Leaving Takashi's home, Kushina felt a tingling on her scalp, as though something was about to grow there.
Tsunade kept yawning.
This feeling of wanting to sleep but also straining her ears to eavesdrop… was exhausting.
She hadn't rested well, not to mention, she had swallowed enough "chicken soup for the soul" to nearly burst.
That night, at the Senju clan residence.
Kushina chattered beside Uzumaki Mito, "Granny Mito, I made a new friend today, and he even invited me and Tsunade-sis for dinner."
Since coming to Konoha, it had been rare to see such a bright smile on Kushina's face.
Mito lifted a hand to embrace Kushina, her face full of kindness.
"Is it that boy named Hyuga Takashi? Lately, I've heard little Tsunade mention that name quite a bit."
Have I been talking about him a lot?
Really?
Tsunade scratched her head in annoyance. She had barely returned before collapsing onto the bed.
Yet, before she could fall asleep, Uzumaki Mito had roused her, saying she should spend more time with Kushina to help her integrate into their home and into Konoha as a whole.
"Hyuga Takashi? Is he the genius sis was talking about, the one who learns medical ninjutsu super fast?" Nawaki asked curiously.
"Yes." Kushina nodded enthusiastically, "Takashi-kun's beef and potato stew was amazing! Tsunade-sis ate five bowls."
She raised her small hand to illustrate.
"Kushina!"
Tsunade glared in disbelief, "You ate three bowls yourself!"
"I couldn't resist…"
Kushina mumbled shyly, snuggling deeper into Mito's embrace.
Nawaki looked back and forth between his flustered sister and the embarrassed Kushina, blinking in wonder. Was it really that good?
Even Kushina, who rarely had much appetite, had polished off three bowls.
Watching her granddaughter and Kushina tease each other, Mito chuckled, but as she laughed, her smile slowly faded.
"I remember that boy sent you a message saying he had bloodline complications and couldn't see."
Tsunade nodded absentmindedly, yawning. "Yeah, he had his eyes covered with cloth. I'll put in a leave request for him tomorrow so he can rest at home."
"Tsunade."
Mito's voice suddenly turned serious.
"You had a child who couldn't see cook for you? And you ate five bowls?"
"Because it was delicious…"
Tsunade raised her arms to stretch, but froze midway. Suddenly realizing her mistake, she looked up.
Mito's usually gentle face was now stern, her cloudy eyes locked onto her.
Uh-oh!
Tsunade's heart sank. Even Kushina, sitting beside Mito, sensed something was wrong and scooted slightly farther away.
"Sis, you actually had someone with eye problems cook for you!" Nawaki shouted in shock.
"Shut up! He insisted on cooking to prove he could live independently—it wasn't my idea!" Tsunade shot him a glare and quickly explained.
"Granny, you have to believe me. Ask Kushina if you don't! After dinner, Hyuga Takashi even comforted and encouraged Kushina. She likes him a lot; she was just shy to call him 'big brother.'"
"I didn't! I wasn't!"
Kushina shook her head in denial, her cute face flushed bright red.
"Nawaki, Kushina, go and rest," Mito instructed with a deep breath, motioning for her grandson and Kushina to leave.
Hyuga Takashi, you've got me in trouble!
Tsunade cried out internally.
Kushina, worried, whispered, "Do you think Tsunade-sis will be okay? Granny Mito's angry face is really scary."
"She'll be fine. What's the worst that could happen? Just a scolding," Nawaki replied nonchalantly. "She's used to it. Granny's always telling her to behave more like a lady, but she never listens."
Nawaki shrugged it off. This was far from the first time he'd seen this scene, so he was more than accustomed to it.
Even Tsunade was used to it—she would sit there, nodding obediently through the scolding, silently hoping it would end quickly and that Granny Mito's lecture would be shorter this time.
Then she'd go right back to doing things her way. Sure, she admitted she was wrong, but changing was a different matter entirely.
While Tsunade was getting her lecture, Takashi lay in bed, slowly moving his right hand. A glass floated beside the bed, drifting back and forth with the direction of his hand.
As the second awakening of his Tenseigan began, Takashi found he could access some of its power, even during the awakening process.
Though he couldn't fully unleash it, this alone was a delight.
Similar to the Rinnegan, the Tenseigan also granted control over gravitational and repulsive forces.
If he activated Tenseigan Chakra Mode, he could even manipulate the movement of celestial bodies.
Of course, such a feat was not something just anyone could achieve.
Having the Tenseigan didn't mean one could wield all its power without limits.
At this moment, the combination of Takashi and his Tenseigan was like attaching a rocket booster to a bicycle—if the booster went to full power, the bicycle would only end up shattered.
Simply put, the Tenseigan's power was too immense, and Takashi's body was not yet strong enough to bear it.
He needed time to adjust, to gradually develop and wield it until he could fully command the Tenseigan's abilities.
Luckily, these eyes were his own, so he didn't have to worry about being drained or overwhelmed by them.
Just look at Nagato, who was used as a vessel to sustain the Rinnegan. The Rinnegan and Tenseigan's powers were no joke.
Even with Uzumaki blood, Nagato struggled to sustain it.
For Takashi, the most practical ability at the moment was manipulating gravity and repulsion. He could also control puppets, which might let him play puppeteer and teach the puppet division of the Sand Village a lesson or two — show them what true mastery of puppet control looked like.
Thump, thump.
In the darkness, the pulsation of his eyes was particularly vivid. Lying there, Takashi quietly felt the changes occurring in his eyes.
The powerful, rhythmic throbbing indicated that the Tenseigan's fusion was going smoothly.
In the late hours, the lights in the Hokage's office building finally went out.
The Third Hokage, in his prime, had finished his work for the day. This also meant that those working late with him could finally go rest.
As he prepared to head home, an Anbu member quietly informed him:
"Hokage-sama, Lady Mito wishes to see you after your shift."
The Hokage paused mid-step. "Understood."
The reason for Mito's request was easy to guess—it was likely about Kushina.
In today's Konoha, the only person Mito would worry about was Kushina.
Accompanied by his guards, the Third Hokage arrived at the Senju residence.
Uzumaki Mito had been waiting for a while.
"Lady Mito."
The Third Hokage gestured for his guards to leave, then quickly approached her, bowing respectfully.
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