At the Konoha barbecue shop, when Genbu and the others arrived, Tsunade was already drinking with her two teammates. She sat in the middle, flanked by them on either side. Genbu scanned the room and recognized all the faces.
To his left sat a tall man with white hair and striking features. A long crimson streak ran under his eye like a tear. Handsome as he was, his lecherous gaze fixed on Tsunade made him look downright creepy. That had to be the perverted Jiraiya.
On the right was a man with long, straight black hair, the exact opposite of Jiraiya's wild style. His sharp features exuded a cold, untouchable aura. That must be Orochimaru.
Tsunade cheerfully introduced her students: "These three are my adorable disciples—Nara Kiyomizu, Yamanaka Yu, and Akimichi Genbu, hahaha."
She then pointed to the others and said, "These two are my teammates—black-haired Orochimaru and white-haired Jiraiya."
Genbu and the others bowed respectfully: "Lord Orochimaru, greetings! Lord Jiraiya, greetings!"
Orochimaru's eyes scanned Kiyomizu and Yu, then lingered on Genbu for a few seconds before moving on. A shiver ran down Genbu's spine.
What was this development? He had no recollection of any prior interaction with Orochimaru—so why was he being watched so closely from the start?
Jiraiya greeted them enthusiastically: "Three little brats, I'm the handsomest man in Konoha, and your teacher's future partner, Jiraiya! From now on, if you ever have trouble, just call my name—I've got your back."
Genbu had no idea how to respond. Tsunade clearly didn't hold him in any regard.
If he wanted to keep up with his teacher's pace, the first rule was obvious: don't peek at women in the bath.
Tsunade raised her hand and slammed Jiraiya's face onto the table. "Jiraiya! Do you want to die?!"
Orochimaru, pointing at Genbu, muttered in a deep, hoarse voice: "Tsunade… is that the kid who survived her punch unharmed?"
Orochimaru's curiosity about Genbu's body was understandable. Tsunade was no ordinary opponent. Previously, when Jiraiya tried to sneak a peek at her bath, Tsunade punched him hundreds of meters away, breaking ribs, wrists, and even internal organs—nearly killing him.
Although Genbu was just a child, Tsunade hadn't used her full strength. Yet Orochimaru was still intrigued—how could someone withstand her punch without injury?
Tsunade, staggering slightly from her drinking, walked over and lifted Genbu's shirt. "Hmm, not bad, young man. Eight-pack abs at your age? Impressive."
This was the first time in Genbu's two lives he had experienced such intimate contact with a woman.
Jiraiya peeked from under the table, unable to handle the sight. He had never been touched like that before—especially by someone with eight-pack abs!
He pulled Tsunade back into her seat, frowning. "Okay, I get it—he's strong. But as a teacher, how can you take advantage of your student like that?"
Tsunade punched him under the table again. Foolish man.
Kiyomizu was speechless. Her teacher was so strict—how could anyone ever underestimate him now? She glanced at Zhongyu, who understood immediately, shook his head, and sighed.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru turned to Genbu: "Kid, you've piqued my interest. Want to come under my tutelage? Tsunade is only a medical ninja—you could achieve more with me. I have research projects perfect for someone like you."
He licked his lips instinctively.
Tsunade, displeased, snapped: "Orochimaru! How dare you think that about my beloved student? I could put you in ICU!"
Orochimaru ignored her, his gaze fixed solely on Genbu.
Under Orochimaru's serpentine stare, Genbu felt like crying—but no tears came. Who at home would understand? Snake-uncle was watching him closely—it was unnerving. Become his vessel? Disgusting.
Though Orochimaru was a world-class scientist, Genbu was no ordinary child. In his previous life, he had been a biochemistry doctoral student at a top university, fully versed in genetic engineering—knowledge Orochimaru didn't yet have.
Genbu immediately refused: "I'm honored by your offer, Lord Orochimaru, but I am Tsunade's disciple and cannot obey you."
Orochimaru retracted his gaze and sipped his drink. To him, Genbu was merely a prodigious genin—interesting, but not enough to pursue.
Genbu exhaled in relief, wiping non-existent sweat from his forehead.
"Hmph, my students won't be fooled by a few words from Orochimaru," Tsunade said, patting her already ample chest and laughing heartily.
Jiraiya, seeing this, was dumbfounded—he wished he could dive straight onto Tsunade's chest. He tried to sneak closer, only to get punched again, stars dancing before his eyes, blood from his nose. In no time, he had been defeated by Tsunade three times.
Genbu finally understood why Jiraiya had been so formidable in his past life. He could withstand Naruto's Four-Tails form strike and even seal Naruto when he tried to escape. That was the kind of training he had received.
"You pervert, you'll die inside a woman one day," Tsunade scoffed.
After defeating Jiraiya once more, Tsunade, feeling satisfied, told the three: "You can move to the other table—eat and drink whatever you want. Tonight's bill is on Jiraiya."
She clearly understood the fighting power of the Akimichi clan—it was her revenge for Jiraiya's peeking.
But Jiraiya didn't seem to mind. How much could three little brats eat? He had clearly never seen the Akimichi clan's true strength.
Genbu, excited, forgot his fear of Orochimaru's gaze. He had always lived frugally to afford lab equipment, reagents, and materials. He had never properly enjoyed a barbecue. No one would believe it if he told them.
He sincerely thanked Tsunade: "Thank you, Teacher—you are the kindest, most beautiful, generous woman in the world." Even though the bill was on Jiraiya.
"Thanks for the treat, Teacher," Kiyomizu and Yu said. Kiyomizu was as lazy as ever, but free barbecue made him happy.
Yu, ever polite, felt sorry for Jiraiya's wallet, raising his hand to warn him—but Genbu covered his mouth.
"Haha, let's eat!" Tsunade, delighted by Genbu's praise, let them go.
The three headed to the next room as Genbu started ordering. Simple instructions: "Bring ten servings of each type of meat from the menu."
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