"Was the gift from Tsunade-sensei prepared by you?"
Late at night, listening to the chimes, Minato asked Tatsuma. Actually, he already knew the answer.
After all, the weighted rings that Tsunade gave Nawaki were only half a set. The remaining half was given to him by Tatsuma after dinner.
Tatsuma stretched and said, "There was no other way. The weighted rings were custom-made in advance. When we wanted to add more at the last minute, the store couldn't provide them, so we had to split the set."
Minato nodded, then took out a three-pronged kunai and curiously asked, "Then why did you give me this? I don't lack ninja tools, and your own gift is also this kind of kunai."
'It's because your talent is better suited for using this uniquely shaped kunai' thought Tatsuma.
Tatsuma thought to himself, but he couldn't explain it directly to Minato. Instead, he said, "I studied Second Hokage-sama's jutsu and obtained Second Hokage-sama's kunai, but to be honest, it feels quite awkward."
As he spoke, Tatsuma took out two kunai: one was a diamond-shaped kunai, and the other was a specially made three-pronged kunai. He first held up the diamond-shaped kunai and said, "To ensure proper flight, the center of gravity of the kunai is very important.
The requirements for the center of gravity determine that the handle of the kunai cannot be too thick. When we use them, we need to wrap them with bandages to improve the grip."
Minato nodded. After all, everyone did this, and ninja tool shops would also pre-wrap the kunai with bandages before selling them. However, he knew Tatsuma hadn't gotten to the main point yet, so he didn't interrupt.
Tatsuma continued, "But the summoning ritual is more difficult to inscribe on layered bandages. Even the technique on the kunai used by Second Hokage-sama is not complete; he oversimplified the technique."
"So, I came up with a solution: increase the diameter of the kunai handle. To ensure the correct center of gravity, weight, and dimensions, I designed this three-pronged kunai."
As he spoke, Tatsuma put down the regular kunai and held up the three-pronged kunai, saying, "First, I improved the handle by making it hollow, which makes it easier to inscribe the complete technique.
Although the hollow handle doesn't change the weight or center of gravity, it makes the flight unstable. So, I reduced the thickness of the kunai and added two wings to optimize its flight."
After speaking, Tatsuma flicked his wrist, and the three-pronged kunai flew out, embedding itself in a tree. Tatsuma then said, "Of course, I'm just preparing in advance since I haven't fully understood the structure and principles of the technique yet."
Minato then nodded in sudden realization and said, "It's a good thing you got early access to Second Hokage-sama's technique; otherwise, I would have struggled with these issues in the future."
Tatsuma showed a shy smile. He knew the shape of the kunai Minato used, which is why, when studying the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, he compared and adjusted the three-pronged kunai to match the various requirements of the technique.
At this moment, Minato also took out the three-pronged kunai Tatsuma had given him and said, "This handle is more suitable for close combat. As a throwing weapon, I still need to practice for a while."
As he spoke, he threw the kunai in his hand. The direction was not straight ahead; it veered off course, awkwardly hitting the tree trunk and then falling to the ground.
Tatsuma was about to say a few comforting words when he heard Nawaki's urgent voice coming from inside the house.
"Minato! Tatsuma! Run! Grandma is angry!!!"
Tatsuma and Minato were momentarily stunned, then suddenly realized that they had just started handling bladed objects right after the New Year's chime. Instantly, cold sweat appeared on their foreheads.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh~"
Before they could either run or apologize, two golden chains suddenly shot out from the house. Tatsuma and Minato had no time to dodge and were dragged inside by the chains.
The next day, in the Senju compound, there were two boys with bloodshot eyes and slightly swollen faces: Tatsuma and Minato, who had handled blades on the first day of the New Year.
Last night, Uzumaki Mito didn't hit or scold them, as that would have been too ominous for the new year. Their bloodshot eyes and swollen faces were due to being hung upside down all night.
Last night, Mito had to stay up for the vigil. Normally, she would have gone to bed early, but she stayed up all night, watching the two of them hang upside down. It was only just recently that she let them down and went to bed herself.
Perhaps out of consideration for the help they provided with giving New Year's money and gifts, and because they would still need Tatsuma's support, Tsunade brought them some ice blocks to reduce the swelling.
As for why they didn't use Medical Ninjutsu, most Medical Ninjutsu works by activating tissue cells. The cells in their heads were already extremely active, so using Medical Ninjutsu might have only worsened their condition.
Applying ice in the middle of winter was extremely uncomfortable, so Tatsuma chose to distract himself by asking, "Minato, is your team on break as well?"
Minato, lying face up, tried to nod but had to steady the slipping ice block with both hands. Not daring to move again, he cautiously replied, "Yes, we have a week off. Why do you ask?"
"What are your plans for the next few days?"
"Do you have any ideas?"
"Would you like to visit the orphanage?"
Tatsuma remembered the invitation Nono had asked Tsunade to convey over two months ago. Since he rarely had time off, he planned to take this opportunity to visit.
Minato thought for a moment and said, "Let's buy some gifts and visit. A few days ago, someone invited me as well, but I couldn't go because I had a mission."
"Alright, what do you think we should bring? Food supplies and stationery?"
"That works, since those can be stored. Oh, and let's also bring some medicine and bandages. If the kids get a minor cold or some scrapes, they won't need to spend money at the clinic or Konoha Hospital," Minato added.
Tatsuma agreed readily, "Alright, it's settled then. We'll go shopping this afternoon and visit tomorrow. Also, remind me to withdraw money and buy envelopes."
Hearing Tatsuma's words, Minato was stunned for a few seconds before remembering Mito's request for Tsunade to visit the Senju clan. He asked, "Should I contribute some money too?"
"No, that's not appropriate. I'm Tsunade-sensei's disciple, and I'm currently living in the Second Hokage's former residence. It's reasonable for me to cover this expense, but it's different for you. If you contribute money, it wouldn't be seen as just a visit or care; it would be a donation, which is something the village should be responsible for."
"Alright," Minato responded, still somewhat puzzled. Then he asked, "Do we need to visit anyone else?"
Hearing this, Tatsuma thought for a moment and said, "We can visit Orochimaru-sama, Sakumo-sama, Brother Duy, Sento, Tenko, and maybe Shikaku and a few others. Any more would be unnecessary. Being close to everyone means being close to no one."
Minato didn't quite understand Tatsuma's last statement, but he didn't think Tatsuma was wrong. He just nodded and remained silent.
In the afternoon, after enjoying a very sumptuous but not very filling New Year's meal, the two left the Senju compound, bringing Nawaki along. After all, Nawaki also needed to visit Orochimaru and Duy.
Inside the house, only Mito and Tsunade remained. Mito looked at Tsunade, who was about to catch up on sleep, and said, "When you go to visit, just take Tatsuma with you."
"Huh? Not take Nawaki?" Tsunade was a bit puzzled. She had planned to take Tatsuma along, but also Nawaki, whose priority and necessity seemed even higher than Tatsuma's.
But Mito shook her head and said, "Just take Tatsuma. Nawaki isn't suitable."
Hearing this, Tsunade realized something. After thinking for a moment, she nodded and said, "Alright. After all, we don't place much importance on bloodlines or surnames. Tatsuma should indeed go."
'After all, he's the one funding it,' she added silently in her mind. With this thought, her doubts disappeared, and she felt no resistance.
Seeing this, Mito smiled and nodded, that said, "Little Tsuna."
Hearing this nickname, Tsunade instinctively felt uneasy. Mito rarely called her by her nickname, as she was a person who valued etiquette greatly, even with family members. Even though Mito loved her granddaughter dearly, she seldom used such affectionate terms. At this moment, Tsunade felt a strange sense of panic and looked at Mito.
"Don't worry."
Perhaps sensing Tsunade's emotions, Mito waved her hand before continuing, "You are the head of the family now, but some things don't need to be shouldered by you alone. Some decisions should not be made by you alone either."
"Back then, when your grandfather was the head of the family, the one in charge was your second granduncle. When your second granduncle was the head, I was the one in charge. Now that you're the head, you can also find someone to handle things."
"But now, there's no one left..." Tsunade trailed off, unable to bring herself to say "there's no more Senju Clan" in front of her grandmother.
Seeing that Tsunade still hadn't grasped her true intention, Mito sighed. She had already hinted quite clearly; any more would touch on matters best left unsaid.
"Little Tsuna, from now on, Grandma won't be involved in any affairs. If there's anything you can't decide on or any problem you can't figure out, you can't ask Grandma anymore."
Mito gave one more reminder. Tsunade grew even more puzzled, and that feeling of panic surged again. Mito's tone sounded off, as if she were giving final instructions.
But clearly... there's still a few more years left!
Seeing her granddaughter's anxious expression, Mito felt a deep sadness. She wanted to explain everything, but knowing her granddaughter's personality, she couldn't predict the extent of the trouble she might cause if she knew everything.
Shaking her head, Mito stood up and walked towards the study. After a few steps, she stopped and turned back to Tsunade, saying:
"Tsuna, you may feel disappointed in some people or events in this village. You may not love this village as passionately as before, but you must never give up on it. Because if even you give up, then all the efforts of your grandfather, our family, and even the Senju Clan would become meaningless.
The Senju of the forest have already sacrificed everything for the village, unafraid of losing anything more."
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