Aozora found it a bit strange that he couldn't find Shisui on the stands.
From what he knew of Shisui, he wouldn't leave without him unless something had come up.
Not giving it much thought, Aozora left the stands and started heading down the mountain.
After leaving the special viewing stands built by the Police Force for matches, Aozora spotted Junping, Hidemi, and Yoken walking slowly down the path together.
Aozora quickened his pace, covering the distance in just a few steps, and called out, "Uncle Junping, Uncle Hidemi, Cousin Yoken!"
Junping, Hidemi, and Yoken turned around upon hearing Aozora's voice. They felt honored by his greeting.
"Aozora, you haven't left yet?"
"Hello, Aozora!"
"Chief Instructor, please don't call me that!"
Their responses varied—Junping and Hidemi responded normally enough—but Yoken felt somewhat awkward due to his lower standing within the Clan and lesser strength.
Aozora said to Yoken, "You don't have to address me as Chief Instructor during ordinary times! Just call me Aozora. I'm still young and have much to learn from all of you!"
Junping and Hidemi nodded while stroking their beards. Most young clan members had their noses in the air, but Aozora, though incredibly gifted and strong, remained humble—which deeply impressed them.
Yoken, seeing the sincerity in Aozora's gaze, also nodded and said, "Then I'll take the liberty and call you Aozora."
After exchanging greetings, the four chatted casually as they walked downhill together.
During their conversation, they analyzed the various matches from the morning. Aozora's grasp of battle opportunities and analysis of strategies continually amazed them.
When they reached the entrance of the Uchiha Compound and were about to part ways, Aozora scratched his head and sincerely said, "I feel a bit embarrassed asking, but I really need your help with something."
From their casual chat along the way, the three men had already gained great respect for Aozora, so none hesitated to refuse.
Smiling, Junping asked, "Aozora, just tell us what you need help with."
Feeling deeply honored, Yoken puffed out his chest and declared, "Aozora, you just say the word! If it's within my ability, I'll definitely help!"
Hidemi also smiled and nodded in agreement.
Aozora bowed deeply before saying, "Then first of all, thank you all! As you know, the department asked both Ryoichi and me to create training plans.
To be honest, I don't have any idea how to do this. Would you mind helping me find some training plans that you've used before?
Of course, if you have time to write entirely new ones, that would be even better—and we could all sign our names together."
"No problem!" Yoken immediately agreed. "I'll organize the Police Force's training plan as soon as I get home and bring it to you in a couple of days!"
Junping and Hidemi exchanged glances before Junping spoke up, "We will compile some of our experiences teaching younger clan members for you as well, but there's no need for us to be credited."
They knew the training plans were for the Clan's younger generation, so they were happy to help—as long as it didn't drag them into the Clan's internal conflicts.
Aozora understood their thinking perfectly, so he didn't insist, only expressing his gratitude again. "Thank you both so much! I'm sure I'll be able to create an excellent training plan with your help!"
After thanking the three men, the group parted ways and each returned to their own homes.
Aozora arrived at his personal estate. The front gate of his estate was closed, but he could sense someone inside the living room.
Aozora pushed the door open and teased, "Shisui, you actually didn't wait for me? So love really disappears, right?"
As the courtyard gate creaked open, Aozora caught sight of a blond woman and a black-haired girl sitting in the living room beyond the front yard.
The two girls sat beside the coffee table, where a pot of rice wine and a few side dishes were laid out, as if they were in their own home.
Hearing Aozora's words, Shizune blushed instantly, while Tsunade gave him a look that clearly said, "Now that's a real man."
Aozora nearly died from embarrassment on the spot.
Thankfully, Aozora quickly regained his composure. "What kind of people break into someone's house in broad daylight?" he exclaimed dramatically.
"Please forgive us!" Shizune hurriedly stood up. "We didn't mean to intrude. Both Shisui and you were away, and Tsunade-sama wanted to..."
Tsunade cut in, "Kid, what if I just walked inside? When guests come from afar, are you going to make me stand outside and wait for you?"
"Of course Tsunade-sama is welcome!"
Seizing the chance to change the subject, Aozora asked with relief, "Why did you visit our home today?"
While sipping tea, Tsunade let Shizune reply, "We came looking for Master Lunfa! And also...to check how Shisui's injury is healing."
Tsunade shot Shizune a sidelong glance but stayed silent.
She had been alone all her life, and she certainly wouldn't want Shizune to end up the same way—lonely and without love.
"Master Lunfa?" Aozora feigned sudden realization. "Please sit here for a moment—I'll go call him!"
With that, he turned around and stepped outside.
After walking a short distance, Aozora created a Kage Bunshin, then transformed his original body into the image of a gambling god before both the clone and original returned home together.
The Kage Bunshin announced, "Tsunade-sama, I've brought Master Lunfa!"
Aozora stepped forward enthusiastically to greet her, "Tsunade-sama, long time no see!"
Tsunade didn't respond immediately. She examined the transformed Aozora carefully before suddenly throwing a punch straight at the clone.
At such close range, the clone couldn't dodge in time and exploded under the force of her blow.
Feeling the pain from the destroyed clone, Aozora clenched his teeth. "Where did that Aozora go? He used a Kage Bunshin to trick me over here!"
"Act! Keep acting!" Tsunade remarked, extending her hand. "Your transformation skills are impressive, and your acting isn't bad either! Since when did the Uchiha clan produce a genius like you?"
Aozora's expression froze momentarily before he replied, "Tsunade-sama is joking! What transformation?"
He was confident he hadn't revealed any clues. Even those with Dojutsu or Sensor abilities couldn't detect his "Jia Xing."
Tsunade shook her head. "I can't see through your Transformation Jutsu, nor can I determine whether the Kage Bunshin was real or not. But I lit an incense stick in the living room. It doesn't have much effect, but its scent is hard to get rid of. When you came back, you still carried this fragrance, but the Kage Bunshin didn't."
Aozora forced a bitter smile. He had focused entirely on the two women and hadn't noticed anything unusual in the living room.
"Why did you become suspicious?"
Tsunade answered, "Initially, I thought Master Lunfa was an elder of Shisui and yours, and that your skills were taught by Lunfa."
But gradually, I realized something was off. Why would Lunfa teach you instead of Shisui?
Moreover, during the Arena match, you clearly avoided using your signature Fire Release and Throwing Knives! It was so obvious!
Lastly, a woman's intuition!"
"Oh well..."
Sighing, Aozora released the "Jia Xing" transformation and apologized, "I'm sorry, Tsunade-sama!"
Despite confirming Aozora's identity, seeing his clean-cut, fresh-faced appearance left both Tsunade and Shizune not only surprised—but outrageously angry.
"Big-chested little brother? Hehehe~"
Tsunade's expression darkened as her fists crackled ominously.
"Old man? Hehehe~"
Even the usually gentle and demure Shizune sprouted devilish horns on her head.
Seeing the two women so furious, Aozora suddenly feared he might die before even having a chance to be publicly humiliated.
"Die!" X2
In an instant, Tsunade and Shizune pummeled Aozora with punches and kicks.
Initially, both Tsunade and Shizune were quite ladylike, intending only to give him a light beating.
After all, this boy looked so fragile; it would be a shame if they really hurt him badly.
Who knew that one punch felt like hitting a rock?
Thereafter, the two hesitated no longer, letting loose entirely until Aozora lay bruised and swollen.
Rubbing his swollen, bruised eyes, Aozora whined, "Fine if Tsunade-sama wants to beat me, but why did you hit me too, Shizune?"
Shizune blew on her reddened knuckles and coldly replied, "Hmph! You made me call you uncle, don't you remember?"
"So what if I did?"
Seeing Shizune preparing to strike again, Aozora quickly said, "No, no! I'll take a loss here—I'll let you call me 'young uncle' from now on!"
Blushing furiously at his words, Shizune snapped, "You're talking nonsense again!"
Aozora silently mused: Big Brother, I guess I can only do this much for you now.
Straightening himself up, Aozora continued, "Since Tsunade-sama has already recognized me, I assume you're here to honor our bet!"
Tsunade nodded solemnly, "Exactly! My reputation for honoring bets is well-known!"
Aozora almost rolled his eyes—who in their right mind could say that with a straight face? She owed gambling debts all over the Ninja World!
"Of course!" Aozora falsely praised.
Bang!
Tsunade slapped the table, declaring, "Talk! Kid, what do you want to learn? [Mystical Palm Technique], [Scalpel], [Extraction of Minor Afflictions Jutsu], [Monstrous Strength], [Water Dragon Bullet], [Vacuum Wave], [Wulaotangwu]...
One B-ranked Ninjutsu after another rolled off Tsunade's tongue, as if quoting from a jutsu catalog—but these were indeed techniques she truly mastered.
Tsunade was born with four chakra natures. Thanks to her massive chakra reserves and exceptional control, she faced almost no barriers when learning new techniques. Furthermore, as Konoha's princess, she had access to every secret jutsu the village held, allowing her to master countless advanced techniques.
It was just that her [Monstrous Strength] technique was far more powerful and convenient, so she rarely used other jutsu, creating the mistaken impression among many that she didn't know any.
Seeing how indifferent Aozora looked, Tsunade realized he already had his own plan.
Nodding, Aozora asked, "So, can I ask for anything you know?"
"Of course!" Tsunade replied cheerfully. "But I'm only responsible for teaching! Whether you can learn it or not depends entirely on your own abilities!"
Aozora smiled and said, "Of course!"
After a brief pause, Aozora asked solemnly, "Tsunade-sama, may I ask you to teach me Sage Art?"
"Sage Art?"
"What?"
Shizune and Tsunade exclaimed in unison.
Shizune was surprised because she didn't even know that Tsunade knew Sage Art, while Tsunade herself was astonished that Aozora specifically wanted to learn Sage Art.
Aozora repeated firmly, "Yes! I'd like you to teach me Sage Art!"
To Aozora, Tsunade was an enormous treasure trove, so much so that since returning to the village, he had repeatedly considered what techniques he should learn from her.
After much contemplation, Aozora finally settled on one clear answer—Sage Art.
Although Sage Art might not produce miraculous effects like resurrection through the Heavenly Book, it could very likely become a true Immortal Cultivation method when refined with the Heavenly Book.
[Dao Yin Lian Qi] was the foundational step in cultivation—refining essence into energy—but this step still belonged to ordinary martial arts techniques.
To put it plainly, [Dao Yin Lian Qi] was merely a highly advanced form of internal martial arts.
So then, what exactly constitutes true Immortal Cultivation techniques?
They were methods for absorbing primordial energy from Heaven and Earth, transforming it into spiritual energy, and harnessing natural energy.
Sage Chakra was formed by absorbing natural energy upon the basis of physical and spiritual energy. If natural energy was regarded as heavenly energy, then the method of cultivating Sage Art was essentially Immortal Cultivation.
Seeing the determined look in Aozora's eyes, Tsunade realized this idea wasn't rash—it had clearly been carefully considered.
Tsunade took a sip of sake and gave him a sly look as she asked, "How do you know I even know Sage Art?"
Upon hearing this, Aozora felt immediate joy followed quickly by a chill down his spine, so he hastened to explain, "The tales of Hashirama and Madara are well known among the Uchiha clan. It's no secret that Hashirama mastered Sage Art.
As Hashirama's granddaughter and the contract holder of one of the three great summoning lands, Shikkotsu Forest, it's highly probable you've learned Sage Art too!"
Aozora wasn't lying. In his past life—before the anime ended—Tsunade had never used Sage Art, so all of this was just his guesswork.
Tsunade shook her head and said, "I'm afraid I'll disappoint you! I don't actually master Sage Art..."
Just as Aozora began to feel disappointed, Tsunade added, "...I've only grasped the basics."
Aozora quickly interjected, "That's fine! As long as you're willing to teach me, even just the basics I'll gladly accept!"
Truthfully, Aozora only wanted to learn the basics before devoting himself to practicing the Immortal Cultivation technique perfected by the Heavenly Book.
In Aozora's view, the Sage Art training methods of the three great sacred lands—like Shikkotsu Forest—were specifically tailored for their own species and unsuitable for human cultivation. This also explained why those who attained Sage Mode through these sacred lands retained physical traits unique to their respective species.
Tsunade reminded him, "Perhaps you've read about the power of Sage Art in ancient clan records, but do you understand how difficult and dangerous it is to cultivate?"
Aozora already knew, but he still shook his head and asked, "What kind of difficulties and dangers could there be?"
Understanding Sage Art through records was normal, but clearly, the challenges and dangers of its cultivation weren't things someone from the Uchiha clan could fully grasp.
Tsunade explained, "Sage Art is comparable to S-rank Kinjutsu—in fact, it surpasses even S-rank Kinjutsu in power. But its danger level is also higher than that of S-rank Kinjutsu."
She briefly introduced Sage Art before warning, "Cultivating Sage Art requires enormous chakra. Those with low Chakra Reserves Amount struggle to harmonize with Natural Energy and are easily overwhelmed by it, getting completely absorbed."
"But even with abundant chakra," she continued, "success isn't guaranteed. You might still get consumed by Natural Energy and become part of nature itself."
Aozora hesitated for a moment, then firmly declared, "I've given this serious thought, but I still want to learn Sage Art!"
Tsunade looked genuinely surprised. "Why must you learn Sage Art?"
"Why?" Aozora repeated her words, then answered, "Because I wish to become the strongest person in the Ninja World! And throughout Ninja World history, only two have truly earned the title of strongest—the Sage of Six Paths and your grandfather Hashirama Senju!"
"People say the First was powerful because of his Wood Release ability," he went on, "but in my opinion, it was his Sage Art that made him strong. Otherwise The Danzo—who could also use Wood Release—wouldn't have lost to us!"
After a short pause, he continued, voice unwavering, "I know what you'll probably ask next—why do I need to be the strongest? It's because only by being the strongest will I have the power to protect everything dear to me, preventing my loved ones from suffering in war!
Without strength, you're left helpless—crying over someone's death like a fool!"
After listening, Tsunade whispered softly, "Protection, huh?"
In this brutal Ninja World (Jianghu), everyone inevitably receives news of loved ones dying in battle—no exceptions.
Some harden their hearts and accept their fate, while others forge that pain into resolve.
Hadn't she always wanted that power? The kind that brings the dead back to life?
After a long silence, Tsunade lifted her head, her eyes blazing with resolve.
"Alright!" she declared. "I'll teach you!"
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