"Check-in time again?"
Kazuku took a deep breath, glancing at Tsunade and Hashirama playing with her.
He started the check-in.
[Host, confirm check-in?]
"Yes."
Silently, Kazuku spread his arms and legs on the tatami, forming a star, beginning the check-in.
He was now very familiar with the process.
[Check-in successful!]
[Congratulations, host, for receiving a check-in gift!]
[Open it?]
To Kazuku, the system could skip this step.
Sadly, it was just a tool, thoughtless.
Even if he complained, it wouldn't understand.
"With my current strength, as long as the First Ninja War hasn't started, I can walk sideways."
Even Gengetsu, the future Second Mizukage, was defeated.
Few ninja could challenge him.
But…
Beating Gengetsu wasn't about raw strength.
"It was knowing his intel."
To Kazuku, strong ninja split into two types.
One was truly powerful, where revealing their trump cards didn't matter.
You couldn't win.
Like…
Hashirama, teasing Tsunade with a lollipop.
No matter who he faced…
Be it other villages' Kage…
Or the Akatsuki…
Hashirama could roar…
"I'm best at Wood Release, know Sage Mode, and my strongest technique is Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands!"
"I'm done hiding!"
And still crush them.
Yes.
Ninja like Hashirama, even revealing their moves…
Made little difference.
They crushed anyway.
But…
Watching Hashirama wave the lollipop, making faces…
Kazuku couldn't connect him to the God of Shinobi.
He seemed…
Not too bright.
The other type relied on information asymmetry, seeming strong.
Like Hidan.
To those unaware, Hidan was invincible.
Hitting him hurt yourself.
Killing him killed yourself.
If he got your blood, you were done.
But…
Knowing his ability, he was weak.
A Wood Dragon to bind him, a Wood Human to tear him apart.
Immortal?
Burn him with Amaterasu, scatter the ashes.
Clearly…
Gengetsu was this type.
His Steaming Danger Tyranny and Blast seemed tough.
But knowing their mechanics made them manageable.
Even…
Without cooling the clone…
Kazuku could sense Gengetsu's real body.
Kill it, and the techniques ended.
"Without watching Naruto and knowing Gengetsu's abilities, winning would've been uncertain."
So, Kazuku felt he didn't win by overwhelming strength.
It was luck.
Against someone like the Third Raikage, a pure powerhouse…
His Wood Human and Dragon…
Wouldn't faze him.
"And Rasengan."
Even Naruto's Wind Release: Rasenshuriken in Nine-Tails mode barely scratched the Third Raikage.
His Rasengan was useless.
Plus, he didn't know Sage Mode.
Exploiting the Raikage's weakness, using his own spear against his shield…
Wasn't easy.
For these reasons…
Kazuku realized he needed to grow stronger.
With that…
He sat up abruptly.
Clap!
Kazuku clasped his hands, eyes closed, like praying. "I'll trade ten years of Madara's luck for a powerful technique."
"Lightning Chakra Mode, Sage Mode, Nine-Tails Mode, anything."
This startled Hashirama. "What's up, Kazuku?"
Why was his grandson acting odd, looking not too bright?
[Check-in gift opened!]
Of course, Hashirama couldn't see Kazuku's mental images.
Various techniques and kekkei genkai flashed before him.
At this stage, Kazuku grew nervous.
He breathed deeply, calming, chanting Madara's name.
Snap!
The image froze!
[Congratulations, host, for obtaining Flying Thunder God Technique lv10 from the check-in gift!]
As the voice faded…
Kazuku froze.
He blinked, eyes full of disbelief.
Hashirama, concerned, pressed a hand to Kazuku's forehead.
No fever.
What was wrong?
Hashirama was puzzled.
"Flying Thunder God!"
Kazuku suppressed laughter, shouting internally.
Flying Thunder God!
It's Flying Thunder God!
Amazing!
Truly amazing!
He drew Flying Thunder God!
Kazuku wanted to jump for joy.
But Hashirama's gaze…
Forced him to contain his excitement.
This experience taught him…
Next check-in, do it alone.
He was thrilled but couldn't show it.
Too painful.
Taking a deep breath, exhaling slowly, Kazuku stood, ignoring Hashirama's concern, heading outside.
Hashirama watched, utterly confused.
What was this?
What happened?
What was wrong with his grandson?
Could it be…
Jealousy?
Hashirama blinked, looking at Tsunade.
"Maybe because I played with Tsuna and not Kazuku, he's jealous?"
"Hahaha, I, Hashirama Senju, am loved by kids!"
Hashirama laughed heartily, imagining something wild.
Meanwhile, Kazuku stepped into the courtyard, scanning for onlookers.
Confirming no one was watching…
He clenched his fists, performing a military boxing routine.
Unleashing his excitement.
Flying Thunder God!
The technique invented by the Second Hokage, perfected by the Fourth!
And it complemented Rasengan…
Fixing its shortcomings!
Madara!
Thanks to you!
But Kazuku didn't notice…
As he vented…
Tobirama reached the courtyard gate, witnessing his excited punches.
"Having a sister makes him this happy?" Tobirama blinked, stunned.
(End of Chapter)