---
"The Yin Seal was a technique passed down from my grandmother. It's primarily a chakra storage method. At first, I only thought to pair it with Katsuyu for healing. But recently… I had another idea."
Creation Rebirth.
The moment Jingyi read the words, he immediately thought of Tsunade's famed technique Sōzō Saisei, the pinnacle of medical ninjutsu.
A technique capable of instantaneous regeneration by releasing stored chakra from the Byakugō no In, the Strength of a Hundred Seal. It emulated the self-healing capabilities of Hashirama Senju without the use of hand seals.
Though it shortened the user's lifespan, its efficacy on the battlefield was undeniable.
It seemed this letter from Tsunade wasn't just to share her thoughts it was asking for a second opinion. Perhaps she had caught wind of Yuhika's condition and saw an opportunity to refine her technique.
But the letter itself was vague. It lacked firm conclusions more like Tsunade was brainstorming aloud than reporting a finished method.
Jingyi carefully folded the letter and tucked it away.
Once home, he immediately penned a reply.
Back then, writing this kind of letter would've been nearly impossible he only knew the surface effects of Creation Rebirth, not its true mechanics. But now, with deeper study of shinobi physiology and medical scrolls, his response flowed with confidence.
---
Land of Rivers – Near Taki
Tsunade sat on a rooftop, the peaceful village beneath her a sharp contrast to her turbulent thoughts. Her eyes were contemplative, her jaw tight with concern.
At that moment, Shizune climbed up beside her.
"Lady Tsunade, you've been quiet lately."
"Don't go prying into adult business, Shizune. Besides, I don't owe anyone money right now!" Tsunade said, forcing a smirk.
In the past, she'd always been running from her debts ,always one gamble away from being broke. She used to rely on Shizune to rein her in.
But now?
Ha!
She still gambled but now, she won.
With her finely tuned chakra sensing, Tsunade could practically read the dealers. Not quite fair play, but effective.
Some casinos even asked her to stay and train others she refused. Gambling was a hobby, not a career.
Still, despite her recent luck, she wasn't happy.
Shizune's expression softened. "Is it about the recent rumors from Iwagakure?"
Tsunade didn't answer, but her silence spoke volumes.
The rumors were troubling. Onoki had been active again. Small villages were retreating, whispering of Iwa's military buildup.
And jingyi young, brilliant, and stubborn was still in the village. She didn't want to care.
But she did.
She'd been having nightmares jingyi, bloodied and lifeless on a battlefield. Every time she woke up, her chest would tighten.
Her phobia still lingered blood was her greatest fear. Yet, her concern for him outweighed it.
A chakra pulse stirred the air. A slug clone appeared beside her, delivering a letter.
Shizune glanced up in curiosity. Tsunade took it without hesitation.
It was from jingyi.
She had shared with him her early ideas about applying the Yin Seal toward a new goal: a self-sustaining healing technique without the need for constant hand seals a Muji-style regeneration.
She didn't expect much. She was still sketching the theory.
But his reply caught her off guard.
> "Sister Tsunade, to achieve seamless Muji regeneration, you must first release the chakra from the Yin Seal and distribute it evenly through the tenketsu points. Only then can your cells respond automatically to damage without delay."
She stared at the words in disbelief.
Of course!
She had always assumed she could trigger the regeneration at will when wounded but that wasn't instantaneous healing. That was a reaction.
But preloading the chakra into the body into every cell and capillary that was true automatic regeneration.
It was the bridge she hadn't seen.
And once complete, the Byakugō no Jutsu would be born not just a healing method, but a state of constant vitality and power.
"Good kid," Tsunade muttered, eyes glinting with pride and mild annoyance.
She had only hinted at the idea of jingyi trying the Yin Seal, not expecting anything to come of it. Instead, he turned around and helped her perfect the technique.
"Lady Tsunade?" Shizune asked, tilting her head.
"Nothing," Tsunade replied. She folded the letter carefully. "That brat. Every time I try to teach him something, he ends up one step ahead."
She pouted slightly, but her expression softened.
She remembered jingyi asking her about the Strength of a Hundred. That had felt like the one time he actually needed her guidance if there'd been a scroll, he probably wouldn't have even asked.
He was sharp reminded her too much of her uncle Tobirama.
Same brilliance. Same stubborn streak.
Same sense of duty.
"Shizune," she said after a long pause, "how do you feel about going back to the village for a bit?"
Shizune blinked. "Go back? You want to return to Konoha?"
Tsunade smirked. "The kid's neck-deep in politics. Danzo's still lurking, and Jiraiya's off who-knows-where. If something happens to that boy and we just sit out here twiddling our thumbs…"
She clenched her fists.
She'd lost too many people to war, to bad decisions, to pride.
Jingyi was the Second Hokage's blood. A rare legacy.
If she could help protect even one of his kind, maybe this generation wouldn't suffer as hers did.
Shizune nodded. "I'll pack our things!"
Tsunade turned her gaze toward the horizon.
This wasn't about duty anymore.
This time it was personal.