Dan Kato

"W-why would you say that? We... we're companions, of course I have to care about you. Sosuke, don't say such strange things."

Hearing Sosuke's earnest words, Tsunade couldn't help but blush. She glanced away, not daring to meet those eyes of his that seemed to peer deep into her soul, and muttered softly.

Sosuke smiled faintly, taking in Tsunade's reaction, and nodded with a grin.

"Well, I understand."

Following that, he looked toward the boy with light blue hair who had been following closely behind Tsunade.

Behind his thick-rimmed glasses, Sosuke's gaze was incredibly gentle.

A broad, amiable smile appeared on his face as he cast an inquisitive look at Tsunade.

"Tsunade, who is this?"

"Ah! I almost forgot. This is Dan-kun, Dan Kato. He's a genius from the Kato Clan!"

Hearing Sosuke's question, Tsunade finally remembered that she had been with Dan. Leaving so suddenly without a word was truly impolite, so she hurriedly introduced him to Sosuke.

Immediately after, she turned to Dan with an apologetic expression.

"I'm sorry, Dan. I saw a very close friend earlier, it was rude of me. Let me introduce you—this is Sosuke."

Hearing Tsunade's words, Dan Kato offered a bright, hearty smile.

"It's no problem, Tsunade. You're being far too polite."

He then looked toward Sosuke, smiling slightly.

"Hello, Sosuke. I've heard a lot about you. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Sosuke smiled back, speaking with great courtesy.

"A pleasure to meet you as well, Dan."

Seeing her two friends getting along so well upon their first meeting, Tsunade was overjoyed, a gratified smile gracing her face.

It was truly something worth celebrating that her friends could earn each other's approval!

An idea struck her, and she said with a happy laugh, "Since everyone has met today, I propose we go eat BBQ to celebrate! But there's a wager: whoever arrives first pays. Keeping a bet is a sacred duty! No backing out allowed!"

She looked at Sosuke and Dan with a smile.

"What do you think? Sosuke, Dan, you're both free right now, aren't you? No objections, right!?"

Seeing the look on Tsunade's face—the kind that suggested she would devour anyone who dared to object—the two men hurriedly shook their heads, indicating they had no complaints whatsoever!

Target! Konoha BBQ Restaurant!

The three of them set off!

Young boys and girls, though they might not say it aloud, secretly harbored a competitive streak.

They all accelerated, racing toward the BBQ restaurant.

Sosuke smiled faintly. For him, this kind of relaxed and comfortable life was a luxury in its own right.

Along the way, even though he had slowed his pace significantly, he still remained slightly ahead of the other two. He habitually observed Dan, and seeing that he and Tsunade were merely ordinary friends, he felt a slight sense of relief.

However, he felt a bit awkward inside, unable to help but ask himself:

Why was he worried about this? Did he really care so much about who Tsunade was close to? He felt uncertain about the answer.

In the end, he arrived first, leading Tsunade and Dan by half a step with ease.

Letting a lady pay was not Sosuke's style.

Besides, several missions had allowed Sosuke to save up some money; a meal of BBQ was nothing to him.

The three of them ate their fill at the restaurant. Although it was the first time Sosuke and Dan had met, they didn't feel uncomfortable and were quite open with each other.

Considering that Sosuke's left hand was injured, Tsunade insisted on feeding him throughout the entire meal. This made Sosuke feel slightly embarrassed, as he was forced to eat large mouthfuls of meat each time!

After the meal, they agreed to meet again in the future and bid each other farewell.

On the way home, Sosuke reflected on his observations of Dan Kato. Whether it was his manners at the table or his speech and conduct during their conversation, he had been flawless.

Thinking of this, the corner of his mouth curled up, and he murmured softly.

"A scion raised by a great clan, is he? Very impressive. I wonder if you have ulterior motives for getting close to Tsunade. If you do..."

As he said this, a flash of cold light crossed his eyes!

Meanwhile.

Dan Kato had returned home.

He was lost in thought, considering the descriptions of Sosuke he had heard in various rumors.

Arrogant, haughty, disrespectful to his elders? A commoner like mud, carrying a disdain for the great clans? Or perhaps a hysterical madman trying to climb the ranks of the Senju Clan?

Thinking of the Sosuke he had actually met, a smile couldn't help but hang on his lips.

So, rumors were just rumors after all? A guy like that—even if he were a commoner—would likely have a pride in his bones that already looked down on the arrogant fools within these clans.

With his flawless demeanor and perfect conversation, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call such a person an elite raised by a true great family.

While conversing with Sosuke, Dan Kato was also observing him, watching this commoner genius ninja who had a poor reputation among certain clans.

Through this brief contact, he increasingly sensed Sosuke's extraordinary nature.

In the world of ninjas, raw strength might be an important metric for gauging a ninja's power, but it was absolutely not everything!

The long history of the ninja world had already proven this!

In the ninja world, those who survived until the end were not necessarily the most powerful ninjas, but they were certainly the most meticulous.

Vast knowledge, rigorous and precise wisdom, and an impenetrable mind were perhaps even more essential internal criteria for measuring a ninja's potential for success!

And Sosuke, a commoner, embodied these three points perfectly!

Thinking of those clans that had attempted to force Sosuke into submission through despicable means, Dan Kato couldn't help but sneer.

They were nothing more than frogs at the bottom of a well; if they could see the sky beyond, these people who only knew how to vie for power within the village would surely realize just how ridiculous their behavior was.

Yet, Sosuke also puzzled him.

The reason children of ninja clans were superior to commoners in every aspect was because they possessed sufficient heritage.

The experiences, lessons, and precious ninjutsu passed down generation after generation by their ancestors allowed clan children to have broader horizons and a wider perspective.

This enabled them to take a more direct path toward the pinnacle of the ninja world!

He could not understand what had allowed Sosuke, a commoner, to reach such a level at such a young age. Could there really be people who were born with innate knowledge?

Just as he was lost in thought.

"Bro... brother... bro... ther."

"Uncle... uncle..."

The intermittent, childish cries suddenly interrupted his contemplation.

Looking at the two small, adorable figures stumbling toward him, he couldn't help but reveal a warm smile, watching the two cute little girls who were still unsteady on their feet with joy.

"It's Shizune and Orihime. Come, come here, let Uncle hold you!"

A woman dressed like a housewife appeared on the veranda, smiling as she watched Dan Kato lift the children high into the air to play.

"Dan, did you go to see Lady Tsunade of the Senju Clan again?"

"Yes, Mother, though today I also happened to meet a remarkable child," Dan Kato laughed.

"Oh? To think there is someone who even my Dan would praise. Next time, bring that child home for us to see," the housewife said.

Hearing this, Dan Kato hugged Shizune and Orihime and laughed.

"Perhaps, if there's an opportunity..."