The next morning came quickly. The group finally began their journey back toward Konoha.
Shorai's body felt just functional enough to make training tempting again, but he knew better than to ignore Tsunade's orders—not that she would have let him if he tried. Under a bright sun, a dusty rural road stretched ahead toward the horizon.
Naruto chatted without pause, filled with his usual restless energy. Shorai, however, observed the scenery in silence as he walked steadily beside Tsunade.
"What is with the silent pout, Shorai?" Tsunade smirked, noticing his lack of speech over the last hour.
"This might be surprising, but I enjoy quiet time more than talking," Shorai replied, glancing at her before returning his gaze to the road. "Aside from training, of course."
"That does not sound remotely convincing, considering all the talking I have heard from you so far," Tsunade countered. She turned her smirk toward Jiraiya. "The boy lectures adults like a Sage more often than the one who actually calls himself one."
"Do not encourage him, Tsunade," Jiraiya replied, shaking his head. "His unsupervised time in the Konoha Library is already a potential problem. Then there are his self-destructive chakra experiments, which seem to stem from his idol—your grand-uncle." He looked toward Shorai. "He seems more like a younger Tobirama than Minato these days."
"The Second Hokage?" Tsunade raised a brow. She stopped mid-stride and studied Shorai for a long moment. "Now that you mention it… I see it."
Shorai glanced at her.
"Not the face," Tsunade clarified. "The look in your eyes." She blinked, then added, "Shorai, that jutsu you used in battle—the one involving your two affinities. What did you call it again?"
"Swift Release," Shorai replied flatly.
"Right. Care to explain what it actually does to your body?" Tsunade's voice shifted into something sterner.
Shorai looked toward a distant mountain peak. "When I fuse Lightning and Wind and run them through my system, it does three things. First, it heightens my perception and processing speed. Second, it elevates my reflexes. Third, it boosts my physical movement to extreme speeds."
"I see." Tsunade's expression tightened. "You are forcing two elemental transformations through your nervous system, chakra pathways, and muscles at once. You have turned a bloodline advantage into something that enhances both your body and your movement." Her brows furrowed. "Wind and Lightning fused into a stable transformation… That is a kekkei genkai. And you are forcing it through a body that has not even finished growing."
"He did not just create it," Jiraiya added. "He found a way to heal himself while using it."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. For a moment, she seemed at a loss for words.
"A dangerous bloodline ability," she said slowly, "and you developed a healing method to keep it from killing you?"
"Jiraiya-san, are you always this talkative about other people's abilities, or is Tsunade's company the exception?" Shorai asked, glancing at the faintly smiling Sage.
"The thing that helped you survive," Tsunade said, her professional side taking over. "What exactly was it?" She paused. "Forgive me. You do not have to tell me. The medic in me needs to understand."
"Well, you are not strangers to me anymore. And we are bound to cooperate, given Jiraiya's reputation and your new position." Shorai met her golden eyes. "Using theories of anatomy and the nature of the body, I developed a special Yang layer. My chakra uses it for cell activation, muscle restoration, and overall healing while I maintain focus."
Tsunade's expression broke. Her eyes widened.
"Wait. Did you say cell activation?" she asked. "Are you lying just to sound impressive?"
"Unbelievable," Shizune whispered, turning toward Shorai in shock.
"Alright, alright. I can see an interrogation is about to descend on me," Shorai sighed. "I am not going into the technical details. And before you tell me again—yes, experimenting on my own body with something as dangerous as cell activation theory was foolish. Dear Wisest Big Sister."
"Shorai-kun, this is no joke!" Shizune cried, her concern growing. "Cells have limits for a reason. Push them too far and you can damage organs, destroy tissue, or shorten your lifespan." Her eyes widened further. "You could have already shortened your life by years."
"How many times have you used that Yang jutsu?" Tsunade asked, her tone becoming commanding.
"Hm… more than a dozen," Shorai concluded after a moment of thought. "Testing it, then using it alongside Swift Release."
"That is horrifying," Shizune said quietly.
"Shorai, you are lucky to be alive," Tsunade replied, her voice catching. "To think that a twelve-year-old made such a breakthrough in the medical field…" She stared at him. "You have stepped into forbidden territory that I studied for years before I ever created my own technique."
The longer Tsunade considered it, the more unsettled she appeared.
"As your Wisest Big Sister, do not ever attempt such a thing again without consulting me. Do you hear me?" She paused, assessing his features. "Is your hair color the result of those attempts?"
"No. It is natural. The Yang experiments came much later," Shorai said, shaking his head.
"Can you perform it on others? What are the side effects?" Tsunade continued, her questions coming quickly.
Shorai put a hand to his chin. "I could perhaps adjust it after assessing another person's body, but the technique is tailored specifically for my physique. I cannot guarantee safety for anyone else." He hesitated. "As far as I can tell, it has not caused lasting damage. I have studied it carefully for… years."
His voice faltered for a fraction of a second, concealing the role the Reality Stone had played in perfecting the technique.
"Apart from natural stress and chakra consumption, the Yang healing method has not left harmful effects that I can detect. My control is very high."
"What a monster…" Tsunade whispered.
"Be careful, Tsunade," Jiraiya teased. "At this rate, the kid might surpass you sooner than you think."
"What a strange child you are, Shorai," Tsunade muttered. "How much more are you hiding?"
"Hey! Hey! Hey! What did Shorai do this time?" Naruto asked as he slowed down to join them. "You are scolding him again."
"It will never end, Naruto," Shorai said with a smile. He caught the eyes of Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Shizune before adding, "I am simply too progressive for the adults around us. They are limited by their own vision. That is why I keep telling you that mastering the basics is the only way to make enormous leaps in progress."
Tsunade stared at him.
"You are twelve. How many times am I going to have to repeat that?"
Shorai let out a dramatic sigh. "What a tragic limitation."
Jiraiya snorted.
"Says the kid," Tsunade huffed. "You are impressively reckless. The way you lecture with the attitude of an old veteran… the way you train with total disregard for your own well-being. The snake was right about one thing—if your tongue does not bring you harm, your way of thinking certainly will."
"Tsunade-sama is right, Shorai-kun," Shizune added. "You need to be more mindful of your… tendencies."
"Ladies, give him some slack," Jiraiya intervened. "He is not a fool, despite his odd behavior. I have been watching him. He plans ahead. As concerning as it is, he is a scholar."
"Sure. You can call him whatever you want," Tsunade sighed. "Yet every idea he has says otherwise. A walking contradiction."
"In the flesh," Shorai said, smirking. "I suppose my personality is affected by my affinities. Perhaps I could write a theory on the subject: Chakra Flaws: The Effect of Elemental Affinities on Personality. Then I could write a sequel on whether bloodlines make people unbearable."
"You are not kidding," Tsunade said, frowning. She glanced at Naruto, who had walked a little ahead of them. "If he was not here, I would forget what a normal twelve-year-old looks like."
Jiraiya's voice carried a thread of concern. "Shorai, I still wonder about that serpent summon. That thing you did… it looked like a Rasengan to me."
"Ah! Shorai, I remembered what I wanted to ask!" Naruto interjected. "That Rasengan looked way cooler and more powerful! You said it carried more chakra, right? You have to teach me how you did it!"
"Do not even think about it, kid," Tsunade snapped. "That technique is dangerous." She turned to Shorai. "Your arms still carry scars from that performance. If it were not for your healing method, it could have been much worse."
Naruto tilted his head. "Dangerous? But it looked so cool…"
Shorai gave Jiraiya a pointed look.
"Whatever Shorai experimented with," Jiraiya said, catching the signal, "that Rasengan has a massive recoil."
"Sorry, Naruto. Because of my chakra control, I tend to improvise in battle. That was a reckless attempt," Shorai said with a strained smile. He pointed toward Naruto's waist. "Perhaps when you can control your chakra more consistently, I will explain the theory. But not yet."
"Eh? Why are you being so stingy?" Naruto pouted. "Aren't we friends?"
"That is exactly why it is important to know when to stop," Shorai replied, his mind drifting toward his new training regime of stillness.
"Be a good boy, Shorai," Tsunade sighed. "Start practicing what you preach." Her gaze shifted to the jade necklace around Naruto's neck.
Their journey continued. Naruto asked about the First Hokage while Shorai remained silent, mentally mapping out his new training structure. From the corner of his eye, he could see Tsunade watching him from time to time.
They took a wider route to avoid Tsunade's potential debt collectors.
—
Three days later, with Tsunade keeping a meticulous watch to ensure Shorai did not sneak away to train, they finally reached the gates of Konoha.
"Yoo-hoo! We're finally back!" Naruto jumped. "I have so much to tell Iruka-sensei!"
"Then go find him," Jiraiya said with a smile, nudging the boy forward.
Naruto sprinted away. Tsunade watched him leave with a small smile before turning her attention to the village.
Woosh.
Three masked shadows landed before them—Eagle, Cat, and Boar.
"Lady Tsunade. Master Jiraiya." Eagle bowed. "It is good to see you back safely."
"I know, I know. Let's get to the tower," Tsunade said, smirking. "The old farts cannot wait."
The ANBU trio stood in silence for a moment before glancing at Shorai, who gave them a light, knowing smile.
As they marched along the central street, Shorai noticed a distinct shift in the village's fashion.
'Looks like I have affected things quite deeply,' he mused.
They passed the Yamanaka flower shop. Shorai's expression softened as he caught a fleeting glimpse of Ino and her mother in conversation.
At the Hokage Tower entrance, the ANBU trio separated from the group and vanished in brief Shunshin blurs.
Tsunade paused before the familiar doors.
"It has been years since I walked through these doors as an ordinary shinobi," she whispered.
"This time, the responsibility will be heavier," Jiraiya said, his voice unusually somber.
"Hmph." Tsunade pushed the doors open.
By the time they reached the Hokage's office, Boar and Cat were already waiting beside the desk. Shorai entered last and spotted Shikaku Nara seated behind the Hokage's desk, surrounded by mountains of paperwork, with Eagle standing nearby.
"Lady Tsunade. You have finally returned," Shikaku said, rising with visible relief.
"I am here." Tsunade studied him for a moment. "Hm. You are from the Nara clan, aren't you? Shikaku?" Her gaze then drifted toward the portraits of the previous Hokage.
"I am," Shikaku replied. "Excuse me for being so direct, but the Elders are eager to meet you. It would help greatly if you could meet them immediately. I know you have just returned from a long journey, but—"
"I am ready. Let us not waste time. Show the way."
Tsunade, Shikaku, Eagle, and Shizune left the office together.
—
Shorai and Jiraiya stepped back outside the tower.
"Shorai," Jiraiya said seriously. "Be mindful of yourself. I want to see you spread your wings, not burn yourself out—or end up in a snake's belly."
"I understand, Jiraiya-san. I will do my best."
"Doing your best is not a definite answer," Jiraiya sighed. "Just think twice before you experiment with your ideas, will you?"
"I will," Shorai replied, shaking Jiraiya's hand.
"Good." Jiraiya's expression shifted into a playful grin. "I imagine a certain someone will be glad to see you. A man should not keep the people he loves waiting."
"Then you should spend more time with Tsunade, Jiraiya-san," Shorai smirked. "If you stop indulging in the Three Taboos and try being a gentleman, perhaps she will see you as more than a comrade."
"Heh. Not likely…" Jiraiya looked up at the descending sun, briefly lost in thought. "Changing oneself, huh?"
Shorai gave him a final nod and walked away. He moved through the main street toward the Yamanaka flower shop, preparing himself for his reunion with Ino.
As the shop came into view, his pulse quickened.
'An interesting experiment,' he told himself.
It was a poor lie, even by his standards.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
He whispered the command just before reaching the entrance.