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Tsunade - Ch 75
🕑 Added 2025-05-05 16:00:18 +0000 UTCChapter 75: Training Complete
Time: 17:00
Location: Training Ground No. 10, Konohagakure
"I'm exhausted... so thirsty..." Chōji collapsed onto the ground, stretching out his chubby hand toward Kamizuki Hikari like it was his last hope for survival.
"I'm super tired too!" Ino, mindful of her appearance, refrained from fully sprawling out on the ground.
As for Shikamaru, he was lying next to Chōji, pretending to be dead.
"Alright, take it slow. There's enough for everyone!" Hikari grinned as he pulled out a large barrel, then began pouring water into cups for the three of them.
Chōji grabbed his and downed it in one go.
"Ahh, that hit the spot. Seriously thought I was gonna die!" With some strength restored, Chōji plopped back down and started pouring himself another cup.
Ino sipped hers slowly, like a cautious little kitten.
Shikamaru didn’t even bother using his hands. Lying on the ground, he lifted his head just enough to bite the rim of the cup and slowly drank.
"You three really have terrible stamina!" Hikari commented, assessing their performance. "Just three laps around the Forest of Death, and you’re already done for? And you call yourselves the Ino-Shika-Chō trio? More like the Pig-Pig-Pig trio, if you ask me."
None of the three even flinched at Hikari’s insults—they were used to it by now.
More importantly, none of them had the energy to retort.
"Hikari-senpai, do you seriously think we’re made of steel? Have you even run around the Forest of Death yourself?" Shikamaru asked, unable to hide his frustration.
"Nope. Why would I do that for no reason?" Kamizuki Hikari shrugged, looking totally innocent.
"You don’t run it yourself but you make us do it? Don’t you think that’s a bit unfair?" Shikamaru protested.
"This is something I picked up from Gai. Your bodies are still weak, but you're at the age when you grow the fastest. You’ve gotta train harder and unlock your full potential." Despite his teasing tone, Hikari was actually quite pleased with their performance.
"For a shinobi, the body is the foundation. Especially you, Chōji—without a strong body, you won’t be able to handle your clan’s secret techniques."
"What about us?" Ino asked with a huff after finishing her drink.
She could swear even under Asuma's training, she’d never had to do physical drills like this.
"Are you and Shikamaru not shinobi too?" Hikari’s expression turned serious. "I may not have wanted to be your teacher, but since I’m here, I’ll make sure to teach you properly."
"I know you three might not be convinced yet, but don’t worry. Tomorrow I’ll get a girl to spar with you. If she can easily do something you three can’t, and you still complain afterward, then just leave. I don’t waste my time with deadweight!"
Shikamaru rolled his eyes and reluctantly pushed himself up from the ground. "Hikari-senpai, this female sparring partner... she’s not way older than us, right? If she’s a chūnin or something, we’ll drop dead before we can compete."
"Relax. She’s about your age. Tomorrow’s training will focus purely on taijutsu. You three better not get discouraged when she outpaces you." Hikari replied.
"Hmph! There’s no way I’ll lose to another girl!" Ino clenched her fists. She briefly considered punching Kamizuki Hikari but held herself back, choosing instead to silently cheer herself on.
"Alright, that’s it for today’s training. Go home, find your moms, and get some rest!" Hikari yawned lazily as he got up and wandered off toward the public restrooms.
He’d had a ton of water this afternoon—nature was calling.
Whoosh!
A Body Flicker Technique!
It was Yamanaka Inoichi!
Kamizuki Hikari’s steps paused for a moment as he sensed the familiar chakra behind him, then he calmly continued walking.
"Thanks for teaching them today, Hikari."
Inoichi smiled as he watched Hikari’s back. As a jōnin in charge of intelligence, he had a keen eye. He’d even noticed Hikari’s tiny pause when he landed.
Shinobi don’t believe in coincidences.
"Oh, Inoichi-senpai!" Hikari turned around and looked a bit surprised to see him. "You really care about your daughter, huh?"
"That’s only part of it. This restroom also happens to be partially owned by the Yamanaka clan. I just came to, uh, use it and check if there were any issues." Inoichi replied with a suspiciously cheerful tone that made Hikari instinctively take a step back.
"Well, you do that. Their training’s done for today, so I’m heading back."
"Alright, take care."
The two men exchanged a cordial goodbye. As Hikari disappeared into the distance, Inoichi finally turned to face his beloved daughter.
"Ino, how was training this afternoon?"
"Not bad, just... so tiring!" Ino grabbed her father’s arm. "Even Asuma-sensei never pushed us this hard with physical training. I feel like my body isn’t even mine anymore."
"If you’re tired, your mom can make something nutritious for you when we get home. As for the training, just hang in there." Inoichi said, though he wasn’t about to mention that the Intelligence Division had taken special note of the trio running laps around the Forest of Death.
The Forest of Death was vast, and its name wasn’t just for show—it was filled with deadly beasts, venomous insects, and other lethal hazards.
Still, as a shinobi, Inoichi had no objections to his daughter training there.
Compared to the harsh reality of the shinobi world, the Forest of Death was tame.
If they couldn’t handle this, they won’t survive in the real shinobi world.
"You’re the best, Dad!" Ino clung to Inoichi’s arm, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "Hey, Dad... can I ask for something?"
Inoichi crouched down. "Hop on."
"You’re seriously the best!"
Ino climbed onto his back, arms around his neck, cheek resting on his shoulder.
"Today’s training was so exhausting..."
"Alright, let’s go home."
Inoichi was always indulgent with his daughter.
Even he had to admit, the intensity of today’s training was on another level. It had even made him raise an eyebrow.
"Chōji, Shikamaru, let’s head back together!"
Noticing the envious looks from the two boys, Inoichi called out to them before starting toward home.
The Ino-Shika-Chō clan compounds were all in the same area, and since Akimichi Chōza and Nara Shikaku weren’t available, it fell to Inoichi to escort the boys home.
That was his duty as an uncle.
Chōji and Shikamaru trailed behind Inoichi, their eyes practically screaming jealousy as they watched Ino.
"Shikamaru, what do you think about Hikari being your teacher?" Inoichi asked.
Shikamaru scratched his head. "He’s... alright, I guess. Hikari-senpai doesn’t put on airs, but his actual strength... I can’t really gauge it."
When it came to strength, Shikamaru wanted to say that Hikari was just some random chūnin. But since this was their parents arrangement, he kept his thoughts vague rather than outright complaining.
"Hikari’s strength is definitely solid. At the very least, he’s more than capable of teaching the three of you." Inoichi replied.
As he spoke, he looked into the distance where two figures—one chubby and one skinny—were racing toward them.
"Dad!" Shikamaru and Chōji called out simultaneously.
Akimichi Chōza landed without a sound—completely at odds with his massive body.
