"Huh? Teacher Tsunade already knows?"
That fast?
Mikami Yuu was slightly stunned.
Seeing his puzzled expression, Tsunade lifted her chin and revealed a smug look.
"Don't forget, I'm one of the great Sannin. Don't underestimate my information network!"
After a pause, Tsunade continued, "Well, this is actually kind of a Konoha tradition. Every jonin who has made major contributions to the village basically gets one chance to browse through it. That's how Minato learned the Flying Thunder God back then. Orochimaru and Jiraiya too… Is there any jutsu you want to learn?"
"Does Lady Tsunade have any recommendations?"
Mikami Yuu threw the question back at her.
"Well…"
Tsunade pondered for a moment.
"Most of the ninjutsu recorded in the Scroll of Seals are very dangerous techniques, especially the ones developed by the Second Hokage. They basically cause irreversible damage to the body and mind, so try not to choose those."
"…?"
Mikami Yuu blinked.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Tsunade felt a little guilty under his gaze. She coughed lightly and said, "Although the Second Hokage is my granduncle, I still can't go against my conscience and speak up for him. His techniques really do have major drawbacks. Many of them even go against human ethics, which is why they were sealed away in the first place…
"The Flying Thunder God is still fine, but if you want to learn that, just go ask Minato. There's no need to use the Scroll of Seals for it.
"Based on your ninjutsu system, I personally recommend choosing the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique. That jutsu was developed by the First Hokage, and it suits your swordsmanship very well.
"If you're not looking for combat-related skills, then the Second Hokage's Soul Imprisonment Technique is also good. It can delay another person's death and be used to save lives."
"…Soul Imprisonment?"
Mikami Yuu thought about it for a moment, then understood.
Oh, this should be the technique Senju Tobirama used on Sasuke in the original plot.
Although the original purpose behind Senju Tobirama developing this technique most likely was not to save people, but to pair it with Impure World Reincarnation and launch a wide-range AOE attack on enemies centered around their parents and extending three generations up their ancestry, it did indeed have a life-saving use. It was basically an alternative version of a death-prevention cheat.
"Speaking of which…"
Mikami Yuu vaguely thought of something and spoke in a low voice.
"I heard Konoha also has a forbidden jutsu related to the soul, called the Spirit Transformation Technique. That technique…"
"!"
Tsunade's eyelid twitched. She sat upright almost by reflex, her eyes fixed firmly on Mikami Yuu, as if a lion were hidden in her pupils.
"Where did you hear about that technique?"
"…I think it was on the southwest battlefield. I forgot who mentioned it."
Mikami Yuu scratched his head and gave an ambiguous explanation.
The last time the Spirit Transformation Technique had shown its brilliance on the battlefield was during the Second Shinobi World War, which had been less than ten years ago. There were indeed many veterans on the southwest battlefield who had survived since the previous war, so theoretically, it was possible for him to have heard that information there.
Of course, the people more likely to have told him about that technique were Jiraiya or Orochimaru. But if Mikami Yuu pushed the blame onto them, Tsunade would find out he was lying as soon as she asked. To avoid the awkwardness of having his lie exposed, it was better to give a vague answer.
Across from him, Tsunade stared at Mikami Yuu without blinking, as if trying to judge whether his words were true or false.
After meeting his eyes for a while, she finally sighed and sat back down somewhat dejectedly.
"You… don't learn that technique."
"Hm?"
"I had a friend…"
Tsunade took a deep breath, her expression becoming somewhat complicated.
"He once learned that ninjutsu, but later sacrificed himself because of it.
"The effect of the Spirit Transformation Technique is indeed powerful. It can transform spiritual energy into a 'spirit body,' ignore distance, travel freely, and even possess and control others. But its drawback is also far too obvious. Once someone takes advantage of it, death is certain. So I hope you try not to choose it…"
As for why…
That involved a certain white-haired man whose internal organs had been emptied out.
Although the Spirit Transformation Technique could achieve something like an out-of-body experience, and the spirit body after leaving the body was nearly invincible—even Uchiha Madara's Rinnegan could not directly see through it—during that time, the original body left behind would become a living target.
Once the enemy discovered and destroyed it, the spirit body would become a wandering ghost, just like what Kato Dan had once experienced.
Mikami Yuu understood this very clearly.
But that did not stop him from wanting to obtain the technique.
After all…
Having it was one thing. Using it was another. The power of the Spirit Transformation Technique was enough to tempt Mikami Yuu, and as for its drawbacks… theoretically, they were not impossible to avoid.
For example, after using the technique, he could reverse-summon his main body to Shikkotsu Forest or the Kamaitachi clan's cave and properly hide it there, making it easier to return to his body later.
The only question was whether Shikkotsu Forest and the real world were on the same spatial plane. If it was in a different dimension, then that probably would not work. After all, the Spirit Transformation Technique did not seem to have the ability to cross space…
Also, Tsunade's words just now reminded Mikami Yuu from another angle.
Although he had previously thought about using this chance to obtain Impure World Reincarnation, that technique was a standard example of a ninjutsu that "violated human ethics." It required a living person as a sacrifice when used.
So, regardless of whether Mikami Yuu could learn that technique, he definitely could not openly say he wanted to learn it. When reporting to Sarutobi Hiruzen, it would be best to name a technique like the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique or the Spirit Transformation Technique to avoid unnecessary suspicion.
…
While Mikami Yuu and Tsunade were talking, Mitarashi Anko and the others at the neighboring table were eating dango while secretly turning their heads to look over.
Each of them had their ears perked up, seemingly trying to eavesdrop on what the two were saying.
Mikami Yuu and Tsunade had noticed this long ago.
So after finishing the topic of the Scroll of Seals, Tsunade turned her head and glanced at Anko and the other two.
"Hey, what are you three still doing here? If you're done eating dango, hurry up and leave. Don't you have genin missions to do?"
"…Ahem, got it, got it. We'll leave soon."
Mitarashi Anko swallowed the dango in her mouth and spoke very quickly.
Gekkō Hayate and Uzuki Yugao beside her followed suit. After finishing the food in front of them, they both stood up, bowed to Mikami Yuu and Tsunade in farewell, then hurried out of the shop.
Mikami Yuu did not say much throughout the whole process. He merely nodded politely a few times.
After all, he was not familiar with these people. This was basically his "first" time meeting them.
If anything, the thing Mikami Yuu was most curious about was how Mitarashi Anko had ended up becoming Orochimaru's disciple. After all, her careless and outgoing personality really did not match Orochimaru, and she did not look like she had any talent for research either…
Perhaps Anko's father had some old connection with Orochimaru, and she had successfully become his disciple through that relationship?
There was no way to know.
After sitting for a while longer, the plate in front of Tsunade was also empty.
Satisfied, she patted her stomach and placed a few bills on the table.
"Let's go, brat. This meal's on me. You just came back from the southwest battlefield, so go home first and catch up with your parents. Get some rest. In a couple of days, I'll teach you a new jutsu."
"Oh?"
Mikami Yuu raised an eyebrow.
The last time Tsunade had said she would teach him a new jutsu, she had taught him the Mystical Palm Technique.
Now, he had already mastered the Mystical Palm Technique. If she was teaching him something new under these circumstances, then at minimum, it had to be a technique at the level of Body Pathway Derangement. It might even be the Yin Seal or the Strength of a Hundred Technique…
If it was the latter, then his gains from this trip back to the village would be far from ordinary. It would be enough to raise Mikami Yuu's strength by a considerable step from its current foundation.
"Then I'll thank you in advance, Teacher Tsunade."
Mikami Yuu paused, then said, "By the way, there's one more thing I'd like Teacher Tsunade's help with. It's about Sunagakure's poison. This time, when I fought against Sunagakure on the southwest battlefield, I discovered a new type of toxin that was different from the ones used before…"
…
A few minutes later, Mikami Yuu and Tsunade parted ways at the intersection in front of the dango shop.
Tsunade left with two glass vials containing Sasori of the Red Sand's specially made poison. Mikami Yuu had brought these back from the Desert of Death. Although Tsunade could not conveniently conduct medical research because of her hemophobia, analyzing the poison's composition and antidote should still be fine.
As for Mikami Yuu himself, he leisurely wandered along Konoha's streets and headed back to the civilian district where his family lived.
The old Mikami Yuu had never thought Konoha Village was particularly prosperous. After all, he had seen international metropolises in the real world. In terms of size and population, Konoha Village would at most be a small county town in his previous life, and perhaps not even that.
However, compared to places like Kikyo City, or even the Land of Wind, Konoha was a rare sight of prosperity.
He passed through streets, alleys, and small bridges.
Soon, he saw a row of houses standing in the afterglow of the setting sun. The air was filled with cooking smoke and the aroma of food.
"I'm back."
Mikami Yuu pushed open the door.
What greeted him was a bark.
Hmm… it was a small white dog, fluffy all over and snow-white. It barked "woof, woof" as it rushed out from the living room, circling around Mikami Yuu's legs while wagging its tail. Its wet nose kept sniffing the scent on him, as if it were very excited.
"This is…"
Mikami Yuu frowned slightly and raised his head.
Through a layer of glass, he noticed Mikami Aoi busy in the kitchen. He could hear the crisp sound of a spatula stir-frying in a pan. Nohara Rin was sitting beside the low table, lowering her head and carefully picking through vegetable leaves. The scene looked peaceful and serene.
"Oh, Yuu is back!"
Mikami Aoi raised her head and glanced outside, her face filled with a gentle smile.
"Wait a little. Dinner is still being prepared… This child Rin came over this afternoon to keep me company, and she's been helping me with housework the whole time. She really is a good girl."
Nohara Rin, whose name had been mentioned, raised her head. She also wore a soft smile, though her cheeks were slightly red and she looked a little embarrassed.
"Welcome back, Yuu-kun. These are things I should do."
"Mm."
Mikami Yuu smiled, then looked down at the small white dog by his feet.
"This little guy… don't tell me it's Shiro? The little one I summoned from the Inuzuka clan back then?"
"That's right. You're surprised too, aren't you? It's only been two months, but it feels like this little guy has grown a lot. I was a little shocked when I first saw it too. But it actually still recognizes us. It seems the ninja dogs raised by Inuzuka-senpai's family really are much smarter than ordinary dogs."
As Nohara Rin said this, she gently beckoned.
The little white dog immediately ran over happily, rubbed against Rin's leg, and even let out whining, spoiled sounds when she patted its head.
All right. Considering that this little white dog came from the Inuzuka clan and was descended from ninja dogs, it made sense that it was smarter than ordinary dogs.
Mikami Yuu did not say much more. He only asked about Mikami Tajima and learned that the latter was still working overtime.
Ever since the last Chunin Exams ended, "Konoha Raw Cola" had officially opened up sales among the noble circles of the Land of Fire. Quite a few nobles had become addicted to that reddish-brown little drink and had to drink several bottles every day. As a result, the number of orders going to the factory also rose accordingly.
As the boss, Mikami Tajima had been working overtime frequently lately, sometimes even staying overnight at the factory. He could be considered very dedicated. The only question was how much money he had actually earned.
At that moment, Mikami Aoi stir-fried the vegetables in the pan while saying, "I've already told your father you'd be coming back. He should be able to come home early today. Don't just stand around in the living room. Take Rin and Shiro to the yard and play for a while. I can manage by myself.
"Oh, right. Later, go call Misa over too. Let's have both families eat together and make it lively."
"Okay."
Mikami Yuu answered, then brought Nohara Rin and Shiro to the small yard in front of the house and walked the dog there for a while.
The little puppy was still carefree and innocent at this age. It ran happily around the yard for a while, then chased its own tail in circles, making Rin giggle.
Finally, just as the setting sun was about to disappear completely, familiar footsteps came from the street outside.
It was Mikami Tajima, who had been busy all day, appearing at the entrance.
"Yuu, you brat, you're finally back. You were gone for quite a long time this time! Hm? Rin is here too? It's been a while since I last saw you. You look much taller than before, and even prettier too."
"…Not at all. Uncle Tajima, thank you for your hard work."
Nohara Rin greeted him obediently.
"Not hard, not hard. Seeing that you're all safe and sound is better than anything."
As Mikami Tajima spoke, he patted Mikami Yuu on the shoulder with no small amount of force.
Then, seeing Mikami Yuu's steady and calm expression, his face revealed the gratification and pride of an old father.
"All right, Yuu, hurry up and go call your Aunt Misa over. We're about ready to eat! I wonder what delicious food Aoi made. It smells pretty good, haha!"