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Shin and Kushina sat at the table, heads bowed like children caught in mischief.
Konan looked at them curiously, then at Mikoto. She didn't understand what was happening.
Why was Mikoto-neechan, usually so gentle, now radiating an icy aura? And why were Shin-nii and Kushina-neechan acting so guilty?
"Shin-nii, did you do something wrong?" Konan asked.
"No, of course not. This breakfast is delicious, by the way."
Shin quickly changed the subject.
"Yeah, yeah, the breakfast is great. Your cooking is getting better and better, Mikoto," Kushina chimed in.
Shin finished his breakfast and stood up. "I'm going to train now."
The atmosphere was a bit awkward, so he decided to escape.
He went to the courtyard and practiced Taijutsu and Kenjutsu. Then he heard a knock on the door.
"Shin, are you there?"
It was Nawaki. Shin opened the door.
"Nothing much. Just heard you were back, so I came to see you."
"Oh, I thought you needed something." Shin let him in.
"Aren't you on a mission?" Shin asked. Even during the war, there should be missions, right?
"I just got back from one last night. I heard you returned yesterday too. Is the war over?"
"Over? Not even close. Kiri's out of the fight, but there's still Suna, Iwa, and Amegakure."
Shin shook his head. If he didn't intervene, the war wouldn't end anytime soon.
He didn't know why Hiruzen had called him back, but there was definitely some ulterior motive involved.
"I thought the war was ending." Nawaki sounded disappointed.
"By the way, I didn't see many Senju around. Are they all on the battlefield?" Shin asked.
"Yeah, they are. I want to go to the battlefield too and fight for Konoha." Nawaki's eyes shone with determination.
Shin looked at him. "Nawaki, I think you should give up on that idea. I'm not trying to discourage you, but with your strength, you'd be cannon fodder on the battlefield."
It wasn't that he thought Nawaki had no potential, but his age was a limiting factor. Not everyone was like Shin.
Shin's physical strength was exceptional, so his age wasn't a limitation.
But Nawaki was different. He had the Sage Body, but he was still just a child. He couldn't compare to an adult.
Kushina and Mikoto were also limited by their age and physical development. Their strength hadn't increased much lately.
Nawaki had the potential to become Kage-level, but that was in the future. Currently, his strength was probably at the Elite Chūnin level.
Even Jōnin struggled on the battlefield, let alone an elite Chūnin. Countless Chūnin had died in this war.
"By the way, I heard you're a Jōnin now. Congratulations!" Nawaki said enviously.
They had been in the same class, graduated at the same time, but Shin was already a Jōnin.
"It's nothing special," Shin said dismissively.
Nawaki was speechless. Becoming a Jōnin was nothing special?
Shin seemed arrogant, but he wasn't trying to be.
To him, being a Jōnin or a Genin didn't matter. It wasn't a measure of strength. It was just a title.
Sakumo Hatake, for example, had Kage-level strength, but he was only an Elite Jōnin.
"Nawaki, what's with that look? Are you looking down on me?" Shin asked, noticing Nawaki's expression.
"No, of course not!" Nawaki shook his head quickly.
He remembered that Shin was much stronger than him. If Shin got angry and beat him up, he wouldn't be able to complain.
"Good. I was going to spar with you, but I guess not." Shin smiled "kindly."
"By the way, you came empty-handed? No gift?"
Nawaki scratched his head. He hadn't thought of bringing a gift.
"I forgot. How about I treat you to dinner?" Nawaki offered, wincing slightly.
He knew Shin had a huge appetite.
"Sure, I won't refuse a free meal. But is your wallet up to the task?" Shin asked.
"I've saved up some money from missions. Please be gentle on my wallet."
Nawaki patted his wallet, feeling a pang of sympathy for it.
"Kushina, Mikoto, Konan, Nawaki's treating us to dinner!" Shin called out.
Kushina, Mikoto, and Konan emerged. Mikoto was still frowning.
Nawaki looked at Mikoto's expression and nudged Shin. "What's wrong with Mikoto?"
"Ahem, don't ask too many questions," Shin said.
"Fine, keep your secrets."
Nawaki was curious, but he wasn't that nosy.
"Nawaki, when did you become so generous? Treating us to dinner?" Kushina asked, surprised.
"When was I ever stingy?" Nawaki grumbled.
"We just had breakfast. We're not hungry yet. How about at noon? Come train with me until then," Shin said.
He decided to give Nawaki some pointers. Not just because of Tsunade, but also because they were friends.
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