Who the hell is going to sympathize with me if I'm the one sympathizing with Tsunade?!
Yamanaka Shinno watched as Tsunade casually kicked off her heels, walked barefoot to the fridge, grabbed a bottle of sake, and took a sip—all while urging his shadow clone to hurry up and cook. He stared in disbelief.
Was this really his house?
Why was Tsunade sitting at his dining table, barking out orders like she owned the place?
His shadow clone glanced at the real Shinno, utterly confused. Something must have happened while Shinno and Tsunade were at the Konoha Hospital. There was no other explanation for why she was suddenly acting like an old drinking buddy.
Hmm… self-inviting herself in, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Boss, your turn."
Deciding it wasn't worth thinking about, the shadow clone dismissed itself, dispersing into a puff of chakra smoke.
"What would you like to eat, Lady Tsunade?"
From the kitchen, a small head popped out—Kurenai Yuhi. Her ruby-like eyes sparkled with admiration.
Through the thickest idol filter imaginable, Kurenai saw Tsunade as the epitome of confidence and strength, truly deserving the title of Konoha's greatest kunoichi.
"I'll have whatever Kushina's having."
Tsunade propped her chin up with one hand, lazily twirling the sake bottle in the other, completely offloading the decision onto Shinno.
The brat had a thick skin and a ruthless streak, but at least he treated Kushina decently. There was no way he'd serve her something inedible.
"Wait, wait, wait—since when were you this entitled? You planning to pay for your meal?" Shinno rolled his eyes.
"Tch—bring me my granduncle's Water Release scroll later, and we'll call it even. Now hurry up and cook."
Tsunade waved him off dismissively, embodying the true spirit of selling off family heirlooms without a care in the world.
"!!! Please hold on!"
In an instant, Shinno's expression did a complete 180.
Under the stunned gaze of Might Guy and Genma Shiranui, he threw on an apron and bolted straight into the kitchen.
Senju Tobirama—the man rumored to have signed a contract with the ocean itself.
His mastery of Water Release was unparalleled, and any shinobi specializing in it had no choice but to acknowledge his terrifying prowess.
Water Release: Severing Wave, Water Release: Heavenly Weep, Water Release: Hard Whirlpool Blade… Each technique more devastating and practical than the last.
Sure, Shinno had studied countless Water Release techniques during his five years in the Analysis Division, but could any of them compare to the lifetime work of Senju Tobirama?
If he could master them all…
He'd possess the legacies of both the Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu, and the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
Mizukage, kneel! I have a favor to ask!
Shinno daydreamed about his glorious future, only to find his three disciples staring at him with expressions of utter disdain.
"What are you spacing out for?" He snapped back to reality. "Guy, re-knead the first batch of dough. If you do it well, I'll teach you a lost steel-fist technique."
"Genma, get the steamer ready, cut the dough, and roll out the wrappers. If you want to learn Needle Storm and Torpedo Needle, better move fast."
"Kurenai, come help me wrap the dumplings. Do a good job, and I'll teach you an original genjutsu!"
Understanding Shinno. Respecting Shinno. Becoming Shinno.
Under the irresistible allure of ninjutsu bribes, the three disciples got to work with remarkable efficiency.
Kurenai, who already had a foundation in cooking, quickly picked up the technique after just two demonstrations. Soon, she was wrapping dumplings skillfully while chatting away.
"Sensei, I heard you created a genjutsu so terrifying that not even summoned beasts could endure it. Is that true?"
Her big eyes sparkled with curiosity. Clearly, this interested her far more.
"...Who told you that?"
Shinno froze for a moment, his expression turning odd.
He had created quite a few genjutsu capable of utterly breaking their targets, but the only one infamous for leaving even summoned beasts traumatized… was 'Brother's Joyous Hunt.'
Originally developed as an advanced version of 'Flying Stick Incoming,' the technique forced the target into a nightmare scenario where they played the role of a constantly pursued prey.
If they failed to escape, they would be… caught. By 'Brother.'
Back in the day, he had no concept of restraint. As long as the technique was effective, capable of delivering a soul-crushing psychological blow, that was all that mattered.
But now? He was older. He had dignity to maintain!
"I-I heard it from Lord Jiraiya… Did I say something wrong?"
Kurenai blinked innocently, her tone hesitant.
She had only asked because Jiraiya mentioned the genjutsu was only ranked B-level, the same as the one Shinno was about to teach her. It seemed reasonable to inquire.
But judging from Shinno's reaction… maybe she shouldn't have?
"That bastard Jiraiya!"
Shinno ground his teeth. That idiot had been getting worse over the years!
Thanks to Minato becoming his student early on, Shinno had never been too distant from Jiraiya. At some point, Jiraiya had asked to test out one of his genjutsu.
Coincidentally, Shinno had just finished developing 'Brother's Joyous Hunt' and wanted to see how effective it was.
Thus, Jiraiya and his summoned toad became its first unfortunate test subjects.
Damn it!
It was just a genjutsu! Nothing actually happened!
Did he really have to hold a grudge for this long?!
To make things worse, Jiraiya had gone behind his back to smear his reputation to his students?!
SMACK! SMACK!
"Hahahaha! I remember! I remember now! You guys are talking about that genjutsu that even scared Jiraiya and the toads from Mount Myōboku! Kurenai, let me tell you all about it! Hahaha!"
Tsunade smacked the table, laughing so hard she nearly fell over.
Waves bounced, rippling with each motion, drawing involuntary stares.
She recalled how, for over a month, Jiraiya would tremble at the sight of Orochimaru and how that one unfortunate toad had undergone… an irreversible transformation.
Tsunade laughed until she was nearly breathless, her sides aching.
Shinno scowled. He wanted to shut her up, but if he let Jiraiya explain it himself, the story would only become even more outrageous.
His three disciples, eyes gleaming with curiosity, straightened up, eager to hear more.
The great Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, had a past entanglement with their sensei?
And it involved the sacred land of summoned beasts, Mount Myōboku?!
Yes. Yes. They absolutely needed to hear this!
Still catching her breath, Tsunade finally began her tale…
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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