[Option 1: Reject Tsunade again. I'm a free-spirited guy who does whatever I want. Completion reward: Speed: +1.]
[Option 2: Agree to become Tsunade's honorary apprentice. Isn't the facial cleanser a great deal? Completion reward: Defense: +1.]
[Option 3: Request to become Tsunade's real disciple and express your desire to obtain the inheritance of Shikkotsu Forest. Completion reward: Summoning Contract of Shikkotsu Forest.]
Kaze glanced at the three options and showed a look of disgust when he saw Option 3.
Come on! Is this even considered a reward?
Naruto's big frog smokes a pipe, wears a Chinese-style jacket, and wields a tantō. It's so cool!
Sasuke's Manda has horns on its head, purple scales all over its body, and can even act as a shield. It's super cool!
And what about me?
When I summon during a fight, Good grief! I'll end up summoning a huge slug. That'll make the opponents laugh their heads off. Does Kaze have no self-respect?
[Host, stop complaining like this. Just tell me which one you choose.]
"I choose Option 3," Kaze said without hesitation.
Katsuyu's Tongue Tooth Sticky Acid is a jutsu that Orochimaru believes can kill him. It's extremely powerful.
Moreover, it allows for visual sharing, chakra transmission, and intelligence delivery. It's very functional.
It really suits Kaze's sneaky fighting style.
Most importantly, if he can sign a Summoning Contract with Shikkotsu Forest, he might get to learn the most mysterious Sage Art of Shikkotsu Forest in the future.
In a nutshell: Oh my! It's really worth it!
"Lady Tsunade," Kaze paused for a moment and then slowly said.
"I'm willing to become your disciple, but not an honorary one. I want to be your real disciple."
"To be honest, I'm very interested in the inheritance of Shikkotsu Forest."
The annoyance on Tsunade's face disappeared, replaced by calmness and composure.
She gave Kaze a deep look and then changed the topic.
"Forget it. I was just on a whim. Well, let's have dinner first."
Kaze frowned slightly and asked in his mind, "System, does this count as a successful selection? Where's the promised Summoning Contract of Shikkotsu Forest?"
[Host, don't be impatient. Let the selection play out for a while.]
After the five of them finished dinner, Tsunade didn't propose a card game. Instead, she looked at Kaze and said.
"Kid Kaze, come for a walk with me."
"Sure, Lady Tsunade," Kaze's heart skipped a beat, and he nodded in agreement.
Then he pinched Kaori's little hand gently and said.
"Kaori, play with Minato and the others for a while. I'll go out for a walk with Lady Tsunade."
The night was as gentle as water, and the moonlight was as bright as jade.
Kaze and Tsunade walked side by side on the quiet and deserted street, wondering what kind of plot would unfold next.
"Kid, you've grown so much taller in such a short time," Tsunade said in surprise.
She hadn't paid much attention before, but now that they were walking side by side, she noticed that Kaze was already half a head taller than her.
"If Nawaki were still alive, he might be this tall by now." Tsunade's eyes dimmed.
"Yeah, I'm already over 1.7 meters tall now!"
Noticing Tsunade's change, Kaze said with a smile.
"Sister Tsunade, you look so young. If strangers saw us, would they think we're siblings?"
"You little rascal, how dare you try to take advantage of me!" Tsunade scolded angrily.
But after scolding, she also laughed.
After a while, Tsunade stopped smiling. She deliberately put on a straight face and looked at Kaze.
"You know, I don't have a good impression of your Shimura clan."
In fact, if it weren't for Kushina, Tsunade wouldn't have any interaction with Kaze at all. Not to mention getting to know that he is a good kid.
"Hey, that's not right!" Hearing Tsunade's words, Kaze looked unhappy.
"The debts should be repaid by the debtors. All those bad things were done by my father. It has nothing to do with me!"
Pfft, Tsunade was really amused by his words about his father.
Behind them, two Root Ninjas who were responsible for following and protecting Kaze looked at each other.
"Should we write down what My young master just said and submit it to Tanzō?"
"I advise you not to. Of course, if you're not afraid of being punished by the young master later, just ignore me."
In front.
As if thinking of something, Kaze turned around and shouted to the empty street.
"Everyone, back off. I'm with Lady Tsunade. You don't need to follow me anymore!"
"Yes!" The two Root Ninjas showed up, saluted, and then turned around and left. The whole process took less than a second.
After they left, Tsunade shook her head and continued the previous topic.
"What Tanzō did... can't really be called bad things, but I don't like his ruthless way of doing things."
"Well, it can't be helped."
Kaze shrugged helplessly and rarely said something fair for his father.
"If we had a choice, who wouldn't want sunlight and who'd choose to live in the dark, doing treacherous and inhumane deeds."
"To enjoy pure light, someone has to devote themselves to the darkness and separate light from darkness completely."
Anyone can talk big, but someone's gotta do the dirty jobs.
"You really have a silver tongue." Tsunade rubbed Kaze's head.
"Don't worry. I can tell the difference between him and you."
She stopped and looked straight into Kaze's eyes, asking seriously, "Do you really want to be my disciple?"
Hearing this, Kaze knew he couldn't give Tsunade a chance to refuse. It seemed necessary to show off his skills.
"Master, please accept this disciple's bow!"
He directly knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Tsunade, then hugged her thigh and wouldn't let go.
Ah, this...
"I agree. Get up right now!"
"No, I won't!"
In the distance, a guard holding a telescope watched this scene and murmured to himself.
"My young master is right. The scene that follows is really not for our eyes."
He consciously put down the telescope. Today's mission is over.
"Damn boy!"
Tsunade grabbed Kaze by the collar and threw him to one side. Then she clapped her hands and said.
"From now on, you'll be my first apprentice. But let me make one thing clear first."
"Katsuyu Sage has strict requirements for the contractors. It's even more difficult to obtain the Inheritance of Shikkotsu Forest."
"I'll only give you one chance. Whether you succeed or not, don't blame me!"
Kaze nodded repeatedly. "Of course. I'm grateful to you!"
Fail?
Impossible!
He just needed to make a choice, and the rest would be up to the System!
"Good." Tsunade was quite satisfied with Kaze's attitude.
"Now, let's discuss the obligations an apprentice should fulfill to their master."
"You must play cards with me five times a week. You can take two days off on the weekend."
Hearing Tsunade's requirement, Kaze was stunned.
"Lady Tsunade, I'm still a kid. I can't handle such a high - frequency schedule!"
"No way. Based on my experience, at most once a week!"
"Deal!" Tsunade readily agreed and showed a sly smile on her face.
In fact, she's extremely busy every day and doesn't have much time for entertainment. She was just making an outrageous demand.
Kaze: "... You tricked me!"
"Hahaha!" Seeing Kaze looking so depressed, Tsunade laughed uncontrollably.
Although Kaze seemed depressed, he was actually chuckling to himself.
You think you outsmarted me, but actually, letting you think you've outsmarted me is my strategy.
"Alright."
After getting what she wanted, Tsunade bit her finger. In Kaze's expectant eyes, she slowly said.
"Let's see if you have the qualification to receive the Inheritance of Shikkotsu Forest."
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