NARUTO- CH-168. Strange emotions

Tsunade did not answer but gave a command.

Shiki did as he was told.

After a few seconds, he felt a soft body with its back facing him, especially the perky buttocks, full of elasticity.

"I guess I can't call you a brat anymore," Tsunade said, stretching out her hand and gesturing horizontally with a sigh.

She stood at 1.63 meters tall, just a palm's width taller than Shiki. If nothing unexpected happened, she would be surpassed next year.

"You can yell if you want," Shiki replied indifferently.

"Of course." Tsunade snorted and said, "No matter how tall you get, you're still my student."

"The teacher is right," Shiki said with a smile, turning around.

Tsunade nodded in satisfaction. Although this kid could be annoying sometimes, he was pretty obedient most of the time.

"I promised you before that I would give you a gift when you graduate."

Tsunade stretched out her hands, untied the necklace at the back of her neck, and pulled the strip of jade out from its place.

It was said to be jade, but it was actually chakra crystal—the crystallized chakra of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

In addition to its special meaning, it was also very practical. In the original work, it could temporarily suppress the Nine-Tails' chakra.

"Thank you, teacher," Shiki said, grasping the necklace.

The necklace gave off a warm touch.

He subconsciously looked towards the snow-white abyss.

"This necklace is a relic of my grandfather." Tsunade explained, her face showing a mixture of nostalgia and sadness.

"So precious?" Shiki asked hesitantly, "Why don't you just take it back?"

To be honest, he was afraid that he couldn't withstand the curse of this death necklace.

"How can I take it back after giving it away?" Tsunade gathered her emotions and said, "Put it on."

Shiki separated the two ends of the necklace and fastened them together behind his neck.

"Good luck with your graduation," Tsunade said, standing on tiptoe and kissing him on the forehead.

Caught off guard, Shiki didn't even have time to react. He just felt a soft and warm touch on his forehead.

"A lucky kiss for you," Tsunade said, turning around and opening the door. "If you don't leave now, you'll be late."

"Teacher, are you taking advantage of me?" Shiki followed her and asked, "And you have nothing to do with luck!"

"Little devil!" Tsunade glared at him. "How do you talk to your sensei?"

"But I feel shortchanged," Shiki said, stopping in front of her. He leaned forward, kissed her on the forehead, and said, "This is only fair."

Tsunade was suddenly stunned. She looked at Shiki, who was smiling, and an inexplicable and strange emotion welled up in her heart.

"Little devil! Don't you want to live?!" Tsunade forced herself to suppress the emotion and clenched her fists in anger.

"I'm going to school!" Shiki hurriedly said, "See you tonight!"

In the blink of an eye, he had disappeared.

Tsunade stamped her feet in anger.

After a few seconds, the corners of her mouth curled up slightly, and she reached out and touched her forehead.

"This kid is really bold," Tsunade muttered, with a smirk.

She wasn't angry; she just thought he was being mischievous.

When Shiki reached the Konoha River, he stopped because Mikoto and Sasuke were standing by the side of the road.

They wouldn't take this route from the Uchiha clan to the ninja school. The only possibility was that they were waiting for him.

"Aunt Mikoto," Shiki greeted. "Sasuke."

Since the death of Fugaku, Mikoto had temporarily taken over as the head of the Uchiha clan.

Now, five years had passed, and she had become not only more gentle but also more majestic. However, in front of Sasuke and Shiki, she still maintained the image of a loving mother.

"Good morning, Shiki," Mikoto handed him a lunch box. "Eat at noon."

"Thank you, Aunt Mikoto," Shiki said, smiling. He wasn't the least bit surprised; he had gotten used to Mikoto's occasional treats.

Let's just say he had pretty much everything Sasuke had, including receiving gifts during festivals.

"Today is the graduation exam. Are you confident you can get first place?" Mikoto asked softly.

"Mother!" Sasuke was suddenly a little dissatisfied.

The graduation exam consisted of a written test and a three-body test—no sparring or combat involved. He had been waiting for this day for a long time.

After being second for six years, he had to take first place this time.

"Then mom hopes both of you can get good grades," Mikoto said with a smile. "If you get first place, I'll prepare gifts for you."

She already had a plan: no matter who got first place, both of them would get gifts. The main focus was fairness.

Shiki looked at Mikoto oddly, 'Why did this sound like I've become your son?'

"Auntie, are you taking advantage of me too?"

"I've got it!" Sasuke was filled with the desire to win.

Because this was his only chance in this life, he had to try his best. As long as he got first place this time, all his previous failures would be forgotten, and everyone would remember that he had finally reached the top.

"What gift?" Shiki asked curiously.

If the gift was important enough, he would do his best to win.

Since it didn't involve sparring and only relied on written tests and the Three Body Technique, he had a tiny chance of failing.

"It's a secret." Mikoto poked his face with her index finger and said, "If I tell you now, it won't be a surprise anymore."

Shiki nodded. It seemed they would have to compete for it.

"Okay, you guys go to school," Mikoto smiled. "I'll wait for you at home."

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Thank you all for supporting me.