"Really?"
Ren Takashi decided to strike while the iron was hot, quickly putting on a face of astonishment and replying with a question of his own.
"Mhm! Really."
Tsunade smiled and nodded. "So, brat—what's your answer? Do you accept?"
"I do! Uchiha Ren Takashi, greeting my teacher, Tsunade-sama!"
Ren bowed joyfully and gave his response.
This step—finally, it was done.
Now, so many of his plans could officially move forward and fall into place.
"Good. Then starting today, you're my disciple!"
"From tomorrow on, come find me at the Ninja Hospital every morning. I'll begin teaching you medical ninjutsu. Any objections?"
Tsunade nodded in satisfaction and gave the first of many instructions.
"Uh…"
Ren hesitated a bit. "But… I still have school…"
"Oh?"
Tsunade crossed her arms and looked at him with an amused, teasing smile. "Didn't you just say you've already learned almost everything the school teaches?"
"Didn't you also plan to use Shadow Clones to attend class in your place—and even rope in a few classmates to do the same?"
"And now you're worried about school?"
"Eh heh heh…"
Ren scratched his head awkwardly. "That's different! Using Shadow Clones for class was a last resort. I just didn't want to waste time."
"This is my golden period to grow stronger—every minute counts!"
"The issue was that I didn't have a good excuse to tell the teachers."
"But studying medical ninjutsu with you is a legitimate reason. I can just tell my teacher directly and still use a clone for class."
"That way, I won't have to worry about being exposed. Right?"
"So, teacher… you could either write me a note to hand to my homeroom teacher…"
"Or… you could come to school yourself tomorrow and explain the situation. What do you think?"
Ren looked at her with hopeful puppy-dog eyes.
"You little rascal—you've really thought this through, haven't you?"
Tsunade chuckled and shook her head.
She had to admit—this kid was sharp. Social finesse and strategic thinking? Way beyond his age.
"Alright, alright."
She reached out and gave his cheek a playful pinch. "I'll go to your school tomorrow and talk to your teacher myself."
"Thank you, sensei!"
Ren lit up with joy.
Now he didn't need to worry at all about the Shadow Clone being discovered. Perfect.
"No need to thank me—it's my responsibility."
Tsunade waved it off casually and added, "Alright, let's go. Take me to your house. We still need to inform your parents about the apprenticeship."
Something this important naturally had to go through Ren's family.
If they opposed it, things could get complicated.
But Tsunade doubted that would happen.
This arrangement benefited both Ren and the Uchiha clan—they had no reason to object.
As for concerns about brainwashing him?
Please—Tsunade had no intention of doing that, nor would she let the Third Hokage try.
If Hiruzen thought he could manipulate Ren through this apprenticeship, he was seriously overreaching.
Tsunade wouldn't stand for it.
The old man's increasing hunger for control in recent years wasn't something she viewed kindly.
But as far as her disciple was concerned—no one, not even the Hokage, had the right to interfere.
From the start, his schemes were doomed to fail.
"Alright, sensei, this way!"
Ren had no objections.
Before they left, though, he glanced around and then pointed at the massive crater still scarring the ground.
"Um… sensei? With all that noise just now, why hasn't any patrol or Anbu come to check it out? Isn't that strange?"
"And… are we just going to leave that giant hole like this?"
"Enough chatter."
Tsunade shot him a mock glare, halted, formed a few hand seals, and slapped her palm to the ground.
"Earth Style: Terrain Restoration!"
In an instant, the earth shifted and stirred.
Within moments, the crater was filled in completely. Other than the slightly fresher soil and some damaged vegetation, it was almost like nothing had happened.
"Done. Let's go."
As they walked, Tsunade casually explained, "I sent a Shadow Clone ahead of time to inform the local Anbu and patrol squads. I told them not to approach, no matter what they heard."
"Ohhh!"
Ren nodded, realization dawning. "That explains it!"
"Heh."
Tsunade gave his cheek another playful tug. "You've got a keen eye, huh? Not bad, spotting a detail like that."
"Still, that's a good trait. As a ninja, attention to detail helps you survive."
"And as a future medical ninja, it's even more critical. Keep it up."
Ren slapped her hand away with a sigh and stepped back a full meter.
Rubbing his now slightly pink cheek, he shot her a resentful side-eye.
"Sensei, can you please not keep pinching my face? It hurts, you know?"
Yeah, maybe he was a little too cute—but that wasn't an excuse to rough him up!
"Ohoho~ Look at that glare."
Tsunade laughed and teased him, clearly enjoying herself. Only when Ren's glare intensified did she finally relent.
Then, with a mischievous tone, she asked:
"By the way… with your main body training with me daily, and your Shadow Clone attending class, are you sure you can handle it?"
"Not to mention—you also promised your classmates to go off and train with them using another clone, right?"
"How exactly do you plan to juggle all that? I'm curious—really curious! Tsk tsk."
Ren: "..."
"…Sensei, do you have to be this gleeful about my suffering?"
"Sheesh, what's wrong with being honest?"
Tsunade shrugged with a grin. "I'm just stating facts."
"Yeah, yeah."
Ren gave her a long look and sighed. "It's just one more Shadow Clone. With my chakra reserves and spiritual strength, I can handle it."
"So, sorry to disappoint you, sensei—but I'm perfectly capable."
Sure, his chakra volume was only on par with a regular chunin, but his spiritual strength was exceptional. He could handle the mental strain and information feedback from multiple clones.
And thanks to his excellent chakra control, even a low-chakra clone could last a surprisingly long time.
Plus, he'd been practicing the Chakra Circulation Method for over a month now. His daily chakra growth was steady and climbing.
While still technically within chunin range, his chakra volume had already increased by 20% compared to a month ago.
With time, he'd no longer need to worry about chakra limits at all.
"Ho?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, visibly impressed. "That confident, huh? I guess I did underestimate you."
"Then again… if you can sense me from over a hundred meters away, your spiritual strength must be something else."
"Wait—did you awaken your Sharingan?"
If he had, then his strong spiritual power would make perfect sense.