Almost Forgot Hatake Sakumo

The second test had ended, and it was already noon.

Naturally, the third test was scheduled for the afternoon.

On the Ninja Academy playground, Tsunade and Chishima Chiba sat on the same horizontal bar, each holding a lunchbox and wolfing down their food.

Tsunade seemed to have forgotten how she had hugged Chishima Chiba in front of the whole class. She ate happily.

Naturally, Chishima Chiba would not bring it up. He hoped Tsunade would forget it. Likewise, he would not mention Tsunade getting revenge on him.

Still, he had received a zero on the second round of testing because of Tsunade, which left him somewhat depressed.

The title of first in the class was now completely out of his reach.

Soon, the two had eaten their fill, packed up their lunchboxes, and naturally leaned against each other as they chatted.

Watching Tsunade's legs swing back and forth, Chishima Chiba felt an urge stir within him.

These legs weren't bad either!

They were round and straight, perfectly proportioned, with delicate, smooth, springy skin that felt slick and clingy, as if coated in honey. The ninja mesh stockings on her legs added even more charm to those beautiful legs, making them impossible to put down.

"Have you touched enough?" Tsunade rolled her eyes and glared at Chishima Chiba beside her.

"This isn't about whether I've touched enough. Is there something wrong with the material of your ninja mesh stockings?"

"How could there possibly be anything wrong with them?" Chishima Chiba had successfully diverted Tsunade's attention. "Grandma prepared these ninja mesh stockings for me. They're absolutely the finest of the finest!"

"They really are the finest of the finest. This weave, this texture—it's simply incredible!"

Chishima Chiba praised them, reluctantly withdrawing his hand. Though nervous inside, he silently gave himself a thumbs-up.

That deflection was incredible!

"Of course..." Tsunade looked smug, but the next second, she caught on. Her face flushed with embarrassment and anger as she raised a hand and smacked Chishima Chiba on the back. "Chiba, don't think I don't know what you mean!"

Chishima Chiba did not argue. He merely rubbed his fingertips together and grinned happily.

Tsunade did not keep pressing the matter. She was already used to Chishima Chiba occasionally acting improper.

She changed the subject. "Chiba, I heard this combat test won't be divided by class. Students from the upper, middle, and lower grades will all participate."

"So what if they are? Don't you have confidence?" Chishima Chiba did not care. "With our strength, won't we just steamroll them?"

"What are you even talking about?!" Tsunade lightly pinched Chishima Chiba. "Don't look down on everyone, okay? There's someone among the students a grade above us who's very strong."

"Who?"

"Hatake Sakumo." Tsunade was very serious. "I heard Second Grandfather mention him, and not just once. Every time, his evaluation was higher than the last."

"Given Second Grandfather's rigorous nature, Hatake Sakumo must be a genuine genius. Otherwise, Second Grandfather would never praise someone like that."

Chishima Chiba fell silent, annoyed with himself for forgetting Hatake Sakumo!

But he quickly regained his composure. It was still impossible to say who was stronger between him and Hatake Sakumo.

"Then I need to have a proper match with him." Chishima Chiba's fighting spirit surged. "Heh, if he weren't a genius, I wouldn't even be interested!"

"Stop talking big. What if you lose?" Tsunade glanced at Chishima Chiba. "Just don't cry afterward."

"Even if I cry, I'll wipe my snot all over you."

"Ugh, are you disgusting or what?" Tsunade looked utterly repulsed and pushed Chishima Chiba. "Honestly, stay away from me."

After fooling around for a while, Chishima Chiba turned serious. "Tsunade, do you know any detailed information about Hatake Sakumo?"

"I only know that Hatake Sakumo is skilled with a blade. I don't know anything else."

"We're allowed to use weapons in the combat test?" Chishima Chiba was startled.

"The combat test is based on actual combat, so of course weapons are allowed." Tsunade cleared up his confusion. "Not just weapons—things like ninjutsu are also permitted in battle."

"So it really is a combat test. Aren't they worried about accidental injuries?"

"How could there be accidental injuries? Second Grandfather will come watch today's combat test, along with other senior Konoha ninja. With such a powerful group overseeing it, how could they let accidental injuries happen?"

At the mention of Senju Tobirama, a trace of admiration flashed across Tsunade's face, along with a trace of fear. "With Second Grandfather's rigorous nature, since he set such rules, he must have considered every possible issue."

"Second Grandfather really is thorough."

Chishima Chiba could not exactly comment on Senju Tobirama in front of Tsunade, so he brushed it off with a single sentence.

Then Chishima Chiba voiced the question in his heart. "By the way, Tsunade, we study and live under the same roof, so why do you know more than I do?"

"Because it's my home, not yours." Tsunade blinked and teased Chishima Chiba.

Though it was teasing, it was also the truth.

As the cherished jewel of the Senju Clan, Tsunade naturally had many elders willing to get close to her. A few bits of information revealed in conversation were enough for her to know everything without ever leaving home.

Seeming to realize something, Tsunade thoughtfully changed the subject before Chishima Chiba could reply.

"By the way, Chiba, do you have any plans after the exams?"

"Not for now." Chishima Chiba shook his head. "Grandma Mito's coursework for me is pretty demanding. I can't slack off."

Hearing that, Tsunade deflated and looked somewhat unhappy. "I thought you were going to take me out to have fun..."

"Isn't taking you out supposed to be a given? There's no need to make special plans for it, right?"

Chishima Chiba reacted quickly and immediately smoothed things over. "And what I promised you before doesn't count as a plan. It's a promise."

Tsunade's beautiful eyes instantly lit up. She gave Chishima Chiba a sweet look and edged a little closer to him. "Then tell me first. Where are you taking me?"

"We'll take a stroll through the shopping district. As for the rest... it has to stay a secret."

"You're keeping me in suspense again. Tell me, tell me!" Tsunade shook Chishima Chiba as she urged him. "I haven't gone out in half a year. I'm bored to death!"

"Good food, fun things, pretty sights!"

Chishima Chiba spread his hands. "That's all I can say. Shaking me won't help."

"Chiba!"

"Verbal threats won't work."

"Chiba~"

"..." Chishima Chiba touched his slightly hot nose. "Come closer. I'll tell you."

Dropping her coquettish expression, Tsunade happily narrowed her eyes, stretched out her neck, and leaned toward Chishima Chiba, nearly falling into his arms.

"Ahem!"

The sudden cough startled both Tsunade and Chishima Chiba. The two, who had been pressed close together, immediately separated, leaving a distance of three fists between them.

The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, entered the playground with his three disciples, followed by a group of Konoha's higher-ups.