The Ceremony of Apprenticeship

The Akimichi clan is a major ninja clan, and Tsunade holds an extraordinary status, so the proper etiquette for taking on a master had to be observed.

Of course, Akimichi Choza's primary goal was to spread the news.

Tsunade looked at the generous apprenticeship gift in Akimichi Choza's hands and was quite satisfied. She knew the Akimichi clan was not short on money; they held a monopoly on Military Ration Pills and the livestock meat production in Konoha, so she did not stand on ceremony with Akimichi Choza.

This gift was enough to pay off her gambling debts and still leave a surplus.

No, wait, pay what? Why should I pay back money I borrowed with my own ability!

Denji helped me realize my lofty ambitions, and I shall return Denji ten thousand gold!

If I bet it all, I can make a comeback!

I will definitely win!

Akimichi Denji bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Master!"

"Rise. Good disciple."

Tsunade looked at Denji with a smile, reached out, and took the gift from Akimichi Choza's hands.

With that, the apprenticeship ceremony was concluded.

The ceremony was held in the heart of the Akimichi clan's territory. Not many people came, but those who did were all core members of the clan.

The elders of the Akimichi clan stood on both sides, nodding in approval as they watched, their faces wreathed in smiles.

Even if they had harbored any dissatisfaction toward Denji before, it all vanished into thin air at this moment.

It was not as if they were unaware of the political implications of this matter.

As the Butterfly clan within the Ino-Shika-Cho, the Akimichi clan had always been loyal to the Hokage faction. Now, having established a master-disciple relationship with Tsunade, it was like adding wings to a tiger for the clan.

On the outer perimeter, a few sturdy little chubby boys whispered to each other.

"I never expected that outsider to actually become Lady Tsunade's disciple."

"Who knows what kind of dog-shit luck he had."

"It's not luck, he was just born well! Don't you see who his father is? Our clan head."

"Looking at Lady Tsunade's expression, it's obvious he bribed her with plenty of benefits."

"If only my dad were the clan head, if he had just worked a little harder back then..."

"Some people are born in Rome."

"You can't really say that. After all, he was in the Land of Rain before. I heard from my father that it's not like Konoha over there; he must have some real ability to have escaped." Akimichi Wuming, dressed in proper attire, spoke up in rebuttal.

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

"Shh! Stop talking. After all, it's someone else's ceremony."

"If he can do it, why can't people talk about it?" The speaker made no effort to hide his voice, which sounded like jarring noise amidst the calm and harmonious ceremony.

Akimichi Isshin wore a look of disdain, his tone growing increasingly sarcastic as he cast a contemptuous glance at Akimichi Denji ahead.

The crowd in front had already noticed the commotion behind them and turned their gazes toward it.

Akimichi Choza's face darkened as he stared down at the scene.

An elder of the Akimichi clan hurriedly spoke up: "Silence!"

Everyone quieted down, and the place fell into a deathly hush.

But Akimichi Denji tilted his body, his eyes locking onto the person who had spoken.

He grinned and said: "No need for silence."

The crowd was stunned, unsure of what Akimichi Denji intended to do.

"Do you have a problem with me?"

Akimichi Denji then stepped forward, a wild, unrestrained smile spreading across his face, revealing his sharp teeth.

Seeing the eyes of the crowd upon him, Akimichi Isshin felt a moment of hesitation, but he stiffened his neck and glared fixedly at Akimichi Denji.

He was thick-fleshed, his arms were sturdy and powerful, his head was pointed, and he was plump—the standard build of an Akimichi clansman.

In his eyes, Akimichi Denji's scrawny, bone-thin appearance meant he had no real skills at all.

He had returned from the Land of Rain like a stray dog only a month ago and had only entered the Ninja Academy two days ago. What talent could he possibly have that would make Lady Tsunade take notice and publicly accept him as a disciple?

It was nothing more than Akimichi Choza, that old fool blinded by his desire to protect his cub, wasting the clan's resources to beg for Lady Tsunade's protection.

"I think my talent is better than yours. It would be better if I were Lady Tsunade's disciple instead."

"Oh? Is that so?" The smile on Akimichi Denji's face grew even brighter. "What makes you hallucinate such things?"

"If you aren't convinced, let's have a duel. If I lose, so be it, but if I win, I replace you as Tsunade's disciple. If you lose, I can do whatever I want with you." Akimichi Isshin stared at Akimichi Denji, provoking him.

The Akimichi elders' expressions changed, and they stepped in to stop it: "Do not be disrespectful to Lady Tsunade! Her decision to take a disciple is final; how can you dare to challenge it? Step down at once!"

Tsunade's expression also turned cold.

Akimichi Denji's patience was wearing thin. Ever since he transmigrated, there had been rumors. He had endured before because he lacked the strength.

Now that he had a cheat, why should he keep enduring? Wouldn't that be a waste of his power?

"Then let us have a spar, injuries notwithstanding. How about it?"

"Very well." Akimichi Isshin was already riding the tiger and could not get off; he agreed to everything.

Tsunade wanted to intervene, but seeing the serious expression on Akimichi Denji's profile, she held her tongue.

Besides, if he lost, she would still take Akimichi Denji as her disciple; Denji was the one who agreed to this, so what did it have to do with her?

With her here, it wouldn't matter if Denji got hurt.

She would just let him mess around for a while.

It had to be said, only at times like this did Akimichi Denji look a bit like a youth.

Before, he had been far too calm, always burdened by heavy thoughts.

Not cute in the slightest. This was much better.

A mysterious smile appeared on Tsunade's face.

Akimichi Isshin looked at Akimichi Denji's hands and spoke: "We are of the Akimichi Clan, so let us spar using taijutsu."

He was worried that Akimichi Denji specialized in Ninja Tool Throwing.

Akimichi Denji smiled and agreed.

Seeing his scheme succeed, Akimichi Isshin could not hide the joy in his eyes, his voice hurried: "Without Ninja Tool Throwing, how will you contend with me?"

"There is no need for that." Akimichi Denji stepped forward, closing the distance rapidly, "I'll just knock you flat, won't I?"

Akimichi Isshin assumed a defensive stance for Akimichi Style Taijutsu.

Watching Denji's attack, the speed was a bit fast, but he could react to it.

His abdomen was wide open; as long as he blocked this punch and countered with a strike to his opponent's exposed midsection, wouldn't he be finished?

He really was a rookie.

Akimichi Isshin was full of confidence, already seeing the future of his victory, and a smirk curled onto his face.

The crowd only saw Akimichi Denji close in, plant his feet, twist his hips, and deliver a straight punch.

The force of the fist tore through the air, creating a sonic boom.

A moment later, Akimichi Isshin flew backward, clutching his arm and screaming in agony: "Ah!"

Snot and tears streaming down his face, he wailed: "My arm is broken!"

Akimichi Denji looked at the fallen Akimichi Isshin, his eyes filled with regret and a sense of unfulfilled desire.

"What a pity, I thought I would be able to enjoy a good fight."

Akimichi Choza stood up in shock, and Tsunade's eyes gleamed with brilliance.

"Is that the Multi-Size Technique?" an elder of the Akimichi Clan asked.

"No! It is not!" another elder immediately retorted, "The Multi-Size Technique is not like that."

"The effect is similar, but there was no wind-up; this can only be..." He shifted his gaze toward Tsunade.

"I never expected Lady Tsunade to have taught Denji the Strength of a Hundred. When did this happen?"

"Didn't Lady Tsunade just return to the village? It could only have been these past two days!"

"Impossible! That is the Strength of a Hundred; could anyone learn that in two days?"

A smile appeared on Tsunade's face; seeing her disciple show off, she felt a sense of reflected glory.

She did not explain, letting the elders continue their speculation.

Look at that! This is my disciple! The disciple of Tsunade!

As for the fallen Akimichi Isshin, no one cared; he was like a stray dog by the side of the road.