Chapter 68: Crying on my teacher's shoulder isn't so bad
"Shisui," Hanekawa said with a smile, extending an invitation. "We can train together sometime."
Uchiha Obito could awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan, so his talent wasn't bad, but his growth during the Academy years was slow. Uchiha Shisui, on the other hand, would experience a surge in power during the Third Shinobi World War a few years from now, instantly becoming an elite jonin. It was a no-brainer who to farm for Fire Style talent.
"Of course, Hanekawa-senpai," Uchiha Shisui agreed without hesitation.
Unlike other Uchiha, he wasn't prejudiced against interacting with outsiders. Besides, Hanekawa wasn't an ordinary person. His status and strength were reason enough to befriend him.
"See you tomorrow." Hanekawa didn't linger. After a quick farewell, he turned and left.
He paused as he passed a ramen shop under renovation. The sign hanging outside read "Ichiraku Ramen."
Is it about to open? Hanekawa looked at the Ichiraku Ramen shop curiously, but he didn't see the legendary Otsutsuki Ichiraku, only construction workers.
He looked away and quickly returned to Tsunade's house. As Hanekawa was about to take out his key, he noticed the door was slightly ajar, with a finger-width gap.
Tsunade's home? He was a little surprised.
Hanekawa pushed the door open and entered the living room.
Tsunade was resting her head on the arm of the sofa, her eyes lightly closed, her lips a soft, glistening pink. Her slender waist supported her voluptuous body, the heavy burden naturally sloping, putting a bit of pressure on her clothes. Her hips sank deep into the sofa as her long legs were raised and crossed, her pale, delicate foot on top, gently swaying in the air. Her toes were a perfect row of rosy white, looking quite adorable.
The only shame was that her red nail polish was a bit dull, lacking the vividness of a fresh coat.
"Sensei," Hanekawa said, greeting her.
"Hm," Tsunade replied noncommittally.
"Is something bothering you, Sensei?" Hanekawa noticed she was a little different from usual.
"It's nothing," Tsunade said, sitting up. "I'm just thinking about what mission to take."
"Huh?" Hanekawa asked with a look of surprise. "You're taking a mission?"
"What kind of face is that?" Tsunade couldn't help but glare at him.
"It's the first time I've ever seen you take a mission," Hanekawa said, blinking.
"Do you think I'd tell you every time I take a mission?" Tsunade asked, her face unblinking.
"But why are you telling me today?" Hanekawa quickly found the logical flaw.
"Because you're going too," Tsunade said with a light laugh. "Are you scared?"
"Why would I be scared?" Although it was sudden, Hanekawa felt a bit eager. He had never left the village before. He hadn't dared to leave the Academy before because he was worried about Shimura Danzo. But with Tsunade along, it wouldn't be a problem.
"Missions aren't a game," Tsunade said, reaching out and flicking his forehead. "Just don't come crying to me when you have to kill someone."
Hanekawa's smile grew a little bit.
He had never killed anyone before, but a ninja who doesn't kill will be killed.
"Crying on my teacher's shoulder isn't so bad either," Hanekawa said, tilting his head and looking at her ample chest.
"You'll have to time your crying," Tsunade said, laughing as she rubbed his face. "There's no time to cry on the battlefield."
Battlefield? Hanekawa's heart stirred.
He remembered that Sarutobi Asuma and Yuhi Kurenai had graduated at age nine, which was also the beginning of the Third Shinobi World War. In other words, there was less than two years left.
"I won't cry," Hanekawa said, shaking his head.
Having lived two lives, his mental fortitude was naturally stronger than his peers.
"Your strength is pretty good now, so I'll choose a slightly harder mission," Tsunade said with a smile. "I believe in you."
"Don't make it too hard, though," Hanekawa said with a light cough. "I haven't even graduated yet."
"You sly brat," Tsunade said, patting his head.
She preferred this side of Hanekawa's personality. Someone too righteous wouldn't survive long on the battlefield.
"That's not sly, that's smart," Hanekawa couldn't help but correct her.
"Whatever you say," Tsunade humored him, and then added, "I've already spoken to the old man about Hatake Sakumo, so it should be resolved soon."
"That's my Sensei!" Hanekawa praised her immediately.
"You're fake," Tsunade said, pulling her hand back. "Now go make dinner."
"Yes, ma'am!" Hanekawa said, standing at attention. "Mission accomplished!"
Tsunade watched him walk into the kitchen, the smile on her face quickly fading. She scratched her head, returning to the problem of which mission to take.
If it was too hard, she worried Hanekawa would get hurt. But if it was too easy, it wouldn't be a good learning experience.
It was the first time Tsunade had ever been so conflicted about a mission.
"Sensei, dinner's ready!" A moment later, Hanekawa walked out of the kitchen with bowls and chopsticks.
"Anything happen at school today?" Tsunade sat down at the dinner table, picked up her chopsticks, and asked casually.
"Nothing major," Hanekawa said, picking up a piece of tempura. "I had a spar with Shisui."
"Uchiha Shisui?" Tsunade said, remembering. "I've heard some Uchiha ninja mention him at the Konoha Hospital. They say he's a rare genius."
"He's pretty impressive," Hanekawa nodded slightly. "He can even use the Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique."
Tsunade was a little surprised. It wasn't a big deal to use the Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, but at his age, it was terrifying.
"Who won?" Tsunade asked, looking at him.
"Me, of course," Hanekawa said, lifting his chin slightly with a hint of pride. "I'd never bring shame on my Sensei."
"You're so great," Tsunade said with a smile, and then asked, "So does that mean your genjutsu and swordsmanship are at a chunin level?"
"Something like that," Hanekawa said, chewing on the tempura.
"Is that so?" Tsunade said thoughtfully. "After dinner, I'm taking you to meet someone."
"Who?" Hanekawa asked, a little confused.
"There are many in the village who are good with the Leaf Style Kenjutsu, and he happens to be one of them," Tsunade explained. "He's also combined genjutsu with the Leaf Style Kenjutsu, which would be perfect for you."
It's Maruboshi Kosuke. Hanekawa's mind immediately brought up his name.
He was a legendary genin. In his youth, his rashness and desire for quick success had led to the tragic death of his teammates. To atone, he had sworn to the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, that he would be a genin for the rest of his life. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had even tried to promote him to jonin, but he refused. His true strength was said to be formidable, even among elite jonin.
"My great-uncle had some connection with him and even taught him some Water Style jutsu," Tsunade said after her explanation. "For my great-uncle's sake, he won't refuse to teach you."
If it weren't for Hanekawa, she wouldn't be willing to get into such a debt of gratitude. But every bit of extra strength meant another chance to survive.
"Thank you, Sensei," Hanekawa nodded.
A child with a mother is a treasure; a child with a teacher is the same.
....
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