After parting ways with Seiryū and Kurenai, Shinku headed straight for the Hokage Office building.
Before long, he arrived at the Hokage Office and knocked on the wooden door.
A firm voice came from inside the room. "Come in."
Shinku pushed open the door and entered, respectfully saluting the Third Hokage. "Hokage-sama."
"Mm." Hiruzen, with a pipe in his mouth, responded with a low hum.
Then, smiling, he looked at Shinku and got straight to the point. "How is that guy's situation? Does he show any rejection toward Konoha?"
As someone who might be a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan, Hiruzen, as Hokage, was naturally concerned.
Every Uzumaki Clan member is a potential Jinchuriki. As Hokage, he had to consider Konoha's future.
Shinku nodded. "During the two months we've spent together, Seiryū hasn't shown any rejection toward Konoha. But, perhaps because of his past, he's more mature than his peers and rarely opens up."
Hiruzen nodded slightly. "Only time can heal the wounds in his heart. Give him more care and love, so he can forget his past traumas and truly come to love this village."
Shinku replied seriously. "Understood. I already treat him like family."
Hiruzen smiled. "It seems you're getting along well. That's good."
After a short pause, his tone grew serious as he brought up another topic. "During this time, have you confirmed whether he is a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan?"
This was crucial.
If Seiryū was indeed a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan, he would be given focused training and nurtured as the next Jinchuriki following Uzumaki Kushina.
This was all for Konoha's future.
At the mention of this, Shinku thought for a moment, then shook his head helplessly. "Besides that one time, Seiryū hasn't shown any other special traits. Also... he doesn't have much ambition and doesn't want to become a ninja. When I tried to get him to refine Chakra, he kept making excuses."
Chakra volume was one of the effective ways to identify whether someone was a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan.
A month after taking Seiryū in, Shinku had attempted to get him to refine Chakra, but Seiryū refused, saying he didn't want to become a ninja.
That gave him quite a headache at the time.
"Losing his parents to ninja... For a child that age, emotional trauma is unavoidable," Hiruzen said, already familiar with Seiryū's background.
He took a puff from his pipe and slowly exhaled. "The fact that he enrolled in the Ninja Academy means he's overcome that emotional barrier. You've done very well."
A faint smile appeared on Shinku's serious face. "I didn't do anything. It was Seiryū's own decision. He wants to become a ninja to help support the household. He's a very good child."
Hiruzen nodded. "He is indeed a good child. Earning his trust shows how sincerely you treat him."
Tapping the desk, Hiruzen said gently, "Continue to observe, but don't pressure him. Whether or not he's a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan, since he's joined Konoha and you consider him family, treat him well."
Shinku bowed respectfully. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen waved his hand. "You may go."
After Shinku left, Hiruzen looked down at the information on his desk regarding Seiryū and murmured, "Recovering from near-fatal injuries overnight... Even if he isn't from the Uzumaki Clan, there's something unique about him, a powerful life force."
"It all depends on your future performance."
"I hope you're a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan. That would ease many worries. Konoha... won't mistreat you."
Not just anyone could become a Jinchuriki. The required Chakra volume alone eliminated ninety-nine percent of Konoha's ninja.
The current Jinchuriki was Uzumaki Kushina, so there was no urgent concern.
However, the lack of a successor still weighed on Hiruzen's mind.
If Seiryū really was a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan, he could fill that gap.
Returning from the Hokage Office.
As soon as Shinku arrived home, he saw his daughter sitting on the sofa, looking a bit down. He couldn't help but ask curiously, "Kurenai, what's wrong?"
Kurenai pointed at Seiryū, puffing up her cheeks in anger. "It's all his fault. He bullied me again!"
Shinku was speechless but not surprised.
He'd be shocked if Seiryū didn't bully Kurenai for a day. Rubbing his temples, he asked, "Seiryū, what did you do to upset Kurenai this time?"
Seiryū answered boldly, "I'm doing a good deed. Eating too many sweets will turn her into a little chubby girl. It's for her own good."
Shinku: "..."
Do you think I believe that?
He immediately took back what he said earlier about Seiryū being more mature than his age. This kid could be quite mischievous.
But maybe that was a sign he was starting to open up.
"I don't need you to think for me," Kurenai said angrily, her temper flaring again. "Even if I become a little chubby girl, I'll still be a cute little chubby girl!"
Seiryū spread his hands and made a face. "I don't believe it."
"Wah, you're making me so mad, I'm going to beat you up!"
"Uncle Shinku, look, Kurenai is being naughty again. This won't do. She's not ladylike at all."
She chased, he ran. She couldn't catch him, and he started complaining. The atmosphere was very harmonious, yes, harmonious...
Watching the two chase each other in the living room, Shinku felt both amused and warm inside. This is what a home should feel like.
But before things got out of hand, he stepped in. "Alright, alright, you're going to wreck the house. I think I understand what's going on. I'll give you some extra pocket money this month, Kurenai. Seiryū gets none."
Kurenai stopped, her red eyes blinking. "Really!?"
Shinku nodded. "Of course. When have I ever lied to you?"
Kurenai's mood instantly turned sunny, and she gave a radiant smile. "Father, you're the best!"
Then she raised her delicate brows at Seiryū, a gesture she had learned from him. It meant — I have it, you don't. Hmph, I won't share. Go ahead and be jealous!
"Tsk..." Seiryū couldn't help but chuckle.
He just enjoyed teasing this doll-like little girl. Honestly, having a younger sister was pretty fun, a good feeling.
A beautiful, cute younger sister with no blood relation, who wouldn't like that?
Just then, Shinku thought of something and said to Seiryū, "Seiryū, tomorrow's the official opening day of the Ninja Academy. While the school also teaches Chakra refinement, since I'm free today, let me guide you first."
Seiryū didn't refuse. Instead, he looked eager. "Okay, Uncle Shinku."
He wanted to verify the rewards he received from the system.
Spiritual Power Aptitude could be considered a type of innate talent, but the term came from the Bleach world.
Would it work in this world?
And what effect would it have?
No one could say without testing.
Maybe refining Chakra would reveal some clues. It had to be tried.
(To be continued.)