Tsunade's appearance immediately drew everyone's attention.
After all, her looks and figure were simply too striking.
The quiet Shizune following behind her was completely ignored.
"Eh?"
Haruno Sakura looked Tsunade up and down, then suddenly widened her eyes. "Don't you guys think she looks familiar?"
"She looks like that legendary kunoichi."
Aburame Shino adjusted his sunglasses and spoke calmly.
"She's one of the Legendary Sannin: Lady Tsunade."
Nara Shikamaru's expression turned to surprise as he confirmed it.
"For real? Lady Tsunade?!"
Sakura instantly got excited, practically ready to rush forward.
Although Tsunade drank and gambled, she was still a good ninja, and an extremely rare female one.
In the Hidden Leaf Village, if Sarutobi Hiruzen was every boy's goal, then Tsunade was every girl's idol.
"When Ino gets back, she's going to be so mad she missed this," Shikamaru said with a small smile.
Tsunade was Yamanaka Ino's most admired kunoichi, no contest.
"Is she really that strong?"
Naruto scratched his head curiously.
"Lady Tsunade is the most skilled medical ninja in the entire shinobi world!"
Sakura said, her eyes glowing with admiration. "She's also the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and the student of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen!"
"Grandpa Third's student?"
Naruto finally looked interested, but quickly lost it again. "Too bad she's just a medical ninja."
In his mind, medical-ninja were the ones who needed protecting, not real fighters.
"Why would she come to our class though?"
Inuzuka Kiba asked in confusion. "I thought Lady Tsunade hasn't returned to the Leaf in ages."
"Maybe she's here to see Kitazawa-sensei?"
Shikamaru noticed Tsunade walking toward Kitazawa.
"Kitazawa-sensei is that amazing?"
Sakura asked in awe.
Even though Kitazawa was a good teacher, he was still only a chūnin. The idea of him having any connection to Tsunade was hard to believe.
Shikamaru and the others were equally puzzled.
"Lady Tsunade," Kitazawa greeted, looking at her.
Her beautiful face revealed no clear emotion, and her curvaceous figure swayed gracefully as she walked.
Even though her thighs were tightly covered, it only accentuated her narrow waist and full hips, the perfect contrast.
"When does class end?"
Tsunade glanced at the restless students and asked.
"Fifteen more minutes," Kitazawa replied after a pause. "I can let them train on their own so we can talk privately."
"No need."
Tsunade waved her hand dismissively. "You do your thing. I'll wait fifteen minutes."
"Alright then."
Seeing that, Kitazawa didn't press the matter further.
He turned and addressed the first-year Class A students.
"Kitazawa-sensei, why is Lady Tsunade looking for you?"
Sakura immediately asked, curious.
"Kids shouldn't pry into adult business."
Kitazawa tapped her lightly on the head. "Everyone, back to training."
"Ino's not here. Who am I supposed to train with?"
Sakura rubbed her head and asked.
"Shikamaru."
Kitazawa immediately ordered, "You'll take Ino's place."
"Huh?"
Shikamaru froze.
"Otherwise, you can spar with Naruto."
Kitazawa smiled faintly.
"Yeah! Let's do it!"
Naruto cheered. "I've never fought Shikamaru before!"
"Never mind, I'll train with Sakura."
Shikamaru quickly shook his head.
Naruto's energy level was like a bull's, sparring with him was a guaranteed trip to the hospital.
"Aww…"
Naruto groaned in disappointment.
Not far away, Tsunade and Shizune exchanged surprised looks.
"Has the teaching method changed?"
Tsunade crossed her arms. "I don't remember classes being like this when I was a student."
"Me neither," Shizune agreed with a nod.
Though she hadn't finished school before Tsunade dragged her off, Kitazawa's teaching style far exceeded her expectations.
"No wonder he came up with the idea of psychological medical-ninja," Tsunade said thoughtfully. "Traditional ninja thinking would never connect medical techniques with mental health."
"Mm."
Shizune sighed. "Once the psychological medical-ninja system is established, it'll help a lot of shinobi."
When she heard the term, the first thing she thought of was Tsunade's hemophobia.
But she didn't dare mention that in front of her master.
"Hmph!"
Tsunade huffed irritably. "The biggest problem right now is money. Why did that old man put him in charge of the funds?"
Shizune hesitated.
Did she really not know the reason?
Had she forgotten the huge box of IOUs they carried around?
Shizune sighed internally.
Following Tsunade meant starving three days out of nine, constantly chased by debt collectors. It was miserable.
If Kitazawa was managing the money, that was a good thing in her opinion.
She just hoped he could withstand Tsunade's pressure and not give in.
Fifteen minutes passed quickly.
Soon, Yamanaka Ino, Hyūga Hinata, and Uchiha Sasuke, who had been training near the academy's artificial lake, returned to the grounds.
"What?!"
When Ino heard Tsunade was here, she instantly got excited.
Sasuke, on the other hand, was indifferent.
He had heard of Tsunade, of course, but his idols were Itachi and Fugaku.
Hinata, meanwhile, was simply curious about Tsunade's purpose.
"Alright, class dismissed. Head home, everyone. See you tomorrow."
Kitazawa clapped his hands, dismissing the students.
The first-year Class A students reluctantly left.
"Lady Tsunade, you're quite popular," Kitazawa said with a smile as he approached her.
"Just old fame," Tsunade replied casually, then extended her hand and narrowed her eyes. "Give me money."
Shizune opened her mouth slightly.
She wanted to help Kitazawa but didn't know how.
"Money for what?"
Kitazawa raised a brow.
Sure, she outranked him, but that didn't mean she could just demand money without reason.
"The old man said the funds for the psychological medical-ninja project are under your management," Tsunade said bluntly. "I need the money now. Hand it over."
"What for?"
Kitazawa cursed silently. The old man really was unreliable, not even giving him a heads-up.
Still, the fact he wasn't warned probably meant they were following his funding proposal.
"That's none of your business."
Tsunade coughed lightly, looking away.
"Has Lady Tsunade read my funding plan?"
Kitazawa asked calmly.
"No."
Tsunade admitted, her tone defensive.
"According to regulations, every expenditure must be used strictly for this project," Kitazawa said with a polite smile. "So, you'll need to state the purpose before I can release the funds."
"You really won't give it to me?"
Tsunade stepped closer, tiptoeing slightly as she glared up at him, her voice laced with threat.
A faint scent drifted between them.
At this distance ,and given that Kitazawa was taller, he could clearly see the soft, pale skin visible at her neckline.
The deep, shadowed valley there almost dazzled him.
Her presence was overwhelming, but Kitazawa wasn't intimidated.
He knew her personality well from the stories. As long as he didn't cross a certain line, she wouldn't actually attack.
"No."
Kitazawa calmly deflected. "If I gave it to you, I wouldn't be able to explain it to Lord Hokage."
"You..!"
Tsunade clenched her fists, her expression darkening as if she were about to punch him.
Behind her, Shizune quietly gave Kitazawa a thumbs-up.
It was the first time she'd seen anyone talk back to Tsunade.
"Damn that old man!"
Tsunade finally exploded in frustration. "I knew he was up to no good!"