On Sunday evening, while preparing dinner, Mokgetsu casually mentioned that he had mastered the One-Finger Seal.
"Have you already mastered it? Let me see, that's just seven days, huh."
Kushina counted on her fingers and realized that Mokgetsu had learned it in exactly seven days.
"Learning it in seven days indicates that you have quite a talent for fuinjutsu," Kushina said with a smile, feeling happy for Mokgetsu.
With such talent in fuinjutsu, continuing to learn could mean that advancing to Special Jonin through fuinjutsu won't be difficult.
"I actually think that the reason I learned it so quickly is that Teacher Kushina and Teacher Minato taught me well," Mokgetsu said with a smile as he served the dishes on the table.
This was considered a reciprocal gesture, as earlier, Minato and Kushina jokingly called him Teacher Mokgetsu.
"Hehe, of course, Minato's fuinjutsu was taught hand-in-hand by me," Kushina said proudly.
After getting closer to Minato, Kushina wanted Minato to become stronger, so she often dragged him along to cultivate fuinjutsu together.
Under her careful guidance, Minato had already become a master in fuinjutsu, mastering many advanced fuinjutsu techniques.
"Maybe I'm really cut out to be a teacher," Kushina thought, realizing she might have a talent for teaching.
She had only taught fuinjutsu to Minato and Mokgetsu, and Minato already became a master, while Mokgetsu learned the One-Finger Seal in just one week.
"Teacher Kushina, enough chat, let's eat," Minato teased as he helped serve Kushina some rice.
"Student Minato, who allowed you to talk to the teacher like that, as punishment, you have to serve the teacher some food," Kushina imitated the tone of a former Ninja Academy teacher.
"Alright, alright," Minato replied with a helpless smile, cooperating with Kushina's act and serving her food.
Mokgetsu, sitting next to them, felt a bit awkward, considering it was his house, yet he felt like taking his bowl outside to eat.
"If you two continue like this, I'm going to finish all the dishes," Mokgetsu said as he began devouring the food rapidly.
He quickly picked up the dishes and delivered them to his mouth along with the rice, repeating the process continuously.
"Hey!" Noticing the diminishing dishes on the plate, Kushina and Minato stopped their role-playing and began eating in earnest.
Soon, the three of them finished all the dishes on the table, and then Kushina and Minato went to wash the dishes.
Due to their frequent freeloading, they often helped Mokgetsu with other chores, like washing vegetables and dishes, and Mokgetsu would also help out when he ate at their place.
After washing the dishes, Kushina suggested Mokgetsu familiarize himself with the One-Finger Seal and the fuinjutsu knowledge on the scrolls, as she planned to teach him the Three-Finger Seal in a few days.
"The Three-Finger Seal is an advanced version of the One-Finger Seal, and with your talent, you should be able to learn it in a month," Kushina said.
"Is there also a Four-Finger Seal and Five-Finger Seal?" Mokgetsu asked, finding the naming a bit lazy.
"There's no Four-Finger Seal, only a Five-Finger Seal," Kushina replied.
There really was one.
"If you can master the Five-Finger Seal, learning most of the fuinjutsu techniques will be no problem, and the Five-Finger Seal itself is part of an advanced fuinjutsu technique," Kushina explained.
With Kushina's explanation, Mokgetsu understood the significance of the One-Finger Seal and Three-Finger Seal.
"What would you like to eat tomorrow? I'll prepare the ingredients in advance," Mokgetsu asked.
Even though they were quite familiar with each other, Kushina and Minato teaching him fuinjutsu meant he had to show some appreciation.
"Braised pork," Kushina immediately replied.
"Stir-fried mushrooms," Minato answered after some thought.
Mokgetsu expected Kushina's answer, and as for Minato, Mokgetsu felt he should remind him to cook the mushrooms thoroughly and leave a Flying Thunder God Mark at Konoha Hospital.
.....
On Monday, Hagane Kotetsu arrived at school early.
He skillfully placed a novel on the desk and started reading. It was the last week, and the final exams would start the following Monday, ending in three days, followed by a break.
As it was almost time for Kamizuki Izumo to arrive, Hagane Kotetsu put away the book and opened a novel.
"Kotetsu, good morning," Kamizuki Izumo greeted Hagane Kotetsu with a smile.
"Reading a novel again?" Kamizuki Izumo noticed the book in front of Hagane Kotetsu and, confirming it was a novel, he sighed with relief.
"Yeah, with only one week until the exams, studying now is pointless and will only make you anxious. It's better to relax," Hagane Kotetsu replied with a smile.
"By the way, Izumo, I recently discovered a great game. Come and see if you like it," Hagane Kotetsu said, pulling a square metal box from his bag.
He had learned about this popular game—backgammon—which was said to be addictive, making people want to play repeatedly.
Since Kamizuki Izumo enjoyed playing games, this excellent game was perfect for a week of play.
"Backgammon, huh? I played it once at a relative's house, and it was so fun. Kotetsu, you're such a good friend," Kamizuki Izumo said, touched.
Unexpectedly, his previous story to cover up his study lie was remembered by Hagane Kotetsu, leaving Kamizuki Izumo feeling a bit guilty.
Given Kotetsu's gesture, how could he...
"I recently bought a lot of interesting ninja novels, and I can't finish them all. Let me give you three," Kamizuki Izumo said, smiling as he handed novels to Hagane Kotetsu.
Though the bond with his brother was good, his ultimate aim was to win the heart of the neighbor's sister.
Since he liked reading novels, spending a week reading them seemed fine; after all, Kotetsu himself mentioned relaxing for a week.
"These are all popular recent novels. Izumo, you..." Looking at the novels Kamizuki Izumo gave him, Hagane Kotetsu was deeply moved.
His usual facade was taken seriously by Kamizuki Izumo, who then offered him a gift with such a clumsy excuse.
Who says novels can't be finished? If a novel is good, the more you read, the less it seems.
"I've recently collected various games, Izumo, here you go," Hagane Kotetsu worried that a single backgammon wasn't enough to play and handed a paper to Kamizuki Izumo.
The paper listed over a dozen games, both indoor and outdoor, aiming for completeness.
"For Mie, sorry, Izumo," Hagane Kotetsu apologized inwardly.
"Shisui, do you want a novel for relaxation? I see you study hard every day, and I can't finish these many novels at once," Hagane Kotetsu asked Shisui behind him.
"I can also share my games," Kamizuki Izumo quickly added.
However, to their regret, Shisui shook his head and politely declined.
"Are you two not good brothers anymore? You're asking Shisui but not me, huh?" Anko glared at the two with her hands on her hips.
Hagane Kotetsu, Kamizuki Izumo: ...
They were worried that if things continued, Anko's grades wouldn't be as high as last time.
"Uh, Anko, maybe you should study a bit," Hagane Kotetsu couldn't help but say.
He wasn't threatened by Anko; he was more concerned about Anko underperforming in the exams.
"Why study? Isn't it said that not studying is better? Did you study?" Anko asked, puzzled.
Naturally, Hagane Kotetsu didn't dare admit it and shook his head.
"Then did you study, Izumo?" Anko asked again.
"No," Kamizuki Izumo also shook his head.
"See, there you go," Anko nodded with satisfaction.
Kamizuki Izumo and Hagane Kotetsu exchanged glances and, in the end, as Anko wished, shared the novels and games with her.
"That's how good friends should be," Anko said, patting their shoulders with a joyful smile.