"Alright, since you've agreed, let me state my conditions." However, Hiruzen wasn't so easily fooled.
"Huh?" Tsunade looked at Hiruzen, annoyed.
What did this old man mean?
"It's fine if Shizune substitutes for you, but you must be present for every class, and you have to diligently teach those with true talent."
Hiruzen was well aware of Tsunade's laziness over the years.
Hiruzen said, exhaling a puff of smoke, "The students must be able to meet Konoha Hospital's standards within one year."
"For your sake, old man, I'll agree to this condition." Tsunade thought for a moment, then nodded, reluctantly agreeing.
It just meant she couldn't slack off. At most, she'd have to put in a little effort for each class.
"Then there's no problem." Hiruzen had no objections upon seeing this. Getting her to stay was the most important thing.
Tsunade subtly curled her lips. She knew exactly what the old man was thinking.
Just a pure Uzumaki bloodline was enough to ensure she wouldn't leave. Moreover, she had red hair, just like Grandma Mito and Kushina. This detail made her even more interested.
—
"Karin, see you tomorrow."
Ino waved, bidding farewell to Karin, who was walking beside Shinji.
"Let's go, Karin." Shinji said with a smile.
Karin nodded, following Shinji's footsteps towards their lodging for the night.
"Shinji… sensei."
Karin thought for a moment, then spoke to Shinji beside her, but wasn't sure how to address him.
"Just call me what Naruto and the others call me, is something wrong?" Shinji smiled, patting Karin's head.
Regarding Karin, the past few days were mainly for her to get accustomed, so he hadn't officially taken her as a disciple yet.
"Tsunade-sama from today, her grandmother—"
"Mito, the First Hokage's wife, and a princess of your Uzumaki clan."
Karin nodded. Having lived with her mother in Kusagakure since childhood, she wasn't very clear about the past of the Uzumaki clan.
Taking this opportunity, Shinji recounted the history of the Uzumaki clan to Karin, as well as the situation within Konoha.
Fortunately, Karin's condition seemed much better. Perhaps it wouldn't be long before he saw the Karin who was 'black' through and through.
"Oh right, Shinji-sensei, I want to become your disciple."
It wasn't until they arrived at Shinji's home that Karin finally looked up and bravely spoke to Shinji.
Compared to Tsunade, Karin preferred Shinji, who had brought her out of that dark Kusagakure.
[Detected Karin meets disciple recruitment requirements. You can choose to establish a master-disciple relationship with Karin. As the disciple's strength grows, the teacher will receive synchronous rewards.]
Shinji was momentarily stunned by the prompt in his mind. He hadn't expected Karin to meet the requirements so quickly.
Apparently, Sasuke only saved Karin, which immediately made her obsessed.
However, Shinji knew very well that Karin was not in that state now, it was more like dependence. She had experienced something similar to Naruto, and even more terrifying things.
Karin, one could say, would cling tightly to even a single ray of light.
So, Tsunade-senpai, you were a step too late.
Shinji looked at Karin with a gentle expression, smiling as he asked, "Have you thought it through?"
"I've thought it through."
Karin blinked. Although she didn't know why Shinji repeated himself, she nodded in response. She had already made up her mind on the way.
Moreover, her interactions with Ino and Hinata over the past few days, as well as her observations of Shinji, also made her understand what kind of person Shinji was.
She could sense from his Chakra that he was a very gentle person. After all, his Chakra seemed to radiate light. He was practically a giant light bulb.
[Detected Karin is willing to establish a master-disciple relationship.]
[Detecting trust level...]
[Detected Karin's current trust level is high. Reward: Uzumaki Secret Medicine Formula!]
[Disciple recruitment successful. Reward: Amenohakari 'kusanagi sword'!]
[Detected Karin has psychological trauma. Awarded Soul Soothing Sachet.]
Huh?!
Kusanagi sword?
Among the most famous weapons in Naruto, besides the Uchiha fan and various other Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths, there was only the kusanagi sword.
Orochimaru's Kusanagi sword, Itachi's Totsuka Blade, and the Kusanagi sword Orochimaru gave to Sasuke.
Although their fame largely stemmed from their respective owners, one couldn't help but acknowledge the inherent power of these three swords.
Shinji, who had fought Orochimaru, knew the uniqueness of the Kusanagi sword, a traditional straight-bladed longsword. While it had no elemental enhancements, it possessed extremely high sharpness and armor-piercing capabilities.
As for Itachi's, it was even more extraordinary. A spiritual energy sword, a rule-level sealing technique, and a divine tool with causality sealing. Even if the current Shinji encountered it, if he were pierced, there would be no way to avoid it.
It was almost on par with Kotoamatsukami, practically a cheat code.
And the kusanagi sword in future Sasuke's hands had the effect of amplifying output. The mere ability to shape Amaterasu's black flames was already quite extraordinary.
Keep in mind, it was something imbued with the Six Paths Yin Power.
"Alright, I agree. Starting tomorrow, you'll train with Naruto and the others."
Shinji patted Karin's head, then took out the Soul Soothing Sachet that the system had just rewarded him with. This was meant to heal Karin's long-term psychological trauma and insecurity from being treated as a healing tool.
He believed that with this help, Karin would be able to recover more quickly.
"This is a gift for you. Keep it with you at all times, it can help soothe your mood."
"Thank you, sensei." Karin reached out to take it, then bowed to Shinji in gratitude.
"Go on, your clothes and everything have been placed in your room."
After giving his instructions, Shinji went alone to the small courtyard outside.
He took out Amenohakari from the system's storage, and under the moonlight, began to examine the kusanagi sword. The blade was slightly longer and wider than Sasuke's kusanagi sword, yet it was straight, and the hilt was made of old wood.
Holding the hilt, Shinji could feel his stamina and Chakra slowly increasing. His state of mind also became more peaceful, and his affinity for natural energy in the air greatly improved.
"No wonder Orochimaru always wanted to collect the kusanagi sword, it turns out it's not so simple."
Just holding it already brought such a unique feeling.
Truly worthy of being a 'divine tool'.
"The mere augmentation of this life rhythm is already very powerful, and it even has extremely high resistance to Lightning Release Ninjutsu."
Sheathing the sword, Shinji didn't intend to test its power here.
Testing the sword was a minor matter. If the house accidentally got damaged, then sleeping tonight would be a problem.