Tsunade sat up straight and adjusted her clothes.
In front of unfamiliar children, she didn’t want to appear too carefree.
Then, her gaze swept over them, pausing slightly when it landed on Kyohiko.
"I didn’t expect you to take on another team. It seems you’ve grown fond of being a teacher."
"Haha, being a teacher isn’t so bad. These kids are all very talented."
Jiraiya entered and sat down.
Then, he introduced everyone one by one.
The others also responded in kind.
Kyohiko glanced at Shizune standing nearby and subtly greeted her as well—
Shizune, who had dared to argue with Tsunade earlier, now stood awkwardly to the side, her eyes occasionally darting toward the three of them.
When she saw Kyohiko, she was visibly shocked.
Kyohiko hadn’t been outstanding at the academy, with average grades in both academics and practical skills. Yet, after two years, he had graduated early and even become Jiraiya’s subordinate.
Shizune was full of curiosity.
But with Tsunade and Jiraiya present, she didn’t dare to ask.
Tsunade’s gaze swept over them.
Then, she thought of the recent rumors about Sakumo, and her eyes darkened as she looked at the second person.
Shinku’s daughter, she must have some talent in genjutsu, but as for the rest...
Her gaze shifted to Jiraiya, and she couldn’t help but feel suspicious.
Logically, Kurenai didn’t seem to fit Jiraiya’s teaching style. Could it be that he chose her because of her looks?
Tsunade’s expression gradually shifted from confusion to seriousness and then to anger.
Jiraiya knew his teammate all too well and immediately waved his hands, his face paling. "It’s not what you think! Don’t get the wrong idea!"
Then, he coughed lightly.
"Kyohiko, take everyone outside for a bit. I need to talk to Tsunade alone."
Kyohiko nodded and led everyone out of the room. They didn’t go far, just wandered around downstairs, giving Tsunade and Jiraiya space to talk.
Tsunade leaned on the windowsill, squinting as she looked down.
"So, that kid is the one calling the shots in your team? Ryoho Kyohiko... I think I’ve heard the name, but I don’t remember much."
"His grandmother was Senju Touka."
Tsunade was slightly taken aback, her gaze shifting downward.
"He’s Touka’s descendant?"
"Yeah. His parents were ordinary, but this kid seems to have inherited the powerful Senju bloodline. What’s even rarer is his mindset and maturity from a young age."
Jiraiya’s tone was serious. "I believe he has the potential to become figure like the Second Hokage."
"That’s high praise coming from you."
Tsunade leaned on the windowsill, looking down at the boy leading the group.
Touka’s descendant...
Senju Touka had been Hashirama’s confidant, and Tsunade had called her "Aunt Touka."
Touka already had a grandson.
Sadly, Aunt Touka was also gone.
Tsunade’s eyes dimmed.
She sat back down, her mood low. "You’re not planning to have him convince me to return to Konoha, are you?"
"I won’t try to convince you to go back."
Jiraiya shook his head.
He knew Tsunade’s situation. Forcing her to return would only make things harder for her and wouldn’t help the village.
As a friend, he didn’t want to push her.
Jiraiya paused for a moment before getting to the main point. "What do you think of Kurenai?"
Tsunade was slightly stunned, then chuckled. "You’re not thinking of having her become my student, are you?"
"Her chakra control is top-notch. Her physical condition is a bit weak, but that can be improved with training. It’s not impossible for her to succeed."
Those skilled in genjutsu often had precise chakra control.
Physically, while there were limits, Kurenai could still improve to some extent. Even if she couldn’t fully inherit Tsunade’s techniques...
If taught well, she could still become a leading figure in medical ninjutsu for the next generation.
After thinking for a moment.
"Let her learn and see."
"I’ll take that as a yes."
Tsunade didn’t object, instead yawning.
At this point, Jiraiya grinned. "One last thing, and this one concerns you the most."
"Yep. Matsuyama Koji from Aoiya Inn asked me to bring you an IOU."
Jiraiya’s grin widened.
He slid a piece of paper toward Tsunade.
Tsunade’s face immediately darkened. Her drowsiness vanished, and she glared at Jiraiya. "You jerk!"
"Come on, you’re a legend. You can’t just skip out on your debts."
Jiraiya pushed the paper closer.
Tsunade snorted, took out a pen, and was about to sign the IOU when she suddenly had an idea. "If you’re asking for favors for your student, you should pay up for me!"
"After all, you’re much richer than I am."
Jiraiya’s face stiffened.
That was true, but he was just delivering the IOU!
How did he end up footing the bill?
The two girls walked ahead.
Kyohiko and Kakashi followed behind.
"I didn’t expect Kyohiko to graduate early and even become Lord Jiraiya’s student."
Kurenai couldn’t help but smile. "Kyohiko graduating at seven is nothing. Kakashi graduated at five."
Shizune shook her head.
She sighed. "Kakashi has always been a genius. Our generation grew up hearing about him, but Kyohiko..."
People like Gai were rare.
For Kakashi, everyone admired him and knew they could never catch up.
Kyohiko was different.
Before this, who had ever heard of him?
Even Shizune’s memories of her classmates were from when they were five. She never imagined that when they met again, he would have become a genius.
Every time she thought about it, she felt a sense of how much things had changed.
Kurenai was about to ask something when the surroundings suddenly grew quiet.
Ahead was Tanzaku Castle.
Birds took to the sky, chirping loudly.
Kyohiko’s expression turned serious.
"Everyone, be careful!"
In the next instant, threads appeared around them, and kunai and shuriken came flying toward them.
Kyohiko immediately used the Body Flicker Technique.
In mid-air, he had already gathered chakra and formed hand seals.
Water Release: Water Wall!
A wall of water rose, shielding everyone.
The kunai and shuriken hit the water and were swept away, unable to penetrate.
Cherry blossoms began to fall.
Genjutsu: Falling Cherry Blossoms!
Kakashi’s figure vanished.
Behind the water wall, masked ninja emerged, at least a dozen of them.
"Capture them! We’ll use them to trade for our young master!"
Amid the chaos, someone shouted.
The water wall fell, and Kyohiko had already removed his leg weights and thrown them aside.
Then, he disappeared in an instant.
Kyohiko, holding a kunai, slit a ninja’s throat. Blood splattered across him.