Chapter 4 — Battle Against Tsunade
After realizing her teacher's true intention, Tsunade finally let out an exasperated sigh and stopped resisting. In a blur of movement, she employed the Body Flicker Technique, vanishing from sight and then reappearing instantly at the center of the training ground. Standing tall and confident, she crooked a single finger at Uchiha Tendō, her sharp eyes glinting with amusement.
"Kid," she called out, her voice carrying the sharp, teasing edge of someone who had seen too many battles, "let me see what you're really made of."
Uchiha Tendō carefully handed little Akihō into Honda Takeshi's waiting arms, ensuring her safety before stepping forward. With the same fluidity and speed as Tsunade, he executed his own Body Flicker, materializing several meters ahead on the training ground.
"So fast!" Honda Takeshi whispered, eyes widening as he unconsciously adjusted his posture to better observe.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, standing off to the side, gave a small, approving nod. "He's probably no slower than an average Genin, if not faster," he murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Tsunade, arms folded across her chest, stepped lightly on the dew-laden grass, her stance loose yet full of underlying tension. Her voice was playful but carried unmistakable authority.
"Come at me, brat."
Uchiha Tendō's face remained impassive, his scarlet Sharingan eyes glowing faintly, exuding a subtle but chilling aura. Without hesitation, he flicked his wrist, sending dozens of shuriken spinning in precise arcs toward Tsunade.
She snorted, unconcerned. "Parlor tricks," she said dismissively. With several swift movements, she dodged each projectile with minimal effort, her body fluid and unhurried.
Clang! Clang!
The harsh clash of metal on metal echoed from behind her. Without even turning her head, Tsunade executed another Body Flicker, evading a second wave of shuriken aimed from her rear. The precision and timing left Honda Takeshi silently awed.
After all, he thought, if anyone knows the Uchiha, it's the Senju.
Tendō, however, betrayed no surprise. Calm and measured, he drew another kunai from his leg holster and charged straight at her.
Tsunade's sharp eyes narrowed. This fighting style… too crude, she mused, her lips curling into a slight frown. If this is all he has, he doesn't deserve to be called a genius.
The two clashed in a rapid flurry of blows, sparks flying from the impact of metal and chakra. Tendō moved with a fluid grace, precise yet economical, his strikes aimed at probing and measuring.
Then, to Honda Takeshi's shock, Tsunade suddenly swiveled her hips and unleashed a swift, brutal punch with her right hand, sending Tendō's figure flying several meters backward.
"Kid, your genjutsu isn't bad—but it's still lacking!" she called, eyes glinting with pride and challenge.
She casually grabbed the right hand behind her—the one that had held a kunai—and smirked at the boy she had just sent crashing.
Tendō's expression remained serene, his dark eyes like a still, unfathomable well. Every movement was anticipated, every strike expected.
With a single, fluid motion of his left hand, he produced another kunai, forcing her attention in that direction.
In that instant, Tendō's right hand executed a subtle twist. Using the momentum of her own fingers as they shaped the Tiger hand seal, he prepared an attack that even seasoned shinobi would recognize as perilous.
Tsunade's pupils constricted sharply, instincts screaming warnings accumulated over years of life-or-death battles. The danger was immediate, palpable.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A colossal fireball erupted from Tendō's palms, a rolling sphere of crimson and gold that shot forward with devastating speed. The blast slammed into the ground at point-blank range, sending a shockwave of flames and debris rippling outward.
"Boom!" The ground trembled as the sheer force of the fireball singed the grass and scorched the edges of the training ground.
Cold sweat beaded on Honda Takeshi's forehead as he stammered, "Lady Tsunade… was she… killed by Tendō?!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled softly, patting Honda's shoulder with reassuring calm. "How could that be? That's Konoha's Princess Tsunade, our strongest and most resilient shinobi. She's fine."
Indeed, as the smoke cleared, what remained in the center of the blast was merely a charred log-like figure.
Almost immediately, Tsunade reappeared in front of Tendō, her fist crackling with dense chakra. The air around her swirled, distorted by the force of her power as she swung fiercely toward him.
The twin tomoe in Tendō's eyes gradually faded. Calm and composed, he crossed his arms over his chest, his dark eyes unwavering, unreadable.
A delicate pink fist came to a halt a mere centimeter from his forehead.
"Kid, why didn't you dodge? Aren't you afraid I'd smash you to death with a single punch?" she demanded, irritation and disbelief mingling in her voice.
Tendō's lips curved into a confident, almost knowing smile.
"I've already passed the test. Continuing this fight would be meaningless. As for why I didn't dodge? I trust that Lady Tsunade would not kill a comrade. Besides…"
Raising a hand toward the sky, his posture radiated unshakable composure and confidence.
"My grandmother once said: 'A man must learn to stay calm. If you keep boiling water after it's already boiled, it will only evaporate.'"
Tsunade's eyes widened, her jaw nearly dropping. How can a child at his age—no, at any age—speak with such poise? Isn't your grandmother already dead?!
Unable to contain herself, she flicked her finger sharply against his forehead.
"Ow!" Tendō cried, squatting slightly and clutching his head, yet still maintaining a faint grin.
Tsunade planted her hands on her hips, her face a mixture of triumph and amusement.
"Hahaha! Let's see you try to act cool in front of me again!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi approached, a thin, dark line drawn across his face in exasperation.
"That's enough. The test is over," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for protest.
Tsunade clicked her tongue, her laughter fading reluctantly as she complied.
Turning his gaze back to Tendō, Hiruzen's expression softened.
"Tendō, for the next semester, you will not need to attend the Ninja Academy."
"But you must continue to study and train at home. Do not neglect your cultivation. Now, take your sister and get some rest."
Tendō bowed respectfully, cradling little Akihō once more before vanishing with the swiftness of a flicker, leaving the Hokage and Tsunade behind.
Soon, Hiruzen and Tsunade returned to the Hokage's office.
"Tsunade, what do you think of him?" Hiruzen asked, placing his pipe gently between his lips, his tone carrying the weight of authority and curiosity.
Tsunade didn't respond immediately. She closed her eyes briefly, analyzing Tendō's composure, technique, and underlying temperament.
"Extremely talented," she finally said. "He can cast a C-rank ninjutsu with a single hand seal. He values those around him. Arrogant, yes, but not someone who looks down on others. Cold on the outside… warm on the inside. And he knew that Great Fireball wouldn't truly harm me."
Hiruzen slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke, nodding thoughtfully. "Sounds like a very typical Uchiha."
Tsunade rolled her eyes, her lips curling into a faint smirk. "Old man, don't you find your own words ridiculous?"
Being teased by his former student, Hiruzen's cheeks colored faintly. He chuckled awkwardly, then regained his composure.
"Ever since the Second Hokage passed away, the Uchiha clan has not been as obedient as before. I want Tendō to become a bridge between the village and the Uchiha."
Seeing Tsunade remain silent, Hiruzen sighed, his tone gentle yet insistent.
"Tsunade…"
"Alright, alright, I agree," she finally conceded, a small huff escaping her lips.
"As long as Uchiha Tendō takes first place in the graduation exam, I will become his teacher."
With that final, impatient declaration, she left the Hokage's office, her footsteps echoing down the hall, leaving Hiruzen to watch after her, a faint smile tugging at his lips.