Tsunade, however, had a far more practical outlook.
"Find a master sooner, get it over with sooner. Here, this is my initiation gift. One side holds my medical manual, compiling most of my medical knowledge. The other contains the essential tools a medical-nin will need from the ages of six to eighteen—a medical kit, in short."
She opened the box in her hands, revealing exactly what she had described: everything related to medical care.
But Kazuyama Gekkō, spotting the pile of notes with little banknote symbols drawn across them, immediately realized these were Tsunade's own handwritten notes.
"What are you staring at! I like money—so what if I draw a banknote?"
"Do you want it or not? If not, I'll take it back!"
Catching the amusement in Kazuyama Gekkō's eyes, Tsunade flushed red. These were all materials she had painstakingly accumulated throughout her career as a medical-nin. As for the banknote doodles—well, she did like money.
"I want it. How could I not?"
"Pakura, bring Senko out to meet her future teacher."
Pakura, delighted that Tsunade had come, stepped out cradling the one-year-old Senko Gekkō in her arms.
"Here, my daughter. Pretty, isn't she?"
Ever since having children, Kazuyama Gekkō had become a complete doting father. First it was Michihito Gekkō, and now it was Senko Gekkō.
"Senko, this is your future sensei. Look how generous she is!"
"Oh, and remember this—your sensei has money. To make sure she doesn't waste it, once you grow up, you'll have to help her spend some. It'll actually be good for her!"
Kazuyama Gekkō poked his daughter's cheek as he spoke, his words making Tsunade's face instantly darken. Even Pakura couldn't help but laugh. For all his maturity, Kazuyama Gekkō's mischievous streak had only grown stronger.
"You little brat, Kazuyama Gekkō! Your heart gets darker every day!"
"That's my gambling stake!"
If not for Senko being present, Tsunade might have seriously tried to discipline him—though realistically, she probably wouldn't even touch him thanks to his Flying Thunder God Technique.
"Tch, gambling again? Wouldn't it be better to just stick to being a doctor? With your skill, you could treat a few big names and never run short on money."
"Come on, Senko, let's bow to your new master."
At that moment, something unexpected happened.
The little Senko in Pakura's arms, upon seeing Tsunade, reached out her tiny hands eagerly, her face lit up with delight.
"Huh? Kazuyama Gekkō, your daughter really seems to like me."
"Hahaha, come here, let your master hold you."
Tsunade couldn't resist. Taking the chubby little bundle into her arms, she melted instantly. The lethal charm of a baby was undeniable—especially for a grown woman. Looking at her now, one would hardly believe this was the legendary Princess Tsunade, feared across the ninja world.
"Hahaha, Senko, from now on you're my disciple."
"Your sensei will raise you to be brilliant—better than your damn bastard father!"
Kazuyama Gekkō's face darkened at that. Fine, so it was all about trading blows, was it?
Senko giggled happily in Tsunade's embrace. Then, to everyone's shock, her body began to slowly disappear.
"Kazuyama Gekkō! What's happening to Senko?"
"Transparent Escape! Hahaha, I knew it! My daughter has awakened my Transparent Escape!"
Kazuyama Gekkō's booming laughter filled the air. Transparent Escape—the power to erase one's presence and render the entire body invisible.
It was the very technique that had built his reputation. Once activated, no matter how strong the opponent, he could simply vanish.
"Excellent! Hahaha, excellent!"
"Pakura, let's go out for barbecue tonight. We have to celebrate!"
But suddenly, Kazuyama Gekkō froze mid-celebration.
"Wait—Tsunade, back away! No, better—use chakra to shield yourself!"
He had sensed a faint chakra ripple, one he knew all too well: the signature of Crystal Release.
Though confused, Tsunade did as instructed, forming a chakra barrier around herself and Senko. That quick action spared her from disaster.
"Crack..."
A crisp sound echoed from her arms. A pink crystal had appeared around Senko.
All three froze—Tsunade, Pakura, and Kazuyama Gekkō.
The first two were stunned simply because Crystal Release had manifested. Kazuyama Gekkō was stunned because of the color.
"This is... Crystal Release?"
"Yes... it really is Crystal Release..."
The crystal shattered, and Senko reappeared in Tsunade's arms, a faint weariness on her little face. Barely a year old, she simply didn't have the chakra to wield two Kekkei Genkai at once. In just that short moment, her reserves had been entirely drained.
"Waaah!!!"
Senko burst into tears.
Well, chakra depletion meant hunger.
"Come here, Senko."
Pakura quickly took her and hurried inside, leaving Kazuyama Gekkō and Tsunade staring at one another.
"Tsunade, you've struck gold."
"Yes, I'm definitely taking this apprentice. But Kazuyama Gekkō, why is Senko's Crystal Release a different color from yours?"
Kazuyama Gekkō had been wondering the same thing when the System's voice provided the answer.
[Ding! Host need not ponder. Your Crystal Release is a product of the System. Though inheritable, it reverts to its natural form upon inheritance. Only the Host possesses a unique variant.]
[Ding! For your information, the natural color of Crystal Release is pink!]
Hearing this explanation, Kazuyama Gekkō felt satisfied. What intrigued him more, however, was the Transparent Escape. Would hers differ from his?
[Ding! Transparent Escape is inherited exactly as the Host's: erasing presence, nullifying chakra detection, and rendering the body completely transparent.]
Exactly. Transparent Escape was the true prize. Crystal Release was only the support.