---Ryouma's POV---
Hiruzen looked in the direction of my pointed finger.
"I want the Spirit Transformation Technique."
Hiruzen's eyes widened slightly. "An unusual choice. I expected you might select one of the elemental combinations or perhaps a space-time technique like Minato."
"Dan was the last to master this technique. Tsunade's fiancé."
"I know," I nodded respectfully.
This jutsu was undeniably powerfu, it was an S-rank jutsu in the category of soul-based techniques.
Soul-based ninjutsu was as rare in the shinobi world as space-time ninjutsu. While most techniques manipulated physical elements or chakra itself, soul-based jutsu operated on a different plane altogether, the boundary between life and death, consciousness and void.
This technique would allow my soul to leave my body and act as a spiritual entity, traversing distances to assassinate enemies, take control of others' bodies to extract information or sabotage operations, and even enter others' mental plane, among other capabilities. Hm, was mental plane even the right term?
Anyway, unlike the Yamanaka clan techniques, which operated primarily on the mind, the Spirit Transformation offered true soul projection, undetectable by conventional sensors, unblockable by physical barriers, nearly impossible to defend against without specialized training.
"You would be vulnerable while your spirit is separated," Hiruzen warned. "If your physical body is harmed during transformation..."
"I understand the risks," I nodded. "Every powerful technique has its price."
Since Dan's sacrifice on the battlefield, no one had successfully trained in this powerful jutsu. Many had tried, talented jonin, members of the sensor division, even ANBU operatives specializing in infiltration. All had failed, for reasons no one fully understood.
Perhaps it requireda certain perspective on life and death, something I gained through my unique experiences across worlds.
"Are you really sure you've chosen the Spirit Transformation Technique?"
His tone was serious, probing my resolve. Though he said this, I could tell that deep down, he hoped I could successfully learn the Spirit Transformation Technique.
In war, this technique had unparalleled value.
Its ability to control minds over vast distances made it unmatched for gathering and transmitting information, an absolute advantage over other techniques.
Since I had made up my mind, I wouldn't change it.
"Yes, I'm sure, Hokage-sama."
"Alright, if you find it too difficult later, come back to me and we can switch to another. Haha."
He smiled warmly at me, like a friendly neighborhood grandpa.
The Professor, indeed. Teaching through casual conversation, hiding sharp insights behind gentle smiles. His tone made it seem like we were discussing something mundane, rather than an S-rank jutsu.
I knew the truth behind his casual demeanor.
Though I was highly talented, Spirit Transformation Technique wasn't a jutsu that talent alone could master. Unlike techniques such as the Flying Thunder God Technique, which primarily required high-level learning, the Spirit Transformation Technique had mysterious requirements for its user.
To this day, no one knew why one highly talented ninja might fail, while another seemingly average one could succeed.
The records showed that Dan himself had been surprised by his aptitude for the technique. Before him, only three ninjas in Konoha's history had successfully mastered it, none of them particularly remarkable in other areas.
But they were all dead. Could be a coincidence.
"Remember, Ryouma," Hiruzen called as I reached the door, "this technique isn't just about projecting your soul, it's about returning safely to your body. Many have mastered the former but failed at the latter."
"Thank you for trusting me with these, Hokage-sama. I'll study them carefully."
---
After bidding farewell to Hiruzen, I left the Hokage Building carrying the scroll for the Spirit Transformation Technique along with a few notes he had dug out from a pile of old scrolls.
The main scroll was heavy, sealed with multiple layers of protection that would require specific chakra signatures to unlock. The accompanying notes were yellowed with age.
These notes, left behind by previous users of the technique, were said to be potentially helpful. Some dated back to the founding of the village, written in handwriting I didn't recognize. Others were more recent, including what appeared to be Dan's personal journal of his training process.
As I walked through the village with my precious cargo to return to the Senju residence, my mind was already categorizing and planning, how to approach the training, what preparations would be needed, how to schedule practice sessions.
"Rin? Shizune?"
The Senju compound was spacious and traditional, with polished wooden floors and sliding paper doors. Though grand, it had a lived-in feeling now that more people were staying here, sandals by the entrance, training equipment in the yard, the scent of tea lingering in the air.
Since returning to the village, Rin, Kakashi, and Obito had been spending most of their time training with Minato at the Sixth Training Ground.
I occasionally joined in, either for fun or to spar with them. Those sessions were always invigorating, watching their growth, offering guidance, sometimes simply enjoying the camaraderie that had developed between us.
As a side note, after learning that I had been promoted to jonin, Kakashi finally started putting in serious effort, even cutting down his usual reading time.
This of course left Obito frustrated. He had thought Kakashi's laziness would give him a chance to surpass him. But now it seemed like Kakashi's progress was visibly rapid after every sparring session.
Just yesterday, during a water-walking exercise, I'd overheard his passionate declaration. "I'll be Hokage!"
His passion was admirable, if a bit misplaced. The Hokage position wouldn't be decided by who could master water-walking faster or throw more kunai accurately.
It seemed like he really feared the Sixth Hokage position might really go to Kakashi.
As for Shizune, she had been helping me take care of Tsunade's daily needs. Recently, she happily took some time off and returned to her own home.
The break was well-deserved. Caring for Tsunade was no small task, between the drinking, the gambling, and the occasional destructive outbursts when reminded of certain topics, Shizune had essentially taken on a full-time diplomatic position.
I had even run into her and Kurenai shopping for flowers during one of my errands.
The two had been deep in conversation, examining various blooms with serious expressions. Kurenai's expertise in flower language was apparently being consulted for some important arrangement.
"What were those two up to?" I wondered aloud.
Before I could ponder further, Tsunade, noticing my confusion, grinned and explained, "Rin is my new apprentice. As her senpai, Shizune obviously wanted to meet her."
Rin chimed in, continuing Tsunade's explanation. "I recently asked Lady Tsunade if I could become her apprentice."
"What inspired this decision?" I asked curiously.
"During the battle with Rasa... I felt so helpless," Rin admitted, her expression determined. "I could shield, I could dodge, but when people were injured, all I could do was watch. I never want to feel that powerless again. If I'd known proper medical ninjutsu, I could have saved the wounded instead of just counting the dead."
"She came to me with such conviction, I couldn't possibly refuse," Tsunade added proudly. "Besides, her chakra control is already exceptional, your doing, I assume?"
I knew Rin's chakra reserves weren't particularly high, so even if she mastered some of my powerful ninjutsu, they wouldn't be practical in combat. Because of this, she came up with the idea of becoming Tsunade's apprentice to learn medical ninjutsu... This was a brilliant strategic decision. Medical jutsu required precision over power, control over capacity, playing perfectly to her natural strengths while compensating for her limitations.
Tsunade naturally didn't refuse, whether it was due to her relationship with me or her own personal views. If it hadn't been for Rin shielding her from Rasa's attack earlier, she might have already perished in the Land of Rivers.
At that moment, Tsunade pulled Rin into her impressive embrace, ruffling her hair fondly.
The height difference between them made the scene somewhat comical, Rin's face pressed unceremoniously against Tsunade's ample chest, her muffled protests barely audible.
"What did you just call me?" Tsunade asked in a mock stern voice.
"Lady Tsunade… Tsunade-sensei!" Rin managed to break free, breathless.
Satisfied with the response, Tsunade released her, leaving Rin's usually neat hair in disarray and her face slightly flushed from the enthusiastic embrace.
"Congratulations, Rin! Tsunade-nee will absolutely be an amazing teacher for you," I said, genuinely happy for her.
"You're not upset that I won't be focusing on the techniques you've been teaching me?" Rin asked as she smoothed her hair back into place.
"Why would I be? This is perfect for you," I replied, shaking my head.
"See? I told you he'd understand," Tsunade said to Rin. "Ryouma may be many things, but possessive about teaching methods isn't one of them."
"How long have you two been planning this?" I asked curiously.
"Since we returned from the Land of Rivers," Rin admitted sheepishly. "I wanted to be sure before telling you."
In fact, I had recently been thinking about Rin's future development as well. Unlike me, she didn't possess the Rikugan, which allowed me to balance chakra molding and consumption, granting me virtually endless stamina.
Her path would need to be different, playing to her strengths rather than attempting to overcome inherent limitations through brute force. Now that she was apprenticed to Tsunade, I was much more at ease. Her teaching skills didn't need further explanation.
The Strength of a Hundred Seal could compensate for Rin's insufficient chakra reserves, and medical ninjutsu complemented the excellent chakra control Rin had developed under my guidance.
While most ninjas developed their chakra capacity first and control second, she had done the opposite, mastering precise control over her limited reserves. This approach, unusual for combat ninja, was perfect for medical training.
And most importantly, after the conclusion of the war in the Land of Rivers, Tsunade would primarily be stationed at the Konoha Hospital. With Rin safely learning in the village under Tsunade, I could freely wander around.
This worked perfectly, I still had a score to settle with the Kiri's ANBU.
Tsunade glanced at Rin and me.
"Oh my, no one's offering their congratulations? Yesterday, while you weren't here, Ryouma, Rin loudly said she wanted to learn medical ninjutsu to protect you."
"She was quite passionate about it, actually," she continued. "'I need to be stronger for Ryouma's sake!' It was very touching."
After saying this, Tsunade eagerly looked at us, hoping to see the shy, embarrassed expressions of young love on our faces.
But I'm sure she was disappointed.
Upon hearing her words, I responded without hesitation. "Given the relationship between Rin and me, that's only natural. Right, Rin?"
My tone was matter-of-fact, entirely missing or perhaps deliberately ignoring Tsunade's attempt at romantic insinuation.
"You're no fun, Ryouma," Tsunade sighed, deflating slightly. "Most boys your age would at least blush."
"About what?" I asked innocently. "Teammates protecting each other is the foundation of Konoha's philosophy."
Rin smiled helplessly. I knew most of the time, she saw me as a dependable, brother-like family member. So, she replied playfully, "Yeah, yeah~ I'll make sure to protect you, Ryouma."
Tsunade had clearly been hoping for some entertaining awkwardness, perhaps to recapture the feeling of youth and romance that war too often stamped out.
Instead, she'd gotten the comfortable familiarity of siblings who had long ago established their relationship boundaries.
"You two are hopeless," she sighed dramatically.
---
That evening, I finished training the Flying Thunder God Technique and was about to go out and buy some groceries. The ingredients at home were running low.
Just as I was about to leave, Tsunade called out to me.
She was lounging in a chair she had somehow acquired since I'd been studying. It was a comfortable-looking piece that certainly hadn't been in the Senju residence that morning.
"Buy a little extra, okay? Starting today, Rin and Shizune will also be living here."
"Got it~," I replied, heading out with Shukaku.
The evening air was cool and pleasant, the streets of Konoha beginning to quiet as the market district prepared to close for the day.
Shukaku perched on my shoulder, still fascinated by the village's everyday activities despite having accompanied me on several such errands already.
"Why do humans need so many different foods?" he asked curiously.
"Different bodies, different needs," I explained patiently. "Besides, food is more than sustenance for humans, it's pleasure, community, tradition. And sometimes love."
"Love?"
"Yeah, maybe you'll find your soulmate through food too. Shared meals bring people together." I glanced at him with a slight smirk. "There's probably a sand tanuki out there."
"Ridiculous! A being of my caliber has no time for such... such frivolities!"
As we continued walking, I noticed he had grown unusually quiet. "Something on your mind?"
"This... 'love through food' concept. Is it effective for all species?" he asked with what seemed like forced casualness. I bit back a smile. "I believe it's universal."
---
When I returned with a large haul of groceries, Rin and Shizune had just finished their training.
My arms were loaded with bags containing fresh vegetables, various proteins, rice, seasonings, and a special package of assorted fish.
"Wow, did you buy out the entire market? How much were you planning to cook?" Rin said as she quickly ran over to take some of the groceries from my arms.
"Tsunade mentioned we needed extra," I smiled.
"Eh? And since when do you like fish, Ryouma?" She had noticed the separate package of premium fish, wrapped carefully in paper and string, distinct from our usual groceries.
"Oh, that's for Shukaku, he loves fish."
"It's purely for nutritional purposes!" Shukaku defended from his perch on my shoulder. "The omega acids help maintain my sand quality."
"Is that why you purr when eating mackerel?" I teased.
"I do NOT purr!" Shukaku looked mortified. "That is a dignified expression of satisfaction!"
Rin smiled, mentally noting down that "Shukaku loves fish," and then followed me into the kitchen.
"Do you prefer it raw or cooked?" she asked Shukaku. "I can prepare it either way."
Shukaku seemed surprised by her consideration. "I... raw is fine. Thank you for asking."
"Of course," Rin smiled warmly. "You're family now too."
"I'll help too," Shizune offered. She had given herself a well-deserved break over the past few days, and now felt refreshed.
"Sure," Rin replied.
As Shizune was about to enter the kitchen, Tsunade grabbed her and said loudly, "Shizune, you come help me massage my shoulders. Leave the kitchen to Ryouma and Rin."
Her intentions were about as subtle as one of her punches, the matchmaking attempt painfully obvious to everyone except perhaps Rin.
"Wait, didn't you just say—"
"Come on, come on."
---
I had this crazy idea about a Naruto ff. MC is Donald Trump. He transmigrated as a Suna genin minutes before the Konoha Crush. I've unlocked the chapter. There is only 1 chapter rn. If you are interested, you can go to my p@treon before I lock the content. The name of the novel is IPS. Why did I unlock it? Well, I am not really receiving feedback, and for this, it would be nice cause it will be a time loop fic, a bit like Re: Zero. If I receive enough feedback, it could help me write the second arc. As of now, I roughly planned the first arc, after that, I didn't plan anything.
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