"Oh really?"
"Then come back to Konoha with me later."
"I could use a new disciple at the moment."
Tsunade suddenly felt like teasing Nonou, hiding her smile behind a serious expression.
"Eh?"
Nonou froze instantly, at a complete loss for words.
Nagato was stunned into silence. He would likely respect any decision Nonou made to leave.
"What? You don't want to?"
Tsunade frowned, as if truly hurt.
But she was only pretending, even though it seemed real enough to those involved.
Konan gave Nonou desperate blinks, but the girl was too overwhelmed to catch on.
"No, no!"
"I'd definitely love to become your disciple!"
Nonou quickly explained, but soon got stuck again after just a couple sentences.
She longed to learn Medical Ninjutsu under Tsunade, yet couldn't bear to leave Nagato.
She glanced at Nagato, but couldn't figure out how to continue.
"Don't worry about me. I'll support whatever choice you make."
Nagato had already made up his mind. No matter where Nonou went, not even Konoha could break the bond between them.
"You sure?"
Tsunade turned toward Nagato, eyes filled with approval.
He had truly inherited Kawaki's gentle heart.
"I'm sure."
"Konoha is my home too, and besides, what reason would I have not to feel safe knowing Nonou will be under your care?"
Nagato forced himself into a very reluctant smile—how could he ever truly accept letting her go?
"You big dummy."
Konan mumbled under her breath. Neither of the two showed any sense.
Lord Tsunade struggled to suppress a grin—did they really not see through her playful act?
"Lady Tsunade, I want to stay here."
"I'm afraid I can't become your disciple after all."
After hearing Nagato's words, Nonou finally made her decision and found the courage to turn down Tsunade.
Now that they had reunited, how could she bear to leave?
Even though learning directly under Tsunade had long been her dream.
"No way."
Tsunade abruptly stood up, scaring Nonou into taking several steps back in shock.
Tsunade's uncharacteristic outburst finally snapped Nagato out of his daze.
He glanced at Yahiko and the others—they all looked like eager spectators.
Only Konan rolled her eyes at him—how could someone so clueless be her older brother?
Nagato could only wear an awkward expression, yet dared not alert Nonou.
"Are you really going to make me return to Konoha?"
"There are so many more talented ninja than me in Konoha. I believe you can find a more suitable disciple."
Nonou looked extremely troubled. Oh, how she wished Nagato would say something for her!
If he hadn't figured out the whole plan yet, Nagato would've certainly spoken up to help Nonou argue her point.
But now that he saw through the whole plan, how could he dare ruin Lord Tsunade's consort's scheme?
So he turned his head slightly away, unable to face Nonou's pleading, pitiful gaze. He knew deep down it was for the best.
"I want you as my disciple."
Tsunade nearly lost control, battling the urge to smile.
"But I don't want to go back to Konoha without Nagato!!!"
Nonou was going all in, shouting with her eyes shut tightly.
"Hahaha～"
Tsunade was the first to burst into laughter, while only Nagato turned bright red.
"Wh-what… What are you all laughing at?"
Realizing Tsunade hadn't become angry as she'd expected, Nonou opened her eyes, puzzled and confused.
"Laughing at how silly you are."
Konan covered her forehead. This space cadet still didn't get what was going on.
"What I meant is, you can stay away from Konoha, but you definitely have to become my disciple."
"So, what do you say? Are you willing?"
After testing Nonou enough, Tsunade finally revealed her intentions.
"Willing! I'm definitely willing!"
So overwhelmed with joy, Nonou completely dropped her composure, beaming like a little kid.
Cough— If you're serious, why haven't you officially become a disciple yet?
Nawaki coughed lightly, giving a timely reminder.
"Here I am, your humble disciple — Yakushi Nonou!"
Without hesitation, Nonou respectfully knelt before Tsunade and performed a deep bow.
"My sweet child."
"I don't have much precious to offer, so here's my notebook."
This idea to take an apprentice had come up rather suddenly for Tsunade, so she wasn't particularly well prepared.
She simply handed over the notebook she always carried—a collection of her reflections and insights on Medical Ninjutsu.
"Thank you, teacher."
After glancing through it, Nonou immediately understood how precious this notebook truly was.
It contained notes from the greatest medical ninja in the entire Ninja World.
"Nonsense. Since I can't keep you by my side, I should at least pass on some real skills."
"Study hard and don't make me look bad later."
Tsunade patted Nonou's head gently—it was the first time she'd officially accepted a disciple.
Nagato and Misaki didn't count — one was her late husband's disciple, the other her future sister-in-law.
"I will definitely study hard!"
Standing back up, Nonou stood aside respectfully, unable to wipe the grin off her face.
"Nagato, find time to guide Nonou more."
"If she fails to learn properly, I'll hold you responsible."
With three parts seriousness and seven parts teasing, Tsunade spoke—but there was no doubt that Nagato was more than capable of guiding Nonou adequately.
"Don't worry, Teacher. Leave it to me."
Both Nagato and Nonou grinned like a pair of dorks.
"Alright, stop being so silly and happy."
"You've done a great job over this past year. Your teacher gave you high praise."
"He made it sound like he deserved all the credit — practically floating with pride."
This short chapter isn't finished yet—more exciting content coming right up!
If you enjoy Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade – please bookmark us: (m.
As for Kawaki's awkward little favor, Tsunade naturally chose to keep that under wraps.
"All thanks to the teacher's guidance."
Yahiko responded smoothly, following Tsunade's words. Though he could understand that Kawaki couldn't personally come himself, he still felt a little disappointed.
"I came because Konoha can't be left without anyone."
"I'll visit when I get the chance in the future."
Tsunade noticed their thoughts, offering this sort of promise.
"It's fine, Teacher. You coming has already resolved a huge problem for us."
Konan hooked her arm with Tsunade's again — she was such a clingy little thing.
"I wouldn't say I have that kind of ability."
"It's not what you think. It was actually Kawaki who asked me to come."
Tsunade wasn't lying. It had actually been Kawaki's idea.
He predicted that after the Akatsuki extorted their two allies, they'd run into this kind of trouble.
"Ōnoki and Rasa probably won't dare cause us any more trouble."
"But my teacher's wife's reputation might take a hit."
Yahiko felt a little guilty. After all, the Hokage's prestige carried a lot of weight.
"What? Just because my teacher's wife lost once means people won't take me seriously anymore?"
Tsunade feigned offense, though she didn't care in the least.
After all, Nagato's overwhelming battle prowess alone was convincing enough, and her hidden strength was another trump card.
This loss wasn't entirely a bad thing.
"How could that be? My teacher's wife's name still carries great weight."
Yahiko flattered her, feeling just like when he lived in the Hatake household.
"Exactly. I *am* the Hokage after all."
Tsunade tilted her chin up in tsundere pride, looking as youthful and spirited as ever.
The atmosphere inside the wooden house grew livelier by the minute until Kawaki finally joined the conversation through Katsuyu Sage.
It was nearly dawn before they finally ended their conversation, reluctant to part ways.
Tsunade dissolved the Wood Release house, leaving no trace anyone had ever been there.
...
Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade – Please bookmark: (m.