Kurenai's eyes grew more and more serious.
Shiki only smiled at her intensity, saying nothing.
At that moment, a helpless-looking Tsunade walked up beside Shiki and sat down at his side.
"You tell me—how is that idiot so lucky? How can someone like him find a student like that?"
Sure enough, Tsunade still cared about this matter.
Because of that frustration, she had been training Kurenai extra hard lately—clearly planning to show off her own apprentice next time.
"Kurenai is pretty good," Shiki replied. "Not everyone is like Minato Namikaze."
But speaking of it… Jiraiya's students really were something else.
Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato—the Ame trio he trained.
Then the Fourth Hokage, the Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze.
And the future Seventh Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki, the so-called Child of Prophecy.
Jiraiya's lineup was simply ridiculous.
Well… that's life.
–––––––––––––
Konoha Year 44.
Several years had passed since the end of the Second Great Ninja War.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
In the courtyard of the Shiki residence, the sound of metal echoed nonstop.
Shiki moved with the aura of a lion king, swinging his blade until the very last moment.
His gaze sharpened—two slashes of light flashed.
The iron training post in front of him was sliced clean in an instant.
"Daily task complete."
Hearing the familiar prompt inside his mind, Shiki exhaled and casually tossed the broken ninja blade aside.
He focused—and the familiar template interface appeared before his eyes again.
God-Level Template System
First Template: Golden Lion Shiki
Fit Rate: 90%
Template Abilities:
• Advanced Armament Haki
• Advanced Conqueror's Haki
• Top-tier Observation Haki
• Great-swordsmanship
• Fuwa-Fuwa no Mi (Advanced)
Skills:
• Basic Three-Body Technique
• Body-Flicker Technique
Daily Task:
• Swing the sword 10,000 times (Completed)
This was the progress Shiki had made over the years.
If he had to describe how he felt… only two words came to mind:
Utterly invincible.
He could feel it clearly—if he wanted, he could use the Fuwa-Fuwa no Mi to lift the entire Hidden Leaf Village into the sky.
Just as Shiki was enjoying the feeling of overwhelming strength...
"What are you thinking about?"
Tsunade walked over curiously. After his training, Shiki had been standing still for a while, lost in thought.
"Nothing."
Shiki snapped out of it, shook his head, and turned to look at Tsunade.
Over the years, they had grown entirely used to each other's presence.
Outside, Tsunade was fierce and intimidating…
But the moment she stepped inside their home, she became gentle.
A casual, home-clothed Tsunade… truly looked like the perfect wife.
"After staring at me for so many years, haven't you seen enough?" she asked, pretending to sound annoyed.
"How can I have seen enough? I plan to keep watching you for the rest of my life."
"Hmph! As if. I don't believe that."
She spoke like a child pretending not to care, even though the smile in her eyes gave her away.
"Then I'll make sure you believe it."
"You just finished training—go take a bath first."
"Don't wanna."
"You—! Honestly…"
"You really love bullying me," Tsunade pouted after everything settled down, leaning against the courtyard wall with a faint glare.
Shiki only smiled proudly.
"Well… it's been so many years and Hiruzen still hasn't made a move. The old man's endurance is something."
Shiki had been waiting for Sarutobi Hiruzen to attack him.
But the old fox simply swallowed it all down.
Expected… but still disappointing.
Couldn't he at least try?
Come fight me...then die by my hand!
If Hiruzen heard that, he would jump up in rage.
Knowing I'd lose, and you still want me to be brave? Am I an idiot??
"Those old geezers are all scared shitless," Tsunade snorted.
"None of them dare to start anything."
Years of political back-and-forth had shown Tsunade the truth—none of the remaining elders were worth anything.
But the man standing beside her?
His strength was terrifying.
And it always made her feel safe.
Shiki sighed.
"If Danzo was still alive, things would be more interesting. At least he wouldn't sit still."
He regretted killing Danzo too early.
Otherwise, the past few years wouldn't have been so boring.
Danzo's brainless confidence always made things entertaining.
Tsunade chuckled.
"If Danzo heard you say that, he'd probably resurrect himself out of sheer anger."
So my purpose in life was to keep you entertained?
Danzo would cry in his grave.
"Shiki-nii! Lady Tsunade!"
At that moment, Kurenai appeared, running into the courtyard.
Over the years, she had grown into a much more elegant young woman.
Beside her was another quiet girl.
"Lord Shiki! Lady Tsunade!"
This was Shizune, whom Tsunade had taken as her apprentice years ago.
———
Originally, Shiki had assumed that because he killed Kato Dan, Shizune would never have anything to do with Tsunade.
Unexpectedly, she still became Tsunade's disciple.
"Yo, Kurenai," Shiki greeted with a smile.
Kurenai beamed and immediately rushed to his side.
"I'll say it again—this is my man, okay? Little girl, behave."
Tsunade rolled her eyes.
If you call me Sensei, then stop clinging to my husband so much!
Kurenai only made the same cheeky face she always did.
"What does it matter? He's still my Shiki-nii. Tsunade-sensei is so overprotective!"
"…"
Tsunade wanted to smack her.
Was this about being overprotective or something else!?
But in the end, she said nothing.
Kurenai had been beautiful since she was little and now she was even prettier.
"Hehe~ Shiki-nii!"
Kurenai smiled brightly at Shiki.
Shizune greeted them politely. "L-Lord Shiki. Lady Tsunade."
"At least this one won't make me angry," Tsunade muttered.
"Shizune's much better."
"No—Kurenai-chan is also very good," Shizune replied gently and flustered.
Compared to the mischievous Kurenai, Shizune really was shy and gentle.
Because of that, Tsunade treasured her more—Shizune would at least never make her blood pressure rise.
--------------------------------------
Support me at patreon.com/Arthorain and read upto 50 Advanced Chapters and R-18 Content!
--------------------------------------
Update schedule: 7 chapters/week
Every 300 power stones = 1 Extra Chapter
By voting with [power stones], you can easily get double the number of chapters.