At this moment, Shizune was completely overwhelmed.
She truly hadn't expected this little girl to suddenly pull something like this.
And seeing how serious the girl was made it hard for her to figure out how to reject her. As for why she felt the need to reject her—it was simply because she didn't feel she was at the age or level to be accepting disciples yet.
After all, even Tsunade-sama hadn't taken on a student yet.
And now this girl was talking about wanting to become Tsunade-sama's grand-disciple...
"Huh? Grand-disciple?"
Shizune suddenly realized what she said and quickly waved her hands.
"Megumi, you might be misunderstanding something. I'm only Tsunade-sama's assistant, not her student. So even if you become my student, you still wouldn't be Tsunade-sama's grand-disciple, okay?"
Megumi paused for a moment, but her expression remained resolute.
"Even so, since Shizune-obasan has always followed Tsunade-sama, your medical ninjutsu must be amazing. I still want to become your disciple!"
Shizune looked helpless.
"Megumi... I really don't think I'm qualified to take on a student yet. There are still times when I need Tsunade-sama's guidance during surgery. You have a great natural talent for medical ninjutsu—if you learn from me, I'm afraid it'll only hold you back."
Megumi's eyes turned red with emotion.
"Is it... not okay? Is it because I haven't done enough?"
Ugh...
Shizune was clearly struggling.
That's when Rinya stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Shizune-obasan, please agree! Megumi really works hard. She's a kind, gentle, strong, and motivated girl—you'll definitely like her if you get to know her!"
Even Yamashiro Aoba chimed in.
"Shizune, as her instructor, I know better than anyone what kind of person Megumi is. She's truly an outstanding child. You won't regret taking her in. Besides, she's your niece—if you take her as a student, her parents will be much more at ease too."
Now Shizune had no more excuses.
Although she hadn't closely observed what kind of personality Megumi had, just from how courageously she stood here and earnestly made this request, it was clear she was a tough and determined child. And Shizune liked that.
It was just… in her own eyes, she had always seen herself as merely Tsunade's assistant.
From her perspective, even Tsunade-sama hadn't accepted a disciple yet, so how could someone like her, just an assistant, go ahead and take one herself? Not to mention, she didn't have the time to properly teach a student while also assisting Tsunade-sama. She didn't feel qualified, and she didn't feel available.
But now, faced with everyone's expectations, she truly couldn't bring herself to say no.
Natsuki, watching all this, seemed to understand.
So he suddenly spoke up to ease the tension.
"How about this, Megumi—why not try asking Tsunade-sama to be your master?"
"Eh?! A-ask Tsunade-sama to be my master?!"
Megumi was stunned.
"B-but... with my kind of ability, would Tsunade-sama even be interested in me? Besides, she's about to become Hokage now... I..."
But Shizune's eyes lit up, and she immediately supported the idea.
"Megumi, I think Natsuki makes a good point. You're a good child, and your talent for medical ninjutsu isn't bad at all. Tsunade-sama really likes kids like you—I think she'd definitely say yes. The only reason I didn't accept you as my student is because I honestly don't feel qualified, and I'm also so busy helping Tsunade-sama that I wouldn't have time to teach you properly."
Megumi still looked hesitant.
She truly admired Tsunade, but she lacked the confidence to approach her.
Rinya quickly added,
"Megumi, just try! Since both Natsuki and Shizune-obasan believe in you, it'll work out! You're so amazing—Tsunade-sama will definitely like you! Just give it a shot, and if it doesn't work, you can always ask Shizune-obasan again!"
Natsuki and Aoba also looked toward Shizune.
Shizune, under pressure, made a firm promise:
"I really think it'll work. And if Tsunade-sama really says no, then I'll personally teach you myself!"
Megumi's eyes lit up with joy.
"Okay! Then I'll try! Thank you, Shizune-obasan! Thank you, everyone!"
Not wanting to waste any time, Shizune grabbed Megumi and rushed off to the Hokage building. Rinya quickly followed them.
Meanwhile, Natsuki and Aoba strolled behind them at a slower pace, still chatting as they walked.
"Natsuki, do you think Megumi will succeed?" Aoba asked with concern.
"The odds are high," Natsuki replied.
"Since Shizune-senpai made such a promise, it means Tsunade-sama likely has a soft spot for kids like Megumi. Plus, her talent for healing is solid—I think Tsunade-sama will agree."
Aoba nodded silently.
"I hope so. Of all the members of Team 9, you're clearly the strongest, so there's nothing to worry about. Rinya is under my personal guidance, so he's fine too. But Megumi... she's the one I've always struggled with in terms of planning for the future. If she becomes Tsunade-sama's student, I'll finally be able to relax. If not, I'll have to ask Shizune to take her."
Natsuki glanced at Aoba.
...What a responsible teacher.
He truly worried about his students.
Still, Natsuki genuinely believed Megumi had a high chance of success. Among the young kunoichi of their generation, aside from Tenten, Megumi was clearly one of the best—especially with her healing talent. Tsunade wouldn't overlook someone like her.
And now that Tsunade was becoming Hokage, she'd be even busier than before, with less time to use her own medical skills in person. It really was the right time to pass them on to someone else.
Thinking of that, Natsuki relaxed a bit and handed Aoba a special device.
"Aoba-sensei, this is a chakra battery..."
By the time Natsuki and Aoba reached the Hokage office door, they heard Megumi's excited voice from within, followed by a sweet and sincere "Shishō!"
Too fast!
They had only lagged a few steps behind, and Tsunade had already accepted Megumi as her disciple. It had all happened so quickly, like she hadn't even needed to think it over.
But it was undeniably good news.
Natsuki and Aoba exchanged a look and decided not to enter the office. There was no need anymore—the mood inside was just right, and barging in would only disrupt it.
The two of them quietly left the Hokage building. Natsuki even caught the glint of tears in Aoba's eyes.
Three days later, beneath the Hokage building, crowds of villagers and shinobi gathered, all looking up at the top of the building at a beautiful woman with flowing blonde hair.
It was Natsuki's first time seeing Tsunade in person, and only one word came to mind—majestic.
At this moment, Tsunade stood draped in her ceremonial robe. Slowly, she lifted the Hokage's hat from her head. Her smile was radiant and confident as she announced loudly:
"Starting today, I will be in charge of leading Konohagakure. I am the Godaime Hokage!"
Cheers erupted instantly.
Every face below was filled with relief and joy.
The dark cloud that had loomed over the village since the destruction of Konoha was finally lifted.
With a new Hokage, the village had a guiding light once more. Everyone could feel at ease.
And just like that, the succession ceremony concluded.
Tsunade's style was quick and decisive—nothing like the long-winded speeches of the old man Sarutobi, who tried to brainwash the crowd with empty slogans.
Rather than preach about the Will of Fire, Tsunade just stood there, and with a single monstrous punch that cracked the earth, she conveyed everything she needed to.
(End of Chapter)
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