Among the 2,000 Hokage's Secret Guard, Senju Tenpuku's hands trembled slightly, his eyes burning with excitement. As Senju Yasuhei's youngest son, he had been protected by his clan for over thirty years, never even tasting the bitterness of bloodshed. At this moment, the warmth of Ninjutsu still lingered on his fingertips, and the blood in his chest almost burst from his throat—the warlike genes ingrained in the Senju Clan had finally awakened on the battlefield.
The Orochi Senju grinned and nudged Tenpuku's arm with its shoulder. " Tenpuku, were you having a blast?" Its eyes were wide open, its face brimming with barely suppressed excitement. "Our first time on the battlefield, and we've encountered such a large-scale battle!" it exclaimed, waving its arms exaggeratedly. "None of our usual small missions can compare to this!"
Senju Might frowned and pushed the Orochi away, but couldn't hide the smile on his lips, "What's all the excitement about? We're out here to fight!" He crossed his arms and deliberately put on a stern face, but the tips of his red ears betrayed him.
Senju Shinichi squinted and grinned mischievously, then suddenly leaned close to Might's ear. "I saw your face turn bright red when the Raikage charged at you!" He winked and gestured with a kicking motion, "Were you thinking of opening the Eight Gates and kicking the Raikage away?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Might slapped Shinichi's hand away, his ears turning bright red. " The Eight Gates aren't something you can just open casually! That's the passion of youth!" He clenched his fists, his eyes burning with intensity. "You only use them to protect the most important people in your life!" Then, he suddenly scratched the back of his head and muttered, "A red dragon might actually look good on the Raikage..."
Tenpuku chuckled and put his arm around Might's shoulder, "Stop it already!" He deliberately nudged Might's waist with his elbow, "Your son is still young, he still needs you to earn money for Body Tempering medicine!" Then, feigning seriousness, he poked Might's chest, "Don't take your life so lightly!"
Everyone burst into laughter. Orochi laughed so hard he slapped his thigh, Shinichi couldn't straighten up, and Might, his face flushed, was still trying to argue. When the laughter subsided a little, Might suddenly lowered his voice, his eyes filled with pride. "My little Might will definitely be able to open the Eight Gates someday!" He counted on his fingers, "He opened the First Gate at only seven years old, much better than me at that age!"
The Orochi perked up at the mention of this, sidling up to Might and shrugging his shoulders as he complained, "My little rascal is only four, but he's got so many ideas for his age!" He tugged at his hair with a distressed expression, "I told him to learn Pure Yang Art, but he insisted on learning Lesser Yang Art!" Suddenly, he spread his arms wide, exaggeratedly mimicking his son's posture, "He looks like a little girl, how is he going to get married!"
Shinichi wrapped his arm around the Orochi's neck, deliberately giving it a disdainful look as he looked it up and down. "You're usually so glib, but your son's probably even better at conning people!" He winked and teased in a low voice, "Who knows, he might just have some girl completely fooled!"
Orochi's eyes suddenly lit up, and he grabbed Shinichi's arm. " Shinichi, your son and my son are the same age, right?" He rubbed his hands together, smiling ingratiatingly, "They'll both be going to the Ninja Academy next year, so please have your son take care of my son!" He suddenly leaned closer and asked mysteriously, "By the way, what's your son's name? I want my son to recognize him as his older brother!"
"His name is Jiraiya, and he has white hair just like me." Shinichi's lips curled into a smile Shinichi spoke of his son. "He's definitely the most cheerful and lively one!" He patted his chest confidently and gave Orochi a heavy pat on the Orochi. "Don't worry, I'll tell him that when we get back!"
Just then, Senju Shiranui came running up, panting, with a gossipy smile on his face, " Tenpuku, does your old man know you're on the battlefield?" He raised an eyebrow, his eyes full of mockery.
Tenpuku threw his head back and laughed loudly, hands on his hips, chest puffed out. "So what if I know!" He suddenly swung his arm, "I've already had two sons, what's wrong with coming out and having some fun!" His eyes suddenly turned fiery, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked, "Today's battle made me realize that I was born to belong on the battlefield!"
"You've completely let loose!" Shiranui fell over. Suddenly, she leaned close to Tenpuku's ear and whispered, "I have something to tell you..." He rubbed his hands together, his expression slowly shifting from tentative to expectant.
Tenpuku gave him an impatient shove. "Just say what you have to say, why are you being so coy?"
Shiranui suddenly straightened his back and puffed out his chest. "You know my daughter is 13 years old this year, right?" He gestured animatedly, "She's incredibly beautiful!" Then he suddenly leaned closer and asked cautiously, "Does your son, Tsubasa, need a wife?"
"Wow!" Tenpuku's eyes lit up, and he grabbed Shiranui's shoulder. "You're willing to marry her off?" He patted Shiranui's back excitedly. "I've seen your daughter; she's definitely a beauty!" Then, he frowned. "But it's not up to me. Fifth Sister-in-law and Little Tsubasa have to agree." He spread his hands and smiled helplessly. "You know, Little Tsubasa will marry seven wives in the future."
Shiranui's face flushed instantly, and he stammered, wringing his hands. "To be honest..." His eyes darted around, and his voice trailed off, "My daughter saw your son somewhere and said she wanted to marry someone like him..." He suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with apprehension, "I'm just afraid your family is too high-class and won't look up to my daughter..."
Tenpuku slapped his thigh violently, the sound deafening, "How can we, the Senju Hands, compare to those outsiders?" He stomped his foot in anger, "Those people are treacherous and even tried to assassinate my son!" He clenched his fists, his facial muscles trembling, "To become in-laws with them? I'd have to be out of my mind!"
Shiranui's eyes suddenly lit up dramatically, and he grabbed Tenpuku's hand. "Then it's settled!" He grinned from ear to ear, "The bride price will be a Phoenix Tower Seven-Star Membership Card!"
"You really dare to dream!" Orochi suddenly jumped out, spreading his arms wide exaggeratedly. "Even a hundred billion ryo might not be enough to buy that card!" He gestured wildly. "Two years ago, a nobleman from the Land of Fire Shiranui 15 billion ryo, but Uncle Yasuhei didn't even acknowledge it!" As he spoke, he shook his head at Shiranui, his face full of "you're dreaming" expressions.
Might's eyes widened, and he grabbed Orochi. "Really?" He sidled up to Shinichi, his face full of curiosity. "That Seven Star Membership Card is that awesome?"
Shinichi adjusted his glasses and slowly counted on his fingers. "Free stay at the Phoenix Tower Hotel, all-inclusive hot spring entertainment..." With each item he mentioned, Might's eyes widened further, "Billions in interest-free loans from the casino, the highest discounts from the Medicine King Pavilion Divine Weapon Pavilion!"
Shiranui's shoulders suddenly slumped, his face filled with disappointment. "I mainly looked at the discounts at the Medicine King Pavilion..." He sighed, his brow furrowed, and said, " Body Tempering is too expensive. I wanted my youngest son to follow the Pure Yang Art Body Cultivation path..." Then, he suddenly looked up, hope rekindling in his eyes, "I heard Uncle Yasuhei gave my in-laws a Seven-Star membership card, so I..."
" Tenpuku, if you really send me a Seven Star Card, I'll have a daughter too!" Might suddenly jumped up, raising his fists high. "Good heavens, youth is truly something!" He hugged Tenpuku tightly. "You have two sons, and of Little Tenmei's seven wives, my Might family has reserved one!"
Tenpuku laughed so hard he couldn't stand up straight, and patted Might's back forcefully. "Stop messing around!" He turned to Shiranui, his eyes firm, "If your daughter really marries into the family, she'll definitely get a Seven Star Card!"
"That's wonderful!" Shiranui jumped up excitedly, grabbing Tenpuku's neck. "With my daughter's unparalleled beauty, your son and Fifth Sister-in-law will definitely agree!" He pulled Tenpuku away, "Come on, let's have a drink! There won't be any fighting today!"
Tenpuku was pulled forward, unable to suppress the smile on his face—not only had he fulfilled his battlefield dream, but he had also resolved a worry for his sister-in-law. Behind them, Orochi, Shinichi, and Might looked at their retreating figures, exchanging glances before suddenly stomping their feet simultaneously. Orochi angrily pulled his hair, Shinichi pounded his thigh and sighed, and Might buried his face in his hands and wailed, "What's the use of having a son? It has to be a daughter!"