It's been a year. A long, heavy year.
Shisui finished the Academy earlier than anyone expected.
Kakashi and I still train together whenever we can. He's stubborn as always.
Kurenai? She pushed through her limits. Her genjutsu and kunai skills are sharper now.
My seal for the Mangekyou? Closer to perfect, but not perfect yet.
Today I just needed fresh air, so I wandered through the village.
I didn't expect to run into a legend. But luck never lets me rest.
I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw her.
Long blonde hair, a white cloak with red edges, and 106cm.
Tsunade Senju — the Slug Princess herself.
Beside her, a young girl. I knew her name, too. Shizune.
I walked over without thinking.
„Tsunade Senju. Didn't think I'd see you here,"
She raised an eyebrow. „So you know who I am, huh? You must be Izuna Uchiha."
I smirked. „I hear stories. And I remember faces. You're the best medic-nin in the world. And a gambler. Not sure which is more dangerous."
Shizune giggled. Tsunade just crossed her arms.
„What do you want, kid?" she asked, voice sharp but curious.
I took a breath. No point hiding it.
„I want you to teach me medical ninjutsu. Not just basics, the real thing. The advanced stuff. How to heal people when no one else can."
Tsunade tilted her head, studying me.
„And why would an Uchiha, one with eyes like yours, want to learn to heal instead of destroy?"
„Because I can do both, and one day I'll need to fix what I break."
For a moment, her eyes softened. Shizune looked up at her, then at me.
„You think you have control of it? Healing is harder than fighting."
„I'm closer than you think. I've been working on something most people can't even dream of controlling. If I can do that, I can do this, too."
Tsunade clicked her tongue, like she didn't want to admit she was interested.
„Fine. But don't think I'll go easy on you. You show up tomorrow morning, hospital training room. Six sharp. If you're late, forget it."
„I won't be late."
As I turned to leave, Tsunade called after me.
„Izuna. If you want this, be ready to bleed for it. Healing hurts, too."
I smiled over my shoulder. „Hurting's never been a problem."
I walked away, feeling Shizune's eyes on my back.
The Next Day
I showed up at the hospital right at 7 AM. Again.
And again, I ended up just… waiting. I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, staring at the clock.
Twenty long minutes ticked by before the door opened and Tsunade strolled in, calm as ever.
I couldn't help myself. I raised an eyebrow. "Who's late now?"
She shot me a look but didn't answer. She just jerked her head, telling me to follow her.
We walked down the hall and into a training room. I thought, Finally, time for real medical ninjutsu.
But instead, she dropped a huge book on the table. The book made the table rattle.
Before I could react, she added another. And another. By the fourth one, the poor table collapsed.
Tsunade crossed her arms, staring straight at me. "What? You thought this would be easy? You have one week. Learn it all, medical history, shinobi anatomy, chakra systems. Everything."
Then she left me there. Just like that.
⸻
Two days later, I was resting in the chair in that same room. My eyes burned from reading too much.
I leaned my head back, just for a second, when the door flew open.
Tsunade stepped in, her eyes sharp. "If you think you can nap through this, you'll never learn a thing, Izuna."
I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes. "Who's sleeping? I'm done."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. Shizune peeked in from behind her, curious.
"Done? Don't joke. Shizune hasn't finished yet."
I just gave her a small smile. My Sharingan spun into view. "I remember everything. Ask me."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes, then grabbed one of the books. She flipped it open and fired a question.
"Name the three main chakra pathways connected to the heart."
I didn't even blink. "Primary circulatory, secondary circulatory, and the heart's sealing circuit."
She asked another. "How many chakra points are in the arms?"
"Twenty-four."
Shizune's eyes went wide. She looked at me like I was some weird puzzle she couldn't solve.
Tsunade shut the book with a loud snap. She clicked her tongue. "Fine. Let's see you do something."
She put one glass in front of me with milk and water
"Basic chakra control. Separate the milk from the water. If you fail, you start over."
I cracked my knuckles. Focused my chakra into my hands.
Slowly, carefully, I pulled the liquids apart. White on one side, clear on the other.
It wasn't perfect, but it worked. Tsunade just watched, arms crossed, like she was finally a bit impressed.
Shizune stared at the floating drops, then at me. She looked like she wanted to ask how I did it — but didn't.
⸻
By the end of the day
When we were done, Tsunade told me'll practice more.
Shizune handed me a towel and smiled a little, still not sure what to think of me.
Me? I just tucked my hands into my pockets and grinned to myself.
After I left the hospital, Tsunade's books were still spinning in my head. I decided to check on Shisui.
Ahead, I could hear it the quiet thunk of a kunai hitting wood, again and again.
I found a good spot to watch from behind a thick trunk.
There they were, Shisui standing behind Itachi, guiding him just like I used to guide Shisui.
Itachi's small hands gripped the kunai tightly. He looked so focused, like the world would end if he messed up.
Itachi nodded, took a breath, and threw.
The kunai flew straight, cutting the air clean — then thud, right into the target, just off-center.
A small smile pulled at the corner of my mouth.
I stayed there a few seconds longer, watching Shisui ruffle Itachi's hair and tell him, "Good. Again."
The boy's eyes shone he wanted to try again right away.
I stepped back, letting the branches hide me.
No need to interrupt. No need to say anything.
I turned toward the village lights, hands in my pockets.
Yeah… I was proud. Proud of both of them.
———
Before sleep, I thought of Itachi's disease that he had in Anime. I thought maybe, just maybe, I can save him if I get stronger.