The bloodline limits that Danzō coveted were usually those that could be stolen and implanted into others—like the Uchiha's Sharingan or the Shodai's Wood Release. For bloodlines like that of the Uzumaki Clan, which couldn't be forcibly transplanted, his interest was far less.
At most, he might have considered recruiting Katsuki as a subordinate. But doing so would offend many powerful figures in Konoha, especially since her abilities weren't particularly overwhelming. Sacrificing alliances for so little return would be foolish, even by Danzō's standards.
Katsuki's real value lay in preserving the Uzumaki bloodline within the village. The Uzumaki's life force, vitality, and sealing arts made them invaluable to Konoha's future. Her existence enhanced the village's potential far more than anything Danzō could gain personally.
For this reason, even though the Third Hokage had bent the rules in granting her certain privileges, the village elders supported his decision. After all, it was only Ninjutsu training. In exchange for her loyalty, it was a small price to pay.
This was why Minato and the others taught Katsuki ninjutsu without hesitation—it had already been permitted.
---
Amid laughter and playful chatter, the night wore on. Kushina and Katsuki eventually drank themselves into a stupor, clinging to each other before collapsing into sleep.
Nakamura and the others gathered their things, preparing to leave.
"Sorry," Minato said with a helpless smile, glancing at Kushina and Katsuki sprawled on the floor. "With them like this, I can't see you off."
"It's fine," Nakamura replied. "We'll walk back. A stroll after dinner is nice anyway." He turned to Shirō, who was clearing the table. "Want to come with us?"
"No," Shirō said, raising the dishes in his hand. "I've still got work to do."
"Alright then, goodbye."
"Goodbye, Shirō," Taiyi and Shikamaru echoed.
"Hmm. Goodbye."
Minato chuckled softly. "I'll get them to bed first. Thanks for helping with the cleanup."
"Don't worry. I'll handle it," Shirō said.
---
By the time the two finished tidying up, it was already late. After locking up, Minato used the Flying Thunder God to return home, while Shirō made his way back quietly.
Inside his room, Shirō sighed. If not for Keiko and the others' objections, he would have moved out long ago. Living together was far too inconvenient—especially as a shinobi with an irregular schedule.
The greatest problem was his Magic Workshop. He needed a secure space to work on both his magical and ninjutsu research. Inside the village, there was always the risk of Hiruzen's Crystal Ball Technique detecting something suspicious. No one knew the limits of the Third's surveillance jutsu.
It was safer to build a small, hidden workshop outside the village, linked to his home through Enshin's Spatial Displacement Magic. That way, he only needed to conceal the entrance. To avoid suspicion, he could even disguise it with sealing scrolls.
But such construction would be noisy and time-consuming. Living with others made secrecy nearly impossible. Moving out was his best option—but housing in Konoha was scarce. Few sold property in the village, since Konoha was the safest of the Five Great Nations.
Perhaps Kushina could help. With her influence—and Minato's growing prestige—he might be able to request land directly from the Hokage. Ideally, he'd have Yamato build a house with Wood Release… though whether Yamato would even exist in this timeline was uncertain. Orochimaru's obsession with Hashirama's cells might already be diverted by his studies into Magic.
Either way, Shirō knew he needed his own place soon.
---
As he pondered, another thought crossed his mind. His envy of Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique had been gnawing at him for a while. The ability to appear anywhere instantly—that was true freedom of movement. But he lacked both the talent and the special sealing formula required to replicate it. Projection alone wasn't enough.
Still, what about flight?
Shirō's eyes lit up. He unrolled a scroll and quickly jotted down his idea. If he couldn't master Hiraishin, he could at least research a way to soar through the skies. In the shinobi world, the ability to fly carried immense prestige.
He scribbled notes:
Chakra is constructed beneath the feet (similar to standing on air, like the Shinigami).
Wing formations from Chakra (though the Peacock Method had obvious flaws).
The Sky Dance Technique (high-risk, but effective).
All difficult, all requiring massive knowledge and time—but possible.
For now, he recorded the concepts under the tag: (Magic). These wouldn't be projects he developed personally, but circuits he could design to simulate such effects.
A pity that Divine Era Magic was beyond his reach. If he could access it, the potential for flight would've been far greater. Still, even without it, the idea burned in his mind.
Flight would be his answer to Minato's elegance in battle.
And with that thought, Shirō returned to his notes, determination filling his eyes.
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