"Right, just a little!" Kushina insisted, refusing to back down.
"Since it's only a little, I guess I'll head back, then." Bai Lin said, turning as if to leave.
"Don't!"
When Kushina heard Bai Lin was leaving, she instinctively grabbed his sleeve, her cheeks flushing. "If Brother Lin wants something to eat, I'll make anything for you."
Bai Lin stopped and looked back at her, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Oh? You'd do anything?"
"Mm!" Kushina lowered her head and answered softly.
"Cook for me?" "I will!"
"Do the laundry?" "I will!"
"Clean the house?" "I will!"
"Give me eight or ten kids?" "I will—huh? Ah!"
Kushina suddenly realized what she'd said, and her cheeks turned scarlet.
She let go of Bai Lin's sleeve and punched him on the arm. It wasn't a hard hit, but it was full of embarrassed indignation. "Bai Lin! What kind of nonsense are you talking about?"
"I was just following up on what you said." Bai Lin held back a laugh, looking at her with feigned innocence. "You said you'd do anything."
"I—I meant cooking, doing laundry, and cleaning! Not that!" Kushina was so angry her eyes reddened. She put her hands on her hips, her chest rising and falling slightly. "You lecher! I'm not talking to you anymore!"
She turned to run off, but Bai Lin grabbed her wrist.
His palm was warm, his touch reassuring. Kushina struggled, but couldn't break free. Blushing, she lowered her head and avoided his gaze, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz. "What do you want now?"
Bai Lin leaned close to her ear, his voice low and teasing. "I'm just teasing you. I'd like you even if you didn't do anything, sweet Kushina."
"..."
Mito Uzumaki watched with a beaming smile. Had the world really come this far already?
This relic of the old era was ready to hand the Nine-Tails over to the new generation.
"Grandma Mito, Kushina will likely be going to the battlefield soon. I'd like to train her during this time. As for her ninjutsu, I'll need you to help her." Bai Lin held Kushina's small hand and spoke to Mito Uzumaki solemnly.
Though Mito Uzumaki seemed full of energy, she had little vitality left. In a few years, Kushina would become the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Before then, Bai Lin hoped Kushina could bring Mito some more happiness.
"Mm, go ahead. Kushina's too reckless, and she'll easily get hurt on the battlefield. Please take good care of her." Mito Uzumaki nodded.
"Yes!"
Bai Lin led Kushina to an open space not far from the Senju Residence.
"Kushina, once we become ninjas, we might not see each other for a long time." Bai Lin released her hand, his expression turning more serious. "From today on, I want you to work hard to improve your strength. It's not just about being responsible for your own life; it'll also let me feel at ease on the battlefield. Understand?"
"I understand! I won't hold you back! When we get to the battlefield, I can protect you, too!" She looked at Bai Lin's serious expression, her nose stinging slightly, but nodded firmly and clenched her fists.
"Good. Let's start training."
An hour later, Kushina sat on the ground, panting, her whole body soaked in sweat.
Bai Lin had been able to gauge Kushina's general strength from her graduation exam.
Kushina had the Uzumaki Clan's vast reserves of Chakra, more than even most ordinary jonin.
But she hadn't yet developed a personal fighting style in how she controlled Chakra or used ninjutsu and ninja tools.
Bai Lin hadn't held back during their fight, using high-intensity combat to bring out her potential.
Luckily, Kushina wasn't one to complain. Once she set her mind to something, she gave it everything she had.
Perhaps deep down, she wanted to keep up with Bai Lin and fight by his side, rather than be someone he had to protect.
"Not bad, Kushina. You're already used to the pace of an ordinary Genin."
"This afternoon, I'll teach you Water Walking and tree climbing. They'll improve your control over Chakra." Bai Lin gently wiped the sweat from Kushina's face with a tissue and spoke warmly.
"More?" Kushina felt as if her body no longer belonged to her. Everything hurt.
"There's no other way. Besides talent, getting stronger takes sweat." Bai Lin's voice was gentle, but carried an unshakable resolve.
She looked at Bai Lin's serious profile, and her complaints vanished at once, replaced by determination. "Got it! It's just tree climbing and Water Walking. I'll learn them in no time!"
Her pride wouldn't let her show weakness, much less fall behind Bai Lin.
Though her whole body ached, she felt all the exhaustion was worth it when she thought about fighting alongside him in the future, or even protecting him.
"Come on. Grandma Mito should have made food by now. We'll eat, then have Tsunade treat you before we come back to train." Bai Lin reached down to help Kushina up.
"No, I'm exhausted. I want you to carry me back."
Kushina looked up at Bai Lin, her cheeks still flushed from exercise, weariness in her eyes.
She held out her arms, expecting him to pick her up.
Bai Lin froze, then smiled helplessly.
He bent down and carefully lifted Kushina into his arms.
Kushina leaned against him, feeling his steady heartbeat and strong arms. The warmth of his embrace seemed to ease much of her exhaustion.
She secretly opened her eyes and looked at Bai Lin's handsome profile. The corners of her mouth lifted, but she quickly shut her eyes again and pretended to have fallen asleep from exhaustion, her cheeks growing hotter by the moment.
Seeing Bai Lin carrying Kushina, Mito Uzumaki smiled and said warmly, "You're back? The food's ready. Come on in."
Tsunade was already seated, wolfing down her food without waiting for them.
"Tsunade, remember to treat Kushina after you eat. You don't want her to keep training in this condition, do you?" Bai Lin sat in the spot that had been left for him.
With her mouth full, Tsunade's face darkened. "Kid, you've got no respect! Call me Lady Tsunade or Teacher. Why are you being so familiar?"
"Oh, why get so hung up on what you call someone?" Bai Lin took the food Kushina eagerly served him and said casually, "A teacher is someone who imparts knowledge and resolves doubts. You can't teach me anything or resolve my doubts, so you don't deserve to be called my teacher."
For some reason, seeing Bai Lin so nonchalant made her want to hit him.
"I've been a ninja for years and seen more battles than you've eaten grains of salt," Tsunade said, springing to her feet and slamming the table. "My battle experience, Medical Ninjutsu, and Super Strength are all top-notch! And you dare say I can't teach you?"
Bai Lin calmly took another bite and looked up at her. "You're certainly skilled, Tsunade, but I don't need what you have to offer. Whatever I do need, I'll ask Lord Orochimaru for."
"Orochimaru! Orochimaru! All you ever think about is Orochimaru! Is he your teacher, or am I?" Tsunade clenched her fists.
"Come on. Do you even act like a teacher?"
"Besides, with my talent, surpassing you is inevitable. Maybe before long, you'll be staring at my back. Then calling you 'Lady' will be a joke." Bai Lin said arrogantly.
"You brat, you're asking for it!" Tsunade was completely enraged.
Mito Uzumaki hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "All right, all right. Don't argue during the meal. Tsunade, Bai Lin's young and speaks bluntly. Don't take it personally. Bai Lin, Tsunade is your senior, so watch what you say."
Kushina quickly tugged on Bai Lin's sleeve and whispered, "Brother Lin, stop. Tsunade's getting angry."
Bai Lin shrugged and stopped provoking her, though he still muttered, "I'm telling the truth."
Tsunade's chest heaved with anger, but Mito Uzumaki stopped her with a look. All she could do was sit back down and viciously stab at the rice in her bowl with her chopsticks, as if it were Bai Lin's head.