Talent System In The Naruto Universe

"See you next time."

Hanekawa said his goodbyes to Kurenai Yuhi and the others.

Might Guy, still unconscious, had been taken to the Konoha Hospital by Might Duy.

Hanekawa turned his gaze to the audience stands.

Most of the crowd had already left, including Hiruzen Sarutobi, Fugaku Uchiha, and other ninjas.

It didn't take long for him to spot Tsunade and Minato Namikaze.

"Hanekawa! Over here!"

Kushina Uzumaki noticed him and waved enthusiastically.

Hanekawa climbed the steps to the stands.

"Congratulations on taking first place," Minato said with a warm smile.

"Thank you."

Hanekawa turned to Tsunade and blinked deliberately.

No reaction? No reward?

Tsunade rolled her eyes at him.

"You two have a good talk," Kushina said, smiling mischievously. "Minato and I will head out first. We don't want to interrupt the teacher-student bonding."

She dragged Minato away before Hanekawa could say anything.

"You did well," Tsunade said, her expression serious. "But don't get cocky—becoming a Chūnin is just the beginning."

"So, where's my reward?" Hanekawa asked, holding out his hand expectantly.

"There isn't one," Tsunade replied, swatting his hand away. "Why would I reward you for something as small as a Chūnin Exam?"

"I took first place!" Hanekawa argued, "And I used your Superhuman Strength technique to win in the end!"

"Did you, though?" Tsunade smirked. "You used my Superhuman Strength exactly once during the whole exam. I should punish you for wasting my teaching!"

Hanekawa's eyes instinctively drifted downward at the word "Superhuman."

He quickly realized what he had done and froze.

Well, that triggered a keyword...

"You're just making excuses," Hanekawa muttered, then added, "Aren't you worried I might find another teacher?"

"Go ahead and try," Tsunade replied, narrowing her eyes and cracking her knuckles.

"Ahem, just kidding!" Hanekawa immediately backpedaled. "No other kunoichi in Konoha is as beautiful as you—I wouldn't dare switch!"

"You little rascal," Tsunade said with a laugh, clearly pleased. "Fine, I'll let you off this time."

She couldn't deny the compliment had hit the mark. No matter their age, every woman loves being called beautiful.

"Thank you, Sensei," Hanekawa said, then pivoted. "Now, about that reward?"

"What do you want as a reward?" Tsunade asked, ruffling his hair. "You're not a kid anymore, but you still act like one."

"Then why do you treat me like a kid?" Hanekawa asked, his mouth twitching.

"Because I'm your teacher," Tsunade said, her grin widening.

"Yes, Sensei…" Hanekawa sighed in resignation.

"As for your reward…"

Tsunade paused and looked at him.

Up close, she couldn't help but notice how unfairly good-looking this kid was.

Suddenly, she leaned forward and kissed him on the forehead.

Hanekawa froze.

As Tsunade leaned in, his entire view was filled with a dazzling white landscape—snowy fields and icy cliffs.

And right in the middle of it, a mysterious gulf that held his attention so completely, he didn't see the attack coming.

[If you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.]

"A lucky kiss to bring you good fortune," Tsunade said, turning away. "Now, go home."

She pressed her lips together, feeling a strange unease.

She had kissed his forehead before, but this time it felt… different.

"Sensei," Hanekawa called, snapping out of his daze and catching up to her. "That reward was too simple! You didn't prepare a proper gift, did you?"

"Why should I prepare a gift for something so minor?" Tsunade huffed. "Besides, I already gave you your reward. Are you going to return it now?"

"Well… that's not entirely impossible," Hanekawa muttered.

"Do you dare?" Tsunade stopped in her tracks and looked at him with a sly smile.

"I do!" Hanekawa said indignantly, sensing the challenge in her tone.

Tsunade was momentarily taken aback. That odd feeling returned, surfacing in her chest.

She quickly suppressed it and resumed walking.

"Wait up!" Hanekawa called, jogging to catch her. "Why are you walking so fast?"

"I'm hungry!" Tsunade snapped, glaring at him.

'Is she always hungry to maintain that fat? ' Hanekawa thought.

And it just so happened that Tsunade was always broke.

Hanekawa dismissed the strange thoughts in his head and asked, "Sensei, what do you want to eat?"

"Meat," Tsunade said bluntly.

"No problem," Hanekawa replied with a smile. "I'll make sure you're satisfied." ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Once they got home, Tsunade immediately switched modes.

She kicked off her high-heeled sandals, walked barefoot into the living room, and flopped onto the couch.

Hanekawa shook his head, picked up her sandals, and placed them neatly on the shoe rack.

Taking a few steps closer, he glanced toward the couch. From his angle, he could only see her exposed legs and the soft soles of her feet turned outward.

"I'll go make dinner," he said, heading into the kitchen.

Since Tsunade wanted meat, he decided to make tempura.

Half an hour later, he emerged from the kitchen.

"Not bad. Smells great," Tsunade said as she walked to the dining table, nodding in satisfaction.

You smell even better, Hanekawa thought, catching the faint fragrance emanating from her.

His gaze drifted to her elegant, beautiful face. Her skin was smooth and flawless, without the slightest blemish.

Is this the power of the Yin Seal?

As Hanekawa's thoughts wandered, he heard a knock at the door.

He raised an eyebrow. Who's visiting at this hour?

"It's Jiraiya," Tsunade said casually, her smile fading. "He's probably here to say goodbye."

"I'll get it."

Hanekawa walked to the door and opened it. "Uncle Jiraiya."

"You did great in the Chūnin Exams," Jiraiya said, patting his shoulder. "Reminds me of myself back in the day!"

"Didn't you get beaten by Orochimaru and run for your life back in the day?" Tsunade's voice came from the living room.

"Slander!" Jiraiya, feeling awkward, refused to admit it. "Tsunade, you've got it all wrong. It was Orochimaru who ran away!"

"Oh really? Should I call Orochimaru and ask?" Tsunade said, picking up her chopsticks and popping a fried shrimp into her mouth.

"There's no need to bother him; he's so busy," Jiraiya said, laughing nervously as he quickly changed the subject. "Did you make this tempura?"

"No," Tsunade replied casually. "Hanekawa made it."

"You've got a good student here," Jiraiya said, glancing at Hanekawa. "Kind of reminds me of Minato."

"He's not like Minato at all," Tsunade said, shaking her head.

To her, Minato was the ideal top student, while Hanekawa was more like the clever, mischievous troublemaker. She preferred the latter—top students were too boring and didn't suit her personality.

"Well, at least they both know how to cook," Jiraiya said after a brief pause.

"That's true," Tsunade agreed.

Hanekawa sat beside her, quietly listening as he ate. He didn't have much to contribute to their reminiscing.

"So, why are you here today?" Tsunade finally asked, steering the conversation back on track.

"No real reason," Jiraiya said with a smile.

"I'm leaving tomorrow and wanted to let you know."

"Of course," Tsunade said, shaking her head.

"Can't be helped," Jiraiya sighed. "It's all for the sake of peace in the ninja world. As soon as I find the proph—"

"Enough with your so-called Child of Prophecy that you don't even know where to find," Tsunade interrupted, cutting him off.

"I will find them!" Jiraiya said, his expression firm.

Tsunade hesitated but ultimately said nothing.

After lunch, Jiraiya left with a farewell.

"Hanekawa," Tsunade called, leaning against the kitchen door as she watched him wash the dishes. "Do you think there really is a Child of Prophecy in this ninja world?"

"Do you believe there is, Sensei?" Hanekawa asked without looking up.

"No, I don't," Tsunade said with a chuckle. "If I did, I'd be wandering the ninja world like Jiraiya, searching for them."

"Then I don't believe it either," Hanekawa said.

Hanekawa replied casually, "I was just going along with your idea."

"I'm asking for your opinion," Tsunade said, giving him an annoyed glare. "Why don't I see you being this obedient usually?"

"I'm always obedient," Hanekawa said as he put down the bowl, dried his hands, and looked at her. "My opinion is that instead of relying on others, it's better to rely on yourself."

"Not bad. I like that way of thinking," Tsunade said, pausing for a moment before smiling.

"It's all thanks to your excellent teaching," Hanekawa replied smoothly.

"Smooth talker," Tsunade said with a sly look. Then, with a playful twist of her expression, she added, "As a reward, you'll accompany me to the casino this afternoon."

"Isn't that more of a reward for you?" Hanekawa asked, clearly exasperated.

"If I say it's a reward for you, then it is," Tsunade said, extending her leg to block the door. "If you don't agree, you're not leaving this kitchen today."

What kind of strange rule is this? Hanekawa thought, recalling tales about bizarre, unbreakable rules in haunted places.

Clearing his throat, he said, "Alright, let's go."

"Now that's more like it," Tsunade said, her face lighting up with a smile.

---

At the Root base in Konoha.

Danzo Shimura stood at the entrance, watching a young boy training in the distance.

The sound of hands slamming the ground echoed.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The boy finished a series of hand signs and pressed his palms to the ground. Rows of wooden pillars sprouted from the earth, curving into an arch to form a protective barrier around him.

Danzo's eyes gleamed with a trace of longing.

This was the Wood Release, the legendary power of the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju.

Unfortunately, it was a power he could not possess.

After acquiring the boy Yamato—code-named Kinoe—Danzo had conducted countless experiments but couldn't overcome the issue of rejection.

"Lord Danzo," a Root member suddenly appeared before him, kneeling in respect.

"What is it?" Danzo asked, his eyes still fixed on Yamato practicing his Wood Release.

"This is the result of the Chūnin Exams," the Root member said, holding out a scroll with both hands.

Danzo casually opened it, and when he saw Hanekawa listed as the first-place winner, a pang of regret pierced through him.

He regretted it deeply. If only he had acted more decisively back then and taken Hanekawa by force. Once the situation was irreversible, what could Hiruzen Sarutobi have done?

Hiruzen wouldn't have killed him, after all.

Danzo's eyes scanned the rankings, and he raised an eyebrow.

Overall, the results matched his expectations, except for one surprise.

How did Might Guy end up in second place?

An unexpected but welcome surprise.

Danzo began to consider whether he should approach Might Guy to see if he could recruit him into the Root division.

__

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