Inside a two-story building by the street, Naoki Senju and the others waited for the Third Hokage's theatrical, Will of Fire- filled speech to end.
"Treat your pet dog as family... Don't you feel weird? Also... Won't other people laugh at you?"
Amidst the strange looks from Shizune and Guren, Hana Inuzuka sat casually beside Naoki Senju, trying her best to appear indifferent, but in reality, she kept glancing in Naoki's direction.
"That can indeed happen, but whether it's a pet dog or Ninja Dog, they all have feelings, just like us. People who have never owned a dog won't understand, so there's no need to argue with them."
As a seasoned keyboard warrior who has experienced countless online debates, Naoki Senju can effortlessly cite these very simple arguments, regardless of whether they are for or against him, and can even escalate them to the level of moral blackmail...
"Yes! That's exactly right. Those guys who've never raised Ninja Dog don't know anything about them. Ninja Dog Ninja Dog loyal and reliable; they won't abandon their comrades even in moments of despair, and they're even more loyal than many Konoha Ninja..."
In her moment of excitement Hana Inuzuka quickly realized she had said the wrong thing, immediately shut her mouth, and put on a serious and earnest expression, pretending nothing had happened.
Shizune was stunned by these words and moved a little further away with Tonton in her arms, lest Hana Inuzuka include her among the 'many Konoha Ninja '...
However, Guren felt a sense of agreement; if it weren't for certain Konoha Ninja with ulterior motives, Lord Orochimaru wouldn't have been forced to leave Konoha.
Furthermore, Hana Inuzuka's personality is quite to her liking, so perhaps she could get to know her better in private... Lord Orochimaru wouldn't discriminate against ninjas who raise Ninja Dog...
"Although it's a bit extreme, it makes a lot of sense. My name is Naoki Senju. From now on, we'll all be ninjas of Konoha. I look forward to working with you all."
" Hana Inuzuka, from the Inuzuka Clan Konoha, who are dedicated to raising Ninja Dog. Nice to meet you."
With their shared love of dogs, communication became much easier, and Hana Inuzuka's initial wariness disappeared.
However, for the first time, it's best to stop short of excessive activity...
Naoki Senju glanced out the window. The Third Hokage's speech on the Will of Fire was nearing its end, and Tsunade had gained enough fame and honor to make up for the void during her absence from Konoha, allowing the reputation of the greatest medical expert in the Shinobi World to resound throughout Konoha once again.
" Sister Tsunade's welcoming ceremony is over, so we'll be going now. Hana Inuzuka, we look forward to seeing your Ninja Dog partner again."
"No problem, I'll show you my partner Haimaru, next time. But where's your pet dog?"
Hana Inuzuka laughed heartily, the red inverted triangle mark on her face adding a touch of wild charm.
"Pet dogs generally don't live long... See you next time."
Naoki Senju waved his hand and led Shizune and Guren to meet Tsunade, leaving Hana Inuzuka with only her back to him.
Lifespan is short... Hana Inuzuka understood the meaning behind it, and felt a deep sense of shared sorrow... Next time we meet, I'll give him a Ninja Dog puppy as compensation for my rudeness this time...
Oh right, what was his name again? I think it was Naoki Senju... Senju!
" The Senju Clan has other members? No, I must tell the clan this right away." Hana Inuzuka's feet transformed into furry dog paws, gaining the same explosive power as Ninja Dog, and her figure instantly disappeared from the spot.
Tsunade had even been waiting outside for a while. When she saw Naoki and the others finally come out, she asked curiously:
"What were you talking about in there? Why did it take you so long to come out?"
Shizune hesitated, but at Naoki Senju 'Tonton prompting, she stood aside with Ton-Ton in her arms, looking aggrieved.
"It's nothing, I just met a ninja from the Inuzuka Clan, and we chatted about Ninja Dog for a bit. I found it quite interesting."
"If it's interesting, why not get one? The Inuzuka Clan's Ninja Dog are of very high quality, with outstanding tracking abilities."
"Boo-hoo-hoo--"
Having just been thrown to the ground, Tonton grumbled indignantly, "When it comes to smell and tracking ability, who can be better than me?"
Tsunade casually patted Tonton's head, offering a completely insincere word of comfort:
"Alright, alright, I know your tracking skills are better than Ninja Dog's."
"Pop!"
Even Tonton could hear the perfunctory tone in her words. She snuggled closer to Shizune, burying her whole body in her arms: Although my little master isn't very warm, she's very comforting~
"Then let's listen to Sister Tsunade. But what's the Third Hokage's attitude? Is he in a hurry?"
Tsunade didn't rush to answer. She just glanced around and led the three people and the pig into a narrow path. The path was winding and overgrown with weeds, but although they were weeds, they were greener and more resilient than those in other places.
The current Konoha Ninja may never have heard of this area, but the older generation of Konoha Ninja certainly do, because this is the territory of the Senju Clan!
Guren, being very sensible, formed hand Hand Seals, conjuring a giant Crystal Release Shuriken, and hurled it forcefully, instantly slicing through the weeds along the path.
Tsunade gazed wistfully into the distance, saying as she walked:
"Although the Old Man Third don't seem to be in a hurry at all, I can't hide it from them. They must be extremely anxious inside, and they'll probably be coming to urge us soon."
Guren cleared away the weeds along the way, finally creating a wide path for people to walk on. Then, Naoki Senju made two hand seals, and all the weeds along the way instantly withered and dried up.
Under Guren's almost murderous gaze, Naoki Senju clapped his hands and praised:
" Guren did a good job, very efficient."
The Senju Clan's territory and the Uchiha Clan's territory face each other across the distance, located in the east and west corners of Konoha, and even their layouts are basically the same. However, the Uchiha Clan Compound has already been taken over by Konoha, while the Senju Clan still retains ownership of their territory, although the territory is now empty.
"Just pick any house, nobody lives here anyway." Tsunade, looking somewhat dejected.
Guren and Shizune went to tidy up the houses they had chosen, but Naoki Senju stayed close behind Tsunade.
"What, you brat, can't even clean the house?"
" Sister Tsunade absolutely right. Then I'll have to trouble Sister Tsunade."
"What a spoiled brat!"
Although she expressed her displeasure, Tsunade did not continue to drive Naoki away; instead, she tacitly allowed Naoki to follow behind her.
The two walked to the deepest part of the clan's territory before Tsunade looked at the gate in front of her with a complicated expression.
"This is where I grew up, and it's also the residence of the Senju Clan chief. Moving here means taking on responsibility, Naoki. Have you thought it through?"
"Of course, I made my decision after that tragedy that night."
"Great! Then... let's start with cleaning."
Naoki Senju: "... Sister Tsunade, you're too cunning."
As Tsunade expected, shortly after she finished cleaning, the Third Hokage's direct Anbu came knocking on her door.
" Lady Tsunade, there is an item entrusted to you by the Third Hokage."
The Anbu Ninja handed Tsunade a paper bag, then vanished from the Senju Clan Compound in a few flashes.
Tsunade opened the paper bag and took out several items. Naoki Senju curiously leaned closer and asked:
What gifts were given by the third generation?
" Guren's Konoha Special Jōnin Appointment Letter, and... your Chunin Ninja Exams Application Form."