Orochimaru! Orochimaru! All You Talk About is Orochimaru!

"Yes, just a little bit!" Kushina insisted stubbornly.

"Well, if it's only a little bit, then I suppose I'll be heading back." Bai Lin said, making as if to walk away.

"No!"

Hearing that Bai Lin was leaving, Kushina instinctively reached out to grab his sleeve, her face flushed with a rosy hue: "As long as it's something Brother Lin wants to eat, I'm willing to make it for you."

Bai Lin stopped in his tracks, turned back to look at her, and a hint of a smile flashed in his eyes: "Oh? You're willing to do anything?"

"Mm!" Kushina lowered her head and whispered.

"Cook?" "I will!"

"Do laundry?" "I will!"

"Clean the house?" "I will!"

"Bear me ten or eight children?" "I will, hm? Ah!"

Kushina suddenly realized what she had said, her cheeks instantly turning red enough to drip blood.

She abruptly let go of Bai Lin's sleeve and raised her hand to punch his arm; the force wasn't great, but it was filled with utter embarrassment and annoyance: "Bai Lin! You, what kind of nonsense are you spouting!"

"I was just following your lead and asking." Bai Lin suppressed a laugh, deliberately looking at her with an innocent expression, "You were the one who said you were willing to do anything."

"I, I meant cooking, laundry, and cleaning! Not that!" Kushina was so angry her eyes turned red, her hands on her hips, her chest heaving slightly, "You hooligan! I'm never talking to you again!"

She turned to run away, but Bai Lin grabbed her wrist.

His palm was warm, carrying a reassuring strength. Kushina struggled for a moment, but couldn't break free, so she could only lower her head with a flushed face, not daring to meet his eyes, her voice as small as a mosquito's hum: "What else do you want?"

Bai Lin leaned close to her ear, his voice low and tinged with amusement: "I'm teasing you. Such a cute Kushina, even if you didn't do anything at all, I would still like you."

"..."

Off to the side, Mito Uzumaki watched with a beaming smile. Has the era already developed to this point?

As a remnant of the old era, it was time to pass the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki on to the new generation.

"Grandma Mito, Kushina will likely be heading to the battlefield soon. I want to train her during this time, and as for her ninjutsu, I'll need you to put in some extra effort." Bai Lin held Kushina's small hand and said solemnly to Mito Uzumaki.

Don't let Mito Uzumaki's current spirited appearance fool you; her life force was running low, and in a few years, Kushina would have to become the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

Before that happened, Bai Lin wanted Kushina to experience as much joy as possible.

"Mm, go ahead. Kushina is too reckless; I fear she will easily get hurt on the battlefield, so 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 you become a ninja, it's very likely we won't be able to see each other for long periods." Bai Lin let go of her hand, his expression turning serious, "From today on, I hope you will properly improve your strength. Not just to be responsible for your own life, but so that I can have peace of mind on the battlefield, you understand?"

"I know! I won't hold you back! Once we're on the battlefield, I'll even be able to protect you!" Looking at Bai Lin's earnest gaze, her nose felt slightly sore, but she nodded firmly and clenched her fists.

"Very good, then let's begin the training."

An hour later, Kushina sat on the ground, panting, her entire body soaked in sweat.

Bai Lin had been able to gauge Kushina's general strength from her graduation exam.

Kushina possessed the massive chakra of the Uzumaki Clan, which was significantly more than that of an average jonin.

However, she had yet to form a personal combat style regarding her chakra control, ninjutsu, and the use of ninja tools.

During their sparring, Bai Lin didn't hold back, using high-intensity combat to stimulate her potential.

Fortunately, Kushina wasn't the type to be delicate; once she made up her mind, she would spare no effort to achieve her goal.

Perhaps deep down, she also wanted to keep pace with Bai Lin and fight side-by-side with him, rather than being the one he had to protect.

"Not bad, Kushina. You've already adapted to the intensity of an average genin."

"This afternoon, I'll teach you the techniques for tree-climbing and water-walking; they will improve your chakra control." Bai Lin used a tissue to carefully wipe the sweat from Kushina's face, speaking with a gentle expression.

"More?" Kushina felt as if her body no longer belonged to her; she was aching everywhere.

"There's no other way. Aside from talent, becoming stronger can only be built upon sweat." Bai Lin's voice was gentle, carrying an unquestionable firmness.

She looked at Bai Lin's serious profile, and the complaints in her heart vanished in an instant, leaving only a sense of resilience: "Understood! It's just tree-climbing and water-walking, right? I'll definitely learn it quickly!"

The pride in her bones wouldn't allow her to show weakness, and even less would it allow her to fall behind Bai Lin.

Even though her whole body ached, the mere thought of fighting side-by-side with him in the future, or even protecting him, made all the exhaustion worth it.

"Let's go. Grandma Mito should have finished preparing food. After we eat, we'll have Tsunade treat you, and then we'll come back to train." Bai Lin reached out to pull Kushina up from the ground.

"No, I'm very tired right now. I want you to carry me back."

Kushina looked up at Bai Lin, her cheeks still flushed from the exercise, her eyes filled with a hint of fatigue.

She extended her arms, waiting for Bai Lin to carry her as if it were only natural.

Bai Lin froze, then smiled helplessly.

He leaned down and carefully scooped Kushina up.

Kushina leaned into his embrace, feeling his steady heartbeat and powerful arms; it was as if the exhaustion throughout her body had been largely dispelled by this warm hold.

She secretly opened her eyes to look at the smooth lines of Bai Lin's profile, the corners of her mouth curling up uncontrollably before she quickly shut them again, pretending to be fast asleep from sheer fatigue, though her cheeks grew hotter by the second.

Seeing Bai Lin holding Kushina, a hint of a smile flashed in Mito Uzumaki's eyes as she said gently, "You're back? Dinner is ready, come on in."

Tsunade was already seated and tucking in, showing no sign of waiting for the two of them.

"Tsunade, remember to help Kushina with some treatment after dinner. You wouldn't want her continuing her training in this state, would you?" Bai Lin said as he sat in the spot reserved for him.

With her mouth stuffed full of food, Tsunade's face darkened: "Brat, you've got no manners, do you? Call me Lady Tsunade, or even Teacher—what's with this overly familiar tone?"

"Oh, why be so hung up on titles?" Bai Lin took the rice that Kushina had enthusiastically served him and said nonchalantly, "A teacher is one who imparts knowledge, teaches skills, and resolves doubts. Since you can neither teach me anything nor resolve the doubts in my heart, you naturally cannot be called a teacher."

For some reason, seeing Bai Lin's indifferent expression made her feel an urge to throw a punch.

"I, Tsunade, have been a ninja for so many years, and I've seen more battles than you've eaten grains of salt," Tsunade slammed the table and stood up. "Combat experience, medical ninjutsu, the application of Super Strength—which of these isn't top-tier? How dare you say I can't teach you?"

Bai Lin took a slow, methodical bite of rice, looked up at her, and said in a flat tone, "Your skills are naturally top-tier, Tsunade, but I don't need them. As for what I do need, I will go to Lord Orochimaru for that."

"Orochimaru! Orochimaru! All you ever talk about is Orochimaru! Is he your teacher, or am I?" Tsunade clenched her fists.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Do you even look like a teacher?"

"Besides, given my talent, surpassing you is an inevitable outcome. Perhaps before long, you'll be left staring at my back, so any 'Lady' title would just be a joke," Bai Lin said arrogantly.

"You brat, you're asking for death!" Tsunade was completely incensed.

Mito Uzumaki hurriedly stepped in to mediate: "Alright, alright, stop arguing while eating. Tsunade, Bai Lin is young and speaks bluntly; don't take it to heart. Bai Lin, Tsunade is your senior after all, so mind your manners."

Kushina also quickly tugged on Bai Lin's sleeve and whispered, "Brother Lin, stop talking. Sister Tsunade is going to get angry."

Bai Lin shrugged and stopped provoking her, though he still muttered under his breath, "I was just telling the truth."

Tsunade's chest heaved with rage, but she was stopped by a look from Mito Uzumaki. She could only sit down resentfully and pick up her chopsticks, stabbing fiercely at the rice in her bowl as if it were Bai Lin's head.