When Sakura-ba Jōrō safely returned home, their mission was officially completed.
They could head back to the village.
Tenten seemed a little emotional.
"So even noblewomen don't have it easy…"
Before today, she envied clan heirs—born with resources, connections, and training.
Unlike her, a civilian girl who had to fight for every opportunity.
But now…
She wasn't so sure anymore.
Souma smiled faintly.
"Every position has its own struggles.
Clan life isn't necessarily better than ours.
Kyoto nobles, Hyūga clansmen, even some Konoha houses… many carry burdens we don't see."
Tenten blinked.
He's talking about… that person?
A white-eyed boy flashed through her mind.
Hyūga Neji.
Did someone like him… also have hardships?
She stayed quiet.
Moonlight Hasuka, however, spoke up.
"In the Hyūga, the Main House and Branch House are treated very differently.
Every generation has only one Main House heir.
The others—no matter how gifted—become Branch House."
"What's the difference?" Tenten frowned.
"Even if they're Branch House, they still learn their clan's jutsu, right?
They still have the Byakugan."
Hasuka shook her head.
"That part… I'm not sure."
The two girls looked toward Kakashi and Souma.
Kakashi remained silent.
Souma hesitated, weighing his words.
"…I'm not fully sure either. But I've been studying sealing techniques recently, and I noticed a lot of seals classified as curse-type."
Tenten froze.
"…You mean…?"
"Maybe."
That one simple word said more than enough.
Kakashi clapped his hands lightly.
"Alright, clan politics aren't for us to worry about.
Let's not dwell on things we can't change.
Is everyone full?"
"Yup!"
"Then—hm? Wait here a second. Eat slowly.
I'm going to… buy something."
Kakashi stood up casually.
Then—
His eyes sharpened.
Souma followed his gaze.
A bookstore.
Souma sighed.
"Let him go. We'll wait here."
Tenten puffed her cheeks.
"Why can't he ever be honest about it…"
Souma ignored them and quietly closed his eyes—
entering meditation.
He visualized the Bodhi Seed inside his mind.
The pattern representing chakra threads—
had deepened.
"…Oh?"
That shouldn't have changed unless his technique evolved.
Then he realized—
His chakra threads had acquired the new ability of cutting, not just manipulating tools.
So the Bodhi Seed evolves with my techniques?
Interesting.
Maybe even low-level jutsu were worth refining—
if their "potential" added to his spiritual growth.
Inspired, Souma opened his notebook and began writing.
Tenten peeked sideways, curious but hesitant.
Ninja tools, among teammates, were still considered private knowledge.
Souma chuckled.
"If you want to look, just come over.
It's nothing secret."
Tenten lit up immediately and scooted closer.
She saw the title:
"Nature Transformation for Chakra Threads"
Tenten blinked.
"…Chakra threads can undergo natural transformation?"
"Why not?" Souma replied calmly.
Tenten opened her mouth—
but couldn't argue.
Souma continued:
"I've thought about it.
Wind Release is the best match.
After that—Lightning or Fire."
"What about Water Release?" Hasuka asked.
"Possible," Souma nodded, "but it's essentially a variant of Nidaime-sama's technique.
Not very meaningful to pursue."
Tenten pondered.
"My strongest affinity is Earth.
And since ninjutsu is only secondary for me…
learning a second nature transformation might take forever."
Souma smiled reassuringly.
"Don't overthink it.
Chakra threads are small-scale.
Wind Release is the only one that truly matters for cutting.
For you, that's only for future reference."
Hasuka mused aloud.
"So the cutting comes from Wind Release?"
"Exactly."
Tenten clenched her fists.
"Alright! If I learn second nature, I'm going for the wind!"
Souma couldn't help laughing.
Ninjutsu had limits.
Unless it was a kekkei genkai, ninjutsu would never surpass senjutsu.
He wrote these notes mainly to give his teammates a direction—
and to test whether others could help refine an idea he didn't plan to use himself.
If it worked, great.
If not—no loss.
Kakashi returned soon after—looking suspiciously pleased.
Souma narrowed his eyes.
"Teacher… you bought the new volume?"
"No." Kakashi coughed.
"Jiraiya-sama hasn't released one.
And! You—shouldn't be asking about these things.
Kids shouldn't pry!"
Souma smirked.
Funny, coming from the man who read that book in front of teenage girls without noticing
until Souma warned him.
Kakashi's masked face twitched.
He quietly slid something into his bag.
"…Though I did buy a special edition side-story."
"A what?"
"Ahem. A violent spin-off. Probably written by someone with permission."
Souma raised an eyebrow.
"Uh-huh."
Kakashi clicked his tongue.
This brat is so not cute.
Well—Souma did kill people far more efficiently than other genin.
There wasn't much "cute" about him to begin with.
They resumed their journey.
Without an escort target slowing them down, four ninjas crossed the forests at high speed.
By sunset, the gates of Konohagakure came into view.
"We're finally back!"
Tenten stretched cheerfully.
"So, Kakashi-sensei, no extra missions today, right?"
"None," Kakashi said.
"But tomorrow, meet at Training Ground 25.
Hasuka too.
Souma… come if you want.
Tomorrow is mainly ninjutsu instruction."
Souma nodded.
"I've got something in the morning.
I'll bring some special soldier pills in the afternoon."
"Good."
At the gate, Kakashi handled paperwork with the two chunin on duty.
Then he waved lightly.
"Dismissed."
"Yes, sir!"
In a blink, only Kakashi and the gate guards remained.
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