Natsume didn't rush into training the Wood Release ninjutsu.
His foundations were too weak right now, so mistakes could easily happen.
If Tsunade were around, with her medical ninjutsu, as long as he wasn't blown to pieces, she could save him.
Natsume began learning about being a ninja from Yakushi Nonou last year.
But his talent wasn't great.
Up to now, he hadn't even learned the Three Basic Jutsu, only managing to pick up a chakra refining technique.
The door opened.
Natsume looked up and called out sweetly, "Sister Tsunade!"
Tsunade's usually refined, cool face immediately bloomed with a smile.
So adorable, so well-behaved.
She wanted to pinch his cheeks.
No one can resist something cute—not even her.
"We'll eat in a bit," Tsunade said, shaking the plastic bag in her hand, which contained takeout barbecue.
"Okay," Natsume replied obediently.
Tsunade turned and went into the kitchen, took out two sets of bowls and chopsticks, and four plates to wash.
After washing, she plated the barbecue and rice.
She actually knew how to cook herself.
She used to cook for her younger brother Nawaki, and it was amusing to see him put on a pained expression.
Mm, her cooking was the stuff of nightmares—in a word, inedible.
But she enjoyed cooking because seeing Nawaki try so hard to eat made her feel the bond between siblings.
Tsunade set the food on the table and took off her tea-green jacket.
Underneath, she wore a loose, sleeveless kimono-style top, exposing large areas of soft, fair skin.
"Natsume, come eat," Tsunade called, waving him over.
"Okay."
Natsume set down his ninjutsu scroll, looked up, and his eyes lit up at the sight of Tsunade.
Without her jacket, her graceful figure stood out even more.
So full and fair.
Natsume worried that the thin shirt might not hold out and could burst open.
He almost wanted to help her out himself.
"What are you spacing out for?" Tsunade raised her eyebrow and urged, "Come on!"
"Oh."
Natsume stood up, came to the table, sat down, sniffed the food, and exclaimed, "It smells so good!"
He even swallowed hard.
God knows how I've survived these past three years—natto, rice balls, instant noodles.
Even my old school cafeteria meals were better.
Now, finally getting to eat delicious barbecue—happiness, pure happiness!
Tsunade couldn't help but smile.
She rested her cheek in one hand, watching Natsume wolf down his food, finding it rather amusing.
The house hadn't felt this lively in a long time.
Tsunade's thoughts drifted, and when she came back to herself, she found Natsume staring straight at her.
"Sister Tsunade, why aren't you eating?"
"I'll eat now," Tsunade said gently as she picked up her chopsticks. "If you like it, eat more."
"Mm."
Natsume looked away.
Such a delicate face, that deep necklace, and those beautiful curves.
A feast for the eyes.
He immediately became a food goblin and polished off two big bowls.
"I'm full!" Natsume set down his bowl, feeling a little stuffed.
Tsunade nodded.
The kid could really eat.
But thinking of his time at the orphanage, a look of pity flashed in her light brown eyes.
He must not have had it easy.
"What are you doing?" Tsunade asked as she saw him take away the bowls.
"Washing the dishes," Natsume replied sensibly. "You worked hard buying food, Sis—let me do the dishes."
Tsunade froze for two seconds, then couldn't resist pinching his cheek.
She felt a surge of affection.
"Put them down, let Sis do it," Tsunade said, taking back the dishes. "You're still little. When I'm old, you can take care of me then."
"No way," Natsume said seriously. "Big Sis will never get old."
Tsunade's eyes widened.
She felt a little flustered.
"You sure know how to talk."
She tapped his forehead with her finger, saying, "Alright, go read your book. I'll quiz you later."
Not giving Natsume a chance to reply, she took the dishes to the kitchen.
Soon, the sound of running water was heard.
Natsume mentally applauded his own acting.
Honestly, this face was way too deceptive.
Plus, he was young—no one would suspect him, so it worked twice as well.
Before long, Tsunade left the kitchen and sat next to Natsume in the living room.
She glanced at his ninjutsu scroll. "Did Nonou teach you the basics of chakra?"
Natsume looked up. Thanks to his height, he could just see the view beneath her shoulders.
It was quite a sight.
"She did," Natsume answered.
"Good, then I won't need to cover the basics again."
After thinking for a bit, Tsunade took out a palm-sized test slip. "Since you've already refined chakra, let's test your chakra nature."
"Okay."
Natsume held the slip and channeled chakra into it. After ten seconds, the paper changed.
It became damp, as if soaked in water, but only halfway.
Then, the other half split down the middle, like snowflakes, scattering to the ground.
"As expected, water and earth," Tsunade explained. "Wood Release is a combination of water and earth chakra. In the future, focus on Wood Release, but you should also learn about water and earth techniques."
A qualified jonin should have more than one element.
For a simple reason.
Different elements have different uses and strengths and weaknesses.
The more you learn, the fewer weaknesses you have.
"Don't let anyone know about your Wood Release," Tsunade added after a moment.
Wood Release was extremely important to the Konoha.
Whether it was Hiruzen Sarutobi or Danzo Shimura, they'd both fight over it.
Tsunade wasn't afraid of them, but it would be a hassle.
"Understood," Natsume replied, thinking the same thing.
As a cunning old fox, keeping Wood Release hidden would give him an edge.
"Good boy," Tsunade beamed. "Now, Sis will give you a check-up. Don't resist, okay?"
No, Sis!
Natsume's eyes widened in innocent confusion.
What was happening?
Tsunade didn't explain. She reached out, pressing her hand to Natsume's abdomen through his clothes.
After a moment, she said, "You don't have much chakra."
Refining chakra usually has three steps:
Mix mental and physical energy into stamina.
Convert stamina into chakra.
Transfer chakra through your system to store it in your organs.
By checking Natsume's chakra, Tsunade could tell his limits.
At his current level, he could manage maybe two or three of the basic jutsu before getting exhausted.
So, in her training, Tsunade would hold back, to avoid overworking him and causing harm.
"You're still young, so it's normal to have little chakra. Just keep training and you'll be fine."
Tsunade picked up the ninjutsu scroll. "Let's start with the very basics: Wood Release - Three Basic Jutsu."
Natsume nodded.
He thought of Naruto Uzumaki. Comparing people only makes you angry.
At the same age, if Naruto weren't suppressing the Nine Tails, he'd already have tens of times more chakra.
…
By 9 p.m., Natsume was drenched in sweat and exhausted.
"That's enough, don't push yourself."
Tsunade scooped him up, and seeing him silently hold on, her maternal instincts kicked in and she hugged him tightly.
Her ample bosom enveloped him as she pressed him close, her warmth surrounding him completely.
Being too well-behaved makes others feel even more sorry for you.
Help! Sis, this isn't how you hug a kid. Are you trying to smother me?
He squirmed a bit, trying to free his face from the soft prison of her breasts.
Luckily, it only lasted three seconds.
Tsunade carried him to a room, set him down, and said, "Rest well. Tomorrow, you'll come with me to meet someone."