Chapter 9: Chapter Nine: The Interrogation Division

Beneath the tree beside the training ground, Kushina Uzumaki patiently explained to Fujinaka Genma the function, core principles, and hand seal sequence of the Sealing Technique: Seal of the Demonic Spirit.

Fujinaka Genma took notes one by one in his notebook.

The Sealing Technique: Seal of the Demonic Spirit has a broad range of applications—it can seal another’s chakra, and by extension, can also seal curse marks or similar ninjutsu imposed on oneself or others.

Fujinaka Genma recalled the original timeline: Orochimaru’s curse marks were mostly sealed by the Hidden Leaf Village using this technique.

Correspondingly, there was the Unsealing Technique: Unseal of the Demonic Spirit, which Kushina Uzumaki taught him directly.

For Fujinaka Genma, the basic principles and hand seal sequence were not difficult at all—he memorized them easily.

The key was stable chakra output to achieve the sealing effect.

Then, how to perform the sealing technique quickly.

Next, simplifying the hand seals for execution.

Step by step, advancing layer by layer.

In fact, this process could be applied to the practice of all ninjutsu.

For example, when Fujinaka Genma learned the Fire Release: Flame Bullet, over two years he advanced it to Level 6 and could now perform it with only two hand seals.

He could also freely control the power and area of effect of the technique.

This process required not only exceptional learning and comprehension ability, extensive practice time, and precise chakra control, but also deep mastery of chakra nature transformation and even shape transformation.

So.

After Fujinaka Genma mastered the basic principles and hand seal sequence, Kushina Uzumaki began assigning him execution drills.

The target? Herself.

First attempt.

“Not bad—Itachi succeeded on your first try.”

“But the effect is poor—even a genin could easily break free.”

“Again!”

Second attempt.

“Better than before, but still not enough.”

“This type of sealing technique is like setting a fishing net—there can be no flaws or gaps!”

…

Again and again he tried, each failure pointed out with precision.

Normally, Kushina Uzumaki was warm and carefree, but during training she was extremely strict.

Finally, just before his chakra ran out, Kushina Uzumaki smiled in satisfaction: “This time was excellent—the sealing technique’s completion rate is very high.”

“Now Itachi must practice until it becomes second nature, then continuously increase the sealing power—that requires long-term training.”

After offering encouragement and evaluation, Kushina Uzumaki effortlessly broke the seal Fujinaka Genma had placed on her.

Fujinaka Genma collapsed onto the ground again, gasping for breath.

He opened his system: Constitution +0.4, boosted to +0.8.

A new skill appeared in his regular skill list: Level 1 Sealing Technique: Seal of the Demonic Spirit.

It was exhausting—but worthwhile.

In the days that followed, Kushina Uzumaki seemed to have found a new toy and trained Fujinaka Genma with serious dedication.

And Fujinaka Genma was beaten daily.

Mornings were combat training—mostly Fujinaka Genma enduring various creative forms of punishment.

During holidays, Ebisu and Hyuga Mio wanted to join in, but after seeing Fujinaka Genma’s pitiful state, Ebisu promptly withdrew.

Every time Hyuga Mio watched Fujinaka Genma get beaten, she clenched her fists tightly; after each beating, she rushed forward with ice packs to treat his injuries.

Afternoons.

Were tedious sealing technique drills, occasionally supplemented with theoretical knowledge of sealing.

Yet.

This intense training and study yielded remarkable results.

His Constitution attribute, which had been improving extremely slowly, now showed visible daily gains; his Intelligence attribute also steadily increased.

In a flash, two months passed.

One afternoon, Fujinaka Genma did not train in sealing techniques—he was taken by Kushina Uzumaki to the Hidden Leaf’s Interrogation Division.

The corridor’s gloomy atmosphere made Fujinaka Genma slightly uncomfortable.

Beside him, Kushina Uzumaki explained their purpose: “There’s a spy who needs his chakra sealed, so I claimed this mission for myself.”

“Your progress these past two months has been tremendous—this mission is a test.”

“If Itachi pass, I won’t just teach Itachi your next sealing technique—I’ll also teach Itachi a ninjutsu as a bonus!”

Kushina Uzumaki’s smile was full of temptation.

Fujinaka Genma’s eyes lit up—he was about to speak when a shout rang out ahead, and around the corner charged a ragged, grotesque-looking middle-aged man.

“Get out of my way!”

The man roared at Fujinaka Genma and Kushina Uzumaki, eyes bulging with murderous intent, his body radiating intense chakra fluctuations.

Escaped prisoner?

Jailbreak!

Fujinaka Genma’s heart jolted—he reacted instinctively, firing the kunai clenched between his teeth with a sharp *pfft*.

Kushina Uzumaki, who had been about to move, halted her action and went on guard, surprised by his decisiveness.

“Brat, Itachi’re asking for death!”

The man dodged the kunai, roared, and lunged through the air toward Fujinaka Genma.

But suddenly, a massive Flame Bullet filled his vision.

“Ahh!”

The man screamed, turned into a torch, and crashed to the ground.

From appearance to defeat—less than a second.

“Well done!”

Kushina Uzumaki beamed in praise, then formed hand seals and unleashed a Water Release to douse the man’s flames.

Just then, two Interrogation Division ninja arrived in pursuit.

Seeing the escaped prisoner wounded on the ground, they sighed in relief, wiped sweat from their brows, and bowed deeply to Kushina Uzumaki in thanks.

“Don’t thank me.”

Kushina Uzumaki waved her hand, then proudly pointed to the calm, composed Fujinaka Genma beside her: “He’s the one who subdued this guy—Fujinaka Genma, my student!”

Fujinaka Genma quickly bowed politely and said, “Senior.”

“Huh?”

Both men stared in shock at Fujinaka Genma’s youthful face; one said, “Lady Kushina, earlier Itachi said Itachi’d bring someone to complete the sealing mission—was it him?”

“Yes.”

Kushina Uzumaki nodded, then pointed at the fallen prisoner: “Is this the target?”

“Yes!”

“This guy was too clever…”

Kushina Uzumaki nodded, then turned to Fujinaka Genma: “Then seal him here, right now!”

“Yes, Sensei Kushina!”

Fujinaka Genma nodded and stepped forward.

Wow, what a mess!

Though he’d only been burning for a moment, his Fire Release was powerful—his clothes were charred to rags, and large areas of his skin were severely burned.

Suppressing his nausea, Fujinaka Genma swiftly formed hand seals.

In under four seconds, the seals were complete—he pressed his right palm against the prisoner’s chest: “Seal!”

Instantly.

Countless black, tadpole-like runes emerged continuously from his right palm, spreading from the heart outward across the prisoner’s entire body.

Then the runes vanished, leaving only a seal pattern centered on the heart.

Kushina Uzumaki stepped forward to inspect it, then smiled faintly in satisfaction: “Excellent!”

Mission complete, the two departed gracefully, leaving the Interrogation Division ninja to clean up the mess.

“Are kids today really this strong?”

“Kushina’s student is still a genin academy pupil, isn’t he? Amazing—he can already perform a sealing technique independently at this age. He’ll surely become someone extraordinary!”

…

Faint murmurs echoed behind them; Kushina Uzumaki’s lips curled upward in pride.

“Alright, that’s enough for today—remember to come to my place tonight!”

Outside the Interrogation Division, Kushina Uzumaki ruffled Fujinaka Genma’s hair and walked off smiling.

Minato Namikaze had just returned from his mission—she had a date.

Fujinaka Genma watched her retreating figure, eagerly anticipating tonight’s gathering.

Hey, wait—can I get the reward early?