Tsunade slowly walked up to the podium and glanced at the three people below. Then, she lazily yawned.
Originally, she had absolutely no interest in being a team instructor. She would rather spend that time having a blast at the casino.
Moreover, these three students were no easy bunch. Hayato Ren was fine—just a lucky kid who had somehow contracted a peculiar Summoning Beast from who knows where.
The identities of the other two were even more significant. Uchiha Mikoto was the only child of the Uchiha clan's great elder, while Uzumaki Kushina was the future Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki set to succeed Uzumaki Mito.
Figuring out how to properly guide these three was truly a major problem. If it weren't for Uzumaki Mito personally persuading her, Tsunade would never have taken on this task.
While Tsunade observed the three, Hayato Ren and the others were also observing her.
Due to her connection with Uzumaki Mito, Kushina was somewhat related to Tsunade and thus quite familiar with her.
Mikoto, however, wore a subtle expression. Although Konoha was founded jointly by the Uchiha and Senju clans, the relationship between the two families was far from friendly—more like wishing the other would drop dead tonight.
Therefore, Tsunade's reputation in the Uchiha clan was quite notorious. Descriptions like cold-hearted, alcoholic, bloodthirsty, and gambling addict were common—though the last one might not be slander.
And as an Uchiha under a Senju's leadership, would she really not be treated unfairly? Mikoto's heart was filled with doubt.
Hayato Ren, on the other hand, wasn't overthinking it. As a devoted apple enthusiast, he followed a principle: the greater an object's mass, the stronger its gravitational pull.
Thus, from the moment Tsunade appeared, Hayato Ren's eyes were firmly captivated by her.
It was then that Kushina noticed something off about Hayato Ren.
She followed his gaze.
Instantly, a heavy sense of defeat washed over her.
Soon, that feeling turned into one of embarrassment and anger.
Kushina reached out with her right hand, grabbed Hayato Ren's ear, and snapped him back to reality.
"Ha-ya-to Ren! Is! She! Pretty!!!"
Face to face, Hayato Ren could even feel Kushina's warm breath against his skin.
As if guided by some unseen force, he reached out and gently touched Kushina's cheek, blurting out without a second thought.
"Not as pretty as you."
Hearing this, Kushina's face instantly turned redder than her vibrant hair.
She pushed Hayato Ren away, tightly clutching the hem of her clothes as she muttered under her breath.
"What kind of weird things are you saying here? And why are you touching me? You're such a jerk."
Seeing Kushina acting so unlike her usual domineering self, Hayato Ren began to wonder if he was dreaming.
However, the faint, lingering pain in his ear told him this was no dream.
Just as Hayato Ren and Kushina kept exchanging glances, an impatient voice interrupted everything.
"Ahem! What do you two think this place is? This is the Ninja Academy, the cradle of the Will of Fire. To do such things in such a sacred place is simply... Kids these days are disgustingly precocious."
Tsunade had somehow already come down from the podium and was looking at Hayato Ren and Kushina with disappointment.
With a "whoosh," Kushina stood up, flustered as she explained.
"Tsunade-sensei, what are you talking about? I would never have those kinds of thoughts about that guy Ren. I'm going to be the Hokage, and I won't consider such things until I become Hokage."
Tsunade reached out and patted Kushina's head.
"I didn't even say what you were doing, yet you're already confessing without being pressed? And it's work hours now, please don't call me 'sister'—call me by my position: Teacher."
After the commotion died down, Tsunade led the three to the rooftop of the Ninja Academy.
Tsunade sat on the rooftop railing, looking quite dangerous.
But with Tsunade's physical prowess, even if she fell from the rooftop, she'd probably just make a big crater in the ground without so much as a scratch.
"Alright, barring any surprises, I'll be your team leader. My name is Tsunade. I'm skilled in taijutsu and Medical Ninjutsu, and my hobbies are drinking and gambling. Now, introduce yourselves. Starting with Kushina."
Tsunade crossed her legs and pointed at Kushina.
"My name is Kushina. I'm skilled in Sensory Ninjutsu and Sealing Techniques. I like salty ramen, and I hate tomatoes and bitter things. My dream for the future is to become Hokage."
Tsunade nodded, then turned her gaze to Mikoto in the middle.
"My name is Uchiha Mikoto. I'm skilled in Fire Release and Lightning Release. I like tri-colored dango, and I dislike spicy food. My dream for the future is to become a great ninja."
Tsunade nodded again, then looked at the only male present.
Hayato Ren first summoned Charmander and held it in his arms.
"I'm Hayato Ren, and this is my closest partner, Charmander. It's skilled in Fire Release and taijutsu. I don't have any particular likes or dislikes. My dream for the future is to become a 'free' person."
Tsunade looked at Charmander in Hayato Ren's arms. With her experience, she could easily tell that this Summoning Beast named Charmander was no less powerful than an average elite Chunin.
Which meant that among the three, Hayato Ren was the strongest.
Is he a ninja who fights primarily with Summoning Beasts, like the Aburame clan? Interesting.
Tsunade thought to herself.
"Alright, our team is officially formed as of today. We'll disband for now. Meet at the base of Hokage Rock tomorrow at 3 PM. Don't be late."
Tsunade jumped down from the railing as she said this.
"Tsunade-sensei, aren't we going to take a test? Like bell-stealing or something?"
Mikoto asked curiously.
Tsunade lazily stretched her arms, further accentuating her perfect figure.
Before Hayato Ren could observe closely, his view was blocked by the back of Kushina's head.
"Hah~ Those meaningless tests are just a waste of time. I've seen your graduation exams—you three already have the skills to become ninjas. There's no need for unnecessary procedures. Of course, the most important thing is that I need to go home and catch up on sleep right now. I'm not in the mood for that kind of thing."
After saying this, Tsunade instantly vanished from the sight of the three.