Konoha's Number One Freeloader

The first phase of training had come to an end, and Ye Ning finally had some time to rest.

Looking back on the month that had just passed, his life had been nothing short of hellish.

His days had been packed with all kinds of lessons, leaving him no free time at all. He certainly hadn't had a chance to lie comfortably in the courtyard and bask in the sun like he was today.

Still, the results of this hellish training had been remarkable.

He had made obvious progress in genjutsu, taijutsu, and developing his Kekkei Genkai.

"Hey, I have to ask—are you trying to get a head start on retirement?"

Tsunade sat down beside Ye Ning and rubbed her messy hair, which she hadn't had a chance to fix after waking up. She looked languid.

"You finally get a break, and you're not even going out to enjoy it?"

"I was waiting for you."

"Waiting for me? What for?"

Tsunade yawned lazily, making no effort to maintain her image. "I haven't had a drink in a whole month. Today, I'm going to have a proper binge."

Ye Ning covered his face.

I was wrong.

I shouldn't have believed Tsunade had changed.

During the month he'd spent in brutal training, Tsunade hadn't touched a drop of alcohol. She'd played the role of a dedicated teacher so well that he'd thought she'd turned over a new leaf.

And here she was, breaking her streak on the very first day of vacation!

I really shouldn't have gotten my hopes up.

She'd probably never be able to give up alcohol.

Ye Ning rolled his eyes and said irritably, "Come with me to Sakumo's house."

"Sakumo? What for? Haven't you had enough taijutsu and genjutsu lessons? Now you want to learn swordsmanship too?"

Ye Ning had actually considered it.

Just imagine: a chakra short sword in hand, Swift Release giving him explosive speed—he'd dash past, his blade would fall, and his enemies would be cut down without mercy. How cool would that be?

But reality had brought him back down to earth.

Developing his genjutsu and training his taijutsu alone were nearly enough to kill him. He didn't have any extra time to learn swordsmanship.

With that time, he'd be better off asking Orochimaru to help him further develop his Kekkei Genkai.

After spending time with Orochimaru, Ye Ning had realized that he wasn't as cold and heartless as he'd imagined.

At least at this point in time, Orochimaru still had some warmth in his heart.

Although he was always looking at Ye Ning with a strange, almost yearning gaze, overall, he treated him very well.

His suggestions for developing ninjutsu were practical and completely in line with what Ye Ning had hoped for.

And Ye Ning couldn't shake the feeling that Orochimaru's feelings toward him were somehow a little unusual.

Ye Ning shook his head and said irritably, "Get yourself presentable and come with me. I want to ask him about developing Lightning Release Ninjutsu."

"No."

"Are you coming or not?"

"No!"

Tsunade turned her head away stubbornly, her face full of resistance. "I want to drink!"

Seriously, don't you think the way we interact is kind of strange?

Why does it feel like I'm so much older than you?

Isn't it normally the younger one who pouts and begs?

He grumbled to himself, but Ye Ning could only coax her. "What fun is drinking by yourself? At Sakumo's, you can drink against him. If that doesn't work, invite Orochimaru too. Then you'll have two people drinking with you. How's that?"

Tsunade's eyes lit up at once.

Great idea!

Drinking with a few people was much more fun than drinking alone.

And so—

Everyone gathered at Hatake Sakumo's house and stared at one another.

Hatake Sakumo rubbed his aching temples and tried to make sense of things.

"So you're saying we're having a get-together today and sharing a few drinks?"

"That's right! Though the main reason is that Ye Ning wants to ask you about developing Lightning Release."

Sakumo nodded to show he understood, then looked around at Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Kurama Dequn. He enunciated each word.

"So none of you brought any alcohol?"

Kurama Dequn awkwardly scratched his head and guiltily looked away. Orochimaru spread his hands and honestly admitted that he'd forgotten to buy any. Tsunade, meanwhile, looked completely unapologetic.

"We're drinking at your house. Shouldn't you be the one to provide it?"

Ye Ning, leaning against the doorway, chuckled to himself.

Here we go! There she goes!

Over the past month, he'd finally figured out exactly what kind of shameless woman Tsunade was.

As far as she was concerned, if she could get something for free, there was no way she'd pay for it herself.

Ye Ning would call her Konoha's number one freeloader!

Getting a free drink was nothing to Tsunade. She didn't even blush.

Hatake Sakumo, not wearing his usual ninja attire, was in a rare good mood. Even so, he didn't get angry. He just sighed helplessly.

"Then sit tight. I'll go get things ready."

Hatake Sakumo didn't keep them waiting long. Soon, he brought out food and drinks and set them in front of everyone.

While the food was being prepared, Ye Ning had also briefly discussed his ideas for Lightning Release Ninjutsu with Sakumo.

Sakumo lived up to his reputation as a powerful shinobi who had combined Lightning Release with swordsmanship and made a name for himself in the Shinobi World through Nintaijutsu.

In just a few words, he put all of Ye Ning's doubts to rest and gave him sound, practical advice.

"Hey, hey, what are you doing at the table?"

Ye Ning stared at Tsunade, baffled by her objection.

Wait, am I not even allowed at the table now?

Why not?

"Why can't I sit at the table?"

"You're not drinking. What are you doing up here?"

"Why can't I sit at the table if I'm not drinking? I can just eat! If you won't let me eat, I'll report you for child abuse!"

"Go ahead. Let's see who cares."

Sakumo, who wasn't as close to the pair, was the only one surprised by their argument. Orochimaru and Kurama Dequn were already used to it.

The two of them got into arguments like this every few days.

It was hard to say whether they were just born to clash or what, but they could start arguing over anything.

They argued over meals, during training, and even while chatting afterward.

It was as if there was nothing they couldn't argue about.

And yet, no matter how much they bickered, neither of them got angry, and their relationship never suffered. If anything, they seemed to enjoy it.

Perhaps everyone just had their own way of getting along.

Orochimaru and Kurama Dequn didn't even look up. They paid no attention to the pair's argument and kept eating.

After arguing for a while, Ye Ning and Tsunade noticed Orochimaru and Kurama Dequn devouring the food. They exchanged a glance, fell silent in perfect unison, and joined the battle for the dishes.