Flying Thunder God

Qianye Lan sat idly on the sofa, waiting for the meal.

Tsunade sat right beside him and asked nosily, "How did you and Kushina meet?"

Qianye Lan recounted how the two of them had met.

After listening, Tsunade gave him a mischievous smile. "So you were the hero saving the damsel?"

Just then, Kushina finished washing up and came out in a clean change of clothes.

Hearing Tsunade's words, she blushed all the way to her ears. "What nonsense are you talking about, Big Sister Tsunade?"

Seeing Kushina blush, Tsunade said no more. She yawned and returned to her room to catch up on sleep.

Kushina sat down, hugging her cushion. "Big Sister Tsunade just likes teasing kids. Don't mind her."

The two sat side by side, chatting, and as time passed, the distance between them gradually shrank.

Mito Uzumaki came out then, looking at the two with the knowing smile of someone who had been through it herself. "Get ready to eat."

Only then did Qianye Lan and Kushina realize in surprise that their shoulders were already touching.

Her little face slightly flushed, Kushina put down her cushion. "I'll go call Big Sister Tsunade for dinner."

Qianye Lan gave an awkward laugh and went to help in the kitchen.

Qianye Lan and Kushina kept their heads down as they ate, neither saying a word.

In stark contrast to yesterday's laughter and chatter, the two were very quiet.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow at the sight. What are these two little ones sulking about?

She was just about to speak to lighten the mood when Mito Uzumaki stopped her with a look.

Tsunade took the hint, then lowered her head and obediently continued eating.

After the meal, Mito Uzumaki took Qianye Lan to the Hokage Building.

Once Mito Uzumaki had left, Tsunade sidled up to Kushina with a nosy look on her face. "What's going on with you two? Had a fight?"

Kushina lowered her head and said bashfully, "Of course not."

At the Hokage Building, Mito Uzumaki brought Qianye Lan to the Hokage Office.

Seeing the two, the Third Hokage already understood. He smiled warmly and said, "Have you made your choice?"

Qianye Lan nodded, then said, "I want to choose the Flying Thunder God Technique."

For a moment, the Third Hokage's mind wandered as he remembered his teacher, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

Then, in front of them, he took out the Scroll of Seals and turned to the page for the Flying Thunder God Technique. "Read it yourself. You may make a copy, but you must give the handwritten copy to Lady Mito for safekeeping."

Qianye Lan looked surprised. He had not expected the Third Hokage to keep something so important on his person.

Seeing Qianye Lan's puzzled gaze, he explained, "If someone can take the Scroll of Seals from my hands, that can only prove that Konoha has reached its most dangerous hour."

Qianye Lan nodded in realization and put on an admiring expression. "That's right. The Third Hokage is known as the strongest Hokage in history. Keeping the Scroll of Seals with you really is the safest option."

At those words, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression stiffened, and he sneaked a glance at Mito Uzumaki.

Only after seeing that Mito Uzumaki's expression had not changed did he inwardly breathe a sigh of relief.

Boasting about himself in front of the original wife of the very man concerned was rather too embarrassing for the Third Hokage.

But looking again at Qianye Lan's "innocent" eyes, and recalling his outstanding grades on the will of fire at the Ninja Academy, the Third Hokage could only swallow his discomfort.

He forced a smile and bit the bullet. "Those are just words in a textbook. You shouldn't take them seriously."

Seeing this, Qianye Lan stopped needling him and lowered his head to begin reading the Book of Forbidden Techniques.

He was just about to make a copy when Mito Uzumaki stopped him with her hand.

"Just read it here. There's no need to copy it. I have all the original versions of the ninjutsu Tobirama developed."

Qianye Lan nodded at her words. After reading through it carefully, he looked up at Mito Uzumaki and said, "I've finished."

Since there was an original, why read this one? Qianye Lan planned to go straight back and read the version Tobirama Senju had left behind.

Mito Uzumaki stood, nodded to the Third Hokage, and then led Qianye Lan out of the Hokage Office.

Sitting in his chair, the Third Hokage wiped the nonexistent sweat from his forehead.

He muttered to himself, "It looks like we'll have to be more careful with the teaching materials from now on."

On the way back, Mito Uzumaki asked with some curiosity, "Little Qianye Lan, did the Third really say that?"

Qianye Lan looked at Mito Uzumaki with feigned confusion. "Lord Third?"

Mito Uzumaki smiled. "I mean that statement about the Third being the strongest Hokage in history."

Qianye Lan thought for a moment before saying, "That's what the textbook says."

"What about the First and the Second? What does the book say about them?"

"Lord First established the ninja village, and Lord Second founded the Ninja Academy and also created the Chunin Ninja Exams."

At that, Mito Uzumaki's expression stiffened slightly. Then she asked, "Does it say anything about the strength of the First and the Second?"

Qianye Lan answered honestly, "There's nothing about either lord's strength."

After hearing that answer, Mito Uzumaki changed the subject, and the two continued chatting.

When they returned home, Kushina and Tsunade were each busy with their own things.

Seeing them return, Kushina was the first to come over and greet them. "Grandma Mito, Lan, you're back."

Mito Uzumaki looked gently at Kushina and stroked her hair.

Kushina nuzzled Mito Uzumaki's warm palm.

Mito Uzumaki lowered her hand and said to Qianye Lan, "Come with me."

With that, she led Qianye Lan to her room.

Mito Uzumaki took out a somewhat worn notebook and said, "These are Tobirama's notes from when he developed the Flying Thunder God Technique. They also contain his insights. Feel free to read them in my home, but you can't take them away."

Qianye Lan nodded solemnly, then took the notebook and began carefully leafing through it.

Seeing how seriously he was reading, Mito Uzumaki said, "If you don't mind, stay here for now. Spend some more time with Kushina. That child hasn't had many friends since she was little."

Qianye Lan readily agreed.

Seeing Qianye Lan agree, Mito Uzumaki smiled with relief. "I'll go prepare a guest room for you. Just stay here and read the notes in peace."

Qianye Lan said gratefully, "Thank you, Grandma Mito."

Mito Uzumaki did not reply. She simply patted his head and then left the room.

As she stepped outside, she saw Kushina skulking around out there and asked, "What are you doing?"

Kushina stuck out her tongue without answering.

Mito Uzumaki led her away, though Kushina resisted a little at first.

But one sentence from Mito Uzumaki made her settle down. "Qianye Lan will be staying here for a while. Help me tidy up a room."

Hearing that, Kushina asked in disbelief, "Really?"

Mito Uzumaki said gently, "When has Grandma ever lied to you?"