Talent System In The Naruto Universe

The four left the Konoha Memorial Stone.

Along the way, Jiraiya and Orochimaru continued bickering, to the point where the atmosphere itself seemed worn down by their squabble.

Hanekawa noticed that their dynamic was strikingly similar to that of Kakashi Hatake and Obito Uchiha.

"You two go to the barbecue restaurant first," Tsunade interrupted their argument. "Hanekawa and I will join later."

"What are you up to? You're not planning to gamble away the money I gave you, are you?" Jiraiya asked suspiciously, glancing at Orochimaru before focusing on Tsunade.

He'd been traveling frequently, searching for the prophesied child, while Orochimaru had holed up in Root conducting experiments. It had been over a year since they last met, and their bickering was something Jiraiya oddly missed.

"Do I look like that kind of person?" Tsunade retorted irritably.

Jiraiya hesitated but said nothing.

"It won't take long," Tsunade said, turning away. "Ten minutes."

"So… not gambling?" Jiraiya rubbed his chin, perplexed. "Has Tsunade really given up gambling?"

"It's for Hanekawa," Orochimaru observed, watching them walk away.

Jiraiya froze for a moment, his expression thoughtful.

Not gambling, but taking Hanekawa along? Orochimaru's guess seemed plausible.

"What's this? Are you jealous of Hanekawa?" Orochimaru teased with a sly grin.

"Jealous of a kid? Seriously?" Jiraiya snapped, glaring at him.

"Tsunade treats Hanekawa better than she treats you," Orochimaru quipped, his venomous tongue striking true.

"You snake!" Jiraiya roared. "Let's see if you've improved over the past year!"

"Resorting to fighting when you're out of words? How childish," Orochimaru said with a shake of his head, walking into the barbecue restaurant.

"You—!" Jiraiya, fuming, stormed after him.

---

Hanekawa followed Tsunade for a few minutes until a drugstore came into view.

The signboard displayed the words "Nara Clan."

The Nara Clan, part of the Ino–Shika–Cho trio, was renowned for its expertise in medicinal herbs, especially deer antlers.

"We're here to buy medicine?" Hanekawa asked, confused. "Is someone injured?"

"It's for you," Tsunade replied casually. "To strengthen your body."

Hanekawa froze, blinking in surprise.

Is this world embracing doping now?

Tsunade carefully selected a large amount of medicinal herbs and paid for them using Jiraiya's money.

Hanekawa's expression grew complicated.

This… wasn't this also a form of… well… cough.

With the medicine in tow, Tsunade and Hanekawa returned to the barbecue restaurant.

---

"Lady Tsunade," the owner greeted as they entered. "The Hokage and the others are in the first private room."

Tsunade frowned slightly.

What's that old man doing here? Why is he joining in?

She opened the door to the private room. Sitting at the head of the table was Hiruzen Sarutobi, with Orochimaru and Jiraiya seated on either side of him.

"You're here. Have a seat," Hiruzen said, waving them over.

Tsunade sat opposite Hiruzen, pulling Hanekawa along to sit next to her.

"Lord Hokage," Hanekawa greeted respectfully, as the youngest in both age and rank.

"You've been doing well lately," Hiruzen remarked, his tone approving. "Asuma has changed significantly."

Meanwhile, Orochimaru reached out with his unnaturally long tongue, snatching up all the meat on the grill in one swift motion.

"Orochimaru!" Jiraiya snapped, looking furious. "Use chopsticks!"

Their argument disrupted the conversation, leaving Hiruzen feeling helpless. He had hoped to discuss the Will of Fire with Hanekawa.

Looking at his three students, he sighed inwardly.

How did I end up with these three? None of them respect their teacher or know proper manners.

If only they were more like Minato...

"Order anything you like, don't hold back. Today, Jiraiya is treating," Tsunade said, patting Hanekawa on the head.

"In that case… I'll have beef!" Hanekawa replied without hesitation and ordered five plates of the most expensive beef.

"You really are Tsunade's student," Jiraiya said, twitching at the corner of his mouth.

"You can learn anything, but don't pick up gambling," Hiruzen Sarutobi interjected with a sigh.

"He's a child. I won't let him gamble," Tsunade replied with a dismissive wave.

"Then why did you take him to a casino?" Hiruzen's expression darkened.

"Going to the casino doesn't mean gambling," Tsunade said casually as she placed a piece of grilled meat in Hanekawa's bowl.

"…?" Hiruzen's vision nearly went black.

What kind of ridiculous logic was that?

This kid is probably doomed, he thought.

"Why do you care so much, old man?" Jiraiya asked while flipping meat on the grill.

"And you? When are you planning to leave?" Hiruzen shifted his attention to Jiraiya.

"…" Jiraiya was momentarily speechless.

Meanwhile, Orochimaru extended his tongue once again, scooping up all the meat on the grill and swallowing it in one go.

"Orochimaru!" Jiraiya glared. "Use chopsticks! And can't you cook your own meat?!"

"I'm helping you with the burnt ones," Orochimaru replied, his face emotionless.

"Burnt?! I've been grilling like this for years, and I've never burnt anything!" Jiraiya fumed, the veins on his forehead bulging.

"All right, enough. It's just grilled meat; what's there to argue about?" Hiruzen tapped the table, trying to calm them down.

"Then you grill!" Jiraiya thrust the tongs at Hiruzen.

"…?" Hiruzen puffed out his cheeks in annoyance. "I'm your teacher!"

Hanekawa quietly continued eating.

For now, Orochimaru still seemed somewhat human. The rest of their personalities matched what he remembered from the original story—a mix of rebellious and irreverent behavior.

It was a shame that this camaraderie would eventually turn into bitter conflict.

---

After the lively barbecue, Hanekawa followed Tsunade back home.

"Train by yourself; I'm going to prepare some medicine," Tsunade said as she kicked off her shoes and headed for the kitchen.

Standing under a tree, Hanekawa plucked a leaf and began practicing.

Recalling Sarutobi Asuma's instructions, he focused his chakra into the leaf.

Instead of cutting cleanly in half, the leaf exploded.

Hanekawa wasn't surprised.

Thanks to his D-rank trait Windwhirl Gale, his Wind Release talent had a 30% boost, but he was far from being a top-tier genius.

Succeeding on the first try? Impossible.

Time passed quickly, and by dusk, Hanekawa had managed to cut a leaf into four pieces.

According to Asuma, once he could consistently cut a leaf cleanly in two, he could begin learning simple Wind Release techniques.

By his estimate, he needed at least another week of practice.

"Hanekawa, drink this," Tsunade called, walking up with a bowl of medicine.

Looking at the dark, murky liquid, Hanekawa pinched his nose and drank it in one go. His face immediately contorted in pain.

The taste was indescribably awful.

"Follow me," Tsunade instructed, turning and leading him inside. She stopped in front of the bathroom door.

Peeking in, Hanekawa noticed the bathtub wasn't filled with hot water but medicinal liquid.

"Take off your clothes," Tsunade said, crossing her arms.

"Huh?" Hanekawa looked at her in disbelief. "Aren't you leaving?"

"What's there to be shy about?" Tsunade asked with a mischievous smile. "You're just a kid; what's there to see?"

"Out," Hanekawa said, his face darkening.

"Make sure to soak for at least half an hour," Tsunade teased before closing the door and walking away.

-

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