"Tsunade, aren't you going to introduce us?" Hiruzen asked, wearing a kindly smile. With his excellent acting, he seemed like just a friendly old grandpa.
Tsunade pouted.
As Hokage, he'd already investigated Natsume and Shizune's backgrounds.
He was just putting on a show to make a good impression.
"This is Shizune," Tsunade said offhandedly.
"Shizune, huh?" Hiruzen said, a bit nostalgic. "You've grown so much. If your uncle were alive, he'd be so proud."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes, a little annoyed. "Old man, cut it out."
"Sorry, I was just thinking of old times."
He turned his attention to Natsume. "And this child?"
"Natsume, my new apprentice," Tsunade replied quickly, realizing Hiruzen was really here for Natsume.
He'd probably already spoken with Yakushi Nonou.
"An apprentice? That's rare," Hiruzen said, kneeling down and reaching to pat Natsume's head. "Tell Grandpa, what ninja clan are you from?"
Old fox—so sly.
Natsume realized the situation even faster than Tsunade.
He'd already considered this issue.
As one of the Sannin, Tsunade's apprentice would definitely be investigated.
Natsume was from the orphanage, so the person who knew him best was Nonou.
As his foster mother, she wouldn't betray him—at most, she'd say he was from the Senju clan.
That would be enough reason for Tsunade to take him as an apprentice.
Natsume instinctively looked at Tsunade, not Hiruzen.
Tsunade saw his expressive eyes and smiled. So clever.
"He has Senju blood. I saw his talent and took him as my student," Tsunade said.
"I see," Hiruzen replied, not surprised.
He had already asked Nonou.
But he hadn't suspected Wood Release.
The Senju had been scattered and monitored for years—he had a complete list.
Because Wood Release was so important.
If anyone awakened it, he'd take them away.
But decades had passed, and none had.
As the Ninja Professor, Hiruzen had led experiments with Hashirama cells, too.
He believed the key was in the body—Hashirama's body was too unique, even his cells had incredible vitality.
That might be the secret to awakening Wood Release.
When he patted Natsume's head, he'd checked.
Natsume was pitifully weak.
No way he could awaken Wood Release.
Removing his suspicions, Hiruzen said, "I think Natsume is old enough for school. I'll have the Ninja Academy send an admission notice soon."
"No need," Tsunade replied instinctively. She didn't want Natsume to leave her. "I can teach him myself."
"You know the academy is good for his growth," Hiruzen said, still smiling. "He'll learn more, and make friends."
Tsunade frowned—he wasn't wrong.
That's why she'd sent Shizune to school.
"Natsume, what do you think? Would you like to go? You'll make many friends there."
Hiruzen shifted his focus to Natsume.
He was always confident with children.
He'd spent years building an image as the strongest Hokage and a loving grandpa.
Kids adored him.
Natsume hesitated. Actually, he did want to go.
More friends mean more opportunities—and more future wives.
And staying in Konoha made collecting fate points easier.
"I'll do whatever Sister Tsunade says," Natsume replied.
Hiruzen was surprised—why wasn't this going as planned?
Was his PR not good enough?
Tsunade smiled, pleased with Natsume's answer.
"I'll think about it," she said.
"Alright." Hiruzen got down to business. "Three days from now, at 8 a.m., is the funeral for Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki. Don't be late."
Tsunade's smile faded, and she nodded. "I'll be there."
"Goodbye, Grandpa Hokage," Natsume and Shizune said.
Shizune meant it; Natsume was just pretending.
Hiruzen left smiling.
No matter what Natsume might hide, as long as he was in Konoha, he was under Hiruzen's control.
"Let's go inside," Tsunade said.
She was used to Hiruzen's style, so she wasn't surprised by the test.
The three went inside.
"Shizune, this will be your room from now on," Tsunade said, putting the new clothes down.
"Yes, Lady Tsunade," Shizune replied, immediately putting the clothes away and showing how sensible she was.
Tsunade was pleased—it meant less trouble later.
"Once you're done, come to the living room," she said, heading upstairs.
Shizune tidied her room, shut the door, and went to the living room.
She blinked.
So cute.
She saw Natsume curled up on the sofa like a white cat.
"Natsume-kun," Shizune said, sitting across from him. "How old are you?"
"Seven," Natsume replied, sitting up. "How about you, Sis?"
"I'm fourteen," Shizune said, patting her rather flat chest. "I'm already a qualified genin, so if you ever need anything, just ask."
She was trying to get closer, thinking Natsume had been with Tsunade for a while.
"Okay!" Natsume said happily.
He really was happy.
Tsunade, Shizune, and Kabuto—he had the three best nurse types from Naruto.
It'd be hard to die with them around.
"You two seem to get along," Tsunade said, coming down the stairs and handing a book to Shizune. "A book about medical ninjutsu."
Shizune opened it and was stunned.
Natsume peeked too.
It was a list of medical textbooks.
A devil move.
Anyone who encourages someone to study medicine deserves lightning strikes.
Natsume understood this now.
Being a regular ninja was much simpler.
"Shizune, your job for now is to memorize the theory. Then I'll teach you medical ninjutsu."
Tsunade turned to Natsume. "Come with me, I have something to ask."
Natsume guessed it was about ninja school.
Sure enough, once inside, Tsunade asked, "Do you want to go to the ninja academy?"
She had planned to leave Konoha with Shizune, but now there was Natsume.
Traveling with her would be hard for a child.
After two days together, Tsunade had grown really fond of Natsume. Since school was actually useful, she hesitated.
Natsume paused, then said, "I'll do whatever you think is best, Sis."
Tsunade noticed his expression, and realized he actually wanted to go.
It made her want to treat him even better.
She picked him up and set him on her lap, her mountains pressing down on his head, and said, "Such a considerate, good kid."