Apprenticeship II

Tsunade stepped forward, subtly shielding Tianyi behind her, and raised an eyebrow at Orochimaru:

"What, Orochimaru? Isn't Nawaki enough for you? Too late to steal my disciple!"

Orochimaru smiled noncommittally and stepped back into place, but his gaze still seemed to linger on Tianyi.

After that brief interruption, Tsunade refocused, her expression becoming unusually serious and solemn.

She took two steps forward and stopped only two or three steps away from Tianyi.

As her demeanor changed, the atmosphere inside the tent gradually fell silent again.

Everyone's attention focused on the two of them once more.

Nara Shikaku lightly tapped the tabletop with his fingers, deep in thought.

Jiraiya folded his arms, looked at Tianyi, then at Orochimaru and Tsunade, and grinned.

"Hinata Tianyi," Tsunade said softly.

"The talent, temperament, and unique insights into medical treatment you have displayed—

"as well as your decisiveness and sense of responsibility at critical moments, have all shown me extraordinary potential."

She paused, her gaze blazing as she stared directly into Tianyi's eyes and asked, word by word:

"I, Tsunade, heir of the Senju Clan and medical ninja of the Leaf Village, formally ask you here and now—

"Are you willing to become my disciple?"

The tent fell silent after her words.

Nawaki's mouth fell open as he stared at his sister in surprise, then turned to Tianyi.

The captains exchanged shocked looks.

Nara Shikaku's tapping fingers came to a halt.

A meaningful curve lifted at the corner of Orochimaru's mouth.

Jiraiya, meanwhile, broke into a wide grin.

Everyone's eyes settled on Tianyi, waiting for his answer.

Become Tsunade's disciple?

Tianyi knew perfectly well what that meant. It was not merely gaining the guidance of a top-tier powerhouse.

It also meant obtaining an extremely weighty protective talisman within the Leaf Village.

As the First Hokage's granddaughter, the representative of the Senju Clan, and one of the Three Sannin, the status of Tsunade's disciple—

could give him a chance to reach the highest position in the Leaf Village.

It would be enough to deter many petty schemers and shield him from much malice lurking in the shadows.

But at the same time, it meant he would be exposed even more thoroughly beneath the spotlight.

He would become more deeply entangled with the Leaf Village's highest-ranking powers, and every action he took in the future might be assigned greater meaning.

Orochimaru's meaningful gaze also reminded him that extra attention was not necessarily a good thing.

The advantages and disadvantages flashed through his mind in an instant.

But Tianyi barely hesitated.

He raised his head, met Tsunade's sincere eyes, and bowed deeply beneath everyone's gaze.

"Thank you for thinking highly of me, Lady Tsunade," he said steadily and firmly.

"Your disciple, Hinata Tianyi, greets his teacher!"

Seeing Tianyi's crisp response, Tsunade smiled in satisfaction.

"Good!" She gave Tianyi's shoulder a heavy pat.

"From today onward, you are my disciple, Tianyi!

"Besides regular missions, come find me every day. I'll arrange your training schedule!"

"Congratulations, brat!" Jiraiya was the first to burst into laughter and offer his congratulations.

Nawaki happily jumped straight into the air.

"Great! Tianyi! From now on, we can train with my sister together!"

The other captains also offered their congratulations, and the command center was soon filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

At last, he had latched onto a powerful backer.

That evening, lying on his bed and looking at his palm, Tianyi still felt as though none of it was real.

After being in this world for so long, he finally felt the faintest sense of security.

Then Tianyi opened his status panel.

[Holder: Hinata Tianyi]

[Status: Lightly injured (recovering)]

[Energy System: Chakra (half a card)]

[Chakra Attributes: Lightning, Earth, Water]

[Overall Assessment: Genin]

[Basic Attributes]

Nin: 5 (chakra control, jutsu comprehension, and casting speed)

Tai: 4 (physical strength, speed, power, endurance, and neural reflexes)

Gen: 4 (mental strength, resistance of will, and sensory acuity)

[Mastered Skills]

-Body Technique (Clone/Substitution/Transformation): Beginner

Fist: Acupoint Strikes, Empty Palm

Genkai: Byakugan (Incomplete)

Aid: Intermediate

Release: Waterline Slash (Beginner)

[Available Skill Points: 3 (skill points can be obtained through special events)]

"Three points..." he murmured inwardly. One of them had been saved from before.

The two newly gained points were probably from killing the Hidden Rain Village ninja and severely injuring Ibuse.

Both of those had undoubtedly been special events capable of changing the course of a local battle.

His overall assessment was still Genin.

Tianyi was not surprised. His earlier battle had relied more on tactics, an information advantage, and modern weapons to gain an edge.

His own fundamentals had not changed.

How should he allocate them?

After thinking for a moment, Tianyi invested one point into [Nin].

Chakra control, jutsu comprehension, and casting speed were fundamental to all ninjutsu learning.

They were also the foundation for optimization and future development of electromagnetic force.

He watched the number change: Nin: 5 → 6.

As for the second point, he invested it into [Tai].

This battle had made him deeply understand the importance of a strong body.

Whether enduring damage or fighting for extended periods, both required Tai as support.

The number changed: Tai: 4 → 5.

Both Nin and Tai were now above 5!

The instant both attributes broke through at the same time!

The status panel trembled slightly and emitted a soft glow. Then—

under [Mastered Skills],

Three-Body Technique (Beginner)

Water Release: Waterline Slash (Beginner)

slowly changed to Intermediate!

[Overall Assessment: Genin]

Genin slowly changed, finally settling on Chunin!

"This..." Tianyi's heart jolted, followed by a surge of immense delight.

He had originally thought skill levels required additional skill points.

Or that they could only improve through extensive practice.

He had never expected that when the basic Nin attribute broke through a certain threshold, it could actually drive related skills to advance automatically!

With the Three-Body Technique advancing to Intermediate, these basic techniques would become far more useful in actual combat.

The advancement of Water Release: Waterline Slash to Intermediate brought even more immediate improvements!

He could clearly feel that his understanding of the technique had become deeper and more complete.

Compression efficiency, range stability, chakra consumption optimization—

even the fine-control points for "mixing in abrasives" brought forth many new insights and directions for improvement.

He could now cast Water Release: Waterline Slash two seconds faster.

What a huge profit! Tianyi could not help cheering inwardly.

This was equivalent to using one attribute point to improve both a basic attribute and two practical skills. The value was incredible!

He kept the remaining point in reserve.

After closing the status panel, the tent returned to darkness.

But Tianyi's heart was unusually excited.

"Obtaining the Hidden Mist Technique and Earth Dragon Hide Technique also needs to be put on the agenda, to make up for weaknesses in my tactics."

"And the Caged Bird... although I can't remove it yet, research into the Byakugan—

"might be carried out alongside the country's side..."

Countless thoughts intertwined in his mind, forming plans before finally calming down.

He slowly closed his eyes.