"Tenten, try using the Shadow Clone Jutsu now."
"Okay." Tenten was overjoyed at Shishou's suggestion, feeling the changes within her body.
She walked to the base of the tree and slowly formed hand seals.
Rat - Dog - Boar - Snake - Boar - Ram...
"Poof!"
Ten puffs of white smoke appeared, and ten identical clones of Tenten stood beside her.
Seeing herself successfully create ten shadow clones, Tenten was overjoyed. She had never managed this before, and now it was effortless.
"Shishou, how did you do this?"
Tenten ran over to Shishou, looking astonished. She couldn't believe that just by holding Shishou's hand, her chakra reserves had increased so significantly. It was simply unbelievable!
Shishou smiled, "That's a secret. Tenten, don't tell anyone about this, or it could cause trouble."
Tenten patted her small chest and promised, "I won't tell anyone about Shishou's secrets!"
Tenten hadn't told anyone about her training with Shishou, so she certainly wouldn't share this secret. It was Shishou's secret, which meant it was also her secret.
Moreover, Tenten knew that if people found out about Shishou's ability to increase chakra, they'd come rushing to him, and that was something she didn't want.
Shishou already had Ino and Hinata around him; Tenten didn't want more competition.
Seeing Tenten's adorable expression, Shishou grew even more fond of her.
"Tenten, let's continue our training."
"Today, I'll teach you the nature transformation of Wind Release chakra."
In the past year, Shishou had mastered the nature transformation of Wind Release chakra while deepening his study of Sage Jutsu.
Given his current understanding of jutsu and chakra, teaching Tenten Wind Release chakra nature transformation was a piece of cake.
Tenten's chakra attribute was also Wind, which matched perfectly with her shuriken skills. Shishou planned to teach her Wind Release chakra nature transformation, so she could incorporate it into her shuriken techniques, further enhancing her strength.
"I'm ready, Shishou."
Excited to learn new jutsu knowledge from Shishou, Tenten sat on the grass, taking out a scroll and pen, looking like a diligent student.
Her shadow clones also sat behind her, all listening intently to Shishou.
For a civilian student like Tenten, any jutsu knowledge was precious, and she cherished it deeply. Moreover, being personally taught by Shishou made it even more valuable.
Seeing eleven Tentens in front of him, Shishou smiled and began explaining the nature transformation of chakra.
By evening, with the sky growing dark, Shishou had finished explaining the basic knowledge of chakra nature transformation and had demonstrated it for Tenten.
After the demonstration, Shishou looked at the sky and said to Tenten, "Let's continue tomorrow. It's time to head back now."
With that, Shishou took out the mask he had removed to eat the buns and prepared to put it back on.
"Wait, Shishou."
Seeing Shishou about to put on his mask, Tenten quickly called out.
Shishou stopped and looked at her questioningly.
Blushing, Tenten canceled her shadow clones and put away her scroll and pen in her bag. She then walked over to Shishou, suppressing her shyness, and kissed him on the cheek.
"Thank you, Shishou."
After the kiss, Tenten grabbed the food box and ran off like a thief, disappearing from Shishou's sight in no time.
After running for a while, once out of Shishou's sight, Tenten stopped under a big tree, clutching her chest and smiling foolishly.
Once her rapidly beating heart calmed down, she happily skipped home, carrying the food box.
Tenten had decided that from now on, she'd always bring food for Shishou. That way, she could always see his handsome face.
Meanwhile.
Shishou touched the spot where Tenten had kissed him and smiled. Then he disappeared from the spot, returning to his home in Konoha.
He left a clone behind and returned to Ryuchi Cave to continue his Sage Jutsu training.
...
The next morning.
Shishou arrived early at the entrance of Ichiraku Ramen, patiently waiting for Kurenai Yuhi and her team.
"Yo, Shishou."
Soon enough, Kiba Inuzuka arrived at the entrance, greeting Shishou.
"Woof!" Akamaru, perched on Kiba's head, also barked at Shishou before lying down to continue sleeping.
Shishou nodded in response to Akamaru.
"Good morning, Shishou, Kiba."
Next, Sakura arrived at the entrance, greeting Shishou and Kiba.
"Morning." Shishou nodded in response, looking at Sakura's pink hair. 'Pink hair... if only she could sing...'
Lost in random thoughts, Shishou looked up at the sky. 'It seems Kurenai Yuhi is running late.'
Thinking about Kurenai Yuhi's constant companion—the sake bottle—Shishou sighed. He had just managed to get Tsunade to cut down on her drinking, and now Kurenai had taken up the habit.
Given the situation, Kurenai Yuhi had likely drunk too much last night and was late because of it.
Sakura, noticing Shishou looking up, recalled yesterday's events, blushing again.
After waiting a while longer, well past ten o'clock, Kurenai Yuhi still hadn't arrived.
Shishou turned to Kiba and Sakura, "Let's go in. I'll treat you to ramen. It seems Kurenai-sensei will be a while."
"Alright." Kiba and Sakura exchanged glances and followed Shishou into Ichiraku Ramen.
Meanwhile.
Kurenai Yuhi left the Hokage building, looking furious.
Although she had indeed had a drink last night, she hadn't gotten drunk. This morning, she had arrived at the Hokage's office early, intending to resign as Team 8's leader and have the Third Hokage assign someone else to meet with Shishou, Kiba, and Sakura.
But the Third Hokage had mysteriously disappeared, not showing up at the office until ten, leaving Kurenai furious.
Unwilling to keep Shishou and the others waiting, she left the office to meet them.
The moment Kurenai Yuhi left, the Third Hokage, working from home, received the report from the Anbu.
Despite her occasional drinking, Kurenai had mostly focused on her training in the past few years, significantly improving her strength and reaching the level of an elite jonin.
With such a skilled ninja, the Third Hokage couldn't keep her confined at home indefinitely.
Upon arriving at Ichiraku Ramen, Kurenai found Shishou, Kiba, and Sakura just leaving after finishing their meal.
"Sensei Kurenai."
Seeing her, the three immediately greeted her.
Kurenai frowned but gestured for them to follow her.
Though she wanted to resign, until it was official, she would still dutifully train her team.
"Follow me."
**********
This fanfiction is complete on my P@treon. If you want to read it, you can find it at p@treon.com/Betek. change @ to a