I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 112 The essence of "feeling apprehensive upon returning home" is the fear of seeing what one does not want to see.

"Hmph! I really don't understand whose disciple he is. He studies with Jiraiya, he studies with Grandma, he studies with you, and now he's even studying with the Uchiha clan, but he won't study with me!"

In the Land of Fire, by a small river, Tsunade looked at Tatsuma, who was mixed in with the Uchiha group, her voice tinged with resentment. Orochimaru, beside her, put away the map and said:

"Tatsuma is a very clear-headed person. He always knows what to learn. If he grows up and has an amazing physique and chakra reserves, he will come looking for you."

However, he might not have your talent. I suggest you find the Water Release and Earth Release techniques compiled by the Second Hokage as soon as possible; that's what you, as a teacher, should be doing.

"You dare to tell me how to be a good teacher? My disciple went to the battlefield and killed an enemy Jonin! And your disciple? He's eleven years old and still in ninja academy!"

Tsunade stood with her hands on her hips, speaking with an air of self-righteousness despite her lack of logic, leaving Orochimaru speechless. He said calmly, "Nawaki is also your younger brother."

"So what? If someone is inferior to my disciple, then they are inferior to my disciple!"

Seeing Tsunade's state, Orochimaru didn't want to say a word. He looked at Tatsuma, who was asking Fugaku and the others about Fire Release, and wished that Tatsuma could get rid of the negative influence of his teacher.

After resting for a while, the group set off again. Tatsuma and Minato had happy expressions on their faces, even though they already had Jiraiya and Orochimaru's notes on fire-style ninjutsu.

However, a thousand people will have a thousand Hamlets in their eyes, and different ninjas will have different understandings of the same jutsu. Just like the Uchiha Fire Release is famous throughout the world, but the Sarutobi clan's Fire Release also has its unique aspects.

Uchiha's unique understanding of Fire Release was of great help to Tatsuma and Minato. Moreover, Tatsuma learned not only about Fire Release from Uchiha, but also about the principles and production of explosive tags.

This is another classic example of combining ninjutsu and sealing techniques. The ninjutsu is copied into a sealing technique formula, and after chakra is injected, the formula will be transformed into a fire ninjutsu. It is a seemingly basic but actually ingenious invention.

This is the original detonating tag. Later, people made more than one improvement, adding functional spells such as delay or trigger, making the detonating tag more practical.

This knowledge wasn't particularly valuable; it was just that Tatsuma hadn't considered learning it before. His reason for learning it wasn't to create explosive tags, but rather after Orochimaru inspired him to combine escaping and sealing techniques.

As a report to the Uchiha clan, Tatsuma also offered his creative ideas on the explosive tags: adding an extra layer of sealing jutsu to the bottom of the explosive tags to seal in some failed ninja tools or rusted and unusable ninja tools.

Inscribe another layer of explosive tag spell on top of this sealing spell, and finally activate both layers of spells simultaneously with a spell that triggers at the same time. This completes the creation of a fragmentation explosive tag.

The difficulty in realizing this idea lies in the technique of simultaneously triggering two sealing techniques. Fugaku Uchiha said he would go back and study it.

Tatsuma was really looking forward to the results of Uchiha's research, because if it succeeded, the things sealed by the underlying sealing techniques would be very valuable.

Add kerosene to create a high-explosive tag, add some active metal to create a flashing tag, or be bolder and add another layer of ninjutsu with different attributes to create a composite ninjutsu effect.

Because it was an emergency trip back to the village to report on their duties, the team did not rest for long. In addition, the number of people was small, so they were always moving at high speed, basically hitting the limit of Tatsuma and Minato.

In less than two days, the group finally returned to the outskirts of Konoha Village at dawn.

Orochimaru and Tsunade were exchanging materials with the guards at the village entrance, while Tatsuma looked up at Konoha Village. More than three months after leaving Konoha, he had returned here once again.

This was the first time he had been away for so long, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. However, he was also a little anxious, with his mind constantly wondering if the door to his residence was locked and if the power was off.

If the power went out, was the refrigerator cleaned out before the power was cut off? Also, were the windows properly closed? What if stray cats got in and made their nests there?

What if it's not used as a nest, but instead as a delivery room or a toilet?

As he thought about it, Tatsuma couldn't help but shiver. At that moment, Fugaku Uchiha came up behind him, patted his head, and said, "You'll get used to it."

In Fugaku's view, the two kids were just homesick from being away for too long, but as ninjas, how many of them had that much time to stay at home?

Unless he inherits the position of head of the family, Fugaku also showed a melancholy expression. He did not have much confidence in doing a good job of reconciling the village and the family.

"Let's go! Time for our performance review!"

At this moment, Tsunade's loud shouts woke up the melancholy guests, and the group followed Orochimaru and Tsunade, walking on the deserted streets of Konoha in the early morning, heading towards the Hokage Building.

Upon arriving at the Hokage Building, they found it quite deserted. After a while, an Anbu member notified Orochimaru and Tsunade to come and report for duty, while Fugaku led the rest of the Uchiha clan to hand over the files and documents.

Tatsuma and Minato waited idly for more than two hours after Fugaku and the others finished handing over the files and left. The two of them waited in the same spot until it was broad daylight and the summer heat began to appear.

"You two, come in."

At that moment, the door to the Hokage's office opened, and Tsunade waved to the two of them. The two quickly ran towards the Hokage's office and entered. There, they saw Hiruzen Sarutobi with a smile on his face.

"Lord Hokage." *2

After exchanging greetings, Tatsuma glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi, then casually ran his right hand across the corner of his eye. Hiruzen looked puzzled but also wiped his own eye.

The gritty texture on his fingers made Hiruzen Sarutobi realize what it was. His expression turned serious, and he glanced at his two disciples with displeasure. Such a dignified thing, and his two disciples hadn't even reminded him!

Tsunade suppressed a laugh, while Orochimaru pretended not to see Hiruzen Sarutobi's glare.

After lamenting his bad luck in choosing disciples, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled again, looked at Tatsuma and Minato who were bowing their heads, and said, "Tatsuma, Minato, you two have performed quite well on the front lines."

Not only did you excellently complete all the tasks assigned by the village, but you also demonstrated the spirit of Konoha's youths in battles against other villages. Furthermore, your meticulousness and caution will greatly benefit the village.

Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's praise, Minato blushed slightly. He felt that he had only done what he was supposed to do and was not as outstanding as Hiruzen Sarutobi described.

However, his eyes were also filled with fervor, and he secretly urged himself that one day he would be worthy of the Hokage's praise.

Chenma, on the other hand, was much calmer. After all, his work experience in his previous life had taught him that such meaningless compliments were worthless, and the bonus he ultimately received was the most practical thing.

Looking at the two children, one excitedly igniting the Will of Fire, the other mature beyond his years, steady and reliable, Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile grew even wider, and he spoke:

"You are all so outstanding, the village should reward you handsomely. It's just a pity that the village's finances and the daimyo's allocations are all being poured into the war against the Land of Wind."

As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile faded, and a troubled and troubled expression appeared on his face. Seeing this, Minato Namikaze immediately offered to give up the reward, not wanting to add any burden to the village.

However, Tatsuma reacted faster, immediately saying, "Lord Hokage, the village's decision to send us to the battlefield for training is already a great favor; worldly rewards are unnecessary."

Upon hearing this, Minato nodded, indicating that he shared the same sentiment. However, if it were up to him, he would remove the word "worldly."

Orochimaru revealed a barely perceptible smile. As expected, Tatsuma was much more sensible than others his age, knowing what not to fight for and what to fight for.

His smile caught Hiruzen Sarutobi's attention, and Hiruzen inwardly wondered if his disciple was teaching his grand-disciple to squeeze benefits out of him. However, he wasn't angry.

After all, Tatsuma and Minato are Tsunade's student and Jiraiya's student, respectively—they're on our side! What's wrong with giving them a little something in return?!

"Haha, it's best that you understand, but it wouldn't be reasonable not to give you any reward. How about this, you can choose any ninjutsu as a token of the village's support for your training."

Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Tatsuma sighed in admiration, "As expected of the Hokage, his trick of shifting the concept is truly masterful. What was clearly a reward they deserved has been transformed into support for the village."

After his reflections, Tatsuma began to ponder what ninjutsu he should offer as "support." What he wanted most was the Flying Thunder God Technique, but Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't give it to him, as the value was not equal.

Techniques of the same level as Flying Thunder God, such as Impure World Reincarnation and Reaper Death Seal, are not included in this category. Tatsuma felt that the highest ninjutsu he could strive for was A-rank, and not all A-rank ninjutsu could be obtained.

As for the A-rank ninjutsu, which one is suitable for him and Minato now? After thinking for a moment, Tatsuma tentatively said, "Hokage-sama, I once heard Jiraiya-sensei say that you developed a ninjutsu called Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique."

"If we could learn this ninjutsu, it would be a great help to Minato and me. Also, the First Hokage's Dark Travel Technique—I think that technique could greatly compensate for our weakness in genjutsu."

Both of these are A-rank ninjutsu, and neither of them are particularly dangerous or demanding. If he dared to mention the Mutual Explosion Tags, Hiruzen Sarutobi would probably refuse outright on the grounds that they are too dangerous.

As for the more iconic Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, it's meaningless to the two of them because their chakra is insufficient to unleash the true power of this technique; even the Shadow Clone Technique is currently somewhat strained.

Upon hearing Tatsuma's request, Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment, nodded, and said, "Then let's take these two techniques. I will also make time to personally guide you two in your training during this period."

"Thank you, Hokage!"

Tatsuma immediately bowed respectfully, then gave Minato a meaningful glance, and Minato belatedly followed suit and bowed as well.

With that, the initial reporting of duties was completed. Next came matters concerning Iwagakure, but those could only be decided after the village reviewed the information Orochimaru brought back. Therefore, they now enjoyed a short break.

Since the Ninja Academy is currently on holiday, Orochimaru, having nothing to do, decided to go with Tsunade to visit his students at the Senju clan's territory. Minato was also brought along by Tatsuma.

"elder sister!"

As soon as they entered the Thousand Hands Clan's territory, a boy with a watermelon-shaped haircut and wearing a tight-fitting bodysuit ran towards them.

"Bang!"

Tsunade instinctively threw a punch, shouting, "What monster?!"

(End of this chapter)