It was late when Tsunade returned home. Kushina, Nawaki, and Grandma Mito had already gone to bed. As she looked through the refrigerator, she found a small piece of cake marked with a note that read, "Sister Tsunade, remember to eat!"
"This little girl," Tsunade chuckled as she picked up the cake and note. Then she glanced over at a bigger, unmarked slice of cake. Knowing how much energy she needed to replenish after exhausting her Chakra daily, she decided to take the larger piece. Kushina's little tricks couldn't outsmart her. After enjoying her snack and a drink, Tsunade tidied up and went straight to bed.
The next morning, Tsunade was stirred awake by Kushina's exclamation from the kitchen. She pretended to stay asleep, even when Kushina came in and slapped her playfully on the back. After a bit, Kushina left for her team's assembly, leaving the house quieter. Tsunade finally got up, stretching as she noticed Nawaki had set breakfast on the table for her.
"Sister, breakfast is ready," he said quietly, then began to walk back upstairs. Ever since he learned he could no longer become a ninja, Nawaki had been deeply saddened. Though a year had passed, the wound still lingered, only allowing him to return to a semblance of normalcy.
"Nawaki!" Tsunade called to him, stopping him on the stairs. When he turned to look at her, she said firmly, "I promise, you will become a ninja—within a year at most!"
A glimmer of hope returned to Nawaki's eyes as he saw the confidence in her face. In the past, when Tsunade reassured him, she often seemed uncertain, but today, her expression was firm, as if she truly had found a way.
"Thank you, sister. But… don't push yourself too hard."
"Don't worry. This will be easy for me!" Tsunade replied, flashing a determined smile. After finishing her miso soup, she headed upstairs to speak with Grandma Mito. She emerged a while later with a satisfied expression, changed her clothes, and set out toward the Hokage's office.
"Tsunade, let me get this straight. He's proposing a collaboration to develop a serum capable of enhancing human constitution and healing nearly anything?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, his tone laced with both astonishment and skepticism. He knew Tsunade had been researching regenerative medical ninjutsu lately, and he worried her eagerness to heal her brother might cloud her judgment.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, the other two village elders, shared Sarutobi's disbelief. Tsunade's explanation suggested that this serum could heal even broken limbs, a feat that would rival the physical resilience of the First Hokage himself.
"To be precise, it's not a typical medicine. It's a serum—something that could alter the body's natural mechanisms," Tsunade clarified.
Koharu, frowning thoughtfully, suggested, "Perhaps we should use Yuhi Makoto's genjutsu and the Yamanaka clan's techniques to investigate his true intentions. We need to know if this outsider poses any threat to Konoha."
The suggestion made Tsunade's jaw tighten. "No," she responded firmly. "Forget about that. Kain isn't someone who could pull this off alone; this kind of research takes a skilled team and plenty of time. Besides, if we go poking around, it could provoke whoever's backing him, and I don't think any of us wants that."
Her words hit their mark, silencing Koharu for a moment before she retorted, "And what if he harbors ill intent toward Konoha?"
Tsunade scoffed, "Ill intent? He's been here for two years, and all he's done is earn an honest living. If that's 'ill intent,' perhaps we should round up and interrogate all the other merchants who've come to Konoha?"
Koharu's face reddened, and she struggled for a response. "You…"
"Enough!" Sarutobi Hiruzen interrupted, putting a halt to their bickering. "Tsunade, I understand the importance of this research to you, but I must be honest—the village's finances are stretched thin. We can't afford additional funding for this project."
Tsunade's frown deepened, though she had anticipated his refusal. "Understood. I'll find the funds myself if I must. I'm merely informing you of this project as a courtesy."
Hiruzen continued, "Even so, I would appreciate regular updates on your progress. Remember, Danzo was left severely injured in the Second Shinobi World War. He, too, could benefit greatly if this serum were to succeed."
The reminder of Danzo's injuries—one eye and part of a shoulder lost in battle—made Tsunade pause. Yet, Hiruzen's words were unmistakable: he wanted the serum's benefits for the village, but without putting forth any financial investment.
Tsunade couldn't help but smile bitterly at this, realizing the Hokage's veiled request for free access to the serum's results. "I'll keep you posted," she replied shortly, then turned to leave the Hokage's office.
Out on the street, she considered her options. She'd have to discuss the funding situation with Kain. If necessary, she'd consider selling some of the Senju family's collections. After all, this research would help her brother and bring unprecedented medical advancements to Konoha.
As she returned home, Kain was waiting to hear her decision. Tsunade could see he was just as motivated; after all, the project's success would bring both of them significant benefits. If Tsunade agreed, he could also bring in Nono Yakushi, a promising young medical-nin, to assist.
Kain decided to visit the pharmacy next door to check on Nono's progress. When he entered, he found Mirai assisting a villager, explaining the dosage and effects of a particular medicine. After the villager left, Mirai turned to Kain, greeting him respectfully.
"Good morning, boss. Do you need anything?"
Kain motioned for him to wait, letting Mirai finish his task with the customers. Once they were alone, he said, "It looks like the shop is getting steady business lately."
"Yes," Mirai replied, nodding. "Many villagers come in for essential supplies. The man just now, for instance, has been here three times for the same medicine."
"You remember him?" Kain asked, a little amused. "He must stand out, then."
Mirai chuckled. "Well, he's rather… unique. It's hard not to remember him."
Kain acknowledged this with a nod. The villager's appearance was certainly striking, even by local standards, but he didn't dwell on it further. Instead, he turned the conversation to Yakushi Nono, curious about her progress in her medical studies under Mirai's guidance.
Despite having lost a hand in battle, Mirai's expertise in medical ninjutsu remained sharp, and he'd taken it upon himself to mentor Nono over the past year. Nono, a talented but still young and inexperienced medic, had shown promise and determination under his instruction.
"Yakushi Nono has improved a lot," Mirai told him with pride. "She's taken to her studies with diligence. I'd say, in time, she'll surpass me."
"Good to hear," Kain replied thoughtfully. "I'm considering bringing her onto a research project soon, one that could benefit to her skills and dedication."
As they continued to discuss Nono's future, Kain felt a renewed determination. Both he and Tsunade had clear reasons to make this research a success. For Tsunade, it was a chance to restore her brother's future as a shinobi; for Kain, it represented a new frontier in medical science. The days ahead would be challenging, but with the right resources and people in place, they were more than ready to take them on.
….
New book: DC Heroes in Marvel
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