The Apprenticeship Ceremony

The Akimichi Clan was one of the great ninja clans, and Tsunade was a woman of considerable standing, so the proper formalities had to be observed when taking an apprentice.

Of course, Akimichi Choza's main purpose was to spread the news.

Tsunade looked at the generous apprenticeship gift money in Akimichi Choza's hands and was quite satisfied. She knew the Akimichi Clan had money to spare. Military Ration Pills and Konoha's livestock and meat production were monopolized by the Akimichi, so she didn't stand on ceremony with Akimichi Choza.

The gift money was enough to pay off her gambling debts and still leave her with some extra.

No, wait, pay off what? Why should I pay back money I borrowed through my own skill!

Denji was helping me achieve my ambitions. I'll repay him with ten thousand taels of gold!

I'll bet it all. I can turn this around!

I'm definitely going to win!

Akimichi Denji bowed respectfully. "I pay my respects to you, Master!"

"Rise, my good disciple."

Tsunade smiled at Denji and reached out to take the gift money from Akimichi Choza.

That brought the apprenticeship ceremony to an end.

The ceremony had been held in the heart of the Akimichi Clan's territory. Few people had attended, but they were all trusted members of the clan.

The Akimichi elders stood on either side. Seeing the scene, they nodded in approval, their faces full of smiles.

Any dissatisfaction they'd previously had with Denji vanished in an instant.

They understood the political significance of this.

As the Butterfly Clan of Ino-Shika-Cho, the Akimichi Clan had always been loyal to the Hokage's faction. Now that they had a teacher-disciple bond with Tsunade, the Akimichi Clan had gained a powerful ally.

At the outer edge of the gathering, a few stocky little boys whispered among themselves.

"I never thought that outsider would actually become Lady Tsunade's apprentice."

"I wonder what kind of dumb luck he had."

"What dumb luck? He was just born into a good family! Do you even know who his father is? Our clan head."

"Look at Lady Tsunade. She's obviously been given quite a few benefits."

"If only my dad were the clan head. If he'd put in some effort back then..."

"Some people are born in Rome."

"That's not entirely fair. He was in the Land of Rain before. I heard my dad say it's nothing like Konoha over there. He must have some skill to have escaped." Well-dressed Akimichi Wuming spoke up in rebuttal.

"That's exactly why he might be a spy!"

"Shh! Don't say that. This is someone else's apprenticeship ceremony."

"If he can do something like that, why shouldn't people talk about it?" The speaker made no effort to keep his voice down. Against the peaceful ceremony, his words sounded like a jarring noise intruding on music.

Akimichi Isshin looked on with disdain, his tone growing increasingly sarcastic as he glared at Akimichi Denji up ahead.

The people in front had noticed the disturbance behind them and turned to look.

Akimichi Choza's expression turned cold as he stared down at them.

One of the Akimichi elders hurriedly called out, "Silence!"

Everyone stopped speaking, and the gathering fell quiet.

But Akimichi Denji turned around, recognizing the speaker.

He grinned. "No need to be quiet."

Everyone was stunned, unsure what Akimichi Denji was planning.

"Do you have a problem with me?"

Akimichi Denji stepped forward, his grin growing bold and wild as he bared his sharp teeth.

Seeing everyone's attention on him, Akimichi Isshin wanted to back down. But he stiffened his neck and stared right back at Akimichi Denji.

He had a fleshy face, thick, powerful arms, and a pointed head. Fat and stout, he had the standard Akimichi build.

In his eyes, Akimichi Denji's scrawny appearance was proof that he had no real ability.

He'd only returned from the Land of Rain a month ago, like some stray dog. He'd only started at the Ninja Academy two days ago. What talent could possibly have caught Lady Tsunade's eye and made her take him on as an apprentice in front of everyone?

It was just that old fool Akimichi Choza, blinded by his affection for his son, had spent the clan's resources and money to buy Lady Tsunade's protection.

"I think I have better talent than you. I'd be a better apprentice to Lady Tsunade."

"Oh? Really?" Akimichi Denji's grin grew even brighter. "What gave you that delusion?"

"If you don't agree, let's have a match. If I lose, fine. But if I win, I take your place as Tsunade's apprentice. If I lose, you can do whatever you want with me." Akimichi Isshin stared at Akimichi Denji, openly challenging him.

The Akimichi elders' expressions changed. One of them spoke up to stop him. "Do not disrespect Lady Tsunade! She personally chose her apprentice. You have no right to change that. Stand down!"

Tsunade's expression turned cold as well.

Akimichi Denji's face grew impatient. Ever since he'd crossed over, there'd been rumors about him, and he'd put up with them because he hadn't had the strength to do anything about it.

Now that he had a cheat, if he still put up with this, what was the point of having one?

"Then let's have a match. No holding back, even if someone gets hurt. How about it?"

"Fine." Akimichi Isshin was already committed, so he agreed to anything.

Tsunade wanted to stop them, but when she saw the serious look on Akimichi Denji's profile, she held her tongue.

Even if he lost, she'd still take Akimichi Denji as her apprentice. Denji was the one who'd agreed, so what did it have to do with her?

With her there, Denji would be fine even if he got hurt.

She'd let him fool around for a while.

He had to admit, Akimichi Denji looked a little more like a boy at times like this.

He'd been far too calm until now, always weighed down by worries.

He wasn't cute at all. This was much better.

Tsunade wore a mysterious smile.

Akimichi Isshin glanced at Akimichi Denji's hands and spoke up. "We're Akimichi, so we'll settle this with Taijutsu."

He was worried Akimichi Denji specialized in Ninja Tool Throwing.

Akimichi Denji smiled and agreed.

Seeing that his scheme had worked, Akimichi Isshin couldn't hide his delight. His voice turned brisk. "Without Ninja Tool Throwing, how do you expect to stand a chance against me?"

"There's no need for that." Akimichi Denji strode forward, quickly closing the distance. "I just have to knock you down."

Akimichi Isshin took up a defensive stance from Akimichi Style Taijutsu.

Denji's attack was a little fast, but he could react in time.

His abdomen was exposed. As long as he blocked this punch, he could counter with a strike to Denji's open midsection. Then Denji would be finished, wouldn't he?

As expected of a rookie.

Akimichi Isshin was confident he'd win. He could already picture his victory, and a faint smile tugged at his lips.

Everyone saw Akimichi Denji close in, plant his feet, twist his hips, and throw a straight punch.

The punch cut through the air with a sharp crack.

Then Akimichi Isshin was sent flying. Clutching his arm, he let out a pained scream. "Ah!"

His face streaming with tears and snot, he cried out, "My arm's broken!"

Akimichi Denji looked down at Akimichi Isshin, his eyes full of regret and lingering excitement.

"What a shame. I thought I'd get to enjoy a proper fight."

Akimichi Choza sprang to his feet in shock, while Tsunade's eyes gleamed.

"Was that the Multi-Size Technique?" one of the Akimichi elders asked.

"No! It wasn't!" another elder immediately objected. "The Multi-Size Technique doesn't work like that."

"The effect was similar, but there was no windup. It could only be..." He turned his gaze toward Tsunade.

"I never imagined Lady Tsunade would teach Denji Strength of a Hundred. When did she do it?"

"Lady Tsunade only just returned to the village, so it could only have been in the last couple of days!"

"Impossible! That's Strength of a Hundred. Could anyone really learn it in two days?"

Tsunade smiled. Seeing her disciple show off made her feel like a mother basking in her child's success.

She offered no explanation, letting the elders speculate.

Look! This is my disciple! My disciple, Tsunade's!

As for Akimichi Isshin lying on the ground, no one cared about him. He was like a stray dog by the roadside.