"???"
Tsunade tilted her head, at first thinking the boy's strange expression was because he was surprised by her offer.
After all, receiving her guidance was something many people could only dream of.
But he was actually thinking about money?
What was that supposed to mean?
If it wasn't free, he wouldn't be happy?
'This kid's brain really is sick. His way of thinking is completely different from normal people...'
But for some reason, Tsunade felt slightly looked down on.
She had personally offered to guide someone, only to be treated like a scammer out to con a child for money?
"Kid, what do you mean by that? Countless people want my guidance and never get the chance, and now I'm offering it to you, yet you're still thinking about money?"
Tsunade raised her eyebrows. "What? You think my guidance isn't worth the money?"
It wasn't about the money itself. It was Seiryū's irritating attitude that was the problem.
"That's not it."
Seiryū waved his hand, calmly stating his reasoning. "Tsunade-sama, like my Sensei, is one of the Sannin, so naturally you're a powerful shinobi and, well, very beautiful."
"However, since you tried to scam me under the guise of treating an illness I don't have, I think I need to stay cautious. My money doesn't grow on trees."
"Prevent all fraud. There's no anti-fraud center app in this world."
"Besides, I can train by myself. Worst case, I can ask Kushina-nee or my Senpai for advice. That doesn't cost anything. Save where you can, spend where you must."
Seiryū clarified that it wasn't about being stingy. It was just that Tsunade's actions were a little suspicious.
He was afraid of being swindled by this bad woman.
She had wanted fifty thousand ryo just for patting his head once.
If Tsunade started guiding him in training, wouldn't each session cost hundreds of thousands, or even millions?
His money didn't grow on trees.
Tsunade nearly laughed out loud. Considering the boy's mental state, she chose not to argue. She kept her arms crossed and said plainly, "Relax. I won't charge you. I'm just curious about your talent."
She was indeed curious about Seiryū's talent, but the main reason was to observe his condition up close.
She wasn't joking about curing Seiryū's illness.
Hearing that it was free, Seiryū's heart skipped a beat, and he instantly showed a bright smile. "Actually, I've always admired Tsunade-sama. My Monstrous Strength was developed because I admired you. It's my honor to receive your guidance!"
No wonder Tsunade was so popular in his previous life.
This was exactly why. Broad-minded, beautiful, and kind-hearted, her greatness needed no further praise.
He had misunderstood her just now, but it wasn't too late to correct that.
"…"
Tsunade was left speechless by the sudden change in attitude.
If this kid wasn't sick, who would believe it?
Too lazy to dwell on his nonsense, Tsunade continued, "Let me see what level you've developed your Monstrous Strength to."
She had been surprised upon hearing that a six-year-old boy had developed and mastered Monstrous Strength on his own.
Monstrous Strength required precise Chakra control, something even a Jonin might struggle with.
She wanted to see exactly how far Seiryū had come.
Everyone said he was a genius. Now she wanted to see just how much of a genius he really was.
"Oh."
Seiryū responded and walked toward a large tree nearby.
His Monstrous Strength was already very refined. It was the first technique he had worked on. With the enhancement from his improved Hakuda talent, it had become even more advanced.
He had even developed specific moves for it.
"Monstrous Strength: One Punch."
Seiryū clenched his right arm, swung it, and delivered a heavy punch toward the large tree ahead.
As his fist struck, Chakra surged violently, erupting in a shockwave that pierced the tree's core.
Monstrous Strength: One Punch.
This was a derived technique formed through further refinement, where surging Chakra condensed into a shockwave, boosting penetration and directly causing internal damage.
The principle was similar to 'Ryuo Haki.'
Boom!
With a loud blast, the massive tree exploded from the center. The internal shockwave caused an eruption, sending splinters flying in all directions.
The tree immediately collapsed, falling in Seiryū's direction.
Just as he was about to strike it away, a figure flashed past with a fragrant breeze. Tsunade flicked her finger lightly and casually knocked the tree aside.
Bang!
The falling tree was flicked away dozens of meters by Tsunade in a single motion.
Watching this, Seiryū commented inwardly, 'Effortless. Her Chakra and strength control are far more refined than mine. This must also be Monstrous Strength...'
Seiryū could also knock away the tree, but he couldn't do it with the effortless control Tsunade showed.
To flick it away gently, without damaging the tree itself, required extremely precise control of Chakra and power.
At present, Seiryū couldn't reach that level yet.
Tsunade clicked her tongue in admiration. "No wonder you said it was only similar. It's quite different from my Monstrous Strength. That kind of Chakra control, able to penetrate the inside and cause internal destruction..."
As an expert in Monstrous Strength, she immediately recognized the difference in Seiryū's version.
It penetrated the interior and dealt internal damage.
The sheer destructive force might not match hers, but the lethality was greater.
A genius.
She was finally starting to understand just how talented Seiryū was.
Seiryū then asked, "Tsunade-sama, my Sensei said my Monstrous Strength technique is already very complete and doesn't need improvement, but you're the expert in this field. Do you see anything that can be improved?"
From Tsunade's earlier move, Seiryū realized that his Monstrous Strength still had room for growth.
This wasn't Jiraiya's fault. He didn't possess Monstrous Strength himself.
He could only rely on his own judgment and experience.
But Tsunade was a true master in this field. She would definitely be able to see more than Jiraiya.
"What does your Sensei know?"
Tsunade pouted and began to explain. "Your Monstrous Strength technique is indeed very complete, but there are still some issues."
She raised a slender index finger. "First, your body hasn't fully developed. One or two uses won't matter, but using it too frequently will strain your arm muscles. This isn't something that can be resolved easily."
She then held up two fingers. "Second, your Chakra control is fine, but not yet perfect. You're wasting a lot of Chakra. If you refine your control further, the power will increase even more."
"Third, although your punch looks fine on the surface, you still lack technique in how you apply force during the swing."
Pausing for a moment, Tsunade smiled and sighed, "Of course, to get it to this level at your age is already outstanding."
(To be continued.)
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