Tsunade stepped forward, subtly shielding Tianyi behind her, and raised an eyebrow at Orochimaru.
"What, Orochimaru? Isn't Nawaki enough for you? Trying to steal a disciple? Too late!"
Orochimaru smiled noncommittally and stepped back into his place, but his gaze still seemed to linger on Tianyi.
After that brief interruption, Tsunade refocused herself, her expression becoming exceptionally serious and solemn.
She took two steps forward and stopped only two or three paces away from Tianyi.
As her demeanor changed, the atmosphere within the tent gradually fell silent once more.
Everyone's attention focused on the two of them again.
Nara Shikaku lightly tapped his fingers against the table, deep in thought.
Jiraiya folded his arms, looked at Tianyi, then at Orochimaru and Tsunade, and grinned.
"Hyuga Tianyi," Tsunade said softly.
"The talent and character you have displayed, your unique insights into medicine,
"and 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 each word with deliberate clarity,
"I, Tsunade, heir of the Senju Clan and medical ninja of Leaf Village, formally ask you here and now—
"Are you willing to become my disciple?"
The moment her words fell, the tent went silent.
Nawaki's mouth fell open as he stared in surprise at his sister, then turned to Tianyi.
The several captains exchanged stunned looks.
Nara Shikaku's tapping fingers stopped.
A meaningful curve rose at the corner of Orochimaru's mouth.
Jiraiya simply grinned wider.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Tianyi, waiting for his answer.
To become Tsunade's disciple?
Tianyi knew all too well what that meant. It was not merely gaining the guidance of a top-tier powerhouse.
It also meant obtaining a protective talisman of enormous weight within Leaf Village.
As the First Hokage's granddaughter, a representative of the Senju Clan, and one of the Legendary Sannin, the status of Tsunade's disciple
could give him a chance to rise to Leaf Village's highest position.
It would be enough to intimidate many petty schemers and shield him from much of the 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 power held by Leaf Village's upper echelon, and every move he made in the future could be given greater significance.
Orochimaru's meaningful gaze also reminded him that extra attention was not necessarily a good thing.
The pros and cons flashed through his mind in an instant.
But Tianyi barely hesitated.
He raised his head, met Tsunade's sincere eyes, and, under everyone's gaze, bowed deeply.
"Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Lady Tsunade," he said steadily and firmly.
"Your disciple, Hyuga Tianyi, greets his teacher!"
Seeing Tianyi's crisp and decisive response, Tsunade smiled in satisfaction.
"Good!" She gave Tianyi's shoulder a heavy pat.
"From today onward, you are my disciple, Tsunade's disciple!
"Besides your regular missions, come find me every day. I'll arrange your training schedule!"
"Congratulations, kid!" Jiraiya was the first to laugh 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.
He had finally latched onto a powerful backer.
That evening, lying in bed and looking at his palm, Tianyi still felt as though it were unreal.
After being in this world for so long, he finally felt the faintest trace of security.
Tianyi then opened his status panel.
[Holder: Hyuga Tianyi] [Status: Minor injuries (recovering)] [Energy System: Chakra (half-card)] [Chakra Attributes: Lightning, Earth, Water] [Overall Evaluation: 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, willpower resistance, and perceptual acuity) [Mastered Skills] · Three-Body Technique (Clone/Substitution/Transformation): Beginner · Gentle Fist: Pressure Point Technique, Empty Palm · Kekkei Genkai: Byakugan (Incomplete) · First Aid: Intermediate · Water 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 new points had probably come from killing the Hidden Rain Village ninja and severely wounding Ibuse.
Both were undoubtedly special events capable of changing the course of a local battle.
His overall evaluation was still Genin.
Tianyi was not surprised. His previous battle had relied more on tactics, an information gap, and modern weapons to gain an advantage.
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 concerned the study of every ninjutsu.
They were the foundation for optimization and future development of Electromagnetic Force.
He watched the number change: Nin: 5 → 6.
He put the second point into [Tai].
This battle had made him deeply appreciate the importance of a strong physique.
Whether enduring damage or fighting for extended periods, both required Tai as support.
The number changed: Tai: 4 → 5.
Both Nin and Tai had reached 5 or above!
The instant the two attributes broke through simultaneously!
The status panel trembled slightly and emitted a gentle glow. Then,
under [Mastered Skills],
Three-Body Technique (Beginner)
Water Release: Waterline Slash (Beginner)
slowly changed to Intermediate!
[Overall Evaluation: Genin]
Genin slowly changed, finally settling on Chunin!
"This..." Tianyi's heart jolted, followed immediately by immense delight.
He had originally thought skill levels required additional skill points
or could only be raised through extensive practice.
He had never expected that once the basic Nin attribute crossed a certain threshold, it could actually trigger the automatic advancement of related skills!
The Three-Body Technique advancing to Intermediate would greatly enhance the practicality of these basic techniques in actual combat.
Water Release: Waterline Slash advancing to Intermediate would bring even more immediate improvements!
He could clearly feel that his understanding of this technique had become deeper and more complete.
Compression efficiency, range stability, chakra consumption optimization—
even the fine control techniques for "mixing in abrasives" brought forth many new insights and directions for improvement.
He could now cast Water Release: Waterline Slash two seconds faster.
I hit the jackpot! Tianyi could not help cheering inwardly.
That was equivalent to using one attribute point to raise both a basic attribute and two practical skills. The value was incredible!
He continued to save the remaining point.
After closing the status panel, the tent returned to darkness.
But Tianyi's heart was filled with excitement.
"Obtaining the Hidden Mist Technique and Earth Dragon Hide Technique also needs to be put on the agenda to fill the gaps in my tactics."
"And the Caged Bird... although I can't remove it right now, research into the Byakugan
"might be carried out simultaneously with the country..."
Countless thoughts intertwined and formed plans in his mind before finally settling into calm.
He slowly closed his eyes.
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