Synthesis Ninja system

"You think I'm not worthy?" Tsunade kept stepping back, eventually tripping over some rubble on the ground and landing on her backside.

"That's right! You're not worthy! The Third Hokage is dead, and Konoha Village is without a leader. Everyone is hoping you'll return to take on the role of the Fifth Hokage! But after seeing your current state, you're nothing but a coward unworthy of the title!"

Tsunade's eyes dimmed as she laughed bitterly. "You're right. I'm not fit to be Hokage. Only ninjas like those two deserve that title."

Shiro sneered, walking closer, until his face was nearly touching hers, close enough to feel her uneven breaths.

"The dreams of both of them were to become Hokage and contribute more to the village. But all you do is run away! You don't deserve to be Nawaki's sister. You don't deserve to be Dan's lover!"

Shiro's endless taunts finally caused Tsunade to snap.

She punched Shiro square in the face without holding back!

"You don't know anything, kid!"

Tsunade kept hitting Shiro with punch after punch, tears streaming down her face without her even realizing it.

Shiro regretted it. Since arriving in the ninja world, he had faced many strong enemies, but this was the first time he'd ever been beaten. Intense pain surged through him, stimulating every nerve.

If it weren't for his mastery of mid-level Taijutsu and his basic Sage Body, he might've already passed out.

But it was worth it. The harder Tsunade hit, the more she was able to vent the regret and frustration she had been bottling up inside.

Once she let it all out, she could finally become the true Fifth Hokage.

The barrage of punches, like a relentless storm, continued for a full minute before stopping. Tsunade had turned into a sobbing mess.

Suddenly, she grabbed Shiro into a hug and cried even harder.

Shizune stood there, dumbfounded.

After all her years with Tsunade, this was the first time she had ever seen her like this.

She didn't know whether to comfort her or just let her be.

After crying for a few minutes, Tsunade finally stopped. Her eyes looked at Shiro with a complicated expression.

After a moment of hesitation, she took off the necklace she always wore and placed it around Shiro's neck.

"Thank you for waking me up. Consider this a gift."

"Lady Tsunade, but that's…" Shizune started to say, but Tsunade silenced her with a sharp look, and she immediately shut her mouth.

Shiro stared dumbfounded at the necklace.

This was the First Hokage's necklace, passed down to Tsunade, who then gave it to Nawaki and Dan. It was known as the "Death Necklace."

However, this so-called Death Necklace had extraordinary abilities. It could react to the chakra of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and suppress the power of the tailed beasts. 

By giving it to Shiro, Tsunade was acknowledging him completely, perhaps even considering him her closest person. 

This necklace was originally meant for Naruto Uzumaki, and during the Pain invasion of Konoha, it even saved Naruto's life. 

Now that Shiro had it, it was hard to say how Naruto would handle things when the time came.

"But let me warn you," Tsunade said, raising her fist threateningly, "if anyone mentions what happened today, I'll make sure they regret it!"

Shiro shuddered. The memory of those punches was still fresh, and he had no desire for a repeat. He quickly nodded in agreement.

"Good boy!" Tsunade smiled through her tears and gently patted Shiro's head. "Alright! To celebrate my winnings, I'm treating everyone to drinks!"

Before Shiro could protest, Tsunade grabbed him in a headlock with her arm.

Shiro suddenly felt like he was being crushed by a mountain, completely unable to breathe.

She dragged Shiro to a barbecue restaurant. When the staff saw Shiro's battered state, they were shocked.

"Umm… are you sure you don't need to go to the hospital?"

"Hospital? We're doctors! Why would we need a hospital? Now hurry up and bring the meat! And the finest sake too!" Tsunade said nonchalantly, leaving the staff utterly confused.

"Well… alright, please wait a moment."

The three of them sat at a table for two, and Shiro, desperate to escape Tsunade's rough treatment, quickly sat next to Shizune.

Tsunade looked displeased but said nothing. Once the food and drinks arrived, she immediately started devouring everything in sight.

Shiro, being a food lover, quickly forgot about his injuries and eagerly started grilling the meat, smiling with satisfaction as he listened to the sizzling sound of the barbecue.

Meanwhile, Shizune was busy using her Healing Palm Technique on Shiro's injuries, which made him feel a bit embarrassed.

"Shizune-sensei, why don't you eat first? My injuries are fine."

"Thank you."

"Huh?"

"Thank you. I haven't seen Lady Tsunade this happy in a long time. If only you had come into her life sooner."

Shizune's heartfelt words left Tsunade blushing with embarrassment.

"Shizune, be quiet!" Tsunade snapped.

Shizune chuckled, though the motion pulled at her own injuries, causing her to wince in pain.

That's when Shiro realized something.

Though his injuries looked severe, Tsunade had deliberately avoided hitting any vital points, so it was mostly superficial damage. 

But Shizune was different.

Shizune had been kicked hard in the side by Kabuto, a direct hit to one of the body's softest areas. Even her walking had looked a bit awkward earlier, a clear sign that her injuries were more serious than she let on.

And Tsunade, being so dense, hadn't noticed a thing!

Thankfully, when Shizune had used the Healing Palm Technique, Shiro's system had copied it.

Shiro quickly pushed Shizune's hands away and said earnestly, "Let me treat you instead."

Shizune was surprised but then covered her mouth, laughing.

"I'm fine! I'll treat you first."

Shiro wasn't having it. He placed his hands on Shizune's abdomen and immediately began using the Healing Palm Technique.

Shizune's face turned beet red.

No man had ever touched her so intimately before. Normally, she'd have slapped anyone who tried. 

But for some reason, with Shiro, she felt no resistance.

Tsunade, propping her chin on one hand, smiled slyly. "Shizune is my most talented student. She's calm, kind, and takes great care of others."

Shiro had no idea why Tsunade was saying all this and just nodded instinctively.

"You should consider her. She might be a few years older than you, but you know what they say—'three years older is a golden treasure.'"

Shizune turned even redder, as if she'd been boiled alive.

Shiro, meanwhile, was choking on his drink, utterly baffled by Tsunade's train of thought.

"I'm only twelve!"