What a Reversal

Watanabe's body instantly arched like a shrimp, and he was sent flying back seven or eight meters like a kite with a broken string.

[Heavy Hit Received: Blood Essence +35, Defense +23, Pain -15...]

"Awesome!"

Watanabe almost moaned. The harder Tsunade hit him, the more comfortable he felt. The Blood Essence surged within his body like a furnace, dyeing his skin inch by inch a deep red.

The crowd watching was in an uproar.

Tsunade's punch was definitely a heavy blow, sending someone flying seven or eight meters. This was unbelievable!

Jiraiya couldn't help but shiver. If he were beaten like this by Tsunade, he'd definitely be bedridden for several days.

"It's just a fight, why make it like a spar..." Jiraiya muttered.

"!"

Osaka Rukawa was startled. Worried that Watanabe would be broken, he rushed forward to help him up. However, before he could get close, Watanabe brushed off the dust and stood up on his own.

"Watanabe... are you okay?" Osaka Rukawa asked hesitantly.

"I'm fine."

Watanabe took a deep breath. Not only was he fine, but his body felt incredibly healthy and comfortable.

He had found a path to becoming stronger. If he followed this path, what was the point of going to school?

Anyway, the Ninja Academy only taught the basic Three Body Techniques, and the rest was just brainwashing about the Will of Fire. Advanced Ninjutsu was all held by the various clans. It was fine to skip school, especially since he didn't know where to get next year's tuition fees.

"Your skin is so red, and you're still saying you're fine?" Osaka Rukawa asked, astonished.

"This is a normal phenomenon, I'm really fine," Watanabe shook his head.

Once the idea of dropping out formed, he had no more reservations and said frankly, "Teacher, Tsunade and I haven't decided a winner yet. Please let us continue sparring."

If nothing unexpected happened, this would probably be his last battle in the Ninja Academy.

Osaka Rukawa: "..."

Continue sparring?

If this continues, I'm afraid you'll lose your life!

He looked at Watanabe and only saw determination and fearlessness on his face.

After hesitating for a moment, Osaka Rukawa no longer tried to persuade him and stepped aside, clearing a path for him.

Everyone has their own Ninja Way. Osaka Rukawa felt that Watanabe's Ninja Way was probably about never giving up.

There were not a few people like Watanabe. Osaka Rukawa clearly remembered that during his Chunin Exam, two female genin fought even more fiercely than Watanabe. Their clothes were torn off, and they were still fighting naked, but neither of them conceded.

Looking at Watanabe, who had returned to the fight, the anger in Tsunade's beautiful eyes turned into complexity.

After hitting Watanabe's lower abdomen just now, her first thought was to use Medical Ninjutsu to heal him. She never expected that Watanabe would actually endure it and still insist on not admitting defeat.

Do you really want to defeat me that badly?

Tsunade bit her lower lip and advised, "Watanabe, give up. You're far from my match right now."

She could go easy on him out of sympathy so he wouldn't lose too badly, but she would never intentionally lose to Watanabe.

Watanabe gave a wry smile.

He knew very well that he wasn't Tsunade's match, but the harder she hit him, the stronger he became. There were only two practical sparring sessions per year. This was such a good opportunity to get stronger, and he had no reason not to make the most of it.

"Tsunade, you don't have to go easy on me," Watanabe said calmly. "Although my strength is far inferior to yours, I am your opponent right now. Please go all out, so even if I lose, I can lose with dignity."

Tsunade: "???"

She was a little confused. In that instant, she understood many things.

So, Watanabe's persistence wasn't because he wanted to defeat her and show off. He saw that she was deliberately going easy on him, which was why he kept fighting back, using this method to express his protest.

Is this the so-called... pride of a man?

Looking at Watanabe, who was beaten red all over by her, Tsunade suddenly felt a strange emotion.

She used to pity Watanabe, but from this moment on, Watanabe had earned her respect.

A ninja with a strong heart was just as worthy of admiration as a ninja with strong strength.

"Okay."

Tsunade nodded, her pretty face showing a bit more seriousness. "I will respect you and go all out from now on!"

Watanabe smiled faintly. You better keep your word.

"Hiss!"

Among the onlookers, Jiraiya gasped.

"Watanabe's mouth is really tough!"

Jiraiya felt intimidated. He knew how terrifying Tsunade's strength was; she could truly beat someone to death. Watanabe was already in such a sorry state, yet he was still stubbornly demanding Tsunade go all out?

"I wish my second son was as tough-mouthed as Watanabe," Jiraiya sighed with emotion.

"Watanabe, keep it up!"

Suddenly, a shout rang out from the crowd.

A girl from the Moonlight Clan waved her small fists, cheering Watanabe on. "You can't beat Tsunade, but you're so brave! Even in defeat, you've won honor. Losing doesn't shame you!"

"Yeah, Watanabe, you're amazing! Keep it up!"

"I admire you. You lost gloriously this battle!"

"..."

As if triggering a chain reaction, the girls in the class began cheering for Watanabe.

They had never noticed before how tenacious Watanabe was. Though he was covered in dust and grime right now, in the girls' eyes, he was full of Manliness, like a hero.

Watanabe was stunned by their words.

What's going on?

I get beaten up, and suddenly I have fans?

He shook his head, dismissing the thought. Just as he was about to attack Tsunade again—

[Blessing Received: Confidence -2, Charm -2, Courage -3, Inferiority Complex +5...]

???

A string of question marks appeared above Watanabe's head.

Cause and effect reversal, it can reverse like this?

He suddenly felt very uneasy.

"Go, Watanabe!"

"After this battle, no matter the outcome, you won't be the dead last in class anymore."

"If you can take down Tsunade, from now on, I, Jiraiya, will be your subordinate!"

Even some of the boys started cheering for Watanabe, with Jiraiya being the loudest.

Watanabe: "..."

Don't cause trouble for me!

[Blessing Received: Confidence -4, Charm -4, Courage -5, Inferiority Complex +6...]

Watanabe felt increasingly uneasy. The constant weakening made a cold sweat trickle down his forehead.

Tsunade saw that Watanabe had also gained the recognition of his classmates, other than herself. She was a little happy for him. After glaring fiercely at the shouting Jiraiya, she turned to face Watanabe with a solemn expression.

She meant what she said.

Going all out was her respect for Watanabe.

Going easy on him would be pity for the weak.

"Hmph!"

Tsunade let out a sudden, sharp cry and stomped heavily on the ground.

"Bang."

The training ground shook, and dense, spiderweb-like cracks appeared on the ground.

The sounds of cheering for Watanabe around them instantly vanished, and the entire place fell silent.

Watanabe: "..."

╭(°A°`)╮

The cold sweat on his forehead became more intense.

If I take a hit from Tsunade, will the system not have time to reverse the cause and effect and just kick me to death?

"Come on, Watanabe, I'm ready. Let's fight head-on!"

Tsunade said seriously.