STIN: Chapter 36/39

Chapter 36: Training Arc

The newborn sun had just torn through the cicada-wing-thin mist above Konoha, casting a cool light upon the path that had just witnessed a silent farewell.

In the air, it seemed as if last night's cool dew and a certain oppressive heaviness still lingered.

Ryo stood at the edge of the hidden forest behind the Senju old residence, his shadow stretched long.

The morning's silence was widened by a few intermittent bird calls in the distance, yet it could not drown out the echo of that brief scene from a few hours ago in his mind.

Tsunade had efficiently dealt with the last bit of trouble from Nawaki's broken leg, her movements crisp and clean as always.

She did not even wait for the anesthetic to wear off before slinging that familiar giant scroll onto her back.

The assembled team at the village gate had already departed. There was no grand send-off, only an urgent and somber departure.

"Hey."

Just before Tsunade was about to join Orochimaru and Jiraiya's team, Ryo's voice rang out, neither a plea to stay nor softened by any extra address.

Tsunade's steps paused.

"Do not die."

Kushina, standing nearby, bit her lower lip, her light blue eyes filled with unconcealed worry, her gaze glued to Tsunade's straight back.

Tsunade did not look back.

She just waved her hand forcefully and casually, her back to them.

That figure, representing Konoha's Princess, the Battlefield's Miracle Healer, and the last glory of the Senju, finally stopped lingering and strode forward to join Orochimaru and Jiraiya, embarking on the dusty road toward Ame.

Her silhouette gradually shrank and blurred amidst the thin mist and trees.

Until the last bit of her outline disappeared, like a distant mountain swallowed by thick fog.

…

The next sun rose over Konoha, its rays slipping through the lingering morning haze and casting a cool light.

Ryo stood at the edge of the hidden forest behind the Senju old residence, his shadow stretched long.

The morning air carried the crisp scent of damp earth and grassy dew, so quiet that only a few intermittent bird calls could be heard.

His gaze swept over the somewhat disheveled training ground, still smelling of freshly turned earth, the place where Nawaki had received an unforgettable lesson yesterday. Ryo frowned.

The thought was fleeting. Nawaki's leg was now resting under Tsunade's healing jutsu at Konoha Hospital, a decent outcome for everyone.

Just then, hurried and slightly stumbling footsteps came from behind, carrying an undisguised dominance that broke the morning's tranquility.

"Ryo!" A crisp shout pierced the thin forest mist, like a small cannonball flying at him.

Ryo instinctively turned.

Kushina ran toward him like a ball of fire leaping and burning in the morning light.

Mito's decision yesterday, "Kushina is entrusted to you for a few months," had ignited everything inside the little firecracker. She was almost the first to rush to the training ground, treading on the dew.

Her dazzling red hair was casually gathered into a vibrant ponytail, swinging with her strides. Tiny beads of sweat dotted her temples.

She was not wearing the neat academy uniform, probably finding it cumbersome. Instead, she wore a slightly faded but thick dark green short-sleeved training top, paired with form-fitting black capri training pants, revealing a section of energetic, smoothly contoured calves.

On her feet were simple canvas gaiter boots, their soles stained with damp earth.

Ryo's gaze swept over her battle-ready attire without much ripple.

"Too late."

Kushina had just reached two meters in front of him. Before she could catch her breath, she was choked by those ice-cold words. The excited flush on her face seemed to deepen, probably from anger.

She quickly took a deep breath, suppressing that spark of anger. Looking up, her voice was clear and self-righteous. "I was too excited last night. Could not sleep. Is that not allowed?"

She boldly took a step closer, instantly shortening the distance, almost close enough to feel the warm, girlish scent from her.

The sudden closeness did not shake Ryo in the slightest, but his gaze inadvertently swept over her chest, which rose and fell rapidly from running. Even the thick fabric could not completely conceal the soft curve.

"Talk nonsense again, and go back to the academy to sleep." His voice was clipped, carrying a trace of warning.

Kushina immediately plastered on a big, somewhat stiff smile, even showing two rows of small white teeth. Her voice jumped eight octaves and dragged out, "I—KNOW—RYO—SEN—SEI. What awesome thing are we learning today?"

Her deliberate fawning was like a small animal wagging its tail.

The two words "sensei" drilled into his ears, but Ryo's face didn't pay it any mind. He gave her no extra glance, only turned and strode toward the flattest open space at the center of the field.

"Keep up." Two words tossed over his shoulder.

Kushina looked at his back and pouted hard, silently making a face. Tch. Dead wood.

The complaints in her mind crackled like firecrackers, but her steps did not slow. She followed closely, her ponytail swinging in reluctant arcs behind her.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 37: Zero Hand Seals

Ryo stood still, his gaze falling on Kushina, who was running toward him. Without any preamble, he got straight to the point: "Basics determine height. Tree climbing, water walking, how long have you practiced?"

Kushina had just steadied herself when his direct approach, not even giving her time to catch her breath, startled her. She instinctively puffed out her small chest, showing the pride unique to the Uzumaki clan. "Of course I've practiced! I can climb to the top! Water walking, I can also last several minutes…"

Her voice weakened under Ryo's cold, expressionless gaze.

She mumbled softly, "…Although, sometimes I fall down…"

"Falling down means you're trash."

Ryo's evaluation was blunt, like stating a simple fact. "Chakra control, rotten."

This harsh judgment was like hot oil splattering into cold water, and Kushina instantly ignited, flames flashing in her eyes.

"Who are you calling trash?!"

Her small fists clenched, her cheeks flushed, and her ponytail seemed ready to explode with anger. Even the tips of her hair seemed indignant.

Ryo completely avoided her burning eyes. Instead, his gaze pressed down even more heavily, carrying a condescending scrutiny. "The Uzumaki have naturally immense chakra, which is a huge obstacle for fine control. Yet after two years, you're still like this."

He paused deliberately, his tone flat but every word sharp. "That proves you haven't put in the effort, or," he tilted his head slightly, a sneer curling at the corner of his lips, "you're simply incapable."

"You!" Kushina's chest heaved violently with anger, her dark green training uniform tightening and loosening. Grievance and fury intertwined, rushing to her head.

She wanted to shout back, wanted to rush forward and punch this detestable guy into the ground. Her fists clenched so tight her knuckles turned white, but she held herself back with visible effort.

Her voice came out strained, trembling not with weakness but with sheer indignation.
"…Who… who didn't put in effort? I just… I just have a bit of trouble controlling it, that's all!"

Ryo didn't soften in the slightest. He met her glare head-on, like steel against fire.
"Excuses. On the battlefield, no one cares why you fail. They only care that you failed."

The words hit Kushina like a whip. She bit down hard on her lip, the anger in her chest boiling hotter. Her nails dug into her palms, but she still refused to look away from him.

Ryo let the silence stretch, while he assessed the situation in his mind, her chakra control clearly exposed the conflict between her "essence" (immense chakra) and "intelligence" (fine control). As for hand seals, one of the eight core ninja basics, Ryo was almost certain she hadn't developed them well. Combined with her rough personality, complex hand seal processes would only slow her down.

He had to find a breakthrough, bypass her weaknesses, and directly boost her combat ability.

The strengthening plan he designed for Kushina surfaced clearly: ninjutsu that could be cast without hand seals.

This would perfectly bypass her hand seal weakness, directly turning the Uzumaki's immense chakra into destructive power, raising her combat strength in the shortest time.

Decision made, Ryo's tone returned to calm coldness. His words came out faster than usual, as if erasing the awkward seconds before. "Begin. First lesson, Rasengan."

Ryo raised his right hand, fingers naturally spread, palm facing up.

Just as Kushina looked at him with curiosity and a trace of mischief, a ripple spread in the depths of Ryo's calm eyes.

He slowly lifted his right hand, fingers spread, palm facing the hazy morning light.

The starting posture was unremarkable, with no complex hand seals, no roaring wind or thunder. However, in the next instant,

Sizzle!

In just one second, before Kushina's gasp even left her throat, a fist-sized, rapidly spinning, pure blue chakra sphere, the Rasengan, suspended above Ryo's palm!

Its inner light flowed brilliantly, the surrounding air churned wildly, lifting strands of Kushina's red hair.

Violent. Pure. The aura of destruction spread out like an invisible shockwave instantly.

Kushina's beautiful blue eyes widened to the limit.

Her pupils rapidly contracted under the glow of the deadly sphere.

Her small mouth gaped slightly, her earlier smugness instantly shattered by this terrifying ninjutsu, cast without hand seals, purely condensed from destructive power. Even her anger froze.

"…This… this?!" she gasped.

"It's called Rasengan." Ryo steadily held the miniature storm. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a metallic weight, each word striking Kushina's ears and pounding heart.

"A highly compressed, rapidly spinning sphere of pure chakra. No hand seals, instant cast." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the turbulent energy inside the sphere, before adding the most critical detail. "It destroys from within, with immense power."

"It bypasses complex hand seals, relying solely on chakra shape transformation. This is perfect for you, since you're not skilled in hand seals."

"It maximizes the advantage of your immense chakra."

This last sentence was like a surgical knife, directly pointing out the core problem she needed solved most.

The storm in his palm did not weaken, its low hum speaking for itself.

Seeing Kushina's captivated expression, her eyes glued to his palm, Ryo finally threw out the bait, his voice utterly flat. "Want to learn?"

"Want to learn?!" She trembled with excitement, lunging forward and grabbing Ryo's arm tightly, the one holding the Rasengan.

No hand seals. Instant cast. Internal destruction. Immense power. And it was perfect for her.

These keywords exploded in her heart like thunder.

"Learn! Of course I want to learn! Now! Immediately!" Her voice shook with excitement, her cheeks red like hot iron. Her knuckles turned white from gripping, fingernails almost digging into Ryo's arm through his training uniform. "Right now! Quickly tell me how to do it! Tell me!"

The hand seal problem that had troubled her suddenly had the perfect solution.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 38: Rotten

Ryo felt the heat radiating from his arm and the low growl of the Rasengan in his palm, caused by the slight instability from Kushina's forceful impact.

He lowered his head, looking at the girl who was almost hanging onto him.

She lifted her face, eyes burning with unshakable determination, reflecting the blue light of the Rasengan against his still-taut expression.

"Alright, Kushina, get ready."

"Put away your impulses," Ryo's voice cut in, calm but sharp. "Quiet down. Use your head."

The dangerous, ghostly blue orb in his hand slowly dissipated in the morning light, leaving only a faint scorched smell in the air.

Ryo walked over to an old oak tree with gnarled branches and mottled bark.

"First step, feel it."

He didn't use chakra, only extended a finger and pressed it against the rough trunk. His fingertip slid down the bark without obstruction. "The tree's veins are your path."

Kushina was supposed to stay back and watch, but instead she stepped forward until her shoulder nearly brushed his arm.

Ryo's hand froze midair, his eyes narrowing slightly. The sudden closeness was deliberate.

"What are you doing?"

Kushina stiffened under the weight of his tone, but she didn't back down. She took a breath, puffed herself up, and declared, "To get a clearer look! How else am I supposed to learn?"

Without waiting for his reply, she copied his movement, pressing her finger against the bark. "Like this, right?"

Her voice was edged with defiance, her fingertip landing close to where his had been.

Ryo studied her, his gaze unreadable. For a moment, only the rustling of leaves and Kushina's quickened breath filled the field.

"Fine. Since you're this close, pay attention."

He tapped another groove in the bark with precision. "Feel the flow. Don't force your chakra. Guide it. That's the difference between control and waste."

Kushina clenched her jaw, nodding quickly. "I'll get it right this time."

Mimicking him, she held her breath, concentrating her chakra slowly at her fingertips.

A faint blue glow lit up, flickering with unstable fluctuations.

"Flow. Adhere." Ryo's low voice gave the command, his gaze fixed tightly on the glow of her chakra.

Her control was crude.

The faint blue light flickered on and off, dancing like a drunkard at her fingertips. Let alone flowing like water, even keeping it stable was strenuous.

She pressed her finger against the bark, attempting to mimic Ryo's smooth, unhindered touch.

"Buzz." The chakra, like a small bird hitting an iron plate, suddenly trembled, emitted a faint whir, then dissipated.

Not even a mark was left on the bark.

"Ah!" Kushina exclaimed in frustration, stamping her foot hard, her canvas gaiter boots thudding against the ground.

"Chakra is superficial, impatient, and unstable." Ryo's verdict was merciless. "Control, rotten."

That word again.

Kushina immediately bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "What rotten! This is my first time seriously learning the Rasengan!"

Her fists clenched, her teeth grinding audibly. She was angry enough to punch the tree, but instead she growled, "I'll prove it!"

Ryo's expression didn't soften. He simply turned toward another trunk and said flatly, "If you can't control it here, practice the basics. Go climb a tree."

Kushina glared, cheeks puffed, but didn't argue further. She stomped toward the nearest large tree.

She kicked off her mud-stained boots with a huff, planting her bare feet firmly on the grass. The morning dew clung to her skin as she flexed her toes, grounding herself.

"Watch carefully," Ryo ordered. "Gather chakra to your soles. Distribute it evenly. Too little, you'll slip. Too much, the bark will tear and you'll fall harder."

"Tch, I know that much!" Kushina shot back, but she bent down, focusing as she gathered chakra at her feet.

The gravel on the training ground dug into her feet, but her smugness soared like it had wings.

She glanced sideways at Ryo, who stood with his arms crossed.

She clung to a thick tree trunk high off the ground, held there purely by chakra on her right foot.

She deliberately paused for two seconds, building anticipation.

Then, her left foot slowly lifted, moving so sluggishly it looked like a slow-motion close-up.

Her toes finally pressed lightly against the rough bark, a faint thud sounding unusually soft.

A tiny, triumphant tsk escaped her throat, smugness overflowing in her expression.

The next second, her foot landed on empty air.

Creak. Snap.

The thick branch beneath her suddenly broke. The groan of the rotten wood sounded like it was mocking her failure.

"Ah!" Her short scream was torn apart by the wind.

The sky tumbled violently, the coarse, sandy ground lunging up before her eyes.

It's over. Kushina closed her eyes in despair.

The expected crash never came.

The whistling wind suddenly stilled, and an overwhelming force abruptly clamped around her waist.

Bang.

Her back slammed into a scorching wall, Ryo's chest.

Through the thin training uniform, the heat made Kushina jolt.

What flooded her senses next was the heartbeat deep within his chest, steady and powerful, each beat echoing through her spine.

Kushina opened her eyes in alarm, her gaze colliding with Ryo's hard, clenched jawline, which still held a trace of surprise he hadn't had time to hide.

Her waist was encircled by one of his arms. His other hand firmly cradled her right knee, his grip steady and unyielding.

Her left foot hung uselessly in the air, inches from his face.

The air instantly froze.

The rustling of leaves stopped. The birdsong ceased.

The entire training ground seemed drained of sound, leaving only the rhythm of two heartbeats, loud and heavy in the silence.

Every stiff line of their bodies, every rise and fall of their chests, was clear.

Where her waist met him, it was all taut, solid muscle. His hand on her knee carried undeniable strength.

The sudden closeness overwhelmed Kushina. Embarrassment rushed through her body, wiping away all her earlier smugness.

"Still… not… letting go!" she said quickly, trying to cover her fluster.

Ryo finally released her and set her back on the ground, steady and controlled.

Kushina wobbled before regaining her balance. She glanced at him, saw his slightly awkward expression, and felt her own face heat up.

Then, unable to hold it in, she suddenly laughed.

"Pfft hahaha!" Her crisp, bright laugh startled birds from the branches above.

Ryo looked at her sudden laughter and felt speechless. "Alright, that's enough for today. See you later." He disappeared into the edge of the forest in a few bounds.

Training ended there.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 39: Cold And Hard

Kushina's crisp, bright laughter hadn't quite faded even after Ryo's figure had already disappeared into the edge of the dense forest.

Kushina held one hand to her stomach, which ached from laughing, and rested the other casually on the rough trunk of the large tree that had nearly caused her fall.

The burning heat on her face hadn't receded, a blush like a ripe cherry tomato spreading from her cheeks all the way to her delicate earlobes.

She took several deep breaths of the air, fragrant with the scent of grass, before she managed to suppress the triumphant euphoria that had been crashing wildly in her chest.

The skin-to-skin contact in that instant had made her heart tremble with heat, filling her with an unprecedented sense of fulfillment.

Mikoto truly was a genius!

…

Meanwhile…

In the Hokage's office, the light was mostly blocked by heavy curtains, leaving only a dim, yellow glow from an antique chandelier above the desk area, illuminating the swirling smoke in shadowy relief.

Hiruzen sat in a large chair, the soft light of the crystal ball reflecting on his deeply furrowed face.

At this moment, the sphere no longer displayed the training ground but the scene of Kushina and Ryo's practice, and that sudden "body slam" lingered in everyone's minds, silently exerting pressure.

A suffocating, almost palpable tension hung in the air, thick enough to condense into droplets.

The Third Hokage "clacked, clacked" on his pipe, the sound particularly rough and grating in the silence, as grey smoke continuously spiraled upward.

To his left sat Utatane Koharu, her face stern and unyielding.

"Hiruzen!" Utatane Koharu could no longer contain herself. Her plump finger stabbed toward the crystal ball, her voice sharp and shrill, her face pale with anger.

"How much longer will you indulge her?! Uzumaki Kushina is the future Nine-Tails Jinchuriki! The village's most important strategic weapon!" She was practically roaring, spittle almost splattering onto the crystal ball.

"Look! Look at how she's behaving! Flirting and getting entangled with that Ryo! Is this the temperament a weapon should have? A Jinchuriki should not get involved in such romantic entanglements! Their hearts must be as cold and hard as stone! What's more—"

She abruptly turned to Mitokado Homura, the fire in her eyes burning hot. "You and I both know how dangerous it is when a Jinchuriki gives birth! Even a slight emotional fluctuation could lead to utter disaster! Who will bear that risk?!"

Her chest heaved violently, her agitation boiling over.

Mitokado Homura pushed up his glasses, which had slid down his nose, his brow furrowing slightly, but his voice remained calm: "Koharu, you are being overly emotional. Are you unaware of Ryo's identity? Tsunade's direct disciple, someone approved and personally appointed by Mito-sama, a direct descendant of the Hokage lineage. Teaching Kushina and enhancing the Jinchuriki's combat power is Mito-sama's intention, and also a guarantee of the village's safety. Besides, Kushina is still young, pure of heart. When young people interact, a few minor incidents do not mean anything."

"Incidents? Homura, are you blind?" Utatane Koharu's voice trembled with rage as she pointed at the two figures in the crystal ball. "Look at Ryo! Was that moment when he grabbed the Jinchuriki's waist an accident?! And now! Look at him…"

"Enough!"

The Third Hokage brought his pipe down hard on the edge of the table with a dull thud, forcefully suppressing Utatane Koharu's simmering anger.

"Mito-sama has her own considerations!" His gaze, sharp as a blade, swept over Utatane Koharu's indignant face.

"Ryo teaching Kushina to train and strengthen her abilities, allowing her to better adapt to her future role, is precisely what we want to see! As for emotions…"

He choked slightly on his smoke, his tone becoming meaningful. "That is also part of a bond. A strong bond is what can truly restrain a Tailed Beast."

In the depths of Hiruzen's eyes, a hint of weariness and calculation flickered, which even he himself did not wish to dwell on.

That chaotic scene in the crystal ball, the boy's clumsy panic and the girl's bright laughter, was too dazzling, piercing through some unspoken pretenses.

He even involuntarily thought of Mito's words, cold to the point of ruthlessness: sacrifice and control are always paramount.

His gaze refocused on the image in the crystal ball, where traces of blue chakra still lingered—the residue left by a Rasengan cast without hand signs.

A subtle glint, hard to detect, flashed deep in his eyes.

"You may leave."

Compared to those minor details, the Third Hokage paid more attention to that ninjutsu, the Rasengan executed without hand signs.

Utatane Koharu's chest rose and fell violently, her face alternating between red and white. Finally, under the oppressive gaze of Hiruzen, she stomped her foot and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Mitokado Homura gave the crystal ball a deep look before silently withdrawing.

(To be continued.)