One of the changes in Ryo's daily life could be "credited" to the generosity of that troublesome woman, Tsunade… or perhaps it was just her own strange way of showing care.
Two years ago, one evening when Tsunade had "sparred" him into lying on the ground, gasping for breath.
Ryo was drenched, like a broken sack, leaning against the wall, so tired his eyelids were fighting to stay open.
Tsunade squatted in front of him and tossed him a scroll. "Here, take this."
Ryo's eyes, full of exhaustion, glanced over it.
What is this?
"B-rank ninjutsu, Shadow Clone Jutsu," Tsunade said, her lips curled in a teasing smirk.
"You need proper sleep. You're like an owl, active at night and sleeping in the day. Be careful you don't stunt your growth. Tsk, if you end up shorter than Kushina, how will your pride take it? I'm looking out for you." She even deliberately eyed Ryo's slender frame.
"Thanks?" He dryly squeezed out.
"No need to thank me, just remember my 'kindness'!" Tsunade clapped her hands and stood up. "From now on, use clones for training during the day, and your main body should properly attend… Ugh, never mind, do what you want, the ninja academy can't teach you much anyway. It'll save you from looking like you're constantly overindulging."
She finished speaking and swaggered off, leaving Ryo holding the scroll, his eyes switching between limpness and anger with a complex expression.
With the Shadow Clone Jutsu, Ryo's life was completely optimized and segmented.
In the morning, his main body rigorously trained in Shanks's heritage, forging his physique to its limit, then split off the first tangible clone to go to school and complete classes (sleep) for the main body.
During lunch and after school in the afternoon, his main body would have lunch with Kushina and provide a full escort service after school.
What did the main body do in the afternoon?
Skipping class?
The word "skipping class" was too gentle.
He disdained those ninja academy classes.
The main body spent most of its time diving into the more dangerous areas deep within the Forest of Death, conducting more extreme, more insane real combat training alone.
Challenging stronger beasts, honing his increasingly integrated taijutsu and kenjutsu, and engraving Shanks's combat experience into his very bones.
Occasionally, Tsunade would suddenly appear, and without a word, use her terrifying Monster Strength Fist to spar (beat) him, calling it "practical training."
As for the evening?
His main body returned to the small courtyard, processed game, prepared food, replenished his losses, and researched new recipes.
Sleep was still compressed, but at least his routine was a bit more regular.
Kushina occasionally skipped class too.
She used a shadow clone to go to school and deal with roll call, while her main body secretly sneaked to where Ryo might be training.
Sometimes she made a mess in his courtyard, nitpicking his food preparation. Other times she waited at the Forest of Death's edge during his training breaks, sticking to him like a tail
"Following me won't teach you ninjutsu!" Ryo wrung out his drenched training uniform, splattering her face with sweat.
Kushina deftly dodged, making a face.
"I don't want to learn ninjutsu! I'm afraid you'll be carried off by a bear if you're alone! And…" She sniffed, her eyes curving like a fox. "Did you use wild honey to make a new sauce today? I smell it!" Her radar for Ryo's kitchen smells was practically maxed out.
"Go back to school. If Mito-sama catches you, am I supposed to take the blame for you?
Kushina shrank her neck. Mito didn't let her skip class, hoping she'd make more friends at the ninja academy.
But she couldn't help herself, drawn by the thrill of these "secret missions."
Watching Ryo's focused profile as he processed ingredients, or his silent figure sitting on the ground at the forest's edge, gnawing on dried meat, she found it much more interesting than being in class.
She liked this feeling.
…
And so, time quietly slipped by for two years amidst the sizzling sound of roasting meat, fat dripping, and the dull thuds of punches connecting during training.
Ryo and Kushina were promoted to the fifth grade.
They had both grown taller. Ryo's frame was sturdier, his brows sharper, carrying a deepening heroic aura.
Kushina had also shot up, her red hair more dazzling, and her features had matured a bit. Except when facing Ryo, her subtle "Red Hot Habanero" spirit at school had become even stronger.
The last year of the ninja academy was uneventful.
In a few more months, they would finish their school life and officially become ninjas.
During these two years, when Tsunade didn't have missions, she came more frequently for free meals under the guise of "inspecting training results" and "caring for her disciple's nutrition." Even when Mito was still in good health, she would send people with expensive ingredients, a roundabout way of supporting and thanking Ryo for his cooking skills.
Now Ryo's movements in preparing ingredients became even more refined, and he developed many new flavors using these high-quality goods.
The wicker baskets and smokehouses were always full, with enough provisions compared to his previous broke self.
…
Change quietly arrived one evening.
Ryo's main body had just emerged from the depths of the Forest of Death, carrying a huge wild deer, and passed by the familiar street of barbecue stalls on the outskirts of the village.
Dusk was settling, usually a bustling time when diners gathered. But today, the atmosphere was a bit unusual.
Several chunin who usually loved to boast were gathered in front of the barbecue stall, and the owner had lost his cheerful demeanor, wearing a look of worry.
"…It really started? So fast?" one chunin's voice was a bit low, tinged with unease.
"How could it be fake?" another tall, thin man took a big gulp of cheap sake. "News from the front lines, that 'demigod' Hanzo the Salamander from the Land of Rain has gone mad! He announced the closure of the Land of Rain's borders, clearing out all active ninja forces and intelligence personnel from Konoha, Suna, and Iwa inside! He's being very forceful!"
The barbecue owner sighed while wiping a greasy table. "Sigh, the merchant caravans on the border are cut off, good meat is getting harder to find, and prices are soaring…"
"Not just clearing them out!" The tall, thin man slammed his sake bowl down. "That bastard even declared war simultaneously on Konoha, Suna, and Iwa! He's incredibly arrogant!"
The heavy corpse of the wild deer crashed to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Ryo's eyes narrowed slightly, his cold gray pupils looking towards the Hokage Tower in the center of the village.
Hanzo the Salamander… the Second Great Ninja War?
(To be continued.)