My Gluteus Maximus

Kawadera Uchiha and his squad arrived at a tent on the edge of the medical station.

Nawaki Senju lay inside the tent, and their squad was responsible for guarding him.

Kureya Inuzuka said, "Since the enemy was able to assassinate Young Clan Leader Nawaki once, they can do it a second time. We cannot afford to be lax."

"As the acting captain, I will set up a rotation. Everyone will take turns resting for three hours, and there must be at least two people guarding here at all times."

When Seigetsu Senju was away, the squad was under the command of Kureya Inuzuka.

Ken Aburame said, "Kureya, I support you in seizing power. Seigetsu is off being a medical ninja; a squad cannot be without a captain, and an acting captain doesn't count."

"Ken Aburame! I am ordering you to shut up in my capacity as captain!" Kureya Inuzuka said.

"You go rest first, then come back in three hours to relieve Kawadera. Kawadera will relieve me three hours after that, and so on in a cycle."

Just then, Seigetsu Senju walked over and said, "I am truly sorry, Kureya, but they still cannot do without you here."

Kureya Inuzuka replied, "The Inuzuka Clan and the Senju Clan have been on good terms for generations; this is what we ought to do!"

"Besides, we aren't just protecting a young master of the Senju Clan; we are protecting a top-tier powerhouse who may one day become a towering tree of Konoha!"

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Nawaki Senju would eventually become one of Konoha's top combatants.

Nawaki Senju had a dedicated guard squad, not because he was the young clan leader of the Senju, but because of his potential.

Ken Aburame pulled a notebook from his ninja tool pouch and scribbled away:

"When buttering someone up, use the 'towering tree' metaphor; it can make Seigetsu Senju beam with joy. Learned it, I've learned it again!"

Akamaru the ninja dog barked, jumped up, and bit Ken Aburame's notebook.

Seigetsu Senju smiled as she watched Ken Aburame chase after the ninja dog.

Kawadera Uchiha had thought Ken Aburame had a problem with him, but seeing that he had a problem with everyone and was equally snarky to all, he felt much better.

When Seigetsu Senju emerged from Nawaki's tent, she saw Kawadera Uchiha doing stationary training outside—one-fingered push-ups.

After 50 one-fingered push-ups, Kawadera Uchiha stopped, rubbing his aching fingers.

In the original story, Might Guy's training was always measured in the thousands. He didn't realize it until he tried, but the gap in their taijutsu talent was massive; he couldn't even manage a hundred.

Seigetsu Senju looked thoughtful as she watched Kawadera Uchiha massaging his fingers.

She had seen a medical technique in Tsunade's scrolls that could alleviate muscle soreness after excessive training.

After twenty days of training, aided by the memories and insights transmitted by Tobirama Senju, Kawadera Uchiha attempted to open the third gate, the Gate of Life.

Once the self-protection mechanism of the Gate of Life was bypassed, he refined a massive amount of chakra, his skin turning red and his veins bulging.

He hurriedly checked his status panel.

After this period of training, his base [Strength] value had risen from 3.9 to 4.1.

And after opening the third gate, the Gate of Life, each of his three taijutsu stats increased by 1.5!

[Body] went from 6.2 to 7.7, [Strength] from 4.1 to 5.6, and [Speed] from 6.8 to 8.3.

The forbidden technique Eight Inner Gates provided a violent boost to taijutsu.

Having opened the third gate, the Gate of Pain, he was effectively a taijutsu-specialized Special Jonin.

His improvement over twenty days was comparable to a year or two of grueling training for others.

A few minutes later, Kawadera Uchiha felt his entire body overloading and hurriedly ended the Eight Inner Gates.

He calculated in his mind that during normal combat, he would only open the first two gates; his skin wouldn't turn red, he would look normal, and the burden on his body would be relatively small.

Opening two gates still provided a solid boost, increasing each of his three taijutsu stats by 1.

That night, Seigetsu Senju returned to the squad tent and signaled for Kawadera Uchiha to follow her.

Arriving at an empty tent in the medical station, Seigetsu Senju said:

"Teacher Tsunade says my talent for medical ninjutsu is very high. I have already learned the basics of how to use medical chakra to relieve muscle damage."

"Lie down, Kawadera. I know you've been training your taijutsu desperately lately; I can help you with recovery and relaxation."

Kawadera Uchiha was skeptical: "Are you truly confident, or do you just think I'm durable enough to be your test subject?"

A few minutes later, Kawadera Uchiha stopped speaking.

Seigetsu Senju's medical chakra wandered through Kawadera Uchiha's muscles, making him feel so comfortable he nearly groaned.

He had heard that "the poor study literature while the rich study martial arts"—to improve one's physique, nutrition and medical care were essential, otherwise, hidden injuries would accumulate.

Getting on good terms with Seigetsu Senju... no, according to the local parlance, after establishing a bond with Seigetsu Senju, he could also enjoy the Senju Clan's medical ninjutsu.

"Hm? Wait... wait! Do you have to massage the gluteus maximus too?"

His glutes tightened, but Seigetsu Senju's soft hands were already pressed firmly onto his gluteus maximus.

"I see you like doing squats, so of course I have to massage the gluteus maximus. I'm not saying anything, so what are you being so coy about?"

After massaging for a few minutes, Seigetsu Senju remarked, "You have to admit, training them really makes them firm."

"If I train them and then you use medical ninjutsu to repair them, will they get even firmer?"

"Of course."

"Then I have a bold idea!"

Kawadera Uchiha turned around to face Seigetsu Senju.

Seigetsu Senju's face flushed red as she punched Kawadera Uchiha in the thigh.

"Pervert! Your thoughts aren't bold; you're just a pervert!"

After dealing with Kawadera, Seigetsu Senju suddenly said:

"Kawadera, did you know that Shiro Uchiha, a jonin from your Uchiha Clan, has been missing for three full weeks and has been declared KIA by the command headquarters?"

Kawadera Uchiha was stunned upon hearing this; he had been worried that Shiro Uchiha would see through his lies and come looking for trouble.

"I had no idea. I only met Senior Shiro a few times. I never expected an experienced jonin like him to be killed in action."

Seigetsu Senju thought of her father and murmured, "On this battlefield, who has the right to say they won't die?"

Ten days later, Tsunade left Nawaki Senju's tent looking exhausted and spoke to the members of the escort squad:

"After a month of bed rest, Nawaki is recovering quite well.

Keeping him on the front lines only consumes resources, and we are short-handed here. I am entrusting your squad and two medical ninjas from the Senju Clan to escort Nawaki back to the village."

Seigetsu Senju had only been studying medical ninjutsu for a month and was still at the stage of using Kawadera Uchiha for practice, so she needed experienced medical ninjas to assist with the escort.

After leaving the main camp, Kawadera Uchiha frowned slightly.

He had saved Nawaki Senju, but Tsunade's sense of duty was too strong; she had only sent Seigetsu Senju's small squad for protection.

He didn't know how determined those who wanted Nawaki Senju dead truly were.

He had no idea what would happen now that Nawaki Senju had survived.

The plot would change drastically because of Nawaki Senju. It wasn't just him; Tsunade wouldn't develop hemophobia, and Orochimaru wouldn't turn dark for the time being—these were all variables.

Paralyzed from the waist down, Nawaki Senju was carried by two medical ninjas as they slowly made their way toward the Naka River.

Once they reached the Naka River and boarded a boat, they could travel downstream, which would be much faster.

The journey back to Konoha would take at least two to three weeks.

Kawadera Uchiha remained tense throughout the entire trip.

After traveling for over a week, the team finally arrived at the Naka River.

Another squad sent by Tsunade was waiting there, having prepared a boat docked at the shore.

Seeing the other Konoha squad, Kawadera Uchiha felt a slight sense of relief.

At least with two squads on the water route, it should be...

The two medical ninjas were carrying Nawaki Senju across the boarding plank.

An explosion erupted suddenly!

There were Explosive Tags beneath the boarding plank!

Was Nawaki Senju truly fated to be blown to death?