Meeting the Parents

Tsunade wasn't worried at all that her Sky-Striking Kick would injure Watanabe. After all, Watanabe had proven how tough he was with a month's worth of beatings.

As expected, a moment later, a figure dusted himself off and emerged from the cloud of dust.

"Tsunade, again!"

Watanabe's eyes gleamed, eager to continue.

Tsunade's expression shifted a couple of times before she suddenly pouted and found a large rock to sit on.

"No more. You've worn me out for so long, my back is sore."

Watanabe asked in confusion, "You're tired already?"

You're not that good.

Tsunade: "..."

"Do you think everyone is like you and doesn't get tired?" she couldn't help but roll her eyes.

She had to admit, Watanabe's Physique was truly monstrous, his stamina astonishingly high, like a human Tailed Beast. Not only was he durable, but ever since she started training with him a month ago, Tsunade hadn't seen him show any fatigue.

No matter how she attacked him, he always bounced back full of energy, with no lasting injuries. His self-healing ability was comparable to hers when she activated the Hundred Healings Jutsu. Tsunade had even suspected Watanabe had awakened some sort of Kekkei Genkai.

"Alright, let's rest then. You worked hard today."

Seeing that Tsunade was indeed quite exhausted, Watanabe didn't push her. He took out a bag of cherry tomatoes he had prepared earlier for her to enjoy.

Watanabe was quite considerate. To thank Tsunade for sparring with him, he would prepare a small gift for her before each session. Sometimes it was fruit, sometimes bread, sometimes milk tea, so she wouldn't be bored during her breaks.

Tsunade popped cherry tomatoes into her mouth one after another, juice splattering, sweet and delicious.

"Give me a shoulder massage."

She commanded.

"Okay."

Watanabe readily agreed, moving behind Tsunade. He pushed aside her two blonde ponytails and placed his hands on her shoulders to massage them.

Tsunade's body was soft and plump, giving her shoulders a nice feel. Actually, Watanabe had always wanted to massage her chest, but he didn't dare to say it.

"Is this strength enough?"

"A little stronger."

Watanabe secretly applied more force, as if trying to knead his palms into Tsunade's shoulders.

Feeling the gentle pressure from behind her, Tsunade glanced at him sideways and said, "Watanabe, although your Physique is good and you're very durable, your strength and reaction speed are lacking."

"If you were on the battlefield, with your current abilities, you'd only be a punching bag. Against an enemy who truly masters Taijutsu, you wouldn't be able to do anything."

Watanabe understood Tsunade was right. Although his Blood Essence and Defense had greatly improved over the past month with Tsunade's help, his strength and speed simply wouldn't increase.

He was quite worried about this himself. What good was a punching bag that could only take hits? A true tank could both endure and attack.

"Tsunade, do you know any Taijutsu that causes damage to the body during training?"

Tsunade found it amusing. "How could there be such Taijutsu? Taijutsu always makes the body stronger the more you train."

"Is that so..."

Watanabe was a little disappointed.

"Don't be impatient. A powerful ninja must be proficient in Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Illusion Techniques. You have no problem with Ninjutsu, and for Illusion Techniques, you just need to know how to break them. Your only weakness right now is Taijutsu," Tsunade comforted him, picking up a cherry tomato and offering it behind her.

Watanabe absentmindedly opened his mouth, sucking in Tsunade's tender finger along with the tomato, and licked it.

"..."

Tsunade's cheeks instantly turned as red as a cherry tomato, and she quickly pulled her finger out.

Looking at the saliva on her fingertip, Tsunade pretended not to notice, didn't wipe it off, and picked up another cherry tomato to put into her own mouth.

Eating it like this, the taste seemed even sweeter...

"I'll spar with you more often from now on. Gradually, your Taijutsu will improve, and this weakness will eventually be overcome," Tsunade said.

Watanabe felt a bitter ache inside. He knew very well that sparring with Tsunade would only improve his Blood Essence and Defense. To increase his strength and speed, he needed to find another way.

He could only take it one step at a time.

Actually, Watanabe wasn't in a huge hurry to become stronger right now. The ninja world was still at peace, with no wars breaking out, so he didn't feel any immediate danger.

Soon, Tsunade finished the bag of cherry tomatoes and stood up, clapping her hands.

"That's all for today. I'm going home."

"Aren't you coming to my place for dinner tonight?" Watanabe invited her.

Tsunade suddenly glared at him. "You cook so much delicious food every day, you're making me fat!"

Are you starting to care about your weight?

Watanabe smiled. "No, you look great just the way you are."

Tsunade was pleased with his honest words, let out a soft hum, and waved her hand. "I need to get back early tonight."

"Tomorrow night... come to my place tomorrow night."

"To your house? What for?" Watanabe asked curiously.

Although he and Tsunade had become very good friends, he had only been to her house once when he first asked Mito for help. Normally, if there was nothing going on, Tsunade wouldn't invite him over.

"Tomorrow night is my birthday, and my grandmother is hosting a banquet. Come if you want, or don't," Tsunade said indifferently, her gaze unintentionally lingering on Watanabe's face.

"So it's your birthday." Watanabe suddenly realized.

"I didn't know your birthday was tomorrow. Don't worry, I'll definitely be there!"

Watanabe made his promise. It was perfectly normal to invite friends and family to a birthday banquet. As Tsunade's only male best friend, he had no reason not to show up for her.

"Okay, then it's settled."

Tsunade received the expected answer, and her heart felt warm, sweeter than the cherry tomatoes she had just eaten.

Mito had wanted to invite Watanabe to their home again, but Tsunade had been intentionally evasive. She couldn't keep putting it off forever, so Tsunade decided to take this opportunity to formally introduce Watanabe to her family. This meeting was therefore of great significance to her.

"Tsunade's birthday, what would be a good gift for her?"

On the way back, Watanabe pondered this question.

He couldn't afford anything too expensive, but he felt too embarrassed to give anything too cheap.

"Why don't I make Tsunade a birthday cake myself?"

Watanabe had an idea. A gift is about the thought behind it, and he just needed to convey his thoughts to Tsunade.

The next day was a day off, and the Ninja Academy was closed. Watanabe went to the market early to buy a large quantity of ingredients for making the cake, then went home to start working.

Considering that Tsunade might invite other classmates, Watanabe decided to make a jumbo-sized birthday cake. Besides being durable, his other skill was cooking.

It took him a full day, from early morning until evening, for Watanabe to finally finish making the cake.

This cake was fully qualified to be called a jumbo. It had three layers inside and out, weighing over forty pounds. Just the raw materials cost Watanabe a thousand Ryo. Watanabe felt that if he were to sell it, he could at least double the price.

After packaging the "jumbo" in a gift box, Watanabe carefully carried it to the Senju Clan Compound.