"Nope!"
Ren Takashi shook his head. "I'm only five. How could I possibly awaken the Sharingan this early?"
"Besides, in my view, awakening the Sharingan prematurely when the body isn't strong enough isn't a good thing."
"It leads too easily to bloodline-related illnesses and premature death."
Uchiha Itachi in the future… and even Kimimaro—they were both classic examples, weren't they?
Early brilliance often ends in tragedy. Same principle.
"Hm?"
Tsunade gave Ren a surprised glance. "I didn't expect you to be so insightful."
"While not completely accurate, you're right in most cases."
"The body and mind exist in dynamic balance—two sides of the same coin."
"Neglect either, and life can't function properly."
"Disrupt the harmony between the two, and the body begins to suffer in all kinds of ways."
"You understanding that tells me something—you really have been studying medicine seriously these past few months. And clearly, you have a genuine interest."
Looks like I really picked up a gem.
"I try," Ren said with a smile. "But honestly, I'm more interested in growing stronger."
"Thing is—if I want to grow stronger in the right way and do it fast, just talent and standard training methods aren't enough."
"If I only follow the paths others walked before me, I'll never surpass them."
"But medicine offers something different—it lets me understand the human body in depth, unlock its potential..."
"Then I can refine or even create new training methods and jutsu better suited to me."
"That's why I started learning medical ninjutsu in the first place."
"It's just... my clan doesn't have much knowledge in that area. I've already read everything available and hit a wall."
"Sensei, I heard Konoha Hospital has a huge library of medical texts. Is that true? Would I be allowed access?"
Ren knew: medicine alone couldn't make him strong, nor could it save the Uchiha—or the shinobi world.
Only overwhelming strength could do that.
So medicine… was just one step in a larger plan.
"Oh?"
Tsunade was visibly taken aback by his reasoning.
She fell quiet, her thoughts drifting to all the missions she'd been on—friends and comrades lost despite all her healing prowess.
And she had to admit… maybe Ren was right.
Medicine was important—but power was essential.
"You can."
She collected herself, then nodded. "Since you're my disciple now—and you're clearly motivated—both the hospital library and my private collection will be open to you."
"But you'd better take it seriously. No slacking."
"Of course!"
Ren nodded. "Even if it weren't to support my own training or gain combat healing abilities… I still want the skill to help myself and my friends if we're ever hurt."
"I really don't look down on medical ninjutsu at all."
"If I did, I wouldn't have spent so much time studying or reading medical scrolls."
That part was sincere.
"Good."
Tsunade nodded in satisfaction.
Soon, the two of them entered the Uchiha compound.
Along the way, many clan members spotted Ren and called out to him warmly. Ren smiled and greeted each of them in turn.
Naturally, many of them also noticed Tsunade walking beside him—and recognized her.
Curiosity lit their eyes. It wasn't every day someone brought Tsunade into Uchiha territory.
Still, no one questioned it openly. Matters like this were for the clan head to deal with.
Back in the days before or just after the founding of the village, a Senju walking into Uchiha territory would've been a crisis.
But now, the Senju were all but gone, and the old blood feud had long since lost meaning.
"Hoh? You're quite popular in your clan, huh?"
Tsunade observed everything and couldn't resist a chuckle.
"I suppose," Ren said casually. "I'm the clan head's son, a recognized prodigy, and I like to think I'm fairly approachable."
"Isn't it natural I'm well-liked?"
"Tch. Cocky little brat."
Tsunade blinked, then burst out laughing at Ren's deadpan expression. She couldn't resist the urge to pinch his cheek again—
—but this time, Ren dodged it.
"We're here!"
Ren pointed ahead. "Hold on... let me check—yup, both my parents are home. Please come in, sensei."
He activated his spiritual sense and, confirming both his parents' chakra signatures, led Tsunade inside.
As expected, the next step was a formal introduction.
Tsunade quickly got to the point: "Clan Head Nobuyuki, I'm here today to take Uchiha Ren Takashi as my student. He's already agreed. May I ask your opinion?"
"Of course we have no objections!"
Uchiha Nobuyuki kept his astonishment and joy suppressed beneath a calm expression. He smiled politely.
"Ren is a thoughtful child. From a young age, he's had his own ideas—and he's never once let us down."
"So naturally, we'll leave this decision to him."
"We ask only that you look after our son well, Lady Tsunade."
"That's right," said Shinmi, Ren's mother, placing a cup of tea before Tsunade before sitting beside her husband with a warm smile.
"Ren has shown talent in medical ninjutsu lately. He's even been studying some techniques with me."
"Unfortunately, I'm just an average medical-nin. I've already taught him all I know."
"With you willing to take him as your student, we couldn't be more grateful."
In truth, both Nobuyuki and Shinmi were still stunned.
When Ren first mentioned his intention to become Tsunade's student, they thought it was impossible.
Even if he had a plan and confidence, they supported him simply so he wouldn't feel discouraged.
And now… it had actually happened.
If Tsunade herself had come to take a disciple, that surely meant the Third Hokage had approved it.
And that was no small thing.
"No need for thanks," Tsunade replied with a smile, waving her hand modestly.
She reached over and ruffled Ren's hair—despite his helpless expression—leaving it a complete mess.
"This kid has incredible talent—not just in medical ninjutsu, but in regular ninjutsu too. If the Third Hokage hadn't told me, I'd never have known."
"It's my honor to take him on."
The conversation grew warmer from there.
Tsunade didn't linger long—after chatting with the family for just over ten minutes, she took her leave.
After escorting her out of the Uchiha district, Ren returned home—only to find his father still seated in the living room.
Waiting.
Staring.
Like a judge in court.
"…Uh… Dad? Mom? What's with the intense stares?"
Ren looked between them, thoroughly confused.