“It seems I must also Cultivate diligently.
If I fall too far behind, I feel I won’t be able to stand by my husband’s side.
I still hope that one day, I can fight alongside you, my husband.” After hearing Yayoi’s earnest words, Kicho’s heart was filled with a desire to grow stronger.
As a “Genius” of the Hyuga Clan, in the six months since arriving in the Land of Night, she had also felt immense pressure.
Recently, she had increased the time spent on cultivation, and her strength was steadily improving, but thinking of the gap between her, Yayoi, and Irori, she felt she needed to work even harder.
“Take your time with these things.
Kicho, your strength is already excellent, and I will help you.” Yayoi wasn’t lying.
Kicho was only seventeen this year, yet she had already caught up to Kakuzu before he had fused with Earth Grudge Fear; her strength was roughly comparable to Kakashi Hatake during the Land of Waves arc.
However, her Chakra reserves should exceed Kakashi’s.
Ninjas possessing a Bloodline Limit are born with powerful Chakra.
If she maintains this pace, in ten years, Kicho might even be able to rival Kakuzu with Earth Grudge Fear.
A Ninja of this level is already at the top tier in the Ninja World.
Most Ninjas are not as powerful as one might imagine; they can be said to have some skill, but on the battlefield, they still serve as mere backdrop for powerful Ninjas.
“Take this technique and Cultivate it, Kicho.
Your current strength should have reached the minimum requirement to practice it.” Under Kicho’s curious gaze, Yayoi took a black Ninjutsu scroll from the Ninja tool pouch he carried with him.
Kicho took it, and upon touching the material of the Ninjutsu scroll, she knew this technique was definitely extraordinary.
This was because the material used to create this Ninjutsu scroll was special Chakra paper.
Without a specific sequence of hand seals, the content presented on the scroll would reveal the wrong way to Cultivate it.
If one were to rashly attempt to Cultivate it, it would directly lead to damage to the practitioner’s meridian System, which could be so severe that it might even lead to death.
“This is a ‘Chakra Activation’ technique I created based on my own active Chakra, which I have named ‘Chakra Living Body Technique.’ While called a technique, it is actually a special Chakra refinement skill that allows the user’s Chakra to ‘come alive,’ comprehensively increasing the power of taijutsu, genjutsu, and Ninjutsu, while also significantly improving resistance to attacks and the speed of injury recovery.” Yayoi explained.
The Chakra refined using this technique could be considered a degraded version of his own active Chakra.
Even so, this was an important technique capable of establishing the Foundation of a Ninja clan.
Kicho was not someone who couldn’t recognize value; after hearing Yayoi’s explanation, she instantly understood that this was a precious item that, if news of it leaked, could cause a bloody storm.
As a Ninja from a prestigious Family, Kicho knew well that a technique used to consolidate the foundational Domain of a Ninja was far more valuable than a finished technique.
Chakra refinement techniques sound simple and unremarkable, as if every Ninja knows them, but this is one of the most fundamental secrets of a Ninja and a Ninja clan.
Once leaked, it could be used by enemies to exploit and counter it.
This is because the Chakra refinement technique of every Ninja clan is unique.
Normal Chakra refinement involves combining physical energy and spiritual energy to create Chakra.
But there are special cases; many Ninja clans can create Chakra by relying on a single source of physical energy or spiritual energy, which is then used to perform special secret techniques that differ from conventional attributes.
For example, the Aburame Clan that joined the Land of Night uses special refinement techniques to create special Chakra to control insects.
It is for this reason that the Ninjutsu scroll Yayoi gave her was so valuable.
Yayoi’s active Chakra technique, which can be learned and used by outsiders, is essentially similar in principle to the special Chakra refined and used by secret technique Ninja clans.
This is a Foundation sufficient to support the rise of a Ninja clan.
(In the original manga, during the Sasuke Retrieval arc, it was mentioned that Tayuya of the Sound Four created Chakra through a single source of spiritual energy.
The Chakra used by the Nara Clan is also different from the Chakra refined by most Ninjas; it is special Chakra used to perform secret techniques.) “I understand, my husband.
I will Cultivate this technique diligently.” Kicho was not coy either; she simply made up her mind to work hard to learn this Chakra refinement technique as soon as possible, so as not to disappoint Yayoi.
“Speaking of which, a few days ago, I bought a rather special piece of clothing.
Tonight…
would you like to appreciate it, my husband?” Kicho blushed shyly, bowed her head slightly, and lowered her gaze.
Her delicate and dependent demeanor seemed to say she was ready to be plucked by him.
Unable to repay him, she could only let her body fully enjoy…
no, endure the hardship.
Yayoi had intended to tell Kicho that this refinement technique for activated Chakra was just a low-spec template of his own active Chakra, and even if it were known by others, it would be impossible to deduce his fundamental secrets from it.
Moreover, at his level, even if his Chakra refinement technique were exposed, weaknesses or whatever would hardly affect the outcome of a battle.
The reason why the exposure of a Chakra refinement technique brings risks is that most Ninja clans are made up of the weak.
Only the weak need to trade information; the strong…
only need their left punch to deal high damage, and their right punch to deal high damage, then just crush everything in their path.
However, upon hearing Kicho mention the ‘rather special piece of clothing’…
Yayoi’s words suddenly stuck in his throat, and he didn’t say them.
Forget it, I’ll talk about this tomorrow.
Sigh, Kicho, you really are the bane of your husband.
Tonight, it seems I will just have to tire out my brothers first.
◎ “Is this…
clothing?” In the inner court of the General’s Mansion, Hyuga Aoi and Hyuga Rinko were in the laundry room, responsible for washing the clothes sent by Irori.
Hyuga Aoi picked up a white female Ninja outfit from the basket…
Hmm?
Why is it see-through?
The hem is so short, and it feels so light, as if it were nothing.
And this flimsy material…
wouldn’t it tear if you used a little force?
Why would Lady Kicho wear such flimsy Ninja clothing?
“What strange clothing.
And this, it should be called stockings, right?
It’s a novel and popular item that recently came from another country.” Rinko picked up two long white fabric strips, which felt very comfortable to the touch.
The two of them spent quite a bit of effort washing the clothes that had been sent, then placed them in the corresponding laundry room to dry.
It had been almost half a year since they moved into the General’s Mansion.
The two branch house girls had long since gotten used to life here.
Or rather, compared to the Hyuga Clan, their days here could be called carefree.
They didn’t have to go to the battlefield, nor did they have to do heavy labor.
Their daily tasks were just washing clothes, delivering meals to Kicho and Yayoi at scheduled times, ensuring the cleanliness of the main residence, and so on—all of which were very easy jobs.
Furthermore, it didn’t take much time; in total, they only worked three or four hours.
As Ninjas, they were very capable, and they did things faster than ordinary people.
All kinds of housework were no challenge for them.
Setting aside seven hours of sleep, the remaining time was theirs to use freely if there was nothing special to do.
They could leisurely drink afternoon tea in the inner court, daydream, sleep, or Cultivate.
If they felt bored, they could also go out shopping to buy things they liked.
Their monthly pocket money was very generous, an amount they wouldn’t have dared to imagine before.
So much so that they developed a habit of saving money that they didn’t have in their former Family.
It should be said that in the Family, they didn’t have much money at all; most of it had to be turned over to be distributed by the clan head and Elders.
But as peripheral figures, the amount they received each month was naturally pitifully small.
Now, they would save the money they couldn’t spend.
Every day, watching the money in their piggy bank grow, the two of them felt incredibly happy and blissful.
Now, many of their piggy banks were completely overflowing.
“Lady Kicho, lunch has arrived.” Aoi and Rinko arrived at the master bedroom.
One carried the meal, and the other carried the dessert and fruit, placing them on the dining table.
Then, they opened the window to let more sunlight from outside shine in.
Turning back to look at the futon on the tatami, hmm, as expected, it was really messy.
“Ah, you’re here.
Could you help me up?
I can’t get up on my own.” AI Model: gemini-3.0-flash Kicho poked her head out of the bedding listlessly.
Her beautiful black hair, styled in a hime cut, was messy in some places, sprawling across the bedding and the floor like unfurled seaweed.
“Lady Kicho, are you injured?” Rinko walked over and asked in confusion.
Aoi followed her, moving to the other side, intending to help Rinko lift Kicho from the floor bedding.
“It’s nothing serious, it’s just that my husband was in high spirits last night, and I accidentally strained my back.” Kicho’s words were like a sudden thunderclap, causing Aoi and Rinko’s faces to instantly turn beet red, their bodies freezing in place.
S-s-s-strained her back!?
With the powerful Physique of an elite Ninja, just what kind of tricks did Lady Kicho cooperate with the General in last night, and to what tragic extent did the battle escalate, for her to actually strain her back?
Aoi and Rinko fantasized about the scene for a moment, their fair skin turning even more flushed, as if they were about to bleed.
Their heads felt dizzy and their bodies swayed, as if they might faint at any moment.
Lady Kicho is truly terrifying, truly lewd!
“Oh my, you two aren’t thinking of anything disrespectful, are you?” Seeing their blushing faces, pure as little white flowers, Kicho knew exactly what kind of unsightly scenarios they were imagining in their minds.
Kicho could only say that they were simply underestimating her, the Genius girl of the Hyuga Clan.
The unsightly scenes of last night would only be more unsightly than what these two could imagine.
“N-No, we’re not.” Aoi and Rinko shook their heads flusteredly, their faces still red as they helped Kicho get out of bed and get dressed.
Only then did they realize that when Kicho emerged from the bedding, she wasn’t wearing anything at all, except for a pair of wrinkled white over-the-knee socks on her legs.
So lewd!
Afterward, Kicho put on her usual kimono and finished grooming herself.
Her beautiful hime-cut hair was also meticulously arranged.
She once again became that dignified and elegant General’s wife in front of outsiders.
“Speaking of which, you two have been at the Shogun’s Manor for so many days, and it seems you haven’t shared his bed yet, have you?” As if suddenly remembering something, Kicho tilted her head slightly, her gaze sweeping toward Aoi and Rinko, who were behind her helping with her hair and clothes.
“Ah, s-s-sharing his bed!?” Rinko’s body stiffened, and the wooden comb in her hand fell to the floor in fright.
Aoi’s hands, which were tidying Kicho’s clothes, also paused their movements.
“Of course.
You were married off along with me as the General’s Concubines.
It just so happens that I’ve strained my back, so starting today, you two go and serve him in the bedchamber.” Kicho’s tone was full of matter-of-factness.
She didn’t have the kind of thought that she must monopolize Yayoi for herself.
As the monarch of a country, how could he have only one woman?
The future of the Oda Clan rested not only on her husband Yayoi’s shoulders, but also on her shoulders as the General’s wife.
“B-But…” Aoi and Rinko stammered, hesitating and unable to say anything coherent.
“If the Oda Clan wants to grow strong, I cannot do it alone.
My husband needs more excellent women to bear him children and expand the Family.
This is not to satisfy personal desires, but a responsibility that a ruler of a nation must have.
If my husband does not have enough heirs, it will cause instability in the country.
You wouldn’t want the country to be unstable because he lacks children, would you?” As soon as Kicho said this, she effectively ended the argument.
“So, you should change how you address me and call me Sister Kicho.” Kicho looked at the two with their flushed faces and found it quite amusing.
Aoi and Rinko murmured, not daring to look up.
But their lack of refusal meant they had no personal objections.
◎ The highest level of the Tenshukaku, the office area, was a vast space of several hundred square meters.
Today, only Yayoi was here handling official business.
Irori was still outside dealing with the matters of incoming refugee Ninjas; whether it was suppression or pacification work, it all required a certain amount of time.
Occasionally, clerical staff would come over to discuss matters or bring processed documents for him to perform the final review and make the final decisions.
After all, it was impossible for Yayoi to handle the official business of an entire country alone; otherwise, he would work himself to death and still not be able to finish.
(Speaking of which, Naruto in Boruto is truly ridiculous, having to handle every single trivial matter himself, eventually exhausting himself like a dog with poor results.
It feels too self-centered, as if he’s raising Konoha like a giant baby.) “Jonin, Chunin, Genin…
It seems the Ninja ranking System has begun to appear.” An intelligence document from the Konoha Ninja Village in the Land of Fire was delivered to Yayoi’s hand.
He glanced at the content revealed within; it was Konoha Ninja Village deciding through a high-level meeting to implement fine-grained Rank management for Ninjas.
That’s right, Ninjas of this era actually had no so-called Rank divisions.
Whether a Ninja was strong or if their level was high was determined by fighting first.
A weak Ninja could also rely on Ninjutsu with strange abilities to defeat a strong Ninja in certain special circumstances.
And now, this Ninja ranking System had finally appeared.
Unsurprisingly, it was likely a System invented by Senju Tobirama.
Before Konoha proposed this Ninja ranking System, although Yayoi had the advantage of foresight, he hadn’t popularized this System.
Because the impact of this System could be seen as large or small, it was actually better for it to be proposed by the strongest Konoha Ninja Village.
Only the Konoha Ninja Village possessed the capability and influence to divide the Ranks of Ninjas throughout the entire Ninja World.
“Defining Ranks is also a good thing; it allows for more refined work allocation.” Yayoi nodded and took out another file.
Recorded on it were Ninjas and samurai of the Land of Night one after another, all elites whose strength could be granted the title of ‘Jonin’.
Originally there were only nearly twenty people, but with the subsequent addition of the Aburame Clan and the incorporation of some broken-down small Ninja clans, some Jonin-level Ninjas also existed.
Currently, the number of Ninjas who had reached the Jonin level was close to fifty, among which the number of Jonin from the Aburame Clan alone was more than ten.
However, they only met the standards in terms of strength; whether they met the standards in other aspects remained an unknown.
After all, Jonin, Chunin, and Genin are, in a strict sense, administrative Ranks rather than strength levels.
It’s just that in most cases, a Jonin represents an average ability that far exceeds that of Chunin and Genin.
Starting from Chunin, whether one possesses a calm and steady mind as well as the talent to lead a team would also be an important criterion for Ninja assessment.
If they cannot achieve this, no matter how strong the Ninja is, they will be classified as a lower-Rank Ninja.
“Besides the Ninja ranking System, things like Forehead Protectors will also likely take the stage soon.” Yayoi chuckled.
This feeling of witnessing the era move step by step toward the original work was truly full of fun.
After finishing these, other intelligence was also within Yayoi’s reading.
For example, the Ninja Villages of the other Four Great Nations, after dozens of days, had already developed a decent prototype.
In order to catch up with Konoha’s footsteps as quickly as possible, they would likely quickly determine the candidate for ‘Kage’ the moment the Village was officially established, and then engage in exchanges with Konoha as equals.
That day wouldn’t be far off; at the latest by next month, the first generation of Kage would appear one after another.
The mobility of the great nations’ Ninjas was evident.
Besides the actions of the great nations, some small nations and Ninja clans were also within Yayoi’s scope of attention.
That was the distant relatives of the Senju Clan—the Uzumaki Clan.
After they refused to join the Konoha Ninja Village, they established ‘Uzushiogakure’ in the southeast of the Land of Fire, centered around their clan lands, and were actively building a nation.
According to the current execution speed, the Uzumaki Clan could complete the prototype of a nation before the end of the first half of the year.
But to get on the right track, it would take at least several years.
Ninja Villages and nations are, after all, different organizational groups.