"Fight, you wimp! Show me what you're worth!" the white-haired devil shouted sassily.
And once again, I found myself eating the dust of the training ground. Damn blondes! Both that screeching pervert and this spoiled princess. This just isn't my thing! Cursed taijutsu!
No, wait. My fighting ability isn't the problem here. For the first fifteen minutes, while I was still fresh, Tsunade was the one taking a beating. I'm familiar with destreza, and I was trained in unarmed combat. And destreza, for your information, is almost like the Hyuga clan's taijutsu. The principles are the same, since the Gentle Fist techniques closely resemble Baguazhang. Besides, I've picked up a few things here myself, developed some tricks of my own. But that's not the point. After fifteen minutes of struggling in the ring, I simply don't have the stamina to keep fighting that monster on equal terms!
"How are you?" the monster asked, with a hint of sympathy.
"I'm fine, Tsunade-san. But that's enough for today," I replied tiredly. "Let's say we're done with the warm-up."
"Orochimaru!" Jiraiya exclaimed, offended and indignant. "It's only been half an hour—come on, one more round!"
"You held up well," the girl nodded, extending a hand.
Of course, with my White Snake body, the blows of a young Senju don't deal as much damage as they could. But maintaining my body consumes far too much chakra. In recent years, the issue of lacking physical energy has become painfully obvious. My Yin is overflowing thanks to reincarnation, but my body just can't keep up. No matter how much I train, I can't seem to strengthen it.
"Well done!" the toad condescended to offer his congratulations as well, throwing an arm over my shoulders in a familiar manner. "You really gave her a good thrashing!"
"Yeah, unlike you!" Tsunade snorted condescendingly.
"Well, you know," the white-haired idiot drawled in a greasy tone, "I'd rather toss you around on something a little soft—Kgh!"
He didn't get to finish, predictably taking an elbow to the ribs. Hopefully nothing cracked; I have no desire to patch him up. He deserved it. That joke was too much even for him, but it seems the pervert won't stop until he's on the brink of death. Lately, our teammate's chest has been driving him insane. And, to my shame, I understand him.
"Hey! What was that for?!" I protested, having just been smacked on the back of the head.
"Preventive measure! Where were you looking just now, huh?!" The fierce glare of the young fury made even me feel embarrassed.
"At the necklace!" I shot back without missing a beat, instantly coming up with an excuse. "You should take it off during sparring—it could tear."
"It was a gift from my grandfather," the girl said, a bit flustered, tucking the pendant under her gray tunic. "It won't tear."
"Oh, from Hashirama-sama?" Jiraiya perked up, shamelessly devouring the excessively deep neckline of the Senju girl with his eyes. "What the—?! I was looking at the necklace! Kgh!"
That blow was stronger—yeah, his ribs definitely cracked this time. What an idiot. And to think he's almost a sage. I'd hoped the toads would at least knock some sense into him. Then again, they say wisdom and intelligence aren't the same thing.
"You need to strengthen your body," the Senju girl said to me in a lecturing tone, ignoring our doubled-over teammate.
"I know, I know," I didn't even bother hiding the gloom in my voice.
"If you know, then why aren't you training?!" she demanded, planting her hands on her hips. "Yesterday you spent the whole day messing around with test tubes again, didn't you?"
Here we go…
"Yes, yes, I repent for not developing myself in the way you deem proper, Senju-sama," I said, even bending into a bow for greater effect.
"You want me to count your ribs too?" Tsunade asked quietly, her tone laced with threat.
"Hey, how about we grab some meat to eat?!" Jiraiya suddenly blurted out.
Sometimes I really don't understand how your brain works… But you just saved me, my friend!
"Let's go," I agreed immediately. "We got paid well for the last mission."
"You bet!" Jiraiya practically purred with satisfaction. "I already bought myself a new pair of binoculars! Tenfold magnification, coated lenses, no glare—just perfect! So, Tsunade, how about celebrating our successful mission? Come on! You know how hard it is to get our snake out for a walk!"
"Out for a walk?" I hissed. "What exactly are you implying?"
"Let's go!" the girl cut me off at the most interesting moment, grabbing my elbow and dragging me off the training ground, nearly knocking me off my feet in the process. What insane strength she has!
Yeah… I, on the other hand, clearly have issues in that department. But honestly, Tsu-chan is wrong to nag me—I am working on myself. And by sixteen, I've already become a fairly strong shinobi. Future Sannin, after all. Honestly, the three of us could probably qualify as tokubetsu jonin already. But no one's asking, and I'm not volunteering. The war will start soon anyway—our ranks will shoot up then, no exams required.
We had a good time that day. Whatever you say, friends—no matter what they're like—always bring a good mood.
"I'm home, Mom!" I called out loudly enough to be heard.
Reiko was supposed to have the day off today. The door's unlocked, so she must be home.
"Chi-chan! Welcome back," the blue-haired woman smiled at me, peeking out from around the corner and leaning against the wall. "You're late today."
"Went out to grab a bite with friends, celebrated completing a mission," I said, kicking off my annoying shoes and heading over for my usual share of hugs.
"A mission you finished a week ago?" Mom asked in surprise, pressing her hands against my chest to stop me from getting closer. "At least take off your dirty clothes first!"
"That's just how it turned out," I smiled.