Senju Compound
Little Tsunade held a thick book in her arms, reading with tireless focus. The cover bore a detailed diagram of the human body—one of the Senju clan's treasured medical texts.
In present-day Konoha, knowledge was monopolized by the great bloodline clans. Once an ordinary civilian ninja graduated from the Academy, they were given only the "three basics":
Transformation Technique.
Clone Technique.
Substitution Technique.
If a civilian wanted to learn anything more, there were only a few paths available.
Sell yourself to a bloodline clan.
Earn merit on the battlefield and exchange it for techniques.
If you were especially lucky, your jōnin instructor might teach you a move or two—but such cases were exceedingly rare.
Most of Konoha's jōnin now came from ninja clans, all of which had strict rules forbidding the casual spread of clan techniques. Of course, self-created jutsu were an exception.
Knowledge related to medical ninjutsu was especially precious. Only major ninja clans were qualified to possess it.
Uzumaki Mito sat by the doorway, basking in the sunlight. The warmth made her drowsy—people grew fond of sunbathing as they aged. Nearing fifty, she was already considered long-lived in a world where ninja tended to die young.
Seeing Tsunade emerge from her grief so quickly filled Mito with genuine joy.
As expected of my granddaughter.
Though she didn't know why Tsunade had suddenly taken an interest in medical ninjutsu—something she'd shown zero enthusiasm for in the past—Mito didn't dwell on it.
The Senju and Uzumaki clans were both born with immense chakra reserves. Legends said they inherited the Sage of Six Paths' Yang Release, making them naturally suited for medical ninjutsu. As a result, these two clans possessed the most extensive collections of medical texts.
Mito knew this well. When Tsunade was younger, she'd even planned to teach her personally—but Tsunade had shown no interest back then, preferring powerful offensive techniques instead.
Now, her personality had flipped completely.
Seeing Tsunade study medical ninjutsu with such seriousness, Mito didn't bother questioning the reason. As long as her precious granddaughter was happy, that was enough.
If Tsunade truly committed herself, Mito was confident she could raise her into the strongest medical ninja in the shinobi world.
Tsunade stared at the densely packed text on the page. Countless obscure technical terms left her utterly lost, to the point where she wanted to tear the incredibly valuable book in half.
She'd hit a wall.
Mito, still enjoying the sun, had been watching Tsunade's expressions all along.
Seeing Tsunade's frustration nearly boil over, she knew it was time to step in.
"Little Tsunade," Mito said gently, standing up. "Ran into trouble?"
She walked over and glanced at the page—it was discussing Yang Release and human anatomy. For Tsunade's current level of knowledge, it was clearly far beyond the syllabus.
"Grandma," Tsunade said earnestly, "there are so many terms here I've never seen before. And here—why does chakra behave like this…?"
Not understanding and asking questions was a good habit.
Tsunade understood that well. And with Uzumaki Mito—an expert in medical ninjutsu—right in front of her, there was no reason not to ask.
"So-called Yang Release…"
"…"
Mito explained patiently, guiding her step by step. At key moments, she deliberately paused, giving Tsunade a chance to think and grasp the core idea on her own.
The future First Medical Ninja of the shinobi world lived up to expectations.
Her talent in medical ninjutsu was undeniable.
She answered naturally, even drawing inferences and expanding on the concepts herself.
Mito felt deeply gratified.
Her medical ninjutsu finally had a successor.
"I'm going to become the strongest medical ninja in Konoha!"
Having just achieved a breakthrough, Tsunade instantly regained her confidence and began proclaiming her ambitions without restraint.
This made Mito curious.
Tsunade's old dream had been to become Konoha's first female Hokage.
"Little Tsunade," Mito asked softly, "tell Grandma—why did you suddenly become interested in medical ninjutsu?"
Tsunade's smile faltered for a moment. A trace of sadness flashed across her face before she forced a grin.
"Grandma… when I was doing missions at Konoha Hospital, I saw so many wounded ninja sent back from the front. Everyone looked so miserable. Some of them… even died because their injuries were too severe."
"If I were an excellent medical ninja, I could save them."
"And maybe… if I'd been better at medical ninjutsu, and followed Second Grandpa, then when he was injured, I could've treated him. Maybe… maybe he wouldn't have died."
Tsunade's innocent words pierced Mito's heart.
She hadn't been to the battlefield. She didn't understand its cruelty.
An enemy capable of killing Tobirama was not something even the best medical ninja could simply overturn.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Mito quickly changed the subject and continued explaining medical concepts, easing Tsunade away from her sorrow.
Outside the Senju compound gates, Senju Tōma hurried home the moment he returned to Konoha.
The gates—usually wide open—were tightly shut today.
That alone deepened the unease already weighing on his heart.
"Open the gate!"
Tōma knocked firmly. A face peeked out through the crack, and upon recognizing him, the gate was immediately opened.
"The young clan head has returned."
"What's going on?" Tōma frowned. "Why are the gates closed in broad daylight?"
Closed, of course, to avoid the clans probing for information.
The young clan head clearly didn't yet know that Senju Tobirama had fallen. Best to let Lady Mito explain it herself.
"It was Lady Mito's order," the guard replied. "She's waiting for you inside."
That answer brushed Tōma off neatly.
He nodded and hurried toward Uzumaki Mito's residence, soon arriving before her.
"Mother. I'm back."
Hearing his voice, Mito turned and rushed outside.
"My good child," she said softly, examining him. "You're sturdier… and darker."
The once-youthful Tōma had been tempered by the battlefield, growing into a man capable of standing on his own.
"Tsunade's here too?" Tōma smiled. "You haven't been causing trouble lately, have you? You didn't secretly gamble again behind Grandma's back, did you?"
"Of course not!" Tsunade protested, throwing herself into his arms. She hadn't seen her father in a long time either.
"Mother," Tōma asked seriously, "you summoned me back so urgently—did something happen in the village?"
"Come with me," Mito said quietly, sorrow flickering across her eyes as she reached for his arm, leading him toward another room.
"Second Uncle—where's Tobirama?" Tōma asked casually. "I haven't seen him in ages. Is he still at the Hokage's office?"
The question landed like a blade.
Hearing it, Tsunade—already emotionally fragile—completely broke down.
"Second Grandpa… he… he's dead!!"
"Waaah!!!"
Mito shot her son a reproachful look.
She'd wanted to spare Tsunade from reliving her grief—that was why she'd planned to speak elsewhere.
Now?
She'd have to comfort her all over again.
(Rolling on the ground, crying and begging for mercy)
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