Early the next morning, Namikaze Kirito was woken by Shizune and brought out into the courtyard.
At that moment, Tsunade was standing there, staring at the devastated yard with her eyes wide open.
Cracked stone.
Collapsed walls.
Deep pits carved into the ground.
Kirito felt a rare hint of embarrassment.
He'd left Konoha with nothing—no money, no assets. If the owner of the hot spring inn demanded compensation, Tsunade would definitely be the one paying.
But Tsunade wasn't thinking about money at all.
She was staring at him.
In her eyes, no matter how mature his mind was, Kirito was still just a three-year-old child.
And yet the scene before her—
This wasn't something that could be explained by "genius."
Even the Sannin, at his age, had probably still been playing in the dirt.
That was why Shizune had insisted Kirito start training immediately.
The moment Tsunade saw the courtyard, she understood something clearly.
This child could never be treated as ordinary.
What he'd said yesterday echoed in her mind as well.
She had chosen to escape.
Kirito had chosen to face everything head-on.
Maybe…
Just maybe...
That impossible wish could one day become reality.
"Lady Tsunade, I brought Kirito-kun…"
Shizune's gentle voice interrupted Tsunade's thoughts.
Tsunade turned, her gaze settling on the small figure before her.
Her eyes were complicated.
"…Sorry."
Kirito spoke quietly, his tone sincere.
Tsunade blinked.
Then, as if realizing something, a crooked smile slowly spread across her face.
"You little devil," she said lazily.
"Do you have any idea how much this damage will cost me?"
"You really destroyed this place without holding back."
"…" Kirito didn't argue.
"Hahaha!" Tsunade burst out laughing.
"So even you can make that expression?"
Her laughter faded, and her tone sharpened.
"Since you owe me that much money, you'll repay it with your body."
She stepped forward, her presence suddenly heavy.
"Brat. You came looking for me on your own."
"So from today on, I'll train you with everything I've got."
"Be prepared."
"Yes!"
Kirito's eyes burned with resolve.
Tsunade led him to the center of the courtyard, scanning the damage one last time before focusing on him.
"You've already mastered the Fourth Hokage's Rasengan, haven't you?"
Kirito didn't answer but his expression said everything.
Tsunade nodded in satisfaction.
"Good. That saves me the trouble of reteaching it."
"From today onward, you train with me during the day."
"At night, I'll go handle my business. During that time, Shizune will teach you medical theory."
"I'll test your progress regularly."
She spoke crisply, laying down her rules.
It was worth noting—
After hearing Kirito's words yesterday, Tsunade's hemophobia had already begun to loosen its grip.
The proof had come last night.
Frustrated after losing at the casino, she'd smashed a cup while drinking, slicing her palm on the shards.
Shizune had turned pale in terror.
But Tsunade had raised her hand to stop her.
She'd stared at the wound.
Her body still trembled.
The fear was still there—
But she hadn't frozen.
The shallow cut slowly healed under her gaze.
Tsunade had exhaled quietly.
Shizune, meanwhile, had nearly cried.
Seeing Tsunade injured still hurt but witnessing her condition improve filled her with relief and joy.
Kirito nodded at Tsunade's instructions.
Even if she hadn't said anything, he would never slack off.
His wish.
His ambition.
All of it demanded overwhelming strength.
Without it, everything was just fantasy.
"You have the Uzumaki clan's Sage Body," Tsunade said, her voice steady.
"Your physique is similar to mine."
"But you have one advantage I don't."
"Your age."
For once, a trace of resentment flickered in Tsunade's eyes.
"My Creation Rebirth and the Hundred Healings Seal require long-term chakra accumulation."
"You're starting now."
"When the day comes that you activate it…"
"…your power may surpass mine several times over."
The Hundred Healings Technique.
Tsunade's self-created ninjutsu.
A forbidden art that stored massive chakra within the diamond-shaped seal, unleashing terrifying regeneration and strength.
Even being cut in half by Uchiha Madara hadn't killed her.
Kirito felt his heart stir.
This was one of the techniques he wanted most.
At his age, much of the chakra produced by his Sage Body was wasted.
With the Hundred Healings Seal, nothing would be lost.
Every excess drop could be stored.
"And your fragile body," Tsunade continued mercilessly.
In reality, Kirito's physique already surpassed most adults.
But in Tsunade's eyes...
He was still weak.
The Senju were monsters by nature.
And Tsunade was one of the worst of them.
"Creation Rebirth also demands a strong body," she said sternly.
"From now on, proper meals. Proper rest."
"Do not burn out your potential early."
"I'll train your body every morning."
"No additional strain. Understood?"
Though her words were harsh, the concern beneath them was unmistakable.
"Understood, Tsunade-sensei—"
Bonk!
Tsunade smacked him on the head.
"I told you—call me neechan!"
"How many times do I have to say it?!"
She clenched her fist.
"Now fight me."
"Use everything you've got—except that weird ability of yours."
Her face flushed slightly as yesterday's incident flashed through her mind.
"Yes!"
The sparring began.
Tsunade defended casually.
Kirito attacked with everything he had.
Every burst of strength, every movement, was effortlessly blocked.
But Kirito wasn't discouraged.
If anything, he grew more excited with every exchange.
Shizune watched quietly from the side, a gentle smile on her face.
The Tsunade she admired—
Strong. Proud. Alive—
Was slowly returning.
And when she looked at Kirito, her eyes filled with gratitude.
Without his arrival...
She didn't know how long Tsunade would have remained trapped in despair.
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