His gaze was fixed firmly on Uya.
In Uchiha Kageyama's eyes, the Mitsudomoe Sharingan appeared in an instant, and a terrifying wave of killing intent surged toward Uya.
That killing intent made Uya's gaze sharpen instantly.
He had almost been affected.
So strong!
This Uchiha Kageyama was at least as strong as an Elite Jonin!
"Uchiha Kageyama! What are you trying to do?!"
At that moment, Tsunade finally reacted. Her expression abruptly changed as she shouted sternly at Uchiha Kageyama.
While rebuking him, she deliberately adopted the same calm, faintly arrogant air he had worn when he had stopped her earlier.
Even under these circumstances, Uya had managed to turn the situation around and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
As her admiration and appreciation for Uya grew, she thought of how Uchiha Kageyama must be feeling now, and all the anger she had felt at being stopped by him vanished.
All that remained was a faintly teasing expression.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Kageyama looked as though he had swallowed a dead child.
Staring fixedly at Uya without concealing his murderous intent, Uchiha Kageyama wanted very much to kill him right then and there.
Uya's talent made even him feel a trace of fear.
But Tsunade was right here.
If he acted, never mind that he had no justification-even if he did, Tsunade would absolutely stop him.
Just as he had stopped Tsunade earlier.
He was frustrated beyond measure.
In the end, Uchiha Kageyama took a deep breath before barely managing to calm himself.
His face once again returned to an impassive coldness.
"Let's go!"
With a cold snort, Uchiha Kageyama turned and left.
The Uchiha Clan ninja opposite them also took deep breaths, barely regained their composure, and followed Uchiha Kageyama away.
The three Anbu exchanged glances. Finally, their eyes flickered, and they all left as well.
Only Uya and Tsunade remained.
The atmosphere became a little strange.
Looking at Tsunade, Uya's eyes first flickered, inadvertently sweeping over her chest.
Ahem!
He couldn't help it. It was simply too eye-catching.
Still, he immediately withdrew his gaze.
Uya was very grateful to Tsunade for coming over at a time like this.
Had Tsunade not been present earlier, Uchiha Kageyama really might have killed him outright.
"Um, thank you, Senior Tsunade."
"Mm-hmm."
Tsunade first nodded casually. Then her beautiful eyes flashed, and she snorted. "Am I that old? You're actually calling me Senior."
"Ahem, what should I call you, then?"
Uya coughed and looked at Tsunade with a little embarrassment.
At the same time, a strange thought arose in his mind.
Tsunade was actually paying this much attention to his affairs, even going so far as to clash with the Uchiha Clan's leader at a time like this.
Could she have fallen for him?!
Ahem!!
Why did that thought feel a little strange?
Uya couldn't help coughing inwardly. In any case... she probably valued his abilities and wanted to take him as her disciple.
Apart from that possibility, Tsunade should have had no reason to help him.
"What to call me..."
Uya had guessed Tsunade's intentions, but now Tsunade was instead feeling a little troubled over how he should address her.
Uya was still a student at the Ninja Academy and had not officially graduated to become a Genin.
Besides, even if he became a Genin, he would definitely have to wait until everyone in this year's class graduated before teams were assigned.
Having Uya call her his teacher now was a little inappropriate, and she didn't know what Uya thought yet, either.
"Could I call you Big Sister...?"
Uya looked at Tsunade tentatively. He felt that although Tsunade was older than him at this point, she probably wasn't that much older.
"Mm-hmm! You little brat certainly know how to get friendly."
Hearing Uya's words, Tsunade immediately brightened. She looked at him with a smile and said, "Getting this close on our very first meeting?"
"Because you're so pretty, Big Sister."
Uya said it with a perfectly straight face. Playing dumb was the best choice at a time like this.
"Pfft!"
Uya's words made Tsunade laugh. Had she not known that his mental maturity far exceeded his age, she really might have regarded him as an adorable little boy.
"Not only do you know how to get friendly, you've got quite a sweet tongue, too."
She looked cheerfully at Uya. She already admired him greatly, and this time, he had turned the situation around through his own strength, which further increased her fondness and appreciation for him.
So Tsunade felt no aversion to Uya's words. Instead, she thought he was quite a cute kid.
"Hehehe..."
Uya scratched his hair awkwardly. It seemed Tsunade wasn't as easy to fool as he had imagined!
Who said a few casual words were enough to win Tsunade over?!
Who said big breasts meant no brains... step right up. He promised not to beat them to death!
"Well, I agree. Until this year's students graduate and get assigned to teams, you can call me Big Sister."
Yet just then, Tsunade suddenly looked at Uya with a smile and said those words, leaving his face instantly blank.
He felt as though thunder were rolling through his mind.
He had been struck senseless, charred outside and tender inside!
Seriously!!
Tsunade really was this easy to win over with just a few words.
What kind of third-rate plot was this?!
Seeing Uya standing there in a daze, Tsunade walked gracefully up to him, suddenly raised her fair hand, and bent her finger.
Thump!
The next instant, Tsunade flicked the forehead of the still-dazed Uya.
"That hurts!!"
Even though Uya had opened the second gate of the True Eight Gates Released Formation and possessed an extremely powerful physique, Tsunade's flick still sent him stumbling back several steps.
He looked at Tsunade with watery eyes.
Uya was currently so thunderstruck that he couldn't compose himself for a moment, so he decided to keep playing dumb.
But Tsunade glared at him in exasperation. "Hey! Keep playing dumb, and I'll beat you until you stop!"
"Ahem, Big Sister Tsunade... there's no need for that, is there?"
Looking embarrassed, Uya pursed his lips helplessly.
Hearing him call her Big Sister Tsunade pleased her. Although she had a younger brother, Nawaki, he was a dead last at the Ninja Academy, whereas Uya was now a genius renowned throughout Konoha.
In fact, after today's events, even "genius" would not be enough to describe Uya.
Defeating an Elite Chunin at this age made him nothing short of a monster!
"Anyway, I shouldn't need to spell it out. You understand, don't you?"
Tsunade lowered the fist she had been threatening Uya with, and a smile returned to her face.
Uya shrugged. "Of course I understand... after I graduate from the Ninja Academy, barring any surprises, I'll definitely be assigned to the team you lead, Big Sister Tsunade."
"Correct." With an approving look, Tsunade reached out and gave Uya's shoulder several hard pats.
Instantly, Uya felt utterly pained.
He wanted to cry, but no tears came. Who had he offended?!
"Could you use a little less strength?"
"I just wanted to see what was going on with that body of yours."
Tsunade gave a light snort, but surprise appeared in her beautiful eyes as she circled Uya several times.
"That body of yours really is strangely strong."