Sarutobi Hiruzen Entertains the Thought of Taking a Disciple

Although Chishima Chiba possessed the same physique and talent as Tsunade, their focuses were completely different.

Perhaps it was due to their personalities. Tsunade preferred close-quarters combat and immensely enjoyed the brutal style of landing blow after blow.

Thus, Tsunade had invested the advantages of her talent and physique into Nintaijutsu, with Ninjutsu as a supplement.

Chishima Chiba, however, was different. He had primarily turned the talent and physique advantages he gained from Tsunade toward all kinds of Ninjutsu, with Taijutsu as a supplement.

Their differing choices naturally resulted in vastly different yet exceptionally complementary fighting styles.

But now that they were competing on the same stage, they naturally could not combine their strengths. Chishima Chiba, using his weakness against Tsunade's strength, quickly fell into a disadvantage.

Tsunade, meanwhile, became more excited the longer they fought. Chakra boiled within her, and the force behind her fists and kicks grew heavier and heavier. Every time Chishima Chiba caught one of Tsunade's attacks, he grimaced in pain.

This was way too violent!

"Tsunade, that's enough..."

Chishima Chiba had a headache. He wanted to widen the distance, but Tsunade relentlessly pursued him, giving him no opportunity to pull away again. Her continuous barrage of explosive attacks did not even leave him time to form Hand Seals and cast Ninjutsu.

Tsunade said nothing, but the force behind her hands and feet grew even fiercer. Her eyes brimmed with fighting spirit, and she clearly intended to use this method to secure victory.

Seeing that Tsunade was ignoring him, Chishima Chiba helplessly chose to use Sealing Jutsu.

While blocking Tsunade's fierce punches and kicks, Chishima Chiba multitasked, gathering the Chakra within his body into the center of his palm. Strange, complex Sealing Formulas rapidly took shape one after another.

A moment later, the Sealing Jutsu was complete. Chishima Chiba switched from defense to offense, unclenching his fist into an open palm and slapping it against Tsunade's oncoming fist.

Sealing Jutsu: Four Limbs Heavy Seal!

The instant palm and fist collided, a pitch-black Sealing Formula spread from Tsunade's fist to her wrist, stopping only after it had covered her entire right arm.

"Sealing Jutsu?!"

Tsunade's little mouth fell open in disbelief. As the words left her lips, she felt as though her right arm weighed a thousand pounds. She could not even lift it, much less continue attacking Chishima Chiba.

But a flash of defiance passed through her eyes. Tsunade abruptly raised her left arm and heavily punched toward Chishima Chiba's face.

Chishima Chiba gave a bitter smile and raised his hand again, catching Tsunade's left fist and repeating the process.

The next second, once the pitch-black Sealing Formula spread across Tsunade's entire left arm, both her hands hung limp at her sides, stripped of their earlier might.

"Admit defeat."

"I won't!"

Tsunade's tense little face was full of stubbornness as she suddenly raised her leg and kicked toward Chishima Chiba's abdomen.

Naturally, Chishima Chiba was prepared. With a single sweep of one hand, he caught Tsunade's beautiful leg against his chest and continued persuading her helplessly. "Admit defeat. You are not..."

"In your dreams!"

Tsunade gritted her pearly teeth, exerting force through her waist and abdomen as she lifted her left leg. Her whole body turned sideways in midair, and her left foot kicked toward Chishima Chiba's chest.

Tsunade's kick landed squarely on Chishima Chiba. His chest tightened, and the enormous force churned his blood and energy. It took him two or three seconds to recover.

But Tsunade was not having an easy time either. With both arms sealed, she could not raise them at all and could only fall stiffly from the air, slamming onto the ground.

Seeing this, Chishima Chiba felt a little distressed. Ignoring Tsunade's wildly flailing legs, he went around behind her, supported the back of her head, and helped her up.

"Why push yourself like that? If you'd just admitted defeat, you wouldn't have had to suffer this."

"None of your business!"

Like a little lioness, Tsunade glared fiercely at Chishima Chiba and conceded defeat in the harshest tone possible. "This one counts as your win. Next time, I'll definitely win it back."

"You can't beat me if I don't go easy on you."

"You're not allowed to go easy on me!" Leaning against Chishima Chiba's chest, Tsunade shook her little head furiously. "If you dare go easy on me, I'll never speak to you again!"

"..."

Chishima Chiba was rather helpless about Tsunade's competitive nature, but he had no intention of correcting it.

That was one of Tsunade's defining traits too, wasn't it?

He raised his hand and removed the Sealing Jutsu on Tsunade's arms. Only then could Tsunade move freely again. Pouting in displeasure, she climbed out of Chishima Chiba's arms.

But the moment she regained her footing, the more Tsunade thought about it, the angrier she became. She turned around, raised her hand, and punched Chishima Chiba in the chest.

It was neither heavy nor light, just the right amount of force.

"Hmph. I feel much better now."

After leaving those words behind, Tsunade flicked her ponytail, turned, and walked away, leaving Chishima Chiba rubbing his chest with a bitter smile.

Only then did Takezawa Masahiro belatedly run onto the field and loudly announce that Chishima Chiba had won the practical examination.

"What a remarkable youngster!"

Watching Chishima Chiba's retreating back, Sarutobi Hiruzen could not help sighing. "Chiba is only seven this year, right?"

"More precisely, six and a half." Senju Tobirama rarely interjected. "The same age as Tsunade."

"Unbelievable..." Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled bitterly. "When we were their age, I don't think we had this kind of strength."

"That may not be so. Kagami was probably more outstanding than Tsunade and Chishima Chiba when he was their age." Shimura Danzō glanced at Kagami Uchiha beside him. "Isn't that right, Kagami?"

"When I was Chishima Chiba's age, I didn't know any Sealing Jutsu. Even now, I still don't."

Kagami Uchiha seemed not to notice Shimura Danzō's jab as he continued, "Among the village's new generation, Chishima Chiba should be the one to carry the banner."

"Not necessarily."

Senju Tobirama shook his head. "Sakumo, who is a year older than Chiba, is equally formidable. Until the very end, it is hard to say who will come out on top."

"Teacher, is that child Hatake Sakumo really that strong?" Sarutobi Hiruzen was somewhat doubtful. "Chiba's abilities are simply too well-rounded. Few among his peers can restrain him."

"Being well-rounded is good, but it also has its drawback." Senju Tobirama shook his head as he gave his assessment. "All-round development tests one's talent the most. One misstep, and one may become mediocre. The future is full of uncertainty."

"As for Sakumo, that child specializes in a single path. Though it is somewhat narrow, he holds every advantage in one-on-one battles to the death."

"Even if, in the end, he is not as broadly applicable as a well-rounded ninja, before Sakumo encounters a true bottleneck, he will have few rivals among those of the same level."

"Teacher, isn't your evaluation of Sakumo too high?" Sarutobi Hiruzen was dumbfounded. This was truly the first time he had seen Senju Tobirama praise someone so highly.

"I don't think so." Senju Tobirama shook his head. "Hiruzen, once you see Sakumo's performance later, you will understand that my words are not empty."

"But I still think Chiba will win." Sarutobi Hiruzen thought very highly of Chishima Chiba and genuinely liked him from the bottom of his heart. "And even if he loses afterward, I still want to take Chiba as my disciple."

"Oh? You're already entertaining the thought of taking a disciple?"

Senju Tobirama glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen and stated bluntly, "I have other arrangements for Chiba. Little Monkey, don't even think about it."

"Huh?" Sarutobi Hiruzen froze before blurting out, "Why, Teacher?"

"Because that boy Chiba possesses the talent to continue developing in every area. His future is even more promising than Sakumo's."

"This..." Sarutobi Hiruzen was even more confused. "Teacher, that isn't what you were saying earlier. You kept praising Hatake Sakumo."

"I was merely praising him and speaking objectively. I never said that Chiba was weaker than Sakumo."

After saying that, Senju Tobirama ignored the dejected Sarutobi Hiruzen. His gaze burned as he watched Chishima Chiba playing with his granddaughter Tsunade, and a surge of fervor rose in his heart.