Chapter 23: Ninja Way

Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Ninja Way

"At your age, the academy probably hasn’t taught Chakra attributes yet, but the Uchiha ninja should have explained it to you.

Chakra attributes are divided into fire, wind, lightning, earth, water, as well as yin and yang. Ninjutsu involves Shape Transformation and Nature Transformation, while Medical Ninjutsu belongs to the yang attribute’s Nature Transformation.

Oh, right, have you tested your own Chakra attributes? Never mind, those tests aren’t very accurate. Just gather a ball of Chakra and let me see for myself."

In the end, Uchiha Xuan chose to learn Medical Ninjutsu from Tsunade. Her words had genuinely stirred his interest.

Moreover, proficiency in Medical Ninjutsu would prove useful in many situations.

With a lift of his hand, a ball of Chakra formed.

"Oh ho, such ’vibrant’ Chakra. For an Uchiha, your yang attribute is unusually strong. A genius with all attributes complete—I never thought I’d see another one."

After Uchiha Xuan gathered his Chakra, Tsunade extended a finger and poked it into the ball. A faint green light flickered at her fingertip before she spoke softly.

’........’

Regarding his own Chakra attributes, Uchiha Xuan had long ago tested them using Chakra Testing Paper. He was well aware of his mastery over all attributes.

However, being able to directly assess someone’s Chakra attributes without using testing paper—Tsunade’s proficiency in Medical Ninjutsu at this stage was even higher than he had imagined.

"Before we officially begin the lesson, go catch a few fish first. Remember, they must be caught alive."

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Xuan stood up and left.

Soon, he returned to Tsunade’s location with several fish in hand. The Naka River was teeming with fish, and catching them was a simple task for Uchiha Xuan.

"That fast? Hmm? Why have you tied the fish up like this?"

Tsunade, who had been studying a scroll while perched on a nearby tree, looked at the fish in Uchiha Xuan’s hands—bound into a bow-like shape—and asked with a hint of curiosity.

"This way, they’ll stay alive longer. Let’s begin."

"That’s a first for me. Well then, we’ll start with the simplest Healing Technique. Open your Sharingan and watch closely."

.............

During the time Tsunade was teaching Uchiha Xuan Medical Ninjutsu.

On the banks of the Naka River.

Jiraiya was looking at Namikaze Minato with a serious expression.

"Minato, your attacks lack their usual sharpness. This isn’t like you."

After effortlessly blocking a punch from Namikaze Minato, Jiraiya spoke in a low voice.

Since the training began, Namikaze Minato had been noticeably off his game.

"Jiraiya-sensei, is war... really about to start? Why isn’t anyone trying to stop it?"

Namikaze Minato’s face was filled with confusion. As an orphan, he understood all too well the cruelty of war.

If war were to break out again, many children would end up like him—a reality Namikaze Minato did not want to see.

"Minato, your dream is to become Hokage, right?"

Seeing the uncertainty in Namikaze Minato’s eyes, Jiraiya reached out and ruffled his blond hair, smiling gently as he spoke.

"I want to become Hokage, to make Konohagakure better, and I also want... to change this situation. War... is something that should never have existed in the first place."

Namikaze Minato clenched his fists tightly, voicing what he considered to be an arrogant thought in his heart.

As he spoke, Minato’s clenched fists trembled slightly. He recalled a conversation he had with Uchiha Xuan one night.

Back then, he had asked Uchiha Xuan why there was war in the Ninja World.

Uchiha Xuan’s answer at the time was: because of greed and profit, as well as the instinctive desire for survival.

Greed and profit—Minato could understand that. But... what was this instinctive desire for survival?

War only brought one closer to death, didn’t it?

However, at the time, he didn’t press Uchiha Xuan for an answer to that question.

Since then, he had been pondering this issue, but even now, he still hadn’t figured it out.

Still, while thinking about this question, he had also derived a new one from it: if war was waged for survival, then why did it bring them closer to death?

If this outcome could be changed, perhaps peace could be achieved.

"War... something that should never have existed... Minato, could it be you? The one the Toad Sage asked me to find... the savior."

Watching Minato, whose expression was confused yet gradually growing more resolute, Jiraiya murmured softly to himself.

"Jiraiya-sensei, I will find a way to ensure Konohagakure is never dragged into war again. I will become Hokage, change everything, and then... protect it. Jiraiya-sensei, I think... I’ve found my Ninja Way."

Minato raised his hand and looked at his tightly clenched fist.

"Hahaha, is that so? Then as your teacher, I must nurture you until you can fully embody your Ninja Way. Well, Minato, as a reward for finding your Ninja Way, come, sign your name here."

Looking at Minato, Jiraiya laughed. At that moment, Jiraiya felt he had found that person—the one who could save the world.

Still smiling, Jiraiya formed a single hand seal, and a large scroll instantly appeared before him. He pushed it open and spread it on the ground, then spoke with a smile.

"Jiraiya-sensei... what is this?"

Looking at the scroll on the ground and the names written on it, Minato was slightly taken aback.

"This is... the greatest gift your teacher can give you. From now on, you will be the next-generation inheritor of Mount Myōboku."

Jiraiya reached out and ruffled Minato’s hair vigorously.

’Old man, I think I understand the Will of Fire you spoke of. Young leaves, grow strong.’

.........

In a nearby forest.

"Tsk, mastering new techniques with the Sharingan is really convenient. Now, use the Healing Technique you just learned to save it, but don’t damage its nerves or flesh."

Tsunade casually grabbed a fish from the side and slammed it onto the ground, then spoke to Uchiha Xuan, whose hands were covered in a faint green light.

"......"

Looking at the fish that Tsunade had smashed into a pulp, Uchiha Xuan fell into a brief silence.

For a fish like this, he truly couldn’t think of any way to save it other than the Rinne Rebirth Technique.