JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCED 30+ CHAPTERS
patreon.com/FrancisMW
To be honest, Tian Yu initially wanted to refuse Tsunade's request, let her lose terribly at the gambling table, and then step in to give her a well-timed wake-up call…
But—
Tsunade ended up smashing the other gambling dens herself.
Apparently, those people had genuinely provoked Tsunade's "reverse scale."
In that case, Tian Yu no longer needed to intervene.
--
Late at night—
A man and a woman walked side by side along a quiet street in Konoha.
The blonde woman was in a terrific mood, and her hearty laughter echoed down the moonlit road from time to time.
Tsunade felt deeply relieved.
Tian Yu had helped her reclaim her lost dignity once again!
Not only had he helped her win back the original 10 million taels, but he even earned an additional 20 million taels on top of that… Even though the extra winnings weren't shared with her, Tsunade was still delighted.
Because the casino that had humiliated her—was utterly defeated by Tian Yu!
"Tian Yu, this time, I really have to thank you!"
"Not only did I get my money back, but you also brought down that nasty gambling house!"
She turned her eyes to him, eyes bright beneath the silver starlight.
"So… how should I repay your kindness?"
Under the rare moonlight and stars,
Tsunade blinked her moist amber eyes at Tian Yu, her expression carrying a hint of playful curiosity.
"No need… There's no favor to repay."
Tian Yu replied calmly, almost pretending nothing had happened.
"Oh?"
"You brat—are you saying the great Tsunade can't even repay a debt of gratitude?"
Tsunade's tone suddenly shifted.
Tian Yu felt a hint of danger, and instinctively said, "Then… then how about this—please help guide my younger sister Tiantian in her training!"
"Your sister?"
Tsunade paused.
She remembered that sharp-tongued girl who had challenged her with words the other day…
"Ten million this time… plus the previous two…"
Tsunade counted quietly to herself, then finally nodded.
"Alright."
"I accept."
Tian Yu's lips twitched slightly…
Seriously?
Did she just tally up every single coin he helped her win back?
Was it really that hard to agree to help guide a little girl's training…?
Returning home, Tian Yu entered the forging chamber again.
The creation of the "Earth Grudge" was reaching a critical point. He was eager to test the prototype of Earth Resentful Yu.
---
The next day—
Although the sun had long risen, Tian Yu remained in bed.
He had stayed up all night working on the Earth Grudge prototype in the forging chamber and didn't sleep until dawn.
But before he could enjoy the sleep, he was jolted awake by Tiantian's frantic voice.
"Brother!"
"Did you tell Tsunade-sama I was going to become her student?!"
"No, no—I don't want to!!"
Still groggy, Tian Yu sat up in bed, barely able to process her complaints.
"Student?"
"Wait, give me a second…"
He rubbed his temples. After a couple of minutes, memories from last night came back to him.
Right—he had told Tsunade, if she really wanted to repay him, she could help mentor Tiantian…
Apprentice?
Oh no—
Tsunade must have misunderstood his meaning!
Tian Yu couldn't help but smile bitterly.
"No wonder she was calculating so precisely last night… So this is what she was planning!"
Now that he understood the situation clearly, Tian Yu looked at Tiantian and said, "Tsunade-sama agreeing to take you as her disciple—this is a good thing. Why are you so upset?"
Tiantian pouted.
After a long pause, she finally mumbled, full of grievance, "I don't want to become a gambler in the future…"
"Huh? What does gambling have to do with being her disciple?" Tian Yu asked, confused.
"I was with you at the casino that day… I overheard someone call her a 'big fat sheep,' and said she inherited the First Hokage's legendary bad luck in gambling…"
"If I become her student… I might catch that disease too!"
"I don't want to become a useless adult who only gambles!"
"That's all nonsense—just rumors! Don't go believing rumors!"
Tian Yu chuckled and gently flicked Tiantian's forehead.
At the same time, he couldn't help but reflect—
The gamblers in that place were really petty. Spouting that kind of trash talk about someone like Tsunade… weren't they afraid of ending up in the hospital?
"Everyone chooses their own habits. If you don't want to be a gambler, no one can force you—and it's certainly not contagious."
Children were still children.
Even in the precocious shinobi world, some things still went over their heads.
"I know, but I still…"
Tiantian pouted again, clearly unsure how to process it.
Tian Yu had a general idea of what she was worried about.
"Tiantian! Tiantian!"
Their father's booming voice rang from downstairs.
Footsteps clomped up the stairs.
"Tiantian, get down here!"
"Lady Tsunade is willing to take you as a disciple! That's a tremendous honor—why are you complaining to your brother?!"
Tiantian was still hesitant. "But I…"
"Go on!"
"How many people would kill for a chance to be Tsunade-sama's student? Go, go! You won't regret it!"
Even Tian Yu joined in persuading her.
"Alright then…"
"I just hope Tsunade-sama's gambling habits don't rub off on me…"
"Watch your mouth! That's Master Tsunade to you now!" their father scolded gently. "No, wait—you'll have to start calling her Teacher Tsunade from now on."
With that,
He led Tiantian downstairs to formally apprentice.
Tian Yu remained upstairs, smiling to himself.
Even though he'd only gotten three or four hours of sleep, it was enough.
After washing up, he got ready to return to the forging chamber.
Still, the matter lingered in his mind—
Tsunade accepting Tiantian as her apprentice…
This wasn't a favor that could be weighed in terms of gambling wins or money.
Tian Yu felt he should return the kindness with something else.
He decided he would craft a new ninja tool just for Tsunade.
They were friends now—and helping a friend in return was only natural. But this sort of mutual support couldn't be too transactional, or it would strain their bond.
Hmm… what should he forge?
Just as he descended the stairs, he saw Tiantian kneeling in front of Tsunade, who sat in the place of honor. She was offering tea with both hands in the formal ceremony of apprenticeship.
This wasn't like the casual assignments after graduation at the ninja academy.
This was the traditional apprenticeship ritual passed down since the Warring States Period—rigorous and dignified.
It was something their parents had insisted on Tiantian doing properly.
Despite her pouting lips and reluctant look, Tiantian followed every step of the procedure.
Tsunade accepted the tea with a gentle smile and took a ceremonial sip.
"From this day forward, you are my student."
"You'll address me as your teacher from now on."
"…Yes."
"Hahaha!"
Seeing Tiantian's helpless expression, Tsunade didn't feel offended at all—instead, she burst out laughing.
"Little brat!"
"I'll show you just how serious this apprenticeship is!"
"Come with me!"
She stood up decisively and strode out the door.
"Where are we going?" Tiantian asked.
"Since I'm now your teacher, I have to take responsibility."
"Before I begin guiding you, I need to see your strength. Let's go to the training grounds!"
Tsunade didn't even glance back as she walked.
Tiantian hesitated for a second—then quickly followed behind.
Seeing their daughter officially become Tsunade's disciple, Tian Yu's parents were beaming with pride.
Tian Yu chatted with them briefly before heading into the forging chamber again.
Two hours later—
Konoha's No. 1 Training Ground…
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCED 30+ CHAPTERS
patreon.com/FrancisMW