Chapter 3: Those Recognized by Tsunade are Considered One of Their Own
With Tsunade's support, Takumi no longer needed to assist others; he could spend his days peacefully studying in the lounge.
With ample time and Tsunade personally guiding him, Takumi learned the Chakra Scalpel in just two days.
For the following period, Takumi absorbed various related knowledge and mastered different medical ninjutsu like a parched sponge soaking up water.
Tsunade transitioned from initial shock to gradual acceptance, ultimately reaching a point of numbness.
It felt as if he were draining her dry, leaving not a drop behind. Takumi had already plundered her knowledge of medical ninjutsu almost completely.
Two months later, Tsunade personally took Takumi to take the certification exam.
As expected, Takumi passed with flying colors, successfully earning his medical ninja certificate and submitting his application to work at the hospital.
In a quaint little tavern, Tsunade, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and the three-man team gathered once more.
"Tsunade, I heard you took on an apprentice, and he's from the Hyuga clan," Jiraiya exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he forgot about the near-death experience from earlier.
"Oh? Is that so?" Orochimaru paused, raising his drink.
He shot a fierce glare at Jiraiya, making him shudder, and Tsunade was satisfied as she returned her gaze.
"I didn't take on an apprentice; I just noticed that kid has talent. Since I had some spare time, I decided to mentor him a bit, but I underestimated him. Takumi has a remarkable gift for healing."
"Let's not talk about that," Tsunade interjected, shaking her head. "What have you two been up to lately?"
Since the Jonin exams, the three of them had completely withdrawn from their team, each consumed with their own tasks.
Tsunade worked at the Konoha Hospital, Orochimaru was engaged in some bizarre research, and Jiraiya was either on missions or... collecting materials.
"I recently encountered a troublesome task that took a bit of time," Orochimaru replied casually.
"Heh heh, I've been busy..."
Jiraiya rubbed his hands together, but Tsunade interrupted him.
"Enough, you don't need to say any more. You're either peeping on girls bathing or writing your ridiculous stories."
As she spoke, Tsunade put her drink down and warned him by slapping the table.
"If I catch you bringing back those strange books again, I swear I'll beat you to a pulp!"
Can't you teach him something else? Why bring kids into this?
"Cough, cough, it's a misunderstanding! This was all Shino's doing, he brought it back secretly; it's not my fault!" Jiraiya defended himself nervously.
"Ha ha."
Watching the fierce Tsunade and the cowardly Jiraiya, Orochimaru smirked slightly.
These were some of his rare moments of relaxation, and he cherished such days, even if he often just sat quietly, observing.
Drinking and eating, sharing stories about work or tasks.
Soon, the three finished their meals and left in their separate ways.
Tsunade departed, while Jiraiya lingered at the table, holding a bottle of sake and chuckling foolishly. Tsunade seemed to have forgiven him, not angry anymore.
"..."
With a look of disdain at the grinning Jiraiya, Orochimaru quietly stood up and left.
Back at her home, still smelling of alcohol, Tsunade encountered Kushina sitting alone in the yard.
"Tsunade-sama."
Upon seeing her, Kushina quickly rose to greet her.
"Call me sister. Or is saying 'sister' a bit too much for you?" Tsunade teased, ruffling Kushina's red hair with her hand.
"Tsunade-sister!!"
Kushina was taken aback for a moment after her hair was messed up, letting out a sharp squeal, as not many girls liked looking like a bird's nest.
"Don't cry, don't cry, I'm sorry. How about I take you out shopping later?" Tsunade hadn't expected Kushina to be so emotionally fragile that a little teasing would make her cry.
After much effort, Tsunade finally calmed Kushina down, promising to take her shopping.
Seeing the smile on the little girl's face, Tsunade slumped her shoulders. She felt that comforting a child was more tiring than working at the hospital.
"Tsunade-sister, someone delivered a letter for you just now."
Having received Tsunade's promise, Kushina proudly produced a letter.
"A letter? For me?"
Who would write to me?
Tsunade took the envelope with confusion and opened it. After glancing at the contents, her expression turned serious.
Putting the letter away, Tsunade patted Kushina's head.
"Kushina, Tsunade needs to step out for a bit. How about we go shopping another day?"
"Can't I come?" Kushina looked up at her with pleading eyes.
Tsunade felt a headache coming on. She had teased her for no reason, and now she was regretting it.
After a moment of hesitation, Tsunade finally relented.
"Okay... But you have to promise to behave, alright?"
Kushina was a poor child, and Takumi's situation was similar.
If the two of them got together, they might have topics to discuss, and Kushina could make a new friend.
Even though the village strictly prohibited anyone from approaching Kushina, Takumi was recognized by Tsunade, making him effectively one of their own.
With Tsunade around, what was wrong with Kushina interacting with him?
Anyone who disagreed could come to Tsunade to argue.
Thus, Tsunade took Kushina away from the Senju ancestral home and headed toward the Hyuga clan's area. Remembering something along the way, she stopped by a shop and bought plenty of snacks.
Tsunade brought Kushina to the Hyuga compound.
The Anbu ninja assigned to monitor Kushina promptly reported the news to the Third Hokage.
In the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage gazed out the window toward the Hyuga district.
"Is it because of Takumi?"
Takumi had applied to enter the medical department for study, and in just over two months, he had mastered more medical ninjutsu than many established medical ninjas and successfully passed the medical ninja assessment.
On the same day the assessment concluded, various documents were placed on the Third Hokage's desk.
Due to injuries, he had suffered blood degeneration and cold treatment from his family, facing quite a bit of unfair treatment. He had then applied to study in the medical department, inadvertently showcasing his talent.
The rarity of medical ninjas and Takumi's innate abilities caught the attention of the Third Hokage.
The most crucial reason was that Takumi was recognized by Tsunade, who was a disciple of the Hokage, making Takumi effectively half one of their own.
The Third Hokage carefully examined Takumi's documents, then fell silent for a moment. "What a pity."
Takumi's situation was unique, limiting him to being at most half one of their own.
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