34. A Heartbreaker Who Toys with Emotions

Morning.

Tsunade woke up.

She pressed her forehead, feeling a head ache.

Although she was a ninja, she never used chakra to sober up when drinking, so she often dealt with hangovers.

Tsunade glanced down.

Her clothes were half undone, revealing a large expanse of fair skin.

Her chest subtly rose and fell with her breathing.

She vaguely remembered that she had fallen asleep while taking off her clothes halfway through last night.

Tsunade didn't mind. She casually fixed her outfit.

After all, she was alone at home, so there was no risk of exposing herself to anyone.

"Hmm?"

Tsunade suddenly caught a whiff of a pleasant aroma coming from the living room.

Her body tensed slightly as she prepared for an attack.

"Why is it you?"

Tsunade opened the door and saw Hanekawa.

"Good morning, Lady Tsunade," Hanekawa greeted her with a wave, adding, "I came to bring you breakfast, and I also brought a gift."

Tsunade glanced at the rice balls on the table and then at the large bag of gifts on the floor, her face showing curiosity.

"Salmon rice balls," Hanekawa explained casually. "They're a bit pricey, but they taste pretty good."

"What's the occasion?"

Tsunade picked up a rice ball, took a bite, and asked.

"They're from the 600,000 ryo you gave me yesterday," Hanekawa said, smiling. "It's my first significant sum of money, so I wanted to buy some meaningful gifts."

"Then why give them to me?"

Tsunade chewed the rice ball, her pink tongue lightly licking her lips.

Because I'm kind.

Hanekawa fabricated a reason: "In Konoha, there are only four people I'm close to—the orphanage director, Uncle Shinku, Kurenai, and you."

He had spent about 300,000 ryo on gifts for Tsunade, Yuhi Shinku, and Kurenai.

As for the remaining 300,000 ryo, he planned to donate it to Nonō Yakushi and the orphanage.

Tsunade paused her movements, feeling a rare trace of warmth.

Her thoughts affirmed what she had said the day before—this little guy would definitely deceive many girls in the future.

"Did you spend all your money?"

Tsunade finished the rice ball in a few bites and picked up a second one.

"Yep."

Hanekawa nodded but quickly added, "But there's no need for you to give me more, Lady Tsunade."

"I didn't say I was giving you more money," Tsunade said, her lips curving into a sly smile. "What I meant is, after breakfast, we're heading to the casino."

Give me back my moment of emotion!

Hanekawa was furious.

She was outright toying with his feelings—a heartbreaker!

"I have school to attend. You can gamble on your own."

Hanekawa stood up and declared.

"See you later, kid," Tsunade said with a mischievous grin.

---

Ten minutes later, at the school gates

"Good morning."

Hanekawa had just arrived at school when he ran into Sarutobi Asuma.

"It's not morning anymore!"

Asuma huffed in response, sounding mildly annoyed.

He was just a kid, after all.

Hanekawa bore no ill will toward him.

After all, Asuma was simply rebellious, not an outright villain like Uchiha Obito.

As for Kurenai, any relationship there was purely consensual.

Hanekawa had always prided himself on being a defender of pure love.

"I'm going to challenge you in the final exams!"

Asuma's gaze sharpened as he made his declaration with determination.

"You're welcome anytime."

Hanekawa replied sincerely.

He's bringing me free talent points. What a kind soul!

"...?"

Asuma couldn't make sense of Hanekawa's reaction. "Just you wait!"

Leaving that remark, Asuma turned and walked away.

Hanekawa was about to follow him into the classroom when he suddenly heard someone calling his name.

He turned around and saw Kakashi Hatake.

"Morning."

Hanekawa greeted Kakashi as usual.

"I'm planning to graduate early," Kakashi Hatake stated bluntly, getting straight to the point.

Hanekawa found it odd. Graduating early was fine, but why was Kakashi telling him about it?

"Before graduating, I want to spar with you," Kakashi revealed his purpose.

Hanekawa was a bit surprised.

The genius Kakashi was challenging him?

"Of course," Hanekawa agreed without hesitation. "I'm looking forward to it."

For him, it was a win-win situation—if he won, great; if he lost, there was no real downside. Why refuse?

"Hmm."

Kakashi, hands in his pockets, walked away coolly.

The bell rang for class to start.

Hanekawa, as usual, pulled out a medical book.

However, unlike before, he didn't bother hiding it behind a textbook. He was openly reading it.

Eichiro immediately noticed Hanekawa slacking off.

He wanted to say something but held back, ultimately deciding to let it go.

After all, Hanekawa now had connections—a significant one at that. One of the legendary Sannin, Tsunade.

"How… how do you do that?"

His deskmate Shizune, curious like a child, asked him.

"Perhaps it's just a bond between men," Hanekawa replied nonsensically.

In reality, he had taken a shortcut.

"…"

Of course, Shizune didn't believe him.

When class ended, Hanekawa closed his medical book. He had been reading for a while and needed to rest his eyes.

"Hanekawa!"

The next moment, Obito Uchiha appeared before him.

He had seized the opportunity to approach while Rin Nohara went to the restroom. Recently, the constant studying sessions had pushed him to his limit.

"Do you need something?"

Hanekawa blinked and asked.

"I challenge you!" Obito declared confidently. "At the final exams!"

Another one? Are you all taking turns?

Hanekawa didn't mind—it was just another opportunity to outshine them all.

"Sure," Hanekawa nodded slightly.

"I'm going to defeat you this time!" Obito exclaimed, his face lighting up with pride.

While he lacked confidence in theory, he was absolutely sure of his abilities in combat.

Among first-years, only a few could use ninjutsu already, and he was one of them.

"Good luck," Hanekawa replied casually, unfazed.

Obito, irritated, turned on his heel and stormed back to his seat.

---

After school, Hanekawa went to the orphanage.

"Where did you get this money?"

Nonō Yakushi stared at the neatly stacked 300,000 ryo, unable to hide her astonishment.

"Lady Tsunade won it," Hanekawa explained.

"Huh?"

Nonō was taken aback but then gently said, "If you don't want to tell me the truth, there's no need to lie to your director."

That hit hard.

Her calm yet firm words left Hanekawa momentarily speechless. He couldn't think of a retort.

"Please accept it, Director," Hanekawa finally said in his most sincere tone. "It really is from Lady Tsunade."

Nonō hesitated for a few seconds before nodding.

The orphanage indeed needed money.

A long time ago, the funding from Konoha had fallen under the control of Danzo Shimura. Nonō had to work for him to secure money and safety for the orphanage.

---

Time flew by, and soon it was the end of March.

The ninja academy entered its most exciting week.

Each grade's final exams were scheduled to be completed within this week.

For sixth-years, it wasn't just a final exam but a graduation test.

For other grades, the final exams were split into two days: theory on the first day and practical combat on the second.

______

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