"These past few days at the hospital, I met a girl—really talented and nice. So I thought, why not take on an apprentice!"
Meeting the gazes of Jiraiya and his student, Tsunade spoke slowly, her tone carrying a hint of happiness.
With everything that had happened regarding Saitama, and because of Shizune's influence, she wasn't likely to leave the village anytime soon anyway.
Plus, Konoha was almost like the birthright of her family. As one of the Sannin, she wanted to make some meaningful contributions.
Coincidentally, Minato recently named her Honorary Director of Konoha Hospital.
Before leaving the village previously, Tsunade had already served as head of Konoha's Medical Division, in charge of all medical ninjas there.
Upon her return this time, Minato originally offered her the position of deputy director. Knowing she could up and leave at any time, being deputy would still allow her to mentor younger generations while helping improve Konoha's medical capabilities.
Even if just a deputy role, with the reputation and authority she carried from before, as long as she showed willingness, the Medical Division would still follow her lead without question.
But Tsunade wasn't keen—the duties of the Medical Division were too cumbersome: daily research into Ninjutsu, treatments for rare diseases...all quite demanding.
Moreover, she didn't want to go back to work in those familiar places where old memories might come rushing back.
Minato understood and didn't push her to stay within the Medical Division.
Wherever Tsunade went in Konoha, it was like gaining an invaluable asset.
Other ninja who stayed near her, watching and learning, their medical skills would shoot right up.
Although she'd been away from Konoha for years, Tsunade's medical abilities hadn't declined a bit.
She was still the best medic in all of the Shinobi World, leaving even Konoha's top-tier medical ninja far behind.
Since she wouldn't rejoin the official Medical Division, Minato arranged for Tsunade to be based at the hospital to supervise things there instead.
The hospital was still busy, but she didn't have to treat patients directly—she only needed to guide the medical ninja when necessary.
Minato had personal reasons behind this arrangement—he hoped Tsunade would teach more ninjas her Medical Ninjutsu.
After all, most medical staff working in Konoha Hospital were young talents whose ninja careers weren't yet set in stone—they had great potential.
Now hearing Tsunade say she wished to take an apprentice at the hospital, Minato smiled—it was unfolding exactly how he'd anticipated.
Tsunade naturally understood Minato's intentions, but you couldn't buy true willingness with gold.
This decision to take an apprentice wasn't influenced by external factors—it came entirely from her own will.
While wanting to do more for her family's legacy played a part,
ultimately, it all came down to whether or not she truly wanted to proceed and felt good about it.
"Sounds good! Since it's Tsunade-sama choosing an apprentice, we should get to know her."
Smiling, Minato got up and took a seat beside Jiraiya.
Being Hokage for a few years had made him much more mature. He now carried himself with quiet authority, not even needing anger to command respect.
This was the buff effect of the Hokage title. After all, staying in a leadership role for so long naturally sharpened these qualities without one even noticing.
Yet here in front of these two people currently sitting in his office, Minato still acted like their younger brother.
It wasn't because Jiraiya and Tsunade's status completely overshadowed Minato's, but rather because he deeply respected both of them as his mentors.
One had been his teacher and father figure, while the other was a veteran shinobi he held in high regard within the village.
"Sure thing! I'll treat you tomorrow afternoon at Barbecue Q — both of you better come! I'll introduce her properly then!"
Tsunade said with a cheerful smile, her chest slightly bouncing, which caused Jiraiya sitting across from her to feel certain spiritual tremors.
Not that Jiraiya meant anything by it — it's just how men's eyes tend to wander around pretty women without thinking.
"No problem! I'll bring Shimaya along too. She's been cooped up at home recently and needs some fresh air."
Minato nodded agreeably.
For dinner gatherings like this, the more the merrier.
It wasn't because those two at home ate so much that his Hokage allowance couldn't afford takeout meals for mother and son every day.
"Haha, definitely count me in! By the way, what's your apprentice's name? Wonder if we might've known each other before?"
Jiraiya laughed heartily while scratching his head.
Feasting at someone else's expense was one of his favorite things, especially when the host happened to be Tsunade.
And since she was Tsunade's apprentice, she could also be considered his junior, so he wanted to know something about her beforehand.
"Oh, this girl's currently working at the hospital. Her name is Rin Nohara, quite a pleasant young lady!"
Tsunade waved her hand casually, a slight grin on her face.
She was very satisfied with this particular disciple of hers.
The girl not only possessed medical talent, but also had a gentle yet determined personality similar to her own, which perfectly suited Tsunade's taste.
This had also been one of the things that brought her satisfaction during her time mentoring at the hospital.
"Nohara Rin? Tsunade-sama, you mean Rin?"
Minato blinked in surprise and asked.
"Yes, Rin Nohara. What's wrong with that?"
Tsunade looked puzzled, watching Minato's expression gradually turn into a smile.
"Tsunade-sama, you must have never asked who Rin's Jonin squad leader was when she first became a genin, right? It was me!"
Minato chuckled, thinking how the world really had a funny way of bringing people together.
This child named Rin indeed showed remarkable talent in Medical Ninjutsu and had been studying at the hospital ever since her promotion to chunin.
"Oh? So that's how it is!"
Tsunade hadn't expected there would be such a connection between Rin and Minato.
"Looks like this dinner deserves to be celebrated properly!" Jiraiya caught on quick. So his student Minato used to lead Tsunade's apprentice?
"Fine then, whatever. Just make sure you come tomorrow! Bring that brat Naruto too! He called me a cranky old hag the other day — I've got a few words for him tomorrow!"
Tsunade didn't care who Rin's former Jonin squad leader was—even if it was Minato, it only made the group even closer.
Thinking about eating reminded Tsunade of that brat at Minato's house.
That tiny six-year-old brat—Naruto—barely five feet tall. Last time they met, Kushina told him to call Tsunade "Granny," but he just went right ahead and called her "Old Hag."
It wasn't like Tsunade actually looked old. Ever since mastering the [Yin Seal], her appearance had remained youthful, like a woman in her twenties.
Despite being in her forties, she looked no older than Kushina, who was in her early thirties. They could've passed for sisters.
But blood relations meant formalities; hence, Kushina insisted Naruto refer to Tsunade as Granny.
Seeing that Tsunade clearly didn't look old, yet Naruto still had to address her as his elder...
This made Naruto remember a movie he'd seen not long ago.
In that film, there was a miko—a shrine maiden—who never aged because she drew the vitality from young children to preserve her youth.
So the nickname "Old Hag" just stuck on its own.
"Alright, I'll definitely bring Naruto along!"
Minato clapped his hands together—it was decided so easily.
He felt for that mischievous brat at home—Naruto. Someone like Tsunade—"a tough one"—was exactly what the boy needed to keep him in line.
Kushina treated Naruto like a precious treasure all day long, not even willing to lay a finger on him. She showered him with indulgent affection.
As for himself, every time he tried disciplining Naruto, the little rascal would immediately run to his mom and have her scold him instead.
Naturally, Kushina—deeply protective of her child—would never let Minato mistreat their son.
Just looking at this setup alone told you everything about who called the shots in the house.
Fortunately, although Naruto was naughty, he hadn't actually done anything seriously bad. His mischief was merely the lively spirit typical of his age.
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