- Pfft, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," he said, clearly alluding to his father's adventures.
Kushina rolled her eyes and fidgeted, making herself comfortable, then said:
- "Grow me a new mane of hair up to my ass, so that it's lusher than the old one.
- I grinned and pulled her closer to me and asked, "You won't fight anymore, will you?
- I won't," Uzumaki jabbed her head into my chest, "but do you know how hurtful your laughter was? Sensei also laughed when he congratulated me on my victory, and Ba-chan scoffed that it was my punishment for being too proud and conceited, instead of being supportive, datebane!
- In some ways she's right," I stroked the girl's head, "if you had taken your opponent more seriously, this ending could have been avoided.
- Asani herself would never be able to produce such a powerful ninjutsu," Kushina snorted, 'it's all your scrolls' fault!
- The Mist Swordsmen also have unique swords that give them great advantages, you're not going to complain that it's unfair to possess them, are you? - I raised an eyebrow questioningly. - We are not samurai with their honor and uses in battle every opportunity to win.
- I know, it's just a shame to get such a victory," she said, "and the team has fallen apart, Sakumo-sensei has returned to missions, and Mito Ba-chan stopped teaching me, and then she returned to Uzushio, leaving her clone behind, Mikoto-chan is busy with the baby, and you... and I'm alone.
- Wait, Mito refused to train you? - I got caught up in a flood of complaints.
- Well, she said I'm a big girl and should learn to be independent," Kushina sniffed.
I froze, then took a deep breath and rubbed my forehead.
- What?" she looked at me with a puzzled expression.
- Kushi-chan, please tell me, who is a chunin? - The kunoichi asked, looking her straight in the eye.
- Um, a leader? - The girl suggested uncertainly.
It would be surprising if she didn't know that - both the examiners and the Hokage had been harping on about it throughout the exam.
- That's right, a leader, an independent unit capable of leading others," he nodded at her, "so why do you want people around you to continue to treat you like a genin, leading by the hand? Why don't you want to turn your head on and think? - I lightly tapped Kushina's fingertips on her frowning forehead. - So you go to the library, study the scrolls and books, and if you don't understand something, ask Mito-chan like I did. You look for training partners on your own, or practice alone. You can't expect someone to tell you to do this or that while still treating you like a child. From the moment you become a chunin, your life is in your hands and only you decide how you want to use it.
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