The threshold for mastering Monster Strength is formidable.
Even entering its basics is exceedingly difficult. In the past, there were many in the Senju Clan who couldn't master it, let alone ordinary ninjas.
Tsunade pondered for a moment.
"Your abilities don't worry me, but don't go around teaching this to others just yet. It's not that I want to keep it a secret, but this is a very dangerous jutsu."
"I understand," Kyohiko said solemnly.
He knew his own limitations. Without the system, even if he understood how it worked, not only would using it with risk of injury be unlikely, but even reaching an entry-level mastery would have been incredibly difficult.
For ordinary people who try to learn this recklessly… the consequence could be crippling.
Someone with talent like Haruno Sakura still took considerable time to master it.
Tsunade wasn't exaggerating.
Her expression relaxed, as if she had put a weight down, and a smile appeared on her face.
She tossed over a package.
Kyohiko opened it and found it was a whole bag of soldier pills—enough to fill a basket!
A grin spread across his face.
"Tsunade-sama…"
"Don't call me that. If we follow your grandmother's generation, we're technically siblings."
Tsunade explained.
Senju Tohka, though not a close blood relative of Senju Hashirama, was highly regarded and had a close relationship with her family.
Kyohiko hesitated.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, stepping forward, her impressive presence undeniable.
"Are you suggesting I'm too old to be your elder sister?"
"No, no, no!"
This was a dangerous question.
Kyohiko hurriedly waved his hands in refusal.
"I just think… If you're my sister, then how do I regard my teacher? It feels confusing!"
"There's no conflict. If Jiraiya has any objections, tell him to come to me, and if he gives you any trouble, come to me too!"
Tsunade leaned against a wooden frame.
Turning her head to the old house, she smiled.
"You said you wanted to be Hokage, right?"
"Yes!"
If Sarutobi could be Hokage, why couldn't he?
With a Hokage System, how could he be anything less?
Kyohiko's resolve was firm.
Tsunade laughed. "Then you'll have to work hard. When I compete for the Fourth Hokage position, you'll need to strive for the Fifth as soon as possible and take over my role!"
"Are you really going to try?"
Kyohiko was both surprised and delighted.
Tsunade chuckled lowly.
"It's just talk. Do you really think I could be Hokage in my current state?"
"Yes!" Kyohiko replied decisively.
Tsunade was stunned.
She gave a faint smile. "You're not just trying to cheer me up, are you?"
"How could I be? My generation grew up hearing your stories, and besides…"
Kyohiko hesitated briefly, then decided to speak his mind. "Why don't you consider it from another angle?"
"You brat, what's your idea this time?"
Tsunade eyed Kyohiko.
Last time, his words had led her to slap the conference room table.
What now?
Kyohiko said, "Since you're not naturally afraid of blood, this fear must be an acquired condition. And since it's a condition, why not try to treat it?"
"T-Treat it?"
Tsunade was taken aback, then couldn't help but laugh, "It's not that simple…"
"I read about genjutsu recently. It mentioned techniques that can influence emotions. So logically, there should be substances that can influence mood. If you could feel happier every day, perhaps it would help alleviate psychological conditions faster."
"Mood…"
As the foremost medical expert, Tsunade knew that some herbs indeed had positive effects on emotions.
But…
She had never considered using them to treat psychological conditions before.
Thus…
There were zero finished products in this area.
She pondered deeply.
"We can try, but the challenge is that this carries significant risk, and conducting experiments is difficult."
"Could we try it on summoned beasts first?"
Kyohiko suggested.
Summoned beasts were intelligent and could communicate, making them more suitable for such experiments.
Tsunade shook her head.
It wasn't that easy.
At the very least, they would need to confirm it's effective for specific symptoms to verify the approach. And besides…
"Even if it works, what good would it do?"
"I think… we're not the only ones who have lost loved ones to war. Some people can adjust and process their grief, but others may struggle, like… my friend, Kakashi."
Kyohiko finally mentioned Kakashi.
Hatake Sakumo, and then Kakashi.
Tsunade became thoughtful, propping her head on her hand as she looked at Kyohiko, then stood up.
"I have a lot on my plate now. I'll think about it later. By the way, these soldier pills aren't all for you. Take some for yourself, and consider the rest as a bit of interest for Jiraiya. Help me pass them to him tomorrow."
"Oh, got it."
So they weren't all for him.
That was fine.
Kyohiko's excitement quickly faded.
The next day, at the Hokage Building in Konoha.
Many ninjas had heard yesterday's commotion, and today there was plenty of whispering and speculation about what had happened.
Among them was Hamano Tatsu.
He was passionately discussing and analyzing with another chunin.
Kyohiko followed Jiraiya inside and quickly overheard their murmuring.
He stepped forward quickly.
After listening for a few seconds, he lowered his voice.
"So, who did it?"
"Who else could it be? It must have been Tsunade-sama! Jiraiya-sama may be quite casual, but he doesn't have that kind of temper. He just…"
Hamano Tatsu whispered.
But…
Soon, he sensed something was off, and the room had fallen deathly silent.
Hamano Tatsu looked up and immediately froze.
Standing before him was Jiraiya, and behind him was Tsunade with a dark look in her eyes, appearing ready to kill.
His legs nearly gave out, but he managed to steady himself by holding onto the table.
Kyohiko stepped back behind the two, hiding his contributions to the scene.
"Jiraiya-sama, Tsunade-sama!" Hamano stammered.
Tsunade was clearly more intimidating.
Because she would actually hit people, and in everyone's impression, after hitting someone, she could heal them right up—no need for sick leave.
Hamano Tatsu immediately bowed deeply. "I'm sorry!"
Tsunade's expression was cold as she headed upstairs alone, and the other chunin who had been chatting with him immediately disappeared, leaving Hamano Tatsu looking stunned.
Kurenai covered her mouth, holding back laughter.
Jiraiya tapped his finger on the table.
"Tatsu, you'd better be more careful in Konoha from now on."
Hamano Tatsu braced himself.
"Jiraiya-sama, I won't do it again."
"I'm not too bothered by it. Alright, get this sorted. There should be a commission from the Matsuyama family, right?"
Jiraiya asked.
Hamano Tatsu immediately complied, searching through some documents.
Before long…
"Yes, Mr. Matsuyama Ichiro has arrived. He's waiting in the side room."
He handed Jiraiya a commission document.
"This is the commission letter."
"Good."
Jiraiya took the document and headed to the adjoining room.
In the Hokage Building's side hall, a middle-aged man sat waiting, accompanied by a young jonin. Upon seeing Jiraiya's arrival, the jonin ended his conversation and greeted him before leaving.
Based on his appearance, he appeared to be Nara Shikaku.
"Jiraiya-sama, my name is Matsuyama Ichiro."
"Pleasure to meet you. Shall we depart if there's nothing else?"
"Could we wait a bit? I have a shipment from the Nara family that I plan to sell to the Land of Waves."
Matsuyama Ichiro explained.
"Then when shall we leave?"
"This afternoon."
"Alright."
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