The next morning, sunlight poured into the classroom.
Ruo Feng lay sprawled across his desk, eyes heavy with exhaustion.
"Phew… Kushina, thanks."
He felt a pair of delicate hands gently kneading his temples, helping him wake up a little.
Uchiha Mikoto asked softly, "Ruo Feng… didn't you sleep well last night?"
"Obviously not," Kushina cut in. "He looks exhausted. And he was sleeping during class just now!"
Ruo Feng stayed silent.
Was he supposed to say he had spent the entire night with the Dog Clan?
For some reason, Beast King Mountain seemed to have no night at all — it was always bright as day. He hadn't noticed the passage of time. Only after returning to his bedroom did he realize dawn was about to break.
No sleep for an entire night — of course he was tired.
Rubbing his eyes, Ruo Feng asked, "Kushina… your Uzumaki Clan specializes in sealing techniques. Have you ever heard of a seal that locks spiritual power inside the cells, restricting a person's intelligence?"
Kushina blinked in curiosity.
"Why are you asking about sealing techniques all of a sudden? But yes, the Uzumaki Clan excels in them. Even my chakra carries sealing properties. Especially after awakening the Adamantine Sealing Chains — anyone I bind is basically sealed. But I've only just started learning. I don't know most advanced seals yet."
Ruo Feng nodded.
"I see… Then ask your grandmother when you have time. I need that sealing technique."
Kushina nodded confidently.
"Alright. Grandma knows all the Uzumaki sealing arts. She'll definitely recognize it."
Ruo Feng finally felt at ease. As long as there was a sealing technique, there had to be a method to undo it. The Dog Clan might be saved — and he wouldn't need to waste his magical beast meat strengthening them by force.
Just as he was about to catch up on sleep again, Mikoto hesitated before speaking.
"Um… I think I know that seal. It's called the Spirit-Sealing Technique. It's used to counter summoning techniques."
Ruo Feng's eyes widened.
"Mikoto… how do you know that?"
If Kushina had known, he wouldn't be surprised. But Mikoto belonged to the Uchiha Clan — why would she know a sealing technique?
Mikoto explained softly,
"There was a scroll about it at home. It was passed down by an important figure of the Uchiha Clan and once kept by my grandfather. But it's not very useful — it's specifically designed to restrict newly-born summoned beasts. On the battlefield, summoned beasts are usually already adults, so the technique is too specialized. Grandpa stored it away. I only found it recently while organizing his belongings. I skimmed through it, but didn't study it deeply."
A flicker of joy appeared in Ruo Feng's eyes.
"Mikoto… I've been looking for that sealing technique, so—"
"I'll bring it tomorrow," she said immediately. "Mom doesn't really mind those things."
Ruo Feng smiled.
He knew a bit about her family. Her grandfather had been a powerful Uchiha ninja who died during the First Shinobi War. Her father had also fallen early in the Second Shinobi War. Only Mikoto and her mother remained. But because her father and grandfather had died for the village, her status within the Uchiha Clan was respectable.
Originally, he had hoped to find a solution through Kushina. Now, it might come from Mikoto instead.
Perhaps this sealing technique had been inadvertently left behind by Uchiha Madara.
With that thought, and still feeling Kushina's fingers gently pressing against his temples, Ruo Feng drifted back to sleep.
⸻
Not long after, he was suddenly awakened.
His eyes narrowed.
"What's going on?"
The once-noisy classroom had fallen silent.
Several older boys entered and walked straight toward him.
Kushina muttered, "He's here for Mikoto."
Ruo Feng looked up.
The leading boy paused briefly, glancing at Ruo Feng before shifting his gaze to Mikoto.
"If Aunt hadn't mentioned it yesterday, I wouldn't have known you enrolled in the Academy."
Mikoto looked slightly frightened and grabbed the corner of Ruo Feng's clothes.
"Cousin Fugaku…"
At that name, Ruo Feng instantly understood.
So this was the young Uchiha Fugaku.
Fugaku's eyes shifted to Ruo Feng.
"You're my cousin's desk partner?"
Ruo Feng smiled faintly, his sharp gaze meeting Fugaku's.
"And you must be Mikoto's cousin."
Though it was their first meeting, there was an unmistakable tension in the air.
Ruo Feng himself didn't understand it.
The moment he saw Fugaku, his blood seemed to boil. A surge of anger rose uncontrollably from within.
"What's wrong with me…?" he wondered inwardly. "Why can't I control my emotions?"
Before he could think further, loud shouting erupted outside the classroom.
A boy burst in, followed by several lackeys.
It was Senju Nawaki.
He stared at Fugaku aggressively.
"Fugaku! What are you doing here? Bullying juniors?"
Fugaku's eyes flashed coldly.
"Hmph. Bullying juniors? That sounds more like something you would do. I came to visit my cousin — and to see who dares bully her in this class. On the other hand, you come here every day. Planning to chase a junior girl?"
Nawaki's gaze shifted briefly to Mikoto before he shouted,
"Idiot! I'm here to check on my cousin too — to make sure no one bullies her!"
The two locked eyes.
The atmosphere grew tense.
One wrong word — and a fight would erupt.
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