Chapter 249: Visions for the Ninja University
Chapter 249: Visions for the Ninja University
Mu Yue arrived at the designated spot ten minutes early, as was her custom. However, she was slightly surprised to find that Kushina was already there waiting for her.
"Hmph, looks like I'm ahead of you this time," Kushina said, hands on her hips, chin tilted up, and a triumphant smile on her face.
Mu Yue hadn't expected Kushina to be so competitive, even in this odd setting, but her punctuality was a welcome surprise, as it meant they would have a little extra time to practice sealing techniques.
"Indeed, Teacher Kushina. You are always so diligent," Mu Yue complimented with a smile.
"Haha! As the top sealing ninja in Konoha, it's only natural," Kushina laughed, clearly pleased with the praise.
"Now, now, I can't wait any longer to see that photo you mentioned, the one that's guaranteed to make me laugh," Kushina said, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Mu Yue didn't keep her waiting and took out the photos she had brought, placing the one of Minato with a forced smile at the top.
"Hahaha..."
Kushina burst into laughter at the sight of the usually stoic Minato sporting such a comical expression.
"Did you use some sort of ninjutsu on him? How did you get him to make that face? He looks like he's trying to smile but can't quite manage it," Kushina asked, her curiosity piqued between laughs.
"Probably a combination of exhaustion from the intense battles during the day and the effort to look lively and cheerful for the photo, especially since it was meant for you," Mu Yue speculated.
"This photo is truly a rare treasure. I must frame it and keep it safe," Kushina said with a serious expression, her eyes sparkling with delight.
She had seen Minato's normal smiles countless times, but this unique expression was a novelty worth cherishing.
Kushina continued flipping through the rest of the photos, some showing Minato's earnest side and others capturing his exasperation at unseen events. She studied each one carefully.
"War... it's truly a detestable thing," Kushina sighed as she put the photos away, her gaze lifting to the sky.
She was a vivacious and passionate person who rarely sighed, but war was one of the few things that could weigh on her mind and evoke such a reaction.
Kushina had not been born in Konoha; her origins lay in Whirlpool Country, a small nation inhabited solely by the Uzumaki clan.
Whirlpool Country was minuscule, consisting of just a tiny island smaller than the major cities of Fire Country. Despite its size, the country had no expansionist ambitions and had never invaded another nation.
Due to their distant blood relation to the Senju clan, the Uzumaki maintained a close relationship with Konoha, and their sealing techniques formed the foundation for Konoha's own sealing jutsu. As a symbol of this friendship, the Uzumaki clan's crest was incorporated into the uniforms of Konoha ninjas.
In Kushina's memory, Whirlpool Country was just as lush and beautiful as Fire Country, with verdant trees and a warm summer climate, though it didn't experience harsh winters.
She had loved her homeland, but due to her unique chakra, she had been chosen as the second jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails at a very young age and sent to Konoha to study when she reached school age.
Later, she received news from Uzumaki Mito that Whirlpool Country had been destroyed.
Not by one or two nations, but by many countries allying to wipe it off the map. And just like that, Whirlpool Country ceased to exist.
Since then, Kushina had developed a deep hatred for war. If not for the conflicts, her country might still be standing.
Although Minato didn't appear injured, Kushina noticed the stains on his clothes that would be difficult to remove and the slight difference in his usual clean-shaven appearance, as one couldn't expect to shave twice a day on the battlefield.
"Minato asked me to give you a message," Mu Yue said, interrupting her thoughts. "He says he's doing well and wants you to take care of yourself, get enough sleep, and eat your meals on time."
"Honestly, does he think I'm some child who can't take care of herself?" Kushina huffed, a slight pout forming on her face, even as a delighted smile threatened to break through.
The two women then made their way to the spot where they had previously practiced sealing techniques.
Kushina cleared her throat and, donning a lively smile, announced, "Kushina's sealing technique class is now in session. Student Mu Yue, please begin your report on your learning progress."
Mu Yue hesitated, deciding to conceal some of her recent advancements. She recalled the memories of her near-breakthrough and shared them instead.
It wasn't that she didn't trust Kushina, but she didn't want to reveal too drastic a difference in her abilities. The ANBU was still watching, and she had already displayed sealing talent beyond her initial assessment. A gradual progression was more believable.
"I see. You're making good progress. With just two lessons from me, you're almost mastering the Four Symbols Seal. You must have been studying hard on your own," Kushina said, pleased with Mu Yue's dedication.
Under her guidance, Minato had become an exceptional sealing ninja, and she hoped Mu Yue would follow in his footsteps, making her a proud teacher of two outstanding disciples.
"I feel that if I were to become a jonin-sensei, I could surely become Konoha's new sealing jutsu master."
"You don't necessarily have to become a jonin-sensei to teach students. Maybe the Ninja Academy will extend its curriculum in the future, offering more advanced knowledge in ninjutsu. Then, Kushina, you can directly become a teacher at the Ninja Academy," Mu Yue suggested with a smile.
He had an idea to transform the Ninja Academy into a comprehensive school, encompassing elementary, middle, and high school levels. The elementary curriculum would remain the same as the current ninja training, while the middle school curriculum would introduce nature transformation ninjutsu, and the high school level would offer specialized courses in sealing techniques, barrier techniques, and medical ninjutsu.
Teaching non-disciple students was also an important part of his system. Mu Yue speculated that teaching stronger disciples might yield even better rewards. For example, when he taught Kushina how to cook, even with just two students, he still received a lecture reward, and a new recipe was unlocked.
"That's impossible. If we did what you suggest, the more talented students could become jonin immediately after graduating," Kushina said, feeling that Mu Yue's idea was a bit unrealistic.
It would take over a decade to cultivate ninjas, and Konoha had only been established for a few decades.
"Kushina, do you think it's normal to graduate and become a ninja at the age of twelve?" Mu Yue asked thoughtfully.
"It's very normal. Most ninjas graduate by that age, and I graduated when I was twelve. Minato graduated when he was only ten," Kushina nodded matter-of-factly.
Mu Yue sighed inwardly, acknowledging the difference in their perspectives. In his view, allowing a ten or twelve-year-old child to graduate and become a ninja was akin to turning a child who hadn't even finished elementary school into an assassin, which was far from normal.
However, Mu Yue had to admit that his ninja university plan was impractical at this stage.
It was a time of war, and although the current situation was stable, Konoha had not yet faced a manpower shortage. But after Konoha was besieged, they would be desperate for every available fighter, and the idea of having students undergo a lengthy cultivation process of over a decade would be unthinkable. They would want them to graduate within two or three years and quickly become battle-ready.
Additionally, the current Hokage was Hiruzen Sarutobi, and based on Mu Yue's understanding of him, he would not approve of such a significant overhaul of the Ninja Academy.
Establishing a middle and high school system, along with holiday training camps and internship programs, would have a far greater impact than simply adding extra training and internships, which might even shorten the cultivation period. These programs would only affect students and chunin teachers.
However, establishing a middle and high school system was a different matter. On the one hand, the ninja cultivation period would be significantly extended, and more advanced knowledge would require stronger ninjas as instructors. This would necessitate the recruitment of specialized jonin teachers to join the Ninja Academy.
There were too many factors to consider, and Hiruzen Sarutobi was a cautious leader who would be unlikely to approve of such a proposal that could bring drastic changes to Konoha.
"Although it's difficult to achieve now, I think anything is possible in the future," Mu Yue said with a gentle smile.
While it might not be feasible at the moment, it was a world where might made right, and he was an exceptionally powerful individual. Once his strength reached a certain level, even the impossible would become possible.
"Haha, if the Ninja Academy becomes what you envision, Kushina, I'm sure I'll become a renowned sealing master in Konoha," Kushina said, indulging in Mu Yue's idea.
Mu Yue smiled but didn't continue the conversation about the school. Instead, he focused on learning sealing techniques from Kushina.
Under Kushina's guidance, Mu Yue successfully performed the Four Symbols Seal.
"Not bad, not bad at all. From now on, you can tell others that I taught you sealing techniques," Kushina said, looking pleased.
Mu Yue took the opportunity to ask some questions about sealing chakra, and Kushina answered them one by one.
As it was approaching noon, Mu Yue and Kushina decided to find a restaurant to borrow a kitchen to cook lunch.
Before they parted ways, Mu Yue handed the box of pastries to Kushina with a smile. "You should be able to take these home this time."
Kushina opened the box and was delighted to find the same delicious and fragrant sweets as before. Her eyes lit up instantly.
"Well done, Mu Yue. You're giving me these treats after we've had lunch. Do you think I'm someone who can't eat sweets after a meal? Girls always have a separate stomach for desserts," Kushina said with a smile, popping a sweet osmanthus cake into her mouth.
However, she was only joking, as she intended to savor these treats later. They were too delicious to eat right after a meal, so she would wait until she got home to enjoy them properly.
After bidding Kushina farewell, Mu Yue returned to train his disciples as usual. The day before, he had conducted another intensive training session, and both Itachi and Shisui had significantly improved their evasion skills, so he could now increase the intensity of the training.
(End of Chapter)
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