Chapter 72: Passing Years
Time flew like an arrow.
In the blink of an eye, two years had passed.
Within the Land of Fire.
Amidst a scenic forest, a beautiful wooden cabin stood quietly.
"Ahhh..." Tsunade yawned, freshly washed up.
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she stepped out of the cabin.
"1992, 1993, 1994..."
At the break of dawn, Kiyoshi was already deep in training, his body drenched in sweat.
He noticed the beautiful figure who had just emerged and called out, "Huff... Good Morning, Tsunade-nee."
Still, he continued his one-handed handstand, supporting himself up and down tirelessly.
Strapped to his legs were incredibly heavy lead weights—so massive they would leave others speechless.
"Morning, Kiyoshi..." Tsunade's gaze was warm as she nodded with a smile. She had long since grown accustomed to seeing this kind of training from him over the past two years.
The lead weights tied to his legs were not ordinary—they were absurdly heavy. If they were dropped from his height, they would easily leave a significant crater on the ground.
For an ordinary person to engage in such extreme training at his age, it would almost certainly lead to irreversible physical damage.
But Kiyoshi was an exception.
Born with extraordinary physical strength and remarkable recovery abilities, it was only after multiple check-ups that Tsunade finally agreed to allow him this intense weight training.
In fact, compared to his usual life-risking physical training, this basic conditioning was almost child's play.
"What a beautiful day." Tsunade exclaimed, stretching as she gazed up at the blue sky and white clouds.
She enjoyed the relaxed feeling, stretching her body and letting her graceful curves show.
Rubbing her shoulders, sore from her heavy pendant, she asked, "Kiyoshi, where are Shizune and Karin?"
Two years ago.
Following Kiyoshi's suggestion, Karin—who had shown exceptional chakra control—had been officially accepted by Tsunade as her third disciple.
Tsunade, who already held an affection for the Uzumaki clan, welcomed Karin wholeheartedly.
Their trio's travels had become a group of four.
Karin's mother, Uzumaki Keiko, had accompanied them for three months until her health had significantly improved under their care.
Kiyoshi had then sent her back to the Konoha Village, arranging for her to live in his family home with the help of one of his wood clones.
With Tsunade's recommendation letter in hand, she had secured a position as an intern nurse at Konoha Hospital.
With Tsunade's influence Keiko had only been briefly questioned by the Intelligence Division.
After confirming there were no issues, she was permitted to settle in the village without any trouble.
"1998...1999...2000!"
Drenched in sweat and slightly breathless, Kiyoshi planted his palms and, with a powerful push, flipped himself upright effortlessly, as if the heavy weights on his legs were of no concern.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, he looked at the lovely Tsunade and smiled, "Shizune-senpai took Karin out to gather herbs early this morning."
Two years later.
Tsunade looked much the same, still as stunning as ever. It was as if time could not leave a single mark on her.
But Kiyoshi had grown from a mischievous boy into a handsome young man.
At just ten years old, he had already shot up to over 160 cm—not exaggerated but noticeable.
With his slightly boyish but undeniably handsome features and the mature steadiness in his gaze, he could easily be mistaken for a teenager of thirteen or fourteen.
"Tsunade-sama."
"Kiyoshi."
From afar, two voices called out.
It was Shizune, who had matured considerably over the past two years, though her petite frame remained largely unchanged.
Beside her was a red-haired girl of about nine, wearing glasses and carrying a small basket, her gentle face lit up with joy.
"I've told you countless times..." Kiyoshi looked at the cheerful Karin, who was running toward him with a small herb basket and flicked her forehead lightly.
"Call me Kiyoshi-senpai or Kiyoshi-nii. Don't be so casual."
Compared to two years ago, when she was timid and malnourished, Karin had now blossomed into a lovely young girl.
With her fiery red hair and delicate features, she looked lively and adorable.
And thanks to a better diet and adequate nutrition, her skin was also glowing.
"Hmph, no way." Karin pouted, grumbling, "You're only a year older than me."
"One year older still makes me your senpai," Kiyoshi knocked on her head, his large hand tousling her soft red hair into a mess of tangles.
"Hmph! Kiyoshi, you jerk…"
Karin slapped his hand away, her cheeks flushed with a touch of pink.
Annoyed, she pounced at him, baring her teeth in frustration. "You messed up my hair again."
Pouting, she angrily reached for his cheek, as if to pinch his face.
In an instant, Kiyoshi's right hand moved slightly, and tendrils of green vines sprouted from his fingers, darting out like lightning.
In one swift motion, he bound her whole body, suspending her in mid-air as she wriggled helplessly.
"Kiyoshi, you monster with those vines... Let me go."
Dangling in mid-air, Karin squirmed, huffing with frustration. In defeat, she turned to Tsunade, "Tsunade-sama, look at Kiyoshi. He's bullying me again"
"Alright, that's enough, you two," Tsunade chuckled, stepping in to end their playful squabble.
Crossing her arms, she managed to subdue her well-defined curves and said with a smile, "In these two years, we've seen much of the Land of Fire. It's time we explore the Land of Hot Water next."
"The hot springs there are famous throughout the shinobi world, rumored to have benefits for beauty and skin care."
"Huh? Hot springs?"
"Really? That's amazing."
Both Karin and Shizune's eyes lit up with excitement.
Kiyoshi, on the other hand, only sighed inwardly.
Sure enough, as soon as beauty treatments were involved, even a young girl like Karin couldn't resist.
---------------
Guys do leave some power stones and reviews.
🤞patreon.com/plotplanner🤞
If you guys enjoy this story, you can support me on Patreon and get access to Advance Chapters, it really helps me to work on new chapters.