Is Tsunade Still Generating Income?

Time flew by rapidly.

In recent days, Kyōichi found himself exceedingly occupied.

This wasn't due to Asuma and Shisui, who were largely independent, essentially learning Ninjutsu and Taijutsu and researching autonomously.

Moreover, their skills in both Ninjutsu and Taijutsu naturally improved as they trained and researched independently. They were, in essence, steady sources of income.

However, Kurenai was causing him a headache.

Teaching medical Ninjutsu was indeed not an easy task.

At some point, Kyōichi sent a "message" to Tsunade for advice, and the Slug Sage responded cooperatively and patiently.

This made Kyōichi appreciate the Slug Sage even more, among the Three Sages, the Slug Sage was probably the most approachable.

When he inquired about the secrets of the superhuman strength technique, and mentioned Kurenai, Tsunade took an entire afternoon to respond, but when the slug returned, it carried a scroll with it.

Handwritten notes on the superhuman strength technique!

Kyōichi quickly understood it.

His chakra control was already so refined that no adjustment was required.

However, the current level of the superhuman strength technique was not as straightforwardpowerful as using a sword - unless it was combined with the Seven Days Breathing Method.

Of course, this was relative to Kyōichi's own swordsmanship.

For Kurenai, even just a basic grasp of the superhuman strength technique was enough to compensate for her deficiencies in close combat as a support ninja.

The condition was that Kurenai fully mastered the Mystical Palm Technique.

Fortunately...

"Teacher, I did it!"

"Excellent, you can go give Senior Yuhi the good news, he won't need to stock his fridge with fish anymore."

A smile spread across Kyōichi's face.

Success!

Feeling a bit light-headed, Kurenai sat down and promptly consumed a food pill.

"Next, I'm going to teach you a Taijutsu. You're familiar with Lady Tsunade, correct?"

"Mm."

Kurenai nodded enthusiastically, her eyes glowing.

Tsunade was her idol. As a kunoichi, her ultimate goal was to become as formidable as Tsunade.

So, she surmised what kind of Taijutsu it would be.

"Lady Tsunade's Taijutsu may not be appropriate for you, given your relatively small physique. Therefore, you can't use it as a standard technique."

Kyōichi stated earnestly.

Though the superhuman strength technique was classified as a Taijutsu, it required the body's muscles to synchronize and generate bursts of power when executed.

Kurenai was clearly lacking muscles.

"As a secret weapon?"

At first, Kurenai was disappointed, but quickly understood her teacher's intention.

"Correct, this move, you must learn to execute with your feet, because your hands will be needed for forming seals."

"I understand! Please instruct me, teacher!"

Kurenai bowed deeply.

Kyōichi handed her a scroll to peruse first.

After reading for a while, Kurenai promptly began practicing.

It was exceedingly challenging!

During the process, she strained a muscle several times, but rejected Kyōichi's assistance and healed herself using the Mystical Palm Technique.

She was unafraid of hardship.

Not far off, Kurenai's father carried a basket of food.

"Fearing her mother would be upset seeing this, I brought it myself. Please remind her to eat. Also...thank you for teaching her."

Yuhi bowed deeply.

He was well aware of what Kyōichi was teaching.

The superhuman strength technique!

A confidential technique of the Senju clan.

"It's no bother, since she's eager to learn and withstand hardship, I'm happy to teach. She has a promising future!"

Kyōichi spoke with a sense of pride.

He had speculated in his previous life that he might use such words when conversing with a parent someday.

He hadn't anticipated that after his transition, they would be useful.

Yuhi departed after a lengthy bow.

It would be unfavorable if his daughter discovered him there.

However, Kyōichi knew that Kurenai had highly developed sensory abilities, and likely already detected his presence.

Because her training intensified after that.

"It's time to eat."

"I mustn't let them down."

"Hard work is the most affordable thing in the shinobi world. You're advancing through hard work, but so are others. Thus, collaboration and leadership are more crucial on the battlefield."

Except for cheats and lunatics.

Kyōichi mused to himself.

Undoubtedly, Kurenai was neither a cheater nor a Taijutsu fanatic like Maito Gai.

These days, each team underwent special training.

Shisui had already mastered several tool-less Ninjutsu of the Vacuum Wave.

He was currently practicing Genjutsu: The Willow, and the light sword technique formulated by Kyōichi.

Though Shisui suspected there might be issues with ninja tools in the Chunin Exam, he still believed his primary focus should remain on swordsmanship - of course, he didn't neglect the Body Flicker Technique either.

Asuma's training was even more straightforward.

He, too, wanted to continue training, not allowing the Chunin Exam to influence his progress, and so...

Kyōichi taught him the Flying Swallow technique.

Take from the people, use for the people!

Of course, Kyōichi benefited greatly himself.

His proficiency improved.

In Wind Release Ninjutsu, he had mastered another Wind Release technique.

Wind Release: Pressure Damage!

An immensely potent Ninjutsu, it could be deemed the ultimate weapon of Wind Release.

Even without bonuses for Wind Release, having an additional Ninjutsu was still better than not knowing it.

In a blink of an eye, the Chunin Exams were on the horizon.

Kyōichi was privy to the news early and had arrived at the venue to prepare the examination grounds. The majority of the resource points were sealed in boxes, surrounded by a scattering of medicine to deter any wildlife from causing damage.

Upon completion, the Third Hokage made his arrival.

"Lord Hokage!"

"Kyōichi, is the examination site adequately prepared?"

"Yes, the maps of the examination grounds were created well in advance. They can be distributed to the students once the first stage is concluded."

Kyōichi presented a large scroll, it depicted the layout of the examination grounds.

The Third Hokage nodded, his gaze sweeping over the entire Forest of Death from above. Following a light cough, he said, "Kyōichi, Konoha is in a dire financial situation at the moment. I had committed to an A-rank reward for this task, but funds are rather scarce."

"Hm?"

Was he suggesting a payment default?!

"Don't misconstrue, I'm not reneging on the payment. We're just tight on funds currently, perhaps we could compensate with alternative resources like Ninjutsu or supplies."

The Third Hokage coughed awkwardly.

Kyōichi's expression evidently misunderstood his intent.

"That's acceptable. I had plans to fabricate a chakra weapon anyway, would the Hokage happen to have any chakra metal?"

Clearly, there was.

After all, Asuma's trench knives were still pending creation.

"This..."

The Third Hokage hesitated for a moment, before finally giving a slight nod, "That can be arranged, but you'll have to contribute some funds too."

"Agreed!"

Kyōichi accepted the terms enthusiastically.

Chakra metal was a difficult commodity to acquire even with substantial funds, this was certainly a profitable arrangement.

"The exam is imminent, we can discuss the specifics later."

The Third Hokage heaved a sigh of relief.

As long as negotiations were possible, that was satisfactory.

His concern was Kyōichi's potential insistence on monetary payment.

At this time, the shinobi began to assemble. Aside from the Jōnin senseis, the only two remaining were Kakashi Hatake, and Might Duy who had recently been promoted to Tokubetsu Jōnin.

Presently, Duy was tearfully bidding farewell to Maito Gai, providing a picturesque sight.

The Third Hokage glanced around.

The number of participants was rather limited.

Several had already been promoted during the war, and the Genin who had retained their rank for years refrained from registering. Hence, the majority of the participants this time were Genin who had graduated in the previous three or four years.

Observing the crowd, he asked, "How are things on Tsunade's side?"

"Everything's under control, she recently came into some money and repaid a portion of her debts, there's no need to worry about creditors hounding her in Konoha."

"Tsunade making money?"

The Third Hokage was astounded, his face a portrait of surprise.

Like master, like student.

Kyōichi nearly chuckled, but managed to explain to the Third Hokage: "It wasn't gambling proceeds."

"I see, that's understandable. Given her skills, she could earn money in virtually any sector as long as she refrains from gambling."