Tsunade (Maiden)

Surprise flashed across Tsunade's eyes, but she didn't hesitate.

She easily caught the wrists of two Shadow Clones and kicked the last one.

"Bang!"

Shadow Clones could withstand a certain amount of punishment, but that meant nothing to Tsunade. Akiyama Shun's clones shattered at the slightest touch!

After kicking the clone apart, she had room to move. Holding the other two clones, Tsunade slammed them into the ground at the same time, easily dealing with the improved version of Dance of the Crescent Moon.

"Not bad, kid. I didn't expect you to have already learned swordsmanship. The rumors really were true!"

As Tsunade spoke, undisguised admiration showed in her eyes.

Her only response was a massive Great Dragon Fire Technique.

Facing the attack, Tsunade simply punched again. The enormous fire dragon struck her fist, and the instant the flames swallowed her, a wave of scorching air erupted!

Ninjas were indeed fragile, but that was only under specific conditions. At the very least, both sides had to be at the same level, and the attack had to be capable of breaking through their defenses.

The gap between Akiyama Shun and Tsunade was even greater than the gap between him and an ordinary person. The Great Dragon Fire Technique did no damage at all.

Shun didn't mind. While Tsunade was dealing with the Great Dragon Fire Technique, he had already prepared his next attack.

A dense crackle of electricity came from Akiyama Shun's hand.

Chidori!

This time, Akiyama Shun wouldn't deliberately aim wide. While Tsunade had her back to him as she dealt with the Great Dragon Fire Technique, he charged straight at her with Chidori!

Tsunade was still surrounded by scorching flames, but she had already spotted Shun charging toward her from the corner of her eye.

Just before Shun's attack landed, the scene before him flickered. When he could see clearly again, Tsunade had vanished from his sight.

Then Shun felt himself flying through the air.

Tsunade had appeared at his side and lifted him up!

"Very good. I've seen what you can do. We don't need to keep fighting."

When she finished speaking, Tsunade tossed Akiyama Shun onto the ground.

Shun lay there, panting heavily as he recalled the fight.

Just as he'd expected, the gap between them was absurdly huge. He had given it everything he had, but against a monster like Tsunade, it was all useless.

"You did well at judging the timing of your attacks, chaining your ninjutsu together, and combining it with Taijutsu. Especially the way you thought to combine Dance of the Crescent Moon with the White Fang Sword Technique. That shows you have a knack for creating Taijutsu, too."

Tsunade's expression was serious. The last time Akiyama Shun had seen her look like that was when he'd helped out at the hospital.

"And what was that Lightning Release just now? A ninjutsu you created yourself? Very impressive. It has tremendous offensive power. Have you thought of a name for it?"

Tsunade recalled that the Third Hokage had specifically mentioned that Akiyama Shun had created a ninjutsu, though he hadn't told her what it was.

She hadn't thought much of it at the time. But seeing it today, she hadn't expected it to have already reached the level of an A-rank technique!

"Chidori. It sounds like the cries of a thousand birds when you use it, so I gave it that name."

As he answered, Akiyama Shun pushed himself up into a sitting position.

"Not bad, kid. The rumors were right. Looks like teaching you will be easy, too."

Tsunade returned to her usual expression, smiling as she patted Akiyama Shun on the back. Then she reached down and pulled him to his feet.

"Rest for a bit. Then I'll take you to accept a mission."

Shun nodded and asked, "I heard Genin usually get D-rank missions when they first start out. Things like finding cats and dogs or looking after children. Do I have to do those, too?"

Tsunade waved a hand. "Those missions are meant to build a Genin's basic ability to carry out orders and help them get used to working on missions. With your abilities, doing that kind of work would be nothing but a waste of time."

Akiyama Shun breathed a sigh of relief. He'd already been planning to use Shadow Clone Technique to skip out if he had to do that kind of work. Looks like he wouldn't need to after all.

"Once you're rested, come with me. I'll take you to accept a mission."

"Okay, Lady Tsunade."

Under Tsunade's guidance, Akiyama Shun soon arrived at the Mission Assignment Hall.

Newly graduated Genin were supposed to take D-rank missions, but the rule stopped applying the moment Tsunade arrived.

Akiyama Shun's first mission was a common C-rank assignment: travel to the eastern part of the Land of Fire and clear out a group of bandits.

In this world, which was constantly torn by war, bandits were everywhere. They might as well have appeared in a fresh wave every so often.

After accepting the mission, they didn't waste any time. With plenty of daylight left, they bought some food for the road and set out.

After they left the village, Tsunade kept an eye on Akiyama Shun's expression.

Many Genin looked excited the first time they left the village.

But Akiyama Shun was different. He looked around, but not with the same curiosity as everyone else.

He was observing and memorizing the surrounding terrain.

Watching him, Tsunade nodded to herself.

As expected, the brat was a natural-born ninja!

As night approached, the two found a hot spring inn nearby.

Akiyama Shun stood at the entrance, silent.

"..."

"What's wrong, brat? Never stayed at an inn before? Worried you won't like it?"

Akiyama Shun shook his head.

"Lady Tsunade, with so many inns around, why did we have to pick the one closest to a casino?"

"What do you know, brat? You sleep best in places like this."

Tsunade grabbed Akiyama Shun and dragged him inside.

Night fell.

Tsunade had already fallen asleep, reeking of alcohol. Akiyama Shun was still wide awake, and he was feeling a little excited.

Because the next month had just begun!

It was time to collect his monthly allowance again!

Akiyama Shun looked at the transparent panel before him.

[Gold: 2150]

[Divine Weapon]

[Kusanagi Sword Fragment X1 (2/100)]

[Secret Technique Scroll]

[Fire Style: Ghost Lantern Dragon Fragment X1 (2/5)]

[A-rank Ninja]

[Haruno Sakura (Byakugou) Fragment X4 (4/40)]

[B-rank Ninja]

[Kimimaro Fragment X4 (12/40)]

[C-rank Ninja]

[Tsunade (Girl) Fragment X2 (10/10)]

[...]

Pretty good luck. He'd gotten another Kusanagi Sword fragment.

It was a shame he hadn't gotten Haku among the B-rank ninjas. Looks like it would still be a while before he got his first Kekkei Genkai.

As for the C-rank ninja, that was an excellent result.

Little Tsunade!

In the Naruto mobile game, little Tsunade was a pure Taijutsu ninja. She only displayed one ninjutsu.

It was also Tsunade's famous technique!

Strength of a Hundred!