After Kiba Inuzuka filled him in, Naruto Uzumaki understood just how impressive Tsunade was.
He could not help showing his longing to be a genius.
For some reason, he always failed to mold chakra, and performing the Three Basic Techniques was fraught with difficulties too.
Compared with Shihui Aburame and the others, he seemed especially mediocre.
They all picked things up as soon as they were taught.
Shihui Aburame looked at Naruto Uzumaki and thought again of his achievement: dominating the Ninja Academy.
He could indeed accomplish it, provided the big treasure in Naruto's belly did not cause trouble at will.
That made things quite troublesome.
He needed to help Naruto Uzumaki without arousing Hiruzen Sarutobi's suspicions.
Fortunately, he now had the status of Tsunade's apprentice.
At noon.
Shihui Aburame once again took Hinata Hyuga over the wall to eat ramen outside.
This daily exercise in building courage could not be neglected for now.
Next week, once the four actors he had found were in position, he would decide whether to continue based on the results.
If Hinata Hyuga could knock them over with one punch, everyone would be happy.
Time passed, and soon school was over.
"Shiki-kun."
Sakura Haruno came up to him and asked expectantly, "Can I go with you to see Lady Tsunade?"
After hearing from Ino Yamanaka that Shihui Aburame had become Tsunade's apprentice, she had been truly envious.
That was because the female ninja she admired most was Tsunade.
It was not just her; Ino Yamanaka, Kiba Inuzuka, and their other friends were tempted too.
Shihui Aburame nodded.
Tsunade probably would not mind.
After all, they were only going to meet her.
"Yay!"
Sakura Haruno clenched her fists and pumped them.
Ino Yamanaka and the others grew excited too.
In this world, Tsunade was undoubtedly a superstar.
"Sasuke-kun!"
Sakura Haruno hurriedly stopped Sasuke Uchiha and asked, "Do you want to come?"
"No."
Sasuke Uchiha glanced at Shihui Aburame and the others.
He was not used to such lively gatherings.
Besides, he had no particular feelings about Tsunade.
In his heart, there was only his older brother, Uchiha Itachi.
Sakura Haruno felt a little dejected, but soon recovered.
Children's emotions came quickly and went just as quickly.
The group arrived at the school gates.
Tsunade was already waiting.
She could not help pausing when she saw Shihui Aburame and the others.
Children were not calculating, so it was easy to tell at a glance who their center was.
Without a doubt, it was Shihui Aburame.
Tsunade could not help being surprised.
With Shihui Aburame's personality, he could actually manage this much?
"Lady Tsunade!"
In the blink of an eye, a group of children surrounded her.
Tsunade nodded, a faint smile appearing on her face.
It was hard to dislike a scene like this.
After the introductions, Sakura Haruno and the others reluctantly left, until only Shihui Aburame remained.
"You're more popular than I imagined."
After all that bustle, Tsunade was in quite a good mood.
Shihui Aburame nodded calmly.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow and reached straight out to pat his head.
Shihui Aburame leaned back tactically, but she still succeeded.
His hair was immediately mussed up.
"Don't touch my head."
Shihui Aburame spoke solemnly.
Don't you know that what people in the village hate most is having their heads patted?
A smug smile immediately spread across Tsunade's face.
He really is a brat!
She disliked how overly calm Shihui Aburame was; it always reminded her of Orochimaru.
Besides, teasing him was rather fun.
"Before becoming a medical ninja, you need to learn the relevant medical knowledge."
Tsunade withdrew her hand and produced a scroll as if by magic. "Read through all of these within a week."
"What if I finish early?"
Shihui Aburame asked.
With the Bookworm Gu, he would not even need a day.
"Finishing them isn't the point."
Tsunade glared at him. "The worst thing a medical ninja can do is rush for quick results."
"I meant mastering them."
Shihui Aburame corrected her.
"Are you sure?" Tsunade did not believe him at all. "There are fifteen medical books in this scroll."
"Then shall we make a bet?"
An idea suddenly flashed through Shihui Aburame's mind, and he asked.
"No problem!"
Excitement appeared in Tsunade's eyes. "Brat, what's the bet?"
She might refuse other things, but never a bet.
"Whether I can completely master this knowledge within one day."
Shihui Aburame thought for a moment before speaking.
Since he was aiming to be a genius, he might as well follow through to the end.
"One day?"
Tsunade paused, then waved her hand and declared confidently, "I'm sure to win!"
"Whoever loses has to grant the winner one request."
Shihui Aburame duly proposed the stakes.
"Fine."
Tsunade agreed, smiling. "Don't go crying tomorrow."
Win or lose, it was no big deal to her.
On the contrary, she really wanted to see whether Shihui Aburame could surprise her again.
Behind them, Shizune had not believed it at first.
After all, it had taken her two weeks back then.
Until they suddenly made a bet, and her mindset underwent a slight change.
Because she had never seen Tsunade win.
"Come with me."
Tsunade reined in her emotions, turned, and walked away.
She walked fairly quickly, so Shihui Aburame had to quicken his pace too.
As they passed Hokage Rock, Tsunade stopped.
Shihui Aburame was not paying attention and walked right into her.
Because of his height, his forehead made intimate contact with Tsunade's thigh.
Her fleshy thigh curved elastically under the impact.
Shihui Aburame instinctively took two steps back.
A thought surfaced in his mind.
If she wore stockings, they would dig into her flesh perfectly.
Tsunade glanced at him without paying it any mind, then looked back at Hokage Rock.
The four sculpted faces of Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Minato Namikaze stood in a row.
"Let's go."
Tsunade went around Hokage Rock.
To its left lay a bamboo grove, and beyond the grove was a row of residences.
Tsunade took out a key and opened the front door.
This was property left behind by the Senju Clan.
Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju had once lived here.
Tsunade plopped down on the sofa and propped up her legs, bringing her fair, sandaled feet before Shihui Aburame.
He glanced at them. Her rounded toes lined up side by side, their nails painted a striking red.
The only pity was that her dark blue capri pants covered her long thighs.
"I haven't asked you yet. What's your dream?"
Tsunade reached both hands behind her and swept back her long golden hair.
Her light brown eyes studied Shihui Aburame, a hint of interest appearing on her beautiful face.
Is this some mandatory part of taking on an apprentice?
Shihui Aburame looked at her and said earnestly, "I want to be the Hokage's man."
He had always firmly believed in one theory.
As long as she was beautiful, age was not an issue.
If he was going to drive, he would drive a big vehicle.
Ahem.
That came out wrong. As long as there was love, age was not an issue.
Of course, before that, he had to make Tsunade the Hokage first.
[Achievement "I see you've still got your charms, too" completed. Reward obtained: Wine Sack Flower Gu.] [Wine Sack Flower Gu: a rank-one Gu. Infuse it with primeval essence to make it grow. Once fully grown, its flower's center will secrete nectar wine.]
Gu came in many forms, including plants.
The nectar wine secreted by the Wine Sack Flower Gu could be used to feed a Liquor Worm.
Shihui Aburame's interest stirred.
Could Tsunade yield an achievement that rewarded a Liquor Worm?
Among rank-one Gu, the Liquor Worm was extremely precious.
That was because it could refine primeval essence, raising its potency by half a stage.
"Another one who wants to be Hokage."
Tsunade pursed her lips.
Shihui Aburame knew she had misunderstood, but did not correct her.
Because he was afraid of being beaten to death.
"Pick whichever room you like upstairs."
Tsunade changed the subject.
(End of chapter)