Back at the BBQ Restaurant
Sakura intercepted Naruto's fist. There was no way she could let Tsunade-sensei get involved.
"Naruto, stop fooling around. We're in a restaurant," Jiraiya said, grabbing Naruto.
"Let go, Pervy Sage! She mocked the Hokage! I won't allow her to mock the Hokage!" Naruto shouted, turning his head to Jiraiya.
"Hehe... So those who want to be Hokage really are all idiots. The First was like that, the Second too, the Fourth as well, and even the Third almost died," Tsunade drawled, leaning back, her expression full of provocation as she looked at Naruto.
"You... I'm going to beat you up!" Naruto, hearing Tsunade's words, was utterly enraged. He clenched his fists, glaring at her.
"Hmph, you've got some nerve, talking to me like that," Tsunade said, standing up as well. "Let's take this outside, hmm?"
Looking at Tsunade's expression, Sakura had a vague feeling that Tsunade was intentionally provoking Naruto, so she quietly observed.
"Damn it..." Naruto continued to glare angrily at Tsunade.
The group went outside the BBQ restaurant. Seeing Naruto and Tsunade facing each other, Sakura felt a sense of déjà vu.
"It's hard to believe it's already been three years, Sakura," Shizune said from beside her. "It feels like your fight with Tsunade-sama was just yesterday."
"Yeah, this scene is really familiar, haha," Sakura finally realized why the scene felt so familiar. The same people, the same confrontation, only the people facing off had changed.
"Kid, I am one of the Sannin. It wouldn't be fair for a Sannin to bully a genin. So, I'll just use one finger," Sakura watched Tsunade extend a single finger, the memory of her own apprenticeship test flashing through her mind.
"What did you say...? Damn it..." Naruto immediately felt underestimated.
He charged at Tsunade. Unsurprisingly, his attacks had absolutely no effect.
Naruto was promptly flicked on the forehead by Tsunade's single finger, sending him flying backward.
"Hehe, a genin is just a genin... How boring," Tsunade called to Jiraiya. "Hey, let's go back inside."
"Damn it, it's not over yet!" Naruto struggled to his feet. A Rasengan formed in his hands, and he charged at Tsunade again.
"Oh, the Rasengan?" Tsunade watched the Rasengan in Naruto's hand. She turned and used her finger, channeling chakra, to slash at the ground. The ground instantly cracked.
Naruto promptly fell into the fissure, and the Rasengan dissipated without a trace.
"Let's go back, Shizune," Tsunade said, turning to head back to the restaurant.
"Um, sensei," Sakura quickly intervened, stopping Tsunade. This wasn't how it was supposed to go.
"What is it, Sakura?" Tsunade asked, noticing Sakura's slightly anxious expression.
"Um, sensei, don't you want to say something to Naruto?" Sakura pointed at Naruto. "Like, about the Rasengan?"
"The Rasengan? It's just an incomplete jutsu. What's there to comment on? An idiot is an idiot..." Tsunade chuckled softly.
"Don't look down on me!" Naruto climbed out of the fissure. "Haaaaa~~~!"
Provoked by Tsunade's taunts, Naruto started forming another Rasengan. The Rasengan gradually took shape in his hand, a vibrant blue orb appearing.
Naruto, holding the orb, charged at Tsunade. Of course, Tsunade wouldn't be hit by such a simple attack. She sidestepped, then grabbed Naruto's hand and pulled him down, causing the Rasengan to smash into the ground.
The ground was blasted open by the Rasengan, leaving a large crater. Jiraiya nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad. Looks like he's mastered it."
Sakura stared, open-mouthed, at the crater in the ground. What kind of crazy turn of events is this? Naruto actually mastered the Rasengan because Tsunade angered him? He truly was the most unpredictable ninja. This was unbelievable.
Naruto had already gotten back to his feet, glaring at Tsunade. Tsunade, however, simply smiled slightly at Naruto, then extended her right hand and delivered another flick to his forehead. Naruto went flying again.
"Let's go back," Tsunade said, but this time she headed towards the inn.
"Tsunade, what's your decision on that matter...?" Jiraiya asked quickly, seeing Tsunade was leaving.
"I'll think about it," Tsunade replied without turning back. "Sakura, come with me."
"Yes," Sakura answered quickly, hearing Tsunade call her.
The originally bustling streets of the small town were now deserted. The three of them, master and disciples, walked along the road, one in front and two behind.
"You've made quite a bit of progress these past few months, Sakura," Tsunade said. "It seems you don't want to focus on becoming a medical ninja."
"Ah, no, it's not that. I just feel it's necessary to strengthen my combat abilities," Sakura replied carefully.
When Tsunade saw Sakura had learned the Storm Release, she understood that Sakura's ambition didn't lie in medical ninjutsu. The old man's plan had ultimately been a misstep.
If Sakura didn't have a kekkei genkai, she would have been destined to become a medical ninja. But now that Sakura could synthesize her own kekkei genkai, the village wouldn't focus her training on medical ninjutsu.
While good medical ninjas were hard to come by, a strong ninja capable of protecting the village was even rarer. To be able to synthesize a kekkei genkai at this age, and then to become a medical ninja, would be a waste.
Trying to master both simultaneously would prevent her from reaching the highest level in either. The Third Hokage must have understood this, so he wouldn't allow Sakura to pursue both paths at the same time.
"It's fine. I'm not blaming you," Tsunade said, shaking her head at Sakura's apprehensive expression. "I just want to know the path you want to take so I can adjust your training plan accordingly."
"Yes," Sakura said, biting her lip slightly. "I want to have the strength to protect my comrades."
"Hehe, even the old man makes mistakes sometimes. He originally wanted you to learn medical ninjutsu from me, but he never expected you to be so talented, to be able to synthesize a kekkei genkai yourself," Tsunade chuckled.
"I'll have to adjust your training plan from now on," Tsunade continued. "But I still hope you won't abandon medical ninjutsu."
"Hm? sensei, does that mean you've agreed to Jiraiya-sensei's request?" Sakura inferred from Tsunade's words that she was leaning towards returning to the village.
"..." Tsunade didn't answer Sakura, remaining silent.
The three of them had now arrived at the inn.
"Come to my room later," Tsunade said to Sakura. "I'll give you a checkup."
"Yes," Sakura replied. Could Tsunade have noticed something wrong with her body? But she felt perfectly fine.
After taking a bath in her room, Sakura went to Tsunade's door.
Knock, knock.
"Come in, it's unlocked," Tsunade's voice came from inside.
Sakura pushed the door open and entered. She saw Tsunade had somehow acquired another bottle of sake and was drinking.
"Lie down on the bed. I'll examine you," Tsunade said to Sakura.
"Okay," Sakura obediently lay down on the bed, waiting for Tsunade's examination.
Tsunade put down the sake bottle and came to the bedside. Her hands began to glow with green chakra. She placed her hand on Sakura's neck and then moved it down, tracing along her body. Sakura was thoroughly examined, back and forth, several times.
Finally, Tsunade withdrew her chakra-infused hands and said, "Just as I thought. There's a problem."
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