Jingyi didn't know Tsunade was planning to return to the village.
He wasn't planning to make a big deal about the forbidden technique either. At the moment, only a few people above the Jōnin level were even aware of it. Even someone like Kakashi, who had proctored the Chūnin Exams, only knew bits and pieces.
Not that it was anyone's fault.
After all, where would Kakashi have learned about these kinds of forbidden techniques?
Techniques like Edo Tensei or Reaper Death Seal those were strictly prohibited. The highest class of forbidden jutsu.
They couldn't even be stolen.
Using them would bring disgrace and danger to Konoha. The entire shinobi world would turn its judgment on them.
But…
Strange strength...
Put simply, if a body can handle the backlash, then it's not forbidden. It's more like a niche power. That's why the Strength of a Hundred Seal wasn't classified as forbidden.
As for things like Cell Activation techniques?
They're more like poor man's forbidden jutsu. If those were banned, then Kumogakure's Lightning Release: Chakra Mode would fall under scrutiny too.
Jingyi was especially focused on refining that category of techniques.
If he wasn't, he wouldn't bother lowering the difficulty of the activation technique. He could just go all in with something like Creation Rebirth right from the start.
The Third Hokage knew all of this too.
Otherwise, with his usual conservative mindset, he wouldn't have even entertained the idea of a private strategy meeting about these techniques.
Still...
Jingyi understood Hiruzen probably had some thoughts of his own.
Orochimaru.
Maybe the butterfly effect had started flapping. Or maybe something else had changed. But lately, both Hiruzen and Jiraiya had been more guarded around Orochimaru than they were in the original timeline.
Both had brought up Orochimaru multiple times recently.
They were likely onto something probably some discrepancy from the Jōnin Exams.
For Jingyi, that wasn't a bad thing.
He carried the blood of the Senju.
If Orochimaru or Danzō were watching him in secret? Then it was best to draw them out and deal with them directly.
There's no such thing as constant protection. Better to strike first and end it.
Just then, the system prompted him.
> [You have completed the instruction of the "Strength of a Hundred Seal."]
[Evaluation: Excellent]
[Reward: Yin Seal – Full Principles Unlocked.]
"Huh?"
Just the principles?
Jingyi had been excited when he saw the reward until he read it closely. The principles? He had already read those in Tsunade's correspondence!
Was this some kind of ripoff?
He rushed to double-check.
Wait—wrong!
The system didn't just reward the principle. It gave him full theoretical and practical knowledge—details, chakra flow patterns, application steps, and even long-term effects.
If Jingyi were a woman, he could've started cultivating it right away.
Of course, the Yin Seal itself didn't discriminate by gender. But since Mito Uzumaki, the creator, had never tested it on men, there was still uncertainty.
Tsunade didn't know either.
It was simply too difficult. An S-rank technique. One needed deep mastery of fuinjutsu to even attempt it. Tsunade herself had only learned it after years of refinement.
So how would she know if a man could use it?
In her letter, she simply told Jingyi to try it and see.
At worst, he'd waste some time.
Still, the system's version clarified that there were indeed subtle differences in the chakra networks between men and women around the forehead area.
To adapt the seal for male use, it would need to be restructured.
Jingyi was already working through the calculations when
"Sensei!"
Shisui knocked on the door. But the moment it creaked open, there was no one behind it.
What the...?
What kind of jutsu was his teacher working on now?
He stepped in cautiously,just in time to see a fluttering piece of paper.
Paper?
Wow!
Shisui didn't know about Konan of the Akatsuki, so this kind of ninjutsu was totally new to him. He instinctively followed the paper and suddenly, it folded itself into a blade.
It began to move gracefully and with precision.
Willow Sword Style?
Shisui's eyes widened.
He was still processing what he was seeing when
"Hahaha, I haven't practiced this in ages. Looks like I'm still a little rusty."
Jingyi laughed.
The Willow Sword Style was more than just blade work. It combined movement, rhythm, and visual trickery to create a deceptive dance of illusions.
You couldn't recreate it with origami alone.
"But with your skills, Sensei, even paper can kill."
Shisui's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"It's not very practical for now."
Jingyi waved his hand. The paper disassembled and swirled around, gently carrying over a teapot.
Paper manipulation had its uses...
But when it came down to it, slashing with steel was more reliable.
"Your perception is almost on par with a Sharingan."
Shisui wasn't exaggerating he was serious.
After one encounter, his teacher had copied a whole sword style.
Ridiculous!
"Don't flatter me. What's the real reason you came here?"
"Oh—right! I almost forgot!"
Shisui had been so awestruck he nearly forgot his mission.
"I came to ask you for guidance."
"Go on."
Jingyi remained calm, but he already suspected this had to be about Uchiha matters.
And he was right.
Shisui laid out everything that happened. Jingyi wasn't surprised. The boy had no real interest in becoming a Chūnin yet.
Not surprising.
But this version of Shisui was a lot more cautious than his manga counterpart. He understood the value of hiding his strength.
Smart move.
Jingyi scanned the surroundings, checking for Anbu.
Clear.
"You knew to turn down Fugaku directly? Didn't expect that. Well done."
"But... Hokage-sama..."
"You didn't go out of your way to hide anything from him, right?"
Jingyi didn't elaborate but Shisui understood what he meant.
After all, he just learned today that the Third Hokage had the Telescope Technique.
"Don't worry. If Hiruzen really wanted to act against you, hiding your strength wouldn't help. Don't overestimate your importance, kid. You're five, haven't even awakened your Sharingan yet."
He patted Shisui's shoulder.
The boy blinked.
He'd grown up in the Uchiha clan, constantly praised, constantly reminded of his duty. That he was "special." That he had to think of the clan first.
This was the first time someone told him
You're not that important.
"You don't believe me?"
Jingyi smiled.
"Tell me, if I, you, or even your entire clan disappeared tomorrow would Konoha fall?"
Shisui hesitated.
"No… probably not."
"There you go. So don't act like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Not yet."
Jingyi's tone was even.
Harsh truths.
But Shisui needed to hear them.
Even in the manga even with the Mangekyō Shisui couldn't change the fate of the Uchiha clan alone.
How could illusion alone stop a revolution?
Even Madara Uchiha hadn't been able to save his clan with power.
Shisui opened his mouth to protest but he couldn't find the words.
Because, deep down… Jingyi was right.
"Focus on building your strength. Then earn the trust of those within your clan. Only then will your words carry weight."
"Yes, Sensei."
Shisui bowed deeply.
He understood now.
Fugaku was smart but not dependable. If he wanted to enact real change, he'd need a group of like-minded supporters.
He couldn't just rely on Fugaku's approval.
So now
He would grow stronger.
And he would guide the clan's next generation to embrace the Will of Fire.
That was his mission.