Tsunade was finally starting to understand the Third Hokage's pain.
Yagyū Souma's ninjutsu was incredibly useful—but figuring out how to reward him was always a massive headache.
Money?
He didn't lack it.
Ninjutsu?
Even less so. If he really put his mind to it, he could probably come up with several new techniques a day. The only difference would be their level of power.
The only thing he genuinely needed was chakra metal…
And unfortunately, Konoha really didn't have any left.
Many of Yagyū Souma's ninja tool creations relied on chakra metal. At present, all of Konoha's reserves were allocated to the smithing division, split across multiple projects. Those materials were all public assets.
Private use?
Practically impossible.
Our current focus still has to be the Eight Gates… Tsunade thought with a sigh.
As she was thinking, she spotted a rather eye-catching sight outside—
Yagyū Souma was walking upside down.
Not only that, Might Guy was right beside him, also inverted. Master and student looked so alike that, at a glance, they almost resembled—
A father and son…
Tsunade rubbed her temples.
She really couldn't help being curious about what kind of technique Yagyū Souma had come up with this time.
When Yagyū Souma noticed her gaze, he looked at her strangely.
"Don't sigh like that beside me," he said. "Is my technique really that bad?"
"Don't be ridiculous," Tsunade replied flatly. "I'm reminding myself—no comparing, no getting angry."
In truth, Yagyū Souma had only been squatting somewhere on the village outskirts, cultivating and casually experimenting. He'd refined his Finger Pistol usage a bit while he was at it.
Without senjutsu chakra, Tempest Kick's effective range was only a few steps. Breaking through a tailed beast's chakra defense would be outright impossible.
Yagyū Souma nodded. He already knew that.
Tsunade rested her chin on her hand, thought for several seconds, and finally nodded as well.
"It damages the user," she concluded.
"That's why it's just a supplementary method," Yagyū Souma replied calmly. "And this is my newly optimized chakra armor."
Tsunade opened her mouth, then closed it again.
Why do I even bother looking…
Even if she wanted to reward him, she genuinely didn't know how.
Giving him probation?
Better than getting a headache right now.
Worst case, she could grant him an S-rank technique later. The Scroll of Seals should still have one or two relatively safe ones left.
"Alright," she said at last. "How long are you planning to stay this time?"
"Not long. A day or two at most."
Outside, Might Guy was exercising.
Lee followed behind him, sweating profusely.
"I've mostly been focusing on taijutsu," Lee said cheerfully when he noticed Yagyū Souma. "Strengthening my body. Guy-sensei wanted to teach me the Breathing Activation Technique, but I couldn't quite grasp it."
Tsunade silently comforted herself.
No anger. No comparison.
Yagyū Souma smiled and looked at Lee. "You've been training well."
Lee beamed. "Yes!"
Tsunade, however, felt a fresh wave of pain in her chest.
"You go out once," she muttered, "and you come back with a pile of new techniques."
Yagyū Souma shrugged and turned to Guy. "Guy-sensei, I need your help testing a technique or two."
Guy immediately straightened. "Of course!"
Lee saluted and dashed off to continue training.
Tsunade quietly observed from the side.
Yagyū Souma explained the principles behind Tempest Kick and Finger Pistol.
At their core, they were specialized applications of the Strength of a Hundred–style chakra release, compressing chakra flow into a razor-thin stream—essentially turning raw force into cutting pressure.
"It's not about brute power," Yagyū Souma explained. "It's about control."
Guy thought for a moment. "Above the Third Gate, it should be usable. But achieving your level of precision… that's probably impossible for me."
"That's enough," Yagyū Souma replied.
Tsunade listened silently, then suddenly paused mid-document.
"…That's another direction," she murmured.
She finally understood.
These techniques weren't meant to replace the Eight Gates.
They were supplements.
Tools to extend effectiveness, reduce self-damage, and broaden tactical options.
Compared to that…
What have I been doing all these years? Tsunade thought bitterly.
Gambling. Running. Dodging debts.
Yagyū Souma, on the other hand, turned every journey into research.
Every stop became a new insight.
She exhaled slowly, calming herself.
No comparing. No anger.
"Alright," Tsunade said. "That's enough for today. I've got work to do."
Yagyū Souma nodded. "I'll head to the research division later."
"Go," she waved him off. "And don't come back for a bit. Every time you show up, my workload doubles."
Yagyū Souma laughed.
As he turned to leave, Might Guy appeared at the end of the road, still running on his hands.
"Yagyū Souma!" Guy called out. "When did you get back?"
"Just now."
"I could feel it!" Guy exclaimed. "Youth really is explosive!"
Tsunade closed her eyes.
This village… really is full of monsters.
And somehow, Yagyū Souma was becoming the most troublesome one of all.
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