It was just that...
As long as there was any danger...
Araki would never take the gamble.
His life was at stake!
After saying that, Araki turned to leave. Although he was involved, he still had a fairly clear view of the situation.
At present, Tsunade thought quite highly of him.
Keeping that impression intact would be good.
If he kept pestering her, he might wear away that favorable impression and could even end up displeasing Tsunade.
Araki had come looking for a backer, not to make an enemy. Continuing this standoff would be extremely unwise. He might as well step away and know when to stop.
"No!"
The instant Araki turned around, a powerful grip seized his right hand. It was strong enough to pull him to a halt.
This strength...
As expected of a descendant of the Senju Clan!
A flicker passed through Araki's eyes, then vanished instantly as he buried all his emotions deep inside.
Araki did not resist Nawaki. This was no time to reveal more of his strength, and he sensed determination in Nawaki's actions. He could only play it by ear.
"I can't let my friend get the short end of the stick like this!"
Nawaki pulled Araki straight back and stood beside him with a determined gaze. His stubborn expression and bearing really did resemble Naruto's somewhat, though he possessed more reason and composure than Naruto.
Friend?
When Araki heard that, he froze inwardly.
When did we become friends?
Isn't today the first time we've met?
Is making friends this easy now?
An inexplicable feeling arose in Araki's heart. No one had paid attention to him or cared about him for the past three years, yet over these few short days, he had already made two friends in succession.
Chapter 42: Are You Willing to Become My Disciple?
Even now, Araki still felt baffled. Neither of these siblings played by the rules.
Still...
When Araki thought of how Tsunade would gamble every day in the future despite losing every time, he felt somewhat more at ease.
I can't ask too much of Tsunade!
It was just that...
The biggest problem now was how to resolve this in the best possible way.
Araki remained silent and expressionless, while his mind raced through the various stakes involved, considering how to minimize his losses and quietly extricate himself from this matter.
"Nawaki..."
Tsunade gave a helpless, wry smile. She doted on her little brother, but she also had her own principles on this matter.
"Sis, I'm not backing down on this!"
Nawaki stared straight at Tsunade, his gaze sharp and grave, then raised his voice without yielding an inch. "If Araki hadn't passed the test, I wouldn't ask you to help him. But the fact is, he passed. You can't do this!"
"He's still a child..."
Tsunade took a deep breath, her imposing air weakening considerably. She still could not be too forceful when facing her little brother. Moreover, she saw the dignity of a young Hokage in his eyes. This was something she had always hoped to see, and she did not want to destroy this presence he had so rarely brought out.
Since being forceful would not work, she could only reason with him.
"His mind isn't mature yet. I didn't say I wouldn't take him. I'm just asking him to go back to school. Once he graduates, the door to becoming a medical-nin will always be open to him!" Tsunade explained.
"Sis, you're wrong. You actually think someone who said he studies for Konoha's rise is immature? When I was his age, I said I wanted to become Hokage. Does that mean I was just as immature?" Nawaki said without giving an inch.
"That's not what I meant..." Tsunade waved her hands repeatedly, all her earlier imposing air gone.
"Right now, I support Araki's dream, just as you support mine, Sis. I believe Araki will become a medical-nin who surpasses you!"
The more Nawaki spoke, the more worked up he became. It was as though he saw his former self in Araki.
After all, many children in Konoha dreamed of becoming Hokage, but very few could actually achieve it. Sometimes, merely voicing that dream would instead earn them ridicule for being unrealistic and aiming beyond their reach.
Without realizing it, Nawaki had found something in Araki that resonated with him: a spirit of working tirelessly for the village.
"Nawaki..."
The corner of Tsunade's mouth twitched hard. Those words left her unable to respond. Though she was still very young, she was already Konoha's strongest medical-nin and had absolute confidence in this field.
Agreeing with Nawaki would go against her pride, but refuting him would make it seem as though she had no faith in Araki...
Instead, she found herself at a loss for words!
"Araki!"
Seeing Tsunade fall silent, Nawaki impulsively had an idea. He spun around to look at Araki and reached up to his neck, quickly undoing his necklace as the others watched.
"I believe you'll definitely become the strongest medical-nin!"
Intense resolve shone in Nawaki's eyes as he picked up the necklace and moved to put it around Araki's neck.
This necklace was none other than the First Hokage's Necklace.
In Nawaki's eyes, such a ritual had already become a way of passing on trust.
"N-no... no..."
Araki shook his head repeatedly without a second thought. He knew all too well what that thing was. It was a necklace of misfortune!
A cursed divine artifact that killed whoever wore it!
Araki certainly did not think his life was tough enough to overcome even the First Hokage's Necklace!
Most importantly...
He could not gamble on something like this!
He simply could not afford to lose!
Besides that, there was another extremely serious problem: the necklace was far too conspicuous. Wearing it would definitely draw attention and send the number of heads turning his way soaring. Keeping a low profile would be difficult even if he wanted to.
Araki had never imagined things would reach this point. If this went on, it really would get out of hand. Nawaki was going way too far!
Giving me a token on our first meeting...
Do ninja really rely this much on first impressions when forming bonds?
Nawaki's actions immediately drew the attention of Tsunade and the two elderly women. Tsunade in particular widened her eyes and had already begun reflecting on her actions.
She had never expected Araki to hold such an important place in Nawaki's heart!
From what she knew of him, her little brother Nawaki was warm and cheerful and had many friends, but he had never treated any one friend so well that he would even give away his most beloved First Hokage's Necklace.
For a moment, Tsunade felt a little regretful.
Araki did not dare accept the necklace at all. He raised his hand to refuse, pushing back Nawaki's hand as it offered the necklace.
At that very moment...
Araki's finger touched the green crystal on the First Hokage's Necklace.
Buzz!
The chakra crystal suddenly vibrated, then released a soft green glow, as though a heart were beating.
This lasted only an instant before vanishing.
Everyone present froze.
Nawaki stood stunned, clutching the necklace, with no idea what had just happened or what it meant.
"Th-this... necklace... is yours... it doesn't want... to leave you... it acknowledges... you!"
Araki hurried to speak first. No one knew better than he did why that thing had lit up. It was absolutely connected to his Wood Release Kekkei Genkai, but he could not wait for these people to react. He had to seize the initiative and establish what it meant.
"Mm..."
Nawaki also agreed with Araki's explanation. This was the necklace his grandfather had left him, and giving it away just like that really was not appropriate. He had gotten a little carried away arguing with his sister, and since Araki had given him a way out, he took the opportunity to put it away.
Both elderly women breathed sighs of relief. From their angle, they could not clearly see what had happened and thought the First Hokage's Necklace had manifested its spirit, acknowledging Nawaki as a future Hokage.
Only Tsunade had seen the scene clearly.
Her attention had been focused entirely on the First Hokage's Necklace. It was a memento of her grandfather and tugged at her heart completely. She had clearly seen the gentle green light flicker to life when Araki's finger touched the chakra crystal on the First Hokage's Necklace.
"Whew..."
Tsunade inhaled deeply, then slowly exhaled. Her already developing headlights rose and fell sharply, and her feelings became incredibly complicated.
This phenomenon...
It wasn't Grandfather acknowledging Nawaki...
It was Grandfather acknowledging Araki!
Does Grandfather also think Araki will become a medical-nin even better than me?
Is this Grandfather's wish?
Tsunade's beautiful eyes settled on Araki. After what had just happened, the way she looked at him had completely changed.
"Araki, I was wrong just now. Are you willing to become my disciple?"
Tsunade spoke in an extremely serious tone.
She had never even considered the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai.
It was common knowledge that there were currently no Wood Release ninja in Konoha!
She merely took it as a hint from her grandfather and immediately attached great importance to it, already beginning to reassess Araki.
Chapter 43: Hopefully You Won't Have Your Kidney Harvested