing specialists knew about this, they would probably want to slit their throats in despair.
Some people spent years mastering the Five Elements Seal as a trump card, but Yue had learned it in just a day…
Even though Yue prioritized training in sealing techniques, he was well aware that his overall strength was the foundation. He needed to subdue his enemies before he could use sealing techniques; otherwise, failure or instant defeat would be inevitable.
So, while three shadow clones trained in sealing techniques, his original body and two other clones focused on other areas—Wind Release swordsmanship, Lightning Release, and taijutsu.
His body could now handle up to five clones, and based on his calculations, he would be able to maintain twenty within a year.
With unparalleled talent and diligence, Yue's abilities were rapidly improving, but he didn't let himself relax for even a second.
Growing stronger as quickly as possible wasn't just for his own protection—it was also to protect his family.
Moreover, as a scientist, Yue hadn't forgotten his expertise, though the current conditions didn't allow him to put it to use.
Yue had already planned his future combat style based on his strengths, but he was still missing a few key jutsu—Minato's Rasengan and Flying Thunder God, as well as the Raikage clan's secret Lightning Release taijutsu.
There was no rush to obtain the Rasengan and Flying Thunder God. Since they were part of his own family's legacy, Minato wouldn't withhold them from him. As for Lightning Release taijutsu, Yue intended to study it on his own first. If he couldn't figure it out, he would have to seek it out personally in the future…
As Yue walked through the village, the usual whispers and pointing from the villagers surrounded him. For some reason, he suddenly felt irritated.
He stopped in his tracks, turning his head slightly. His sky-blue eyes swept coldly over the gossiping villagers.
The setting sun cast its golden glow on Yue, stretching his shadow long across the ground. His hair, already a striking red, seemed to merge with the light.
But his icy expression, combined with the indifferent look in his blue eyes, made the chattering villagers fall silent.
The warm weather suddenly felt a little chilly.
Feeling uncomfortable under Yue's gaze, the villagers scattered awkwardly as if nothing had happened.
"A bunch of ignorant, bored fools. Instead of gossiping about others, why don't they find something meaningful to do?"
Yue's mood soured. He disliked noisy environments, let alone situations where he was the center of attention.
Shaking his head to dispel these thoughts, he quickened his pace. He wanted to get home and see Kushina.
This morning, Kushina had gone to the hospital. She had told him the night before that she was going for a check-up, but she hadn't returned by noon to make lunch. Instead, she had sent a nurse to deliver a message and some money, telling Yue to eat outside.
He had originally planned to wait at home for her return, but sitting idly felt like a waste of time, so he had gone to train as usual.
…
Still some distance from home, Yue, feeling uneasy, activated his Kagura Mind's Eye to check if Kushina had returned.
She quickly appeared within his sensing range, but to his surprise, Minato was home as well. This made him even more concerned—something must have happened at the hospital.
Yue had never liked hospitals.
Speeding up, he hurried home to find out what was going on.
—
"I'm back."
Opening the door, Yue saw Kushina sitting on the sofa. As usual, he greeted her first, placed Ryūsen on the rack, and changed into his indoor slippers.
"Yue, come here quickly! I have great news for you!"
Kushina waved him over excitedly, her voice brimming with joy.
"What is it? How was your check-up? And why is Father home cooking today?"
Yue found it strange—Minato had just emerged from the kitchen carrying a dish. Since becoming Hokage, this was the first time Yue had seen him cook.
As Yue sat beside Kushina, Minato removed his apron and joined them.
"Well, my check-up results took longer because the doctors needed to confirm something. I spent the whole day waiting, and my heart was racing the entire time!"
"Little Sunshine, you tell him!"
Kushina was clearly overjoyed, her face flushed with excitement. Minato, too, was all smiles.
"It's like this, Yue—you're about to become a big brother!"
"How do you feel? Excited? Happy?"
Yue was momentarily stunned. He looked at Kushina, then at Minato. After a pause, he turned back to Kushina and placed his hand on her stomach.
Seeing his reaction, Kushina and Minato exchanged a glance, their smiles growing even brighter.
They understood Yue's personality—he wasn't someone who openly expressed emotions. But his response just now reassured them about how he felt.
They had been a little worried that Yue might feel upset about the news.
Kushina placed her hand over Yue's, and Minato reached out as well.
The three of them sat close together, Yue still staring at Kushina's stomach in a daze, while Minato and Kushina watched him with warmth in their eyes.
"A brother?"
Yue's mind was in turmoil—even more than when he had first realized Minato and Kushina were his parents.
Back then, he had struggled to accept the idea of becoming someone's son. But now, he had fully integrated into this family, and the sudden news of becoming a big brother overwhelmed him with emotion.
"Yue, do you think it'll be a boy or a girl?"
Kushina's question brought Yue back to reality. He had never had a sibling before, nor had he ever imagined having one.
Honestly, it didn't matter to him. But after thinking seriously about the differences between a younger brother and a younger sister…
In the end, Yue decided—why not have both?
"I hope it's twins."
His response made Minato and Kushina burst into laughter.
In all of Konoha's history, the only known case of twins was from the Hyūga clan, and even that was incredibly rare.
What Yue didn't know was that, although medical technology in the shinobi world wasn't advanced, chakra-based diagnostic techniques allowed doctors to check the baby early.
Minato and Kushina had already confirmed at the hospital that it was a single pregnancy. Since it was only one month in, Kushina hadn't experienced any morning sickness yet.
"Yue will definitely be a great big brother! You'll have to protect your little sibling in the future!"
Their joy deepened, confident that Yue would love and care for his sibling.
For Yue, his life had become even clearer.
He now had another mission—
To protect and guide this new life with everything he had!
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