A ninja academy teacher?
Jiraiya looked confused toward Tsunade.
How would a young teacher have any connection to Tsunade?
A new disciple? Doesn't look like it.
And the expression on Tsunade's face just now... could it be...
Jiraiya's rapid mental speculation made his eyes go wide. "This... this... Tsunade, this guy isn't your new boyfriend, is he?"
Tsunade's face went black instantly.
Boyfriend!
This is the second time!
Tsunade gritted her teeth, veins bulging on her forehead. "Jiraiya, do you want to die?"
Seeing the about-to-explode Tsunade, Jiraiya's eye twitched frantically, and he laughed awkwardly. "Haha, I must have misread it."
"But why make her go home?"
Jiraiya looked at Kitagawa. "Hey, why are you interfering with us old friends catching up over drinks?"
Kitagawa explained, "Because Tsunade-sama is my student's guardian. So... for the child's physical and mental health, getting drunk isn't good."
Jiraiya looked completely confused.
When did teachers at the academy start managing such things?
He looked at Tsunade with eyes that clearly said: When did you become so agreeable? Shouldn't you just punch someone?
Tsunade turned away, avoiding Jiraiya's gaze. "Jiraiya, let's call it a night."
Jiraiya nearly dropped his jaw.
Is this really the Tsunade he knew?
Kitagawa looked at Jiraiya with an apologetic expression. "I'm very sorry, Jiraiya-sama, for interrupting your reunion. Tomorrow is the weekend—let me take you and Tsunade-sama out for dinner as an apology!"
Actually, his eyes were mainly focused on Jiraiya's forehead.
Equipment: Jiraiya's Forehead Protector
Trait: Power of Destiny
Note: Favored by destiny, those who change fate are often bound by it. Are you prepared?
This is absolutely the most unique trait Kitagawa has seen so far.
Power of Destiny!
Too grand!
"Dinner's unnecessary."
Before Jiraiya could speak, Tsunade stood and walked out.
"My apologies!"
Kitagawa bowed and caught up with Tsunade.
"Huh?"
Jiraiya felt completely bewildered. He gathered his scrolls and stood, then watched Kitagawa pay the bill. His expression became even more peculiar. What exactly is this guy?
Outside the izakaya, Tsunade waved. "Jiraiya, I'm heading home."
Jiraiya smiled. "How about we hit the hot springs together tomorrow?"
Tsunade said casually, "We'll see."
Jiraiya watched the two disappear into the distance, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Looks like I need to gather some intelligence. The ninja academy..."
Meanwhile, Kitagawa also glanced back at Jiraiya.
Only one piece of equipment.
"What are you looking at?"
Tsunade's voice interrupted his thoughts.
Kitagawa turned back and smiled. "This was my first time meeting Jiraiya-sama. Such a powerful person naturally sparks curiosity."
Tsunade snorted lightly. "You'd better keep your distance from him. Don't let him influence you."
Kitagawa nodded, then apologized. "Tsunade-sama, I'm sorry about just now. I interrupted your time together."
Tsunade waved her hand. "I'd almost drunk enough anyway."
"It's been three years since I last saw Jiraiya. He came back to the village today, so we caught up."
Kitagawa asked knowingly, "Three years... that would have been during the Great Ninja War, right?"
Tsunade nodded but showed no inclination to elaborate. Instead, she asked, "Did you come all this way this late for something?"
Of course not!
But he definitely couldn't say that—he'd definitely get hit.
So Kitagawa said, "Tsunade-sama, your superhuman strength concentrates chakra in specific areas for precise instantaneous bursts."
"Force acts mutually. Chakra bursts generate powerful attacking force, but you also receive counterattack damage. However, through precise chakra-wrapping of cells, you can avoid this backlash."
"So what if we use it purely for defense?"
Tsunade stopped walking. "Pure defense?"
Kitagawa nodded. "Tightening muscles naturally improves defensive ability to some degree."
"So couldn't we, without needing nature transformation, tightly combine chakra and flesh to give the body defense that blades and swords cannot penetrate?"
"Or rather, precisely controlling every single muscle fiber in your body is very, very difficult. But combined with chakra, we can achieve it."
"Furthermore, chakra itself is the product of physical and spiritual power. Strengthening the body's durability should be natural."
Tsunade listened carefully, looked Kitagawa in the eyes for two beats, then nodded. "That's a genuinely good idea."
"Both approaches are viable. However, regarding chakra strengthening the body—with nature transformation, many jutsu can do that."
"Earth Style of rock ninja, the Akimichi clan's expansion jutsu. That's Yang release transformation."
"Without nature transformation... making the body denser and tighter isn't impossible. For specific areas, it's actually practical. But for the whole body, it definitely impacts mobility and movement ability."
Kitagawa immediately smiled. "As expected of Tsunade-sama. I thought of that too."
"Overall strengthening is actually simpler and requires lower chakra control demands. We start with the whole body, use it for defense when we can't dodge attacks. Sacrificing mobility is worth it."
"Further refinement means mastering this technique well enough to selectively strengthen any body part during combat, reducing impact on flexibility."
This would be the Iron Body from the Six Techniques.
But now Kitagawa would develop a version adapted for ninja—the Kitagawa Six Techniques Iron Body!
"Such a technique would definitely be useful."
Tsunade kept walking. "However, don't forget our bet."
Kitagawa smiled. "Of course I haven't forgotten."
Tsunade continued, "Developing taijutsu like this could give physical-type ninja much stronger combat ability."
"But not everyone can master such techniques."
Kitagawa nodded. "Of course. Even simple Clone Technique, some people can't learn."
"All knowledge has thresholds."
"But at least some people could improve through such taijutsu."
The two walked and talked. Soon they reached outside Tsunade's house.
But Tsunade didn't go in immediately. Instead, she stood outside to let the night breeze clear the alcohol. "Why are you so confident you can beat me?"
"After I mastered Shave, my speed became stronger than before. Your chakra control can't possibly exceed mine, which means your speed can't possibly be stronger than mine."