[A/N: Hey guys, I wanted to ask your opinion on something someone recently pointed out—they said I'm going too fast with the story and need to slow down, letting it unfold more gradually. Is that true? Please let me know in the comments!]
Chapter 24: The Perils of a Wandering Gaze
As soon as Kiyoshi reached home, he let out a breath and stretched his arms. There was still some time before lunch, which meant he could finally put his newly acquired technique to the test.
He had already grasped the fundamentals of the Rasengan—his system-awarded knowledge ensured that. But theory alone wouldn't help in battle. He needed to refine it, to make it second nature, so he wouldn't fumble when it truly mattered.
With that thought, he made his way to the backyard. The enclosed space ensured privacy, and the sturdy trees lining it could withstand a beating—perfect for training.
Kiyoshi took a deep breath, rolling his shoulders as he centered himself. Extending his right hand, palm facing upward, he began focusing his chakra. Just as the ingrained knowledge had instructed, he started shaping it into a sphere while applying the necessary rotation.
At first, the unstable chakra swirled erratically, dissipating before it could form properly. He narrowed his eyes and tried again. And again. Each time, he got a little closer—the chakra spun faster, and the shape became more refined. His control wavered, but he persisted.
Then, after several minutes of practice, something changed.
The swirling mass of chakra in his palm stabilized, condensing into a perfect, rotating sphere. The Rasengan had formed.
It glowed with vibrant, dynamic energy—a pulsating mass of raw power contained within its smooth, shimmering surface. The spiraling chakra emitted a faint blue light, casting an almost ethereal glow in the dim shade of the backyard. The sheer force of the technique was undeniable—he could feel its weight in his palm, the controlled chaos of compressed energy ready to be unleashed.
Kiyoshi's eyes widened slightly, a thrill rushing through him. This was it.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward and launched the Rasengan at a sturdy tree in his backyard.
The moment it made contact, an explosive burst of energy erupted, sending a powerful shockwave rippling outward. Bark and splinters scattered, and a deep indentation was left where the sphere had struck. Though it hadn't completely shattered the tree, the sheer force behind the impact was undeniable.
Kiyoshi exhaled slowly, watching the aftermath of his attack.
He could already feel it—soon, this would become an extension of himself, a weapon he could wield at will.
But for now, he needed to refine it even further.
Just as Kiyoshi was deep in thought, strategizing ways to integrate the Rasengan into his fighting style, a sharp, surprised voice cut through the air.
"Oi, where the hell did you learn that technique?"
Kiyoshi's body tensed as he whipped his head toward the source of the voice. Standing there, arms crossed and golden eyes narrowed at him, was none other than Tsunade Senju of the Sannin.
Out of sheer shock, the words left his mouth before he could stop them—"Tsunade?!"
A nerve visibly twitched on her forehead.
"That's Tsunade-san to you, brat."
And that was when reality hit him like a brick. He had just casually blurted out Tsunade's name without any honorifics, as if they were close friends.
His back stiffened, and he immediately lowered his head in apology. "Ah—! My apologies, Tsunade-san."
But just as he bowed, his eyes involuntarily landed on something that completely derailed his thoughts—those ridiculous cushions strapped to her chest, barely contained despite her efforts.
How does she even walk around with those…?
Hadn't he always thought the manga and anime had exaggerated?
But seeing them in reality… How is that even possible?!
Kiyoshi momentarily forgot about his surroundings as he seriously pondered the mechanics of such proportions.
That was his biggest mistake.
Tsunade's sharp gaze caught how his eyes lingered on her chest. Her brow twitched dangerously, her expression darkening as a barely restrained vein pulsed on her temple.
"You've got some nerve, brat."
Before Kiyoshi could even register his impending doom, she had already shifted into a stance, foot pulling back—ready to launch him into next week.
"Wait! It's not what you think—!"
He barely had time to yell before he saw his life flash before his eyes.
But just as Tsunade's foot was about to connect, another voice interrupted.
"Tsunade, don't break the kid. It's time for lunch."
Tsunade's movement halted, her eyes flicking toward the approaching figure. Kiyoshi, still frozen in his half-bowing position, turned his head to see Shigeru, his uncle, walking toward them with an amused yet exasperated look.
"You're lucky, brat," Tsunade muttered, clicking her tongue before dropping her stance.
Kiyoshi quickly straightened up, his heart still hammering in his chest. He had faced deadly situations on his last mission, trained under Kenshiro, and even fought enemies above his level, but this—this was true fear.
Shigeru glanced between the two, then raised an eyebrow at Kiyoshi. "What did you do to piss her off?"
Tsunade crossed her arms, shooting Kiyoshi a sideways glare. "He was staring."
Shigeru blinked. "At what?"
Kiyoshi immediately panicked, waving his hands. "I wasn't! It's a misunderstanding! I just—"
Tsunade cracked her knuckles. "I know a perverted look when I see one, kid."
Kiyoshi gulped. "I swear, I wasn't—!"
Sensing the imminent bloodbath, Shigeru sighed and clapped a hand on Kiyoshi's shoulder.
"Alright, enough. Tsunade, give the kid a break—he's exhausted from his mission. And Kiyoshi, maybe don't anger the one person who can turn you into paste with a flick of her finger."
Tsunade huffed but relented, though not before muttering something about kids these days and no respect.
Kiyoshi, meanwhile, felt like he had just survived a natural disaster.
He had barely begun to process what had happened when Shigeru patted his back and gestured toward the house.
"Come on, lunch is ready."
Kiyoshi didn't need to be told twice. He quickly followed his uncle, making sure to keep a very safe distance from Tsunade.
As they made their way toward Shigeru's house, both he and Kiyoshi noticed that Tsunade was trailing behind them. At first, they exchanged confused glances, but the silence stretched until Shigeru finally broke it.
"Why are you following us, Tsunade?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.
Tsunade crossed her arms, adopting an imperious stance. "I am the princess of Konoha, the head of the Senju clan. I can go wherever I want."
Shigeru smirked, shaking his head with a playful sigh. "Of course, of course. Who am I to question the great Tsunade-sama?"
Her sharp glare could have cut through steel, but Shigeru merely chuckled, unfazed.
Then, as if recalling something serious, Shigeru's expression shifted. "Speaking of that… How is Mito-sama? How is her health?"
At this, Tsunade's confident facade cracked slightly. She let out a small sigh, her gaze softening. "The seal is weakening… and so is she," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
A heavy silence enveloped them. Even Kiyoshi, who had no direct ties to Mito Uzumaki, felt the weight of her words.
(So it's already close to that time…)
He thought, the implications crashing over him like a wave. Kushina Uzumaki would soon become the next jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, and with that, her absence from the academy would be felt. He recalled the looming threat of Kumogakure's attempted kidnapping when Kushina graduated and pondered whether his presence in this world had already altered the course of events.
Would that still happen now?
Sensing the somber atmosphere, Shigeru offered gently, "Please let her know that my family and I are praying for her well-being. Her contributions to this village will never be forgotten."
Tsunade nodded.
To lighten the mood, Shigeru grinned. "Why don't you join us for lunch?"
Tsunade shrugged. "Sure, why not? I suppose I could grace you with my presence."