But it was Sunaen who comforted him.
Sunaen said he could sense it, that he actually possessed immense potential within him, and only needed diligent effort to unearth it.
Moreover, everyone has their strengths, and at the same time, their weaknesses.
Take Nagato, for example; while he masters Ninjutsu instantly, his Taijutsu isn't as strong as yours.
Look at Konan; although she did develop her own Kekkai Genkai (Bloodline Limit), she's afraid of water.
So, while others' strengths certainly shine, that's because you've never lowered your head to look at yourself. If you don't look at yourself, how will you know if you're shining in others' eyes too?
So what if you only have Fūton (Wind Release) and Suiton (Water Release)?
The Raikage only knows Raiton (Lightning Release), and does anyone dare to look down on him?
In truth, Sunaen didn't think Yahiko was inferior to others; on the contrary, he believed Yahiko's potential was actually stronger than Konan's.
You see, not everyone's body is qualified to become one of the Rikudō (Six Paths) of the Rinnegan, let alone the strongest Tendō (Deva Path).
Although there's a bond between Nagato and Yahiko involved.
But even the strongest bond cannot allow a body without potential to withstand the power of the Rikudō.
You see, during Pain's invasion of Konoha, most of the Rinnegan's power was ultimately concentrated in the Tendō body.
While the Onmyōton (Yin-Yang Release) rods played a role, and Nagato's modifications to Yahiko's body were also a factor, if your body's base stats aren't there, no amount of modification will help.
The fact that Yahiko's body could withstand such immense Rikudō power without exploding is already proof.
"Splash!" The sound of water being poured from the bathtub rang out.
Yahiko stood up, then casually tipped over the bathtub, and the now diluted red medicinal liquid gushed out.
After refilling it with water, he opened medicinal packet number 2, which contained a small bottle of viscous, milky-white liquid, and a pill next to the bottle.
He opened the bottle and directly threw it into the bathtub. The liquid in the bottle diffused immediately upon contact with water, staining the water milky-white.
Then, he tore open the pill's packaging, swallowed it whole, and continued to soak in the bathtub.
Unlike the previous excruciatingly painful soak, this one felt much gentler.
Fine strands of energy were eagerly absorbed by his cells, strengthening his body.
Approximately half an hour later, Yahiko emerged from the bathtub feeling refreshed.
Feeling his body grow a little stronger again, Yahiko revealed a genuine smile.
"So what if I'm not naturally as gifted as those geniuses? As long as I keep working hard, one day, my name, Yahiko, will spread throughout the Shinobi world!"
"By then..."
"I'll also marry several wives!"
"Ah ha ha ha ha!!!"
"Thump thump thump!!!"
The sound of knocking on the door woke Yahiko from his sweet dream.
"Who is it?"
"Mail!"
"Oh, oh!"
"Who could be writing to me? Hehehe, could it be some girl who has a crush on me, too shy to say it, so she sent me an email instead? Eh hehe~"
But when Yahiko opened it, his smile instantly vanished.
Because it read:
[Sunagakure Young Ninja Re-education Notice]!!!
In Sunaen's home in Sunagakure.
Fusō had just put the four children to sleep.
In Sunaen's household, because Fusō was the first and also gentle and considerate, she was recognized as the eldest sister by the other three women, and everyone listened to her.
Furthermore, since the other three women had jobs, Fusō practically raised the four children by herself for most of the time.
"You've worked hard, Fusō!"
Sunaen embraced Fusō, who had just finished her tasks, and then began to nourish her body with Shizen Enerugī (Natural Energy).
Don't misunderstand, it wasn't that Fusō's body had problems.
It was simply that as Sunaen's strength grew day by day, Fusō's body found it increasingly difficult to keep up with him.
However, it was clearly too late to learn Chakra at her age, and Fusō also had to take care of the family, so she didn't have much time.
So Sunaen tried to see if Fusō could directly absorb Shizen Enerugī, and thus he would nourish her with Shizen Enerugī every day, hoping to subtly change Fusō's body so that she could absorb Shizen Enerugī on her own.
The same applied to Sara, but Sara already possessed the ability to control the Ryūmyaku (Dragon Veins), which are essentially Shizen Enerugī, so it would be simpler for Sara.
When Sara returned from work, Sunaen would also nourish her.
Oh, I forgot to mention.
Sara is currently working in the Kazekage's office.
After all, Sara was the Queen of Rōran, so handling some ordinary administrative affairs of Sunagakure was a piece of cake for her.
She's just been a bit busy lately, and the reason is simple: Ebizō and Uzumaki Ashika went on their honeymoon.
There's no other way; Sara just has to bear with it for now.
Kana is also in the office, assisting Sara.
As for Yui, she's working at the Sunagakure Hospital.
She's quite busy.
Since the Ketsuryūgan possesses both hypnosis and blood manipulation abilities, Yui can be said to be working two jobs.
At one moment, she's providing psychological counseling to patients, offering hypnotic guidance.
At another, she's controlling the amount of blood loss during major surgeries.
Emmm... let's just consider it training for her Dōjutsu.
Rewind time to daytime.
On a coastline at the southwestern foot of Kaze no Kuni.
This place is far from the Capital of Wind. (The Capital of Wind is at the southeastern mouth of Kaze no Kuni, where it borders both the sea and another country, and maritime transport is well-developed.)
So the sea surface was less bustling and more serene.
Being close to the sea, there were also oases and cities here.
At this moment, on an uninhabited oasis, a car was parked, filled with various foods and daily necessities.
The camera pans forward.
At the boundary between the oasis and the beach.
A middle-aged man in his thirties was currently pitching a tent.
The camera pans further forward.
On the beach ahead.
There was a lounge chair and a parasol.
A young, beautiful red-haired woman was currently lying on the lounge chair, holding a coconut and sucking the coconut water with a straw.
Perhaps the sun was too dazzling, the woman raised her left hand and placed it in front of her eyes.
Then she spoke.
"Little Ebi! Come here and help me apply some sunscreen!"
"Okay! Ashika! I'm coming!"
Ebizō, who was setting up the tent, heard it like a heavenly sound, immediately dropped his tools, and instantly used Shunshin (Body Flicker) over... The sun set, casting a golden glow over the sea.
Ebizō and Uzumaki Ashika leaned by the sea, admiring the scene.
"It's been so long since I've seen such a beautiful ocean!"
"If you like it, we can come often!"
"No need, just seeing it occasionally is fine. Besides, I've found that golden sand also has its own unique charm."
"Yes, and who would have thought that the sea would be surrounded not by lush greenery, but by omnipresent sand."
"Yes, well... Little Ebi, is the ocean beautiful?"
"Beautiful!"
"Then, is the ocean beautiful, or am I beautiful?"
"The ocean is beautiful because of you!"
"Then... do you... want... to be... surrounded... by me...?"
"Uh, hehe... Yes!"