The next day…
“Good morning, Tsunade.
Good morning, Hiruko.” “Good morning, Akira.” As the three met again in the classroom, they exchanged glances.
Somehow, the atmosphere between them had subtly changed.
It was as though they now shared a secret that no one else knew, creating an odd sense of camaraderie, perhaps this was what people called a bond.
The school day quickly came to an end.
Hiruko bought a large bundle of balloons and began the first stage of Rasengan training.
He knew his own limits well enough not to follow Akira and Tsunade around.
Meanwhile, Tsunade led Akira to the Senju clan compound.
It was a quiet, traditional courtyard.
Ancient wooden buildings sat amid lush greenery, while several trees filled the area with vibrant life.
At last, Akira met Uzumaki Mito.
She stood peacefully beneath one of the trees, dressed in an elegant kimono.
Her crimson hair was tied into two buns, and her gentle, tranquil gaze rested quietly upon Akira and Tsunade.
The moment Tsunade saw her, she happily ran over and grabbed Mito’s hand, swaying it excitedly.
“Mito-obasan!
This is him!
My deskmate!
The super amazing genius I told you about!” Mito smiled fondly and gently patted Tsunade’s head before shifting her warm gaze toward Akira.
Instantly, Akira felt as though the air around him had grown heavier.
Taking a slow breath, he bowed respectfully.
“Uzumaki Mito-sama, it’s an honor to meet you.
My name is Akira.
I’m Tsunade’s deskmate.
It’s a pleasure meeting you for the first time.
I look forward to your guidance.” Standing before this seemingly ordinary woman, Akira still found himself slightly nervous.
His entire body had unconsciously tensed.
The beautiful red-haired woman with twin buns standing before him…
Was currently Konoha’s greatest military power.
After the Second Hokage, Tobirama, sacrificed himself, Madara vanished for decades.
Surely no one seriously believed Madara stayed hidden because he feared the “Strongest Hokage,” Sarutobi Hiruzen.
As the greatest sealing master the Uzumaki Clan had produced in centuries, Uzumaki Mito could probably bind the Nine-Tails into eighteen different positions without breaking a sweat.
Her strength absolutely belonged in the same league as Madara’s.
After all, not just anyone was qualified to become Madara’s romantic rival.
With sealing techniques that were practically cheat codes in the Naruto world, Mito’s strength spoke for itself.
Anyone facing her would have a headache.
Mito observed Akira quietly for several moments, carefully looking him over from head to toe.
A faint smile curved onto her lips.
“Tsunade talks about you quite often at home.” Her voice was warm and gentle.
“Your exceptional ability to learn, your precise chakra control, your creative training methods with traps and mechanisms, even your disciplined reaction drills…” “You’ve done remarkably well in every aspect.” Akira felt his face heat up.
For some reason, it felt strangely like being praised by his future mother-in-law.
He secretly glanced toward Tsunade.
She had her hands on her hips and looked unbelievably proud.
Your grandmother is praising me.
Why are you the one looking proud?
Suppressing the urge to complain, Akira answered modestly, “You’re giving me far too much credit.
I’m not nearly as impressive as you make me sound.” Mito chuckled softly.
“Not at all.” “I can judge talent for myself.” “Akira, Tsunade told me you created a hand seal-less ninjutsu.” “Would you show it to me?” Akira didn’t hesitate.
He simply raised his right hand.
A pale blue Rasengan instantly formed in his palm, radiating a soft glow.
Mito studied it carefully before nodding.
“Tsunade wasn’t exaggerating.” “This technique has indeed reached the level of an A-rank ninjutsu.” “To create an A-rank technique at your age…” “Akira, you truly are a genius.” Akira scratched the back of his head shyly before replying, “Actually…
this still isn’t the strongest form I envision.” “In my ideal version, the Rasengan’s shape transformation would be combined with chakra nature transformation.” “If that succeeds, its destructive power should become truly terrifying.” Mito considered his words for a moment before nodding in agreement.
“That’s true.” “The current Rasengan is only its foundation.” “If you combine it with powerful chakra natures like Wind, Fire, or Lightning…” “I believe this technique could easily reach S-rank.” Akira and Tsunade exchanged smiles.
The higher Mito evaluated the Rasengan…
The more valuable the technique she would likely teach Akira in return.
“Akira.” “Would you be willing to have this technique recorded in the village’s Forbidden Techniques Scroll?” Mito asked gently.
Tsunade blinked in confusion.
“Mito-obasan, doesn’t the Rasengan fall short of being a forbidden technique?” Mito smiled and stroked Tsunade’s head.
“It has tremendous room for development.” “With very little effort, it could evolve into an S-rank technique.” “That potential alone qualifies it for inclusion.” Akira had no objections.
He didn’t mind if other people in the village learned the Rasengan.
So he nodded without hesitation.
Even Mito was briefly surprised by how readily he agreed.
But she quickly smiled again.
A child willing to entrust such a technique to the village…
That showed where his heart truly belonged.
He was a genuine inheritor of the Will of Fire.
She felt deeply gratified.
Her eyes filled with approval as she gave a gentle nod.
“Excellent.” “Akira, you’re a fine child.” “It’s Tsunade’s good fortune to have you as her deskmate.” “I hope the two of you will continue supporting one another and grow together.” Standing nearby, Tsunade nodded vigorously and patted her chest confidently.
“Don’t worry, Grandma!” “We’ll definitely grow into towering trees that protect Konoha!” Mito laughed helplessly.
Looking back at Akira, her expression softened even more.
Reaching into her robes, she withdrew a scroll and handed it to him.
“This is our first meeting, and I don’t have any extravagant gift prepared.” “This scroll contains some knowledge about sealing techniques.” “Take it and study it at your leisure.” Akira stared blankly at the scroll.
He’d originally thought learning Tsunade’s Super Strength would already be more than enough.
He never expected to receive sealing techniques as well.
With utmost respect, he accepted the scroll with both hands and bowed deeply.
“Thank you very much, Mito-sama.” “I’ll study it diligently and won’t disappoint your expectations.” Looking at the respectful boy before her, Mito gently rested a hand atop his head.
“From now on, just call me obasan, like Tsunade does.” “There’s no need to call me ‘Mito-sama.'” Akira paused for a moment.
Then he noticed the faint blush spreading across Tsunade’s face.
Understanding dawned immediately.
He smiled and said, “Mito-obasan.” “Good boy.” Mito’s smile brightened.
“We’ve been chatting for so long that the food inside is probably getting cold.” “Come.” “Have dinner with us and try your grandma’s cooking.” Hearing him call her “Obasan” delighted Mito.
She took both Akira and Tsunade by the hand and led them toward the house.
The three of them then spent a wonderful evening sharing dinner together.