Five days had passed since the mission in the Land of Wind ended. As nearly the entire Squad C Five was severely injured, Sora received a fairly long vacation.
During these five days, Sora did not completely relax.
Even though he chose to believe Fox, necessary precautions still had to be taken.
Every night when sleeping, Sora would also leave a shadow clone in the corner of his room, maintaining vigilance and sensing the surrounding movements.
This was not targeted at Fox, but at any possible prying eyes that might come from other directions.
Sora understood very clearly that the waters of Konoha ran deep. Sarutobi Hiruzen might not investigate deeply, but Danzo's "Root" was pervasive.
He did not want to wake up one night to find himself already surrounded by Anbu or Root forces.
Even if he could fly, once a barrier and targeted ninjutsu were set up in advance, his fate would not be much better than the future Uchiha clan being besieged.
Fortunately, after several days of covert observation, Sora did not notice anything unusual.
There were no unfamiliar chakra loitering near the orphanage, nor any feeling of being watched.
When visiting Fox at the hospital, the other's attitude remained as always. In fact, because they had shared a "life and death" experience, they seemed even closer than before. In conversation, Fox never mentioned any topics related to the Azure Dragon, only caring about his recovery and Grey Wolf's injuries.
Fox had kept his promise.
This allowed the last trace of doubt in Sora's heart to fade slightly, and his tense nerves could relax a little.
...
The vacation was long, but Sora did not plan to waste it.
Improving strength was urgent. Since he had decided to consider "Dragon Veins" as a potential direction to solve his own chakra shortcomings, learning sealing jutsu became a top priority.
On this day, Sora once again came to the ninjutsu archive in the underground Anbu headquarters.
It had now been exactly two and a half years since he officially joined the Anbu. He had carried out many missions and accumulated many "Anbu Merit Points". This was the exclusive achievement point system within the Anbu used to exchange for resources, able to exchange for ninjutsu, intelligence, and so on.
The procedure remained the same as before. After verifying his identity, under the gaze of Anbu members, he once again stepped into that stone room filled with the scent of scrolls.
'Why is it still this guy? Does he work here until he dies?'
Sora looked at the Anbu clerk wearing the Suzuka mask before him and silently complained in his heart.
Then, picking up the ninjutsu catalog, Sora first paid special attention to see if there were any perception type techniques.
After all, with the experience in the Land of Wind, Sora found that he was not lacking in direct combat methods at this stage, but was comparatively lacking in large range perception abilities. So he wanted to see if he could obtain a few perception type ninjutsu or secret techniques.
This way, incidents like the one in the Land of Wind would not happen again.
...
Sora carefully checked several relevant category areas, but the results left him somewhat disappointed.
Most of what was displayed were basic chakra sensing techniques, or reconnaissance techniques requiring specific ninja tools. There were none that could truly be called "secret techniques."
These listed items were even less effective than Sora's own perception ability.
But upon second thought, Sora felt relieved in his heart.
Powerful perception abilities, whether the Hyuga clan's Byakugan, the Uchiha clan's Sharingan, or talents like the Uzumaki clan's Kagura Shingan, almost all relied on Kekkei Genkai or racial talents.
Even if there were a few learnable perception secret techniques, they were inevitably tightly controlled by various clans or village higher ups as secret teachings not to be passed on. How could they be so easily stored in this ninjutsu archive, available for borrowing just by spending some "Anbu Merit Points"?
Abilities like Karin Uzumaki's, capable of precisely sensing chakra within several dozen kilometers, were even more rare and hard to come by.
'It's a pity. Karin is the same age as Sasuke. She won't be born for another five or six years...'
'But Karin is indeed a good seedling. And her childhood... was too tragic.'
Holding the catalog in one hand and stroking his chin with the other, Sora's mind conjured up the future red haired girl's experiences in Kusagakure. Imprisoned as a mobile blood bag, enduring the pain of being bitten daily, even her basic human dignity was trampled.
Such a vibrant and powerful perception talent should have had a bright life, yet it was to be squeezed dry of value in a dark, sunless cage.
'Those people in Kusagakure are simply wasting something precious.'
A strong thought suddenly surged in Sora's heart.
'When Karin is born, I must go to the Land of Grass. I absolutely cannot let her fall into the hands of those Kusagakure ninja again.'
This was both to prevent Karin from enduring that inhuman torment again, to avoid her tragic fate of being imprisoned and exploited...
At the same time, if he could really bring Karin out, with this top tier perception ability, whether Sora continued to stay in Konoha or left Konoha in the future, it would become a tremendous asset.
With Karin around, the movements of chakra within several dozen kilometers would be impossible to hide. Whether for reconnaissance, early warning, or avoiding powerful enemies, it would be an irreplaceable force.
Unfortunately, right now, not to mention Karin, Sora didn't even know where Karin's mother was. After all, Karin and her mother ended up in Kusagakure only after her birth. They are most likely still wandering around the ninja world now.
'It seems obtaining systematic perception ability is temporarily impossible.'
Sora shook his head, no longer thinking about Karin and perception secret techniques, and directly walked towards the area marked "Sealing Jutsu."
Sealing jutsu was vast and profound, and extremely reliant on talent and master disciple transmission. Very few ninja could truly begin to learn and achieve something in it. Therefore, related scrolls were relatively scarce and precious.
Sora patiently browsed the catalog.
"Four Symbols Seal," "Contract Seal," "Five Elements Seal"...
Many familiar sealing jutsu names came into view, but these were all high level application sealing jutsu. Without a solid foundation, one couldn't understand them, let alone perform them.
What Sora needed was not these, but the most fundamental, most basic things. Namely, the principles of seal formation, chakra conduction... these basic theories.
Finally, his gaze locked onto a scroll that looked extremely ancient.
The scroll label read: "Detailed Explanation of Uzumaki Clan Sealing Jutsu Basics (Incomplete Scroll)."
"Uzumaki clan..." A flicker of joy passed through Sora's eyes.
The Uzumaki clan was famous throughout the ninja world for their powerful vitality and exquisite sealing jutsu. They were the authority in the field of sealing jutsu.
Even the basics would definitely be top tier introductory material. Although it was an incomplete scroll, it should be enough for him to get started at his current level.
"This one."
Sora took down this ancient scroll and went to the entrance to register.
Suzuka, as usual, expertly completed the registration procedures. After deducting some "Anbu Merit Points," he said formulaically:
"Detailed Explanation of Uzumaki Clan Sealing Jutsu Basics. Scroll borrowing period is one month. Must be returned by the due date. During this period, the scroll must not be damaged, copied, or privately taught to others. If there is risk of theft or loss, prioritize destroying the scroll. Understood?"
Sora naturally nodded in response. Then, carrying this precious scroll, he left the Anbu underground base.
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