Tsunade sat up straight and adjusted her clothing.
In front of unfamiliar children, she didn't want to appear too careless.
Then, her gaze swept across the room, and when her eyes passed over Kyohiko, she paused for a moment.
After that, she spoke.
"I didn't expect you to bring a team again. It seems like you really enjoy the role of a teacher."
"Haha, being a teacher isn't so bad. They're all very talented kids," Jiraiya replied as he entered and sat down.
He then started introducing everyone.
They responded well.
Kyohiko glanced at Shizune, who was standing nearby, and cautiously greeted her.
Shizune, who had once dared to argue with Tsunade, now stood silently beside her, occasionally glancing at the three people.
However, when she looked at Kyohiko, she seemed quite surprised.
Kyohiko wasn't outstanding in school; his academic achievements and practical skills were average. But two years later, he graduated earlier and became Jiraiya's subordinate.
Shizune was full of curiosity.
But with Tsunade and Jiraiya there, she didn't dare to ask.
Tsunade's gaze swept over them.
The child of Sakumo.
She remembered the rumors about Sakumo some time ago, and her expression darkened slightly as her eyes shifted to the second person.
Kurenai.
The child of Yuhi. She must have some talent in genjutsu, but other than that...
Tsunade's gaze shifted to Jiraiya, her expression showing doubt.
Logically, Kurenai didn't match Jiraiya's abilities. Could it be that he was interested in the girl's looks?
Tsunade's expression shifted from doubt to seriousness, then annoyance.
Jiraiya, who knew his friend well, immediately waved his hands, his face pale as he whispered, "It's not what you think! Don't misunderstand!" He then cleared his throat.
"Kyohiko, take them out for a bit. I need to speak privately with Tsunade."
"Alright!" Kyohiko nodded and led everyone out of the room, although they didn't go far, just around the stairs to give Jiraiya and Tsunade some space to talk.
Tsunade leaned against the window, gazing down.
"So, the one leading your team is that kid, huh? Kyohiko, I think I've heard of him, though not clearly."
"His grandmother was Senju Momoka," Jiraiya explained.
Tsunade fell silent for a moment, her eyes drifting downward.
"He's a descendant of Momoka, my aunt?"
"Yes, his parents are ordinary, but this kid seems to have inherited the strong Senju bloodline. What's even more remarkable is his way of thinking and awareness; he's been very mature since he was young."
Jiraiya's voice became serious. "I believe he has the potential to become like the Second Hokage, Tobirama."
"You rarely give such high praise," Tsunade said as she leaned against the window, staring at the young man leading the group below.
A descendant of Momoka...
Senju Momoka was Hashirama's right-hand, and at that time, she was called "aunt."
Unknowingly, Tsunade realized she now had a grandchild.
Unfortunately, Aunt Momoka had passed away.
Tsunade's expression became somber.
She sat back down, her mood not so good. "You're not hoping he'll convince me to return to Konoha, are you?"
"I won't try to convince you to return to Konoha," Jiraiya shook his head.
He understood Tsunade's situation; forcing her to return would only trouble her and not help the bigger situation.
As a friend, he didn't want to force her.
Jiraiya paused for a moment before changing the subject. "What do you think about Kurenai?"
"Huh?"
Tsunade was slightly surprised, then chuckled softly. "You're not hoping she becomes my student, are you?"
"Her chakra control talent is amazing. Her body is a bit weak, but that can be improved with effort. She's not someone incapable," Jiraiya replied.
Tsunade fell silent.
That wasn't wrong.
Those skilled in genjutsu usually had very precise chakra control.
As for her body, it could indeed be improved with hard work, but there were limits. Because of that, Kurenai would have trouble fully inheriting her techniques... However,
If she were taught well, at least Konoha could have a new leader in medical ninjutsu.
She thought for a moment.
"Well, let's see how she does."
"I'll take that as your approval," Jiraiya said with a smile.
Tsunade didn't refuse, instead yawning.
At that moment, Jiraiya grinned. "There's one last thing, and it's the most important."
"There's more?"
"Yes, Matsuyama Koji from Aoyama Pavilion asked me to bring you a debt letter."
Jiraiya smiled widely, his mouth open wide.
He pushed a piece of paper toward Tsunade.
Tsunade's face immediately changed. The drowsiness from her yawn disappeared in an instant, and her eyes glowed with a sharp look at Jiraiya, saying, "You jerk!"
"Tsk, at least you're famous, how could you escape paying?" Jiraiya pushed the letter forward.
Tsunade snorted, grabbed a pen, and was about to sign the debt letter. However, her eyes suddenly flickered, and she said, "You're asking for a favor for your student, at least pay for it. Help me pay the debt!"
"Eh?"
"By the way, you're richer than me, right?" Tsunade smiled.
Jiraiya fell silent for a moment.
It was true, but wasn't he the one who brought the debt letter?
Why was he the one trapped now!
Two girls walked ahead.
Kyohiko and Kakashi followed behind.
"I didn't expect Kyohiko-kun to graduate early and now become Jiraiya-sama's student," Shizune said softly.
Kurenai couldn't help but smile, "Kyohiko graduated at seven years old, that's nothing. Kakashi even graduated at five."
"That's different," Shizune replied, shaking her head.
She sighed and continued, "Kakashi was a genius since he was young. Our generation almost grew up hearing about Kakashi, while Kyohiko... people like Guy are rare."
As for Kakashi, everyone always admired and acknowledged how hard it was to catch up to him.
But Kyohiko was different.
Before, who had heard of him?
Even Shizune still remembered him when he was five, and clearly couldn't imagine he would become a genius in the future.
Every time she thought about it, she felt there was a huge difference between the past and the present.
Kurenai was about to ask, but suddenly the atmosphere around them grew very quiet.
Ahead of them was Tanzuka City.
But at that moment...
Birds flew, their chirping filled the air.
No!
Kyohiko sharpened his gaze.
"Everyone, be careful!"
Instantly, thin threads appeared around them, followed by kunai and shuriken flying toward them.
Kyohiko immediately moved forward.
In the air, he completed his chakra gathering and formed seals.
Suiton: Suijinheki!
A wall of water formed, shielding them inside.
The kunai and shuriken that touched the water wall were immediately swept away by the current and couldn't continue.
At the same time—
Petals of sakura fell.
Kakashi vanished in an instant.
Behind the wall, masked ninjas appeared, around ten of them.
"Capture them, exchange them for the Young Master!"
In the chaos, someone shouted.
The water wall fell, and Kyohiko had already removed his leg bindings and thrown them aside.
"Be careful, everyone!"
Then, in an instant, he disappeared from his spot.
Shhh!
Kyohiko held a kunai, stabbing it into the throat of a ninja, blood spraying onto his body.