The night had been filled with wind and rain, and the lingering effects of the wine had not yet dissipated by morning.
Fanma opened his eyes to a scene that was both disheveled and sweet.
Tsunade was curled up against his chest, arms wrapped around him, emitting a soft, rhythmic snoring sound.
Feeling the weight against his chest, Fanma smiled with satisfaction.
He turned his head slightly to study her face in the quiet light.
Her skin was like jade, her eyes like apricots, and her pale golden hair was as soft and smooth as brocade.
Even in sleep, her brows were curved in a faint smile, utterly adorable.
Not only is she beautiful and from a prestigious lineage, but she possesses the most impressive figure in the ninja world and can shatter mountains with a single punch.
This kind of girlfriend…
I, Uchiha Fanma, declare you the strongest!
A sense of belonging washed over him; the world felt a little more complete.
Tsunade stirred, opening her eyes in a daze.
Like a cat, she nuzzled against his chest, a look of fulfillment spreading across her face before she pecked him on the cheek.
“You’ve been awake a long time?” “Mhm…” “What are you looking at?” “You’re beautiful.” “You didn’t say I was beautiful yesterday.” “Then what did I say?” “You only said you loved me.” Tsunade shot him a coquettish, sidelong glance.
Fanma pulled the curtains shut.
The morning sun was a bit too bright.
Hokage’s Office.
“If the Eight Inner Gates cannot be handed over to me for the time being, then so be it.” Fanma waved his hand.
It was within his expectations; after all, he was still an Uchiha, and limiting his strength was standard operating procedure for the Hokage’s inner circle.
“The village deliberated for a long time.
The Eight Inner Gates technique carries significant risks to the user.
With the war looming, we are simply concerned for your safety,” the Third Hokage said with a face full of sincerity.
Fanma looked at the sincere-looking Third and shook his head.
What a thick-skinned, black-hearted old man.
“In that case, exchanging for the Flying Raijin Jutsu and the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags shouldn’t be an issue, right?” The Third froze.
Weren’t those the signature techniques of his teacher, the Second Hokage?
An Uchiha wants to learn the Second’s ninjutsu?
Sure enough, Uchiha Fanma was an outrageous Uchiha in every conceivable way.
“That wouldn’t be a problem, but since the Second Hokage passed, no one has been able to comprehend the Flying Raijin.
To date, 55 Jonin have applied for this forbidden jutsu, and all of them failed at the entry level,” the Third added, finally showing a shred of conscience.
“No matter.” Fanma stood up.
“By the way, Lord Third, I am now officially part of the Hokage faction.” “Huh?” The Third fell into deep contemplation as Fanma walked away laughing.
What does he mean he’s part of the Hokage faction?
And ‘officially’?
As if the others aren’t…
(Fanma’s internal monologue: You think it only comes through student-mentor succession?
You didn’t expect it could happen through marriage!) Uchiha Clan Grounds, Elder’s Training Field.
Fanma looked at the three children before him—one redhead, one blonde, and one hedgehog-head—and fell into thought.
This trio was a heavy-hitting combination: a pure-blooded Uzumaki, a Senju descendant, and a civilian prodigy.
Each of them was a specialist in their own right.
Fanma crossed his arms.
“Alright, although you surely know me and I know you, let’s do proper introductions.
I am Uchiha Fanma, twenty-four years old.
I specialize in taijutsu, my hobby is cooking, and as an aside, Tsunade is my fiancée.” The three kids’ mouths fell open into “O” shapes.
Fi…
Fi…
Fiancée?!
Minato was the most shocked.
Having watched the commander selection battle with rapt attention, he knew how intense the fight had been.
The two people who were trying to kill each other two days ago are engaged today?
Fanma-sensei, I, Minato, concede defeat.
I truly can only be your student!
Nawaki, however, rushed over, scrutinizing Fanma’s appearance and physique at close range.
Swish!
Nawaki performed a perfect dogeza (full prostration).
“Thank you very much for taking in my useless sister!” Fanma’s composed expression nearly crumbled.
What kind of sibling relationship is this?
But he found this little brother-in-law quite amusing.
“Alright, Nawaki, let’s start with you.” Fanma pulled him up, patted his head, and sighed.
“My name is Nawaki!
I’m 13!
I like making friends, I have a lot of chakra, I’m good at Water and Earth Release, I love sukiyaki, and my dream is to become Hokage!” A spirited start.
“Good energy.” Nawaki really has the vibe of a hot-blooded protagonist, even if he isn’t the child of prophecy, Fanma mused.
“My name is Namikaze Minato, thirteen this year.
I specialize in the Body Flicker, I like reading, I love everything Fanma-sensei cooks, and my current wish is to learn the ‘Super Light Wheel Black Guardian Technique’ three-style!” Fanma stared at Minato, face expressionless.
“Minato, what you want to say is the ‘Lightning Release Armor,’ isn’t it?” “Ah, no, it’s the Super Light…” Kushina apologetically covered Minato’s mouth, cleared her throat, and began her introduction: “I’m Uzumaki Kushina, also 13.
I have a lot of chakra too, I’m good at sealing arts, and I hate tomatoes!
What I like is being with Minato!” Minato smiled and nodded.
Only Nawaki frowned, lost in thought.
Fanma handed them each a file.
“Hey, Sensei, don’t we have an entrance test?” the curious Nawaki asked.
Fanma patted their heads, mentioning their backgrounds one by one.
“Nawaki is the First Hokage’s grandson and Tsunade’s brother.
Kushina is Lady Mito’s clanswoman and Tsunade’s younger sister.
Minato is my first disciple; I traded my own war merits to get that forbidden technique he likes.
With the three of you…
even if you failed a test, did you think I wouldn’t take you?” Fanma gave Nawaki a sideways glance and motioned for them to look at their materials.
Even Danzo would have felt a headache coming on if he saw this lineup—what a “red-rooted, seedling-direct” pedigree!
Nawaki received two books: The Past and Present of Explosive Tags and How to Use Explosive Tags Effectively, written by “The Wandering Hanzō.” These were written during Hanzō’s youth when he was still a young man struggling on the path of the samurai and the ninja.
For someone like Nawaki, who had a surplus of chakra and combat spirit, this was worth serious study.
Kushina received two notebooks: The Essence of Chakra Force and The Nature of Taijutsu, written by Uchiha Fanma.
These were the distilled insights Fanma had gained from years of training.
Since the Uzumaki clan had the potential for great physical power, Kushina’s potential template was close to Tsunade’s, complemented by her sealing art talent.
Minato’s was unique.
Fanma and he exchanged a knowing smile; Fanma handed over the Flying Raijin scroll they had agreed upon.
Space-time talent was metaphysical; even Orochimaru struggled to grasp it with science.
Since Minato had the gift, Fanma wanted him to start early.
Fanma cleared his throat.
“These are your welcome gifts.
I’ll be asking questions in three days.” Nawaki raised his hand defiantly.
“Sensei, who is this Hanzō guy?
He doesn’t look very famous.” Understood.
Nawaki’s academic performance is less than ideal…
no wonder…
Fanma brought out one more scroll, sealed with an S-rank barrier.
“I’ve already prepared something for you, Nawaki.
This is an S-rank ninjutsu.
Once you’ve read and understood those two books, I’ll let you train in it.” Nawaki’s eyes sparkled.
S-rank forbidden jutsu sounds so cool!
But then his face fell—reading seemed to be a massive ordeal for him.
As for Kushina, Fanma patted her head and crouched down, acting pitifully.
“I actually traded my merits for a powerful technique for you too, but the Old Man Hokage refused to give it to me.” “Huh?
How could that old Hokage do that?!” Kushina puffed out her cheeks.
“It’s fine.
Sensei knows plenty of taijutsu; we won’t learn his stuff!” Fanma didn’t want her to feel unimportant.
He pulled out a book for her: A Brief Discussion on Offense and Defense in Sealing Arts, by Uzumaki Masahiko.
Kushina looked at the name she had often seen in the memorial hall, a trace of sadness flashing across her face.
Fanma sighed—he was sixteen when the Land of Whirlpools fell.
He had collected some precious items over the years, and this book was filled with the wisdom of the Uzumaki.
Kushina thanked him profusely; she missed her people and everything they stood for.
Fanma checked his watch.
“Nine o’clock, three days from now.
Assemble here.
Subjects: book reports and sparring.
Dismissed!” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS dead_soul19 Want More Chapters?
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