Early one morning, six-year-old Tsunade used the Shadow Clone Technique, having her Shadow Clone attend the Ninja Academy in her place.
The Shadow Clone sat obediently in the classroom, listening intently as the teacher explained the essentials of ninjutsu. She carefully took notes stroke by stroke, doing her best not to reveal any flaws.
The real Tsunade, meanwhile, quietly slipped away to the stream behind the mountain, freely enjoying this rare moment of leisure.
She sat leisurely atop a large rock, dipping her feet into the cool stream. Watching the little fish dart through the water, a happy smile blossomed across her face.
A gentle breeze passed by, causing her long hair to flutter softly as though she had perfectly merged with nature.
However, the Shadow Clone Technique was not without flaws.
At the Ninja Academy, the Shadow Clone could not perfectly replicate Tsunade's personality, making her interactions with her classmates seem rather stiff.
One observant classmate gradually noticed that something was amiss. Today's Tsunade seemed strange, behaving completely differently from usual.
That classmate quietly told the teacher about their suspicions.
Without showing it, the teacher observed the Shadow Clone and gradually came to a conclusion. He decided to find an opportunity to test this "Tsunade."
Just then, Tsunade, who was having a wonderful time playing behind the mountain, suddenly felt a hint of unease.
She realized that her Shadow Clone might have been discovered and hurriedly got up to return to the academy.
But it was already too late. The teacher had begun testing the Shadow Clone.
Though the Shadow Clone tried hard to handle it, she ultimately gave herself away.
The teacher saw through the Shadow Clone Technique and decided to teach Tsunade a proper lesson once she returned.
When Tsunade ran breathlessly back into the classroom, she was met by the teacher's stern gaze and her classmates' astonished expressions.
Knowing she had caused trouble, Tsunade lowered her head and quietly waited for the teacher's punishment.
However, the teacher did not fly into a rage. Instead, he earnestly told her that using ninjutsu to avoid school was wrong, and that only through diligent study could she become an outstanding ninja.
After hearing the teacher's words, Tsunade blushed in shame and secretly resolved never to do such a thing again.
"Teacher, I know I was wrong." Tsunade raised her head, her eyes full of sincerity. "From now on, I'll attend school properly and study ninjutsu diligently."
The teacher looked at Tsunade, nodded slightly, and a trace of relief appeared in his eyes.
"Very good, Tsunade. I believe you can do it. Remember, becoming an excellent ninja requires not only powerful ninjutsu, but also responsibility and a sense of duty."
Everyone saw Tsunade's hard work and improvement, and her classmates began to see her in a new light.
During one ninjutsu examination, Tsunade achieved outstanding results through her solid fundamentals and unyielding perseverance.
The teacher looked at her with a satisfied smile.
"Tsunade, you did very well. Keep it up, and you will certainly become an exceptional ninja."
However, Tsunade had completely inherited her great-uncle Senju Hashirama's gambling habit.
One day, she could no longer suppress the urge in her heart and skipped school again to gamble at the Konoha Casino.
Tsunade quietly slipped into the casino and was instantly drawn in by its lively atmosphere.
Chips were piled high on the gambling tables, while shouts and sighs intertwined throughout the room.
Excitedly, Tsunade found an empty seat and sat down. Her eyes locked onto the game, as though she had forgotten everything else.
But her actions did not escape the teacher's notice.
When the teacher discovered that Tsunade had skipped school again, he was both angry and worried.
He was angry because Tsunade refused to change despite repeated admonitions, and worried that she would ruin her own future if this continued.
The teacher decided to go to the casino and bring Tsunade back.
When he entered the casino and saw Tsunade completely absorbed in gambling, his expression became extremely grim.
"Tsunade! What are you doing again?" the teacher shouted sternly.
Tsunade jumped in fright, and the chips in her hand nearly fell to the floor.
She looked at the teacher awkwardly, not knowing what to say.
The teacher grabbed Tsunade's hand and led her out of the casino.
"Tsunade, why can't you understand? Gambling will not bring you any benefits. It will only lead you into trouble.
You have such great talent. Why won't you study ninjutsu properly? Why must you waste your time gambling?"
Tsunade lowered her head, her heart filled with guilt.
She knew she had made another mistake, but the temptation of gambling was simply too great.
Afterward, Tsunade fled the Konoha Casino and happened to run into Uchiha Ying, who had just returned from a mission.
Uchiha Ying looked at the flustered Tsunade and frowned slightly.
"Tsunade, what happened? Why are you in such a hurry?" Uchiha Ying asked in confusion.
A flicker of panic crossed Tsunade's face. She stammered, "N-Nothing. I was just taking a walk."
Uchiha Ying clearly did not believe her. His gaze sharpened.
"Tsunade, did you go gambling again? This cannot continue. It will interfere with your training."
Tsunade lowered her head, not daring to meet Uchiha Ying's eyes.
She knew her actions had disappointed others, but the temptation of gambling was truly difficult to resist.
"I know I was wrong, Ying," Tsunade said softly. "I won't gamble again."
Uchiha Ying looked at Tsunade and felt somewhat reluctant to press her further.
He knew Tsunade possessed tremendous potential; she was merely bound by the bad habit of gambling.
Uchiha Ying and Kagami Uchiha then bid little Tsunade farewell.
Tsunade watched their departing backs, a complicated feeling rising in her heart.
She had to admit that Uchiha Ying's words had planted a seed of reflection in her heart.
When she returned home, Tsunade lay in bed, with Uchiha Ying's figure and his words constantly surfacing in her mind.
She began to reflect on whether her prejudice against the Uchiha Clan was truly reasonable.
Perhaps she really should learn about the clan more objectively, rather than dismissing it entirely based on a few one-sided impressions.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Ying and Kagami Uchiha were also discussing their encounter with Tsunade.
Uchiha Ying felt that although Tsunade was stubborn, she possessed kindness and justice deep in her heart.
Kagami Uchiha nodded. He believed Tsunade had enormous potential and would surely become an outstanding ninja in time.
Uchiha Ying and Kagami Uchiha then bid little Tsunade farewell.
Tsunade watched their departing backs, a complicated feeling rising in her heart.
She had to admit that Uchiha Ying's words had planted a seed of reflection in her heart.
Afterward, six-year-old Tsunade stepped out of the courtyard and saw that the night sky was breathtakingly beautiful.
The brilliant stars were like countless gemstones set into the heavens, radiating a mysterious and enchanting glow.
Tsunade was deeply captivated by the beautiful sight. She stood there quietly, gazing up at the stars, her heart filled with curiosity and longing for the unknown world.
A gentle breeze brushed past her, lifting Tsunade's hair.
A trace of determination appeared in her eyes, as if she had found the direction she needed to move toward beneath the vast starry sky.
At that moment, she forgot all her worries and troubles. All that remained in her heart were the endless stars and her anticipation for the future.
Suddenly, a shooting star streaked across the sky, leaving behind a beautiful arc.
Tsunade's eyes lit up. She quickly closed them and silently made a wish.
She hoped to become a powerful ninja, to protect those she loved, and to safeguard Konoha's peace.
After making her wish, Tsunade opened her eyes, a radiant smile appearing on her face.
She knew that she would need to work hard to make this wish come true, but she was not afraid.
She believed that as long as she persevered, she would certainly achieve her dream.
Tsunade turned and returned to the courtyard, her heart filled with motivation.
From that day on, she would study ninjutsu even more diligently and strengthen herself.
Like those shining stars, she would bloom with a light that belonged to her in the darkness.
In the days that followed, Tsunade trained hard every day, constantly challenging her limits.
Her effort and progress made both her teacher and classmates see her in a new light.
Whenever she felt tired or lost, she would remember that beautiful starry sky and her wish, then pull herself together once more.
And that beautiful starry sky remained in her heart forever, becoming the source of her drive and a symbol of hope.
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