Sora had clearly underestimated Tsunade's concern for him.
The moment he finished dealing with the three Genin and prepared to leave, a graceful figure appeared beside him. A hand rested gently on his shoulder.
Warmth spread through his body instantly.
The internal strain caused by forcing his speed beyond its limits began healing at a rate visible to the naked eye.
"Thank you, Shizune," Sora said softly.
He understood immediately.
Tsunade had been worried about him going out alone, but she hadn't wanted him to notice. So she had secretly sent Shizune to follow him.
"If you want to thank someone, thank Lady Tsunade," Shizune said with a smile.
"Your strength is improving quickly. Taking down three Genin while being surrounded—she'll be very happy when she hears about it."
"I was about to head back, but since you're here, come with me to buy something. Today is Mother's birthday."
Sora had already recovered significantly thanks to Mystical Palm Technique.
What remained was Chakra exhaustion and physical fatigue—things Medical ninjutsu couldn't immediately restore.
"At least you're thoughtful," Shizune said happily, almost as if the gift were for her.
When they arrived at a jewelry store, Sora retrieved two jade bracelets that had clearly been prepared in advance.
Under Shizune's surprised gaze, he handed one to her.
"Why are you giving this to me?" she asked, caught off guard.
"If you hadn't saved me back then, I would've died to wild dogs. You've also taken care of me all these years. It's not much, but it's my thanks."
The bracelet even had Shizune's name engraved on it.
Shizune chuckled softly and accepted it.
They soon returned to the hotel. Along with the bracelets, Sora had prepared several small items—and of course, a cake.
It wasn't grand but it was warm.
"Mother, give me your hand."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow but complied.
Sora couldn't help noticing how smooth and flawless her hand was. Years of combat had left no calluses, no scars—like polished jade.
He opened an elegant gift box. Inside was a bracelet engraved with her name.
He carefully fastened it around her wrist. The size was perfect—beautiful and unobtrusive in battle.
"Do you like it?"
For once, Sora felt nervous.
Tsunade didn't answer with words.
Her eyes shimmered faintly. She leaned forward and kissed him gently on the cheek.
That was her answer.
The next morning, the three of them left the town.
They had long made the ninja world their home.
Staying in one place too long wasn't their style. Traveling while training brought far more growth than remaining confined within a single village.
"I had Shizune investigate," Tsunade said calmly. "Those Genin were hired by a casino for an assassination mission. I don't need to tell you which one.
Today, I'll teach you something important: eliminate threats completely."
The moment she finished speaking, Sora disappeared.
The casino wasn't far.
With his speed, a round trip would take little time.
Tsunade watched him go and sighed softly.
"If this child had been born during wartime, even with average talent, he would have become a prodigy of his generation."
Aptitude mattered—but it didn't define destiny.
Even Ashura, once considered inferior to Indra, had eventually risen to rival him.
Talent set the starting point.
Willpower determined the destination.
Half a day later, Sora returned.
Calm.
Decisive.
Shizune had followed secretly again.
Sora had eliminated everyone involved.
If you don't uproot the grass, it will grow back with the spring wind.
If they could hire Genin today, tomorrow they could hire Chunin—or even Jonin. He refused to live under endless assassination attempts.
"Very good," Tsunade said.
"Your Monster Strength Fist has stabilized. Significant improvement will take time now. So next, you'll focus on ninjutsu and genjutsu.
Monster Strength Fist is taijutsu. Your ninjutsu foundation is shallow, and you know nothing about genjutsu. That won't do."
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"From today onward, I will cast genjutsu on you daily. At any time. You must learn to detect it and break free immediately.
Resisting genjutsu strengthens your spirit. The stronger your spirit, the harder it is to control you."
She continued, "The Uchiha Clan's Sharingan genjutsu is powerful, correct? Yet even Uchiha Madara's genjutsu had no effect on my great-grandfather. Why?
He had no Sharingan.
What he relied on was overwhelming Spiritual Energy—and an unbreakable will."
Tsunade handed him a scroll.
"These are Water Release techniques from the Senju Clan's archives. My Second Grand-uncle's Water Release was unrivaled.
This contains all the techniques he mastered, along with analysis, strengths, weaknesses, and application details.
If you can learn them thoroughly, you may not be unmatched—but you'll be able to go anywhere in this world."
Sora opened the scroll.
It wasn't merely a list of techniques.
It was experience.
Essence.
The legacy of the Second Hokage.
"From lowest to highest rank," Tsunade instructed, "master the first three within three days. Use them proficiently.
And be ready for genjutsu at any moment.
Without a Bloodline Limit or special talent, resistance to genjutsu depends entirely on will and spirit. There are no shortcuts."
After speaking, she stepped aside.
Sora began studying the Water Release techniques—
All while remaining on high alert.
At any second, reality itself might become an illusion.
...
Author's Note:
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