After boasting and drinking tea in the Hokage's office, Uchiha Ryun went straight to Konoha Hospital to find Tsunade.
What? You ask why he didn't return to work?
Uchiha Ryun just lazily called out, "Seifū, Meigetsu."
There was no helping it. These two secretaries were too smart. Originally, there was supposed to be a month for the secretaries to adjust, but today, Uchiha Ryun discovered that the two of them handled administrative tasks much faster than he did!
With subordinates so capable, it made the leader feel a little guilty. So, Uchiha Ryun decided to let the two of them work hard and gain experience while he went to inspect… cough, do some inspection work.
----
Konoha Hospital
"Lady Tsunade, there's someone at the entrance asking for you," a nurse suddenly reported in the consultation area.
"Not seeing anyone. Can't you see how many patients there are?" Tsunade said impatiently. "Next!"
"But that person is Uchiha Ryun," the nurse added.
Tsunade trembled slightly. She glanced at Yoshiko beside her.
"Yoshiko, you're a veteran at the hospital. Can you take over the consultations for me for a while? I have something to take care of," Tsunade said with a smile.
Yoshiko naturally agreed. She nodded. Her skills were among the best in the hospital. Before Tsunade became the director, she had been the one handling consultations daily.
Tsunade nodded, then stood up and gave her seat to Yoshiko. On the surface, she showed no change in expression as she calmly walked out of the consultation room. But the moment the door closed, a smile appeared on her face.
Ryun had come to see her! Hehe! She hopped excitedly to the hospital entrance and spotted Uchiha Ryun at a glance.
Uchiha Ryun looked up at Tsunade, spread his arms, and stood there. Tsunade flew into his embrace like a swallow returning to its nest, giggling foolishly.
"Why did you think of coming to see me today? Did you miss me?" Tsunade pressed against Uchiha Ryun's neck, her voice filled with joy.
It was hard to imagine such words coming from Tsunade.
In many people's minds, Tsunade was a figure like a female general—someone who could lead shinobi in battle and heal the wounded.
Yet here she was, hugging a man so intimately in public.
Their actions made the men at the hospital entrance grit their teeth in envy.
"Yeah, just a little bit," Uchiha Ryun teased deliberately.
Tsunade immediately pulled back, pouting and lightly punching Uchiha Ryun's chest. "Hmph!"
"Cough, cough. I missed you, really missed you!" Uchiha Ryun quickly corrected himself. Seeing Tsunade unhappy, he couldn't keep joking.
"That's more like it! Are you done with your work?" Tsunade asked contentedly.
Uchiha Ryun shook his head, then nodded.
Tsunade was puzzled. What did that mean? She looked at Uchiha Ryun questioningly.
Uchiha Ryun told her about the academy admissions, the secretaries, the meeting in the Hokage's office, and the war between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Earth.
Tsunade nodded. "I see. I have to say, Nara Seifū and Nara Meigetsu are lucky to have a boss like you."
Seifū and Meigetsu: 'Working under Uchiha Ryun is such a blessing.'
"Of course! This is called giving young people more opportunities to train!" Uchiha Ryun said shamelessly, raising an eyebrow with a righteous expression.
"So, does that mean you'll be free from now on?" Tsunade's words were a critical hit, making Uchiha Ryun jump in frustration.
"What do you mean 'free'? This is called macro-level control. Do you even know what macro-level control means?" Uchiha Ryun defended himself.
Having spent so much time with Uchiha Ryun, Tsunade knew his personality all too well. He was the type who would do the bare minimum and never go the extra mile!
But considering Uchiha Ryun's thin skin, Tsunade played along. "Yes, yes, macro-level control. Looking at the big picture. Our Ryun is the best!"
Uchiha Ryun nodded. That was more like it!
"Tsunade, do you have time? I heard there's a good oden place nearby. Want to try it?" Uchiha Ryun asked with a smile.
Tsunade shook her head. "No, I still have consultations to finish. I had Yoshiko cover for me for a bit, but I have to go back soon." She lowered her head, regretting ever asking the old man for the position of Konoha Hospital director.
She hadn't expected Uchiha Ryun to stabilize the Security Division so quickly, making it self-sufficient. Now she wondered if she should also appoint two deputy directors.
Uchiha Ryun nodded. "Alright, then I'll pick you up in the afternoon."
Tsunade pouted. "Okay~"
Uchiha Ryun took the opportunity to kiss her pouting lips. Tsunade's eyes widened in surprise, her lips no longer pursed as she stared at Uchiha Ryun in delight.
"Be good, work hard. I'll pick you up after work!" Uchiha Ryun patted Tsunade's head, then hugged her.
Hmm, the softness in front is becoming more noticeable. Uchiha Ryun smirked.
Tsunade nodded. "Mhm! Then I'll go back to work. Remember to miss me and come get me!"
"Okay~" Uchiha Ryun replied gently. Tsunade smiled, pushed him away, and walked back into the hospital, looking back every few steps.
Uchiha Ryun waved with a smile until Tsunade disappeared from sight before leaving.
And so, Tsunade resumed her consultations. Unlike her earlier girlish demeanor, she was now serious and composed as she examined patients.
------
Land of Water, Inside a Cave
"Black Zetsu, how is that child doing?" Madara Uchiha tapped the stone table with his right hand, his left hand supporting his chin, his legs spread wide, his tone cold.
"Lord Madara, Uchiha Ryun has become a Konoha elder and the head of the Security Division. He is also very close to Hashirama's granddaughter," Black Zetsu said eerily.
"Hashirama's granddaughter… I remember her. She inherited his monstrous strength, right? Just a little girl." In Madara's memory, Tsunade was still a child. That was before he left Konoha.
"Indeed. Now, Hashirama's granddaughter is eighteen and often goes on dates with Uchiha Ryun," Black Zetsu added.
Madara Uchiha fell silent. If Uchiha Ryun hadn't awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, he might have exploited this. But now, it was better to let it be.
"What about the Third Mizukage? Any movements?" Madara closed his eyes, waiting for Zetsu's reply.
"Tomorrow, the Third Mizukage will visit the Three-Tails, Isobu, attempting to form a contract and coexist peacefully," Zetsu said quietly.
"Good. We'll act tomorrow. It's been a while since I last fought. I'm getting rusty." With that, Madara stood up and stretched.
He swung his sickle, and a transparent blade shot out of the cave, slicing through five rows of trees. A moment later, the trees fell neatly to one side.
The cuts were smooth and clean. If Uchiha Ryun saw this, he'd probably break out in a cold sweat. And this was Madara Uchiha past his prime.
If it were his prime… tsk.
"Yes, Lord Madara. Also, I heard the Third Mizukage recently took on a disciple named Yagura. He's very talented and created a technique called Water Mirror Jutsu," Black Zetsu reminded.
"I see," Madara said indifferently.