章 22: **Chapter 22: The Price of Being a Sycophant!**
At the Senju Clan's training grounds, the sounds of fists clashing filled the air.
*Bang! Bang! Bang!*
After a flurry of moves, two figures leapt back, giving each other space.
"Sister, how did you train Reiki?" Senju Nawaki asked, rubbing his sore arm. "Why does he feel so much stronger after just a short time away?"
Tsunade chuckled. "His body is... unique. But if you can't even keep up with a kid, Nawaki, you may need tougher training."
She looked over at Reiki, who stood calm and collected nearby. As a disciple, he was nearly perfect: incredibly talented, hardworking, and disciplined. There was nothing to fault. But he was also her little brother, which made Tsunade feel a mix of pride and frustration.
"Teacher, Brother Nawaki worked very hard," Reiki said with a gentle smile. "He's improved a lot since last time."
The comparison only made Nawaki feel more embarrassed. Reiki's modesty had a way of amplifying others' insecurities.
After training, the three of them returned to the house.
"Teacher, you and Nawaki relax. I'll prepare dinner," Reiki offered, quickly disappearing into the kitchen. After one disastrous experience with Tsunade's cooking, he had resolved to spare himself—and everyone else—from it in the future.
"Nawaki, why did you decide to become a teacher?" Tsunade asked after sitting down.
"I've sparred with Reiki a few times, and we always end up tied. He said I'm probably not suited to be a combat ninja. Besides," Nawaki admitted, "if something happened to me, I know it'd hurt you, Sis. I just don't have the same potential..."
A slight sadness crept into his voice, but his sincerity was clear. He wasn't a child anymore, and his words held the weight of maturity.
"That kid…" Tsunade sighed. "Alright, Nawaki. Live well. And if you ever like a girl, don't hold back."
They both chuckled, opening up to each other like they hadn't in a long time.
Soon, Reiki brought out dinner.
---
Meanwhile, a small figure appeared outside the Senju Clan grounds, hesitated for a long time, then slipped away into the night.
The next morning, Reiki rose early to make breakfast, put on his training weights, and began his morning workout. It was a regimen he had designed himself: exercise at dawn, hospital rounds by noon, and practice at night. Even with the system's abilities, he wanted to ensure he could control his strength, refining it through discipline.
"Reiki!" a familiar, passionate voice called out.
"Gai?" Reiki turned, instantly recognizing the speaker. Might Guy, Konoha's famed Taijutsu enthusiast, looked as if he'd been running laps around the village.
"Yes! The road to youth is best traveled with friends! Come, join me!" Gai said, eyes blazing with determination.
"Alright," Reiki replied, matching Gai's pace easily. Yet soon enough, Gai noticed something troubling: Reiki was faster.
One lap later, Gai had to admit defeat.
"Reiki, have you been secretly training?" he asked, determined to prove himself. "I challenge you to a Taijutsu match!"
Reiki accepted, and soon a crowd gathered to watch. Among them were Kakashi, Obito, Rin, Kurenai, and others on their way to ninja school.
"Isn't Reiki supposed to be a medic? Look at his Taijutsu!"
"You didn't know? Reiki's already been to the front lines with Lady Tsunade!"
"He's better than a Taijutsu specialist!" murmured some of the girls.
Kurenai Yuhi, in particular, watched Reiki with admiration, which didn't escape the attention of Asuma Sarutobi, who felt a pang of jealousy. Though he didn't dare provoke Reiki directly, Asuma was determined to win Kurenai's attention another way.
*Maybe she hasn't had breakfast yet,* he thought, feeling rather clever. *I'll get her breakfast—that'll win her over!*
The match between Reiki and Gai ended quickly, with Reiki as the victor. The combination of enhanced physical conditioning and Konoha's fluid fighting style made the battle almost too easy. Gai, though, took it in stride.
"Don't give up, Gai!" Reiki encouraged. "I'm sure you'll be the best Taijutsu user in the village someday."
Afterward, Reiki headed for breakfast, only to realize he'd forgotten his wallet. This news sent a flurry of girls running to buy him food, Kurenai included.
"Are you hungry, Kurenai?" Asuma asked, approaching her with a packed breakfast. "I brought this for you."
"Wow, Asuma! Thanks," Kurenai replied with a smile. "You're such a good friend!"
Before Asuma could say anything, she handed him some money and grabbed the breakfast. "I'm going to give this to Reiki."
Her words felt like a punch to the gut. Asuma's grand gesture had only helped Kurenai feed Reiki. For a moment, his world shattered. *I did all this, and she's giving it to him?*
"Thanks," Reiki said, graciously accepting the breakfast before heading to the hospital.
Watching all this, the other girls who had returned with breakfast felt a pang of regret. They, too, wished they had a "good friend" like Asuma. And for Asuma, seeing this unfold only twisted the knife further.
Observing the scene from afar, Tsunade couldn't help but smirk. It seemed her little apprentice was popular indeed.
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