Sakikawa quickly added, "But you can't do that next time."
It was too dangerous!
Shiratori Rin nodded, "I understand."
Senba Suzume's figure appeared at the iron gate.
Wasn't he with Hanzou dealing with post-war matters?
A hint of confusion flashed in Shiratori Rin's eyes.
Senba Suzume's gaze fell on Shiratori Rin, "Come with me, Lord Hanzou is looking for you."
Hanzou was looking for him?
Shiratori Rin nodded, walked towards Senba Suzume, and his downcast pupils hid his thoughts.
Is it for the curse?
Shiratori Rin glanced at Senba Suzume beside him, who had returned to his expressionless state.
"Brother Qianyu, why is Lord Hanzou looking for me?"
Shiratori Rin asked curiously.
Senba Suzume: "You'll know when we get there."
Shiratori Rin: "..."
Topic Terminator—Senba Suzume.
Hanzou's office was on the second floor of a pagoda-like building, which was also the top floor.
Shiratori Rin stood at the office door, and Hanzou inside said to him, "Come in."
Shiratori Rin glanced at Senba Suzume and walked into the office, the door behind him closed by Senba Suzume.
Only Shiratori Rin and Hanzou were in the spacious office.
Hanzou stood up and walked to the window, motioning to Shiratori Rin.
Shiratori Rin saw Hanzou's posture, he should be reminiscing about the glorious past.
He walked to Hanzou's side.
Hanzou's gaze fell on the empty streets of Amegakure.
"Since I can remember, Amegakure has often been embroiled in war."
Shiratori Rin: "..."
It really was reminiscing about the past.
Shiratori Rin nodded, he leaned against the window, looking out: "Mom and Dad often left home, but after a while, they would always come back. They told me they went to protect the Village, and when the war ended, we could be together forever..."
He choked up, "But later, after they left home, they never came back..."
Hanzou's heart trembled.
He looked down at Shiratori Rin's reddened eyes.
His hand landed on Shiratori Rin's head.
"When I was very young, I decided to drive out these Ninja fighting in Amegakure!"
"For this, I worked hard to Cultivate and improve my strength!"
"Even if I was ostracized by the villagers and suffered from poisoning, I never gave up!"
Hanzou saw admiration in Shiratori Rin's eyes.
Shiratori Rin stared at Hanzou without blinking, his eyes burning, full of reverence for Hanzou:
"I also want to be as strong as Lord Hanzou!"
"I also want to protect the Village and the villagers!"
"Let Amegakure no longer have wars!"
"Let Amegakure become strong!"
Looking at Shiratori Rin's determined eyes, Hanzou seemed to see himself making a vow years ago.
[Ding!]
[System detected Hanzou's Nostalgia Value +5000]
[Ding!]
[Your Cursed Spirit Choso's Rank has risen to 33%]
Shiratori Rin had already found the pattern for earning Hanzou's Nostalgia Value.
"Good!"
Hanzou patted Shiratori Rin's shoulder.
He looked at Shiratori Rin's eyes, which seemed to be burning with fire: "To achieve all this, you must possess great power. Are you willing to become my Disciple?"
A huge surprise came crashing down.
Shiratori Rin looked at Hanzou excitedly, his breathing rapid, as if he couldn't believe his ears.
"Really?"
"Can I really become your Disciple?"
Shiratori Rin looked at Hanzou excitedly.
Hanzou looked at Shiratori Rin's excited expression, a smile appeared in his eyes, and he nodded affirmatively: "Of course!"
With Shiratori Rin's talent, only he could guide him in the entire Amegakure.
Most importantly, only he could empathize with Shiratori Rin's fear of his own abilities!
"Teacher!"
Shiratori Rin rushed up and hugged Hanzou.
Hanzou's body stiffened.
After the salamander's venom sac was implanted in his body, he had never engaged in such intimate contact with anyone else.
No one dared to approach him either.
The Ninja of Amegakure revered him, but also feared his poison.
Only Shiratori Rin, this simple-minded child, would express his admiration and love for him so unreservedly.
[Ding!]
[System detected Hanzou's Affection Value +1000]
[Ding!]
[Your Companion Cursed Spirit Rika Orimoto's Rank has risen to 58.95%]
Shiratori Rin's mouth twitched.
Little rascal!
Winning over Hanzou was a piece of cake, wasn't it?
"That's great!"
Shiratori Rin let go of Hanzou, and he promised earnestly, "Teacher, I will definitely Cultivate well from now on. When I become strong, I will be able to protect you!"
Hanzou: "..."
It was the first time he heard someone say they wanted to protect him.
And it came from his only Disciple.
Although he didn't take Shiratori Rin's words seriously, Hanzou's mood inexplicably improved.
"Rin, to become strong, the first thing is to accept your power."
Hanzou's words had a deeper meaning.
He guessed right, it was indeed related to the curse. Shiratori Rin quickly changed his expression, he nervously lowered his head, his fingers fiddling with his shirt: "I... I..."
Hanzou's hands rested on Shiratori Rin's shoulders: "The curse is your talent, don't resist it, try to control it!"
As long as it's power, it must be used by people.
Hanzou believed that a firm will could conquer everything.
"Rin, have you forgotten what I told you?"
"I couldn't control the salamander's venom sac at first, but I didn't give up and eventually successfully mastered the power of the venom sac!"
"Since you are my Disciple, you can also control your power!"
Shiratori Rin looked up at Hanzou.
It had to be said that Hanzou's willpower at this time was astonishingly firm.
Just by looking into Hanzou's eyes, he could feel the firm belief emanating from Hanzou.
It was as if even if the sky fell, Hanzou would not abandon his beliefs, still standing unyielding like steel.
How did such a Hanzou become so cowardly later on?
Does one's mentality change with old age?
Shiratori Rin couldn't understand.
He still had to keep acting.
"Yes, I am Teacher's Disciple!"
"I am the Disciple of the Ninja World's Demigod!"
"I cannot be so weak!"
"I cannot embarrass Teacher!"
Shiratori Rin's voice became more and more firm.
He stared at Hanzou, sparks shooting from his eyes.
"I want to become a powerful Ninja like Teacher!"
He had praised Hanzou so much, it would be unreasonable if Hanzou didn't contribute some emotional value!
[Ding!]
[System detected Hanzou's Affection Value +500]
[Ding!]
[Your Companion Cursed Spirit Rika Orimoto's Rank has risen to 59%]
Shiratori Rin estimated that the half of Hanzou's face under his respirator must have been split with laughter.
"Good!"
Hanzou's eyes showed relief.
He looked at Shiratori Rin and finally experienced the joy of raising a Disciple.
No wonder Konoha Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi took three Disciples.
"Let me see your curse!"