Chapter 24: Hanma's First Lesson in the Ninja World (Part 2)

"I really thought I was going to die. I almost died."

His face still stung with the pain from the fierce punch, and the image of the fist stopping just centimeters from his forehead was something he wouldn't forget anytime soon.

Hanma smiled, pulled him up, and brushed the dirt off his clothes.

"I thought you could open your eyes."

Fugaku looked at Hanma blankly. Open eyes? What does he mean? I already have the double tomoe.

Hanma waved his hand and didn't bother with Fugaku, whose mind was in a mess and couldn't speak properly. He then walked towards the three little ones and Tsunade, checking in on Minato's studies.

"Minato, how's your research on the Flying Thunder God Technique going? Do you need help from anyone?"

"It's going well, not as hard as I imagined. I almost understand the basic inscriptions," Minato replied confidently.

In this timeline, Minato had become more resolute and determined due to Hanma's teachings since childhood, yet he remained that warm little ray of sunshine.

Hearing this, Tsunade was shocked. He was already entering the realm of the Flying Thunder God Technique? Jiraiya really missed out on a great student. No, this little genius is now under my husband's tutelage. Jiraiya truly isn't fit to teach him. Tsunade felt a sense of vindication, already planning their future family life in her mind. As for her old friend Jiraiya, who? Not familiar!

Hanma, holding Tsunade's hand in his left and Nawaki's in his right, walked slowly out of the training ground. Minato and Kushina followed hand in hand. It was such a heartwarming scene that anyone who didn't know might think a family of five was heading out for a picnic.

Nawaki, feeling the strength from Hanma's hand and watching Hanma and Tsunade chatting and laughing, felt a rush of happiness and a sense of security. To him, his brother-in-law was like the Hokage in his mind, the highest praise his little brain could conjure.

This brother-in-law had taught him many principles in a vivid and understandable way, all while taking care of his dignity. His combat power was mysteriously high. Fugaku, who had been defeated by a few punches and kicks, seemed like a dead fish in front of his brother-in-law. Nawaki, filled with warmth, happily watched the scene. Having grown up without the company of his clan members, relying only on Tsunade, he had been very lonely.

At Ichiraku Ramen, outside the ramen shop, there was a big round table with dozens of bowls of various ramen, tempura, and sashimi.

Hanma sat boldly at the table, with a tall stack of empty bowls beside him. Initially, Hanma planned to take them to a barbecue or seafood restaurant for a big meal. But Nawaki, having a special preference for Ichiraku Ramen, insisted on eating there.

Hanma wondered to himself, could Nawaki also be the reincarnation of Asura? Why were the hot-blooded young boys in the Ninja world so obsessed with ramen?

Holding a bowl of pork-bone ramen, Nawaki buried his face in the bowl, his chopsticks dancing like a whirlwind. Hanma, on the other hand, poured bowl after bowl directly into his mouth. Ramen, with its low energy content, hardly filled him. Eating ramen felt like drinking porridge for an ordinary person; it didn't make him feel full.

Seeing Nawaki's belly bulging, Tsunade glanced at him and shook her head indulgently yet helplessly. Hanma cleared his throat, looked at Nawaki, and asked, "Nawaki, I have a question for you."

"I'm not asking what you think of today's battle. I'm asking you, what is a ninja?"

Right, what is a ninja, anyways?

Nawaki was speechless for a moment, looking to Minato and Kushina for help. Minato smiled, while Kushina frowned, pondering the question. Even Tsunade showed interest in Hanma's question. Looking at the expectant faces, Hanma raised an eyebrow and answered, "I don't know."

Ignoring their incredulous expressions, Hanma continued:

"The First Hokage once said that a ninja is someone who endures everything."

"But in reality, what exactly does a ninja need to endure, and why endure it? This needs to be clarified."

"Everyone has the right to pursue their own happiness and freedom. Becoming a ninja doesn't mean you have to give up something."

"Suffering is not worth celebrating. In this Ninja world, suffering only means there are issues with your skills and understanding."

Nawaki stared at Hanma blankly. These words were too profound for him, and Tsunade also displayed a contemplative expression, lost in thought. Only Minato maintained his composure, having undergone a significant change in values under Hanma's influence over seven years. Especially when he first fell for Kushina, Hanma had told him a haunting story he would never forget.

It was about him becoming Hokage, Kushina having a difficult childbirth, and the Nine-Tails being released. To protect the village's valuable asset—the Nine-Tails—he sacrificed his life to seal it, resulting in both him and his wife dying. His child, instead of being treated as the hero's son, became an outcast. To control the Nine-Tails, his child was sent to the Root for modification, all under the guise of doing everything for Konoha.

When Minato heard this story and linked it with Hanma's usual insights into the dark workings of the ANBU and the Root, he began to believe such a fate was possible. That night, Minato grew up. He vowed to live an ordinary life with a stable job and a family. Hanma, laughing so hard he could barely stand, had nicknamed him "Hiraishin Kizaru." Though Minato didn't understand it, he found the name unpleasant and gave himself a new title: "The Flashing Golden Emperor."

Hanma continued, "If you can't figure out what a ninja is, then think about your grandfather and your village."

"The village was formed by various ninja clans and wandering ninjas, now referred to as civilian ninjas."

"Konoha was established because everyone was tired of the endless battles of the Warring States era. The aim was to unite and protect everyone. So, the original purpose of Konoha was to ensure everyone enjoys peace and good days."

"So, Nawaki, remember this: as long as you're living well and helping other villagers be happy, you are a ninja!"

Hanma's comprehensive theory left Tsunade and Nawaki stunned, while Minato nodded in agreement. Bewildered, Nawaki asked, "Living well makes me a ninja?"

Minato, rarely taking over the conversation, said, "Nawaki, we are all part of Konoha. If everyone lives well, Konoha will prosper. Isn't that the best?"

Hanma's expression turned serious as he posed a harsh and pointed question to Nawaki: "Have you ever wondered why, despite being from the Senju clan, there's such a big gap between you and Fugaku?"

What exactly is a ninja, indeed? Sigh.

(The End of the Chapter)