Breakthrough

Hatake Clan Training Hall.

Kawafune had been standing there like a stump for so long that Sakumo thought his younger brother had been possessed.

When he went over to speak with him, he received nothing but a cold look. Finding it pointless, he left on his own.

Nawaki had just finished his horse stance and begun practicing swordsmanship.

A breeze brushed past, stirring Kawafune's silver hair. Sweat already covered his face, and his mental energy had been severely depleted.

He could feel his connection to the Flying Thunder God Technique Formula deepening, yet he simply could not take that final step.

That mysterious, indescribable feeling was like being separated by a single sheet of paper. As long as he pierced it, he would be able to complete spatial movement.

The power of space... Kawafune recalled it in his mind. Uzumaki Mito's Sealing Jutsu had already opened a window for him; now, he needed to push it open himself.

After failing to find the key point for a long while, Kawafune decided the problem still lay in sensing the power of space.

He left his spot and wiped the sweat from his brow. In a flash, he appeared before a large tree and pulled down the Eight-Faced Han Sword.

With a flick of his hand, the Eight-Faced Han Sword vanished.

Kawafune closed his eyes and sensed that faint power of space.

Tearing. Shifting.

It was strange beyond strange. He had never felt such a violent yet mysterious power before.

The Eight-Faced Han Sword appeared and vanished in his hand again and again.

Kawafune poured his entire mind into the instant it entered and exited, trying to catch hold of the power of space.

Then, inspiration struck. He wrapped the Eight-Faced Han Sword in Chakra.

He had touched it.

The power of space. He understood.

When he opened his eyes, a piercing flash burst forth. Kawafune threw the Eight-Faced Han Sword straight at Nawaki.

Nawaki, who had been practicing swordsmanship, jumped in fright. It had already been creepy enough watching his brother-in-law stand beneath the tree with his eyes closed. Now, the moment he opened them, he launched a sudden attack at him.

Cold sweat broke out all over his body.

"Brother-in-law, I'm your little brother-in-law!"

Nawaki held his wooden sword horizontally before him, buried his head behind his arms, and closed his eyes.

That cry of "Brother-in-law" rang out loud and clear, drawing Sakumo and Nayuki's attention.

Their younger brother—her brother-in-law—already had a little brother-in-law?

Kawafune was not focused on that at all. Smiling, he stopped the Eight-Faced Han Sword the instant it reached Nawaki.

Kawafune stood there, steadily gripping the sword's hilt.

The Flying Thunder God had succeeded.

"Brother-in-law, you weren't trying to kill me?"

After waiting a long time without the pain he had expected, Nawaki opened his eyes and saw Kawafune holding the sword. Only then did he speak with lingering fear, patting his chest afterward.

He never wanted to experience that feeling of facing death a second time. In his eyes, Kawafune's terrifying strength had risen to another level.

Even Orochimaru-sensei was probably only this strong.

"You're my dearest little brother-in-law. How could I possibly bear to kill you?"

"I was merely testing out the newly completed Flying Thunder God."

Kawafune put away his sword and warmly patted Nawaki on the shoulder.

Damn it, using me to test your ninjutsu? What a great brother-in-law you are.

Nawaki did not dare complain. He could only force a smile. This baby was suffering, but this baby had no one to tell.

"Brother-in-law truly is a heaven-sent genius. You mastered the Flying Thunder God in a single morning."

"Not at all. You should thank your grandmother."

Kawafune could not hide the smugness on his face, though he was telling the truth. Without Mito's spatial sealing, who knew how long it would have taken him to learn the Flying Thunder God?

"Practice a little longer. I'll call you when lunch is ready."

"I'll go study it some more."

With that, Kawafune left Nawaki standing there as if being punished. Nawaki still had not recovered from the shock—where would he find the energy to keep practicing swordsmanship?

He half-heartedly went through the motions while watching Kawafune shuttle back and forth between the large tree and the stone table. Only upon closer inspection would one notice that Kawafune had also placed a Flying Thunder God Technique Formula beneath the stone table.

The Senju Clan crest was clearly visible on it.

When lunchtime arrived, Nawaki was already impatient. The moment the butler appeared, he went over to Kawafune's side.

Kawafune happened to put away his sword as well. From now on, he only needed daily practice to familiarize himself with the Flying Thunder God before applying it in actual combat.

That afternoon, he still needed to visit the Weapon Shop to forge some custom Senbon. He felt Kunai were not as well concealed as Senbon.

Just as he was about to take Nawaki to eat, Tsunade arrived as well.

"Tsunade-chan, perfect timing. Care for a drink with us?"

Kawafune was filled with delight after gaining another trump card, but Tsunade was fuming inside.

"No."

Tsunade rolled her eyes at Kawafune as she spoke. Are you trying to take advantage of me again? Isn't the interval a little too short to be polite?

"I went to see Sensei, and he..."

"Talk while we eat. Let's go."

Kawafune cut Tsunade off at just the right moment. If they started talking here, would they ever get to eat?

"Fine, then I won't stand on ceremony."

Tsunade was only being polite with her words. As soon as she finished speaking, she hooked an arm around Nawaki's neck and followed behind Kawafune.

Poor Nawaki had just recovered from one fright, and now he had to bear the brunt of his sister's anger.

He was practically a perfect punching bag, suffering in silence.

Staggering along, he was nearly dragged into the Hatake Clan dining hall by his sister.

Only after seeing Sakumo and Nayuki did Tsunade release Nawaki and greet them.

Once everyone was seated, Sakumo immediately picked up his chopsticks, firing the first shot of battle.

There was no Sauce Fragrance served at lunch today. Yesterday's events were still fresh in everyone's minds, and Sakumo had quietly ordered the servants to take away the sake.

"What did the Third Hokage say about the land?"

Kawafune took a bite of Tuna Sushi and picked up the earlier topic.

"Sensei said he needed to discuss it with the higher-ups. He didn't say yes, but he didn't say no either."

Tsunade could not read Hiruzen's thoughts and felt uncertain. She took a bite of Sashimi, then sighed with a frown.

Nawaki, meanwhile, was eating away happily without a care in the world.

Knowing his own limits, Sakumo said nothing about matters involving relationships and money. He was good at killing people; business was another matter entirely.

Nayuki also cooperatively brought only her ears. The only voices left at the table were Kawafune's and Tsunade's.

"Don't worry. The land should be approved."

"It's just a matter of how much it costs."

Tsunade was dumbfounded by Kawafune's confident answer. Did he have informants around the Hokage?

"Kawafune-kun, why do you say that?"

Looking at Tsunade, who still retained a girl's innocent side, Kawafune shook his head. It really wouldn't be easy for someone like you to become Hokage.

"The Third Hokage is simply considering whether this will benefit Konoha and whether it will pose any threat to him."

"Even if the Hatake Clan opens a hospital and makes money, we'll be nothing more than a small family with substantial assets."

"And as Hokage, no matter what, the Hatake Clan cannot threaten his position."

"Selling us the land would also let him gain another wave of prestige among the villagers."

"So this matter will definitely go through."

"However..."

Kawafune deliberately paused there, thoroughly whetting everyone's appetite.

Three pairs of eyes stared fixedly at him, making his skin crawl.

Only then did he pause before continuing.

"Approving the land is only the first step. It's inevitable that some people will jump out to cause trouble because they see the Hatake Clan as a potential threat."

"Who?"

Tsunade and Sakumo spoke at the same time, their tones fierce. They exchanged awkward looks, then smiled at each other.

That temperament suits me.