Chishima Chiba, I'll Fight You to the Death!

Chishima Chiba and Tsunade's secret base.

This place had been abandoned for over half a year, but today, it was finally put back into use.

Chishima Chiba treated Hatake Sakumo like free labor, directing him as they cleaned the place up and turned it into a somewhat crude training ground.

Tsunade happily enjoyed the leisure on the side, quietly watching the two work. Every now and then, she offered a suggestion so she could feel somewhat involved.

Hatake Sakumo did not say much, but he still felt a little resentful. Clearly, he and Chishima Chiba were working together, and he was doing more of the labor, yet Tsunade's attention remained fixed on Chishima Chiba.

It was not that Hatake Sakumo had feelings for Tsunade. He simply felt it was unfair.

After two hours of work, the two finally leveled and cleaned up the area, setting up practice equipment such as targets and wooden dummies.

"Done!" Chishima Chiba clapped his hands and slung an arm around Hatake Sakumo's shoulders. "Little brother Sakumo, you've worked hard. I'll teach you a Taijutsu Secret Technique in a bit!"

Hatake Sakumo had initially been resistant, but upon hearing the words "Taijutsu Secret Technique," he went against his feelings and did not resist.

Tsunade also stood up at that moment and walked into the training ground, which had basically taken shape. She looked around eagerly, clearly unable to wait any longer.

"Tsunade, get familiar with the place first. Sakumo and I will be right back."

With that, Chishima Chiba walked away with an arm around Hatake Sakumo's shoulders. From afar, they really did look like a pair of close brothers.

But Tsunade was not nearly that obedient. She had long known that Chishima Chiba was up to no good, though she could not guess the specifics. All she could do was follow the two in secret, driven by curiosity.

"This place will do."

Chishima Chiba stopped walking, naturally releasing Hatake Sakumo's shoulder with his right hand. His expression turned serious.

"Sakumo, this ultimate move is an Ultimate Taijutsu Secret Technique I developed with Grandpa Tobirama's help. I truly do not teach it to just anyone."

"But you're different. I acknowledge you! Even if I only acknowledge half of you, I'll still do everything I can to teach you this ultimate killing move."

Hatake Sakumo nodded, then asked curiously, "Why do you only acknowledge half of me?"

"The other half will naturally have to wait until you learn the Taijutsu Secret Technique: One Thousand Years of Death. Then I'll judge based on your performance."

Chishima Chiba took the initiative to put some distance between himself and Hatake Sakumo. "Getting to the point, to learn the Taijutsu Secret Technique: One Thousand Years of Death, you need to meet one prerequisite."

"What prerequisite?" Hatake Sakumo listened intently and promptly responded. "Do I meet it?"

"You know the Shadow Clone Jutsu, right?"

"I don't." Hatake Sakumo shook his head. "It's a technique developed by the Second Hokage. I'm not qualified to learn it yet."

"I can teach you the Shadow Clone Jutsu." Chishima Chiba decided to give Hatake Sakumo a little benefit while laying the groundwork for what came later. "But there's one condition. Once you learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu and then learn One Thousand Years of Death, you must promise never to use this killing move on me."

Hearing that, Hatake Sakumo hurriedly shook his head. "How could I turn around and use a Taijutsu Secret Technique I learned from you against you?"

"Then I'm relieved. Let's begin. I'll teach you the Shadow Clone Jutsu first."

Hidden nearby, Tsunade watched Chishima Chiba teach so earnestly and could not help feeling suspicious.

"Something's wrong... When did Chiba ever become this honest? No, there must be something else going on!"

The doubt had only just surfaced when Tsunade immediately suppressed it, patiently remaining hidden and observing.

Chishima Chiba would definitely let something slip, and she would not have to wait long.

Sure enough, after only half an hour, Hatake Sakumo had completely mastered the Hand Seals and Chakra circulation path for the Shadow Clone Jutsu.

It had to be said that Hatake Sakumo truly was an unquestionable genius. Though he specialized in his family's swordsmanship, his talent for Ninjutsu and his delicate Chakra control were also rare among those his age.

After only two attempts, Hatake Sakumo successfully cast a Shadow Clone. Though he was still unpracticed, the speed at which he had gotten started was astonishing.

"Sakumo really is a genius. Back when I learned the Shadow Clone Jutsu, I only needed one try to succeed."

Hatake Sakumo glanced at Chishima Chiba, but in the end, he could not resist rolling his eyes.

Were you praising me for being a genius, or praising yourself?

Pfft.

A suddenly stifled laugh rang out. Chishima Chiba immediately caught on and pointed at Hatake Sakumo as he shouted loudly.

"You farted!"

"Chishima Chiba, you're the one who farted!" Tsunade burst out of the bushes, danger gleaming in her eyes. "You're dead!"

She lunged at Chishima Chiba like a young tiger pouncing on prey, baring her little fangs as her fists repeatedly rained down on his back.

After fooling around for quite a while, the two finally calmed down. Only then did they notice Hatake Sakumo standing nearby with a gloomy expression.

Being this kind of third wheel...

"Ahem." Chishima Chiba cleared his throat. "Sakumo, I'll now teach you the Taijutsu Secret Technique: One Thousand Years of Death, created by yours truly!"

Hatake Sakumo took his stance and cooperatively put on a serious face, but Tsunade could not help grinning from the side, as though she were deliberately ruining the mood.

"Tsunade, move farther away. This technique is dangerous and cruel. You can't watch."

"Okay."

Tsunade nodded and very cooperatively took several steps back, raising a hand to cover her face. However, the gaps between her fingers were rather wide. Her face was covered perfectly, yet two Bright Brown eyes were left exposed.

Chishima Chiba did not bother with such trivial details. "Sakumo, are you ready?"

"I'm ready."

"I'll only demonstrate it once. Watch carefully."

Chishima Chiba created a Shadow Clone while explaining the key points. "Use the white smoke produced when casting the Shadow Clone Jutsu to block the enemy's vision. At this time, we need to use a very low-level Earth Release Ninjutsu: Earth Release: Underground Projection Fish."

"Of course, it doesn't matter if you don't know this Earth Release Ninjutsu. You can substitute it with the Double Suicide Decapitation Technique, or use some other method instead."

As he spoke, Chishima Chiba's real body had already used Earth Release: Underground Projection Fish to reach beneath Hatake Sakumo's feet.

The Shadow Clone continued its explanation. "In short, all you need to do is sneak behind the enemy, then catch them off guard..."

Taijutsu Secret Technique: One Thousand Years of Death!

"AAARGH!!!"

Hatake Sakumo's eyes went wide, his buttocks instinctively clenched, and he shot three feet into the air. His expression twisted horribly.

(｀ω)

Tsunade froze in place, her eyes recording a scene she would never forget for the rest of her life.

That had to hurt, right?

"Pfft... pfft, bwahaha..." Tsunade struggled hard to hold back her laughter, but Hatake Sakumo's eyes had turned red.

Clang.

The White Fang short sword on his back left its sheath. Enduring the pain in his buttocks, he forcibly twisted himself around in midair with the strength of his waist and abdomen. Surging Lightning Release Chakra erupted from within him as he charged fiercely at Chishima Chiba!

"Chishima Chiba! I'll fight you to the death!"