Kazuki scratched his head.
"Uh… I just picked it up while Grandma Mito was teaching Kushina."
"What?!"
Kushina's eyes nearly popped out.
Grandma Mito was teaching me.You were just lounging around like a salted fish!I didn't learn it, but you did?!
Her heart took critical damage.
Mito was stunned for a moment as well, genuine surprise crossing her face.
That level of comprehension…
Even Tobirama might not have matched that.
Is the Senju clan about to produce another monster?
Still, she sighed.
"But you didn't have to hit Tsunade like that."
Using vines to smack her granddaughter's backside…
That was a bit much.
Kazuki didn't respond.
He simply returned to the courtyard and went to take a bath.
While bathing, he suddenly remembered—
The place earlier.
That famous hot spring in Konoha.
He hadn't actually gotten to soak.
Should I sneak back later?
After finishing, he returned to his room.
The door suddenly slid open.
"Come in."
Kushina stepped inside.
Her red hair was still damp, faintly fragrant.Her skin glowed, slightly flushed from her bath.Tiny droplets of water clung to her shoulders.
Kazuki blinked.
It was late.
What was she doing here?
Her face turned slightly red.
"Kazu… are you really not going to apologize to Sister Tsunade?"
Seeing the pleading look in her eyes, Kazuki softened.
"Alright. It's just an apology…"
[Ding. Based on the current situation, three choices are available.]
Option 1: Apologize and admit fault.Reward: Broken shuriken.
Option 2: Forgive Tsunade and show you're not angry.Reward: A-Rank Ninjutsu — Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Option 3: Continue educating Tsunade.Reward: A-Rank Ninjutsu — Shuriken All Directions.
Kazuki coughed lightly.
"Actually… I think I was right."
"But I've forgiven her. I'm not angry at all. As long as she doesn't mess with me again."
Kushina glared.
"Kazu, is that an apology?"
"I didn't do anything wrong. Why would I apologize?"
She stomped her foot in frustration.
At that moment—
The door slammed open.
All three froze.
Tsunade stood at the entrance.
She looked inside—
Then pointed at Kazuki.
"You. What are you doing in my room?"
Kushina instantly turned bright red.
"S-Sister Tsunade! We weren't doing anything! Kazu just wanted to apologize!"
Kazuki blinked.
Wait.
Her room?
No wonder it smelled different.
"Apologize?" Tsunade crossed her arms.
Kazuki shrugged.
"Sister Tsunade, I've already forgiven you. I'm not angry about today. Just don't attack me without asking next time."
Blame the system, he thought.
This is mercy.
[Congratulations. Choice two completed.]Reward obtained: A-Rank Ninjutsu — Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Tsunade laughed angrily.
"Heh. Brat. Come outside."
"I don't want to wreck my room. Let's take this to the training grounds."
Right then—
Mito appeared.
"You've been gone for almost two years, and the first thing you do when you come back is fight?"
Kushina looked anxiously at Kazuki.
He shrugged again.
"I said I forgave her."
Mito sighed.
"Kazuki, she's your older sister. Let her have it."
Tsunade snapped.
"Like I need him to go easy on me?!"
She'd already lost face in front of half the village.
And now he was in her room.
Her own grandmother was siding with him.
Her chakra flared again.
Kushina quickly stepped between them.
"Sister Tsunade! How about an arm-wrestling match instead?"
She turned to Kazuki.
"Kazu, if you lose, will you apologize?"
Kushina knew Tsunade's raw strength was unmatched in Konoha.
No one beat her in pure strength contests.
This would give Tsunade an out—
And keep Kazuki from looking too bad.
Kazuki's lips curved slightly.
"That's not impossible."
He suddenly remembered that famous scene—
Tsunade arm-wrestling the Fourth Raikage.
The earth-shaking clash of strength.
Interesting.
Tsunade's anger flickered into excitement.
"You dare?"
"I'm telling you right now—no one's ever beaten me."
"Is that so?"
At this point in time, she hadn't faced the Raikage yet.
Back then, she had more raw power—
But the Raikage had speed and a trick up his sleeve.
Different story.
But right now—
She believed she was unbeatable.
And Kazuki?
He was smiling.