Konoha's Tatsuya

Over the next few days, Tatsuya busied himself with researching his new "cheat," the Shadow Clone Jutsu. During this time, the power struggle among Konoha's leadership regarding the Hokage position also concluded.

After a series of covert struggles, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, once again defeated Danzo and reclaimed the title of Hokage. Tatsuya was neither surprised nor particularly concerned about this! These power struggles among Konoha's elite were still far removed from him, and Tatsuya had no intention of getting involved in the future.

In the Akimichi clan's secret training room, Tatsuya used the Shadow Clone Jutsu to create four physical clones and began training. He had these four clones separately practice the nature transformation and control of the four chakra natures: Wind, Fire, Water, and Earth.

Besides hand seal speed, chakra nature transformation and control were also key to the speed and power of ninjutsu. They were essential foundational skills for all ninja.

When he first entered the Ninja Academy, the school had tested all incoming students, and Tatsuya was found to possess Wind, Fire, Water, and Earth chakra natures. Generally speaking, by the time a ninja reached Jonin level, they would typically have mastered at least two nature transformations. Someone like Tatsuya, who possessed four chakra natures from the start, could already be classified as a genius.

However, Tatsuya's previous aptitude had been rather poor; he was clumsy in both chakra extraction and ninjutsu learning. As for the Yang Release unique to the Akimichi clan, very few people knew about it.

All seven types of ninjutsu could only be used with the corresponding chakra nature, and chakra nature transformation was the key. The five common nature transformations had their own strengths and weaknesses against each other: Fire beats Wind, Wind beats Lightning, Lightning beats Earth, Earth beats Water, and Water beats Fire.

By practicing chakra nature transformation proficiency, one could not only increase the speed and power of their ninjutsu but also prepare for the future development of kekkei genkai. Theoretically, combining two chakra nature transformations simultaneously could create a new release, a kekkei genkai.

Once a kekkei genkai was successfully developed, it would alter one's bloodline. This new release might be recorded in the genes and passed down through blood relations to future generations, benefiting one's descendants and potentially even revitalizing an entire clan with a single person's power. In the ninja world, there were many kekkei genkai that had been successfully cultivated by ancestors and passed down.

In the future, Tatsuya also harbored ambitions of developing some suitable kekkei genkai through his own practice.

As for chakra control, it was the most fundamental of fundamentals. Training methods like the tree-climbing and water-walking exercises that Sasuke and Naruto practiced were all ways to improve chakra control. The higher a ninja's chakra control, the faster and more powerful their ninjutsu would be. Moreover, stronger chakra control could prevent many problems during training and had many practical applications in actual combat.

Basic training was always monotonous and tedious. With shadow clones to grind experience for him, Tatsuya's practical experience began to increase at an astonishing rate. Simultaneously, Tatsuya's original body also made time for other things.

After being transferred from Squad 31, Tatsuya's position was still attached to the Sealing Corps, but because he had been on a mission with Shisui and the others, he hadn't reported to the Sealing Corps for over half a year. Tatsuya didn't want to abandon this position. He still had a lot to learn and research in the field of sealing jutsu. This was a path of growth with no upper limit.

"Tatsuya-kun, long time no see!"

"Tatsuya-kun, I heard you were promoted to Chunin. Congratulations!"

...

As Tatsuya walked through the Sealing Corps' office area, many members greeted him. Tatsuya responded with a smile to everyone's enthusiastic greetings. Compared to his former obscurity, Tatsuya's fame had clearly increased significantly. There were even a few pretty young women who wanted to get closer to him.

Tatsuya politely declined all of them! He had always entertained the idea of a harem. However, without sufficiently strong power to support it, it would only lead to trouble. At this stage, Tatsuya had only one goal: to constantly become stronger!

After reporting to his supervising Chunin, Sakamoto An, Tatsuya's life returned to its previous state of learning in the Sealing Corps. However, compared to his previous busy schedule, Tatsuya now seemed somewhat leisurely.

When he first joined the Sealing Corps, Tatsuya had been a complete novice in sealing jutsu. Now, Tatsuya's sealing jutsu skills were above the vast majority of ninja in Konoha. After Sakamoto An tested Tatsuya's sealing jutsu ability, he simply left him to his own devices.

It wasn't that Tatsuya wasn't striving for improvement; it was just that with his current status and qualifications, he couldn't access more advanced sealing jutsu for the time being. Of course, the leisure was just an illusion. After completing his assigned tasks each day, Tatsuya's main body was also constantly engaged in various research and training.

On the roof of the Hokage Building, the diminutive Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood at the edge of the roof, the hem of his Hokage robes gently fluttering in the wind.

Whoosh!

"Lord Hokage."

A sound of rushing wind broke the silence as Shisui's figure appeared on the rooftop, kneeling on one knee before the Third.

"Shisui, you've come!" Hearing the sound, the Third turned around, looking at Shisui with a warm expression. "I summoned you because I have something to discuss with you."

The Third's gaze slowly swept over Shisui before he continued.

Shisui looked up. "Please give your orders, Lord Hokage!"

The Third nodded in satisfaction. "Shisui, the village is currently short-handed. I would like to invite you to join the ANBU."

After careful consideration, the Third had decided that Shisui was the most suitable candidate to ease the tension between the village leadership and the Uchiha clan. The Third had been closely following Shisui's growth and development. Shisui's grandfather, Kagami Uchiha, had been the Third's teammate. Their lineage was one of the few within the Uchiha clan that leaned towards the Hokage faction and the village.

Within the Uchiha clan, Shisui was a rare genius. At only twelve years old, he already possessed the strength of an elite Jonin and held a certain degree of influence within the clan. He was the most suitable intermediary.

Assigning Shisui to the Hokage's direct ANBU Black Ops would convey the goodwill of the Third and the village leadership to the Uchiha clan. With Shisui, someone trusted by both sides, acting as a go-between, the village leadership and the Uchiha clan could re-establish a certain level of connection, thus easing the current tension and preventing any regrettable incidents from occurring due to misunderstandings.

Of course, deep down, the Third also had the intention of developing Shisui, the youngest genius of the Uchiha clan, into one of his own people.

"Join the ANBU?" Shisui's expression was slightly stunned, looking at the Third in disbelief.

Since the death of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, no member of the Uchiha clan had been in the ANBU for over a decade. The underlying meaning of wariness and distrust was self-evident.

The Third continued to look at Shisui with a kind expression, nodding affirmatively. "That's right. Your strength is sufficient, and you are trustworthy."

"Lord Hokage, I accept!" After a moment of stunned silence, Shisui immediately nodded in agreement.

The precociously mature Shisui had long sensed the delicate relationship between his clan and the village leadership, and he had been anxious but powerless to do anything about it. Now, with the Third placing such an opportunity to ease the tension between his clan and the village leadership before him, Shisui naturally accepted without hesitation.

"Good! Then go back and inform Fugaku, and report for duty as soon as possible. There are many things in the village that require you young people to handle," the Third said with a gratified nod.