January 1st, New Year's Day.
The snow, which had fallen all night, finally stopped, and a faint sunlight appeared outside the window.
Tsunade vaguely turned over. Her soft golden hair was spread messily across the pillow. A moment later, her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she opened her eyes.
Tsunade instinctively pressed her forehead as she looked at the unfamiliar ceiling. The headache from the hangover made her frown.
Fortunately, she had the Yin Seal, and under the regulation of Chakra, her body quickly returned to normal. She shook her head as the memories of last night flooded back.
She and Kurenai had drunk until they were completely out of it, and even Kitazawa and Shizune couldn't stop them. In the end, out of helplessness, she was left behind.
Tsunade paused for two seconds, then got out of bed. She looked around and walked to the table.
"Student Winter Break Special Training Plan?"
Tsunade flipped through a couple of pages and saw names like Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto. She could now confirm that she had slept in Kitazawa's room for a night.
"It's quite tidy, actually."
Yawning, she walked to the window and pulled back the curtains, letting the sunlight fall on her ample figure.
Just then, the sound of the door opening echoed. Tsunade turned her head and saw a cautious Kitazawa. She was slightly stunned.
He had changed into a black kimono, which gave her a refreshing feeling. Indeed, a handsome person looked good in anything.
"Lady Tsunade, are you awake?"
Seeing her, Kitazawa no longer tiptoed but walked straight in and said, "Drink a glass of milk first."
"Where's Kurenai?" Tsunade picked up the milk and took a sip. It was warm, and her hungover body immediately felt a comfortable sensation.
"Her alcohol tolerance isn't as good as yours; she's still asleep," Kitazawa said with a smile.
"I took your bed last night. I apologize." Tsunade held the milk with both hands, leaned against the windowsill, and looked at Kitazawa.
"It's nothing," Kitazawa said indifferently. "If Lady Tsunade wants to sleep, I can always give it to you."
He rarely returned to this room to sleep after confirming his relationship with Kurenai. The room had now become his study, only occasionally used.
"Anyway, I still have to thank you." Tsunade took two more sips of milk and said, "I want to take a bath."
She hadn't bathed last night because she was completely drunk. Now that she was sober, she felt uncomfortable.
"The bathroom is this way." Kitazawa led Tsunade to the bathroom.
"Thank you." After Tsunade closed the door, she took off her clothes and stepped into the bathtub.
Kitazawa, meanwhile, went to Kurenai's room. He opened the door and saw that she was still asleep, lying soundly on the bed.
Not disturbing her, he went to the kitchen. Considering that Kurenai might wake up at any time, he decided to make a simple breakfast today—bread, milk, and sandwiches.
After preparing breakfast, Kitazawa returned to the living room. Tsunade was still bathing, and the sound of water could be faintly heard. He placed the breakfast on the table and waited.
As for Rina, Shizune, and Karin, they had already returned home last night. After all, they lived next door, and Kurenai's house couldn't accommodate so many people.
A moment later, the sound of the door opening echoed. Kitazawa subconsciously looked towards the bathroom—and suddenly widened his eyes.
Tsunade emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a white bath towel. But she was using Kurenai's bath towel, which was bulging and appeared to be under a lot of pressure.
"Go and get me some clothes."
Tsunade plopped down on the sofa, and with a flick of her right hand, she tossed her golden hair behind her. This action, combined with the contoured bath towel, was very alluring.
"Aren't you going quickly?" Tsunade gave Kitazawa a glance.
Coming back to his senses, he went next door and found Shizune, who was already awake. A moment later, he reappeared before Tsunade.
"Lady Tsunade, today is New Year's Day, so Senior Sister Shizune gave me a kimono." He handed her the kimono and explained.
"A kimono?" Tsunade pouted. "It's so troublesome to wear."
She took the light green kimono and stood up to go to Kitazawa's room.
Several minutes later, Kitazawa finally saw Tsunade in the kimono. How to describe it? Although the kimono was relatively loose, wearing it still couldn't conceal her perfect figure.
"Lady Tsunade, breakfast is on the table," Kitazawa reminded her.
"Mm." Tsunade walked towards the dining table.
Kitazawa glanced at the time and went to Kurenai's room again.
Sitting by the bed, he reached out his hand and placed it on her forehead. Light green Chakra flowed into Kurenai's body.
Kurenai felt a warm current within her body and woke up.
"Does your head hurt?" Kitazawa asked with a smile.
"No pain." Kurenai's lips curved, and she sat up, wrapping her arms around him.
Although she had also been very drunk last night, Kitazawa had helped her bathe, so she didn't smell of alcohol.
She wiggled her waist and nestled her soft body into his embrace. Looking up, she licked the corner of her mouth and asked pointedly, "Aren't you on holiday today?"
Having drunk last night, there was no routine daily activity.
"Lady Tsunade is in the living room." Kitazawa pinched her cheek and said.
"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Kurenai's smile froze, and two blushes quickly appeared on her cheeks.
Fortunately, Kitazawa hadn't gone too far. Otherwise, if their 'duet' was heard by Tsunade, she would definitely flee Konoha overnight.
"Who told you to be so impatient?" Kitazawa couldn't help but laugh.
Annoyed, Kurenai kicked him. Kitazawa stepped back and caught her foot. He tickled the soft sole of her foot twice and said, "Get dressed and eat breakfast."
Kurenai's toes instinctively curled up. Her body trembled, and she quickly pulled her foot back.
"I'll deal with you next time!" She snorted softly, got out of bed, and put on a red and black kimono.
"Very beautiful." Kitazawa looked her over twice and said. The two of them then went to the living room.
"I'm full, see you next time." Tsunade glanced at them, put down the bread in her hand, stood up, and left.
"Did you offend Lady Tsunade?" Kurenai couldn't help but be stunned and asked.
"Logically speaking, no." Kitazawa couldn't figure it out, so he stopped thinking about it.
After they finished breakfast, they went to the shrine to pray for blessings, as per New Year's custom. After praying, they strolled around Konoha Village. A leisurely and relaxed day passed just like that.
The next day was still a holiday.
Kitazawa and Kurenai didn't indulge again but practiced Sealing Techniques. Kurenai practiced Sealing Jutsu: Four Limbs Weighting Seal; Kitazawa, on the other hand, practiced Binding Jutsu or Sealing Tag.
This was also the last Sealing Technique in his Sealing Technique mission. Its effect was somewhat similar to the String Light Formation—both designed to restrain targets—but it didn't involve drawing a sealing array on the ground.
Instead, it used four sealing tags to form an array. Relatively speaking, the Binding Jutsu was more flexible.
New Year's Day Three.
The winter break special training resumed. Kitazawa arrived at the Ninja Academy early in the morning.
"Teacher Kitazawa, Happy New Year!"
Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Kabuto, and Hinata, among others, all gathered around.
"Happy New Year," Kitazawa said with a smile.
"Teacher Kitazawa, New Year's money!" Ino held out her hand, her face full of anticipation.
"Everyone gets some." Kitazawa took out the envelopes he had prepared earlier and distributed them.
Even Kabuto, who was already a big child, received one.
"Alright, after you've received your New Year's money, go train." He paused and added, "Hinata, Neji, and Karin stay behind."
"Yes, Teacher Kitazawa." The others each found a place to begin their training.
"Hinata and Neji, you have already mastered the Shadow Clone Technique, so you can start new special training."
Kitazawa got straight to the point. "You two don't need to train at the academy for the next two days; go home and learn Eight Trigrams: Vacuum Palm."
"Eight Trigrams: Vacuum Palm?" Neji's face showed surprise.
"That's right." Kitazawa nodded. "Eight Trigrams: Vacuum Palm is a rare long-range Gentle Fist. If you learn it, you might be able to defeat Naruto."
Neji's spirits lifted, and his eyes filled with anticipation.
"Come back to me after two days of learning." Kitazawa patted Hinata's head.
"Mm." Although Hinata was a little reluctant, she still returned home with Neji.
"Karin, today I'll teach you your first Sealing Technique." Kitazawa took out a scroll and handed it to her. "It's called Finger Carving Seal. First, memorize its curse mark."
"Okay!" Karin was somewhat excited. She could finally officially embark on the path of a ninja.
After Kitazawa created a Shadow Clone, he took Sakura to Konoha Hospital. While practicing the Sealing Technique, he also went to perform surgeries.
Many people had upset stomachs during the New Year. Kitazawa even performed a high-difficulty surgery, which advanced his mission progress bar by one notch.
The fourth day of the New Year was Sunday.
Just as Kitazawa thought this week would pass peacefully, Yakumo came to tell him that she had already learned the Emotion Displacement Technique.
"Then let's go." Kitazawa also wanted to know if the Emotion Displacement Technique would actually work.
The two of them went next door.
"Lady Tsunade." Kitazawa handed over a scroll. "This is the treatment plan written by Yakumo."
"Hm."
Tsunade knew without asking that Yakumo had learned the Emotion Displacement Technique. She opened the treatment plan and began to read it.
The content was divided into two parts—the first part was treatment using the Emotion Displacement Technique; the second part was a remedial plan if the Emotion Displacement Technique failed.
"Begin." Tsunade put down the treatment plan.
"Lady Tsunade, please do not resist," Yakumo reminded. "I will first make you enter an illusion."
"I know." Tsunade nodded.
Yakumo looked at her and immediately unleashed the Terrifying Illusion.
Normally, she would have used the Genjutsu they created, Mirror Flower, Water Moon. However, Mirror Flower, Water Moon was inherently inferior to the Terrifying Illusion, so using the Terrifying Illusion directly would have a better effect.
Tsunade felt a blur before her eyes and found herself in an unfamiliar yet familiar environment. She looked up and saw Orochimaru—more precisely, a younger version of Orochimaru.
"I'm sorry, Tsunade," Orochimaru spoke slowly after a few seconds of silence.
Tsunade walked into the tent. The smell of blood assailed her, making her body tremble slightly. She subconsciously looked at the body covered by a white cloth.
"Lady Tsunade, please accept our condolences." A Medical Ninja wearing a mask said in a heavy tone.
Tsunade reached out a trembling hand towards the white cloth. The cloth was pulled back, and what came into view was Nawaki's face.
Tsunade stood rooted to the spot, her body trembling uncontrollably. She covered her face, her pupils dilated, her expression filled with terror.
Just then, the Medical Ninja standing near her quickly formed hand signs.
Emotion Displacement Technique!
He was actually Yakumo in disguise. She extended her hands, aiming them at Tsunade. A large amount of Chakra surged out.
Moments later, Tsunade had calmed down considerably.
"It's effective!" Yakumo was overjoyed.
But just then, the aura around Tsunade suddenly changed dramatically.
Crack! The illusion shattered.
Yakumo returned to the living room, looking at Tsunade with disbelief. She had not only subconsciously resisted the Emotion Displacement Technique but also broken her Terrifying Illusion.
What terrifying strength and willpower this was!
"Lady Tsunade, how are you?" Kitazawa glanced at his right arm, which she was gripping, and couldn't help but ask.
"I'm fine." Tsunade took a deep breath and said slowly.
"Kitazawa-sensei." Yakumo leaned closer and whispered the situation to Kitazawa.
Kitazawa couldn't help but frown.
Although Yakumo's treatment method was somewhat cruel, it could indeed be called targeting the root cause. If she could just displace Tsunade's emotions upon seeing Nawaki's death, that would essentially be half the battle won.
However, Yakumo's method did not work because Tsunade's subconscious resistance was too intense.
"Once more." Tsunade recovered for a few seconds and said, "I will try my best to control my emotions."
"Alright." Yakumo nodded. She had already prepared for a prolonged struggle.
"Kitazawa, you come in too." Tsunade suddenly thought of something and spoke.
Kitazawa was startled and looked at Yakumo.
"You can." Yakumo unleashed the Terrifying Illusion again.
Kitazawa subconsciously narrowed his eyes. After steadying himself, he found himself in a wartime Konoha Village camp.
He looked around and saw Orochimaru. Tsunade's face was solemn as she walked into the tent.
Kitazawa quickly followed her. He hesitated for a few seconds, then directly took Tsunade's hand.
Tsunade subconsciously looked at him, a hint of surprise in her eyes.
"Are you going to look?" Kitazawa met her gaze and asked.
"Look," Tsunade said very firmly.
Kitazawa reached out and lifted the white cloth. He saw Nawaki's tragic state at the same time. In the original work, Nawaki had accidentally stepped into an explosive tag trap and was blown to pieces.
Tsunade's body began to tremble again.
Yakumo quickly used the Emotion Displacement Technique. She did not directly replace the pain with happiness, but tried to alleviate the pain, allowing Tsunade to develop some resistance to this memory.
Kitazawa squeezed Tsunade's hand and injected light green Chakra. He didn't understand the Emotion Displacement Technique, but he could use Medical Ninjutsu to relieve Tsunade's physical pain.
With both methods, the treatment effect was significantly better than the previous time.
But after five minutes, Tsunade still lost control of her emotions and broke through the illusion.
The three of them returned to the living room. Kitazawa felt his body sink, and then Tsunade threw herself into his arms.
She closed her eyes, and a line of tears slid down her fair face.
"Yakumo, today's treatment ends here." Kitazawa sighed in his heart and said.
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei." Yakumo glanced at Tsunade and said very consciously, "I'll take my leave first."
Kitazawa reached out and gently stroked Tsunade's head. A moment later, he felt a little uncomfortable. After all, a mature body was pressed tightly against him.
He could clearly feel her graceful contours and curves. Kitazawa secretly thought that this was truly a trial.
"Sorry." After an unknown amount of time, Tsunade sat up.
"It's nothing." Kitazawa shook his head.
He could understand why Tsunade was so distraught. If it were him, he might be even worse.
"You go first." Tsunade turned her head away from him.
Kitazawa wanted to say something, but ultimately said nothing. At this time, it would be better to let Tsunade be alone for a while.
After Kitazawa left, he walked and pondered.
This treatment method was too simple and crude, no less than directly tearing open a wound. Kitazawa felt that he could add some elements to the illusion to prevent Tsunade from directly facing Nawaki's death.
If that didn't work, he could also create some false memories to make up for Nawaki's regrets — for example, in the illusion, letting him become Hokage and die of old age naturally.
Although it was a bit like burying one's head in the sand, it might have an unexpected effect. Since it was all an illusion, there was no harm in trying. Could it be more painful than today's repeated death?
But that was next Saturday's matter.
Kitazawa looked back. He wondered if it was his imagination. After two treatments, his relationship with Tsunade had subtly grown closer.
This was a good thing. The better his relationship with Tsunade, the safer he would be in Konoha Village.
Besides, he was a normal man, and it would be too fake to say that he had no ulterior motives towards Tsunade.
Sunday passed, and a new week began.
[Current Mission: Learn three Sealing Techniques within the winter break.]
[Mission Reward: Evil Sealing Method.]
[The host has completed the mission, reward issued.]
Kitazawa exhaled. He finally managed to complete his Sealing Technique mission in the last week of the winter break.
Next, he had to focus on the Water Release and Earth Release missions.
Just then, lightning flashed and thunder roared in the distance, with bright flashes of lightning.
Kitazawa glanced at it and then ignored it. This was not natural lightning weather, but lightning weather created by Kakashi Hatake.
Ever since he got the idea for the S-rank Lightning Release: Kirin, he had been researching it. From the current situation, he had barely gotten started and was still far from success.
"Hinata, your Chakra compression is not enough." Kitazawa looked at Hinata and instructed her.
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei," Hinata responded and then carefully continued to control her Chakra. When it reached a certain critical point, she suddenly struck.
An invisible air shockwave collided with a nearby tree. In an instant, a deep mark was left on the tree bark.
"Keep practicing." Kitazawa reminded, "You will only have learned the Eight Trigrams: Vacuum Palm when you can pierce this tree."
The Eight Trigrams: Vacuum Palm, in addition to being a long-range Gentle Fist technique, also possessed terrifying penetrative power.
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