"So it really is Wood Release!"
Inside the living room—
Shizune stood frozen in shock.
Her mouth hung open in a perfect "O," unable to close.
Even Tsunade herself couldn't calm down for quite some time.
After so many years, she never expected to see once again the Wood Release that had belonged to her grandfather, the First Hokage, the power that once pacified the entire era.
"I never imagined you would awaken such a power."
Tsunade took a deep breath, forcing down the storm of emotions in her heart.
She looked at the boy standing before her—young in age, yet unbelievably handsome.
Her gaze grew distant.
For a moment, she felt as though she were seeing shadows of her grandfather Senju Hashirama and her grand-uncle Senju Tobirama reflected in him.
"Ahem… Lady Tsunade…"
Akira Nao coughed softly, her expression filled with memories.
Then she looked at Tsunade again, hope shining in her eyes.
"There's no need to say more, Nao… I agree."
Tsunade nodded.
A faint smile appeared on her beautiful face.
Turning to Akira Ren, she spoke directly without beating around the bush.
"You're not an ordinary kid, so I won't waste words… Ren, would you be willing to become my disciple?"
An eight-year-old genius with extraordinary talent—
Not only possessing Senju blood, but also awakening Wood Release, a power that had belonged only to her grandfather.
Tsunade felt an instinctive closeness toward him.
Such a disciple delivered right to her doorstep—
There was no way she would refuse.
So she didn't put on the airs of one of the Legendary Sannin.
"Of course it would be my honor."
Ren nodded.
His right arm gradually returned to normal before their eyes.
As if the astonishing scene from moments ago had never existed.
He had absolutely no reason to refuse such an opportunity.
Tsunade was a descendant of the Senju clan, the granddaughter of the First Hokage, and one of the Sannin trained by the Third Hokage.
Even putting aside her unparalleled medical ninjutsu—
There was no way she lacked valuable resources.
She might even have studied the Scroll of Seals, which recorded numerous high-level techniques and forbidden jutsu.
Following her meant he could leave Konoha openly, travel the ninja world, and—
She was also a breathtaking beauty.
There was nothing to hesitate about.
Besides, this was Akira Nao's final wish.
He didn't want the old woman to leave the world with regrets.
"Ren, little brother, my name is Shizune. I'm Lady Tsunade's disciple!"
Shizune walked up happily with Tonton in her arms.
"That means starting today, you're my junior brother!"
"Hehe…"
"This is Tonton."
"Oh, and I should clarify one thing—Tonton is not emergency rations."
"Bwee~ bwee~!"
Seeing how serious Shizune looked—as if afraid he might suddenly roast the pig out of hunger—
Ren's mouth twitched slightly.
He almost laughed.
"Don't worry, Senior Sister Shizune," he said calmly.
Then he turned toward Tsunade and bowed respectfully.
"Teacher Tsunade, please take care of me from now on."
"Calling me teacher sounds awful."
Seeing that Ren had happily agreed—and that despite his maturity he showed none of the arrogance or condescension typical of prodigies—
Tsunade smiled in satisfaction.
She stepped forward and pinched his handsome face.
"From now on, just call me big sister."
The Senju chakra within him made her feel an instinctive closeness.
She liked him very much.
"Ahem… Lady Tsunade…"
Akira Nao immediately tried to protest.
But before she could finish—
Ren spoke first.
"Sister Tsunade!"
"Mm~ that's more like it."
Tsunade laughed happily.
No woman liked being called old.
And although her new disciple was mature beyond his years—
He wasn't stiff or overly serious.
She liked that.
Tsunade had no interest in disciples who acted like solemn little old men before they had even grown up.
Shizune was exactly like that.
Too serious.
Too rigid.
She wouldn't even drink or gamble with her.
One such disciple was already enough.
"Ren, you can't be so disrespectful…"
Nao said helplessly, patting her grandson's head.
But seeing Tsunade insist, she didn't argue further.
"Then Lady Tsunade, I'll have Ren prepare for the disciple ceremony."
"Forget all those troublesome formalities."
Tsunade waved her hand casually.
"Nao, don't be so rigid. Your grandson is far more interesting than you."
She had never been someone who liked strict rules and traditions.
If a disciple truly respected their teacher, a ceremony wasn't necessary.
And if they didn't—
No amount of ritual would change that.
Still—
She couldn't win against Akira Nao's insistence.
Under the old woman's determined gaze, Ren—who didn't mind the ceremony anyway—finally complied.
He respectfully served a cup of tea to Tsunade.
Thus formally becoming the disciple of the Legendary Sannin—Tsunade-hime.
◇ Bonus Chapter Rewards ◇
◇ Every 10 Reviews = 1 Bonus Chapter
◇ Every 100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter
◇ You can read 60 chapters ahead on Patreon if you're interested:
patreon.com/Luna023
Your support helps the story grow and motivates faster updates.