Tatsumi stood under the shade of a tree, arms crossed.
"You have to climb up, okay?" Tatsumi created a small cool breeze with Wind Release, enjoying it comfortably.
"...What if I can't climb up?"
"If you can't climb up, then I'll cancel taking you out to eat," Tatsumi said with a regretful expression.
"..."
Gathering chakra at the soles of her feet, then creating suction, she slowly took one step at a time.
Kushina thought about the details Tatsumi had just told her as she slowly stepped onto the tree.
Yosh, the first foot is stable, a good start. Kushina tried lifting the foot that was stuck to the tree and found that it had become very stable due to the chakra's suction.
Unexpectedly easy.
The second foot is okay too. Kushina cheered herself on, secretly reminding herself not to make a mistake and be laughed at by Tatsumi.
—And then.
A perfect face-up fall.
A beautiful descent.
She landed in a face-plant.
"..." Tatsumi.
"That hurt..." Kushina rubbed her butt. Her face turned red at the speed of light.
"How embarrassing."
The shock of falling down in an instant almost made Tatsumi laugh.
Kushina, with her back to Tatsumi, emitted an unusually gentle smile. That smile even made Tatsumi's hair stand on end.
No, if I laugh now, I'll definitely be killed by Kushina!
"Um..." Tatsumi tried to speak.
"What?" Kushina replied unhappily.
Looking at Kushina's angry appearance, Tatsumi cleared his throat, emphasizing the important points.
"Kushina, after your first foot is suctioned, you need to increase your chakra output the moment you lift your second foot."
"Because when you have one foot on the ground, your center of gravity is still controlled by your body. When the second foot is lifted, your body no longer supports the center of gravity."
"The disappearance of body support—if you can't increase the suction on your feet, which is increasing the chakra output—the result will be like you are now."
"How to stably output your chakra, and constantly adjust the chakra output with your own movement and weight, that is the essence of tree climbing," Tatsumi explained in great detail to Kushina.
Although tree climbing is simple, it is also a technical skill that requires certain techniques.
"Wow, so skilled... Tatsumi, it seems you really are the pervert peeking into the women's bathhouse that Tsunade-sensei talked about?" Kushina instantly transformed into Detective Conan, looking at Tatsumi with insight.
"Hey, don't just put Jiraiya's blame on me so casually," Tatsumi said speechlessly to the heavens.
Kushina patted off the dust from the fall on her body and continued to practice.
Tatsumi lay alone in the shade of the tree, catching up on sleep through the leaves.
There were too many mosquitoes yesterday, and he went to bed late.
Time passed quickly. Perhaps because girls naturally have better chakra control.
At least, from Tatsumi's own observation, whether it was Mikoto or some of the female students in the school, their chakra control was generally better than boys.
This could be seen from the huge gap between Tsunade and Nawaki, this sibling pair.
So, Tatsumi sometimes wondered if Tsunade's parents gave her all six walnuts to drink. This caused Nawaki to have a bad brain and always have a stupid temperament.
Before a few hours had passed, Kushina had already walked to the highest point on the big tree, and then greeted Tatsumi with a smile.
"It's so beautiful!" Kushina shouted loudly.
The surrounding birds were disturbed and flew up.
Kushina stood on the tall tree, looking around.
The sky seemed to be soaked in blue watercolor, appearing clear and ethereal.
Although not far away were Konoha Village and the Hokage Rock, the noise there could not reach Tatsumi and her at all.
Surrounding Kushina were only the beautiful calls of birds.
Yes, at least in Kushina's memory, she had never experienced these things. Past memories were only the constant wars and deaths in the Land of Whirlpools.
Everything seemed like a dream.
Kushina suddenly jumped down from the big tree.
"Tatsumi, I have completed this step. Then, what powerful ninjutsu can you quickly teach me?"
Kushina took the leaves off Tatsumi's face and shook him.
She tilted her head, staring at Tatsumi with big eyes, her voice filled with unspeakable tenderness.
Um, stop acting cute, Kushina. Don't give yourself too much drama. Tenderness is not your persona. Tatsumi curled his lips.
"You want to learn powerful ninjutsu—wouldn't it be to continue to beat those who laugh at you?" Tatsumi asked after a little thought.
"Yes. They are unforgivable! Who told them to put me on the 'Top Ten People You Wouldn't Want as Your Boyfriend' list!" Kushina snorted.
"Tsunade-sensei told me that this is something that can't be forgiven even if one or two bones are broken," Kushina said angrily.
"Tsunade-sensei is really naughty, hahaha."
Tatsumi smiled helplessly.
So, as the bearer of the legendary title of "Red Hot-Blooded Habanero," was Tsunade actually the real First Hokage hidden in the darkness?
"And if I suddenly learn powerful ninjutsu and surprise them, they will definitely acknowledge me," Kushina continued.
Tatsumi nodded. He understood Kushina's desire to be recognized.
He touched Kushina's head and said to her, "Kushina, one of my excellent juniors said, 'It's not becoming Hokage that makes everyone recognize you, but people who are recognized by everyone become Hokage.' So, if you want to be recognized by everyone, it's not enough to know a few powerful ninjutsu."
Kushina thought about it carefully and then nodded—although Tatsumi wasn't sure if she really understood.
Then, Kushina asked in confusion, "Tatsumi, where is this excellent junior you mentioned? He must be very powerful to be able to say such a thing."
Tatsumi laughed awkwardly twice and then said with a sad face, "Maybe he has disappeared from this world."
"..."
Just as Kushina was about to speak, Tatsumi spoke first.
"I can't help you with kunai throwing in a short period of time. I can only teach you the throwing posture, and the rest is up to you to practice..." Tatsumi said.
"However, if you want to become stronger, you don't necessarily have to learn kunai throwing."
"Even the most powerful shuriken techniques will have flaws, and for you, we don't have the advantage. I've already said this."
Kushina's eyes lit up and asked, "Chakra amount?"
Tatsumi nodded.
"So, since your technique is not good, then don't take the technical route. We'll rely on chakra amount to overpower the opponent," Tatsumi said confidently.
"And this ninjutsu was specially developed for you, this excellent junior, by the Second Hokage before he died."
"Are you excited?
Surprised?
Pleasantly surprised?"
"..."
————————————————————
If you find any error, or mistake tag it/ comment.