At the Medical Team's private training ground.
A figure darted between a series of movable wooden posts, undergoing grueling, monotonous Taijutsu practice.
These specially made posts had movable bases at the bottom, retractable mechanisms in their upper halves, and launchers that could fire Kunai. Sparring against them was dangerous; the slightest lapse in attention could leave you hit and injured.
But no matter how the posts attacked, the figure weaving among them managed to dodge with precision, even if somewhat clumsily.
Before long, Shizune arrived at the training ground and switched off the posts.
Then she brought a towel and a drink onto the field. "Yakumo, you've done enough sparring practice for today. Take a break!"
There was no doubt.
The one practicing Taijutsu at the training ground was none other than Yakumo.
After taking Yakumo on as her apprentice, Tsunade had initially planned to teach her the fundamentals of Medical Ninjutsu first.
But Yakumo's encounters with others had exposed her weakness in Taijutsu.
On top of that, Orochimaru and the Akatsuki Organization had set their sights on Yakumo, making Tsunade wary. So she abandoned her plan to prioritize teaching Yakumo Medical Ninjutsu and instead arranged Taijutsu training to improve her combat abilities.
After wiping away her sweat, Yakumo asked Shizune, "Shizune-senpai, where did you go just now?"
"Take a guess!"
Shizune playfully raised an eyebrow.
Yakumo shook her head. "I can't guess."
Shizune smiled. "I went to gather intel for you! You've heard, right? The academy's prodigies have joined forces to take you on this time!"
"I don't care!"
Yakumo deliberately put on an unconcerned air, but her wandering gaze gave away how she really felt.
Clearly, she cared a great deal.
Defeating all the talented students in her year and making a name for herself at the academy