Kawakaze adjusted Nawaki's posture before letting him continue practicing independently. The Senju clan's strong genes were undeniable, and Nawaki, inheriting their strength, had shown significant progress. The sword's weight posed no difficulty for him.
The Senju family also possessed classic Kenjutsu texts, and with Kawakaze—a skilled professional—teaching him, Nawaki was starting to show real potential. Tsunade observed him with satisfaction, noting his increased dedication compared to training at home.
"Kawakaze, is this the Hatake Clan's Kenjutsu?" Tsunade asked, drawing Kawakaze's attention away from Nawaki. He turned to her with a warm smile, exuding confidence.
"It's just a small insight I've gained on my own," Kawakaze replied casually, his movements relaxed and assured. Tsunade couldn't help but admire his flawless execution of the fundamental Kenjutsu techniques.
"Kawakaze is truly a genius of the Hatake Clan," she remarked.
"Not at all, it's all thanks to the blessings of my ancestors," Kawakaze said humbly. To Tsunade, however, it sounded like modesty.
Nearby, Kushina rolled her eyes. Despite her playful demeanor, she had matured early, having grown up independently in Konoha. Observing Tsunade's demeanor, she couldn't help but think her senior had fallen under Kawakaze's charm. Women in love can be so irrational, she mused.
Turning her focus to Nawaki, Kushina grabbed a wooden sword from the weapons rack and began practicing. Learning a few moves to impress Minato seemed like a great idea, and she imagined his sunny smile and praise. A grin crept onto her face as she trained, though she realized, to her dismay, she was starting to resemble the people she teased for being love-struck.
"Let's sit for a while," Kawakaze suggested, showing no intention of practicing further. After all, wasn't spending time with a beautiful woman more worthwhile? He guided Tsunade to a stone table in the dojo, its simple yet elegant design evoking an ancient Chinese aesthetic.
Tsunade adjusted her clothing as she sat, subtly tightening the cloth around her chest under Kawakaze's intermittent, heated gaze. Kawakaze gestured for someone to bring freshly brewed tea—a perk of wealth, as there was always someone to handle such errands.
"This is this year's new tea," Kawakaze said, pouring a cup for Tsunade and then himself.
"Thank you, Kawakaze," Tsunade replied, taking a sip. The tea's exceptional quality underscored the Hatake Clan's affluence; it was the finest from the Land of Tea, far beyond what most clans would splurge on.
"It's good tea," she remarked.
"Haha, Tsunade, I'll give you two catties to take home," Kawakaze said generously. Such a gift was trivial for someone with his resources.
"I've been thinking about the Medical-nin program you mentioned earlier," Kawakaze began, shifting the conversation. "Would you be interested in hearing my thoughts?"
He wasn't content with casual conversation alone; his approach was strategic. Discussing a mutual interest like the Medical-nin program could deepen their connection and pave the way for future collaboration.
"Oh, please, enlighten me," Tsunade said, her interest piqued by the subject matter close to her expertise.
Kawakaze leaned forward slightly, his tone confident but casual. "It's like this: there's still a significant shortage of medical ninjas. My idea is to open a hospital and train our own staff. Not only can we save lives, but once we have enough personnel, your vision can naturally come to fruition."
The plan clicked effortlessly in Kawakaze's mind. Hospitals were lucrative enterprises, and with Tsunade's involvement, they could explore advancements like studying Hashirama's Cells. The training of Medical-nin, while important, was secondary to his larger ambitions.
"This idea sounds promising," Tsunade admitted after some thought, though a hint of hesitation lingered. "But I don't have any money."
As a former princess of the Senju Clan, now without significant resources, Tsunade had long struggled with finances—not helped by her infamous streak of bad luck in gambling.
"Problems that can be solved with money are not problems," Kawakaze said smoothly. "The real question is, are you willing to take on the role of director? I doubt there's anyone in all of Konoha more qualified than you for this position."
He subtly worked to persuade Tsunade, aiming to secure her leadership. By doing so, not only would the hospital be under his influence, but so too would Tsunade. The thought alone fueled his determination.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, surprised by his confidence. "Are you seriously proposing to invest in me as the director? Opening a hospital is no small matter."
"Although my Hatake Clan is not a major one," Kawakaze began, his tone carrying a hint of humility, "this endeavor is about helping you achieve your dream while also benefiting Konoha. For me, it's just a modest contribution."
His calm demeanor and well-crafted words, paired with his striking appearance, made him all the more convincing. Tsunade found herself nodding along, his sincerity appearing genuine.
"If you trust me so much, I'll do my best not to disappoint you," she said, lifting her teacup. "I'll toast you with tea instead of sake for now. We'll celebrate properly at noon."
Tsunade wasn't one to drag her feet; when she made up her mind, she acted decisively. They clinked their teacups together, smiling, though each harbored their own intentions, and finished their tea in unison.
The discussion quickly turned practical as they hashed out the details of the hospital—its location, funding, staffing, equipment procurement, and more.
Sakumo and Nayuki wandered over briefly, sat for a few moments, and left after two cups of tea, unable to contribute to the conversation. "Let's leave this headache to Kawakaze," they agreed, excusing themselves to avoid the complex planning.
"I'll discuss the location with Sensei," Tsunade said. "But Kawakaze, you'll need to handle the funding. Sensei isn't exactly a philanthropist."
Land allocation required approval from Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage. Without it, they couldn't proceed.
"Don't worry. I'll transfer the funds whenever needed," Kawakaze assured her.
Kawakaze didn't have a close relationship with the Third Hokage, so it would be far more convenient for Tsunade to handle the matter instead. After all, there was a deep teacher-student bond between them, and Sarutobi Hiruzen owed a significant debt of gratitude to the Senju clan.
"Please handle gathering the manpower as well. I really don't have any connections in that field," Kawakaze admitted.
Although he knew quite a few samurai, he didn't have any acquaintances among doctors. In fact, he had never needed to see a doctor himself; his extraordinary healing abilities made such concerns seem unnecessary, almost indulgent.
"I'll start contacting people as soon as we finalize the location. Rest assured, we'll have that hospital up and running in no time," Tsunade said confidently.
Her tone made it sound like the hospital was already within their grasp, but she wasn't aware of the challenges lurking behind the scenes. Konohagakure wasn't as simple as it seemed. Since the deaths of her grandfather and great-grandfather, the village had changed in ways she couldn't fully comprehend.
"Then let's wish ourselves success," Kawakaze said, raising his cup.
Looking at the determined Tsunade, he couldn't help but admire her strong-willed demeanor. She embodied the image of a powerful woman, a vision that stirred a faint sense of envy within him.
Moreover, when it came to Hashirama's Cells, Kawakaze had his own curiosity. He wanted to personally test whether his own cells were more active or if the legendary Hashirama's Cells truly possessed greater assimilation capabilities.
Their teacups clinked together once more, signaling the end of the otherwise tranquil lunch meeting—a prelude to the turbulence yet to come.