Naruto: The King Behind the Curtain

Kurenai Yuhi really wanted to give a casual, evasive response to preserve her dignity as a teacher.

But could she really fool Seiki? Looking into his bright eyes, she sadly admitted defeat. "Don't ask me, I'm just an ordinary person!"

Next to her, Honna warmly comforted, "Dad, how could you *not* be extraordinary? At the very least, you're an accidental genius!"

Hearing this, Kurenai Yuhi's expression only darkened further.

Rubbing her face, Kurenai Yuhi asked seriously, "Seiki, you sure you can handle all your training?"

Seiki hesitated, then shook his head. "Not really."

Kurenai Yuhi felt slightly reassured until she heard Seiki sigh and continue, "Illusions and medical techniques are okay—they only lack inspiration—but Taijutsu is truly difficult. I just don't have nearly enough time."

Kurenai Yuhi's mouth twitched violently. How did Taijutsu, the technique universally regarded as the easiest to master with practically no learning curve, end up being the hardest in Seiki's eyes?

Could this be the difference between a real genius and a fake one?

"However, I'm only studying Taijutsu to gain inspiration. So even if I can't master it completely, it probably won't be too much of a problem."

Kurenai Yuhi pinched her brow. "I can't offer you advice on that, but you could always ask the Hokage. He freely uses seven chakra natures and is known as the Professor of Ninja Techniques, having mastered every technique in Konoha!"

Seiki gave a slight nod. While that description might have been a bit of an exaggeration, there was no denying the Third's strength.

"Won't it be too much trouble to disturb the Hokage directly?" Seiki frowned slightly, but quickly perked up. "Ah, right! I can request a Jutsu exchange with the Hokage. That shouldn't count as disturbing him."

Kurenai Yuhi curiously asked, "What jutsu do you plan to exchange for?"

Without hesitation, Seiki replied, "[Eight Gates (Hachimon Tonkō)]!"

Kurenai Yuhi rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He didn't know much about Taijutsu, though he roughly understood it was an A-ranked technique.

"Let me guess—you're planning to graduate early, then choose this technique as your graduation gift?"

Seiki firmly shook his head. "Nope, I said I'm waiting for everyone to graduate together."

Kurenai Yuhi smiled and said, "Advanced techniques aren't easy to obtain. You'll need a better reason than that."

Seiki tilted his head slightly, confused. "Isn't it possible to exchange self-developed Jutsu for ones of the same rank?"

"Well, yes..." Kurenai Yuhi's smile froze, suddenly looking horrified at Seiki. "Did you already create an A-ranked Jutsu?"

Seiki shook his head. "Nope."

Kurenai Yuhi exhaled in relief. "That's what I thought."

"But isn't developing an A-ranked Jutsu difficult?"

Kurenai Yuhi twitched again. He was about to correct Seiki when he remembered his disciple's talent and suddenly lost confidence.

Thinking further, Kurenai Yuhi asked uncertainly, "Seiki, you really plan to develop an A-ranked Jutsu?"

Seiki nodded firmly, "I already have an idea."

After all, the concept of Rasengan was already there—he naturally had a direction.

I mean, even with that knowledge, developing Rasengan wouldn't be easy.

Though Seiki was confident he could manage it, there was no need to bother.

Wasn't he looking for a tool person exactly for this?

"Minato Namikaze has just begun learning the Flying Thunder God Technique. With his insight, it won't be hard for him to notice its weaknesses. At this point, if I present my concept of Rasengan, he'll end up developing it for me."

Seiki thought unashamedly, "Knowing Minato's personality, he'd probably feel awkward taking credit for Rasengan. Then I can use Rasengan to freely obtain the Eight Gates and even have him thank me in the end!"

Meanwhile, Kurenai Yuhi was genuinely shocked. It hadn't been long since Seiki proposed exchanging for a jutsu—this short time wasn't even enough to come up with a D-ranked Ninjutsu!

Tsk, I really am useless!

...

On a quiet hillside stood a lonely mansion.

"It looks hideous, right?"

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"I mean when I turned into that monster last time."

"There was no monster—only a beautiful soul!"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You've always been brave, yet you restrain yourself for everyone else. This Kushina truly is beautiful."

Inside the room, a teenage boy and girl gazed at each other with blossoming feelings.

Just as the atmosphere began warming up, an untimely call shattered the moment.

"Sister Kushina..."

"I'll get the door!"

Seeing Kushina dash out, Minato—who had also felt slightly awkward—relaxed with a smile. "This is better."

Outside the gate, Seiki glanced around. "To show special treatment to the descendant of an ally nation, Konoha sure gave Kushina a grand mansion! Still, placing it out here in such isolation—is it because they fear the Jinchuriki might suddenly go berserk?"

As these thoughts wandered through his mind, the gate opened and Kushina excitedly jumped out. "Seiki! You finally came to visit your big sister!"

The day after the Cloud Village incident, Kushina had dragged her weakened body to find Seiki and forcibly claimed him as her little brother.

With pleasure, Seiki accepted it.

During the walk, Kushina chatted nonstop.

"Over here is the pond, and inside are some little turtles. I named them Guitortoise No. 1, Guitortoise No. 2..."

"And right here, I built the swing myself—it's awesome, isn't it? When I was young, I loved sitting on it most!"

"Still got more—"

Seiki listened attentively, occasionally letting out exclamations that made Kushina even more enthusiastic.

They then entered the living room.

As soon as they walked in, Seiki saw someone sitting upright.

"Oh! Is Minato-niisan here too? Great!"

"Seiki, aren't you here especially to see your big sister?"

Noticing the fierce look on Kushina's face, Seiki quickly waved his hands. "I came specifically to visit Sister Kushina; I just wanted to ask where Minato-niisan was while I'm here!"

"Learning that Minato was involved was just an added bonus." Kushina nodded in satisfaction and shot Minato a triumphant glance.

"But why are you here, Brother Minato, at Sister Kushina's place?"

Upon hearing Seiki's question, Kushina's body stiffened immediately.

"He... H-he... I mean—yes! He came here to fight me!"

"Eh?" Minato pointed at himself innocently but finally gave in with a helpless nod under Kushina's intense gaze.

"I heard Kushina has ambitions of becoming Hokage, so I came to challenge her."

After hearing Minato's explanation, a slightly flustered Kushina finally relaxed and quickly changed the subject. "Actually, Seiki, what did you need Brother Minato for anyway?"

Seiki solemnly nodded. "I wanted to ask Brother Minato about training in the Flying Thunder God Technique!"

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