Early the next morning,Chao YanQian arrived at Konoha Hospital again, hoping to use his connections there to get some hemostatic bandages, antidotes, and other medical supplies. These resources are extremely valuable on the battlefield and could be lifesaving in critical moments.
"Yo! Chao YanQian, why are you here so early today? Don't you have a mission to get to?"
As soon as he stepped into Konoha Hospital, he heard a familiar voice call out to him. Turning around, he saw it was none other than Tsunade.
"Lady Tsunade, you're up early too!" After more than two years of interacting with Tsunade, Chao YanQian had developed a relatively friendly relationship with her.
"I'm heading out to the Land of Wind soon for a mission. I have a good relationship with the hospital, so I came to grab some hemostatic bandages and antidotes. You never know when they'll come in handy," Chao YanQian explained.
Given Tsunade's status in the village, she was well aware of the rising tensions between Konoha and Sunagakure. After all, her longtime rival, Chiyo of Sunagakure, was still active.
Therefore, Chao YanQian purposefully mentioned that he was heading to the Land of Wind for a mission, hinting that it involved the battlefield. Tsunade's younger brother, Nawaki, and her lover, Dan, had both died during the Second Shinobi War, so he knew this topic would touch a soft spot in her heart, even if Tsunade didn't show it.
Sure enough, Tsunade's expression grew somber at Chao YanQian words, clearly reminded of something painful.
Though exploiting a woman's emotional vulnerabilities like this was despicable, Chao YanQian had no other options. He needed to survive and grow stronger, and for that, he required someone powerful to teach him how to train and impart their experience. Wandering aimlessly on his own could waste years of time, or worse.
If he had been born into a prestigious clan like the Uchiha or the Hyūga, such worries wouldn't exist. But Chao YanQian was just a war orphan. His only path to becoming stronger was learning from skilled ninja.
From Yamamoto Hideyoshi to Uenome, without their guidance,Chao YanQian wouldn't have achieved the strength he possessed today.
"What are you going to the Land of Wind for?" Tsunade asked, frowning.
"It's for a mission," Chao YanQian replied.
"The Land of Wind is dangerous right now. You shouldn't go!" Tsunade looked at him seriously, a hint of anger in her voice.
"That won't do. I'm a chūnin of the village, and I can't avoid my responsibilities." Chao YanQian feigned dissatisfaction and responded with determination, "Besides, if I can contribute this time, maybe the village will promote me to jōnin, bringing me closer to the position of Hokage."
Tsunade fell silent at this, her gaze darkening as she stared at him.
By this time, Tsunade had already lost many loved ones to the pursuit of the title of Hokage, and the thought troubled her deeply. It was this inner conflict that eventually led her to leave Konoha and wander the world with Shizune.
"If you want to die so badly, then go ahead!" Tsunade suddenly snapped, turning on her heel and storming off.
"Sister Tsunade..." Chao YanQian called after her, but simply shook his head as she disappeared from view.
He understood Tsunade's feelings. She had lost her grandfather, the First Hokage, her granduncle, the Second Hokage, her lover, Dan, and her brother, Nawaki — all of them driven by the goal of becoming Hokage. For Tsunade, hearing someone else aim for that title again would undoubtedly stir her emotions.
Yet,Chao YanQian also knew that deep down, Tsunade still cared about the title of Hokage. After all, it had been the lifelong dream of all her closest relatives. No matter how angry she seemed on the surface, she would likely respect anyone chasing the dream of becoming Hokage.
He approached the medical supplies personnel and said, "Sister Miko, I'm about to leave the village for a mission. Is there any chance I could get some hemostatic bandages and medicine?"
"That won't work!" Miko smiled but shook her head. "Every medical expenditure is carefully tracked here at the hospital. I can't just give you supplies, or I'll get in trouble if anyone finds out."
"There are plenty of patients here. Just mark them down for a few of them, and no one will notice," Chao YanQian suggested.
"No, I can't break the rules like that," Miko insisted.
"Oh well, looks like I'll be coming back without an arm or leg then..."Chao YanQian sighed dramatically.
"You're such a joker!" Miko laughed, covering her mouth. "Alright, tell me what you need. Just don't ask for too much, or someone will notice."
"Thanks a lot," Chao YanQian said with a smile.
Hemostatic bandages were available outside, but certain emergency medicines and special-use antidotes were harder to come by. Especially antidotes, given that Sunagakure was known for using poison in battle, and the puppet masters coated their weapons with lethal toxins. When fighting against Suna shinobi, antidotes were a necessity.
"Why do you need so many antidotes?" Miko asked, seeing Chao YanQian take several different types.
"This mission could involve fighting Suna shinobi. Better to be prepared," Chao YanQian explained.
Technically, the ninja handbook forbids disclosing mission details to outsiders, but Chao YanQian had never cared much for such regulations. As long as it benefited him, there was no harm in revealing some information.
Sometimes he felt like he was becoming more despicable, but this was the path he had chosen, and he was determined to see it through.
"Thanks, Miko."
"Take care of yourself out there! I don't want to see you back here missing any limbs!" Miko said cheerfully.
"Got it!"
After collecting his supplies,Chao YanQian left Konoha Hospital and headed toward the forest behind the Hokage Rock to train.
Just as he stepped outside the hospital, he spotted a young girl with short hair standing by the entrance. It was Shizune.
"Shizune, what are you doing here? Why aren't you inside?" Chao YanQian asked.
"Lady Tsunade told me to give this to you!" Shizune replied curtly, handing him a scroll.
"What's this?" Chao YanQian asked curiously.
"Lady Tsunade gave it to you. How would I know what it is? You'll have to see for yourself." Shizune huffed, clearly irritated.
"Alright, thank you. Be sure to thank Lady Tsunade for me," Chao YanQian said with a smile.
At this point, Shizune had lost her family and was fiercely loyal to Tsunade, treating anyone close to Tsunade with suspicion. To her, Chao YanQian was just another nuisance.
"Hmph!" Shizune turned and walked away in a huff.
Chao YanQian chuckled to himself. Who would've guessed that the kind and gentle Shizune from the original story had been such a temperamental child?
"But what's inside this scroll?" Chao YanQian wondered.
He had a feeling that today, he would finally see the results of his two years of hard work.