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"Right!" Rong Lin smiled and nodded.
"I'm this certain because the village absolutely wouldn't trifle with the next generation's burgeoning strength."
White Fang's eyes widened, rendered speechless. He could only shrug helplessly, indicating there was nothing he could do. This kid was simply too heaven-defying.
"Alright, enough idle talk."
She shot White Fang a look that said, 'It's not like you only found out today how heaven-defying he is,' then waved her hand dismissively. "This mission also exposed a problem."
Here it comes. Rong Lin's expression turned serious. He knew Tsunade and White Fang had deliberately stayed behind to discuss something with him, thereby avoiding Haru Ame Yoru and Shimura Oto.
"I imagine you've sensed it yourself—the problem within the squad. The disparity in strength is too great."
Tsunade paused, then continued: "You need to understand, if the strength within a team is unbalanced, many problems will arise. For instance, missions suitable for you would be very dangerous for them. Similarly, missions suitable for them would be meaningless for you. Do you understand?"
This will lead to problems during assignment, and for the sake of squad harmony, these issues must be faced sooner or later.
Just because Rong Lin is stronger than the others doesn't mean he needs to constantly carry both of them. Do it too often, and anyone would eventually find it unbearable.
It's not a good feeling when you're in battle, having teammates behind you whom you can't rely on. Perhaps one day, like White Fang, you'll fall into a no-win situation, leading to your own ruin and reputation, even being blamed by the very teammates you abandoned the mission to save.
If that were to happen to me, I'd rather defect from the village and slaughter them.
For a time, Rong Lin was also very worried this scenario might happen to him. But the team was assigned from above; he could only accept it. Furthermore, that 'error-prone duo' was quite easy to get along with, so he had never let his concerns show.
Until the start of this mission, Rong Lin felt the pressure—the pressure of having teammates you couldn't rely on, even possibly having to divert attention to take care of them. This feeling was very unpleasant.
"But I don't feel I did anything wrong. My strength far surpasses theirs, yet in the end, my responsibility becomes greater. Honestly, this doesn't feel good." With a self-mocking laugh, Rong Lin realized some things just leave you speechless—if your strength is lacking, it's your fault; if your strength is too great, it's still your fault!
"If, and I mean if, during the last mission, I hadn't acted recklessly, then what chance of victory would we have had?"
"Would my comrades have been captured by the enemy and used as leverage? We all know very well what kind of people we face on missions."
"Uncle White Fang promised to watch over us from the side, that was also his mission. But can Uncle White Fang always be by our side? What about the future?"
Rong Lin raised his hands somewhat helplessly and asked Tsunade and White Fang.
Tsunade and White Fang exchanged a look, both seeing the shock in the other's eyes. They absolutely never imagined a child could articulate insights that many adults might fail to analyze.
"If we insist on following the same path as before, what will you do?" Tsunade finally asked after a long silence, her beautiful eyes fixed on Rong Lin, trying to see through him completely. But Tsunade discovered with frustration that no matter how intensely she gazed, this brat showed absolutely no sign of retreating.
"I will request to leave Team Tsunade early and join the Chunin Exams. I will prove I'm the best, that I can achieve it."
Clenching his fists, Rong Lin's face held a hint of hatred. It was just that such an expression appearing on his refined young face seemed incongruous with his age.
What Rong Lin needed to do was raise a banner, one that everyone could understand. And was there anything more fitting than delivering a slap across the face to both the Uchiha and Hyuga clans?
Look! The person your two great clans once shunned, even forbidding entry to the clan compounds, has now grown to a level beyond your imagination!!!
"Sigh~ this brat."
How could the hatred on Rong Lin's face and the determination in his eyes escape her? Connecting it to his background, Tsunade felt a sense of understanding and acceptance:
"If you want to do it, then go ahead. Just remember to do it impressively. You are always my disciple, Tsunade's disciple. I'm quite curious to see how spectacular the look on certain faces will be when they get slapped."
White Fang smiled wryly, shook his head, and patted Rong Lin's shoulder. "Rest for a few days. Come find me after that; I'll teach you a few things."
"Rest well, brat! I eagerly anticipate seeing what grand move you'll make to leave the entire village utterly stunned!!"
"Uh... what's this situation?"
Could it be my act was too convincing?
Tsunade and White Fang's genuine show of support left Rong Lin momentarily stunned. The script wasn't supposed to go like this, was it? Shouldn't it be rest, followed by continuing to execute various oddball missions?
Why the sudden change in tune?
Seeing Rong Lin suddenly stunned, Tsunade assumed the kid was overwhelmed by the immense surprise. She smiled and said, "You better seize this opportunity tightly. Senpai's strength within the village is formidable. Others couldn't even beg him for a bit of guidance. You're truly fortunate, kid."
"I..."
"Alright, let's skip the sentimental talk."
"I..."
"You rest well. I'll send someone periodically to help with your conditioning."
"I..."
"'I' what?!" Tsunade finally snapped. "What the heck is wrong with you, always just saying one word at a time?"
"I just wanted to say, I'd like a drink of water. Could you help me grab that?" Rong Lin pointed to the teacup in the distance, caught between laughter and tears.
Unexpectedly, Tsunade flushed with embarrassment. She glared at him, handed over the teacup, and turned to leave. "Brat, remember your words. You bear my mark, Tsunade's mark. Do it impressively. As long as you don't violate village regulations, no one can touch you."
"Click~~"
After speaking, Tsunade closed the door. The cup instantly slipped from Rong Lin's hand, shattering into fragments on the floor. He remained completely oblivious, lost in thought.