Chapter 26: Tsunade's Vow to Become a Medical Ninja
Senju Clan Compound
Little Tsunade held a thick book, diligently reading it. The book's cover displayed a diagram of human anatomy, a medical text treasured by the Senju clan.
In present-day Konoha, bloodline-rich clans monopolized knowledge. Ordinary civilian ninjas, upon graduating from the Ninja Academy, only had the basic ninja trio.
Transformation Technique, Clone Technique, Substitution Technique.
For civilians wanting to learn other ninjutsu, there were only a few avenues.
Selling oneself to a bloodline clan, exchanging merit earned on the battlefield for ninjutsu.
If lucky, one's jōnin instructor might teach a technique or two, though this was rare.
Konoha's jōnin were almost all from ninja clans, each with its own rules forbidding the casual transmission of clan ninjutsu. Self-created ninjutsu, however, was unrestricted.
Knowledge of medical ninjutsu was naturally invaluable, accessible only to major ninja clans.
Mito Uzumaki sat on the room's threshold, basking in the sun. The warmth felt good; old people liked to sunbathe. She was nearing fifty, a ripe old age in a world where ninjas tended to have short lifespans.
Seeing Tsunade emerge from her grief so quickly, Mito was genuinely pleased. She was her granddaughter, after all.
Though she wondered why Tsunade had suddenly taken an interest in medical ninjutsu, having previously shown none.
The Senju and Uzumaki clans, with their naturally vast chakra reserves, were said to have inherited the Sage of Six Paths' Yang Release, making them inherently suited to medical ninjutsu. They possessed the most medical texts.
Mito, well-versed in this, had tried to teach Tsunade when she was younger, but Tsunade preferred powerful offensive ninjutsu.
Now, she had changed her tune, unexpectedly studying medical knowledge. Mito didn't care about the reason; she just wanted her precious granddaughter to be happy.
If Tsunade studied diligently, Mito was confident she could mold her into the ninja world's most powerful medical ninja.
Tsunade stared at the dense text, struggling with obscure jargon, making her want to tear the precious book apart.
Clearly, she was having trouble.
Mito, basking in the sun while observing Tsunade, noticed her growing frustration.
Seeing Tsunade's face redden, she decided to intervene.
"Little Tsunade, having some trouble?"
Mito stood and walked to Tsunade, glancing at the page. It discussed Yang Release and human anatomy, advanced material for Tsunade's current knowledge.
"Grandma, there are so many terms I've never seen, and why does the chakra here..."
Asking questions was a good habit.
Tsunade knew Mito excelled in medical ninjutsu. With an expert nearby, she naturally sought answers.
"Yang Release is..."
"..."
Mito patiently taught Tsunade, guiding her and pausing at key points to see if she could grasp the concept.
Future Tsunade was the ninja world's top medical ninja, her talent undeniable. She didn't disappoint Mito, answering correctly and even drawing inferences.
Mito was delighted; her medical ninjutsu would be carried on.
"I'll become Konoha's strongest medical ninja!"
Having understood, Tsunade regained her confidence, making grand pronouncements, piquing Mito's curiosity. Tsunade's original goal was to become Konoha's first female Hokage.
"Little Tsunade, tell Grandma, why the sudden interest in medical ninjutsu?"
Tsunade's smile faltered, a hint of sadness flashing, but she smiled again.
"Grandma, when I worked at Konoha Hospital, I saw many wounded veterans. They were all in pain, and some died from their injuries."
"If I were a good medical ninja, I could save them."
"Maybe if I were better at medical ninjutsu, I could have healed Second Grandpa when he was hurt, and he wouldn't have died."
Tsunade's innocent words pained Mito. Tsunade, never having been on the battlefield, didn't understand its cruelty. An opponent who could kill Tobirama couldn't be defeated by a medical ninja.
Tsunade's words made the atmosphere somber. Mito quickly changed the subject, continuing to explain medical knowledge.
Outside the Senju compound's gate, Toka Senju, upon returning to Konoha, hurried home to see Mito.
The usually open gate was now closed, adding to Toka's unease.
"Open the gate!"
Toka knocked on the gate, and a head peeked out. Recognizing Toka, the gate was immediately opened.
"Young Clan Head is back."
"What's going on? Why is the gate closed in broad daylight?"
The gate was closed to avoid families seeking information.
The Young Clan Head probably didn't know Clan Head Tobirama Senju had died. It was best for Mito to tell him.
The Senju guard said, "It's Lady Mito's order. She's waiting for you inside."
Toka nodded and hurried to Mito's room, finding her quickly.
"Mother, I'm back."
Hearing his voice, Mito looked up and went outside.
"Good boy, you've grown stronger and darker..."
Mito examined Toka. The once-youthful Toka had matured into a capable man after the battlefield's trials.
"Tsunade's here too. Has she been misbehaving? Not gambling behind Grandma's back, I hope."
"No, I haven't!"
Tsunade hugged Toka; she hadn't seen her father in a long time.
"Mother, why did you call me back so urgently? What happened in the village?"
"Come with me."
Mito's face turned sad, intending to take Toka to another room.
"Second Uncle, where's Tobirama? I haven't seen him in a while. Is he in the Hokage's office?"
Toka asked casually, and Tsunade, overhearing, broke down in tears.
"Second Grandpa, he... he's dead!!"
"Waaah!!!"
Mito looked at her son with reproach. She had wanted to avoid upsetting Tsunade by changing rooms.
Now she had to console her again.
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