Returning to the Village
Among the Sealing Techniques Shirō had learned, one was for basic storage—a standard among the Uzumaki, but still a rarity outside their clan. And that made sense. Who would casually hand over their family's secret techniques to an outsider? Kushina had taught him because of their bond, not because he casually called her "sister" a few times. People like Might Guy and his father were rare exceptions, their hearts too open and pure for this world.
Still, even this "basic" sealing method wasn't something Qing Yu and the others could grasp yet. They were fresh graduates, and sealing wasn't part of the regular curriculum at the Academy. At this point, only Yamada and Shirō in their squad had learned it, so the sealing responsibilities naturally fell to Shirō.
The process was meticulous. While it didn't require much chakra, Shirō didn't have much to spare in his daily reserves. Refining more chakra just to seal gear would be wasteful. Luckily, Kushina had taught him a modified version of the storage seal that significantly reduced chakra consumption. With his current reserves, he could use it two or three times without much strain.
But there was a problem: the hand seals. There were eighty-three of them!
To put it in perspective, the Water Dragon Bullet Jutsu, notoriously long, required forty-four hand seals. This one nearly doubled that number! Even someone as fast as Uchiha Itachi—known to perform up to six hand seals per second—would need around thirteen seconds just to activate the seal.
According to Kushina, the technique was created by one of her elders. That piqued Shirō's curiosity. Just what sort of personality would invest the time to create a sealing method this long just to save a bit of chakra?
Could it be Uzumaki Whirlwind? That didn't make sense; Uzushiogakure had already been destroyed. As Shirō considered asking, he saw Kushina's hair beginning to lift ominously. He wisely chose silence and resigned himself to mastering the seal.
He often used it for hand sign practice, never expecting he'd rely on it during missions.
Luckily, by the time Shirō finished the tedious sealing work, Qing Yu and Chong Jie had finished preparing dinner.
---
"Say, Shirō, why do you train so hard?" Qing Yu asked during the meal, watching him with curiosity.
To her, it didn't quite add up. Shirō was a bit more talented than they were, but not by much—certainly not enough to explain the huge gap in strength. What set him apart was his unwavering effort.
Qing Yu and Chong Jie, after years of hardship and war, had a clearer sense of their own limits. The romanticized dreams of becoming elite ninja had long faded. They still trained, yes—but their goals were practical: stay alive, take low-risk missions, and live in peace.
Quitting wasn't an option either. During wartime, even Academy students could be drafted. As experienced genin, their only real safety was in maintaining their skills, not abandoning them.
So, they didn't understand Shirō's burning drive.
They didn't know, as he did, that the Third Great Ninja War was looming.
---
"Why?" Shirō echoed, pausing mid-bite.
Faces flashed through his mind—his parents, Guy-sensei, Dai-sensei, Kushina, Minato...
"I want to protect my family and friends. I don't want to have regrets. And…" he stopped short, finishing the last part only in his heart: I want to go home.
Out loud, he said, "That's why I have to get stronger."
"Mm. Keep it up, Shirō. You'll definitely make it. You work so hard, after all," Qing Yu said with quiet sincerity. She didn't really understand, but she wouldn't discourage him.
"Yeah," Chong Jie chimed in, "We don't have your drive or talent, and we might not walk far down the same path as you. But we'll support you however we can."
"That's right," Yamada added with a grin. "I may just be a Chunin, but I have Jonin friends. If you ever need help, just say the word. You did call me 'teacher,' after all."
"..."
Shirō was touched—but then laughed.
"I was just giving an answer. Why are you all being more emotional than me? It's not like I'm saying goodbye forever."
"Haha! That's just proof of how close everyone is!" Yamada laughed, pleased with his students' camaraderie.
"That's because you're emotionally detached," Qing Yu muttered, "and I'm a girl."
"Wait—what?! You're a girl?!" Shirō said dramatically. "I always thought Chong Jie liked men!"
"You wanna die, Shirō?!" Qing Yu shot to her feet.
Chong Jie sprang up to restrain her, grabbing Shirō in mock panic. "Qing Yu, calm down! He's out of chakra—don't bully him!"
Yamada simply watched, smiling faintly as his students bickered and bonded.
After dinner and their usual antics, they turned in early. The next day, they would return to Konoha.
---
They departed at dawn, traveling on foot. It was slower, yes, but there were good reasons: training on the road, and frankly, money. Ninja made good pay, but expenses were high—equipment, food, and training ate up most of their income. Luxuries like carriages? Out of the question.
Still, the journey was uneventful. Trouble didn't usually go looking for you.
Except Shirō was looking for it.
Any mention of mountain bandits had him charging in headfirst. He slaughtered those with blood-stained hands and captured the less culpable, delivering them to local towns and outposts.
It wasn't just about heroics. Shirō needed combat experience—desperately. The System's Mind's Eye ability required not only chakra but real battle awareness. During their mission, he had nearly been ambushed. If not for Yamada's intervention, he might not have escaped alive.
So Shirō fought, fought, and fought.
Though only ten days passed, the growth he felt was astonishing. Despite technically participating in the Second War, Shirō had survived more through retreat and stealth than direct combat.
His last year could be summed up like this:
"Enemy spotted!"
"Signal—retreat!"
"Possible threat ahead."
"Play it safe—withdraw!"
Even in group combat, they avoided the front lines, staying in the middle—not too close to death, not too far to be exposed.
That wasn't growth. That was survival.
But this past week? He had fought more than he had all year. And it showed. Not only had his instincts sharpened, but his chakra reserves had noticeably increased.
It was clear: Shirō was evolving.
---
But good times never last. Just as he was beginning to feel the thrill of progress, they returned to Konoha.
After submitting their report, they were about to part ways when Yamada's wife suddenly appeared at the Hokage Building gates.
"Dear! You look so thin! Were the meals that bad on the road?"
"I'm fine! Didn't I tell you not to come? Shirō is still single—you'll just make him jealous," Yamada teased, giving Shirō a smug grin.
Shirō gritted his teeth. If only he had Fire Release, he'd roast this man! But no matter—he had other ways.
He put on his best innocent face.
"Sister, are you Teacher Yamada's wife? You're so pretty!"
"Oh? Aren't you sweet! You must be Shirō. My husband talks about you often."
Yamada's smile froze.
He knew Shirō was up to something.
Before he could stop him, Shirō added:
"That other pretty sister who was with Teacher Yamada last time said the same thing."
Yamada's heart dropped.
"Dear, I can explain—" he began, panicking.
His wife turned toward Shirō, voice dangerously calm:
"What were Teacher Yamada and that lady doing?"
Yamada waved his arms frantically behind her, mouthing Don't!
Shirō gave him a reassuring smile—one that spelled doom.
—