Chapter 6: Chapter Six: First Meeting with Kushina Uzumaki

Fujinaka Genma hesitated because of the Hyuga clan’s uniqueness.

Byakugan, close-combat taijutsu—Soft Fist.

This is the Hyuga clan’s rigid combat style.

Their role is reconnaissance and close combat.

But in Fujinaka Genma’s view, every Hyuga with the Byakugan is a promising candidate for a medical ninja.

Of course, he knew the Hyuga weren’t fools—they couldn’t miss this point.

Yet the Hyuga never developed toward medical ninjutsu.

Unable to master Yang-based medical techniques?

That makes no sense.

Fujinaka Genma had thought deeply about it: the Hyuga’s current combat style had deep historical roots.

The Hyuga were a noble house that survived the Warring States era, a time far more chaotic than today’s ninja world.

With ninja clans fighting each other, the Hyuga had to ensure their survival and prevent their Byakugan from being coveted—so they had to maintain overwhelming combat power.

It was a matter of survival.

Even after entering the village era, the Hyuga had to strengthen their combat strength to preserve their survival and status.

And at present, medical ninjas were still far less valued than they would become later.

But after thinking it over, Fujinaka Genma still spoke up: “Miyu, Itachi should pursue medical ninjutsu.”

“Huh?”

Hyuga Miyu froze.

Ebisu was stunned: “Miyu becoming a medical ninja? That… can’t be possible, can it?”

Having spent time together, he understood the Hyuga well.

If Hyuga Miyu were from the Main House, there might be a sliver of a chance.

But the Branch House…

“It’s completely impossible!”

Ebisu muttered under his breath.

Even the usually optimistic Hyuga Miyu couldn’t help but grow somber.

Seeing this, Fujinaka Genma quickly added: “I don’t mean making medical ninjutsu your primary focus—just as a supplement.”

“Learning medical ninjutsu improves your understanding of the human body and enhances your taijutsu, making your attacks more efficient.”

Hearing this, Hyuga Miyu smiled and nodded firmly: “Yes!”

Fujinaka Genma smiled too and continued: “There’s another direction: chakra nature transformation.”

Ebisu immediately asked: “Do the Hyuga need this?”

A taijutsu user doesn’t need chakra nature transformation.

Hyuga Miyu also looked at Fujinaka Genma in confusion.

Fujinaka Genma, confident and smiling, said: “Ordinary taijutsu users don’t need it—but let me clarify.”

“The Hyuga’s taijutsu holds advantages at the Genin, Chunin, and Jonin levels—but beyond that…”

Fujinaka Genma didn’t finish, instead shifting tone: “Besides, Miyu, Itachi can’t learn certain secret techniques of the Soft Fist, can Itachi?”

Hyuga Miyu nodded immediately: “Yes.”

“So.”

Fujinaka Genma snapped his fingers. “Itachi must find your own way to strengthen yourself.”

“Chakra nature transformation is one path—Lei Dun, for example, is an excellent direction to develop.”

“Don’t worry—I already have a plan!”

Though she didn’t fully grasp Fujinaka Genma’s deeper meaning, Hyuga Miyu nodded decisively out of trust: “I’ll work hard!”

Afternoon.

Before the first class began, Fujinaka Genma was called out of the classroom by Benshan Yujie.

Seeing the scroll in Benshan Yujie’s hand, Fujinaka Genma’s face lit up—he immediately praised: “No wonder Itachi’re Teacher Yujie!”

Benshan Yujie showed a hint of pride, then his expression turned serious: “Genma, I know your talent is exceptional. To avoid holding Itachi back, I’ve asked the Third Hokage to assign Itachi a better teacher.”

Here it comes!

Fujinaka Genma’s heart jolted, but his face showed shock: “Teacher Yujie, so I’m graduating early?”

“Of course not.”

Benshan Yujie smiled: “If Itachi don’t apply, Itachi graduate normally.”

“Then who’s my new teacher? Will they be as responsible as Itachi, Teacher Yujie?”

Fujinaka Genma’s face showed reluctance and unease—inside, he was eagerly anticipating.

Who would the Third Hokage assign as his teacher?

Hashirama Senju himself?

Unlikely—he carried too much political weight.

And he probably lacked the energy of his youth.

Could it be Minato Namikaze?

Or that rogue Jiraiya?

It could be Jiraiya!

But Benshan Yujie’s smile faltered at Fujinaka Genma’s question—he quickly laughed twice to cover it: “Of course!”

“The teacher the Third Hokage assigned Itachi is exceptionally skilled in sealing jutsu.”

“Just trust and learn from that person.”

Exceptionally skilled in sealing jutsu?

“Then it must be either Minato Namikaze or Jiraiya.”

Fujinaka Genma was eager.

Of course, Konoha had other skilled sealers—but he dismissed them outright.

“Alright, go straight to Training Ground Nine!”

Benshan Yujie handed Fujinaka Genma the scroll, then turned and walked back to class.

“That feels a bit odd…”

Fujinaka Genma held the scroll, muttered, turned, left the school, went home to store the ninjutsu scroll, then headed to Konoha’s Training Ground Nine.

Through a small grove, a figure came into view.

Fujinaka Genma blinked in surprise—female?

And she looked vaguely familiar.

At that moment,

the woman in the green Ma Jia, with her hair tied in a ponytail, turned and smiled at Fujinaka Genma: “Let me introduce myself—I’m Kushina Uzumaki. From now on, I’m your teacher!”

Fujinaka Genma stared at Kushina Uzumaki, utterly stunned.

Kushina Uzumaki!

The Nine-Tails jinchuriki!

Are Itachi kidding me?

Damn it!

Hashirama Senju must’ve lost his mind—assigning the Nine-Tails jinchuriki as my teacher!

Will Orochimaru, that Shadow Hokage, object?

Wait.

Fujinaka Genma’s mind snapped into clarity: “Actually… this makes sense.”

“The Nine-Tails jinchuriki is a secret known only to Konoha’s high command—I’m the only one who knows Kushina Uzumaki is the jinchuriki.”

“And treating her normally is the best way to conceal her identity.”

Realizing this, Fujinaka Genma relaxed—and grew even more eager.

Kushina Uzumaki!

Minato Namikaze’s sealing jutsu came from her.

And if I become her student, I indirectly connect with Minato Namikaze.

First win over Kushina Uzumaki, then Minato Namikaze—perfect!

At that moment, Kushina Uzumaki stepped up to Fujinaka Genma. “Itachi’re a little guy—kinda clueless, huh?”

She was six years older than him—only fifteen herself—but girls mature early, and she looked nearly adult; calling him “little guy” was normal.

Still, Fujinaka Genma’s physique had surged over the past two years—he was now nine years old and stood 160 cm tall, almost matching Kushina Uzumaki’s height.

Fujinaka Genma snapped back to himself and bowed deeply: “My apologies—I didn’t expect my teacher to be a female ninja, so I was taken aback.”

“Didn’t expect a female ninja?”

Kushina Uzumaki narrowed her eyes and grinned.

Fujinaka Genma sensed danger and quickly added: “A great female ninja like Itachi is rare even in the entire ninja world.”

Kushina Uzumaki’s smile widened instantly—she slapped his shoulder cheerfully: “Looks like Itachi’ve got good taste!”

“Don’t worry—even though this was assigned by the old Hokage, I’ll teach Itachi seriously and responsibly!”

Saying this, Kushina Uzumaki stepped back, her expression turning serious: “Now, show me your abilities—I need to understand your current level.”

"Although the records show Itachi're exceptionally talented, as your assigned teacher, I must still evaluate Itachi!"

Fujinaka Genma broke into a cold sweat. "Wait, isn't this supposed to be a sealing jutsu lesson?"

"Hm? Are Itachi saying I can't guide Itachi in other areas?"

Kushina Uzumaki raised an eyebrow; the red strands hanging by her temples seemed ready to lift.

Fujinaka Genma quickly corrected himself. "Of course not! It would be an honor to receive your comprehensive guidance, Master Kushina!"

"That's more like it!"

Kushina Uzumaki smiled again and waved her hand. "Go ahead—attack me!"