Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha.

As July drew to a close and the weather grew hotter, a sense of melancholy welled up in Hyuga Shuichi's heart in the Hyuga clan's territory.

"Wow, Shuichi! As expected of a secret technique. The clan leader and the Hokage have been praising your performance lately."

"I want to be as excellent as Shuichi!"

"You still have a chance to learn Baguazhang, keep up the good work, Xiuyi."

"Shuichi, you are our pride..."

In the branch family, everyone who meets Hyuga Shuichi will praise him loudly, and when mentioning the secret techniques bestowed upon them by the main family, they will proudly puff out their chests.

Hyuga Shuichi outwardly wore a humble smile, but once out of sight of his clansmen, he subconsciously clenched his fists, his surging emotions almost activating his Byakugan.

"Shuichi, don't let anyone else see you like this."

Hinata Hizashi, who had just opened the door, called out to remind Hyuga Shuichi. After taking a deep breath, Hyuga Shuichi stepped into the room and sat down. Neither of them spoke.

Even those with exceptional talent cannot learn the secret techniques of the Hyuga clan after branching out.

Most of the family members who separated from the main branch did not object to this, but a small number of them felt humiliated, feeling inferior despite sharing the same blood and eyes.

"How did you feel about this mission?"

Hyuga Hizashi looked at the boy in front of him who had his head down. The latter slowly raised his head and then said in an envious tone:

"Whether it's Shu or Kakashi, their talents are exceptional."

"They are free to learn anything, while I can only submit to the corrupt family system. This 'gift' from the main family is more like charity."

Giving a useful "tool" to the village to show one's stance is how Hyuga Shuichi felt after learning "Return to Heaven".

Hyuga Hizashi did not immediately offer his opinion, but instead calmly continued to inquire:

Does Osamu Furukawa pay attention to the Hyuga clan?

"I can't be sure of his attitude. Xiu gives me an indescribable feeling that his talent may far exceed the village's imagination."

Hyuga Shuichi responded softly, recalling the time they had spent together, and he couldn't help but think of the words "live on."

"I shouldn't have pinned my hopes on the next Hokage."

"Perhaps this is the fate of the divided family, Shuichi. Don't show your emotions in front of the main family."

That's just how the world is; there are always things we can't change. Just live with hope.

Hyuga Hizashi encouraged him in a low voice, not wanting to "make empty promises." As a member of a branch family, he couldn't change anything.

Seemingly having anticipated this outcome, Hyuga Shuichi nodded slightly in response, then, reflecting on the role of ordinary ninjas in war, he muttered to himself with a self-deprecating smile:

"Thank you, Lord Hizashi. At least I am still a valuable tool."

-

As night falls, the commercial street is bustling with activity under the colorful lights, and several new izakayas have recently opened in the village.

"ha..."

Tsunade, who had raised her glass for a hearty drink, let out a low exclamation, then immediately slammed the glass onto the table, causing her round, white breasts, exposed beneath her sleeveless top, to bounce a few times.

"A few more, please! These refreshing beers are perfect for this hot weather!"

Shizune was a little worried when she saw her teacher looking dazed, but Furukawa Osamu was already used to it. With Tsunade's ability to control chakra, it was very easy for him not to get drunk.

He poured Tsunade a cup, then raised his oolong tea to hers, clinked glasses, and asked with a smile:

"Teacher, aside from the Hyuga clan, how do ordinary ninjas release chakra from the pressure points all over their bodies?"

Normally, Tsunade wouldn't answer at all, she'd just flick her forehead and say something like "laying the foundation." But after drinking too much, the situation was completely different. She squinted and answered:

"These profound questions again!"

"Controlling all the pressure points in the body to release chakra? No one except the Hyuga clan can do that."

"You saw the Reversal of Heaven? Even with this profound technique, the effects vary from person to person."

"The ability to reliably and quickly extract chakra from the meridians and release it from the acupoints is something that very few people in the Hyuga clan can fully master."

"Unlike the kekkei genkai of Iwagakure, the kekkei genkai of the Hyuga clan is not something that is developed; it is an innate talent."

"..."

Furukawa Osamu nodded thoughtfully, then smiled and continued pouring the wine while calling to Shizune:

"The fried food at this shop is pretty good!"

Seeing that Tsunade was indeed awake, Shizune felt relieved. The girl, eating the freshly served tempura, quickly praised it happily:

"Shu, it's really delicious!"

"But I still like your cooking. Tsunade-sensei has complained about it a few times recently..."

"Pour the wine!"

Tsunade interrupted the girl's rambling. She had indeed become somewhat dependent due to her comfortable life, but as a teacher, she couldn't show that side of herself.

Furukawa Osamu smiled and continued to refill Tsunade's bowl, while also telling the shopkeeper to bring out a new batch of side dishes. This mission was ultimately upgraded to S-rank by Jiraiya, so he made a small profit.

No longer asking about ninjutsu, Furukawa Osamu simply shared some interesting anecdotes from the mission, and Shizune quickly smiled, with Tsunade joining in the banter and teasing.

She drank until late at night, and Tsunade, her face flushed, left satisfied as the shopkeeper saw her off. Standing at the shop entrance, she squinted and asked:

"Xiu, are you comfortable using the short sword?"

"The conduction and storage effects are excellent. I was able to return safely thanks to Tsunade-sensei's gift."

Furukawa Osamu offered a respectful compliment, and Tsunade, no longer inquiring about mission details, leaned down, flicked her forehead, and whispered instructions:

"I don't want to see you at the memorial tablet in a few years. Don't relax, and finish the Hundred Seals as soon as possible."

"Teacher, isn't the development of this technique still incomplete?"

"You little brat, you're not cute at all..."

-

In early August, Furukawa Osamu, who was on vacation, continued to gather Sage Chakra at home as usual. The number of "essence" medicines increased, and the progress accelerated a bit.

The slug on his shoulder remained motionless until the seated Furukawa Osamu finished all the refining, then praised him in a cheerful tone:

"Lord Xiu, the progress on the Hundred Healings Seal has increased again!"

"Once this technique is completed, I will be able to assist Master Xiu in entering Sage Mode, making the subsequent refinement of Sage Chakra much easier."

Furukawa Osamu simply nodded, then asked in a low voice:

"Slug, you said before that Hagoromo and Hamura inherited different powers, with the initial chakra influencing the Sage of Six Paths more?"

"Yes! The power of the Sage of Six Paths has been passed down to this day, and the influence of his chakra manifests every few years."

The slug wriggled its tentacles and crawled onto his knee. After thinking for a moment, Furukawa Osamu suddenly asked again:

"Can you sense the chakra passed down from Indra and Asura?"

"Yes, Master Xiu, but the other party needs to awaken that power."

Furukawa Osamu didn't know what these two streams of chakra were, but he knew that they must exist on the Uchiha "Dancing King".

The Byakugan might not be obtainable through gathering, and Furukawa Osamu didn't want to get too close to the Hyuga clan, but he was determined to obtain those two streams of chakra.

"We might have to trouble the live slugs in the future!"

"No problem, Master Xiu, I look forward to your path of evolution."

"..."