There were many sages in Japan.
For example, toilet sages, yakitori sages, and rice-cooking sages.
In plain terms, the title referred to someone at the top of a particular trade.
Sage Yamamoto, then, meant a sage of craftsmanship.
"Lady Tsunade?!"
The moment Shihui Aburame and Tsunade entered, a middle-aged man came over to greet them.
His face was full of surprise and smiles.
Although Tsunade drank, gambled, and had a fiery temper, she was a good ninja.
She was very popular in Konoha.
"Yamamoto, it's been a few years. Your shop has gotten quite a bit bigger."
Tsunade looked around and spoke with a faint smile.
"It's all thanks to Lord Hokage's wise leadership."
Yamamoto spoke with a sincere expression.
"This is my student, Shihui Aburame."
Tsunade glanced down and introduced him.
"Uncle Yamamoto."
Shihui Aburame immediately greeted him.
"What a fine-looking young man."
Yamamoto looked him over and offered his praise.
It was just that he didn't look too lively, particularly resembling someone who had been ravaged by dozens of young married women.
"What ninja tools would you like to buy, Lady Tsunade?"
Yamamoto swept out his hand and declared generously, "I'll give you fifty percent off!"
"I'm not buying anything. I want a pair of gauntlets made."
Tsunade took out the chakra metal and said, "Use this."
"Fine stuff!"
Yamamoto's eyes lit up. After accepting the chakra metal, he couldn't put it down.
"Make them for him."
Tsunade added.
"No problem."
"You really are good to your student," Yamamoto said with feeling.
It was no wonder he misunderstood.
Chakra metal easily cost millions or tens of millions.
"Can they be reforged later?"
Tsunade had just been about to explain when Shihui Aburame interrupted her.
He was six now, and his body hadn't finished developing. Every part of him would grow bigger in the future, including his fists.
Chakra metal was so precious that using it only once would truly be a waste.
"Reforged?"
Yamamoto thought for a moment and said, "Yes, but we'd need to add more material."
"Thank you, Uncle Yamamoto."
Shihui Aburame spoke quite politely.
"Sorry for the trouble, then, Yamamoto."
Tsunade paused before asking, "We'll come to collect them next Sunday. Is that enough time?"
"Don't worry. Since it's your request, Lady Tsunade, I'll be sure to work overtime on them."
Yamamoto patted his chest and gave his assurance.
Tsunade and Shihui Aburame left the Yamamoto Sage Ninja Tool Shop.
They hadn't paid or left a deposit.
Tsunade's name alone was a guarantee.
The reverse was also true.
She wasn't worried that Yamamoto would run off with the chakra metal.
Anyone who dared do that in Konoha simply thought they had lived too long.
After walking a few steps, Tsunade noticed Shihui Aburame slowing down again.
She looked back and saw that his head was covered in sweat.
Tsunade frowned, took Shihui Aburame by the wrist, and fed chakra into him.
There was nothing wrong with his body. He had simply consumed too much chakra, leaving him physically exhausted.
"If I'd known, I would have left you at home to rest."
Tsunade pursed her lips. Seeing his calm expression, she couldn't help flicking his forehead again.
"I'm fine."
Shihui Aburame felt fine.
He was just a little tired.
His aperture was rapidly replenishing his primeval essence. It wouldn't take long for him to return to normal.
For an instant, Tsunade fell into a daze.
"Nawaki, your body can't take any more. You need to rest. Train some more later."
"I'm fine. I still have a hidden backup energy source."
"What nonsense is that?"
"It's my will to become Hokage, no matter what!"
Tsunade emerged from her memories.
She crouched down, spread her arms, and said, "Come here."
Shihui Aburame froze for a moment.
So huge. Truly frightening.
Seeing him remain unmoved, Tsunade assumed his pride was getting in the way.
She simply picked him up. A faint fragrance wafted toward him.
Shihui Aburame's vision blurred, leaving only a snowy-white cleavage and the necklace that was so easy to overlook.
"Get some sleep."
Tsunade reached out and pressed his head against her chest.
Shihui Aburame felt as though his face had been pressed against the finest silk: soft, warm, and fragrant.
He closed his eyes, but couldn't fall asleep no matter what.
His body wanted him to sleep. His mind wouldn't allow it.
Then he heard a commotion.
Shihui Aburame instinctively lifted his head, resting it on Tsunade's shoulder as he looked outward.
To his surprise, it was coming from the Ninja Academy.
A row of noticeboards stood by the school gates.
They usually displayed things like the will of fire or transcripts of Hiruzen Sarutobi's speeches, but their contents had been changed today.
They were just a little too far away for Shihui Aburame to read clearly.
"It's the Chunin Ninja Exams."
Tsunade glanced over and said, "You're too young to participate."
Shihui Aburame fell into thought.
What he knew best was the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams from the original story, in which Naruto Uzumaki, Gaara, and the others had participated.
But joint exams like those took time and effort, so they couldn't hold them every time.
Every year, some people would meet the requirements. The best approach was to hold a small-scale Chunin Ninja Exams.
"If you're interested, you can go watch."
Tsunade casually added, "Have Shizune take you."
To her, genin battles were like weaklings pecking at each other.
She might as well spend that time gambling a few rounds.
"We'll see when the time comes."
Shihui Aburame withdrew his gaze.
He certainly wasn't going to participate. He was merely curious whether there would be anyone he knew.
With that thought, Shihui Aburame buried himself in her embrace again.
She certainly wouldn't leave a child hungry.
Greatness needed no further words.
Unfortunately, the good times didn't last.
Once they got home, Tsunade tossed him onto the bed.
An ordinary Saturday passed smoothly just like that.
Sunday arrived.
After breakfast, Shihui Aburame went to the market.
"Shiki-kun!"
A familiar voice came from behind him.
Shihui Aburame turned and saw Ino Yamanaka.
Behind her stood a beautiful woman who looked quite similar to her, exuding mature charm from head to toe.
Noticing his gaze, she gave a gentle smile.
But for some reason, Shihui Aburame felt that she was sizing him up.
"Shiki-kun, why are you shopping for groceries alone? Why don't you come eat at my house?"
Ino Yamanaka reached out of her own accord and took one of his plastic bags to help him carry it.
"Your timing's off. I was just about to go to Naruto's place to teach him how to cook."
Shihui Aburame explained.
Ino Yamanaka's eyes lit up, but a conflicted look soon appeared on her little face.
"Shiki-kun, wait a moment."
She turned and ran over to the beautiful woman. "Mom, I want to have lunch with my classmates."
"You haven't even grown up yet, and you don't want your mom anymore?"
Mrs. Yamanaka covered her mouth and chuckled.
"Don't say things like that!"
Ino Yamanaka stamped her foot as she spoke.
"All right, all right. I won't."
Mrs. Yamanaka reached out to straighten the golden bangs on her forehead. "Go on."
"Thanks, Mom!"
Ino Yamanaka immediately beamed with happiness.
She skipped over to Shihui Aburame.
"Shiki-kun, I want to learn to cook too."
Without even pretending, Ino Yamanaka asked, "How about including me?"
The corners of Shihui Aburame's mouth twitched.
"I'll pay for the groceries."
Ino Yamanaka added.
Although the Yamanaka Clan couldn't compare with the Hyuga Clan, it was still a ninja clan of some standing.
As the princess of the Yamanaka Clan, she naturally had plenty of money.
First Hinata Hyuga, and now Ino Yamanaka.
Could I make money without lifting a finger?
"Teaching one person or two is still teaching."
Shihui Aburame nodded slightly and said, "You've come at just the right time. Let's go to Naruto's place together."
He didn't like money, nor was he interested in it. He mainly wanted to deepen his friendships with his classmates.
There was a thunderstorm last night, and the power went out. I wrote a chapter using my laptop's backup power. Hopefully the power comes back this afternoon. Otherwise, I'll have to go to an internet café to write. It's so hard.
(End of chapter)