A mere family disciple, without any significant status or justification, has requisitioned the training ground that has been open to the Konoha public since the village's founding…
This incident highlights a serious problem!
Konoha today is not the Konoha of the past!
After years of development, has Konoha actually regressed? Have its issues only grown more severe?
Tsunade demands an explanation from Hiruzen Sarutobi!
As a disciple of the Third Hokage, Tsunade naturally couldn't directly blame her teacher.
However… Tsunade is no ordinary shinobi!
As one of the Legendary Sannin, she has every right to question Sarutobi Hiruzen when faced with such matters.
Not to mention, she is the princess of the Senju Clan—the very family that helped found Konoha. She is the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama!
With Tsunade's lineage and reputation, she cannot simply stand by and watch Konoha deteriorate!
Upon receiving a summons from Sarutobi Hiruzen, Tsunade must go.
But she is not going to apologize—she expects an apology from Sarutobi Hiruzen!
"More sake, Tenten!"
"Yes, Tsunade-sama!"
After downing three consecutive cups, Tsunade signaled for Tenten to stop pouring.
She stood up, ready to head to the Hokage Building.
Taking a deep breath, she prepared to confront her teacher.
"Phew…"
Letting out a long sigh before leaving, Tsunade turned to Tenten with a rare seriousness in her tone.
"If you want to follow in Kazuki's footsteps, you must train harder. Otherwise… Never mind, let's not talk about this."
"I'm off, Tenten."
"Focus on your training. Your time is too precious to waste."
Behind her, Tenten nodded firmly.
"I understand, Tsunade-sama!"
Tsunade went to the Hokage's office and did not return to Tenmu's residence until midnight.
As for what transpired in the office, only Tsunade and Sarutobi Hiruzen knew.
Tenten, for once, refrained from asking.
Instead, she trained diligently throughout the day.
Meanwhile, Kazuki remained immersed in the forging room.
The Next Day
Discussions spread throughout Konoha—
"The Legendary Sannin, Tsunade-sama, destroyed Training Ground No. 1 with a single punch!"
Tenten wasn't home that morning.
She had already assembled with her squad for a mission—an E-rank assignment helping farmers clear their fields.
While working, a young Hyuga ninja with long black hair, a Konoha forehead protector, and the Byakugan activated turned to Tenten.
"Tenten, I heard you've become Tsunade-sama's disciple?"
"Huh?"
"How did you know? Tsunade-sama only took me in as a student yesterday…"
Neji Hyuga smirked.
"You caused such a scene at Training Ground No. 1 yesterday—word has already spread all over Konoha."
"…Did Tsunade-sama really destroy the training ground with one punch?" Neji asked, his tone unreadable.
"Yes!"
Tenten nodded enthusiastically.
"Tsunade-sama is incredible!"
"One punch…"
Neji clenched his fists.
As a member of the Hyuga clan's branch family, he bore the Caged Bird Seal on his forehead.
Neji longed to break free from that curse.
Every branch family member did.
But to do so…
Neji needed to surpass even the head of the Hyuga clan.
The Hyuga clan was now the most powerful family in Konoha.
And the clan head, Hiashi Hyuga, was no weakling.
In Neji's mind, Hiashi's strength might even rival that of Tsunade-hime, one of the Legendary Sannin.
And yet…
Tsunade had shattered Konoha's training ground with a single punch.
That kind of strength left Neji breathless.
"Whoa! Tsunade-sama is so strong! Are the other two Sannin just as powerful?! Ohhh!! This is youth!!!"
Nearby, a boy with a bowl-cut hairstyle and thick eyebrows clenched his fists, his eyes burning with determination.
"I'll train hard to reach Tsunade-sama's level as soon as possible!"
"Starting today, I'll do an extra 100 laps running around Konoha—while doing handstands!"
Tenten: "..."
"Well said, Lee!"
Another green jumpsuit-clad figure appeared, flashing a thumbs-up.
His teeth gleamed in the sunlight.
"Effort and sweat—that is youth!"
The two bowl-cut shinobi ran toward each other, tears in their eyes, and embraced passionately beneath the rising sun.
Tenten sighed.
"They're at it again… Who knows how long it'll take for them to snap out of it?"
"Tenten," Neji said after a pause.
"How did you come to train under Tsunade-sama?"
A strong mentor…
Could truly change one's fate.
Neji Hyuga had always wanted a strong mentor to guide him, not a hot-blooded fool who shouted about "youth" at every opportunity.
"Ah? Uh…"
"This…"
Tenten was a little taken aback before explaining, "My brother asked Lady Tsunade to take me as her disciple."
"Your brother? Kazuki?"
Neji was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected Kazuki to have any connection with Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin.
"What?! Big Brother Kazuki?!"
Beside them, Rock Lee—his green jumpsuit-clad body practically vibrating with energy—abruptly abandoned his sparring with Might Guy and rushed to Tenten, eyes sparkling.
"Has Big Brother Kazuki returned?! I haven't seen him in so long!"
Tenten nodded calmly in response to Lee's excitement. Even after all these years, she still couldn't understand why Lee was always so enthusiastic.
Might Guy, meanwhile, cleared his throat after being abruptly ignored. "Ahem…"
"Yes, Kazuki is back," Tenten continued. "He's on break for a while. He should be busy working in his family's forge these days."
"Kazuki is incredible! I heard he completed an extremely dangerous S-rank mission this time!"
Upon hearing that, the flames of determination in Lee's eyes burned even brighter.
Neji, meanwhile, clenched his fists. The gap between him and Kazuki… It just kept growing.
"Tenten! Tenten!!" Lee practically bounced on his feet.
"After our mission, can I come over to your house to see Big Brother Kazuki?!"
Tenten frowned slightly. "You… Don't you have training after the mission? By the time you finish, it'll be dark. How are you even going to get there?"
Lee suddenly froze, torn between two passions.
"Training… or Big Brother Kazuki…"
He wavered, unable to decide.
At that moment, Might Guy stepped forward, his signature blinding smile in full force.
"Lee!"
"You can visit Kazuki and ask him to guide you in training! That way, you won't have to choose!"
"Yes!"
Understanding dawned on Lee's face, and his eyes shone with admiration.
"As expected of you, Guy-sensei! Your wisdom surpasses ours!"
Neji scoffed, crossing his arms. "Did it ever occur to you that Kazuki might be too busy to train you? Or that he simply doesn't want to?"
Lee faltered.
"Uh… well, this, um…"
Once again, he hesitated, torn between his respect for Neji's logic and his admiration for Kazuki.
But before he could dwell on it too long, Might Guy burst out, his voice brimming with passion:
"Don't worry, Lee!"
"Kazuki isn't the kind of person to turn his back on a fellow ninja in need! Even if he's busy, he'll make time to guide you!"
"But, Guy-sensei… wouldn't that trouble Big Brother Kazuki?"
"Nonsense, Lee!"
Guy struck a dramatic pose, gazing up at the sky with conviction.
"It has been too long since we last saw Kazuki! Once our mission is over, our entire team will go visit him at Tenten's house!"
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