Chapter 21: Unexpected Mission!

"Erina Nakiri completed 50 servings! You pass!"

"Hmph~!"

Erina proudly raised her chin as she slowly walked away.

Yet, her eyes furrowed a little, remembering that Tsuna had finished faster, which left her slightly dissatisfied as she muttered, "You're just a little faster. That doesn't mean anything!"

Afterward, she made her way to her room and waited for a while before growing bored.

Fortunately, Hisako arrived and bowed, "My apologies for making you wait, Erina-sama."

"No, that's fine..."

Erina waved her hand as her eyes then lit up, "Hisako, did you bring a deck of Uno cards?"

She clearly remembered the novels she had read before, where students would bring cards to play games together and bond during school trips.

As someone who held the title "God's Tongue," she had never even had the time to play such games.

That's why she was very interested in trying it this time since they were at a training camp, which was pretty much similar to a school trip where no one was bothering her to try or sample anything for them.

Unfortunately...

"Eh, Uno? No, I don't have any."

"Hmm, then, what about a deck of cards? Like the normal ones?"

"...Umm, well, I didn't bring those either."

"Ah... That's unfortunate..."

Hisako gave a wry smile seeing Erina's deflated expression, which made her feel bad.

However, she seemed to then realize something as she put her finger on her cheeks in a thoughtful manner, "Ah, how about I ask the front desk if they have any?"

"Oh! You're right! Then, make sure you do so!"

Erina's deflated expression turned into one seemingly full of expectation as Hisako went out to get the cards while she headed to the hotel's private onsen to take a relaxing bath.

"Hmm hmm..."

As she walked through the corridor while humming her favorite song, Erina's expression was full of the joy of someone looking forward to playing card games with her friends.

"Ouch!"

However, when she took a turn toward the private onsen, her figure suddenly crashed into someone, and a strong hand held her from falling.

Her expression turned angry as she rolled her eyes and snapped, "You! Watch where you're going....?"

However...

"...!!"

Midway through her sentence, her eyes were immediately distracted by the sight in front of her.

She could see a Greek god-like upper body, its muscles glistening under the sweat, appearing strong and sensual.

Her whole face turned red from embarrassment as she looked at the person who held her and shouted angrily, "Tsunayoshi Ito! Don't you have any shame!?"

"Why are you naked!!"

"Why are you always shouting?"

It was Tsuna!

The others seemed to be a bit too slow in finishing their assignment, and he still had a lot of time to train.

He had just finished another run outside, which was why he was sweating.

When he decided it was time to clean himself, that's when he met Erina on his way to the private onsen.

"Sigh... Is that how you thank someone who prevents you from falling on your butt?"

Tsuna was speechless as he helped Erina regain her footing, then shook his head, "Besides, I'm not naked. I'm just shirtless..."

"That's the same!"

"No, it's not!"

"Yes, it is!"

"Then, let me show you the real meaning of being naked..."

Tsuna's expression turned mischievous as his eyes narrowed, and he seemed about to take off his pants.

She covered her face with her hands while still taking a little peek, shouting, "Fine, it's not the same! Stop it! You meanie!"

This made Erina's head seem to emit imaginary smoke as her face flushed thoroughly red, extending to her neck.

"Hahaha, I'm just kidding..."

"Y-You bastard!"

Tsuna laughed, but Erina crossed her arms over her chest, looking away in annoyance while pouting.

"Hmph! It's not funny at all!"

She grumbled, making Tsuna shake his head as he grabbed his shirt from the floor and draped it over his shoulder.

He then waved his hand as he continued to head toward the private onsen. He spoke, "Whatever then, see you later. I gotta clean myself..."

"Hmph, of course you should! You smell disgusting! And I would rather not see you again!" Erina cursed out loud as she furrowed her eyebrows at Tsuna's departing figure, who just chuckled in response.

This annoyed her, and she couldn't help but mutter, "You pervert!"

"...!"

However, her face flushed once again as Tsuna's upper body seemed to keep surfacing in her mind.

Meanwhile, as Tsuna entered the private onsen for males, he saw a tall, bulky figure standing naked.

He could see the defined muscles that spoke of hard work as he nodded in respect. 

"Oh? Ito-kun, you're done with your assignment?"

"Yeah, it was pretty easy, Dojima-senpai."

"Hahaha, it certainly would be easy for you..."

Dojima laughed heartily as he submerged himself into the onsen.

Then, he turned to Tsuna's body while raising his eyebrows in mild surprise, "Oh? Do you play any sports besides cooking, Ito-kun?"

Dojima was surprised to see someone with such an athletic body at Totsuki Academy, considering most students focused solely on cooking.

Usually, just being fit was enough for them.

He had begun working out to enhance his strength for the demanding job and simply loved being healthy.

"Hmm..."

Technically, given that he was in a sports club now, Tsuna could be considered an athlete, especially since he was preparing for a tournament as well.

However, he didn't see himself as one. He was a retired assassin with some proficiency in martial arts.

Still, he genuinely considered himself a cook as he smiled, "I'm not, but I do know a little martial arts..."

"...and a bit of earth bending," Tsuna thought to himself as he began cleaning his body.

The medium-level earth bending he had absorbed a while back was proven to be useful, allowing him to shape the earth to his will.

Although it required more stamina, it was a valuable addition to his skill set, allowing his creativity in its use.

This was why he had been training himself wholeheartedly to slowly build enough stamina to freely utilize his bending.

Besides, his connection with the earth had been getting stronger lately after absorbing it, enabling him to even perceive things in certain areas around him with closed eyes.

"Martial artist?"

Dojima blinked in amazement, then laughed, "Hahaha, as expected, there's nothing ordinary about you! I'm glad to have you in this academy. Our future looks promising with your addition."

After finishing cleaning himself, Tsuna submerged himself on the other side of the onsen as both of them engaged in conversation.

Mostly, Dojima talked about how Totsuki's Restaurant was faring, almost as if trying to entice Tsuna to join them after graduation. However, Dojima gradually realized Tsuna didn't seem interested, which disappointed him.

"Well, I guess it's to be expected. Someone like him must want to see the world..." He silently thought to himself.

"Hmm!?"

Tsuna suddenly stood up with a surprised expression, causing Dojima to look at him strangely.

"What's up, Ito-kun?"

"Dojima-senpai, I'm going to leave first. Just remembered I have something to do..." To Dojima's surprise, Tsuna quickly bid his farewell.

"This soon? Well, if you truly have to go then sure..."

Dojima shrugged as he adjusted his sitting position to enjoy the onsen better while Tsuna headed back to his room.

On his way, he encountered Soma, but he was in a rush.

Tsuna hurried to his room and looked at the screen in front of him, blinking in amazement. "Interesting..."

[Mission: Challenge an alumni to a Food Wars and emerge victorious!]

[Reward: Advanced Level of Earthbending!]

[Description: Gain advanced proficiency in Earthbending from the Avatar universe seamlessly, regardless of different origins!]

"Just as I had gotten used to the medium level, you showed up, huh? Perfect timing..." His eyes gleamed with excitement.