Chapter 179: Tsunade's Lap Pillow
"Teacher, time to wake up!"
Hoshikawa stood outside Tsunade's room, raising his hand to knock.
"Didn't I give you the day off?"
The door was pulled open, and a yawning Tsunade appeared before him.
She wore a white nightgown that reached her knees, revealing delicate, fair calves.
Her blonde bangs were slightly messy, and her face looked sleepy, as if she might drift back to sleep at any moment.
"I came to make you breakfast."
Hoshikawa reached out and gently brushed her bangs aside.
Tsunade looked at his actions, a bit confused, but sobered up a few seconds later.
She opened her mouth, yet didn't know what to say.
"What would you like for breakfast?" Hoshikawa asked, his gaze briefly sweeping over her soft, shimmering lips.
"Huh?" Tsunade paused. "Ramen."
Conditions on the island were limited, and they had only eaten rice balls and sushi in the mornings. It had been a long time since she had tasted Hoshikawa 's ramen.
"Got it," Hoshikawa nodded, then added, "I forgot to mention the reforging of the Kiba sword to the Hokage yesterday."
"Just give me the sword," Tsunade said casually. "I'll stop by his office on my way to the casino today."
"Thank you, Teacher."
Hoshikawa handed her both the Lightning Blade: Kiba and his own Lightning Fire Sword.
"I'm changing clothes."
Tsunade took a step back and closed the door.
She subconsciously twirled a strand of her blonde hair around her finger, lost in thought for a few moments.
A while later, she changed her clothes, left the room, and walked into the bathroom.
After finishing her routine, she stopped at the entrance to the kitchen.
Water was boiling in a pot, emitting steam.
In the faint morning light, Hoshikawa was seriously concentrating on cooking ramen.
Soon, a rich aroma filled the air.
Tsunade watched for a long time until her eyes met Hoshikawa 's.
She kept a poker face. "I'm hungry. Is it ready?"
Hoshikawa smiled, setting down a bowl of ramen. "Tonkotsu Ramen."
Tsunade took the bowl and walked to the living room.
"Are you going to the casino today?" Hoshikawa sat down opposite her.
"There's nothing else to do anyway," Tsunade replied casually. "Are you coming?"
"I'm training," Hoshikawa paused, then added, "I'll come find you after I finish training."
"No need to find me, just focus on your training," Tsunade took a slurp of the Tonkotsu broth. "War can break out anytime. Your priority is increasing your strength."
"That's what I was thinking too."
Hoshikawa crossed his arms and simply watched her eat her ramen.
"Want some?" Tsunade had eaten most of the ramen, and glanced at him.
"I didn't mean anything by it," Hoshikawa cleared his throat.
"Then what are you looking at?" Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
"Teacher, your hair is a little messy," Hoshikawa asked earnestly. "I'm quite skilled with ponytails. Want me to help?"
"Oh, really?" Tsunade sneered, her tone lightly threatening. "If it doesn't look good, you'll suffer the consequences!"
The implication was a definite yes.
Seeing this, Hoshikawa walked behind her and gently held her hair.
It was incredibly smooth; in his previous life, she could have starred in shampoo commercials.
This was the marvel of the Creation Rebirth seal, which even regulated her hair growth.
Tsunade continued eating her noodles, all the while feeling Hoshikawa 's movements behind her.
Suddenly, she felt a slight tremor in her heart, sensing a strange atmosphere.
"All done, Teacher."
Hoshikawa looked at the perfectly tied ponytail and nodded in satisfaction.
"Hn," Tsunade put down her chopsticks. "Thanks."
She stood up, went back to her room, looked in the mirror, and thought, This kid is surprisingly skilled.
Hoshikawa finished washing the dishes and came out to find Tsunade putting on her shoes.
She was bent over, her back to him, her dark blue capris stretched tight, giving her hips a full, rounded curve.
Hoshikawa internally conceded that the phrase "stacked in front and back" was invented for her.
"If you need anything, find me at the casino."
Tsunade glanced back at him, put on her jacket with the 'Gambling' symbol, and headed out the door.
Hoshikawa went outside the house.
Since it was a day off, neither Kurenai nor Rin had come over.
He thought for a moment. Since no one was around, it was the perfect time to practice the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
Hoshikawa stood still, and soon a huge amount of lightning chakra began to cover his body.
He groaned, feeling a tingling sensation transmitted throughout his entire body.
Strictly speaking, this was Lightning Release Chakra Activation, not the full Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
It involved stimulating all of his body's cells with Lightning Release chakra to activate them and generate more chakra.
Hoshikawa had two jutsu that involved Lightning Release Chakra Activation: the Chidori and the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
The Chidori only required arm activation, but the Chakra Mode required full body activation, exponentially increasing the difficulty.
In the original story, Karin once said that the Fourth Raikage's chakra, when using this mode, was like that of a Tailed Beast.
The day came to an end.
Hoshikawa collapsed directly onto the ground.
After being subjected to this high-intensity 'electrotherapy' for so long, he felt like he was cooked medium-rare.
But it wasn't without progress.
He found that the Creation Rebirth seal was a huge help in training the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
Under normal circumstances, this kind of high-intensity training could only last for an hour or two a day.
But with the Creation Rebirth seal, he could train all day long.
If he kept this up every day, Hoshikawa felt he could master the Lightning Release Chakra Mode within half a year.
He just didn't know if Iwagakure and Kirigakure would give him six months of peace.
Hoshikawa 's thoughts drifted, and he remembered Tsuchihashi from the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore.
They hadn't been in contact for a long time.
It seemed Kumogakure had selectively forgotten about him.
Hoshikawa was happy to let that slide, but the publication of his novels couldn't stop.
He began thinking about what his next novel should be.
Footsteps sounded.
Hoshikawa instinctively looked up and saw the overwhelming form that strained her clothing; even the sunlight seemed to dim slightly in comparison.
"What are you doing lying on the ground?" Tsunade poked her head out and asked.
"Just finished training, taking a rest," Hoshikawa narrowed his eyes slightly. "How was your luck, Teacher?"
"Lost a little." Tsunade looked a bit awkward.
Got it. An absolute ton, Hoshikawa thought.
Hoshikawa sat up and comforted her. "You'll win it back next time."
Tsunade glanced at him and sat down beside him.
Just as she was about to speak, Hoshikawa suddenly leaned to the left, resting his head on her shoulder.
"I'm too tired," Hoshikawa blinked, smiling. "Teacher, do you mind?"
"Why would I mind something like this?" Tsunade replied without changing her expression.
"Thank you, Teacher." Hoshikawa inhaled the faint, clean scent radiating from her and closed his eyes.
Tsunade looked at him, then turned her gaze towards the sunset.
The cool autumn breeze blew, leaving her feeling an unprecedented sense of peace.
Soon, she heard the sound of steady breathing.
Tsunade couldn't help but smile.
The little brat actually fell asleep.
She thought for a moment, straightened her legs, then used her hands to support Hoshikawa , allowing him to gently recline until his head rested on her lap.
The sun slowly disappeared, leaving only a faint twilight glow.
Just then, a figure appeared.
It was Haru, an ANBU ninja.
She looked at the scene, her eyes widening in surprise.
Tsunade put a finger to her lips, signaling her to remain silent.
Haru nodded and presented her with two bank books.
Tsunade glanced at them. One was for ten million Ryo, and the other was for five million Ryo.
Undoubtedly, these were the mission rewards from Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Tsunade accepted the bank books, and Haru immediately vanished.
After an unknown amount of time, Hoshikawa woke up.
"Here you go." Tsunade handed him the five-million-Ryo bank book.
"That much?" Hoshikawa opened the bank book, showing genuine surprise.
An S-rank mission typically paid only a million Ryo, which was then split among the entire squad.
The fact that he alone received five million Ryo meant he was essentially credited for seven or eight S-rank missions.
"It's not much," Tsunade stroked his head. "Now that you're awake, get up."
"Thank you, Teacher."
Hoshikawa sat up, reluctantly moving away from her lap.
"What's wrong?" Tsunade noticed his expression and chuckled. "Still sleepy?"
"A little bit, actually," Hoshikawa said shamelessly.
"Are you awake now?" Tsunade flicked his forehead hard. "You brat, don't push your luck!"
She realized Hoshikawa was crossing a line, whether intentionally or not.
"Hiss!"
Hoshikawa sucked in a sharp breath.
That flick actually hurt a little.
"Stop faking it, kid." Tsunade stood up, stepped on his foot, and said, "With your body constitution, you'd be fine even if I used much more force."
"Teacher must be holding back because you care," Hoshikawa said with a smile.
"Do you want to test that theory?" Tsunade extended her hand in front of him, clenching it until it made a crisp sound.
"I bet Teacher is hungry. I'll go make dinner," Hoshikawa prudently dashed into the kitchen.
Tsunade lowered her hand and, a moment later, began to smile.
Half a month flew by in a flash.
Hoshikawa woke up very early today.
He was going to pick up his newly reforged Lightning Fire Sword and then make a quick trip to the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had assigned a specific ninja tool shop to forge the new Lightning Fire Sword for him.
And this shop was TenTen's Ninja Tools, owned by TenTen's father, Tamura, a shop Hoshikawa had visited before.
"Welcome!"
Hoshikawa had just reached the door when he saw a young woman wearing a qipao.
He paused, instinctively looked at the signboard above, and confirmed he hadn't gone to the wrong place.
"Hoshikawa ?!" Tamura walked in from upstairs, greeting him enthusiastically. "Long time no see!"
"Is this Lady Tsunade's student, the Hoshikawa who killed one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?" the young woman asked, her expression surprised.
"That's right!" Tamura's face was beaming, his tone full of pride. "He's a true genius of our Konoha!"
"It's a pleasure to meet you," the young woman quickly introduced herself. "I'm Tamura's recently wedded wife, Tamashizu."
Hoshikawa realized what this meant.
He recalled that TenTen was born during the Third Great Shinobi War. Tamura marrying now fit the timeline.
Besides her, most of the Konoha 12 (like Neji Hyūga, Naruto Uzumaki, and Hinata Hyūga) would be born within the next two or three years.
As a fan of the original story, Hoshikawa felt a subtle sense of anticipation, but having already met Tsunade, Kurenai, and Konan, he wasn't overly surprised.
"I'm here to pick up my sword," Hoshikawa stated his purpose after the introductions.
"Please wait a moment." Tamura turned and went upstairs, returning shortly with the Lightning Fire Sword.
Hoshikawa examined it. Its appearance hadn't changed much.
He gripped the sword, and several lines of text immediately appeared before his eyes.
[A-Rank Ninja Tool Trait: Lightning Fire Sword.]
[Trigger Condition: Reforged with the Lightning Blade: Kiba.]
[Effect: Lightning Release Chakra conductivity increased by 150%, Durability increased by 150%, Lightning Release Chakra power increased by 20%.]
[Feature: Can draw in natural lightning.]
Hoshikawa 's eyes lit up.
The effects had indeed been upgraded, from a B-Rank to an A-Rank trait.
The conductivity, durability, and power of the Lightning Release chakra were all enhanced.
The most pleasant surprise was retaining the Lightning Blade: Kiba's signature feature: drawing in lightning.
"Thank you." Hoshikawa suppressed the urge to test the sword right there.
"It is an honor to forge a sword for a genius like you," Tamura paused, then asked in a flattering tone, "Would it be possible for the shop to use your name in our advertisements?"
"No problem." Hoshikawa didn't mind him capitalizing on the fame.
"Thank you!" Tamura was overjoyed.
With Hoshikawa 's name as promotion, their small shop would surely attract more customers.
Especially since this genius was far from reaching his limit.
"As compensation, all your future ninja tools will be covered by the shop," Tamura offered in return.
Hoshikawa raised an eyebrow, thinking, He's quite the businessman.
He didn't refuse. It was a win-win situation, and he wasn't taking advantage of Tamura either.
Hoshikawa excused himself and quickly arrived at the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore.
"Hoshikawa , you're quite the celebrity now!" Tsuchihashi said with a smile.
His attitude was the same as before, perhaps even slightly more enthusiastic.
Hoshikawa realized why after a moment of thought.
Tsuchihashi was just a spy, not high-ranking in Kumogakure, so he likely didn't know the specifics of what Hoshikawa had done.
"Uncle Tsuchihashi," Hoshikawa said with a smile. "This is a new novel from my friend."
"Another new novel, finally!" Tsuchihashi's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, "Let's see what this one is about."
Hoshikawa didn't rush him and waited patiently.
After some thought, the new novel he had produced was Maple and Bell, a high school pure-love story.
"It's a slice-of-life story?" Tsuchihashi seemed surprised, but quickly sighed. "Who wouldn't want a pair of beautiful twin girls like these?"
"Uncle Tsuchihashi, I'll leave the publication to you. Same as before, simultaneous publication of the novel and the manga," Hoshikawa reminded him.
"No problem, you can count on me!" Tsuchihashi said excitedly.
In his mind, this meant big money!
Hoshikawa returned to Tsunade's house and saw Haru the ANBU ninja outside.
He wasn't surprised, walked up, chatted briefly, and received an intelligence scroll.
But he didn't rush to read it. After Haru left, he stood outside, raised the Lightning Fire Sword, and channeled his chakra into it.
Instantly, the sky darkened, and a bolt of natural lightning descended, connecting with the Lightning Fire Sword.
Hoshikawa couldn't help but exclaim, Holy cow.
The lightning-drawing effect was certainly impressive.
He felt like shouting, "Raikō-sama, lend me your strength!"
(End of Chapter)
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