Tatsuma's gaze was drawn to a woman with dark crimson hair, emitting an aura of profound dignity with every glance.
No words of introduction were necessary; Tatsuma recognized her instantly. She was none other than the wife of the First Hokage and the first Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Mito.
Observing the gravity etched on Uzumaki Mito's countenance, Tsunade instinctively recoiled, choosing silence over confrontation. Even Jiraiya, with a solemn nod, withheld his thoughts from vocalization.
Noticing Tsunade's momentary pause, Uzumaki Mito shifted her attention to Tatsuma and Minato. Her demeanor softened instantly, and she approached them with measured steps. "Children," she began, "I'd appreciate your assistance with a small task."
Tatsuma grasped that Uzumaki Mito was alluding to a mission, though its specifics eluded him. Nonetheless, he nodded in agreement, mirrored by Minato.
Uzumaki Mito acknowledged their agreement with a nod of her own before continuing, "Jiraiya mentioned your aptitude for sensory skills and quick mastery of sealing jutsu. Once this task is completed, if time permits, I encourage you to visit us frequently."
"Kushina has recently delved into Sensory and Sealing Jutsu as well. If you're keen, you can join her in learning," Uzumaki Mito suggested.
Hearing this, Tatsuma was a little excited. He had picked up the sealing talent from Uzumaki Kushina, but because the pick-up was incomplete, although he knew how to use some of the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques, he didn't grasp their deeper intricacies.
Moreover, they are only basic sealing techniques with low difficulty and not powerful sealing effect. Tatsuma is not satisfied with this.
These techniques, though fundamental, lacked the potency he sought. Tatsuma yearned for a comprehensive understanding of Sealing Jutsu, and studying alongside Kushina presented an opportunity to absorb more of her expertise, thereby refining his own mastery of the art.
The realm of Sealing Jutsu boasted an impressive ceiling, captivating Tatsuma despite the requirement of Otsutsuki-level powers for some techniques.
The only thing he doesn't crave very much is genjutsu. After all, Orochimaru and Kurenai Yuhi, who are both good at Genjutsu, can be beaten easily by others who use Genjutsu. Without the Sharingan, there is no future for playing Genjutsu.
Interrupting their thoughts, Jiraiya interjected, "Mito-sama, we'll take our leave now. Rest assured, we'll return to provide a thorough report upon completing the mission."
"Alright, go, and tread cautiously," Uzumaki Mito nodded, observing the trio depart— one adult and two children. Tsunade's gaze bore into Jiraiya's retreating form with a fierce intensity, feeling irked by his opportune departure when she was rendered voiceless.
Once they were out of earshot, Uzumaki Mito turned to Tsunade, her gaze drifting to the scattered playing cards on the ground. In a remarkably composed manner, she inquired, "Have you made progress with the technique I imparted to you?"
Tsunade's response came with a tinge of remorse, "Not yet," she confessed, grappling with a sense of guilt. Her studies had taken a backseat amidst inner turmoil, leaving her efforts to grasp the teachings somewhat neglected.
"I assumed you had already mastered it. Otherwise, why indulge in a leisurely card game with the children today?" Uzumaki Mito's observation carried a hint of sarcasm, not lost on Tsunade.
Acknowledging the underlying criticism, Tsunade clasped her hands behind her back, inclined forward, and cast her gaze downward. "I'll dedicate more time to practice; today, I simply sought some relaxation," she explained softly.
"Perhaps it's for the best," Uzumaki Mito responded before turning towards the inner chamber. A trace of resignation flickered across her features. Why did her granddaughter mirror the unruliness of her late husband, even after all this time? Though her husband understood the weight of leadership, Tsunade, still young, seemed to struggle with such responsibilities.
...
"Jiraiya-sensei, what's the mission we're embarking on?" Tatsuma's curiosity bubbled forth after they departed from the Senju clan territory.
Jiraiya, hands tucked into his pockets, offered a nonchalant response, "Nothing too exciting, really. It seems someone stumbled upon a scroll within the Uzumaki Clan's archives, containing a seal for some peculiar ninja creature. They accidentally unleashed it. While it's not particularly formidable, it poses a challenge to contain. I've come seeking counsel on its resealing."
As he spoke, Jiraiya produced a scroll from his sleeve, brandishing it for emphasis.
Jiraiya's response only served to deepen Tatsuma's intrigue rather than offer clarity. What kind of ninja creature required Uzumaki Mito's expertise for containment? Moreover, the notion that a Jonin accompanied by two recent graduates could manage such a task struck him as peculiar.
Minato mirrored Tatsuma's uncertainty, grappling with how to broach the subject. Sensing their confusion, Jiraiya chuckled softly before explaining, "The potency of this ninja creature doesn't lie in its combat prowess, but rather in its benevolence."
"Benevolence?"
"Yes, this creature, initially dealt with by the Uzumaki Clan, wasn't targeted for its combat prowess or malevolent deeds. Instead, it was its overwhelming 'assistance' to humanity that garnered attention."
After Jiraiya's explanation, Minato found himself even more perplexed, his confusion etched deeper, while Tatsuma furrowed his brow, sensing a peculiar weight in Jiraiya's words.
Eying their heightened curiosity, Jiraiya delved into the tale. "Allow me to recount a story. Once, there existed a ninja creature resembling a tanuki. Injured, it sought refuge within the forest."
"A passing merchant stumbled upon it and tended to its wounds. Later, when the merchant faced adversity, losing his livelihood, a mysterious benefactor emerged. This stranger guided the merchant to prosperity by providing a shop, connecting him with clients, and restoring his wealth. Unbeknownst to the merchant, this benefactor was the tanuki, assuming a human guise. Eventually, the Uzumaki Clan discovered the creature, captured it, and sealed it away."
"Ah? Why?" Minato's brows furrowed in confusion. He had speculated midway that the stranger was the tanuki, but the unfolding of the story caught him off guard. Shouldn't it have been that after the merchant's resurgence, attracting envy that prompted an attempt to sabotage his business again, the tanuki, unable to tolerate it any longer, intervened to aid the merchant?
Was it an unintended, overly aggressive intervention that caused harm, or even accidental fatalities, resulting in the need for sealing? Why would assisting others lead to being sealed away?
Jiraiya chuckled, delaying his explanation, and redirected his attention to Tatsuma. "Tatsuma, what are your thoughts?"
After a brief contemplation, Tatsuma responded, "How could a shop hidden in the forest attract such a vast clientele? Either these customers are mere illusions conjured by the tanuki or they were somehow lured into the forest.
I'm inclined to believe the latter. It's possible that the tanuki, driven solely by gratitude towards the merchant, gave little thought to the consequences for others. The Uzumaki Clan didn't seal it for its benevolence, but rather because its assistance to the merchant resulted in harm to others."
Jiraiya nodded in agreement. "Indeed, that's precisely it. The tanuki, in its endeavor to assist the merchant, manipulated nearby humans to enter the forest but neglected to aid their departure. Consequently, many who ventured in either succumbed to starvation or fell prey to wild animals."
Minato, initially harboring sympathy for the tanuki, found himself at a loss for words, his mouth agape as he struggled to reconcile the revelation. Tatsuma offered a reassuring pat on his shoulder and remarked
"Human constructs and perceptions don't always align with those of other species. Moreover, there exist profound disparities between different species, much like the contrasting emotions conveyed by wagging tails in cats and dogs."
"Exactly. Superficial connections with other species can result in unintended harm for both parties involved. Our responsibility as humans is to ensure that this well-intentioned gesture doesn't escalate into a significant error."
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