Time flew by, and more than a month of the new academy term had already passed.
After school, Shūichi and Shizune had just left the academy when he spotted a familiar figure. Filled with joy, he quickly ran over.
"Director!"
Shūichi hugged Yakushi Nono.
The bespectacled Yakushi Nono gently patted Shūichi's smooth black hair, smiling. "Shūichi, you've grown quite a bit."
Shūichi's height had already surpassed her waist.
Releasing her from the hug, Shūichi grinned, "Well, it has been a few months!"
At this moment, Shizune and the others approached. Shūichi quickly introduced them to each other and then sent Shizune and the others ahead to the training ground, while he took a walk with Yakushi Nono.
Without asking about Yakushi Nono's mission, Shūichi took the initiative to recount his earlier encounter with Danzo, including how Tsunade had stepped in to help.
"I see..."
Yakushi Nono stopped in her tracks, looking at Shūichi with a complex expression. "Shūichi, you've grown up."
Shūichi smiled. "Of course. Now I can protect the orphanage and each other, alongside you, Director."
"So, Director, since you're working at Konoha Hospital, does that mean I can come to help out and learn more about medical justu at the same time?"
Yakushi Nono laughed, "Of course you can."
She wasn't the type to be overly strict.
She then asked, "Should we pay a visit to Lady Tsunade to express our gratitude?"
Shūichi thought for a moment and nodded. "Yes, we should visit and thank her properly."
He figured it wouldn't be a bad idea for Yakushi Nono to build a connection with Tsunade. After all, Yakushi Nono was still in her early twenties and had a lot of potential for growth.
Since they couldn't take down Danzo at the moment, the best strategy was to strengthen their position so that Danzo wouldn't dare to act rashly.
Yakushi Nono said, "We should prepare in advance to make sure we don't show any disrespect."
Shūichi agreed. "Let me check with her, and then we can decide on a time for the visit."
Yakushi Nono nodded and patted Shūichi on the shoulder. "Go join your classmates."
After parting with Yakushi Nono, Shūichi rejoined Shizune and the others.
Once they finished their afternoon training, Shūichi asked Shizune to pass on the message about their upcoming visit to thank Tsunade.
Shizune replied, "Shūichi, isn't this a bit too much trouble? You don't need to be so formal."
Shūichi shook his head. "For Lady Tsunade, it might have just been a small favor, but for me, the Director, and the orphanage, it was incredibly important."
Understanding this, Shizune nodded. "I see. I'll make sure to tell Lady Tsunade."
That evening, Shūichi set aside an hour to prepare a gift for Tsunade.
The next day, when he arrived at school, Shizune brought the news.
The visit was scheduled for that very evening.
So, after finishing his training that evening, Shūichi freshened up and, along with Yakushi Nono—who had prepared some homemade snacks—set out for Tsunade's house.
But before they left, Shūichi stopped by a shop and bought a bottle of fine sake, which cost him a hefty 500 ryō.
It hurt!
...
"As Expected of the Senju Clan!"
Standing in front of Tsunade's grand residence, Shūichi couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
However, despite its size, the house had a lifeless atmosphere.
After knocking on the door, it was Shizune who answered. Shūichi immediately pulled out the gift he had prepared—a scroll. "Shizune, this is for you!"
Shizune was both surprised and delighted, her face flushing slightly. "For... for me?"
Shūichi smiled, "Of course, you've earned it too!"
Shizune accepted it with gratitude, "Thank you."
She then quickly invited both of them inside, where Tsunade was already waiting at the entrance of the living room to greet them.
However, Tsunade didn't seem to be in high spirits today and showed no intention of inviting them to stay for dinner.
Shūichi, being perceptive, handed over the gifts, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then politely took his leave with Yakushi Nono. Tsunade didn't insist they stay.
As they left Tsunade's home, Shūichi couldn't resist glancing back, thinking to himself, "It seems Tsunade isn't doing well in Konoha."
"Then again, it's understandable—her brother is dead, her lover is dead… She's the top medical ninja in the world, yet she suffers from hemophobia."
...
Inside the living room, Shizune looked at Tsunade and softly asked, "Lady Tsunade, wasn't that a bit too rude?"
Tsunade didn't seem to care. "What's there to be rude about?"
"It's not like I'm the one thanking them!"
"Now, let's see what that little brat brought as a gift."
With no other choice, Shizune brought the gift basket over to Tsunade.
"Oh, there's sake."
Tsunade smiled, "That kid sure knows what I like!"
Shizune glanced over and said, "Lady Tsunade, I think the scroll and the snacks are probably the most valuable gifts here."
Tsunade gave it a glance and snorted lightly, "The snacks are yours. As for the scroll..."
After thinking for a moment, she decided to open it.
"Hmm?"
Tsunade let out a surprised sound, and her expression gradually became more serious.
A moment later, she set down the scroll and looked at Shizune, "Did that kid give you a gift too? Open it and take a look!"
Shizune nodded and quickly unrolled the scroll Shūichi had given her. "Memory... Palace."
"Lady Tsunade, it's a memory technique!"
Shizune exclaimed in surprise.
Tsunade snorted, "That sneaky brat, he gave us both the same gift!"
"Huh, the same?"
Shizune was taken aback and leaned over to look at Tsunade's scroll.
Indeed, it was the same.
But instead of feeling disappointed, she felt a bit pleased, and then she defended Shūichi, "Lady Tsunade, it hasn't been easy for Shūichi either. This technique is probably something his parents left for him."
Tsunade, however, shook her head, "You're underestimating him."
"This technique was likely created by him."
"I've seen the data from the old man's files—the assessment from the Root. That kid has an astonishing memory."
Shizune was both surprised and impressed, "That's incredible!"
Tsunade rolled her eyes, but then said seriously, "Shizune, this technique is really valuable, especially for a medical ninja. You need to study it carefully. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask that kid!"
...
At home, Shūichi's thoughts were also on Tsunade, "She must have realized I gave them both the same gift by now, right?"
"Well, I couldn't help it. Besides this, I don't really have anything else impressive to give."
Of course, he had also made a copy of the Memory Palace technique for Yakushi Nono.
In the days that followed, Shūichi's routine changed.
Instead of spending his weekends at Tenka's shop, he began going to Konoha Hospital to study medical knowledge under Yakushi Nono's guidance, fully absorbing and understanding the information he had crammed into his mind before.
And so, autumn passed and winter arrived.
Before he knew it, it was already December, and the winter break and New Year's holiday were just around the corner.
But just as the term was coming to an end, Kakashi submitted his application for early graduation, shocking the entire ninja academy.
Because Kakashi, who was born in September, was not yet six years old—he hadn't even been five when he first entered the academy.
Although Shūichi had also decided to graduate early, he didn't plan to do so alongside Kakashi.
He wanted to first obtain the "Fire Release Expert" Tag, which would give him enough confidence to ensure his safety.
(End of Chapter)
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