Chapter 4: The Medicinal Bath
Konohagakure.
A secluded hot spring tucked away from the busy streets.
Few people visited this place. And those who did were either wealthy merchants or members of influential clans.
Ruo Feng walked in at an unhurried pace. The hot spring's manager bowed respectfully.
"Young Master… today's medicinal bath has been prepared. And this time, the effect will be different."
Ruo Feng glanced at him.
"Different how?"
He had been taking medicinal baths daily. At first, the results were astonishing. But as time passed, the effects seemed to level out.
It wasn't that the formula had weakened.
After all, his medicinal recipe came from Jiraiya, who had obtained it from Mount Myoboku.
And what kind of place was Mount Myōboku?
A sacred land tied to the legacy of the Sage of Six Paths himself. Some legends even claimed that the Sage had once trained there.
Mount Myōboku's inheritance was unique in the entire shinobi world.
Jiraiya had signed a summoning contract with the toads of Mount Myōboku, gaining access to their resources. Those resources rivaled — perhaps even surpassed — what most great clans possessed.
Naturally, a medicinal formula originating from there would not lose to any clan's secret bath recipe.
The first time Ruo Feng used it, he clearly felt his young, fragile body strengthening.
As the sessions increased, the sensation became less explosive — but it never disappeared. Instead, it accumulated.
At only five years old, his physical condition already rivaled that of a professional athlete from his previous life.
The manager continued:
"Young Master… Lord Jiraiya is also here today. When he heard you were taking your medicinal bath, he used the Summoning Technique to retrieve some toad oil."
"Oh?"
A faint smile appeared on Ruo Feng's lips as he stepped inside.
He naturally knew what toad oil was.
It was an auxiliary substance used at Mount Myōboku to cultivate natural energy. In fact, the most crucial ingredient in his medicinal formula was precisely that toad oil.
Unfortunately, Jiraiya couldn't personally guide his training at all times. Aside from the very first bath — when toad oil had been included — Ruo Feng had never again experienced its true effect.
The difference between a bath with toad oil and one without…
Was like heaven and earth.
He hadn't expected to be this lucky today.
With a light chuckle, he walked toward his private hot spring.
He pushed open the small wooden door. Steam billowed outward, carrying a thick medicinal fragrance.
The maid behind him took his clothes, and Ruo Feng slowly stepped into the water.
Hot springs naturally promoted blood circulation and dissolved internal bruising. Many shinobi came to soak after missions — it reduced hidden injuries and calmed the mind. Minor wounds could even recover completely in these waters.
That was why hot springs were so popular in Konoha.
This particular spring belonged to Ruo Feng's grandfather. Due to the unique mineral composition of its source, its therapeutic effect was several times stronger than ordinary springs.
That was also why few came here.
Ordinary shinobi simply couldn't afford it.
Those who visited were either wealthy or well-connected.
Ruo Feng chose this location specifically for its superior water quality. Otherwise, he could have simply prepared the medicinal bath at home.
He settled into the water and slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.
A faint warmth seeped into his body. His flesh and blood felt as though they were being refined and reshaped.
"As expected of Mount Myōboku's formula," he murmured. "With toad oil added, the effect increases nearly tenfold. I can even faintly sense traces of natural energy being drawn in…"
There was admiration in his tone — and a trace of regret.
Toad oil could be preserved at Mount Myōboku. But once brought into the outside world, it gradually vaporized.
Just as he felt his body strengthening—
The ground suddenly shook.
Ruo Feng narrowed his eyes.
"What's going on?"
Though his voice was youthful, a hint of displeasure colored it.
The maid looked puzzled.
"Young Master… it seems someone is causing trouble outside."
"Causing trouble? Here?"
Anyone who came here was influential. Who would dare offend them?
Before he could think further—
A furious roar echoed from outside.
"Jiraiya! Go to hell!"
BOOM!
The sheer pressure behind the shout made Ruo Feng's vision momentarily blur.
Moments later, the maid rushed back in, pale.
"Young Master! Lord Jiraiya and Lady Tsunade are fighting outside!"
"What?!"
Ruo Feng's expression turned complicated.
Jiraiya and Tsunade?
Why here?
Unless—
Was Jiraiya peeping again?
Given Jiraiya's personality, that was entirely possible. He even had a special access pass to the springs. And nine times out of ten, whenever he came, it was to spy on women.
Had he accidentally peeked at Tsunade this time?
Another explosion thundered.
The wooden wall in front of Ruo Feng shattered into splinters.
Through the debris, a stunning figure appeared.
It was Tsunade.
She looked young — fifteen or sixteen at most — newly promoted to jōnin.
A bath towel wrapped around her body, but her right fist glowed with terrifying force.
In the distance, Jiraiya lay battered beyond recognition.
"Jiraiya! I'll kill you!"
She roared and threw a punch.
The air distorted.
This was Ruo Feng's first time witnessing the power of a true jōnin up close.
Even newly promoted, their strength was on a completely different level.
Jiraiya was blasted away instantly.
He smashed through the roof—
And disappeared into the sky like a shooting star.
Tsunade exhaled sharply, fury still burning in her eyes.
"Idiot… how dare you peek. Next time I really will kill you!"
Ruo Feng gave a bitter smile.
"So this is a jōnin… so this is Tsunade. Terrifying."
At that moment, Tsunade turned.
Her sharp gaze landed on him.
The anger in her eyes gradually softened when she saw a five-year-old boy staring blankly at her.
Then—
A sudden gust swept through the broken roof, stirring the steam.
The towel slipped.
And for a brief, shocking instant—
Her perfect figure was fully revealed.
Ruo Feng froze.
"…Is this some kind of bonus scene?"
His soul howled internally. The sudden breeze had been far too impactful.
Tsunade glanced at him, then at herself.
With a casual leap, she landed directly in his medicinal pool.
"Oh?" she said lazily. "Just a little brat."