Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!

"Who are you throwing your temper at?"

Kawakaze didn't hold back against Sakumo, striking straight to the point.

This stirred up a hornet's nest, as the two seemed more intent on showing off than by spending time together.

"Who are you talking to, you little brat?" Sakumo retorted sharply. Over the years, he had learned to control his temper and no longer jumped into duels at the slightest provocation. However, he couldn't help feeling that his back wasn't much stronger than the Third Kazekage's.

Duy, drawn by the sudden commotion, watched the scene with an amused smile. If not for his physical limitations, he would undoubtedly have grabbed a handful of melon seeds to enjoy the show.

"Whoever speaks up can talk to whoever they want," Kawakaze shot back defiantly, his posture resembling that of a small thug itching for trouble.

"Are you itching for a beating, or just afraid of being punished?" Sakumo stood up, his gaze menacing. While he could hold back from actual fighting, he refused to back down in spirit.

"You two have had enough," Tsunade interjected, covering her face in frustration. She couldn't believe she was caught in this mess again. For a brief moment, she envied her sister-in-law Nayuki, who stayed home peacefully with the baby.

"Hmph, I'll let you off today because of Tsunade," Sakumo said, seizing the opportunity to de-escalate as he sat back down and took a sip of tea. He knew that if they truly fought, it would cost him more than his dignity. After all, he'd never been one to enjoy the luxury of being "let off."

"Hmph, do you think I'm scared of you?" Kawakaze remained defiant, unyielding like a mad dog refusing to let go of its bone.

"Speak nicely," Tsunade said, raising her hand and throwing a punch. A scene was already playing out in her head. Her own children and Kakashi behaving the same way—like branches mirroring the bends of their tree.

When she got back, she resolved to discuss with her sister-in-law how best to discipline these troublemakers. What a shame they turned out this way. Thankfully, there were no outsiders around to witness it.

Meanwhile, Nawaki became aware that Minato had successfully completed training in the Flying Thunder God Technique. However, he didn't join in the celebration, as he too had reached a critical point in his own practice.

The techniques he was working on, the Third Tsuchikage's secret arts, required no hand seals. Mastery depended on understanding and controlling the gravity of objects. He had started with inanimate objects, gradually working toward applying it to living beings.

For his tests, Nawaki used his own sword. He was beginning to sense the force of gravity; the sword in his grip trembled faintly.

"Added-Weight Rock Technique," he called out as he channeled a surge of Chakra into his body. The sword responded violently, pulling him forward and embedding itself halfway into the ground.

Nawaki's eyes lit up with excitement, his face breaking into an ecstatic grin. He was undeniably talented.

"Sister, brother-in-law, I succeeded!" he shouted, his voice brimming with triumph.

The commotion caught Kawakaze's attention. He hadn't expected Nawaki to display such talent in Earth Release. Without hesitation, he activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and appeared at Nawaki's side.

Tsunade quickly got up and rushed over as well, while Sakumo pushed Duy's wheelchair along so they could watch the excitement.

A new generation was indeed rising to take the place of the old. The kids these days were incredible.

"Brother-in-law, pull it out and have a look."

Nawaki released the hilt of the sword, confidently instructing Kawakaze to retrieve it from the ground.

Without a word, Kawakaze grabbed the hilt, applied a slight force, and then easily pulled the sword free. He casually performed a few flourishes with it before stopping.

"Not bad. This sword is at least several hundred times heavier."

"So he's mastered it?" Tsunade asked, hearing Kawakaze's observation. She was now certain that Nawaki had successfully learned the Added-Weight Rock Technique.

"Yes. What about the Light-Weight Rock Technique?" Kawakaze handed the sword back to Nawaki. The moment it was back in Nawaki's hands, its weight returned to normal.

This time, Sakumo pushed closer to them. "Can't you fly? Let me experience it." He knew both techniques could be applied to others, and if Nawaki used the Light-Weight Rock Technique on him, it could enable flight.

"I want to try it too," Duy said, flashing a broad grin, seemingly unaware that his body was still recovering.

"Well, I don't yet have the ability to apply the Light-Weight Rock Technique to a living body," Nawaki admitted. He threw the sword into the air, and it slowly drifted down like a feather.

He had mastered both the Added-Weight Rock and Light-Weight Rock Techniques. While the two techniques were closely related, their effects were entirely different.

"Haha, that was great," Tsunade said as she affectionately patted Nawaki's head, her joy evident. "You and Minato are both doing so well. You've lived up to my expectations."

Kawakaze watched the two young shinobi with pride. Their rapid growth gave him a sense of satisfaction, as though he were nurturing characters in a game of development.

"Nawaki, let's switch?" Minato suggested as he approached after practicing the Flying Thunder God Technique a few times. The idea of learning the Earth Release Secret Techniques intrigued him.

Having just mastered such an extraordinary technique, Minato's confidence was overflowing.

"Okay."

Nawaki and Minato silently exchanged scrolls, both displaying a certain eagerness.

"Don't you need to rest for a while?" Kawakaze asked, noting how much energy the two had already expended just learning one technique. He was genuinely concerned.

"No need, Brother-in-law (Sensei)," the two replied, their excitement undiminished. They seemed utterly convinced that simply having the scrolls in hand would guarantee their success.

"We'll watch you two perform," Kawakaze said, and the others joined him in observing the kids with interest. No one felt like returning to the pavilion to rest.

Nawaki and Minato, showing some sense, first exchanged their training experiences. After ensuring they understood the techniques better, they began their practice.

Initially, they were full of confidence. However, as time passed, their enthusiasm waned.

Nawaki, though not entirely stumped by the Flying Thunder God Technique, couldn't sense the temporal energy necessary for its activation. In the end, drenched in sweat and clearly dispirited, he admitted his failure.

Similarly, Minato tried holding the sword like Nawaki, but his expression grew increasingly strained. No matter how hard he concentrated, he couldn't sense the force of gravity required for the Added-Weight Rock Technique. Eventually, he too gave up, visibly dejected.

It was apparent that neither of them had the natural aptitude for the other's technique.

As the group made their way slowly back to the pavilion, Kawakaze consoled the two. "It's already amazing to have mastered one technique. Each of you has your unique strengths. As long as you use them well, you won't fall behind anyone else."

He deliberately ignored the outliers who relied on shortcuts. For anyone else, this level of ability was already exceptional. With their newly acquired skills, Nawaki and Minato had grown significantly stronger, likely surpassing the average Jōnin.

Under Kawakaze's guidance, Minato reached Jōnin level years earlier than in the original timeline. Before developing Rasengan, his Flying Thunder God Technique, combined with his Kenjutsu, was already formidable.

Nawaki's growth was even more dramatic. He was no longer the inexperienced shinobi who could be taken out by an Explosive Tag, as he was in the original story. His transformation could only be described as a rebirth.

"Yes, don't be discouraged," Tsunade said, comforting them both. "Nawaki, you still have your grandfather's Water Release. Minato, you have your untapped techniques. There's no reason to lose heart just because you haven't mastered everything yet."

Even if their skillsets differed, she knew they were both incredibly capable. After all, even an idiot at ninjutsu can take down a Tailed Beast, right?

Sakumo and Duy remained silent, simply observing. To them, these two were already far beyond what they had been at that age.

"I understand." Both kids forced smiles, though the disappointment in their hearts was clear.

"That's enough for now," Kawakaze said. "Over the next few days, focus on refining the techniques you've already learned. We'll be heading back to the battlefield soon."

With that, the day's training came to an end.