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Dusk fell.
Hanekawa stopped his training and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
After having lunch at Uzumaki Kushina's place, he returned home with Tsunade and spent the entire afternoon training.
Taking a deep breath, Hanekawa walked into the house and collapsed onto the sofa, exhausted.
Tsunade hadn't stayed to train with him; she had gone to the casino instead.
He was long used to it, so he didn't mind.
Closing his eyes, Hanekawa opened his skill system.
[C-Rank Ninjutsu Entry: Lightning Release Chakra Activation.]
[Trigger Condition: Master the basics of Lightning Release Chakra Activation.]
[Current Progress: 20%.]
Hanekawa noticed that the progress bar seemed to be stuck—it hadn't moved in a long time.
Although his physical improvement had indeed been slow, complete stagnation felt unusual.
Had he met the requirement?
After some thought, he decided to try using Lightning Release chakra to stimulate his body the day after tomorrow.
No, wait—not the day after tomorrow.
Tomorrow was August 2nd—Tsunade's birthday.
It was the first birthday he'd be celebrating with her, so he couldn't be careless.
What should he give her?
Hanekawa turned off the system and rested while thinking it over.
Soon, he heard footsteps approaching.
Just as he was about to speak, a hand fell on his head, gently ruffling his hair.
"Did you train all afternoon again?" Tsunade's voice was unusually soft.
"Yeah," Hanekawa replied, opening his eyes. "Sensei, did you win today?"
"Why are you asking that?" Tsunade withdrew her hand, sat down next to him, and asked curiously.
"If you'd lost money, you wouldn't be in such a good mood," Hanekawa said with a cough.
"You little brat!"
Tsunade's temper flared, and she grabbed him, pressing his head against her chest. Her left hand balled into a fist and landed a thud on his head.
The dull sound resonated—clearly a healthy head.
The overwhelming fragrance and soft yet heavy pressure almost made Hanekawa pass out.
"S-Sensei, I was wrong!" he stammered, struggling instinctively.
Tsunade trembled slightly with laughter but eventually let go. Crossing her arms, she sneered, "Do you think just apologizing is enough?"
"Tomorrow, I'll take you to the casino," Hanekawa offered after a pause. "You can play as long as you like."
"Hmm?" Tsunade looked at him suspiciously. "What's with you? Trying to slack off?"
"Missing one day of training won't make a difference," Hanekawa said with a grin. "As long as Sensei is happy."
Tsunade stared at him, trying to discern if he was serious. After a moment, her eyes glinted mischievously. "I also want to drink tomorrow."
"No problem," Hanekawa agreed immediately. "Drink as much as you like."
"Did something happen to you?" Tsunade grabbed his cheek and stretched it. "You've never been this obedient before."
The two had been living together for months now.
Normally, Hanekawa constantly nagged her about gambling and drinking, almost like a nagging parent.
He was bold, never afraid of upsetting her, leaving her with few options to retaliate.
"Nothing happened," Hanekawa replied, puzzled.
Wasn't it obvious? How had Tsunade not guessed it was because of her birthday tomorrow?
Then again, it made sense. Not many people in Konoha would celebrate her birthday.
"You brat," Tsunade muttered, a faint smile on her lips. "Since you're being so filial, I won't hold back. Be at my place tomorrow at 8 a.m."
"Sensei, can you even wake up by then?" Hanekawa asked skeptically.
"What did you say?" Tsunade raised her hand and knocked him on the head again.
"Don't hit my head—it'll make me dumb," Hanekawa muttered, exasperated.
"Go make dinner!" Tsunade glared at him.
She always lost verbal sparring matches with this brat.
"Yes, ma'am," Hanekawa said as he got up and headed to the kitchen.
After dinner, he skipped his evening training, claiming he was too exhausted from the afternoon session.
Tsunade burst out laughing, nearly saying, "Come on, you're so weak."
Hanekawa left with a dark expression on his face.
On his way home, he stopped in a bustling shopping district.
But he still had no idea what to buy for Tsunade.
Her interests were nothing more than gambling and drinking.
Yet giving those as birthday gifts felt entirely inappropriate.
"Hanekawa!"
A sudden voice called out from nearby.
Hanekawa turned his head to see Nohara Rin running toward him.
She stopped in front of him, her face flushed red like an apple.
"Sensei said you took two days off," Rin said, catching her breath. "Is something going on?"
"You came at just the right time." Hanekawa's eyes lit up as an idea struck him. "I need your advice on something."
"Huh?" Rin looked surprised. "You need advice? You?"
"There are plenty of things I don't know." Hanekawa smiled. "Rin, do you have some time right now?"
"Yes!" Rin answered enthusiastically, her tone lifting with excitement.
This is perfect!
Finally, she could help Hanekawa with something!
She had troubled him many times with her medical training and always wanted to repay him somehow.
"Tomorrow is my sensei's birthday." Hanekawa walked toward a gift shop. "Can you help me choose something for her?"
So that's what this is about.
For some reason, Rin felt a twinge of disappointment.
"Do you have any suggestions?" Hanekawa asked, scanning the shelves filled with gifts.
"What does Lady Tsunade need?" Rin thought for a moment before asking.
"Money," Hanekawa replied instinctively.
Rin froze in place.
Even someone as skilled as Lady Tsunade is short on money?
Hanekawa suddenly chuckled.
"Actually, giving her money directly might make her really happy," he joked.
"I was kidding." Hanekawa shook his head.
"She doesn't really lack anything, so I have no idea what to buy."
"What about that?" Rin pointed at an elegant and refined tea set nearby. "Tea drinking is very popular among adults."
"A tea set won't do. It has to be sake ware," Hanekawa said, his eyes lighting up. "She loves drinking, not tea."
"Huh?" Rin hesitated. "But aren't ninja forbidden from drinking?"
To her, Tsunade was the perfect ninja, her idol.
But Hanekawa's words threatened to crack that image.
"They can drink after missions," Hanekawa explained, picking up a sake set nearby. "I'll pay for this."
On his way to the counter, his eyes caught a beautiful bracelet. He grabbed it as well.
He placed the two gift boxes together—one for the sake set and one for the bracelet.
Just as he was about to pay, something occurred to him.
He turned back to look at Rin.
She was standing there, waiting patiently.
When she noticed his gaze, she gave him a gentle smile.
Hanekawa picked up another bracelet, this time for her.
"This is a thank-you gift for you," he said casually, handing her the box.
If Tsunade only lacked money, Hanekawa lacked nothing except companionship.
Thanks to Demon Slayer Ninjas and A Guide to Ninja Girls of Different Races, he had made far too much money.
He no longer cared about wealth.
"I can't accept this!" Rin protested, shaking her head.
"Too late," Hanekawa said as he turned and walked away. "See you the day after tomorrow."
"Hanekawa…"
Rin opened her mouth, unsure what to say.
She looked down at the gift box in her hands, hesitated for a few seconds, then opened it.
Inside was a delicate red bracelet.
Her cheeks turned red as she gazed at it.
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