Hearing Shuuseki's approval, cheers instantly erupted from outside the door.
Having lived through war, they naturally craved power more than anything.
Shuuseki smiled and turned to the side. "Ms. Nonou, how many of these kids have potential as Medical Ninjas?"
"Three," Nonou replied, her expression suddenly lighting up with surprise and joy. "You can't be planning to train them personally... right?"
"After becoming Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, I've actually had less time for my own work. Training a few assistants could make things a bit easier," Shuuseki chuckled. "As long as they don't mind that I'm too busy to teach them much."
"They'd be lucky to learn from you," Nonou naturally understood Shuuseki was being modest. Even a Jonin would find it hard to keep up with him — and these are just kids.
Besides, Nonou knew Shuuseki's teaching skills were also very strong.
The three girls at the Hospital who had been kind to Shuuseki became Chunin thanks to his guidance.
Sure, they were only Chunin, but that's already as high as most people ever get. The fact that those three girls with average talent could achieve this clearly demonstrated Shuuseki's capabilities.
Thinking about this, Nonou quickly waved toward the doorway. "Ren, Mist, Kabuto, you three come inside quickly."
Shuuseki hesitated briefly before walking to the doorway, bending down to look at these children. "I'm sorry, but I can't take on too many students. Please rest assured though, I'll find you very reliable teachers."
However, this time he underestimated Nonou's influence.
Under Nonou's influence, these kids displayed extraordinary unity and maturity.
"We're already extremely grateful that Lord Shuuseki is willing to help us."
"That's right. Who really wants to be a Medical Ninja anyway? When these three learn the skills, we won't have to go to the Hospital anymore."
Naturally, they weren't truly indifferent toward becoming Medical Ninjas like their words suggested — aside from Shuuseki's strength and status, just Nonou's identity as a Medical Ninja alone was enough to keep them longing for the role.
Seeing their insincerity, Shuuseki sighed and returned to his original seat.
Nonou smiled. "Shuuseki is still as gentle as ever. You said that just to prevent jealousy among the others, right?"
Shuuseki sighed. "It seems I've spent too much time in the ninja world, overcomplicating simple matters."
Just then, two young girls came forward excitedly, while another little boy followed closely behind them.
"Lord Shuuseki, please take care of us from now on!"
"Mist, quickly say thank you! Did you forget the manners the administrator taught you?"
Kabuto timidly spoke, "Th-thank you, Lord Shuuseki! P-please guide me."
Shuuseki smiled as he looked over these promising little sprouts before him. "No, it should be mutual support from now on."
Looking at Kabuto, countless schemes for molding the perfect assistant began forming in Shuuseki's mind.
With such ability and talent, it definitely couldn't be wasted like it was originally destined to be.
Although one's abilities are related to postnatal cultivation and experiences, Seiki didn't believe the Kabuto he had cultivated would be weaker than the original version.
As for talent, across the entire shinobi world, very few possessed greater talent than Kabuto.
Jiraiya, under Sage Fukasaku's careful guidance, had only managed to master an incomplete Sage Mode. But Kabuto? He managed to master the full Sage Mode completely on his own, with no guidance at all.
Knowing how notoriously unpleasant the hermits at Ryuchi Cave were, expecting them to offer patient instruction like Fukasaku did was totally out of the question.
Leaving Sage Mode aside, even with years spent doing spy work and limited time to cultivate, Kabuto was almost as strong as Kakashi, a top-tier genius who had a seven-year head start. Although part of that was due to Kakashi intentionally neglecting his training, it still proved Kabuto's extraordinary aptitude.
Just as Seiki was thinking about how best to "train" Kabuto, the disappearance of a certain chakra signature made his expression shift slightly.
Nonou asked with concern, "Seiki, are you okay?"
Seiki regained his composure. "After consecutive battles against opponents like demi-gods and Bijuu, my chakra reserves are just too depleted. I haven't fully recovered yet."
Nonou apologized, "Sorry, I interrupted your rest. You should go back and recuperate sooner rather than later, Seiki."
Seiki didn't refuse. Smiling, he gave brief instructions to the three younglings before rising and departing.
Back in his room, Seiki began serious detection.
"Just as I thought — the Flying Thunder God mark on Mui's paper has disappeared. According to our agreement, burning the paper means Iwagakure is about to take action again."
Realizing this, Seiki's expression grew serious.
If not for that incident with Black Zetsu, he would have many ways to contact Mui.
But now, he had to consider whether this was a trap specifically set for him.
It wasn't that he believed Mui would betray him—it was because someone like Mui could easily set traps that bypassed direct confrontation.
"Still, I can't abandon investigation out of paranoia and hand the initiative over to the enemy. That would be an extremely foolish move!"
Thinking further, Seiki started mentally calculating his options.
"While I cannot confirm yet whether Black Zetsu is involved or whether this truly is a trap aimed at me, when personal safety is concerned, even the smallest risk shouldn't be ignored—even if it turns out I'm just fighting shadows, I'll accept that."
"Firstly, I mustn't approach Mui using conventional ninjutsu entirely based on chakra. After all, Black Zetsu was created by the progenitor of chakra himself—he might possess some unique countermeasures."
"That leaves me two choices: the Sage Arts system primarily utilizing natural energy, and the Demon God system focused on soul power."
Nightfall.
Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, Seiki instantly teleported to the battlefield before stealthily creeping toward Iwagakure.
He stopped only after clearly seeing structures within the village.
"Ahead lies their sensing barrier—I'll need alternative methods now."
Muttering inwardly, Seiki found a concealed spot and buried himself underground.
[Sage Art: Hearing the Sounds of All Things]
[Sage Art: Gust Formation]
In a brightly lit room within Iwagakure, Mui sat quietly by the table, twirling a pencil in his hand as if deep in thought.
Glancing sideways out the window, Mui smirked internally, "They're truly cautious. There are still people keeping watch outside even now. But at least they gave me some dignity by not letting someone just walk right into my room."
He understood clearly that it wasn't because Iwagakure doubted his identity, but rather standard precautionary measures—to prevent him from sending information through Summoned Beasts or someone teleporting in via the Flying Thunder God technique.
At this moment, a breeze blew through the window.
The teacup on the table shook gently, spilling some tea.
Mui was about to wipe it up when suddenly, his right hand froze midair.
Before his astonished eyes, the spilled tea formed the character "Shén" (meaning 'deity' or 'divine') in uneven strokes.
But soon, those tea-formed strokes merged together into a puddle of water, as though it had been nothing more than a trick of the light.
"So they're going to use that [jutsu]? Impressive. No wonder it's Seiki—he actually figured out the predicament I'm currently facing."
Rather than continuing to wipe, Mui suddenly seemed to catch an idea. He silently withdrew his hand and began scribbling something down in his notebook.
After writing for about ten minutes, he nodded satisfactorily, yawned, stood up, casually wiped off the stain, turned off the light, and went to bed.
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