Chương 44: Chapter 44: Summoning Contract
"Wooosh…"
The fierce wind howled.
A massive sunflower spun continuously in the gusts, driving the helicopter rapidly toward the distant horizon.
"This is truly a convenient jutsu."
Watching the clouds rush by, Tsunade turned her gaze to Kiyoshi, who, at only eight years old, displayed monstrous talent beyond belief.
After a moment of contemplation, she finally spoke to her young student: "Now that I think about it, I haven't given you a proper gift yet, have I?"
"A gift?" Kiyoshi looked surprised, then chuckled.
"Oh, there's no need for that, Tsunade-neechan. Being able to learn medical ninjutsu from you as your student is already more than enough."
He genuinely didn't care much about receiving a gift.
Even if Tsunade were to hand him the crystal necklace imbued with the First Hokage's Wood Style chakra, it wouldn't be of much practical use to him.
After all, he was already a Wood-Wood Fruit user, with the power of nature. If he truly wanted, he could likely create similar chakra crystals using Wood Style.
Of course, if it involved certain other "heavy" pendants, that would be a different story!
"Hm?"
Tsunade, with her eyes closed, bit her finger and quickly formed a series of hand seals.
"Tsunade-sama, are you…?" Shizune, who was nearby, noticed and felt a sense of realization and awe.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Unable to bear the sight of blood due to her hemophobia, Tsunade pressed her hands to the ground, performing the seals with closed eyes.
To the astonishment of both Kiyoshi and Shizune, a vast summoning seal spread across the ground.
"Boom!"
A thick cloud of smoke erupted, revealing a half-human-sized slug with a watery blue hue.
"So, this is the Summoning Jutsu?" Kiyoshi's eyes sparkled with interest. It was amazing to summon a creature from a great distance through such a jutsu.
"Hello, Great Slug… Tsunade-sama, I'll treat you right away."
Shizune, now realizing the situation, greeted the slug respectfully and hurriedly moved to treat Tsunade's hemophobia, carefully wiping away the blood.
As Tsunade's disciple, Shizune knew the name of her master's summoning creature well.
It was known as Katsuyu, part of the Slug Sage's body from the Shikkotsu Forest, a sacred place.
Legends say the true Slug Sage's body was of unimaginable size, so immense that even with all her strength, Tsunade could not summon more than a fraction of it.
"It's been a while, Tsunade-sama, and Shizune."
The slug murmured softly in greeting.
"Katsuyu, this is Ishikawa Kiyoshi, the new disciple I recently accepted. I want him to sign the summoning scroll for the Shikkotsu Forest," Tsunade said directly.
"Your new disciple?" Katsuyu looked at Kiyoshi in mild surprise.
"Yes, Katsuyu-sama, Kiyoshi is a descendant of the Senju clan and has awakened the First Hokage's Wood Release." Shizune added helpfully.
"The First Hokage's Wood Release? How impressive…" Katsuyu said, clearly astonished.
This boy, who looked no older than eight or nine, had awakened the legendary Wood Release of the First Hokage.
"So, Tsunade-neechan, this is your summoning creature?" Kiyoshi sized up Katsuyu.
While he preferred summoning creatures with a more imposing and grandiose appearance, he saw the kindness in his teacher's gesture and didn't reject it.
After all, there were no rules against signing more than one summoning contract.
Being one of the three great summoning creatures, Katsuyu's excellent healing and combat abilities were quite valuable.
Plus, he had always been curious about the unique Sage Mode of Shikkotsu Forest and looked forward to studying it in the future.
His own Sage Mode was self-taught and different from the styles of the three great lands, so there might be a lot he could learn from them.
"Since it's your request, Tsunade-sama, of course, I won't refuse."
With that, Katsuyu's half-human-sized body squirmed, and a damp scroll rolled out of its abdomen, unfolding itself in front of Kiyoshi.
On it were numerous names, the last one boldly displaying Tsunade's.
"Kiyoshi-kun, please write your name here and leave your handprint," Katsuyu instructed.
"Tsunade-neechan, I…"
"Not interested?" Tsunade smiled and asked, "Katsuyu's appearance might not be very imposing, but in terms of healing and combat abilities, it's an exceptional summoning creature."
There was a reason she hadn't mentioned.
The true intent behind this contract was the ancient Sage Arts of Shikkotsu Forest, a place that stood equal to the summoning grounds of Mount Myoboku and Ryuchi Cave.
Even though she hadn't mastered Sage Mode there, she was confident that, one day, Kiyoshi could.
"No, I'll sign… But, please close your eyes first, Tsunade-neechan."
Kiyoshi grinned, promptly bit his finger, and wrote his name in blood, leaving a handprint on the summoning contract.
As soon as he wiped away the blood, the wound disappeared without a trace.
"Please take care of me, Katsuyu-sama." Kiyoshi said politely to his new summoning partner.
Katsuyu smiled, pleased with the politeness of her new summoner. "Nice to meet you, Kiyoshi-kun."
Meanwhile, Tsunade, who had averted her eyes to avoid seeing blood, turned back around at Shizune's prompt.
"Katsuyu, I didn't just summon you to have Kiyoshi sign the contract."
"It's also about that special secret scroll I left with you."
"I understand, Tsunade-sama…" Katsuyu nodded, and with another squirm of her abdomen, she expelled a half-meter-high scroll.
"What's this?" Kiyoshi asked in shock.
Tsunade accepted the scroll, her expression slightly nostalgic and her gaze complicated.
"This is something my grandfather entrusted to me. It contains all of the Wood Release Jutsus he developed in his lifetime.
The version kept in Konoha is just a backup—this is the original, and it's much more complete."
"But sadly, neither I nor any other member of the Senju clan has been able to awaken the Wood Release."
Tsunade's words left Kiyoshi stunned. So the Wood Release Jutsus in the hands of the Third Hokage and Danzo were incomplete.
He had even considered trying to acquire the First Hokage's techniques from Danzo someday.
"Now, I entrust this to you, Kiyoshi." Tsunade solemnly handed the half-meter scroll to Kiyoshi.
"Th-This…" Kiyoshi stared at Tsunade in shock. While he had suspected she might have a scroll related to Wood Release, he hadn't expected she would hand it over so soon.
After all, he had only recently become her student, and Tsunade wasn't known for being impulsive.
Normally, he would have to prove himself for a few years before she would trust him with this.
"Don't ever give up on your dreams, you little pervert…" Tsunade gazed at him with deep affection, gently patting his cheek with a hopeful smile.
"I'll be waiting for the day you return to the village to take your place as a Hokage."
Because if it's you, I know you'll make it.
Tsunade thought, carrying on the dreams of Nawaki, her younger brother.
"Tsunade-sama." Shizune, shocked by her mentor's words, quickly smiled, her eyes full of expectation.
"Kiyoshi-kun, you better do your best."
Kiyoshi "…"
The eager anticipation and trust from Tsunade and Shizune made Kiyoshi realize they might have misunderstood his intentions.
Becoming Hokage? What he originally meant was that he wanted to be "the man behind the Fifth Hokage."
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Chương 45: Chapter 45: Speedy Arrival
"So fast…"
"In less than half a day, we've already reached the capital of the Land of Fire."
Half a day later.
Outside the capital of the Land of Fire.
In a hidden forest.
A massive, almost undetectable sunflower spun quietly.
A small, makeshift helicopter built by Kiyoshi descended gently, landing in an open area.
Two figures hopped onto a large tree, gazing at the bustling city ahead. Tsunade and Shizune couldn't help but feel a mix of wonder and nostalgia.
This trip should have taken at least three days.
Yet, somehow, they had arrived so quickly.
"This thing is convenient, but our journey isn't just about healing people. It's also about training and self-reflection."
After a moment's thought, Tsunade looked at Kiyoshi and said, "Let's not use it so lightly from now on."
"You're right, Tsunade-neechan. I understand…" Kiyoshi nodded in agreement.
They were mainly on a journey.
If they weren't in a rush, there truly wasn't a need.
With Wood Release, Kiyoshi could build a house anytime, anywhere, so they wouldn't be camping out in the wild.
That was enough.
Their journey, strictly speaking, had no specific destination.
Healing people and earning some income was just part of the adventure.
With Tsunade leading the way, they didn't need to worry about where to go or rush. They had all the time in the world.
The dull and tiring parts of the journey were, in their own way, a part of their training.
Along the way, Kiyoshi could take time to practice and benefit from Tsunade's guidance and teaching.
"As long as you understand."
Tsunade nodded with satisfaction.
She had to admit, her student was quite sharp and quick to understand, needing little oversight.
"For now, we'll plan to stay in the capital for a few days. Let's first find an inn…"
Tsunade decided with a smile. "Then Shizune, you take Kiyoshi for a tour around the city."
"We'll start healing patients tomorrow."
"Wait, Tsunade-neechan, what about you?" Kiyoshi raised his hand, eyeing her suspiciously. "Don't tell me… you're heading to the casino again?"
"Stay out of adults' business, kid."
Even Tsunade blushed a bit as Kiyoshi exposed her thoughts.
With a huff, she flicked his forehead lightly.
"Fine, fine, I won't ask…" Kiyoshi muttered, rubbing his forehead with a shrug. "Anyway, I need to study that ninjutsu scroll you gave me."
If he hadn't restrained his powers, not even Tsunade's superhuman strength could make him blink, let alone flick his forehead.
But he had to admit, Tsunade's luck was hard to praise.
During his time in Konoha, he had curiously followed her to a few casinos.
Only then did he realize how extreme her bad luck was.
As they say, nine out of ten bets are losses. For most people, even if they're unlucky, they'll win a game or two out of ten tries.
But not her—she was a true "ten out of ten" kind of person.
Slots, dice, cards—he hadn't seen her win a single time.
Her luck was legendary in the shinobi world.
He couldn't even muster the energy to joke about it.
No wonder she was known as "The Legendary Sucker ."
No wonder the casino owners would light up with excitement the moment she walked in.
It wasn't because of her beauty or presence.
It was because she was there to hand them money.
"But Tsunade-sama, we're almost out of cash."
With a grimace, Shizune pulled out a nearly empty wallet and checked it. "After the down payment for two rooms and meals for the three of us, we'll basically have nothing left."
Although they earned well by treating the wealthy nobles, it wasn't appropriate to demand payment before even diagnosing a patient.
"Then we'll cut back—just one room will be fine. Kiyoshi can sleep with us." Tsunade tapped Shizune's head and spoke firmly.
He's just a kid; nothing to be embarrassed about.
"Even so, we still don't have enough for you to gamble, Tsunade-sama." Shizune held her head, looking hurt.
"Oink! Oink." Tonton, Shizune's pig, snorted and shook its head.
"I still have some money," Kiyoshi said, reaching for his wallet.
"A kid like you shouldn't be carrying so much cash. Let me take care of it for you."
Tsunade's eyes sparkled.
Before Kiyoshi could react, she swiftly snatched his wallet from him.
In his bewildered gaze, she pulled out a few bills, handed them back as "pocket money," and smiled.
"Settled then."
With a straight face, Tsunade held her ground.
As his teacher, wasn't it only right that she, the adult, managed his money temporarily?
She'd pay him back anyway.
Once she racked up some winnings, she'd return it all.
"Alright then, you can hold onto it," Kiyoshi sighed, shaking his head.
'I should just consider it as my tuition fees,' Kiyoshi thought sadly.
It's true—women couldn't sit idle; they needed something to do.
Maybe the Fifth Hokage could take over a bit earlier?
Or perhaps it's time for her to settle down and focus on family?
Although he wasn't short of money, he wasn't about to let her keep wasting it gambling.
Trying to pull one over on him? Not going to happen.
At most, he'd ensure everyone ate well and stayed comfortable.
As Tsunade let out a few sneezes, Kiyoshi's fleeting thoughts went unnoticed.
She rubbed her nose and muttered, "Strange, I don't feel sick…"
Before long.
The three of them entered the capital city.
The bustling streets were packed with people and traffic, lively and busy.
Various shops and stalls lined the roads, dazzling in their variety.
It truly lived up to the name of the Land of Fire's capital.
In terms of size and vibrancy, it far surpassed Konoha.
Although Konoha was the most renowned of the five great shinobi villages, receiving countless mission requests daily,
Just living off mission fees and village taxes alone wasn't enough to support the thousands of shinobi there.
Even in times of peace.
The village's budget required financial support from the Land of Fire's Daimyo.
This was also one way the Daimyo held sway over the shinobi villages.
For instance, after the Sand Village lost the Third Shinobi World War, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind started reducing the Sand Village's funding.
This forced the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, to spend much of his time extracting and selling gold dust from the desert to keep his village afloat.
"Boss, we'll take two rooms—"
"Wait…"
Inside an inn.
Before Kiyoshi could finish speaking,
Shizune quickly interrupted, "One room will be enough, thank you."
Tsunade crossed her arms, standing nearby without objection.
She understood her treasurer Shizune's concerns.
Saving where they could was best.
After all, Kiyoshi was still just a kid.
No need for modesty.
"…" Kiyoshi.
This was their own arrangement, after all.
---------------
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