April.
After a lengthy recovery period, Haseo's physical condition had finally returned to normal. As for those few days each month, they had become a regular physiological cycle—a natural law no one could resist.
During this time, Tsunade's advancement in medical techniques had far outpaced even Haseo's healing process. In just over half a year, she had evolved from a complete novice into one of the top medical ninja at Konoha Hospital. Soon enough, she would likely challenge the title of the greatest medical ninja in all of Ninjutsu World history.
This stood in stark contrast to the case of the First Hokage. While the First Hokage's vitality and self-healing abilities were nothing short of monstrous, these were merely personal traits that couldn't be applied to others. So no matter how strong those abilities were, they only elevated him from something like a god to an even greater one.
But Tsunade was different. Compared to her predecessor, she was essentially ordinary—but as a doctor, she was destined to single-handedly push forward the progress of global medical technology. This universal applicability and potential for widespread adoption was where Tsunade surpassed the First; in terms of medical achievements, there was simply no comparison between the two.
The final round of Haseo's physical examination and diagnosis was already something Tsunade could handle completely on her own. There was no question about her technical skill—her diagnostic results were completely reliable… after all, Haseo had been her very first tracked patient.
"Haseo, your body is mostly healed now. Just try not to put yourself through such intense strain again," she reminded him at the end.
Even she knew he was someone who liked to throw himself into danger time and again, so she felt compelled to issue such advice—not only as a physician giving medical instructions to a patient, but also out of concern from friend to friend.
Yes, concern between friends.
"Don't worry. Tailed Beasts and Jinchuriki aren't exactly common encounters.
Don't think I actually forced myself into that fight just because I wanted to chase down eighty guys with my sword. My injuries happened only because I got surrounded by them and had no choice but to fight for my life. Honestly, I do care about my health more than it might seem."
As he spoke, Haseo pulled down his sleeve. Judging from his usual personality, he wouldn't have added that last part, but for some reason today, he gave a bit more explanation than usual.
Still… had he unknowingly set up another [Flag]—dooming himself to the opposite fate?
"Do you have an off-village mission coming up next?"
"Yeah, I'm heading to the Land of Whirlpools. Mito Uzumaki will probably accompany us as well." He first answered like that, then suddenly snapped, "Oh right!" and turned toward Tsunade, saying, "Tsunade, there's something I need your help with… Could you develop some medicine for me?"
At Haseo's words, Tsunade gave him a sharp, wary look. "What are you planning?"
In the ninja world, the greatest doctors are often not only expert antidote-makers but also master poison crafters. Still, a healer truly devoted to saving lives would naturally look down on making poisons.
After hearing what Haseo said, Tsunade could only think in one direction...
"I'm just talking about something that changes hair color... Doesn't matter if it's taken internally or applied externally, as long as it lasts a while. Think you can whip something like that up?" Haseo paused briefly before adding an explanation, "It's for hiding the identities of people whose hairstyles are too distinctive."
Upon hearing Haseo's words, Tsunade immediately got it—the Uzumaki clan's bright red hair was just too conspicuous. At its tamest, it looked like something out of a visual-kei band; at its most extreme, it screamed 'look at me' so loud you couldn't ignore it.
"I can give it a try," Tsunade replied, instantly agreeing once she understood exactly what kind of medicine he was asking for and its intended use.
"Then I appreciate it," Haseo naturally expressed his gratitude before leaving Konoha Hospital.
Later, watching Haseo's retreating figure from the upstairs window, Tsunade gradually furrowed her brows without realizing—she felt slightly annoyed. Why did Haseo seem so natural giving orders like that? And why had she agreed so quickly?
Still, this irritation wasn't all that serious.
It was kind of like when you're trying to set up facial recognition, and the system tells you to open your eyes... when they're already wide open.
And then, when you go to unlock it with facial recognition, the system says no face was detected... even though you're basically pressing your nose against the camera lens.
After leaving Konoha Hospital, Haseo went to meet another companion.
Because of the Third Hokage's stance, Haseo probably couldn't bring Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade into the Kagenami group. Now or in the future, at most, he would only occasionally ask these three for help. The Third Hokage had been raising his apprentices under the expectation that they might become future Hokage candidates, meaning he wouldn't allow them to get involved in questionable matters.
Looking back, the Third's training methods had completely failed... While the Sannin turned out well enough, none of them really had the personality fit for becoming Hokage. However, it still wasn't time for the Hokage to admit that failure yet.
Jiraiya and the other two had to follow the Hokage's instructions, but there was someone else who would eventually become famous without such constraints—Sakumo Hatake, the future "Legend of the White Fang," currently thirteen years old and a Chunin.
His son was about twelve years old at roughly the same age when Sakumo himself was thirteen.
"Sakumo Hatake, long time no see."
At the arranged training ground, Haseo met Sakumo Hatake, who had already been waiting there.
From the end of the war until now, the two hadn't seen each other in quite some time.
Sakumo Hatake curiously circled Haseo twice before finally confirming a certain miraculous phenomenon. "Haseo, you've actually reversed aging!"
Previously, Haseo had been noticeably taller than Sakumo, yet now their heights were perfectly aligned.
"It's not like I reversed aging—it's more like my body has shrunk proportionally from using a certain Kinjutsu for too long... I've definitely gone through a lot because of it."
Shaking his head, Haseo briefly explained to Sakumo Hatake what had happened to him.
Sakumo fell into thought afterward.
Recalling the moment they first met, back then Sakumo was already skilled with a blade, whereas Haseo couldn't even finish a single ninja technique without failing miserably. But now, Haseo had overtaken him through unconventional means and become a Jonin, while Sakumo himself remained only a Chunin.
Even more impressive were Haseo's awe-inspiring accomplishments. In the Frostfield Battle, he single-handedly annihilated enemies from Kumo, making his reputation in Konoha legendary.
And what about himself? Sakumo felt that comparisons truly lead one to despair. He, Sakumo Hatake, was just a lowly Chunin who had led missions that took down about ten to twenty enemy Jonin.
What was the point of living anyway? It was so disheartening... Sakumo began to feel he had no aptitude for being a ninja at all.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>