Nojuro Ryun's face was full of pleasant surprise.
Although he had long known that Sakura, with her peak ordinary person potential, would bring him significant assistance, he had not anticipated the improvement would be so immense.
First was the Hand Seal attribute that Ryun was most concerned about, rising directly from 6 points to 8 points, which was also Sakura's own Hand Seal attribute value.
And 8 points basically meant Ryun now had the foundation to learn all of Tsunade's S-rank ninjutsu.
Although the S-rank ninjutsu Tsunade mastered were all medical ninjutsu, this was sufficient for Ryun to break through the Jonin level and advance towards Kage level.
More crucially, Ryun now already possessed the knowledge of these S-rank ninjutsu. What remained was diligent practice in reality.
Secondly, his talent in all four chakra natures had also reached the intermediate level.
Only now did Ryun recall that Sakura, like Ino, had a 2+2 configuration of Earth, Water, Yin, and Yang. Sakura's Genjutsu value was even as high as 7 points.
In Sakura's initial character design, there was a trait about being skilled in genjutsu, but unfortunately, the genjutsu of an ordinary person didn't have much developmental value, which led Sakura onto the path of a medical-nin.
Precisely because of this reason, Sakura also increased one storage slot for Ryun's simulation results.
This way, Ryun could now store three simulation results. No matter what he did next, it would become much easier and more flexible.
Having sorted out his gains, Ryun immediately chose to accept the reward.
This time, Ryun did not do anything unnecessary. Instead, he focused intently on feeling the changes in his body.
Ten minutes passed, and Ryun opened his eyes.
He spread open his palm, focused his mind slightly, and a mass of blue chakra rose, swirled, and solidified in his hand, finally forming a chakra sphere. Its light illuminated Ryun's bedroom.
A satisfied smile curled at the corner of Ryun's mouth. This was the seal-less ninjutsu, Rasengan.
The learning difficulty of Rasengan was A-rank. Combined with the detailed explanation of its principles in the original work, Ryun was able to simulate it so quickly this time.
Naruto had a 3-point Hand Seal attribute, so he needed shadow clones to perform it smoothly. Ryun now had an 8-point Hand Seal attribute, allowing him to achieve performing it with one hand in one step.
Of course, the Rasengan in Ryun's hand was still just a superficial form. To truly use it in actual combat, he would need to train hard on chakra shape transformation for a period of time. But this was already a level Ryun wouldn't have dared to imagine in the past.
This meant that, purely in terms of talent, Ryun had already entered the stage of a genius.
This could also be seen from his total Ninja Eight Values. Ryun had now reached 59 points, only one step away from the 60-point threshold for Kage level.
Even with a slightly stronger ninjutsu configuration, Ryun could, like Gaara without Shukaku, become a Kage-level powerhouse relying on powerful Sand Release ninjutsu and Absolute Defense, with attributes summing to 58 points (10 Ninjutsu, 10 Spirit).
And this was before Ryun had learned the Strength of a Hundred Seal.
Once Ryun learned the Strength of a Hundred Seal and accumulated enough chakra, after releasing it to begin combat, his chakra amount, speed, and strength would all be greatly enhanced.
Conservatively speaking, assuming Ryun's Speed, Strength, and Spirit attributes reached 9 points upon releasing the Strength of a Hundred Seal, then Ryun's Ninja Eight Values in the short term would reach 66 points.
Judging solely from the basic numerical values, Ryun could even match Kakashi!
Thinking of this, Ryun's somewhat restless heart, unsettled due to the not-so-smooth simulation, also calmed down.
Although it wouldn't be long before the plot officially began, his strength could still be improved further.
In the simulation, Danzo could plot against him. But by the time of the Chunin Exams, Ryun's strength might have already progressed to the point where he no longer needed to worry about Danzo at all.
Amid his excitement, Ryun stretched his body. What should he do next?
Should he directly practice the Strength of a Hundred Seal, or go back into the simulation to check the simulation details?
Ryun himself leaned more towards learning the Strength of a Hundred Seal, but... he was far too curious about what happened that night.
So Ryun focused his mind into the simulation details, arriving at his wedding night.
Immediately, a strong sensation of drunken dizziness nearly made Ryun fall asleep.
Ryun quickly manipulated the chakra circulation within his body, trying his best to neutralize the effects of the alcohol, while simultaneously striving to maintain enough consciousness to at least operate his sensory abilities.
Slowly, although his body still couldn't move, Ryun could perceive the surrounding situation.
The Konoha-nin and Suna-nin were happily mingling. Even Gaara had joined the merry drinking group. Ryun wondered if he was thinking of Naruto now.
Amid such a noisy environment, the commotion outside the door didn't seem so jarring.
"Why won't you let me in? I just want to check on the condition of our Sunagakure advisor. Could I possibly harm him?"
Temari's voice sounded outside the door, followed by the low murmurs of several Konoha Anbu ninja.
Another minute passed. It seemed the Anbu ninja went to report and received authorization, only then did they open the door for Temari.
"Really, I should have returned to Sunagakure earlier. It's so difficult just to see you... Ryun?"
Temari started off boldly, but her voice gradually softened upon seeing that Ryun showed no reaction.
With a bang, Temari summoned her summoning creature, Kamaitachi. Then, she whispered into Kamaitachi's ear, "Make some noise. Pretend the two of us are drinking, preferably. Please."
Kamaitachi nodded, hopped onto the table in one step, and picked up two wine cups, clinking them together from time to time.
As for what its master intended to do... it was just an emotionless summoning creature and wouldn't concern itself with that.
Temari climbed to the head of the bed, knelt by the bedside, looked down at the unconscious Ryun, a smile curling at the corner of her mouth, but tears streamed from the corners of her eyes.
"You... why did you chase after me back then! Didn't you know I'm actually quite easy to chase? Once I develop feelings, I can never forget you."
She slowly leaned down. The gentle touch warmed Ryun's heart, even though he only had his sensory abilities left.
Afterwards, Temari's hand reached for the sash of her kimono.
"I don't know if you can hear this, but anyway... I don't blame you. After all, you've poured your heart and soul into Sunagakure too. It's only natural for you to be with the person you like."
"As for me... I'm going to get what I want. Neither you nor Gaara can stop me."
A rustling sound was heard. The drunken Ryun slowly began to feel something.
It was a warm, passionate wind from the depths of the great desert, carrying the sweet, moist air of the oasis, flowing into Ryun's parched throat, making him unable to hold back tears of nostalgia.
Half an hour later, by the time Ryun gradually regained the ability to move, Temari had already disappeared with her summoning creature.
Sakura, also quite drunk, walked in. Seeing Ryun's appearance, she couldn't help but let out a giggle.
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