Keiji gazed at the swaying figure of Tsunade, his eyes following her until she disappeared from his sight.
"Back to the divine side."
"Snap out of it, bro."
Nawaki patted Keiji's arm. His sister was gone, so why was Keiji still looking for her?
Could it be that Tsunade had something Keiji hadn't seen? Nawaki's little mind was full of big question marks.
"Ahem."
A tactical cough.
"I was just thinking about the ideal I've lost."
"I came here to teach you some useful things."
Keiji blinked, lying through his teeth and shifting the topic, then started giving Nawaki pointers.
"Brother, what are you going to teach me?"
Nawaki looked excited, as though he could become as powerful as Keiji the moment he learned whatever he was about to be taught.
"Stand up, squat, and extend your arms."
Keiji took the Eight-Edge Han Sword off his back and tapped Nawaki's unsteady stance, correcting his posture.
He placed the sword gently in his embrace.
"What's this?"
"Is it useful?"
Nawaki felt like he'd been tricked. What kind of nonsense was this? Squatting would make him stronger?
"Take a deep breath."
"Exhale."
Keiji provided breathing guidance.
"Two hours."
This was a technique Keiji had personally experienced. Since Naruto's physical condition was above average and possessed various forms of energy, the effects of the stance training had been greatly enhanced.
Not only did it help strengthen leg muscles, but it also stimulated cellular activity and accelerated chakra conversion.
"Remember to convert chakra and use water-style chakra to alleviate muscle fatigue."
To become stronger, Nawaki had no choice but to obediently follow Keiji's instructions. If it weren't for recognizing Keiji as his brother, Nawaki would have ignored him. Definitely not for the Eight-Edge Han Sword—no way!
Keiji quickly jumped onto a nearby tree, pulling out a beauty magazine. No one had a better figure than Tsunade.
Following Keiji's instructions, Nawaki adjusted his breathing, maintained balance, and began converting chakra.
When his legs started to ache, Nawaki began manipulating his chakra to ease the pain. At first, he struggled to control the precise movements, and his legs spasmed, almost causing him to fall.
After a bit of trial and error, he was astonished to find that it was actually effective. The chakra conversion speed was faster than before.
No wonder Keiji was so amazing. The first time they met, he'd already taught him such powerful techniques. Nawaki was determined to help Keiji pursue his sister, Tsunade.
One large figure in the tree, one smaller figure on the field, neither disturbing the other.
After about two hours, Keiji had dozed off on the tree. After all, having watched countless movies, it was impossible for him to be that engrossed in a magazine for so long.
Sweat dripped from Nawaki's forehead, dampening the surrounding ground and forming a small puddle.
"Keiji-kun, time to eat."
Although Tsunade couldn't see Keiji, she could feel his presence on the tree.
Nawaki squatted there, motionless, not sure how long he had been squatting, but since Keiji hadn't told him to stop, he kept at it.
"What a great talent. It'd be a shame if you died," Keiji said as he jumped down from the tree, walking over to Nawaki. He took off the sword from his back and handed it to him.
"Like it? I'll let you play with it for a bit. I'll make one for you later."
Nawaki was thrilled as he held the sword in his hands. It felt like he had received the toy of his dreams.
Had it not been for dinner time, they would have continued playing for a bit longer.
"Brother, this sword looks sharp."
Nawaki struggled to draw the sword, but it was still too long for him. His arm span wasn't enough.
Looking at the sword's eight blades, he felt a faint cold aura emanating from it. This was a killing sword, one that had tasted much blood.
"Of course, this is the most successful product from our Flagwood Weapons Workshop," Keiji said proudly.
"Only we at the Hatake Weapons Workshop can forge it in all of Konoha."
Keiji took great pride in the workshop he personally ran. After all, it was the only business he had that could generate profit.
"So, bro, do you have a lot of money?" Nawaki's eyes sparkled, clearly interested. He was determined to become Tsunade's brother-in-law. Who knew how much his sister had lost in this process?
"If my grandmother were still alive, this mansion would have vanished by now."
"Not much, not much. Just in the top three of Konoha," Keiji waved his hand, pretending to be modest.
"Wow…"
Before Nawaki could finish his compliment, Tsunade had already become impatient.
"Nawaki, I've called you for dinner. Can't you hear me?"
"Not yet."
Her attitude towards her brother was indeed different—so domineering.
Keiji felt he might have been misled and needed to think things over.
Before he could react, Nawaki pulled him toward Tsunade.
"Let's go, Keiji-kun. I've prepared some good sake."
Tsunade's warm and welcoming attitude made it hard for Keiji to tell which one was more overwhelming.
"Alright, just call me Keiji and Tsunade-chan from now on," Keiji said, still a bit dazed by her presence.
Tsunade blushed slightly, though she didn't seem too uncomfortable with the new nickname.
"I'm hungry."
Nawaki interrupted the moment, running toward the table with the sword in hand.
Tsunade and Keiji shared a smile before following her into the dining room.
The Senju clan was deeply rooted, and their dining hall was impressive—certainly not something the Hatake clan could compare with at this moment.
Inside the dining room, they saw an elderly woman with youthful red hair tied in a bun sitting at the head of the table. Beside her sat a younger girl, also with red hair.
Keiji already had a guess, and the timing seemed to make sense.
Nawaki walked over, called out "Grandma," and sat down, placing the sword beside him.
It wasn't surprising that the girl was immediately attracted to the sword, since it was unlike any sword she had seen before.
"Kyūsina, this is my brother's sword. It's so beautiful."
Nawaki, being in an active and lively age, couldn't resist showing off the sword when he saw Kyūsina's interest.
"How beautiful is it?"
Kyūsina had been ostracized at school due to her red hair, but she had a good relationship with Nawaki, probably because they were relatives.
...
Tsunade led Keiji to sit down and greeted the elder.
"Mr. Mito, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Hatake Keiji. Thank you for your guidance."
Keiji bowed respectfully, the closer he got, the more he could sense the sinister chakra emanating from Mito.
Though Mito tried to conceal it, Keiji's keen perception couldn't miss it.
"You don't need to be so formal, Keiji-kun. Tsunade has already mentioned you. Please, sit."
Mito smiled and extended her hand to Keiji, guiding him to sit beside Tsunade. She didn't sense any malice from this young man.
Everyone took their seats, and the servants began to serve drinks and dishes.
Familiar seafood sashimi, side dishes, and sushi were spread out on the table.
Tsunade poured some sake for Keiji, and Mito unexpectedly asked for a cup too, finally pouring one for herself as well.
At Mito's permission, Nawaki and Kyūsina had already begun their enthusiastic performances.