Talent System In The Naruto Universe

Amid the bustling crowd, Hanekawa yawned out of boredom.

He shifted his position, finding a more comfortable spot in Tsunade's warm and soft embrace.

Yet every time he was about to drift off, the alluring scents around him and the various fascinating sights nearby kept his eyes wide open.

At your age, can you even sleep?

Hanekawa felt a pang of regret.

It was a pity his system didn't have features like a phone or a computer; otherwise, he could have killed some time.

After gambling with Hanekawa a few times, Tsunade realized that as long as he was by her side, her luck would even out.

So, claiming that kids shouldn't gamble, she stopped letting him participate.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Hanekawa heard a loud shout.

He perked up instinctively and asked, "Is it over?"

"Yep."

Tsunade's lips curled into a slight smile.

Clearly in a good mood, she said, "My treat, let's have some tender chicken."

"Alright."

The mention of tender chicken immediately made Hanekawa's stomach growl with hunger.

The two left the casino and headed to a nearby izakaya.

"Come again, sir!"

A coquettish voice rang out.

Hanekawa instinctively turned his head.

Wow, talk about dedication.

Though it was March and not as cold as winter, it was still chilly.

Yet the young woman, with her curvy figure, was wearing a very revealing kimono that looked almost like some kind of armor fetish outfit.

"Hahaha! I'll definitely come back tomorrow!"

Beside her stood a silver-haired young man, slapping her rear with a lecherous grin.

Hanekawa froze slightly.

Not good. There's killing intent!

He looked up at Tsunade, whose expression had darkened considerably.

It was Jiraiya.

Hanekawa instantly guessed the identity of the silver-haired man.

How carefree. Singing, drinking, and flirting around.

Hanekawa furrowed his brow and stepped back behind Tsunade.

He didn't need to guess what was about to happen.

I'm so smart!

"Why does this feel familiar?"

Jiraiya scratched his head.

Suddenly, his expression changed, and he quickly turned around.

Seeing Tsunade, his drunkenness disappeared instantly, leaving him wide awake.

Jiraiya's face turned pale as a sheet.

Stay calm, and beg for mercy.

"Tsunade, this is all a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding!"

Jiraiya plastered on a smile and hastily explained.

Bam!

Tsunade clenched her fist and punched him squarely.

Jiraiya's body flew backward, slamming into a wall and forming a "大" shape.

"Let's go."

Tsunade cast him a cold glance, grabbed Hanekawa's hand, and walked away.

"Pfft! Pfft!"

Jiraiya spat out some dust and got up from the ground.

Watching Tsunade's retreating figure, he looked like he was about to cry.

Finally, a chance to have some fun, and I run into her? Why?

But who's that kid?

Recently, aside from working with Minato Namikaze on the Rasengan, Jiraiya had been busy writing his new novel.

Guided by his mentor, "Thunderfire Blade," inspiration seemed to flow endlessly.

He hadn't paid any attention to Hanekawa before, so he didn't recognize him.

---

"He's Jiraiya."

Tsunade spoke with clear displeasure. "Don't learn from him."

"I won't."

Hanekawa quickly promised.

At least not now. Maybe when I can beat her in a fight someday.

"Here, this is for you."

Tsunade's tone softened as she handed him a bankbook.

"…?"

Hanekawa glanced at the bankbook, then looked at her in surprise.

"What's with that look?"

Tsunade huffed lightly and said, "Six hundred thousand ryo. Your share."

"I just didn't expect it."

Closing the bankbook, Hanekawa spoke with a hint of disbelief.

"I'm not so low as to take a kid's money."

Tsunade rolled her eyes and emphasized, "I am one of the Legendary Sannin, after all."

"Am I the first person to ever get money from you?"

Hanekawa asked curiously.

"What are you talking about?!"

Tsunade was a bit annoyed and asked in return, "Is that how you see me?"

Yes.

But Hanekawa didn't dare to say it, afraid he might get beaten to death.

"You're the second."

Tsunade picked up her drink and said, "Stop with the nonsense and drink!"

The first was Nawaki.

As for everyone else, they were all people who lent her money and never got it back.

It wasn't that Tsunade didn't want to pay them back; it was that she didn't have the money to do so.

Before meeting Hanekawa, her gambling life was a series of losses—losing everything until she was completely broke.

How could she have had anything left to repay her debts?

Hanekawa watched her drinking and couldn't help but smile.

Apart from her fists, everything about her is soft.

As he ate, he pondered what to do with the money.

Besides forging a sword, he didn't have any pressing need for it.

And he was certain that the earnings from Demon Slayer Ninjas would be several times the 600,000 ryo.

An idea suddenly came to him.

After dinner, Tsunade, her face flushed from drinking, waved him over before walking toward home.

"Lady Tsunade, the lamppost."

Hanekawa reminded her.

Tsunade swayed her head, realizing she was veering off course and had almost walked into a lamppost.

Her dazed expression had an unexpectedly cute contrast.

Hanekawa withdrew his gaze, crossed the tree-lined avenue, and arrived at the shopping district.

After a spree of shopping, he returned home.

Hanekawa pushed open the door and dropped two large bags onto the floor, creating a thud.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead. Thanks to the 30% arm strength bonus from his Tool Mastery, he had managed to carry it all back.

"What's this?"

Yuhi Shinku asked with a puzzled expression.

Behind him, a curious Yuhi Kurenai peeked out, looking adorably innocent.

"Gifts for you two."

Hanekawa waved to Kurenai and said, "The bag on the left is for you."

"What is it?"

Kurenai's cheeks turned slightly pink with excitement.

She ran up to Hanekawa, opened the bag, and immediately let out a cheer.

Shinku glanced over and was momentarily stunned.

Toys, snacks, clothes—everything a little girl might like was inside.

He had never bought so many things for Kurenai.

"Where did you get the money?"

Shinku asked, confused.

"From partnering with Lady Tsunade," Hanekawa replied with a smile. "Uncle Shinku, the other bag is for you."

Partnering?

Shinku opened the bag, a flicker of emotion flashing in his eyes.

Compared to Kurenai's gifts, his were clearly more expensive.

But why were there ginseng, antler velvet, and deer penis among the items?

"You've spent too much, Hanekawa."

Shinku came back to his senses and said with a sigh.

"Consider it tuition."

Hanekawa shrugged, unbothered.

"Very well."

Shinku's energy returned, and he said, "Tonight, I'll teach you a new genjutsu."

A few minutes later, his expression turned numb and filled with disbelief.

Hanekawa was learning too quickly.

Excuse me, but I couldn't make this challenging enough for you.

---

[D-Rank Jutsu Entry: Fox Mind Technique]

Trigger Condition: Successfully perform the jutsu.

Effect: This jutsu automatically reaches proficiency level.

Previously, Hanekawa had learned three E-rank genjutsu, but this one was D-rank.

In terms of effects, it was indeed superior.

It caused the person trapped in the illusion to wander aimlessly, as if bewitched by a fox.

By the time they snapped out of it, they would have expended significant stamina.

Moreover, it was an area genjutsu.

People often say foxes are tricksters, but this one felt more like a blessing.