First Encounter with My Brother-in-Law

Nawaki heard this unfamiliar ninja say he wanted to guide him, so he stopped and looked over.

Not just anyone was qualified to teach him. Tsunade was his sister, Orochimaru was his teacher, and he wanted to see what this ninja from the Hatake Clan was capable of.

"This is Jonin Hatake Kawafune, and he's also my good friend."

Tsunade took the initiative to introduce him to her younger brother. She knew exactly what he was thinking.

"Even Hatake Sakumo isn't his match."

With just a few words, she turned the poor Hatake Sakumo into a human backdrop to highlight Kawafune's strength. It was quite ruthless.

Hearing his sister say that, Nawaki's eyes lit up, and a sunny, guileless smile appeared on his face.

"Then I'll be relying on you, Big Brother Kawafune."

His future brother-in-law knew how to read the situation. Kawafune slowly walked toward Nawaki, still giving his big brother a bit of face.

It wasn't that his big brother was too weak. He was simply too strong.

"My brother and I were merely sparring."

"Your taijutsu seems rather ordinary. I wonder how skilled you are with ninjutsu?"

Kawafune had no intention of sparing this little brat's feelings. Bad was bad. If he didn't want the kid to die, he had to be harsh.

The moment he finished speaking, he was already standing before Nawaki. Tsunade's eyes lit up as well. What incredible speed.

Nawaki watched as Kawafune, who had been some distance away just moments ago, suddenly appeared in front of him, looking down at him. An oppressive pressure crashed over him.

It felt completely different from the feeling his teacher Orochimaru gave him. His teacher was gloomy and stifling, while Kawafune was like the blazing sun and roaring thunder—searing and explosive. Even his heart began pounding violently.

The resentment he had felt moments ago instantly vanished, and his expression turned solemn.

"Please don't hold back in your guidance, Big Brother Kawafune."

Nawaki respectfully bowed, and Kawafune accepted it as a matter of course.

"Use everything you know. If you can make me move even once, I lose."

Kawafune did not even intend to draw the Eight-Faced Han Sword. With his arms folded, he looked at Nawaki with an amused expression.

Seeing Kawafune act so overconfidently, Tsunade frowned. A ninja's strength wasn't about taking attacks head-on.

"Kawafune-kun..."

Her voice drifted over, but Kawafune raised a hand.

"Don't worry."

Before Tsunade could finish, she was interrupted. She could only watch quietly, hoping she would not have to use her medical ninjutsu on Kawafune.

"Then I won't hold back, Big Brother Kawafune."

What young man wasn't arrogant? Being looked down on like this stirred Nawaki's temper. He didn't believe he lacked even the strength to make Kawafune move.

But reality often went against one's wishes. There was always someone stronger.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

Nawaki formed hand seals, and a water dragon formed from a stream of water surged from his mouth toward Kawafune.

However, his Chakra reserves were too low. Compared to the Water Dragon Bullet Technique used by his Second Grandfather, Senju Tobirama, this water dragon could only be called a little snake.

Kawafune's expression did not change, and his gentle smile remained.

Without any visible movement, lightning flared across his body. The little snake struck him without causing so much as a ripple before vanishing completely, directly evaporated.

"Lightning Release Armor?"

Tsunade frowned, immediately thinking of Cloud Village's secret technique.

This was a technique Kawafune had developed by using lightning-nature Chakra to stimulate the Cells throughout his body. It could greatly enhance his offense and defense, functioning much like Lightning Release Armor.

However, lightning-nature Chakra was too violent. If not for his Golden Finger, he would never have been able to maintain it for long.

Seeing his proudest ninjutsu fail to have any effect at all, Nawaki was unwilling to accept it and began forming hand seals again.

"Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bullet!"

Once his hand seals were complete, the head of an earth dragon burst from the ground beside Nawaki. It opened its mouth and spat a barrage of mud balls at Kawafune.

Watching the earthen spheres fly toward him, Kawafune dispersed the lightning around his body and drew the Eight-Faced Han Sword with a backhand motion.

His movements were graceful and carefree as he sliced each mud ball cleanly in half, sending them falling at his side.

Tsunade stared at Kawafune as he stood there with his sword in hand. A breeze swept past, stirring his silver hair, and she was momentarily entranced.

That move had not only intimidated Nawaki, but also let Kawafune show off in front of Tsunade. It truly killed two birds with one stone.

"Big Brother Kawafune, I want to learn swordsmanship from you."

Nawaki's eyes shone brightly. That sword was too cool. Since neither of his strongest ninjutsu had worked, he no longer had the will to attack.

"Learning swordsmanship is no problem, as long as you agree to one small condition."

Kawafune had achieved his goal with the sword. He sheathed it and walked over to Nawaki, the smile on his face beginning to look rather sinister.

The plan to win over his future brother-in-law had begun.

"Ah, what condition?"

Nawaki felt that the handsome big brother before him had suddenly become rather sleazy.

Tsunade continued watching the two of them without moving.

"I'll teach you swordsmanship, and you'll help me pursue your sister."

Kawafune liked to be direct. He got straight to the point, bending down to whisper it into Nawaki's ear, leaving the boy stunned.

Are adults all this direct?

"How am I supposed to help you?"

Nawaki did not think his sister was pretty. She was so strong, and her punches hurt so much.

Other than having fair skin, a good figure, and a little money, what else did she have? What else?

As he spoke, he glanced at Tsunade and shuddered. No matter what, he would never like a woman like his sister.

He was still too young and knew too little!

"When I need you, just agree. The doors of the Hatake Clan will always be open to you."

"I'll even give you a sword."

Kawafune had the mindset of a child completely figured out. What boy didn't dream of becoming a Samurai?

"I want one like yours."

Even one second of hesitation would have been disrespectful to Nawaki's dream of being a Samurai.

"Deal."

Kawafune proudly patted Nawaki on the shoulder. The kid had potential.

"How much Chakra do you have left?"

With the important matter settled, Kawafune had not forgotten the minor details.

"Enough for a few more uses, but it won't work against you, Big Brother."

Nawaki looked utterly innocent. He had even dropped Kawafune's name and started calling him Big Brother directly.

"For your age, your Chakra reserves are already quite good. But you need to form hand seals faster. Your taijutsu lacks real combat experience, and your striking power is insufficient."

"And remember this: there are no useless ninjutsu, only useless ninjas."

Kawafune pointed out Nawaki's shortcomings and gave him a warning.

As expected of a direct grandson of the Senju Clan, his Chakra reserves probably left others his age far behind.

Either Tsunade had been reluctant to be too harsh, or Orochimaru's teaching quality was rather worrying now.

Such a promising seedling only had the strength of a Genin at present, several streets behind his future nephew Kakashi.

After all, Kakashi had possessed Jonin-level strength at the age of twelve. He was only a tiny bit weaker than Kawafune.

"Then I'll be relying on you from now on, Big Brother. I'll work hard."

"My teacher is always busy. He hasn't guided me in a long time."

"I'll go to your house tomorrow."

"And bring my sister."

This kid really was talented. He had even learned how to answer before being asked.

"Good, good, good."

Kawafune grinned broadly and gave Nawaki's shoulder another hard pat, nearly slapping him into the ground.

Tsunade watched Kawafune and her younger brother chatting and laughing. It seemed Nawaki liked Kawafune-kun too.

"Kawafune-kun, what do you like to eat? I'll have the kitchen prepare it."

Tsunade finally relaxed and walked over to ask, intending to have the kitchen make some dishes Kawafune liked.

"Anything that goes well with alcohol. I'm not picky."

Kawafune was telling the truth. He could barely stomach Japanese cuisine, but the alcohol was rather lacking.

"Alright. Then I'll go to the kitchen. If there is anything lacking in my hospitality, please forgive me, Kawafune-kun."

Tsunade carried herself with the grace of a distinguished lady, showing none of the traits of a Monster Strength Cow.

"You go ahead. I'll practice with Big Brother a little longer."

Seeing that his sister would go on forever once she started talking, Nawaki immediately cut in, hoping this woman would disappear.

"I'll call you two for lunch."

Tsunade glared at her younger brother. What an ungrateful little traitor—he was already calling him Big Brother.

With that, she turned and left.