"Alright, that's it for this lesson. When you go back, try to practice the Delicate Illness Extraction Jutsu's body structure sensing technique with the bone-setting techniques I mentioned.
Although this isn't part of the course content, based on my experience on the battlefield and during missions, it's a very effective combination. Class dismissed."
In a large conference room at Konoha Hospital, which had been converted into a lecture hall, Tatsuma nodded slightly at the medical ninja training class students on the podium, signaling that they could leave.
Unlike the pilot training that Nono conducted at that time, which involved newly graduated Genin who had not yet been assigned after the war and were newly recruited by Tsunade from the village, this session—also the first official training session—had a much more complex composition. It included Genin who had just graduated, some Ninja who were left without a team after their original squads were disbanded, and some veteran Ninja preparing to retire from frontline duty who wanted to enter special task forces or Konoha Hospital after completing the training.
However, due to Tsunade's reputation, after a few months of training, the class maintained a strong sense of discipline and enthusiasm for learning, so Tatsuma taking over temporarily didn't cause any disturbances.
As Tatsuma organized his teaching materials, a few "students" came forward to ask questions. If the questions were related to today's lesson or previous content taught by Tsunade, Tatsuma answered them. As for questions about courses that hadn't been covered yet, Tatsuma politely refused, telling them to wait for future lessons and to pay close attention when the time comes.
After-class consultations didn't last long, as the course content and pace had been adjusted and refined after the previous pilot session, so most people could keep up.
Twenty minutes later, the classroom was nearly empty, but someone came in against the flow—Nono, who had just finished her shift. She hurried in, relieved to see Tatsuma still there. She quickly approached him, a bit embarrassed, and asked, "Tatsuma, do you have some time?"
Tatsuma instinctively glanced at the clock in the classroom. He wanted to say he didn't, since if he left now and returned to the Senju Clan's territory, he would arrive just in time for dinner. But he also noticed that Nono seemed to have something important to discuss, so after thinking for a moment, he asked, "What's the matter?"
Nono glanced at the few people still discussing in the classroom and said, "Tatsuma, could we talk somewhere else?"
"No need."
Tatsuma waved his hand and then looked at those few people, saying, "Hurry up and head out!"
"Yes, sir!"
Although Tatsuma was young, his serious expression easily made others adopt a more deferential attitude. Coupled with the authority he gained from teaching all day, this sensei's aura quickly scared the remaining few people into leaving.
After they left, Tatsuma turned to look at Nono. His response had surprised her, and she hesitated for a moment before gathering her thoughts. When she finally looked at Tatsuma, there was a hint of timidity in her eyes, but she still asked, "Tatsuma, you're part of the ANBU, right?"
Nono had always sensed that Tatsuma was extremely busy, with activities that others couldn't know about. Previously, she had been unaware of the existence of ANBU. But a few months ago, after Tatsuma was seriously injured and Tsunade took him to Shikkotsu Forest for several days, Nono and Taji filled in for his classes. After Tsunade returned, she had a brief conversation with them, casually mentioning the existence of ANBU.
Upon learning more about ANBU, Nono finally understood why Tatsuma was always so busy and grew even more respectful of him. However, it seemed that her efforts to gather information about ANBU had attracted some unwanted attention, which led to...
Tatsuma didn't fully understand, but seeing how directly Nono asked the question, he responded with a question of his own: "Why are you asking this?"
ANBU members aren't allowed to disclose their identity as ANBU to non-members, but if someone figures it out, they just have to avoid confirming it outright.
Nono wasn't foolish and quickly realized that Tatsuma's response was an acknowledgment. She explained, "I didn't intend to pry, but recently... it seems that someone from ANBU has been contacting me. They said they're from Root within ANBU and wanted to invite me for an assessment. I'm not entirely sure about it, so I came to ask you."
Root is indeed part of ANBU. ANBU consists of four teams, each with 17 members, and Root is one of them. When Sakumo Hatake was temporarily in charge, Root operated according to ANBU's principles. However, Tatsuma had learned that recently, Sakumo Hatake relinquished his oversight of Root, and the village handed it back to Danzo.
Tatsuma didn't expect Danzo to start recruiting new members so soon after regaining control. Pressing his lips together, Tatsuma asked, "What are you unsure about? Are you uncertain if Root is part of ANBU, or are you unsure if you should join?"
"Both, but mainly the latter."
Nono explained, "I'm not a Ninja skilled in combat, so I'm unsure if joining would allow me to help others more, or if I would be more effective as a doctor, helping more people that way."
When it comes to career choices like this, Tatsuma had seen many in his previous life. Whether to deepen one's expertise in a field or to switch to a new path entirely—different people have different needs, thoughts, and thus different choices. Normally, Tatsuma wouldn't want to involve himself in someone else's decision-making process, but in Nono's case, he thought for a moment and said, "You probably know that within the Medical Ninja Training System, until it becomes self-sustaining, my sensei will remain at Konoha Hospital. And you're one of the medical Ninja she holds in high regard. She should have mentioned more than once that if you ever encounter a difficult problem, you can consult her. However, I've heard that you've never actually sought her advice."
Nono was taken aback. Tsunade had indeed told her this before, but she had always thought Tsunade was just being polite and didn't dare to actually disturb her. But hearing Tatsuma say this now, it seemed she had misunderstood all along.
Nono, realizing the deeper meaning behind Tatsuma's words, felt a sense of longing and excitement appear on her face. Tatsuma guessed that she understood and continued, "I've always denied being a medical ninja—not out of modesty, but because I've never truly considered dedicating my life's goals and energy to it. That's why I can't be my sensei's successor in the medical field.
When she planned and implemented the Medical Ninja Training System, aside from raising the overall medical level of Konoha's ninjas, she also had a personal motive to find a successor. If you're interested, you should talk to her more."
Hearing Tatsuma speak so directly, Nono nodded firmly and said, "I understand now. I know what choice to make. Thank you, Tatsuma."
Tatsuma also nodded and added, "If someone opposes your decision, don't hesitate to tell them that this is my advice to you."
If Root had indeed taken an interest in Nono, it wouldn't be easy for her to get out of it, given her lack of a strong background—or rather, no background at all.
Her own wishes might not be respected, but Tatsuma was different. At least within the village, he had already gained some influence. While he might not have much say in major matters, he could easily solve the kind of problems Nono might face.
Nono didn't fully understand, but she accepted Tatsuma's kindness and asked, "Tatsuma, can I treat you to a meal? After all, you helped me a lot today."
Tatsuma instinctively wanted to decline, as he rarely engaged in such social interactions. Even with Minato, he preferred splitting the bill, and any invitations to or from others were usually driven by practical reasons. He didn't agree with the notion that treating someone to a meal was necessary to demonstrate friendship. In his view, treating and being treated only reflected one's status and position.
Moreover, Tatsuma saw Nono as just a child, and in his mind, children didn't have the financial means. It took him a moment to remember that Nono was now a doctor highly regarded by Biwako. Her salary was much higher than that of most Genin—significantly higher, in fact. Without considering any wealth from her family background, Nono could be considered quite wealthy among her peers.
Seeing the anticipation and nervousness in Nono's eyes, Tatsuma thought for a moment and decided to agree, considering that he had indeed helped her a lot.
"Okay."
Hearing this, Nono immediately smiled, her eyes narrowing slightly without her realizing it—a habit she might have picked up four years ago after Tatsuma mentioned it to her once.
"Where would you like to eat? I heard Yakiniku Q is pretty good."
After she asked, Tatsuma shook his head. The cost at Yakiniku Q was still too high, even for him, and he didn't enjoy going there. He said, "No need. Eating food high in fat, oil, and salt at night isn't great for your health. Let's just stick to what you usually eat, or we could go for ramen."
"Yeah, I know a ramen shop that tastes pretty good. Taji and I went there last time."
Nono didn't really understand; she only knew that Yakiniku Q was expensive, but she wasn't aware of exactly how expensive it was. Since she had never been there, she couldn't grasp Tatsuma's reasoning.
She simply assumed that Tatsuma really avoided eating those kinds of foods at night, silently noting his preferences.
...
"Boss, two bowls of salt ramen, one with extra chashu, the other with extra vegetables."
When Tatsuma was led by Nono to a ramen shop, even before they entered, Tatsuma heard a familiar voice. By the time Tatsuma realized it, Nono had already walked into the shop.
Before Tatsuma could react, he saw Minato and Kushina inside the ramen shop, both turning their heads toward the entrance as they heard the door open.
"Tatsuma?!"
"Tatsuma, you and...?!"
Tatsuma and Nono arriving together was actually quite normal—after all, who doesn't go out for food with someone? Even if it's a boy and a girl, at their age, it's perfectly normal.
But when one of them is Tatsuma, and the people witnessing this scene are those who know him very well, it suddenly becomes a big deal.
Nono, unaware of the significance, simply waved at the two and said, "Namikaze-kun, are you Kushina Uzumaki?"
Kushina nodded, closing her wide-open mouth, then lifted Minato's dropped jaw before asking in surprise, "You and Tatsuma came here for ramen? Just the two of you?"
Kushina didn't know Nono, but that was okay; she knew Tatsuma. The fact that Tatsuma was out having a meal alone with a girl his age was surprising, and Kushina could already imagine how Tsunade would react to this news. Too bad Granny isn't around; she would have been even more precise.
"Mm."
Nono nodded, not finding anything unusual, while Tatsuma maintained a serious expression, resembling a stern teacher, and said, "You two—why aren't you staying home and having a meal? Instead, you're out on a date?"
His tone wasn't harsh, but Kushina and Minato both felt an involuntary sense of guilt and looked down. However, the next moment, Kushina realized and looked up at Tatsuma angrily, saying, "You hypocritical guy, aren't you the same?!"
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