After thinking it over, Seiryu took Sasuke to the study, picked out a scroll, tore a section from it, and handed part of it to Sasuke.
"What's this?" Sasuke was confused.
"A taijutsu technique I invented when I was ten. It's called the 'Thunder Flicker Technique'," Seiryu said. "It's also the introductory jutsu for my self-created Lightning Release chakra mode."
"The first part is just basic taijutsu. Practice it first—it should be enough for you to dominate the Ninja Academy." Seiryu continued, "And keep practicing the lightning ball as well."
"What about the rest?" Sasuke looked at the incomplete scroll in his hand, puzzled.
"You're not ready for the rest yet. When you can control four lightning balls at once like you just did, I'll teach you the rest," Seiryu said.
"Okay." Sasuke nodded and put away the scroll.
"It's late, go home early now," Seiryu said.
He walked Sasuke to the door, and as soon as he opened it, he saw Itachi waiting outside.
"Brother!" Sasuke immediately ran over to his long-absent brother.
Itachi reached out and caught Sasuke, affectionately ruffling his hair.
"Itachi, back from your mission?" Seiryu leaned against the doorframe and said, "You two brothers are really close—first thing you do after coming home is pick up your brother."
"Yeah." Itachi nodded, glancing at Seiryu, but his gaze was not exactly friendly.
Seiryu didn't care in the least, saying, "You're just in time—it saves me the trip of sending this kid home. Sasuke, go with your brother."
"Yes! Goodbye, teacher!" Sasuke called as he clung to Itachi.
"Goodbye." Seiryu smiled and waved to Sasuke before closing the door.
…
On the way home, Sasuke, riding on Itachi's back, chattered nonstop.
"Brother, teacher is amazing! I practiced his jutsu for so long before I could do it like him."
"Is that so? Clan Leader Seiryu is a genius of our clan. If you're learning his jutsu, then you must be talented too." Despite his worries, Itachi was patient with Sasuke.
After a while, Itachi asked, "Sasuke, besides ninjutsu, has your teacher taught you anything else?"
Itachi was a bit nervous—he was really afraid Seiryu would instill his ambitions in his adorable little brother.
"Yes!" Sasuke boasted like a child showing off a new toy. "Teacher told me lots of interesting stories and taught me a lot of principles about how to be a good person."
Hearing this, Itachi's heart tightened. Was his adorable brother really being corrupted by Seiryu?
"What did he teach you?" Itachi asked quickly.
"Well… he taught me a lot of principles. Some I still don't understand, but some I think are very true," Sasuke said.
Itachi wanted to probe further, but they had already reached home. Sasuke said, "I'll tell you after dinner!"
"Alright." Itachi nodded and entered with Sasuke.
"Mom, I'm home!" Sasuke shouted energetically at the door.
"Welcome back, Sasuke. Go wash your hands and eat. You too, Itachi—wash up, dinner's ready," Mikoto said, smiling warmly at her youngest son.
"Okay." Itachi nodded and took Sasuke to wash up. Passing the dining room, Itachi noticed his father was missing. He turned and asked, "Mom, Father isn't back yet?"
"No, the Police Force seems to have a big mission. Your father said he won't be home for dinner these days." Mikoto said, serving their food.
After sitting down, Sasuke immediately started wolfing down his meal. After showcasing his progress to Seiryu, he'd burned a lot of chakra and was now very hungry.
"Sasuke, slow down." Mikoto shook her head helplessly as she refilled his bowl.
"Hehe, Mom's cooking is the best! Even Naruto said so after eating your bento," Sasuke grinned.
"Really?" Mikoto smiled. "Then I'd better make more for Naruto tomorrow. Oh, Sasuke, do you know what food Naruto likes?"
"Mom, I'm your son, aren't I? Why don't you ask me?" Sasuke pouted.
"Haha, Sasuke, are you jealous?" Mikoto laughed.
"I am not!" Sasuke wouldn't admit it.
Their conversation left Itachi deeply shaken. He knew Naruto's true identity. Was the clan now openly interacting with the Jinchuriki?
Stunned by all these revelations, Itachi quickly finished his meal. After dinner, Sasuke grabbed Itachi's hand, looking up expectantly: "Brother, can we sleep together tonight? I'll tell you some stories teacher told me!"
"Okay." Itachi nodded.
Back in their room, Sasuke pulled out the teaching materials Seiryu wrote for him and started explaining them to Itachi.
Itachi patiently listened to Sasuke explain the meanings.
From "Human nature is inherently good" to "To learn and constantly practice is a joy," the more Itachi listened, the more confused he became. It wasn't that these teachings were wrong—if anything, they were too good. If Sasuke could truly live by these, he'd be a perfect inheritor of the Will of Fire.
But this didn't match Itachi's image of Seiryu as ambitious.
So, Itachi probed: "Okay, Sasuke, let's change the subject. Do you know what happened in the village a few days ago?"
"Yes," Sasuke replied, a bit surprised.
"So, what do you think about it?" Itachi asked.
"The Police Force did the right thing. The villagers were at fault and got what they deserved," Sasuke said.
As expected, Brother Seiryu's teachings are problematic!
Itachi thought.