Chapter 199: The Third Mizukage Goes to War
The summer air settled over Konoha Village as June began.
Hoshikawa glanced at the glaring sun and yawned.
He walked down the street and soon arrived at the Konoha Hospital. He wasn't there for surgery, however, but to carry out Tsunade's task: teaching Rin Nohara the Mystical Palm Technique .
After over three years of study, Rin Nohara was a certified Chūnin who had mastered most basic Medical Ninjutsu. Now, it was time for her to learn more advanced healing jutsu, such as the Mystical Palm Technique. But because Tsunade wanted to be lazy and hit the casinos, she delegated the lesson to Hoshikawa . Since Rin was interning at the hospital, Hoshikawa decided to hold the training there.
"Hoshikawa !"
Rin Nohara hurried toward him.
Hoshikawa 's eyes lit up. She had changed into a nurse's uniform. The only pity was that it was merely a nurse's dress thrown over her regular clothes; she hadn't changed completely. Under the hem, he could still see her dark-red, thigh-high socks.
"How long have you been waiting by the gate?" Hoshikawa asked, looking at her smiling face.
"Just a few minutes," Rin replied. "I just got here myself."
"Why are you wearing that today?" Hoshikawa walked beside her into the hospital.
"Because I'm so young, some patients don't trust me if I don't wear the nurse's uniform." A flicker of longing crossed Rin's eyes. "I'm not famous like you, Hoshikawa ."
"It's fine. Give it time, and you'll prove yourself and earn their trust," Hoshikawa reached out and patted her head. Since she was only about 1.4 meters tall, the motion was quite natural.
"Hoshikawa , was it like that for you in the beginning?" Rin's face was slightly flushed, but she didn't object to the head pat.
"Yep," Hoshikawa said with a laugh. "Some patients even asked to have me replaced back then."
"Really?" Rin looked up at him, her expression astonished.
"Why would I lie?" Hoshikawa explained. "It was the same problem you have: too young."
Rin immediately felt a sense of shared experience. So, even geniuses have the same struggles.
"I'll teach you a trick," Hoshikawa stopped in front of his office door.
"What is it?" Rin tilted her head, looking curious.
"When you introduce yourself, just say you're Tsunade's student." Hoshikawa casually opened the door.
"But I worry that my inexperience will tarnish Lady Tsunade's reputation," Rin asked, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"Don't worry about it. If there's a problem, let Master handle it," Hoshikawa said carelessly. "The patients will probably be happier."
"Huh?" Rin made a confused sound.
"Because normally, it's very difficult for them to see Master," Hoshikawa sat on the sofa, smiling. "When they get an opportunity now, they'll naturally be thrilled."
"Oh, I see!" Rin quickly understood. Tsunade was not only a celebrity in Konoha but also the most exceptional Medical Ninja. Seeing her would put the patients at ease, no matter how severe their illness was.
"Alright, let's learn the Mystical Palm Technique now." Hoshikawa became serious.
"Yes." Rin immediately focused.
The Mystical Palm Technique is an A-rank medical jutsu. Although difficult to learn, it is incredibly practical, making it the most commonly used technique by Medical Jōnin. Conversely, mastering the Mystical Palm Technique essentially makes becoming a Medical Jōnin a matter of time. Rin knew how crucial this jutsu was—it was the gateway between basic and expert level—and she was determined not to stop short.
Hoshikawa spent three days on theoretical lectures, and on the fourth day, they moved to practical application. The test subjects, of course, were not humans, but the classic prop: fish.
"Call me if you have any trouble." Hoshikawa didn't wait around; instead, he went to the garden outside his office window to practice Wind Release .
Rin stared at his figure for several seconds before looking away, her face slightly flushed. If I master the Mystical Palm Technique, I can be closer to Hoshikawa . She looked at the fish on the table, took a deep breath, and extended her hands.
Time slowly passed, and soon it was dusk.
"Let's stop for today." Hoshikawa walked into the office.
"Just a moment!" Rin gritted her teeth, pressing her palms together and continuously pouring in chakra. Her fair cheeks were slightly red, and beads of sweat continuously trickled down.
Hoshikawa walked up to her.
A few minutes later, Rin could no longer hold out and reluctantly withdrew her chakra. She stood still, breathing heavily.
Hoshikawa casually pulled a tissue from the desk and gently wiped the sweat from her face. Rin's eyes suddenly widened. Feeling his gentle actions, the blush on her face grew more obvious until it spread to the tips of her ears.
"Th-thank you..." Rin said, her voice strained and unnatural.
"It's nothing," Hoshikawa withdrew his hand, smiling. "You worked hard today. Go back and rest well."
"Um..." Rin suddenly remembered something and quickly said, "I'd like to treat you to dinner!"
"No need to go to so much trouble," Hoshikawa shook his head. "Why don't you just come eat with me at Master's house?"
"I..." Rin lowered her head, speaking in a very quiet voice, "I... I wanted to thank you alone."
"Is that so?" Hoshikawa raised an eyebrow. "What should we eat?"
"What do you want to eat?" Rin was secretly relieved, her tone becoming a bit cheerful as she asked.
"How about Ichiraku Ramen?" Hoshikawa considered it.
"Huh?" Rin was surprised. "Just ramen? Wouldn't that be..."
"The point isn't what we eat." Hoshikawa raised his hand, gently pinched her cheek, and said, "Let's go."
Rin's heart skipped a beat. If the point wasn't what they ate, then what was? Was it who they ate with? She instinctively followed behind Hoshikawa , her head feeling dizzy.
"Teuchi-ossan, I'll take a bowl of Roast Pork Ramen." Hoshikawa reached Ichiraku Ramen and ordered immediately.
"Hoshikawa ?" Teuchi came out from the kitchen, looking surprised and pleased to see him.
"..." Hoshikawa was slightly confused. Why was he making that expression?
But he quickly understood the reason.
"Ayame, come out quickly!" Teuchi turned and called loudly. "Your idol is here!"
A little black-haired girl, who looked to be only a few years old, came running out with quick steps. She looked up at Hoshikawa , clapped her hands over her mouth, and let out a small gasp.
Ayame? Hoshikawa remembered. This was Teuchi's daughter. In the original story, though she didn't have many appearances, she was one of the memorable supporting characters, just like her dad. Notably, she was one of the few people who had seen Kakashi Hatake's real face.
"Brother Hoshikawa !" Ayame enthusiastically ran up to Hoshikawa , introducing herself. "I'm Ayame! You're my favorite ninja!"
"Thank you," Hoshikawa smiled and held out his hand.
Ayame's eyes shone, and she quickly clasped both of his hands.
"Dinner is on me today," Teuchi said with a chuckle. "Please, guests, eat as much as you like."
"Are you sure?" Hoshikawa was slightly taken aback.
"It's fine," Teuchi said, glancing at Ayame. "Just promise to come visit often."
"In that case, alright." Hoshikawa didn't refuse any longer. He picked up Ayame and placed her on the stool beside him. "Get her a bowl of ramen too."
"No problem." Teuchi turned and went into the kitchen.
"Brother Hoshikawa , you're even better looking than the rumors say!" Ayame exclaimed excitedly.
"What rumors?" Hoshikawa asked, genuinely curious.
Rin listened to their conversation, sighing inwardly at how popular he was.
"Ramen is served!" Teuchi quickly delivered three bowls of ramen.
"Itadakimasu!" Hoshikawa clapped his hands together, inhaled the rich aroma, and picked up his chopsticks.
After finishing their ramen, the two left Ichiraku Ramen under Ayame's reluctant gaze.
"I need to get back and cook for Master. See you tomorrow." Hoshikawa glanced at the sky.
"Okay." Rin nodded. "See you tomorrow."
Hoshikawa said goodbye and walked toward Tsunade's house. As he passed the Hokage Monument, he suddenly stopped.
He was thinking about Lava Release and Wood Release . He had planned to use his genius persona to pretend to synthesize a Kekkei Genkai. Now might be the time. He'd start with Lava Release. Once Tsunade got used to that, she'd be more accepting when he eventually revealed Wood Release.
Hoshikawa changed direction and headed toward the Hokage Tower. He wasn't looking for Hiruzen Sarutobi, but borrowing several books from the ANBU about synthesizing Kekkei Genkai.
"Why are you so late today?" Tsunade heard the door open, got up, and leaned against the wall in the entryway, asking.
"Rin treated me to dinner to thank me for teaching her the Mystical Palm Technique," Hoshikawa admitted truthfully.
"She's still so polite," Tsunade shook her head.
"She's just reacting like a normal person," Hoshikawa stopped in front of her, complaining.
"What are you implying?" Tsunade's face darkened. "Do you want to die, you brat?" With that, she raised her bare foot and stomped on his. The cold and soft sole of her foot touched and immediately retreated.
"Ouch!" Hoshikawa glanced at her exquisite jade foot. "I'll go cook."
"Hurry up!" Tsunade snorted. "I'm hungry!"
"Yes, Master." Hoshikawa rushed to the kitchen.
To speed things up, he used Fire Release to cook. In less than ten minutes, the food was on the table.
"What are you reading?" Tsunade asked, slightly puzzled.
"How to fuse Earth Release and Fire Release together," Hoshikawa said casually.
"Are you trying to learn Lava Release?" Tsunade remembered the Lava Release jutsu he had asked for previously.
"Yeah," Hoshikawa nodded. "Lava Release has good power. I'm seeing if I can synthesize it."
"It's not that easy," Tsunade frowned, cautioning him. "You'd be better off spending this time learning the Old Man's compound jutsu."
"I am learning it," Hoshikawa explained. "I'm just a bit short on my Wind Release practice."
Tsunade thought for a moment and didn't say anything more. Hoshikawa always had his own mind and rarely ran into trouble.
"I'll do the dishes." After dinner, seeing Hoshikawa still reading, Tsunade, for once, carried the dishes and cutlery to the kitchen to wash them.
Afterward, she returned to the living room. Tsunade walked up, bent slightly at the waist, and looked down at the book in his hands. After a moment, she couldn't help but palm her face. "You honestly think you can learn Lava Release from this?"
From her perspective, it looked impossible. If Lava Release could be learned this way, would it still be considered a Kekkei Genkai?
"I don't know," Hoshikawa subconsciously looked up, seeing the heavy burden before him. He couldn't help but blink.
"You don't know and you're still reading?" Tsunade asked, puzzled.
"I have nothing else to do." Hoshikawa reached out and patted the sofa. "Master, do you want to help me?"
"Fine," Tsunade sat down heavily. "I'm a Jōnin, after all, and I know a thing or two about Nature Transformation."
As Hoshikawa listened to her lecture, inhaling her faint perfume, he immediately felt that his decision had been a stroke of genius.
Two weeks later.
Two Hoshikawa s stood outside Tsunade's house. The left had Earth Release chakra in its hand, and the right had Fire Release chakra. Under their combined control, the two streams of chakra slowly began to merge.
Tsunade, watching from nearby, had a strange look on her face. This is actually happening? It was the first time she had ever seen a Kekkei Genkai synthesized like this.
But halfway through the fusion, the two chakra streams repelled each other and flew in opposite directions.
It failed again, huh? But it was still much better than before.
Just then, the sound of rushing wind filled the air. An ANBU ninja named Haru appeared before the two of them.
"What is it?" Tsunade's eyes narrowed.
"The Third Mizukage has personally led five thousand Kirigakure shinobi and set out for the Land of Rivers," Haru said gravely. "The Hokage-sama instructs you to depart immediately. No need to see him; three thousand shinobi have already been mobilized."
Just as I expected, Tsunade thought. But the Third Mizukage himself? It seemed this was no longer a skirmish, but the true Great War.
"Tell all the shinobi to gather at the Konoha Village gate. We depart in two hours," Tsunade said, nodding.
"Yes." Haru immediately vanished.
"The peaceful days are over again," Hoshikawa dismissed his Shadow Clone. His Kekkei Genkai training method was invented, though it had some logic to it. Considering the difficulty of Lava Release, he figured he could string it along for another month or two before announcing its successful synthesis.
"Go notify Rin and Kurenai," Tsunade said, looking at him. She had actually quite enjoyed the last two weeks of discussing Lava Release with Hoshikawa .
"Understood," Hoshikawa nodded. "I'll go now."
Rin was at the Konoha Hospital; her Mystical Palm Technique was barely proficient. Kurenai Yūhi was at home practicing Water Release jutsu.
After delivering the notifications, Hoshikawa went out for a massive shopping trip. This war was likely to drag on for a long time. Even if the five thousand Kirigakure shinobi just stood there, it would take a long time to kill them all.
Konoha provided three thousand shinobi, and Sunagakure provided two thousand, totaling five thousand. The Sunagakure shinobi arrived first. The Konoha shinobi arrived in the Land of Rivers two days later and met up with them.
Their greeter was none other than Chiyo. The elder and advisor of Sunagakure, one of the most brilliant Puppeteers, also skilled in Medical Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Sealing Jutsu.
"Princess Tsunade," Chiyo stepped forward, speaking with a cool indifference. "This old woman pays her respects."
"Elder Chiyo," Tsunade replied with a faint smile. "Your health is as robust as ever."
Their relationship was naturally strained, as they had engaged in a venom/antivenom battle during the Second Great Shinobi War. Not to mention, Sakumo Hatake had killed Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law.
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