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"Have people from Konoha been looking for you recently, Mina?"
After dinner, Yoichi started the conversation; Mina had been quiet throughout the meal, and now wasn't the time to bring up the topic of white stockings.
"People from Konoha? I don't think so, although two people did ask me if I wanted to join Konoha, but I refused."
Mina shook her head. She was learning medical ninjutsu quite fast and had already performed five surgeries, leading to a medical ninja from Konoha Hospital asking her if she wanted to become a medical ninja.
Currently, Mina was just studying under Kanamoto, who agreed to teach Mina as a favor. Thus, Mina wasn't officially affiliated with Konoha Hospital.
Even Tsunade couldn't convince Mina, let alone anyone else.
"However, Doctor Kanamoto seemed troubled. She said she could only teach me for another half a month, but she would try her best."
Hearing this, Yoichi immediately suspected someone was pressuring Kanamoto. The village's medical matters were overseen by an Elder, but whether she was involved or not was uncertain.
"Mina, is half a month enough for you?"
"It should be. I think the hardest part of medical ninjutsu is chakra control. As long as you can control chakra down to every cell, you can use any medical ninjutsu. Tsunade-sama said the same, but I can't do it yet."
After pondering for a bit, Mina continued, "Tsunade-sama said I could ask her if I had any questions, but I haven't gone to see her yet. What Doctor Kanamoto is teaching me is enough for me to handle for now."
"That's good, then. Keep up your practice, and if you need anything, you can always come to me."
Half a month clearly wouldn't be enough, but judging by Mina's tone, she didn't want to trouble him. He decided to consult Elder Kenji later, as the elder's connections were undoubtedly stronger than his.
After speaking, Yoichi stood up to return to his room but added before leaving, "Oh, I brought you a gift. It's on the table by the entrance."
The gift wasn't anything expensive; he had it bought on his way back to the pharmaceutical factory, something for tying her hair, though Yoichi didn't look at it closely.
Mina, however, was delighted upon hearing about the gift. She waited until Yoichi had returned to his room before she excitedly ran to the entrance. Seeing the gift box, she picked it up and chuckled gleefully.
At the Senju compound.
Returning home, Tsunade was surprised to see the lights on. After a moment, she realized who was most likely to visit her home and use it in her absence.
Apart from Kushina, who had lived there as a child, no one else would come to her house and turn on the lights without her being there.
Upon entering, Tsunade was greeted by the familiar figure of Kushina, who bounded to the door with a ladle in hand, exclaiming, "Tsunade-nee, you're back!"
The aroma of food filled Tsunade's nostrils, prompting her to comment, "It's rare for you, Kushina, to cook dinner for me. What do you need from me?"
"Tsuna-nee likes it, so I'll come and cook for you more often."
"Even if you say that, I'll have to think it over when you ask me for a favor."
After saying this, Tsunade took off her shoes and, without bothering to put on slippers, walked barefoot across the floor to the dining table.
Seeing the steaming dishes, Tsunade felt hungry; she had been ready to settle for a simple bowl of ramen if Kushina hadn't cooked.
After serving herself, Tsunade began to eat heartily. After a busy afternoon, she was quite hungry, and the food tasted exceptionally delicious.
"Tsunade-nee, I heard there's another Uzumaki in the village, studying medical ninjutsu at the hospital?"
As Tsunade ate, Kushina, resting her chin on her hands, suddenly asked.
Tsunade paused, then replied, "Yes, that's true. Her chakra is very special, different from yours, with a natural aptitude for medical ninjutsu. I've seen her file; she's now known as Uchiha Mina."
"Uchiha? She got married?"
Kushina was taken aback, then recalling the name 'Mina,' which sounded familiar, she eventually realized, "Ah, it's Mina! I remember now, we studied sealing techniques together under the elders as kids, then lost contact."
Kushina's expression turned wistful. She had arrived in Konoha not long before news of the Uzumaki Clan's destruction reached her, and since then, there had been no news of Uzumaki survivors.
After finishing her meal, Tsunade explained, "She didn't get married, but Yoichi saved her, and out of gratitude, she joined the Uchiha clan. So, she's known as Uchiha Mina. But to deal with Konoha formalities, that kid still often calls her 'Uzumaki.'"
"Kushina, did someone ask you to persuade Mina to join Konoha?"
Kushina nodded, "Minato mentioned it, but is joining Konoha so bad?"
"Don't worry about it. She lives in the Uchiha compound now, so she's technically a part of Konoha. Plus, given your current situation, it'd be hard to meet her. Focus on your training."
Tsunade advised, hinting that Mina's resistance to Konoha made persuasion unlikely, even with Tsunade's status as a Sannin.
Kushina's sudden interest likely stemmed from someone suggesting she could appeal to Mina based on their shared Uzumaki heritage, given Mina's ideal medical ninjutsu aptitude. However, Tsunade preferred to stay out of it, recalling how a previous comment led to a confrontation with the Uchiha clan, making her consider leaving Konoha to avoid such entanglements.
"Tsuna-nee, can't I see Mina?"
Kushina asked, disappointed not at the inability to persuade Mina but at not being able to meet an old acquaintance.
"She's either in the Uchiha compound or the hospital, places you can't just visit."
Tsunade glanced at Kushina, quickly adding, "I won't go to the Hokage for this. He'd surely have demands, and it's impossible to agree."
Given the jinchuriki's dedicated medical ninja and the Uchiha compound being off-limits, plus Kushina's inability to fully control her tailed beast's power, roaming freely was out of the question.
Kushina, feeling defeated, lamented the irony of finding an old friend in the village yet being unable to meet.
"An old friend from childhood might not be a friend now, Kushina. You're better off focusing on your training," Tsunade advised, thinking about Mina's apparent reluctance. "You should really concentrate on your own training."
With a sigh, Kushina showed her disappointment, resting her head on the table, her eyes wandering as if lost in thought.
(End of Chapter)