Senju Tobirama's Tenderness

"Splash—"

This was the umpteenth time Senju Kyogawa had fallen into the water.

Watching from the bank as Senju Kyogawa tumbled in yet again, Izuna couldn't help but press a hand to his forehead and sigh.

Truly, he is a lost cause...

It wasn't that he didn't want to teach Senju Kyogawa properly; he had even sacrificed much of his own daily training to focus on his instruction.

He had already explained the secret to walking on water, yet Senju Kyogawa still couldn't maintain his balance—though he had certainly improved since the very beginning.

Ever since the day they had agreed to help one another, Senju Kyogawa had quickly taught Izuna the techniques for catching fish, along with a variety of ways to prepare them.

Izuna, living up to his role as a student, learned everything with remarkable speed, mastering those various fish recipes in no time.

Then, it was Izuna's turn to take on the task of teaching Senju Kyogawa.

The result...

It had already been three days of teaching him to walk on water, and Senju Kyogawa still couldn't grasp the precise control of chakra.

Senju Kyogawa swam to the bank, spat out a mouthful of water, and shook his hair to rid it of the moisture. He then pushed himself up onto the shore and lay flat on his back.

"Haa..."

"So tiring... Why is walking on water so difficult?"

Senju Kyogawa complained between gasps for air.

Izuna couldn't understand why Senju Kyogawa found it so arduous, either. He sighed inwardly, recalling how it had taken him only two days to master it completely.

Izuna could only try to convince himself—perhaps all of Senju Kyogawa's talent points had been poured into Medical Ninjutsu?

Senju Kyogawa didn't use fire to evaporate the water from his body; there was no point, as he would likely fall back in and soak his clothes again soon enough.

Senju Kyogawa had begun to doubt himself. Was he really that useless?

Izuna remained at his side, brow furrowed, carefully contemplating where the problem lay.

Precise chakra control required the use of mental energy, which meant one had to calm the mind, free of tension and obsession.

To ensure a steady stream of chakra gathered at the soles of the feet, one had to relax and focus entirely on the water's surface.

"Hey, Kyogawa-kun, are you certain you're staying relaxed when you try to walk on it?" Izuna couldn't help but ask for confirmation.

"Ah... yes, I'm only thinking about walking on water," Senju Kyogawa replied.

Senju Kyogawa truly didn't know what else to do. Why couldn't his chakra maintain a continuous flow to his feet?

Seeing the look of dejection on Senju Kyogawa's face, Izuna felt a pang of sympathy and offered comfort:

"Don't worry. You can already make it to the middle of the river; that's much better than when you started. Perhaps a bit more practice is all it takes..."

Senju Kyogawa knew Izuna was just trying to be kind. He sighed and said, "I hope so..."

Senju Kyogawa genuinely felt that Izuna was an incredibly patient teacher.

If it were him teaching someone else, and he had to stand outside in forty-degree heat under the scorching sun while the student failed to learn after three days, his own short temper would likely have led him to start shouting in frustration.

Senju Kyogawa had been training all afternoon. The sun was sinking, painting the clouds on the horizon in beautiful shades of dusk yellow and orange-pink. The temperature was no longer as stifling as it had been at noon, and as the wind blew against his soaked clothes, he could feel a lingering chill.

Senju Kyogawa shivered, noting that it was getting late.

He stood up, his eyes crinkling as he smiled at Izuna.

"Izuna, it's almost time for dinner, you should head back. I'm sorry for taking up another afternoon of your time... I'm just too slow~ I'll practice on my own for the rest of the time..."

Izuna looked at the sky and realized it was indeed getting late; if he didn't return soon, Madara might start asking questions. The past few days had led him to consider Kyogawa a friend, and he didn't want to cause any trouble for him if his father or brother found out.

With that thought, Izuna bid Senju Kyogawa farewell.

Before leaving, he paused and turned back to say:

"I have a mission tomorrow, so... you don't need to wait for me."

Senju Kyogawa was slightly stunned. If Izuna was going on a mission, they probably wouldn't see each other for several days.

Ultimately, he smiled and offered his well-wishes:

"Take care. May you have great success in battle..."

Izuna returned the smile and departed.

After Izuna left, Senju Kyogawa caught a few more fish from the river and used "fire" to dry his clothes before heading back to the Senju compound.

Upon arriving home, it was, as expected, empty.

However, based on past experience, Senju Tobirama and Senju Hashirama should be returning tonight.

Thinking this, Senju Kyogawa went to find some grain and vegetable leaves to feed the chickens and rabbits—the wild ones he had caught a few days prior.

While feeding the chickens, he discovered that one of the wild hens had laid a few eggs.

As he reached out to take them, he was pecked several times.

"Sss—that hen pecks quite hard..." Senju Kyogawa laughed and scolded.

[Master, you are trying to take her children to eat; of course she isn't willing to give them to you.] Ugly Monster mocked him from within the flames.

This egg isn't even fertilized, it's not like a chick is going to hatch... why is she being so protective of it? Senju Kyogawa muttered to himself, though he still went to catch a few plump, meaty worms to feed the wild hen. After eating the worms, the hen finally yielded a few eggs to him.

Senju Kyogawa happily took the eggs to boil some soup.

The meal Senju Kyogawa prepared that evening was quite sumptuous, featuring greens, soup, fish, and mixed mushroom rice.

In his past life, as a true-blooded Chinese, Senju Kyogawa was accustomed to eating a variety of cooked dishes. Consequently, he rarely made snacks like rice balls unless time and ingredients didn't permit otherwise.

Just as Senju Kyogawa had surmised, Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama did indeed return that evening; they arrived shortly after he finished cooking.

The moment Senju Hashirama stepped into the house, he caught the scent of food filling the air. The fragrance was intoxicating, drifting into his nose and making his appetite stir.

Senju Hashirama was practically drooling from the aroma:

"Little Kyogawa, what delicious food did you make tonight? It smells so good..."

Senju Kyogawa ran out to welcome the two who had just returned from their mission. It was evident that both were travel-worn, their faces showing traces of fatigue.

"There's the mixed mushroom rice that Brother Hashirama likes, the fish that Brother Tobirama likes, and egg soup..." Senju Kyogawa said, counting them off on his fingers.

Senju Hashirama happily picked up Senju Kyogawa and spun him around, laughing loudly:

"Yay! My favorite mixed mushroom rice! Little Kyogawa is the best~"

"Oh, Big Brother, put me down, I'm not a child anymore..." Senju Kyogawa couldn't help but blush as he saw Hashirama treating him like a kid.

Senju Tobirama walked over at that moment and rescued Kyogawa from Senju Hashirama's embrace.

Senju Tobirama ruffled Kyogawa's hair, revealing a gentle smile:

"Little brother, you've worked hard..."

Then, Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama went to their respective rooms to change, leaving Senju Kyogawa standing there alone, grinning foolishly.

Master, you look so silly when you smile~ Ugly Monster teased with a laugh.

I do not. Senju Kyogawa added, trying to cover his tracks, It's just that Brother Tobirama was being so gentle...

After Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama finished changing, Senju Butsuma returned as well, and the group sat down to eat dinner together.

After dinner, Senju Kyogawa told Senju Tobirama about the problems he had been encountering while practicing water-walking.

Consequently, the next day, Senju Tobirama had Senju Kyogawa demonstrate his water-walking in front of him.

Splash— With a sound, Senju Kyogawa fell into the water after taking only a few steps.

Senju Tobirama had been observing the whole time. He pondered for a moment, and then, a sudden flash of inspiration struck him:

"I've found the reason."