Tsunade seemed to have crossed a strange line in her protective behavior towards Shikai. Since he had been injured, she had been watching over him with an almost worrying devotion. She took care of everything: his diet, rest, and even visitors. What had started as a kind attention had turned into constant, stifling, and sometimes even terrifying surveillance.
"Open your mouth, Shikai."
Tsunade held a spoonful of hot soup, insisting on feeding him herself despite his repeated protests.
"Aunt Tsunade, I can eat by myself, really," Shikai replied, a hint of embarrassment visible on his face.
"No. You need to save your strength. Let me take care of you."
Her tone was gentle, but there was an undeniable firmness in her words. Shikai sighed and complied, knowing it was useless to argue.
"If I keep doing nothing and eating this much, I'll gain weight," he mumbled as he took a bite.
Tsunade gave him a reproachful look but said nothing, simply filling another spoonful.
"You're too important for me to let you neglect yourself. If you want to accompany me on our travels, it's essential that you're in perfect health."
Shikai averted his gaze, clearly uncomfortable under her excessive attention, but he decided to go with the flow for now.
...
A month passed, and Shikai, although still under Tsunade's watch, attracted the attention of many influential figures in Konoha. After the incident with Kyûbi, his reputation had spread throughout the village, and many wanted to meet him with news that he had come out of the coma.
The first notable visit was from Kakashi Hatake and Shisui Uchiha.
"So, you've become a hero, it seems," Kakashi said nonchalantly as he entered the room.
"I only did my duty, Kakashi-san," Shikai replied calmly, a slight smile on his face.
Shisui, always jovial, added with a laugh, "They say you're a prodigy. And some even call you the new Yellow Flash. If you ever want to train with me, let me know. I'd like to see your progress over the years."
Shikai nodded, maintaining a composed expression.
"Ah, I'm a bit rusty. And I might be away from the village for a while."
"Oh really, I thought you suddenly became a Chunin. Have you been assigned a mission yet?"
"Not really. With the Hokage's permission, Aunt Tsunade wants to teach me her medical techniques since I've decided to become a doctor."
"Doctor?" Shisui was a bit skeptical; Shikai had mostly talent, and his speed was exceptional. After hearing that he had learned the hiraishin and had been promoted to Chunin upon waking up, he wondered if the Sandaime intended to integrate him into the Anbu.
"Hmm, if it's your choice. But it's a shame. You could have been an interesting asset on a mission." Kakashi added.
...
A few days later, Itachi Uchiha and Izumi also came to visit him. However, their presence elicited an unexpected reaction from Tsunade. As soon as she set eyes on Izumi, her protective attitude manifested.
"Why is she so close to you? And there are quite a few Uchiha visiting you lately. I hope they're not thinking of anything strange... Otherwise..." Tsunade clenched her fists, her piercing gaze nailing Izumi to the spot. Even though Itachi didn't care, he wanted to have a fight to gauge his own progress since Shisui was becoming increasingly rare, but it seemed that Shikai wasn't quite at his best.
"Aunt Tsunade, they're just friends. No need to worry," Shikai replied, trying to calm the situation.
Izumi, feeling uncomfortable, took a slight step back, visibly seeking an excuse to leave.
"I think we should go," Itachi murmured to Izumi, aware of the tension.
The visits continued with the Ino-Shika-Chô clans, Hiruzen himself coming to preach the will every time he had a minimum of free time, and even Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha. Shikai, always stoic, responded with tact and humility, emphasizing his dedication to Konoha in every exchange.
"You're impressive for your age. Now that you're a Chunin, would you like to join the police department?" Fugaku, usually cold, nodded slightly in approval.
"Ah... Fugaku-sama, I must refuse. I will train with Tsunade-san and become a doctor upon my return."
"Hmm. Well, my offer to join the clan still stands." He said, getting up.
"Ah ah. Fugaku-sama is probably full of humor, but I'll think about it." Shikai replied calmly, but he knew that something like that was unlikely to happen with Tsunade around.
At the end of the week, Shikai was on his feet again. Although he still had bandages on his arms and feet, he had regained much of his physical strength. Still, Tsunade continued to make sure he ate properly, even insisting on feeding him when she had the chance.
"You won't eat enough if I don't take care of it," she said, handing him a bowl of rice.
"Tsunade-sama, I'm fine now, really," Shikai protested, clearly exasperated.
"Shut up and eat," she replied with a smile that brooked no argument.
Shikai sighed.
But the day of his departure was approaching, and the atmosphere changed slightly. Tsunade, who had been by his side all this time, had to suddenly be absent.
"I have to take care of something before we leave. Stay here and rest," she said before leaving, her tone unusually serious.
Shikai, finally alone, took the opportunity to resume his training.
Once he was sure Tsunade wouldn't be back for several hours, Shikai got to work.
"469... 470... 471... 472..."
He counted his push-ups, sweating slightly as he pushed his body to regain his optimal form.
"500."
He stood up, wiping the sweat from his forehead and heading towards a mirror. His hair had grown during his convalescence, falling in unruly locks around his face.
"I guess Naruto's generation is about two years old... Having received all these memories, I have trouble remembering my exact age, but I already look like a child in my teens."
He looked at himself in the mirror, analyzing his appearance.
"And I've become more handsome," he murmured with an ironic smile. "An asset I certainly won't neglect." he murmured as he adjusted his Konoha headband and arranged his hair to resemble the Yamanaka style.
He then sat in a lotus position, closing his eyes to focus on his chakra flow. For an hour, he meditated, feeling the disturbances still present in his energy and trying to correct them.
'I have to regain my strength quickly. There's so much to do...'
When he opened his eyes again, a determined gleam shone in his gaze.
"For now, I need resources and a suitable place for my future laboratory. Maybe I should contact that pedophile Orochimaru? I also need to establish relations with the Hyûga. But that will come in due time."
After getting up, he headed to the bathroom to clean up.
'First, pay a visit to Mikoto. Then I can start laying the foundations of what needs to be done.'
And with this resolution, Shikai left his room.