Supporting Each Other, Growing Together

The First Great Ninja War was probably the most brutal war of all.

Its brutality was not reflected in the number of casualties, but in the village leaders who died. Aside from Second Kazekage Shamon, the Kage of all the other Four Great Hidden Villages had perished.

Moreover, the original plan had been for them to join forces and besiege Konoha, but as the battle went on, a dramatic turn of events occurred.

Perhaps because of a personal grudge, the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu, led the Mist Ninja on a lengthy detour into the Land of Earth, where they fought the Iwa-nin led by the Second Tsuchikage, Mū, to the death. In the end, the two had traded their lives one for one.

And Shamon, the Second Kazekage, had not been doing his proper job either. Throughout the First Great Ninja War, he had been slacking off, devoting himself to developing all kinds of Ninjutsu and researching the One-Tailed Shukaku.

As a result, Konoha's only true opponent had been Kumogakure. So even with the front lines in crisis, Konoha's adult ninja had been able to hold on.

But now the fighting between the two sides had reached a fever pitch. Kumogakure had even sent underage Cloud Ninja into battle, and the pressure on Konoha had surged sharply.

Chishima Chiba wanted to persuade Senju Tobirama to use the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu on the battlefield, but although Tobirama had paused, he refused to use it. Chiba had no way to force the matter.

At the dining table, the house was rarely this lively, so breakfast was especially lavish.

Senju Tobirama had returned from the front lines, and Tsunade was naturally delighted. Not only could she not stop smiling while eating, but her appetite had increased considerably as well.

However, the tender chicken Tsunade loved most was a little too far away. She wanted some, but felt too embarrassed to stand up and reach for it.

Chishima Chiba had sharp eyes and naturally noticed the longing in Tsunade's gaze. Ignoring table manners, he stood up, picked up a chicken leg, and placed it in her bowl.

"Eat the chicken leg." With that, he gave Tsunade an indulgent smile.

Tsunade did not thank him aloud. She glanced at the chicken leg in her bowl, then looked up at Chishima Chiba beside her. The brightness in her brown eyes rose several degrees.

Uzumaki Mito naturally said nothing, but Senju Tobirama's expression was rather unpleasant. He snorted and glared at Chishima Chiba before finally letting it go.

Chishima Chiba did not care in the slightest. He even went further, frequently standing up to pick out Tsunade's favorite dishes and piling her little bowl into a small mountain.

Watching Tsunade enjoy herself, Senju Tobirama let out a heavy sigh inwardly and turned away, no longer looking at the two of them.

As her grandfather, he could no longer stop the feelings between them from continuing to heat up...

After eating and drinking their fill, Chishima Chiba took care of all the washing up as usual. Tsunade stayed by his side every step of the way, chatting with him naturally.

Their conversation was nothing but trivial daily matters, with little substance to it, but Chishima Chiba loved listening. He would naturally offer his opinions as well, making Tsunade so happy that she was just short of burrowing into his arms to act spoiled.

After breakfast, Chishima Chiba and Tsunade headed out together.

Yet along the way, Tsunade kept looking back. Only after confirming that Senju Tobirama was nowhere in sight did she blink her bright, watery eyes and stare fixedly at Chishima Chiba.

Chishima Chiba naturally understood what Tsunade meant. Without the slightest hesitation, he grabbed her soft hand and swung it back and forth, utterly delighted.

Tsunade comfortably narrowed her eyes a little, then used her arm to slow the swinging motion. With light steps, she pressed herself tightly against the young man beside her.

Feeling the warmth against his shoulder, Chishima Chiba grinned and gently bumped Tsunade beside him.

But as Tsunade's body tilted outward, Chishima Chiba exerted force with his right hand and pulled her back again.

"You're awful!"

Tsunade lightly pinched Chishima Chiba with her fingertips. "If you keep messing around, I won't pay attention to you anymore!"

Chishima Chiba smiled without speaking, merely nodding lightly as his grip on Tsunade's hand tightened a little.

The two walked for a while in sweet intimacy, only reining themselves in slightly once more pedestrians appeared around them. Still holding hands, they sprinted all the way there. By the time they were panting for breath, they had finally arrived at their secret base.

Hatake Sakumo was as diligent as ever and had already begun training early. But when Chishima Chiba and Tsunade arrived, Hatake Sakumo spared them a glance during a break, his gaze lingering on their interlocked fingers for a full three or four seconds.

Tsunade was a little embarrassed, but after struggling for a moment without managing to pull free, she glared angrily at Chishima Chiba and left it at that.

After greeting Hatake Sakumo, Chishima Chiba released Tsunade's hand. At the same time, Hatake Sakumo ended his training, sheathed his sword, and approached the two of them.

"Chiba, are you sure you want to learn?"

A few days ago, during the Ninja Academy exams, Chishima Chiba had mentioned wanting to learn the Hatake Sword Style from Hatake Sakumo. Sakumo had not agreed immediately at the time, but asking this today likely meant that he had accepted.

"The more skills you have, the better. The more capable I am, the broader my path will be in the future."

Chishima Chiba confirmed it once more, and Hatake Sakumo nodded, with no extra expression on his face.

"Of course, Sakumo, I won't let you lose out. I'll teach you a few special techniques too, as an exchange."

"You only need to promise me that you won't pass on the Hatake Sword Style I teach you to anyone else. I have no other requirements."

Hatake Sakumo was in a good frame of mind, and after more than half a year together, he had basically accepted Chishima Chiba and trusted him greatly.

"I can't let you lose out. Besides, the three of us will be a squad in the future. The stronger and more well-rounded you are, the safer Tsunade and I will be."

Hearing Chishima Chiba put it that way, Hatake Sakumo naturally nodded in agreement. Still, he asked curiously, "Chiba, the special techniques you mentioned, they wouldn't happen to be..."

"Not One Thousand Years of Death, I promise!"

"..." Hatake Sakumo's face darkened like the bottom of a pot. One Thousand Years of Death was the stain of his life. "If you don't bring that up, we can still be friends."

"Haha, I won't bring it up!" Chishima Chiba could not help laughing, while Tsunade standing to the side also failed to hold back her laughter.

Seeing Chishima Chiba and Tsunade acting so lovey-dovey, Hatake Sakumo felt a sourness in his heart and could only turn away to avoid looking at them.

"Alright, Sakumo, back to business." Chishima Chiba turned serious. "I have a technique that suits you very well, but it's extremely difficult. Do you want to give it a try?"

"What type of Ninjutsu is it?"

"In the early stages, it focuses on thrusting attacks. Once advanced, it focuses on assassination and sneak attacks. After progressing even further, it can attack at range and defend up close. It's an excellent match for your Hatake Clan's inherited swordsmanship."

Hearing Chishima Chiba say that, Hatake Sakumo became interested. "Is it a Lightning Release Ninjutsu?"

"Of course." Chishima Chiba nodded, then changed the subject. "But I haven't fully developed it yet. If you want, you can take part in developing it with me."

"A newly developed Lightning Release Ninjutsu?" Hatake Sakumo's eyes widened in surprise, but soon he wore an eager expression. "Of course I want to participate. Shall we start now?"

"Not now." Chishima Chiba shook his head. "This Lightning Release Ninjutsu requires both chakra nature transformation and shape transformation. Sakumo, have you mastered the Ninjutsu Knowledge and methods related to those?"

"No..." Hatake Sakumo looked a little embarrassed. "I haven't learned those yet."

"Then how about this? You teach me the Hatake Sword Style, and I'll first teach you what chakra nature transformation and shape transformation are. Once you master them, we can develop that Lightning Release Ninjutsu together."

"Alright." Hatake Sakumo nodded, then asked with a look of astonishment, "Chiba, from the way you say it, have you already mastered both types of chakra transformation?"

"I only have a solid grasp of the theory. The rest still requires plenty of practice."

"What are you talking about... Chiba, you're writing another blank check." Tsunade suddenly spoke up, giving him a reverse assist. "Sakumo's inherited sword style is ready-made, but everything you just mentioned is... Wouldn't Sakumo be losing out terribly?"

Blinking her eyes, Tsunade looked at Hatake Sakumo with great seriousness. "Sakumo, I have a few ready-made high-level Ninjutsu here too. I'll teach them to you, and then... well, I want to learn too."

"Pfft, hahaha..." Chishima Chiba failed to hold back his laughter. "Tsunade, you really know how to calculate!"

"Chiba!" Tsunade glared back at him. Once she saw that he had quieted down, she turned to Hatake Sakumo again. "Sakumo, what do you think?"

"I'll teach you, but Tsunade, you must also promise that without my permission..."

"You won't pass it on!" Tsunade answered before he could finish.

Hatake Sakumo smiled and nodded. "Then I'll have my Shadow Clone teach your Shadow Clones swordsmanship. The two of you will teach me various Ninjutsu and more advanced Ninjutsu Knowledge. How does that sound?"

Chishima Chiba and Tsunade exchanged Eye Contact and nodded together. They then each created a Shadow Clone, which followed Hatake Sakumo's Shadow Clone away.

The three originals sat down cross-legged. Chishima Chiba became the "teacher," explaining more advanced knowledge about chakra.

Tsunade did not sit idle either. She knew quite a lot herself and occasionally helped Chishima Chiba fill in the gaps. The two worked together with remarkable coordination.

A sour feeling rose in Hatake Sakumo's heart again, but he adjusted his mindset quickly and entered a learning state in an instant.

Dear readers, please keep following along. This book has now received its second round of recommendations, and with your continued support, it may have a chance to receive a third round.

The author promises that if it reaches the third round, there will be 6,000 words daily; if it reaches the fourth round, 8,000 words daily. Please charge forward with me!

My sincere thanks!