Tsunade's appearance instantly drew everyone's attention. After all—her beauty and figure were simply too eye-catching. As a result, Shizune, who followed behind her, was completely ignored.
"Huh?" Sakura stared at Tsunade for a moment, then widened her eyes and asked, "Don't you think she looks familiar? She resembles that legendary Ninja!"
Aburame Shino adjusted his sunglasses and replied calmly. "She's one of the Three Legendary Ninjas—Tsunade-sama."
Shikamaru wore a surprised expression as he confirmed her identity. "It's really Tsunade-sama?!"
Haruno Sakura instantly became excited, practically ready to charge forward. Despite her reputation for drinking and gambling, Tsunade was undeniably a great ninja—one of the rare female powerhouses in the shinobi world.
In Konoha, if Sarutobi Hiruzen was the boys' role model, Tsunade was the idol of countless girls.
"When Ino gets back, she's definitely going to regret missing this." Shikamaru chuckled. After all, Yamanaka Ino admired no female ninja more than Tsunade.
"Is she strong?" Uzumaki Naruto scratched his head, confused.
"Tsunade-sama is the best medical ninja in the entire ninja world!" Sakura transformed into a fangirl, gushing, "She's also the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and a student of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen!"
"Student of the third-generation old man?" Naruto's interest was finally piqued, but then he frowned. "Too bad she's just a medical ninja."
In his view, medical ninjas were meant to be protected, not powerful fighters.
"So why is she here, in our class?" Kiba asked, puzzled. "Didn't Tsunade-sama leave Konoha a long time ago?"
"Maybe she came to see Mr. Kitazawa?" Shikamaru guessed as he noticed Tsunade walking toward Kitazawa.
"Mr. Kitazawa is that important?" Sakura asked, shocked. She knew Kitazawa was a good teacher, but he was still just a Chunin. His connection to someone like Tsunade was hard to imagine.
The rest of the class also looked bewildered.
"Tsunade-sama." Kitazawa looked at her calmly.
Her face was expressionless, but her walk was graceful and full of natural confidence.
Even though her thighs were covered, her hourglass figure—narrow waist and full hips—stood out distinctly.
"When does class end?" Tsunade glanced at the buzzing students.
"In fifteen minutes," Kitazawa replied, then added, "I can let them train on their own if you want to talk now."
"No need." Tsunade waved her hand nonchalantly. "You're busy. I'll wait."
"Alright." Kitazawa nodded and turned back to the class.
"Teacher Kitazawa, why is Tsunade-sama here to see you?" Sakura asked curiously.
"Kids shouldn't ask about grown-up matters." Kitazawa knocked her lightly on the head. "Keep training."
"With Ino gone, who do I train with?" Sakura pouted, rubbing her head.
"Shikamaru." Kitazawa pointed. "You're filling in for Ino."
"Huh?" Shikamaru blinked in disbelief.
"Or," Kitazawa said with a sly smile, "you can spar with Naruto instead."
"Yes!" Naruto cheered. "I haven't fought Shikamaru yet!"
"Forget it. I'll train with Sakura." Shikamaru immediately backed down.
Naruto's boundless energy was terrifying. Sparring with him was like getting run over by a wild boar.
"Huh…" Naruto sighed in disappointment.
Meanwhile, not far away, Tsunade and Shizune watched quietly.
"Has the teaching model changed so much?" Tsunade folded her arms. "Back in my day, teachers never taught like this."
"Same here." Shizune nodded. Even though she left the Academy early, Kitazawa's style was completely unexpected.
"No wonder he came up with the idea of psychological medical ninjutsu," Tsunade murmured. "Traditional ninjas are trapped in old thinking. They'd never link medical ninjutsu to psychological issues."
"Yeah." Shizune sighed. "Once the psychological medical ninja system is in place, it'll help countless shinobi."
When she first heard about it, the person that came to mind was Tsunade, and her Hemophobia. But in front of Tsunade, she dared not bring that up.
"Hmph!" Tsunade clicked her tongue. "The biggest problem now is money. Why did the old man give the funds to him?"
Shizune hesitated. Did she really not know? Did she forget their box of IOUs?
Shizune sighed inwardly. They'd gone hungry more times than she could count and were constantly fleeing creditors. It was miserable.
Having Kitazawa handle the finances was probably a blessing. She just hoped he could survive Tsunade's tyranny.
Fifteen minutes passed in a flash. Yamanaka Ino, Hyuga Hinata, and Uchiha Sasuke returned from training by the artificial lake.
"What?!" When Ino saw Tsunade, she lit up with joy.
Sasuke remained indifferent. He knew of Tsunade, but his heroes were still Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Itachi.
Hinata, on the other hand, was curious about why Tsunade had come.
"Alright, class dismissed. Go home, see you tomorrow." Kitazawa clapped his hands.
The students reluctantly dispersed.
"Tsunade-sama, you're really popular." Kitazawa walked over with a smile.
"It's just old fame." Tsunade narrowed her eyes and stretched out her hand. "Give me money."
Shizune opened her mouth, wanting to help Kitazawa—but she didn't know how to intervene.
"What money?" Kitazawa raised an eyebrow. Even if you're older, you still have to follow the rules.
"The old man said you're in charge of managing the funds for the psychological medical ninja project," Tsunade spoke without hesitation. "I need money now—hand it over."
"For what purpose?" Kitazawa thought to himself that the Hokage was irresponsible for not giving him a heads-up. Still, that also meant the project was proceeding as planned under his funding proposal.
"Don't worry about that." Tsunade coughed and brushed it off.
"Have you read the funding plan I submitted, Tsunade-sama?" Kitazawa asked slowly.
"I haven't!" Tsunade declared with complete confidence.
"According to protocol, all expenditures must relate to the project." Kitazawa smiled. "So unless you tell me what it's for, I can't approve it."
"You're really not going to give it?" Tsunade stepped forward, rising onto her toes and glaring at him threateningly. A soft fragrance drifted over.
At this close distance, Kitazawa—being taller—could clearly see the deep, fair cleavage exposed by her collar. The dazzling view felt like headlights blinding him. The pressure was intense, but Kitazawa didn't flinch.
He knew Tsunade's character from the original story. As long as he didn't cross the line, she wouldn't actually attack.
"No." Kitazawa replied, "If I give it without reason, I won't be able to answer to the Hokage."
"You!" Tsunade clenched her fists, her expression dark, looking ready to punch him.
Shizune quietly gave a thumbs-up. This was the first time she'd seen someone talk back to Tsunade.
"Damn old man!" Tsunade suddenly cursed. "Damn it! I knew he was up to something!"