The two of them simultaneously looked toward the entrance of the Senju clan compound, then exchanged a glance without speaking. They had naturally noticed Tsunade, but neither mentioned it. If she wanted to listen, let her listen.
"Ryun, since you are Tsuna's boyfriend, that makes you family. Come with me." Uzumaki Mito smiled gently and walked into the compound.
Uchiha Ryun nodded and followed. Both of them kept their eyes forward, as if they hadn't noticed Tsunade behind the gate. Tsunade felt a surge of pride. 'I'm so skilled! I managed to evade the detection of two experts!'
Uchiha Ryun: "..."
Uzumaki Mito: "..."
Soon, Uzumaki Mito led Uchiha Ryun to the room she had once shared with Hashirama. She motioned for him to enter.
Uchiha Ryun nodded and stepped inside, while Tsunade pressed herself against the wall to eavesdrop.
"Ryun, do you know whose room this was?" Uzumaki Mito's gaze softened, as if lost in memories.
Uchiha Ryun replied, "Hashirama-sama's?"
Uzumaki Mito suddenly smiled and nodded. "Correct. This was the home Hashirama and I shared. After he passed, I moved to another house to avoid being overwhelmed by memories."
Uchiha Ryun nodded but said nothing more. He wasn't sure why Uzumaki Mito had brought him here. In this situation, it was better to listen more and speak less.
"Ryun, have you heard of the Sealed Scroll?" Uzumaki Mito asked.
"Of course. It's said to contain numerous forbidden techniques created by the Second Hokage, each with unique applications," Uchiha Ryun answered.
"You're right, but also not entirely." Uzumaki Mito nodded, then shook her head.
"The techniques recorded in it are forbidden not just because of their power, but also because they demand extremely high talent. Even Tsuna and Nawaki fall far short." Uzumaki Mito sighed.
Hearing this, Tsunade outside also let out a sigh. Her talent for ninjutsu was entirely focused on medical techniques. She had once tried to learn from the Sealed Scroll, but just attempting to channel chakra for the techniques made her feel unwell, nearly causing her to vomit blood.
"Tobirama's original intention was for every shinobi of Konoha to master his forbidden techniques, thereby strengthening the village. But he overlooked the fact that not everyone possessed talent like his. So, Hashirama sealed them away."
"Ryun, since you are Tsuna's boyfriend, you are family. Would you be willing to train in the techniques of the Sealed Scroll? To protect not just the Uchiha, but also the Senju and Uzumaki clans?" As she spoke, Uzumaki Mito removed a floorboard beneath the double bed and pulled out a scroll, handing it to Uchiha Ryun.
Uchiha Ryun's breathing grew rapid, his scalp tingling. The Sealed Scroll! The legendary forbidden techniques of the master of jutsu! But he quickly regained his composure.
There were conditions. Learning the Sealed Scroll meant he would be responsible for protecting not just Tsunade and the Uchiha, but also the Senju and Uzumaki clans.
In other words, the fate of three clans would be tied to him.
Uchiha Ryun glanced at Uzumaki Mito, who simply smiled, not interfering with his decision.
Even Tsunade outside held her breath, waiting for Uchiha Ryun's answer.
Uzumaki Mito understood that her grandchildren were too naive to safeguard the Senju clan, let alone the Uzumaki. Only Uchiha Ryun—a genius with unparalleled talent, cunning, and intellect—could shoulder this responsibility.
Thus, she was even prepared to face Tobirama's reproach in the afterlife if it meant securing Uchiha Ryun's agreement. Hashirama had cared only for the village, but she was different. She cared for her grandchildren and her clan!
After a long hesitation, Uchiha Ryun finally exhaled and said, "Grandmother, 'Heavy is the head that wears the crown.' From today onward, the fate of three clans rests on my shoulders, Uchiha Ryun!"
Taking the scroll from Uzumaki Mito, his words reached both her and Tsunade, filling them with reassurance.
Uzumaki Mito felt as if a great burden had been lifted. She knew she was being somewhat unfair to Uchiha Ryun, but she had her own reasons—her selfish side.
Her family and clan were her concerns. She couldn't be like Hashirama, who prioritized the village above all else.
"Am I being too selfish, Ryun?" Uzumaki Mito asked sorrowfully.
Uchiha Ryun shook his head. "This is only human nature. You needn't blame yourself, Mito-sama."
Uzumaki Mito sighed. "Ryun, I leave everything to you!" She bowed deeply.
Uchiha Ryun was startled and quickly stopped her. "Grandmother, this is too much."
"Good child. Use your Sharingan to copy the Sealed Scroll into your mind. When you practice the forbidden techniques, you can come to the Senju clan's training grounds. It's safe here, with no surveillance." Uzumaki Mito smiled.
Uchiha Ryun nodded, activating his Mangekyō Sharingan to imprint every word of the Sealed Scroll into his memory.
Ding! Detected host has obtained the complete Sealed Scroll. Rewards: Mastery of Flying Thunder God Technique, Mastery of Darkness Genjutsu, Mastery of Edo Tensei.
The system's rewards were generous this time, directly granting mastery of three techniques. Others, like the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags and Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, were not included.
Uchiha Ryun immediately channeled chakra and pressed his hand to the ground, leaving a Flying Thunder God mark.
His mark resembled his Mangekyō—a wheel of tomoe. Uzumaki Mito's pupils contracted. She recognized what this mark meant.
The Flying Thunder God Technique! She had seen Tobirama's version, but Uchiha Ryun had just glanced at the scroll and already mastered it? That was...
"Ryun, is this the Flying Thunder God Technique?" Uzumaki Mito asked in disbelief.
"Correct, Grandmother. This is indeed the Flying Thunder God Technique!" Uchiha Ryun's eyes gleamed with excitement. Now, he could teleport here anytime he wished.
Outside, Tsunade's lips twitched. 'What kind of nonsense is this? Ryun just got the Sealed Scroll and mastered a technique in under thirty minutes?'
'This is so unfair!'
Uzumaki Mito's shock turned to delight. She had expected Uchiha Ryun to be highly skilled in ninjutsu, but not to this extent!
Even Tobirama couldn't have done this! She looked at Uchiha Ryun with overwhelming satisfaction. After her death, she could rest easy.
The more extraordinary and powerful Uchiha Ryun was, the more reassured she felt. After all, he was her granddaughter's future husband.
Just then, a voice called out from outside, "Big sis, what are you doing crouched here?" The voice was familiar—Uchiha Ryun recognized it immediately.
It was his future brother-in-law, Nawaki.
Outside, Tsunade's anger flared. "You little brat! Are you trying to jinx me?!" She grabbed Nawaki's ear and dragged him away.
Uzumaki Mito burst into laughter. "Haha! Ryun, you can go back first. I'll go check on them. Don't let my grandson get beaten too badly."
"Ahem, Grandmother, we're family now. I'll come with you!" Uchiha Ryun said solemnly. He definitely wasn't just there to watch his future brother-in-law get pummeled.
Uzumaki Mito nodded. "Good. Since you'll all be family soon, it's good to see the atmosphere!"
With that, she led Uchiha Ryun slowly in the direction Tsunade had gone.
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