Help, Surveillance, and Vacation Plans (Please Bookmark, Follow, and Vote)

Hatake Residence.

When Kakashi returned home and saw his father taking off his apron, he silently marveled at how perfectly his father had timed it.

Then, when he looked at the table full of dishes, a tick mark appeared on his forehead. The White Fang of Konoha's cooking could only be called edible; it had absolutely nothing to do with being delicious. That made the meal Taiichi had mentioned before they parted seem all the more precious.

The two did not say much and quickly finished their dinners. Just as Sakumo was about to clear the table—

"Father!"

"Hm?" Sakumo looked at Kakashi.

"Today..."

He then explained to Sakumo how Taiichi had discovered that he was learning swordsmanship, and how Taiichi had asked him to teach him swordsmanship.

"You're saying he realized you were learning swordsmanship just from the way you used a kunai?"

"Yes." Noticing that his father seemed focused on the wrong point, Kakashi asked again, "Is it okay?"

Hatake Sakumo looked at Kakashi and pondered for a while. "Wait here."

With that, he turned and went into the house. Before long, he returned and handed Kakashi a scroll. Written on it were the words: Hatake Style Basic Swordsmanship.

"Th-This is okay?" The contents of this scroll were no ordinary basic swordsmanship. Sakumo's entire achievement in swordsmanship had been built upon the foundation laid by this scroll. It could be called the foundation of the Hatake clan.

"It is only a book of basic swordsmanship in the end. Whether someone succeeds or not still depends on the person. Talent is the true foundation!" Sakumo said earnestly.

"Mm! I understand." Kakashi nodded solemnly.

Meanwhile, at the Root Base.

"Lord Danzo, this is the latest intelligence on Taichi Matsushita, whom you previously ordered us to monitor."

Danzo took the documents and began reading. Seeing that Taiichi had taken first place in the latest assessment and tied for first in practical combat, even he could not help being surprised. His improvement was far too fast.

"Additionally, we found traces of Fire Style and Wind Style in the woods where he trained after school. Based on the people present at the time, we have preliminarily confirmed that they were both used by Taichi Matsushita. However, he has never used them at the Ninja Academy."

"Oh? At such a young age, he has already mastered ninjutsu of two attributes. What a pity. He has no Kekkei Genkai, nor is he a secret technique ninja." Danzo secretly lamented.

"Continue monitoring him."

"Yes!"

After the Root ninja withdrew, Danzo looked again at the documents in his hand. The more he read, the more he felt that Taichi Matsushita was suited for Root. Especially that self-disciplined attitude. His bloodline was simply too ordinary, though, and that left Danzo conflicted and hesitant. After all, the Ninja Academy was directly under the Hokage's control. If he wanted someone from there, he would certainly have to get past Hiruzen Sarutobi. After pondering for a long while, he muttered, "It seems I'll have to make the trip myself."

After returning home, Taiichi happily cooked dinner. If Kakashi could get permission on his end, then the problem Taiichi had just encountered could be solved. He would no longer have to worry about where to learn swordsmanship.

Besides, Kakashi's swordsmanship came from the White Fang. Regardless of how well Kakashi had learned it so far, the overall framework could not be wrong. It would definitely be fine for building a foundation.

Now that he had a way to learn, he needed to buy a sword tomorrow. I don't even have a sword that fits my hand yet. His thoughts drifted farther and farther away.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" Taiichi turned off the heat, set down his cooking utensils, and walked toward the door.

"It's me! Open up."

The moment he heard that voice, Taiichi knew Tsunade had come to mooch a meal.

He opened the door. "Sister Tsunade, did you come to see me for something?"

"What, I can't come see you unless I need something? You little brat, you're not cute at all!" Without waiting for the door to open fully, she strode straight inside.

Taiichi smiled and closed the door before following her back in. "Of course you can. If Sister Tsunade wants to come, I couldn't welcome you more. I was just cooking, so if you haven't eaten, stay and eat with me!"

"Haha, how could I possibly accept that? But since you've put it that way, I won't stand on ceremony!" With that, she sat down beside the dining table.

"Then wait a moment, Sister Tsunade. I just need to finish up." Taiichi spoke as he headed for the kitchen.

Listening to the sounds coming from the kitchen, Tsunade made herself right at home. After all, the first time was unfamiliar, the second time was easier, and by the third or fourth time, it felt just like home.

See? Tsunade took a flask of alcohol from her clothes, found a cup with practiced ease, and began pouring herself drinks.

More than ten minutes later, Taiichi brought the dishes to the table. He was not surprised at all by Tsunade's demeanor. Once all the dishes were served, the two began eating.

They chatted casually throughout the meal, with Tsunade mostly asking questions and Taiichi answering them. Taiichi also took the opportunity to ask about some training matters. With such an expert sitting right here, wouldn't it be a waste of resources not to ask?

"By the way, Sister Tsunade, there's something I'd like to ask your help with."

"What is it? You rarely ask me for help."

"It's like this. School is about to go on break, right? I want to help out at the hospital during that time and see if I can learn something along the way." Taiichi spoke somewhat embarrassedly.

"Oh? You want to help out? Then how good is your Medical Ninjutsu?" Tsunade could not help being curious. She knew Taiichi had studied Medical Ninjutsu with Nonō, but she did not know his exact level.

"I know the Healing Technique, and I'm pretty good at it. You can test me if you want."

"Fine, listen..." Tsunade did not waste any words and immediately asked several questions about medical basics. Seeing Taiichi answer fluently, she raised the difficulty, mixing in a few practical questions as well. This time, Taiichi's answers became rather halting.

Tsunade now understood Taiichi's level. His foundational knowledge was decent, but he lacked practical experience.

Then, chakra gathered at the fingertips of Tsunade's right hand, glowing green. She swept them across her left forearm, and a ten-centimeter-long wound appeared. Taiichi's eyelids twitched at the sight. That was way too ruthless.

"Hurry up and heal it. If you're any slower, the wound will close on its own," Tsunade urged.

"Oh, right, right." Taiichi formed hand seals and used the Healing Technique, pressing his hand over Tsunade's wound.

Wrapped in a faint green glow, the wound healed at a speed visible to the naked eye. Before long, it vanished completely.

Tsunade raised her arm and examined it carefully, then touched it with her hand. Finding it completely restored, she could not help sighing. "Your Healing Technique really is quite good."

"Then, Sister Tsunade, do you think I can help out at the hospital?" Taiichi asked directly.

"Sure. I'll put in a word with the hospital when the time comes. Just go directly to the director when you get there."

"Okay, thank you, Sister Tsunade!"

"What are you being polite for? Just make more tasty food for me from now on." Tsunade did not stand on ceremony.

"Definitely. Even without this, you're welcome to come anytime."

"You really know how to talk. All right, I'm leaving after this meal. I won't interrupt your training." With that, Tsunade got up and headed for the door. Taiichi rose to see her off as well.

After seeing Tsunade off, Taiichi returned inside to clean up the dishes, then headed out and ran toward his training spot.

While his chakra was still plentiful, he needed to practice more ninjutsu by the river and earn more experience points. That was the right thing to do.

After using up most of the chakra in his body, he practiced Basic Taijutsu and Basic Meditation as well, finally completing the day's tasks. This was Taiichi's daily routine. After all, great strength was built through relentless effort every day.

Without accumulating small steps, one could not travel a thousand miles; without gathering small streams, one could not form rivers and seas.