At dawn the next day, Itsuki had some breakfast and headed to the training ground where Tenzō had taken him yesterday.
It was just after 6 o'clock in the morning, and to Itsuki's surprise, Tenzō was already waiting there.
"Sorry, Teacher Tenzō, I'm late!" Itsuki hurried over, bowing slightly.
After all, he was about to learn ninjutsu from the other party, so it was important to show respect.
"No, I arrived early, wait…" Tenzō waved his hands subconsciously. Suddenly, he seemed to remember something, and the eyes behind his ANBU mask widened.
He said in a trembling voice, "What… did you call me just now?"
"Teacher Tenzō?" Itsuki paused, confused. "Is there a problem with that?"
"No… no!" Tenzō shook his head decisively.
Itsuki was still puzzled when Tenzō suddenly became excited.
"A day's plan begins in the morning. Morning is when your body and brain are in their best condition. That's why I asked you to come early. Practicing at this time will achieve twice the result with half the effort."
Tenzō was in high spirits. "By the way, have you had breakfast? At your age, when you're still growing, breakfast is a must. If you haven't eaten yet, I'll send a clone to buy it for you."
"Nutritional balance is also very important. Breakfast milk is a must, and then there should be some fruits and vegetables, and…"
Itsuki's head filled with question marks.
Tenzō was talking to himself and, without waiting for a reply, created a Wood Release clone and ran off to buy breakfast.
Itsuki swallowed the words he was about to say. Tenzō had even considered the nutritional combination. Saying he had already eaten would be betraying Tenzō's kindness.
"Forget it," Itsuki thought. "Just buy it. I didn't eat much anyway, so I can still eat more."
He still wondered why Tenzō had suddenly become so enthusiastic. Could it really be because of a simple "Teacher Tenzō"?
Oh yes, Itsuki remembered!
Tenzō's character in the original novel was lonely and longed for recognition.
When he first took over Team 7, he immediately set up a large table filled with dishes to impress others. The giant lobster over a meter long had left a deep impression on Itsuki.
In the Infinite Tsukuyomi dream, Tenzō not only replaced Kakashi as the team leader but also received Kakashi's recognition and praise.
It was obvious this was a person extremely lacking in sociability but desperate to be needed.
Realizing this, Itsuki couldn't help but grin. If he didn't take this chance to drain all of Tenzō's energy, his name would be written upside down!
"Before I buy breakfast, let me tell you about today's training plan!"
Tenzō didn't waste a moment. Using Wood Release, he condensed a set of tables and chairs and even a wooden parasol. Motioning for Itsuki to sit, he began to speak.
"You should have understood by now, right? The power you suddenly used yesterday when you went berserk is called Wood Release—the same power I'm using now. You should know a little about Wood Release, right?"
Itsuki opened his mouth to answer, but Tenzō slammed the table and shouted, "Yes, that's right! It's the ability the First Hokage used!"
"His mastery of Wood Release is astonishing! With it, he ended the chaotic world and established the 'one country, one village' system. He is the First Hokage, a great ninja. Wood Release is his symbol!"
Itsuki stared at Tenzō, who was giving a speech with such excitement that the two words "teacher" alone felt devastatingly powerful.
Tenzō continued non-stop:
"Of course, my Wood Release compared to the First Generation is like the difference between a firefly and the bright sun."
"But after my test yesterday, your Wood Release is not weaker than the First Generation's. If you can master it, it's possible for you to become the second Ninja God!"
"I have promised the Third Hokage that I will do my utmost to teach you everything I know."
"But don't put too much pressure on yourself. You are still young and have a long time to grow, so just go at your own pace!"
After a pause to let Itsuki digest the information, Tenzō continued, "I also said yesterday that the reason your Wood Release shows abnormalities is because you haven't mastered the nature changes of water and earth yet."
"For the next period, I will first teach you to perfect the changes of these two attributes. Remember, do not try Wood Release before that—it could easily damage the root."
With that, Tenzō's clone appeared carrying a few lunch boxes using the Instant Body Technique.
Itsuki finally spoke, nodding gratefully. "Okay, thank you for your explanation, Teacher Tenzō!"
Suddenly, Tenzō's breathing staggered. With a bang, his clone turned into a wooden figure, then black mud, softening to the ground. The lunch box nearly fell but Tenzō caught it just in time.
"Ahem, I ran too fast and got a stitch!" Tenzō panted, taking deep breaths to calm down. He opened the lunch boxes one by one.
Itsuki looked inside and was stunned.
Milk, rice balls, grilled fish, natto, vegetables, miso soup, and a fresh fruit plate.
No, this was breakfast?
Technically yes, but the entire table was filled!
"Well, breakfast is a bit basic; there wasn't much food to buy."
Tenzō clapped his hands. "I'll get you something hearty at noon. For now, just make do with this. I'll also explain how to practice nature changes for Earth and Water Escape."
Itsuki realized that at this rate, he might get fat in a few days. But he couldn't refuse such an offer.
Originally, he had wanted Tenzō to eat with him, but Tenzō had already eaten. This meal was all for Itsuki.
With a clear conscience, Itsuki began eating and almost overate. Fortunately, after awakening Wood Release, his digestion was excellent.
After a little chakra circulation, he resumed normal movement.
After the meal, Itsuki officially entered a cultivation state.
"First, you can choose to practice either Earth Escape or Water Escape. Either one is fine." Tenzō said, condensing a small ball of chakra in each hand.
The left hand glowed earthy yellow with dirt and gravel swirling around it. The right hand shimmered aqua blue with a small spinning waterspout.
Itsuki activated his Sharingan at the right moment, but thanks to invisible lens, Tenzō couldn't see it.
Moments later, Itsuki also condensed a small ball of chakra in each hand—earth in the left, water in the right.
"Nani?" Tenzō's eyes nearly popped out, and the chakra ball in his hand exploded from miscontrol.
Fortunately, only a little chakra concentrated, so no one was hurt.
Tenzō, however, was in disbelief. "You… how did you do that?"