Listening to Seiryū's endless chatter, Tsunade was momentarily stunned, a trace of surprise flickering in her eyes.
Taijutsu, Kenjutsu, Genjutsu, Ninjutsu, Sealing Techniques, Body Flicker Technique, Medical Ninjutsu, Shurikenjutsu...
He was good at everything?
The boy was only nine years old and just a Genin.
It wasn't that she doubted Seiryū's talent.
She just questioned whether he really had that much time and energy to learn so many skills.
Not to mention, he had also been developing "new techniques." Tsunade knew just how time-consuming creating a new technique could be.
Therefore, she was doubtful of Seiryū's claims.
And this brat's words were truly infuriating.
What did he mean by saying Five-Element Ninjutsu was too easy and didn't suit a genius, so he preferred using the techniques he developed himself?
He was clearly bragging too much.
"Stop!"
As Seiryū seemed ready to continue his self-praise, Tsunade quickly interrupted him.
Staring at him suspiciously, she said incredulously, "You're not lying to me, are you? Most people can barely master the Three Basic Jutsu in three years. How could you possibly have the energy to learn so many techniques?"
She was aware of Seiryū's skills in Taijutsu, Sealing Techniques, and Medical Ninjutsu, since she had personally guided him.
But she wasn't so familiar with the rest.
Could this kid be bragging?
Being cut off while showing off made Seiryū quite unhappy, but he held back.
With a tone full of disdain, he said, "Why are you so surprised? Don't judge a genius by your own standards. While I'm not a god, I'm not your average genius either."
He was the strongest genius in Konoha's history.
And that wasn't just his own opinion, it was widely acknowledged.
Kurenai raised her hand to testify, "Tsunade-sama, Seiryū's talent is really amazing. He learns things super fast, and he has a photographic memory."
Shizune also nodded slightly. "Seiryū's talent is truly... well, monstrous. He really is skilled in a lot of techniques."
Tsunade: "..."
With Kurenai and Shizune's testimonies, she started to believe that Seiryū wasn't exaggerating.
Had she underestimated this kid's talent?
Even her granduncle didn't seem as freakishly talented as him.
She couldn't help but wonder how his brain was wired.
Was this some sort of mental illness tradeoff?
Waving her hand, Tsunade said to the three of them, "Next, I'm going to test your strength. Head to the backyard and wait. I'll come after breakfast."
"Oh!"
"Okay!"
The three walked to the backyard.
As expected of the Senju Clan's ancestral home, the backyard was massive.
It was several times larger than the Yūhi family's backyard and could even serve as a small training ground.
Seiryū thought to himself that he also wanted a house like this someday.
Kurenai looked at her two companions with a bit of nervousness, focusing mainly on Seiryū.
"Tsunade-sama said she's going to test our strength. How do you think she'll do it? Will she ask us to demonstrate our jutsu?"
Shizune shook her head. "I don't know either."
"Let's wait and see."
Seiryū had some guesses. If Tsunade followed the same process the Third Hokage used, then it would probably be the bell test.
If he remembered correctly, this was a tradition within the Hokage lineage.
Soon, Tsunade arrived at the backyard.
Just as Seiryū expected, she held two bells in her hand.
She looked at the three of them and smiled. "We'll use these to test your strength."
"This is your first mission. I have two bells here. As long as you can take one from me before noon, you'll pass the test and earn my approval."
"Only those who get my approval will be considered members of my squad."
"By the way, there are only two bells. That means one of you won't get one. And the person who fails... will be punished."
As she said this, Tsunade's gaze shifted toward Seiryū with a sly smile.
Seeing the look in her eyes, the corner of Seiryū's mouth twitched.
Damn it. This bad woman is targeting him again.
Kurenai raised her hand. "Tsunade-sama, what's the punishment?"
"Call me Sensei from now on," Tsunade replied, still staring at Seiryū.
After a moment of thought, she smiled and said, "Hmm, let me think. The one who fails to get a bell... will wash my feet!"
Since it was just a test, the punishment couldn't be too serious.
Tsunade was clearly targeting Seiryū, just wanting to see the look of frustration on his face when he was forced to wash her feet.
Just imagining that unwilling expression full of grievance made her feel amused. That would be fun to see.
But when she looked at Seiryū, she saw an unexpected expression.
He looked... eager?
Tsunade didn't take it seriously. She just assumed he was confident he could get a bell.
Seiryū shifted his eyes away from Tsunade's jade-like feet in her sandals. His expression turned solemn and serious.
"Let's start quickly. I can't wait."
There's actually such a good thing?
He couldn't wait!
"Heh. Then let's begin."
Tsunade didn't waste any more time. She tied the bells to her waist, and a clear ling ling sound rang out.
She looked at the three and smiled. "Use any means you want. Just come at me with the intent to kill."
Whoosh!
Before she finished speaking, Seiryū had already moved.
Executing Shunpo, his speed spiked as he transformed into an afterimage and rushed straight toward Tsunade.
Tsunade locked her gaze on him and said calmly, "Sneak attacks aren't a good habit."
Boom!
She stomped her right foot on the ground. With her monstrous strength, cracks instantly spread across the ground.
Crushed stones shot up like bullets, flying straight toward the approaching Seiryū.
"The moment you said 'begin,' the battle had already started. How is that a sneak attack?"
Seiryū used Shunpo to shift positions repeatedly, skillfully dodging the flying stones.
Then, forming a seal with one hand, he pointed forward.
"Hadō #4: Byakurai!"
Amid the crackle of electricity, a bolt of lightning shot out, piercing through the air.
"Flashy little tricks."
Tsunade smiled, predicting the direction of the lightning. With a simple side-step, she dodged it.
She then waved to Seiryū. "Come on. If you can't get a bell, then obediently wash my feet."
"You two as well. Come at me together."
Tsunade turned to Kurenai and Shizune, speaking dominantly.
They were just three kids. Even a few more wouldn't be a threat to her.
She was one of Konoha's top powerhouses.
"Genjutsu: False Surroundings Technique!"
Kurenai acted next. Her hands quickly formed seals as she cast a Genjutsu.
It immediately began to distort Tsunade's senses and judgment.
"A Genjutsu of that level won't work on me."
Tsunade smiled slightly, and with a surge of chakra, she broke the illusion.
If it had been a Genjutsu from a Jōnin of the Uchiha clan, she might have needed a moment to deal with it.
But Kurenai was still a Genin. She couldn't affect her.
Swoosh swoosh swoosh—
On the other side, Shizune pulled out several shuriken and flung them toward Tsunade's position.
Each was laced with a potent anesthetic. Even a slight graze would weaken the body in seconds.
She was skilled in poisons.
(To be continued.)
Junkdog's Note: It's been a while since I dropped a new fanfiction. I'm thinking of dropping one soon, so if you have any you'd like me to check out, or maybe one that got abandoned, do tell me in the comments.