F4 Takes Tobirama as Their Teacher

"Torifu Akimichi! He's already decided to become my student. So, what will the rest of you choose?" Senju Tobirama raised his chin slightly, his expression calm as he surveyed the group and asked in an even voice.

In fact, for everyone except the Uchiha Clan, becoming Senju Tobirama's student would undoubtedly bring nothing but benefits.

The same principle would even apply to the Uchiha after Madara Uchiha left: Uchiha Clan members could go and ask Tobirama to take them as students, too...

For that reason, these few had no chance of refusing.

"Of course, if you agree, I'll personally visit each of your clans and discuss it properly with your elders," Tobirama added.

At his words, the F4 exchanged glances, their last reservations dispelled. Then they answered in unison, their voices ringing out: "We're willing!"

Faced with this scene, Tobirama had already expected as much, but he still couldn't hide his joy.

After all, these were all students he'd had his eye on and held in high regard for a long time. At last, he'd managed to take them on.

Though he had considerable political ambitions in mind when taking them as students, they were all exceptionally talented, too!

Besides, he'd never imagined that the clans behind these children would object...

Unless their elders had all gone mad and been kicked in the head by donkeys, why would they refuse?

At that moment, watching the group formally establish their teacher-student relationships, Qile could only stand there looking awkward. Compared to the lively atmosphere around him, he seemed utterly out of place.

Fortunately, Yeling was there with him.

But at that moment, he suddenly realized he'd made a serious mistake. He'd somehow followed the F4 here this afternoon, and it had been a terrible idea!

They were here to formally become students, while he'd foolishly tagged along behind them. What was he even hoping to get out of it?

Besides, even after the ceremony, Tobirama surely wouldn't start teaching them right away. So it wasn't as if he could secretly learn anything!

Hadn't he just gone and made trouble for himself for no reason this afternoon?

Just as Qile was filled with regret, Tobirama said briskly, "All right, that's enough for today. We'll meet here again tomorrow morning and begin training!"

He said nothing more, simply settling the matter of continuing their lessons here the next day.

As soon as he heard this, Qile's awkward expression vanished. It was as if a powerful surge of energy had filled him, and he immediately brightened up!

Where had his awkwardness and regret gone? Now that he had an official training time and place, his afternoon hadn't been wasted!

And he had to know, lessons here were a godsend for Qile!

That meant he could secretly learn their techniques openly and with every right to be there!

What's more, this wasn't some restricted area. Anyone could come and go as they pleased.

Tobirama said, "Torifu! Head back to your clan grounds from here. That'll count as completing the training you need to do today. All right, you're dismissed!" Before he'd even finished speaking, Tobirama flashed away and vanished without a trace.

"Wow! We actually became Lord Tobirama's students!" Koharu cried, her face alight with delight, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was just as thrilled. He darted forward, slung an arm around Homura and Danzo's shoulders, and shouted, "From now on, we can't call Lord Tobirama 'Lord' anymore. We have to call him 'Teacher'!"

"Exactly! We should call him Teacher Tobirama!" Danzo, who usually wore a stern expression and gave everyone the impression of being strict and stiff, was grinning from ear to ear. His normally unsmiling face was practically contorted with joy.

Torifu Akimichi, who'd already been about to turn and leave, couldn't help looking exasperated and speechless as he gazed at the others, who were practically bursting with excitement.

"Honestly, you really don't need to be this excited." Torifu Akimichi frowned slightly, wearing an expression that seemed to say, "Don't get your hopes up just yet."

Back when he'd first become Tobirama's student, he'd been just as happy and excited as they were.

But after just one day, that joy had completely disappeared, replaced by deep regret and misery!

Tobirama's training was simply beyond imagination. Every day, the workload was enormous, and he wouldn't stop until they were nearly too exhausted to move.

For Torifu Akimichi, who was naturally a bit lazy, training that intense was a nightmare. It was practically driving him insane.

And if they got too excited today and couldn't sleep well tonight, then tomorrow...

Tsk, tsk, tsk...

He didn't even want to think about it!

But even though he wanted to offer them a few words of advice, since they'd soon be fellow students, it was obvious the F4 wouldn't take anything in just then. Their excitement was at its peak. How could they possibly listen to anyone?

Seeing this, Torifu Akimichi could only sigh again. He still didn't know them well, and they weren't paying him any attention right now, so there was no need to stick around and annoy them. He gave Qile, who was still watching him, a light nod in greeting, then turned without hesitation and ran straight down the mountain.

Watching Torifu Akimichi run, his body jiggling with every stride, and hearing him sigh like that,

Qile was briefly bewildered. He couldn't tell whether Torifu was sighing because he had to run again, or because the F4 hadn't listened to him...

"Yeling, it's about time. I reckon Kagami should be getting out of school soon. We'd better go pick him up!" As he spoke, Qile glanced over at the F4 in the distance.

The four of them were still clinging to one another in excitement, already dreaming about the days to come...

Qile shook his head helplessly and gave a slight shrug. "Oh, forget it. They probably can't hear us if we say goodbye. Come on, Yeling. Kagami might be sad if he can't find us when he gets out!"