9

"System, perform this month's check-in."

"Checking in for the host."

"Congratulations to the host for a successful check-in: Swords Dance!"

"Swords Dance: S-rank. Consumes a small amount of Chakra to significantly boost physical attack through specific swinging rhythms or stances."

Uchiha Tendō was very satisfied with this check-in reward. One must know that in the early stages of Hokage, the most important thing in Ninja battles was intelligence!

A status-buffing skill like Swords Dance was enough to turn the tide of battle!

Imagine this: when your strength is almost equal to an opponent's, and you're locked in a fierce, indecisive battle.

At this moment, you only need to consume a small amount of Chakra, and your physical attack will greatly increase, your strength suddenly experiencing an explosive growth. Is there any need to say more about the outcome of the battle?

Its most terrifying aspect is actually its—upper limit!

Swords Dance significantly boosts physical attack based on one's own base stats. This means that if the base stats are high enough, this skill's amplification of strength is extremely terrifying!

Although the amount of Chakra consumed will also increase geometrically, Uchiha Tendō has no shortage of Chakra!

Just then, a clear female voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Hey! Tendō, what are you doing?"

Uchiha Tendō looked calmly at Uzumaki Kushina.

"Kushina, is something the matter?"

Uzumaki Kushina pouted unhappily. She didn't know why, even though they had known each other for over a month, he was now not as good to her as he was on the first day.

"Tendō, why are you answering beside the point again? You're making me so angry."

"Am I?"

"Aren't you?!"

Uchiha Tendō looked at Uzumaki Kushina, her long hair swaying in front of him, and nervously rubbed his nose.

It's probably best not to provoke Kushina for now; otherwise, if she refuses to help him change Akiho's diapers later, where would he find such good free labor?

"Well~ don't be so agitated, Kushina."

"Didn't you have something to tell me just now? Tell me your business first."

Upon hearing this, Uzumaki Kushina no longer dwelled on the previous matter. Her pretty face was covered in a blush, and she kept twirling a strand of hair with her fingers, looking shy and awkward.

"Um—I want... well—after school—to go shopping with you."

Uchiha Tendō heard this and didn't refuse. The food at home was running low, so it was a good time to stock up.

"Okay, let's go together after school then."

"Oh yeah! That's great!"

Uzumaki Kushina excitedly waved her fist, her face beaming with an excited smile.

"Kushina, Tendō, I want to go too!"

Minato Namikaze also came over, saying with a face full of anticipation.

Uzumaki Kushina looked at the little blond in front of her, and a few dark lines couldn't help but appear on her forehead. Her fist hardened!

In her opinion, this was a 'two-person world' she had managed to secure with great difficulty. Although there was also little Akiho, she was still young after all.

What's up with this little blond? Do you like being a third wheel so much?

Uzumaki Kushina's gaze towards him instantly became dangerous. Coupled with her outspoken personality, she wasn't actually very fond of Minato Namikaze's gentle and polite demeanor.

In the original story, their relationship wasn't good in the early stages, only changing after Uzumaki Kushina was kidnapped by Hidden Cloud Village Ninja, and Minato Namikaze rescued her heroically under the moonlight.

Ultimately, these two were just ordinary friends now, and even this ordinary friendship was because Uchiha Tendō was their common friend.

"No, Minato! Tendō has already agreed to go shopping with me."

Uzumaki Kushina clenched her fist and shouted fiercely.

Minato Namikaze scratched his head awkwardly, a helpless smile on his face.

"Oh—alright, I'll go play with you guys next time."

Seeing that he was so sensible, Uzumaki Kushina patted his shoulder with satisfaction.

"That's smart of you, Minato. I'll treat you to a meal next time."

Minato Namikaze's eyes immediately lit up upon hearing this.

He knew Uzumaki Kushina's financial situation all too well.

In his childhood, Minato Namikaze was quite poor, which often meant he couldn't afford good food. This situation only improved after he became friends with Uchiha Tendō.

But times are different now. Uchiha Tendō's family is also struggling, so he naturally wouldn't freeload as he used to.

After school.

After Uchiha Tendō and Uzumaki Kushina bid farewell to Minato Namikaze, they headed straight to Konoha Shopping Street.

"Tendō, Tendō, quickly try these takoyaki, they're so delicious!"

"Tendō, Tendō, here are the three-color dango you love!"

"Tendō—"

Looking at the lively Uzumaki Kushina, Uchiha Tendō helplessly rubbed his forehead.

"Hey! Kushina, don't be so excited!"

Although he said that, a smile had already unconsciously appeared on his face.

Good times are always short-lived.

Uchiha Tendō looked speechlessly at Uzumaki Kushina, lifting the several large bags in his hand.

"Kushina, you bought too much. These things will last me and little Akiho two months."

"Ah—then just ask Minato to eat with me, or if that doesn't work, just throw it away—"

Uchiha Tendō: " "

Your calculations are practically bouncing off my face!

Although he really wanted to invite Uzumaki Kushina to his home as a guest, her identity was too sensitive.

He didn't want the Anbu to come looking for him for a 'tea session' right after he invited someone over.

"Kushina, come here for a moment."

Uzumaki Kushina walked over with a puzzled expression.

"Tendō, what's wrong?"

Uchiha Tendō casually took out Touko's tennis cap and placed it on Uzumaki Kushina's head.

"Well~~, thank you for helping me look after Akiho. Here's a gift for you."

Then he turned and left directly.

Uzumaki Kushina touched the red tennis cap on her head and inexplicably started giggling foolishly.

"Hehehe~~~~"