Talent System In The Naruto Universe

"Hey, where are the two Anbu assigned to watch me?"

Uzumaki Kushina stood at the door, holding the medicine list, and shouted.

The next second, two figures appeared, both wearing masks.

"Lady Kushina, how can we assist you?"

The Anbu on the left asked respectfully.

"Give this list to Lord Hokage," Kushina said seriously. "Make sure he delivers the medicinal ingredients today."

"Understood."

The Anbu glanced at Tsunade, who wasn't far away, and nodded.

His job was to monitor and protect Kushina, so technically, he shouldn't leave his post. But with Tsunade present, there shouldn't be any issues.

"Miho," Kushina said, closing the door and walking over to Uzumaki Miho with a smile. "Now that's settled. Let me teach you how to play cards."

"Huh?" Miho looked surprised.

"With you, we'll have three players," Kushina suddenly clapped her forehead and added, "Oh wait, the Nine-Tails doesn't count as a person."

"The Nine-Tails?" Miho asked, confused.

"The Nine-Tails," Kushina grinned. "Come out and meet your new card partner."

Since Hiruzen Sarutobi had arranged for Miho to live with her, he must have considered the Nine-Tails situation. Kushina saw no need to hide it.

Dark, ominous chakra surged.

Two blood-red tails emerged from behind Kushina.

"This is the Nine-Tails?" Miho didn't fully understand but was visibly shocked.

"Yep," Kushina said. "It wants to shake your hand."

"O-okay," Miho hesitantly extended her hand and grasped one of the tails.

"Aren't you afraid of scaring her?" Tsunade couldn't help but laugh.

"How could an Uzumaki ninja fear the Nine-Tails?" Kushina said proudly.

As soon as she finished, the two tails flailed about, expressing their dissatisfaction.

Even if what she said was true, as the strongest of the tailed beasts, the Nine-Tails had its pride!

Miho instinctively took half a step back.

To her senses, the Nine-Tails' chakra felt infinite—a truly terrifying entity.

"Do you still want to play cards?" Kushina asked.

The two tails froze mid-air before quickly drooping down.

"That's amazing!" Miho couldn't help but exclaim.

"The Nine-Tails is very easygoing; no need to be afraid," Kushina said casually.

"Only you would say that," Tsunade shook her head slightly before suggesting, "Playing cards is fine, but you should teach her ninjutsu too."

With Miho's naturally vast chakra reserves, not learning ninjutsu would be a waste.

And in the war-torn ninja world, she needed the ability to protect herself.

If Miho had known the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques, escaping from Grass Village wouldn't have been a problem.

"I know," Kushina nodded. "Once her body recovers, I'll start teaching her."

"Big sis Kushina, can I sit in on the lessons?" Hanekawa suddenly asked.

"Of course!" Kushina beamed. "Teaching two people isn't much harder than teaching one, and it'll be more lively."

Tsunade glanced at Hanekawa and thought for a moment before deciding not to object.

Normally, learning multiple ninjutsu techniques could spread one's focus thin.

But so far, Hanekawa hadn't shown any issues, so she let him do as he pleased.

"I'll have the Anbu notify you when the time comes," Kushina clapped her hands. "Now, let's play cards!"

The Nine-Tails' tails regained their vigor and clapped along.

Tsunade joined the card game but didn't play herself. Instead, she "helped" Miho by giving her advice.

Hanekawa watched in dismay.

After a few rounds, Miho caught on to what was happening. Tsunade's card-playing skills were atrocious.

But out of respect, Miho didn't refuse her help and continued following her advice.

Kushina hesitated to speak.

Between the Nine-Tails playing poorly and Miho being misled by Tsunade, Kushina kept winning, but the victories didn't feel satisfying.

"Sensej," Hanekawa grabbed Tsunade's wrist and pulled her aside. "Sister Miho has already learned. She doesn't need your guidance anymore."

He couldn't stand it any longer! They couldn't bully such an honest person!

"She keeps losing; how has she learned?" Tsunade glared at him. "Don't interrupt my teaching!"

Why do you think she's losing? Isn't it obvious?

Hanekawa's mouth twitched. "Let her play a couple of rounds on her own."

Tsunade thought for a moment and stopped giving advice.

Very quickly, her expression soured.

Without Tsunade's interference, Miho won three games in a row and only lost the fourth to Kushina.

"Sensei, what do you think now?" Hanekawa asked with a grin.

"..."

Tsunade raised her hand with a dark expression and knocked him on the head twice.

"What was that for?" Hanekawa yelled, annoyed, and elbowed her in protest.

"You little brat!" Tsunade wrapped an arm around his shoulders and asked in a low voice, "Are you trying to rebel?"

Hanekawa's gaze instinctively drifted to the left.

With Tsunade slightly bending forward, her clothes revealed a snow-white, mountain-like contour.

"I didn't mean it that way."

Hanekawa blinked and said, "As if I'd dare."

Tsunade let him go, a faint smile appearing on her lips as she ruffled his hair.

Hanekawa withdrew his gaze, thinking to himself that one day, he'd have to ruffle her hair in return.

"That's it for today," Kushina said as she stood up. "I'll go make lunch."

"Lady Tsunade," Uzumaki Miho looked toward her and said, "Thank you for your guidance."

"It's nothing."

Tsunade felt a bit embarrassed but brushed it off with her thick skin. At the very least, she had taught Miho the rules.

After lunch, Hanekawa and Tsunade said their goodbyes to Kushina and Miho and returned home.

"Ah, home is always the most comfortable!"

Tsunade kicked off her shoes as she walked into the living room barefoot.

Hanekawa sighed helplessly, bent down, and placed her discarded high-heeled sandals neatly on the shoe rack.

"Take the next couple of days to rest. No training. Do whatever you feel like doing," Tsunade said, collapsing onto the sofa, closing her eyes, and exhaling deeply.

"And what about you?" Hanekawa asked as he poured two glasses of water.

"The casino!" Tsunade perked up, suddenly energized.

"I knew it," Hanekawa said as he sat across from her, taking a sip of water.

"If you're free, come with me," Tsunade said, sitting up and crossing her legs. "We'll split the winnings, seventy-thirty."

"Seventy for you?" Hanekawa glanced at her lightly swinging jade-like feet and asked.

"Of course," Tsunade replied with a sly smile, picking up her glass.

"Not interested," Hanekawa shook his head.

"You're not being sincere."

"Then how much do you want?" Tsunade frowned slightly.

"At least fifty-fifty," Hanekawa said, holding up five fingers.

"No way!" Tsunade leaned forward, emphasizing, "I'm your teacher!"

"If you weren't my teacher, you wouldn't even get fifty," Hanekawa retorted, his eyelid twitching.

He was starting to worry about the durability of Tsunade's clothes again.

"You little brat!" Tsunade stood up abruptly.

Sensing what was coming, Hanekawa quickly leaned back.

Her pale toes flashed past his face.

"You dodged that quickly," Tsunade clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"That's thanks to your training," Hanekawa replied, adding, "Also, no hitting the face!"

"It seems like it's time for some special training," Tsunade said, her expression turning serious.

"What kind of special training?" A sense of foreboding rose within Hanekawa.

"Combat experience training," Tsunade said matter-of-factly. "In battle, you'll often encounter stronger opponents, so you need to learn to handle pressure."

"...Are you sure this isn't just an excuse to hit me?" Hanekawa asked suspiciously.

"You could think of it that way," Tsunade admitted with a grin as she clenched her fist.

"Sensei, you're a Jonin. How could you stoop to this?" Hanekawa asked, trying to appeal to reason.

"I can and will," Tsunade said, flashing a charming smile.

"Can I refuse?" Hanekawa coughed lightly, testing his luck.

"What do you think?" Tsunade's smile widened.

She wasn't lying—this kind of training did exist.

Of course, her desire to beat him up was very real too. This brat had become far too cheeky.

"Fine," Hanekawa said in defeat. He realized there was no escaping this.

"Good. We'll start in a couple of days," Tsunade said, looking pleased.

For once, she had the upper hand. This was her victory.

"I'm too tired to move today," she added, slumping back onto the sofa.

"Do you want to take a bath? I can run the hot water for you," Hanekawa offered as he stood up.

"Thanks, brat," Tsunade waved her hand dismissively.

Hanekawa walked to the bathroom and filled the tub with hot water. Once it was ready, he returned to the living room to wake Tsunade and then left the house.

"Hanekawa!"

Kurenai Yuhi greeted him with a bright smile.

"Practicing?" Hanekawa asked, noticing the water pool in front of her.

It was a makeshift setup her father had dug out to help her practice Water Release.

"Yeah," Kurenai explained. "It gets boring being home alone."

"Then... can you teach me Water Release?" Hanekawa raised an eyebrow.

"Sure!" Kurenai's enthusiasm grew instantly.

"Which one do you want to learn?"

"Water Release: Water Formation Wall," Hanekawa said after some thought.

"Got it!" Kurenai tilted her chin slightly and, in a playful tone, said, "I'll teach you the Second Hokage's Water Release: Water Formation Wall."

"Where did you learn to act like that?" Hanekawa asked, amused by her adorable demeanor.

"From Uncle Kosuke," Kurenai replied, tilting her head. "Didn't I look like a top-notch teacher just now?"

"You did," Hanekawa said, giving her the recognition she sought.

"Now, call me sensei," Kurenai said, clasping her hands behind her back and pretending to be serious.

"If Tsunade-sensei hears about this, you'll get scolded," Hanekawa said, patting her on the head.

"Fine," Kurenai said, slightly disappointed.

After all, opportunities to gain the upper hand in seniority didn't come often.

Still, what she truly wanted most was to be the boss.

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