"The Yin Seal!"
"A sealing technique?"
Kyohiko appropriately feigned curiosity.
In truth, he had already deduced the direction this was heading – there was hardly any other possibility.
Fortunately, his acting skills had become polished enough by now.
"Yes, it's a self-applied sealing technique. You can think of it like building a reservoir that can be opened and closed. You add water to it every day, then draw from it when needed."
Tsunade explained.
She continued, "During that year I spent wandering with Shizune, I considered using the Yin Seal's stored chakra to enable prolonged healing without hand seals. But before I could fully develop the idea, you all found me."
That would become Creation Rebirth and the Strength of a Hundred Seal.
Kyohiko mentally completed the thought before saying, "It's an excellent technique, but I have one question – can it be controlled after activation?"
"I'm not sure, but I suspect not. It will likely become a forbidden technique."
Tsunade chuckled.
Kyohiko nodded. "Even forbidden techniques have their value. But something this advanced would be nearly impossible for most to master."
"Exactly!"
Tsunade exhaled wearily.
Then she grinned despite herself. "Why worry about inheritance when I haven't even finished creating it? My granduncle never considered whether techniques would be banned before developing them!"
"The Second Hokage…"
Indeed.
Tobirama Senju's stubbornness was legendary – forging ahead with techniques even knowing they'd be prohibited.
History proved Hashirama's concerns justified. The Edo Tensei alone had caused immeasurable chaos.
Kyohiko rubbed his hands expectantly. "About those scrolls…"
"None prepared yet. I'll have a shadow clone draft them soon with annotations included. Compared to Flying Thunder God, the Yin Seal is child's play."
For someone of Tsunade's caliber, mastering the Yin Seal had always been trivial – she'd simply never prioritized it before, and now lacked the time.
After brief consideration, she straightened up decisively.
"I'll document the Yin Seal's formulas and methodology now. Study them thoroughly – the books I gave you cover basic sealing theory already…"
Producing scrolls swiftly, Tsunade began transcribing.
One scroll filled rapidly.
Then a second…
Three scrolls total.
Mostly sealing array breakdowns with supplemental notes – compact in essence but extensive when expanded.
If even the Yin Seal required this…
Kyohiko could scarcely imagine the computational complexity behind mastering Flying Thunder God's spacetime manipulation.
His current skills indeed fell short for rapid acquisition.
As for the Yin Seal?
Sealing techniques seemed marginally more approachable than spacetime ninjutsu – the primary barriers being advanced chakra control and esoteric knowledge…
With sustained effort, mastery might take months, perhaps a year at most.
Accepting the trio of scrolls, Kyohiko noted Tsunade's damp brow – the writing process had mostly sobered her.
She set down the brush.
"There. I'll prepare a comprehensive version later – or if you master it first, share it with the Uzumaki children. They might find applications."
"Understood."
Kyohiko nodded.
"One more thing – if you're free tomorrow, assist at the hospital. Good visibility opportunity."
Tsunade smirked over her shoulder. "Aspiring Hokages need public rapport, no?"
With that, she disappeared in a shunshin.
Kyohiko sighed.
Still…
Having advocated for the Psychology Department, absence would be unbecoming. Especially now that…
He'd acquired the Nirvana Illusion technique.
After Tsunade's departure, Kyohiko summoned a shadow clone to study sealing theory upstairs while his main body assimilated new proficiencies below.
Expert-level Superhuman Strength.
Kyohiko contemplated deeply, extracting nuances.
While the jump from Proficient to Expert introduced no novel mechanics, the comprehensive refinement proved transformative – quantitative gains yielding qualitative evolution.
Stepping outside, he threw a casual punch.
Boom!
Chakra coalesced explosively, detonating the air itself.
Effortless execution!
This embodied true monstrous strength.
His prior attempts had resembled seal-less ninjutsu…
After several trials, inspiration struck – why not attempt the Rasengan?
Swoosh!
Chakra spiraled into existence instantly.
A system check confirmed:
Rasengan (Beginner) unlocked.
Further refinement could elevate it to Proficient swiftly.
Yet currently…
The Rasengan offered Kyohiko marginal utility – his taijutsu and kenjutsu achieved comparable results more efficiently.
Kakashi faced similar redundancy.
Only niche scenarios would demand it.
Water Dragon Bullet testing could wait – no need to wreck his yard today.
Kyohiko dismissed his chakra, turning attention to the Proficient-level Nirvana Illusion technique.
Resembling Hell Viewing's inverse, this genjutsu evoked blissful memories rather than trauma.
However…
At Proficient-tier, it could directly induce euphoria without memory manipulation – a versatile adaptation.
The technique's C-to-B rank difficulty made rapid progression unsurprising given his foundations in Tree Binding Death and Master-level Clone Techniques.
Achieving seal-less casting remained distant, though.
Moreover, its activation constraint –
Forehead contact.
Limited applications beyond psychotherapy, yet it deepened his comprehension of emotion-altering genjutsu.
Merely supplemental then – but useful for tomorrow's demonstration.
…
Next morning, Kyohiko arrived at Konoha Hospital.
The compound had transformed overnight.
Where temporary tents once stood, wooden frames now marked permanent construction's commencement, displacing the shelters further outward.
A thronging crowd surrounded the site.
Hundreds of spectators at minimum.
Kyohiko attempted infiltration before resorting to accosting a bystander.
"Elder! Are you all patients?"
"Patients? Nay, merely curious about this 'psychological treatment.'"
Kyohiko suppressed a sigh.
Surveying the mob, he identified sparse clearing and projected his voice:
"Everyone! Direct your attention here!"
Numerous heads turned.
Then they beheld… a child?
Ah.
A child ninja.
"I am Ryoho Kyohiko! Some may recognize me. Rather than crowding there, I'll demonstrate related techniques here!"
Murmurs propagated.
Ryoho Kyohiko?
The precocious graduate?
Swiftly, an audience assembled as Kyohiko explained psychological treatment fundamentals.
Meanwhile, Yuuhi Kurenai peeked through tent flaps, initially relieved before spotting Kyohiko's growing congregation.
Arriving belatedly, Tsunade scowled at the chaos.
"What's Kyohiko scheming now?"
"Distraction perhaps," Kurenai ventured.
"Enthusiasm overwhelmed us – some even volunteered construction labor."
Abrupt laughter erupted from the crowd.
"Kyohiko's demonstrating the Nirvana Illusion technique inside," Kurenai reported after reconnaissance.
Tsunade's expression hardened.
But intercepted explanations revealed Kyohiko's modified approach – inducing euphoria without immersive memory alteration.
"Clever deconstruction," she murmured. "He extracted just the mood-elevating components."
Kurenai nodded knowingly.
Kyohiko's analytical prowess was legendary – Ebisu's rapid progress after adopting his methodologies proved it.
Tsunade noted Kurenai's pensive expression.
"Genjutsu talent manifests differently. His Tree Binding Death and clone mastery demonstrate capable foundations."
This soothed Kurenai somewhat.
At least his skills weren't instantaneously acquired…
Tsunade tactfully omitted that Kyohiko had mastered Tree Binding Death in under forty-eight hours.
"Dispatch teams for crowd control. We've actual work pending."
…
"Even deconstructed this genjutsu – impressive."
Tsunade reserved praise until privacy.
The adapted technique's practicality delighted her.
"Merely logistical problem-solving," Kyohiko demurred.
Inquiring about Yin Seal progress, she nodded at his request for additional sealing texts.
Kyohiko withheld that his shadow clone had pulled an all-nighter with minimal progress.
Genius reputation required relentless grinding.
…
Meanwhile, on Konoha's outskirts…
Might Dai and Might Gai stood before a stone cliff.
"Father, attempt rapid punches."
"Pure punches? No supplemental motions?"
"None. Methodical progression."
Gai's eyes shone with anticipation.
This could revolutionize taijutsu's standing!
Dai steadied himself.
Sixth Gate: Gate of View – OPEN!
Unlike typical explosive surges, Dai's energy enveloped him in a controlled mantle.
Bam-bam-bam!
Dozens of punches lashed outward.
Initially, only concussive shockwaves resulted – then flames spontaneously wreathed his fists.
Subsequent strikes launched fiery projectiles that cratered the distant cliffside.
"FIRE?!"
Dai gaped at his fists.
"TAIJUTSU… CAN DO THIS?!"
Gai vibrated with revelation.
Kyohiko's theories about Eight Gates' latent potential were vindicated beyond expectation!
Seventh Gate testing ensued despite Gai's misgivings.
Azure steam erupted as Dai unleashed…
…And promptly obliterated the mountainside.
"FATHER! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO HOLD BACK!!"
Pain-racked yet triumphant, Dai collapsed as Gai evacuated him toward Konoha Hospital – where Tsunade and Kyohiko's skills would be sorely tested.