"If you like, Minato can give you one."
With that, Seisui vanished in an instant, wary of any trouble from the Red-Hot Habanero.
"Huh?"
Uzumaki Kushina froze for a moment, scratching her head, not immediately understanding Seisui's meaning.
At that moment, Konan leaned over as well, gently prodding the baby in Nako's arms.
Only then did Kushina realize what had happened, her face turning a deep crimson. She stomped her foot in both embarrassment and anger.
"Minato was right… you're impossible, Seisui!" she exclaimed, fuming.
"Hehe, Kushina-nee, don't be mad," Konan giggled, leaning closer. "The kids are just too cute."
Squatting before Eiki, she pulled a red paper butterfly from her sleeve. "You're called Eiki, right?"
"Mm," Eiki nodded shyly, shrinking closer behind his mother.
"This is for you." Konan held out the paper butterfly, but Eiki didn't take it.
Nako smiled. "Eiki, say thank you to sister."
"Um…"
Eiki still didn't accept it, merely mumbling shyly, "Thank you, sister. I don't want it."
Konan's smile grew even brighter.
"Look, it can fly!" She tossed the paper butterfly into the air, and it fluttered around Eiki, spinning in circles like it had a life of its own.
Kushina blinked in surprise. "Konan, did you develop your Paper Release technique?"
Konan shook her head. "Not yet. That jutsu Seisui mentioned hasn't been created."
"You mean the Paper Dance Technique?"
"Yes."
To maximize Paper Release's potential, one must develop the Paper Dance Technique—it allows the user to become paper themselves, ensuring the jutsu's true strength. Everything else is superficial.
Seisui had made this clear to Konan, and she understood. Until the Paper Dance Technique was mastered, Paper Release was more a clever trick than a real jutsu.
Kushina sighed. "Keep going—you'll make it!" She even clenched her fist in encouragement.
Hidden in the shadows, Seisui observed this heartwarming scene and finally relaxed.
The Suku family had settled in Konoha. As one of the few surviving members of the Uzumaki clan, they would live far better than ordinary civilians and needn't worry about their safety.
Konoha would never send the Uzumaki clan to battle—they were too precious, a seed of their bloodline. In the future, they would be far stronger than these few small families today.
Hiruzen hadn't become foolish enough to ruin everything, and Danzo hadn't completely succumbed to darkness. Their corruption had begun only after Minato's passing.
The Fourth's death and the Third's return had tilted the scales, leading Danzo down a path of full darkness.
But the Fourth's position belongs to me! Seisui thought.
To achieve his goal, becoming Hokage was step one. Once he ascended, he could begin the next phase of his plan. Without being Hokage first, the next step was impossible.
I can't just defect and form my own team… though that's an option. But why not take the shortcut of becoming Hokage?
Seisui was practical in his thinking.
Retrieving the Nine-Tails, he cradled it carefully and moved toward the streets.
He hadn't forgotten he still needed to tame the stubborn, prideful fox. Words, time, and eventually treats would slowly open its heart.
Seisui wanted to be the first man to reach Kurama's heart.
As for the Sage of Six Paths… he didn't count as a human. Born from Otsutsuki Kaguya's God Tree fruit, he was practically an Otsutsuki, not a man.
Walking the crowded streets, Seisui bought a bit of everything he could see.
He didn't know Kurama's tastes, but covering all bases couldn't hurt. Money wasn't a concern.
"Youth is like Grandma Lee knocking on the door!"
"Youth is like your grandma knocking on the door!"
"Guy! Your voice is too soft! No spirit at all!" Might Duy ran alongside his son, Might Guy, wagging a finger in lecture mode.
"You must be filled with anger and resolve, ready to face any enemy with determination!"
"Watch me!" Might Duy dropped to all fours, threw his head back, veins popping, eyes bloodshot.
"Your grandma knocks·open!" BOOM!
He sprang up as if nothing had happened, looking at Might Guy.
"See that?"
"Y-yes!" Might Guy shouted in awe. "Dad, I saw it!"
Mimicking his father, he dropped to the ground and roared, "Youth is like… your grandma knocking·open!"
"Excellent!" Might Duy beamed, tears streaming down.
"Guy, you will join the Hokage's direct ANBU someday!"
"I failed the test… but you'll make it!"
"Waaah! Dad, I'll become ANBU for sure!"
"Waaah, Guy!"
Unbothered by passersby, they clung together, crying in unison. Around them, people merely stepped aside, used to this spectacle.
Seisui watched, mouth twitching.
These two… abstract as ever. But they fit the Might family perfectly.
Youth was Konoha's main theme—not like Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura wandering around like candles. Love? Not for Konoha. Look what love did to people… Obito Uchiha turned into a white-eyed wolf, despite Kushina treating him kindly.
Even so, divine wrath can't hide tears.
Though uncomfortable to watch, Seisui stepped forward. "Might Duy, long time no see."
"Wuh, Seisui!" Might Duy separated from Guy, giving him a thumbs-up, white teeth flashing. "Long time no see!"
"You seem stronger than before!"
"Youth should dance!" Seisui replied, returning the thumbs-up.
"Youth should soar every day you strive!"
"Every month, I'll be stronger than the last!"
"Waaah! Right!" Might Duy suddenly burst into tears.
"Every day you don't dance is a waste of youth."
"You're exactly the successor of youth I hoped for!"
Might Duy wiped his tears, still crying. "Compared to you, Guy is far too lazy!"
"Guy, run ten laps around Konoha today! If you fail, three hundred push-ups and five hundred frog jumps!"
"You must become as great a ninja as Seisui!"
"Waaah! I will, Dad!" Might Guy cried, giving Seisui a thumbs-up.
"I will become a ninja as strong as Seisui!"
Seisui: …You're only three years old. Are you trying to kill yourself with this training?
He worried Might Guy might be exhausted by his father's training.
Originally, Might Guy had called Seisui "uncle," but Seisui insisted on "big brother."
You call my father big brother, I call you big brother… fine, each their own.
Though concerned, Seisui didn't intervene. Might Duy knew his son's limits. He might act carefree and silly, but he wasn't a fool.
"Seisui, you go explore nearby. We'll keep training."
Seisui had only come to greet them.
But Might Duy hesitated, glancing at Guy, barely waist-high. "Seisui, can I ask a favor?"
Seisui paused, turning to him, patting his chest. "Of course! Just ask."
"Then I'll say it. I want you to open that special space for Guy. Let him see the Eight Gates technique in action."
Seisui blinked, glanced at Guy, and nodded. "Sure. Let's go to my house. It's not convenient here."
"Good!" Might Duy's face lit up. "It's wonderful to know you, Seisui!"
"Waaah!"
Seisui: …Do you really have to cry so much?
Deciding he'd done enough shopping, Seisui left with Might Duy and Guy, heading toward his home.
At the gate, he glanced toward the spot where Kushina had been teaching sealing techniques—now empty.
They've probably gone shopping with the the family.
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100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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