Chapter 22: Gojo Yoru, You're Going to Regret This!
"What kind of technique?"
Hearing Yoru planned to teach her a jutsu, Kushina's interest immediately sparked.
Looking at the balloons in Yoru's hands, something seemed to click. Her expression shifted. "Wait... you developed another technique besides Phantom Body Flicker?"
After all, a technique combining the Clone Technique with Body Flicker shouldn't involve balloons, right?
"Heh... you're actually quick on the uptake this time."
Yoru smiled teasingly, then raised his right hand palm-up.
WHOOSH—a sound like a razor-sharp blade cutting through air.
A blue-white spiral appeared above Yoru's palm, spinning like a gear at high velocity.
Gradually, the spiral's volume increased and its density grew.
Looking closer, Kushina could see it transform—from one becoming thousands, countless smaller spirals forming a white core.
The outer blue energy expanded from an initial thin membrane into a sphere the size of a table tennis ball, rotating irregularly at tremendous speed.
From nothing to something, the two layers coexisting—the entire formation process of the Rasengan was nothing short of showing off.
Even Kushina could recognize this technique's incredible difficulty.
"Gulp..."
Kushina stood slack-jawed for several moments before swallowing hard. Her voice trembled. "Is this a... a seal-less technique?"
"Correct. This is a non-elemental seal-less technique called the Rasengan." Yoru smiled. "It has no chakra nature or transformation requirements. As long as your chakra control reaches a certain level, you can learn this technique."
"Such a precious technique... you're really going to teach it to me?" Kushina stared at Yoru in disbelief.
"Compared to me, the Rasengan suits someone with your massive chakra reserves far better." Yoru spoke sincerely.
Why could the original series' Naruto Uzumaki dominate with just one trick?
Because the Rasengan and Multiple Shadow Clone Technique were the perfect jutsu for a Nine-Tails jinchuriki.
Aside from not being Asura's chakra reincarnation, Kushina was essentially an enhanced version of Naruto Uzumaki.
With the complete Nine-Tails and an awakened Uzumaki bloodline, her chakra reserves matched or exceeded Naruto's.
Add in her natural superhuman strength, and the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique combined with Rasengan and Superhuman Strength would be her ideal combat style.
Just imagine it—Kushina creating hundreds or thousands of shadow clones, half of them forming Rasengan while the other half used Superhuman Strength and devastating kicks. Anyone facing that would deserve nothing but pity.
"Yoru, you..."
Kushina had no idea about Yoru's development plan for her.
His words had struck straight to her heart. Her eyes moistened, mist forming uncontrollably.
Looking at Yoru—someone she'd known only a few months who was willing to teach her such an incredibly rare seal-less technique—Kushina's voice caught as she asked the question every girl loves to ask: "Why are you so good to me?"
However, facing this atmosphere perfectly suited for building affection, Yoru completely killed the mood with his response: "Can't help it. You're living in the First Hokage's house, after all. If I butter up the young lady now, I'll be able to walk sideways through Konoha later."
"...Gojo Yoru, you jerk!"
The emotion on Kushina's face instantly transformed into teeth-grinding fury.
"Enough talk. Are you learning it or not?" Yoru asked impatiently.
"Learning! I'm not turning down a rare technique just handed to me!" Kushina bared her teeth again. "I'm going to use the jutsu you taught me to teach you a serious lesson!"
"Save the fantasy for when you're actually asleep." Yoru's expression turned disdainful as he tossed a bag of balloons to Kushina. "Take these to the bathroom and fill them with water. I'll teach you the first stage."
"Gojo Yoru, you're going to regret this!"
SLAM—the bathroom door closed violently.
Yoru felt a retort stuck in his throat, unable to go up or down.
Not knowing what words to use in response, he suddenly felt like he still hadn't fully integrated into this world. His bloodline clearly wasn't pure enough.
But a gentleman's revenge could wait ten years.
He'd remember this grudge and repay it a hundredfold a decade from now!
What followed was training that guaranteed getting soaked, conducted entirely in Yoru's bathroom.
Only because the Uzumaki clan—like the Hyuga clan—possessed innate exceptional chakra control talent, combined with massive chakra reserves, did Yoru dare teach Kushina the Rasengan now.
If he were still the calculating, paranoid version of himself who constantly worried about others harming him, he would only teach Kushina the Rasengan in secret after she became the Nine-Tails jinchuriki.
But now, Yoru taught Kushina the Rasengan early simply hoping she could rapidly improve her strength. When she eventually became the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, she wouldn't be so terrified of Kurama.
Moreover, the Rasengan was a product of chakra control. Once Kushina mastered this technique, learning Superhuman Strength and sealing techniques would become exponentially easier.
In reverse, this technique was essentially a key to unlock the Uzumaki clan's natural chakra control talent.
...
Evening, at the First Hokage's residence.
"Kushina, what are you doing?"
Returning home from work, Tsunade spotted Kushina holding a water-filled balloon while standing completely motionless. Curiosity drew her closer.
"I'm trying to inject chakra inside and make the water rotate irregularly until it bursts the balloon without using any force." Kushina's expression remained serious, her gaze fixed on the water balloon in her hand.
"What's the point of that?" Tsunade grew even more confused.
For chakra control training, the Five Great Nations all had systematic methods already.
Beginner level: tree climbing. Intermediate: water walking. Advanced: medical ninjutsu or sealing techniques.
In this regard, Kushina should have overwhelming natural advantages.
Was this some new method she'd invented?
"This is... a secret."
Kushina started to explain, then suddenly remembered how rare seal-less techniques were and quickly shut her mouth.
Without Yoru's permission, she couldn't reveal the Rasengan to anyone.
"You little brat! You won't even tell me?" Tsunade's temper flared immediately, raising her arm as if to discipline Kushina.
"No, no, I can't..."
No matter how much Tsunade threatened, Kushina refused to reveal anything.
Tsunade could only give up helplessly.
Returning inside, Tsunade looked at Mito Uzumaki sitting before the kotatsu, unable to suppress her curiosity. "Grandmother, do you know what Kushina's doing?"
"Little Tsuna, you're already an adult."
Mito's smile was gentle and kind. "Secrets between the younger generation aren't something their elders should investigate."
"Fine."
Tsunade pouted like a child.
Unfortunately, no one was blessed with witnessing this last glimpse of her childish innocence.