"Shizune, I am back."
Hearing Tsunade's voice, the waiting Shizune hurried over, looking up at her with nervous expectation.
"Lady Tsunade, you are finally back."
Seeing her like this, Tsunade sighed softly and murmured, "Such pure, stubborn admiration."
She did not toy with the girl's feelings and answered directly, "The Hokage agreed."
"After school tomorrow, bring that Uchiha Shiro Gen to see me."
At that, Shizune's face bloomed into a bright, jubilant smile.
"That is wonderful."
"Long live Lady Tsunade."
Tsunade gave a helpless little laugh and reached out to muss Shizune's hair.
"Honestly…"
Her gaze dipped, and a flicker of curiosity rose within her.
This Uchiha Shiro Gen.
What sort of brat was he, to win Shizune's heart like this?
And the old man had said he was not like other Uchiha.
Enough.
She would know tomorrow.
For now, she would keep drinking.
...
...
The next day.
Shiro Gen spotted Shizune as soon as he reached the academy and learned the good news.
"Thank you. I will not forget your help, nor our promise."
"This Saturday at noon, barbecue at the Akimichi place is on me."
He smiled warmly, sincere in tone.
"Mm."
Shizune nodded hard, face and eyes filled with anticipation.
Watching her, Shiro Gen's own smile brightened.
A line drifted through his mind: longing is the farthest distance in the world.
Whether Kurenai or Shizune, neither truly knew him.
They were childish and pure.
So were their crushes.
Childish and pure.
He did not mind, and he was not some Aizen-like schemer.
He would grant their wishes and take full responsibility.
DING-A-LING! DING-A-LING!
With the bell, he returned to his seat, opened Tobirama's writings on medical arts, and studied while thinking.
His plan moved smoothly.
His guess had been right.
By leaning on Shizune's feelings, he could likely learn medicine from Tsunade.
With that wedge in place,
he could make use of Tsunade's soft spots.
She would teach him far more.
Medical arts and the Yin Seal.
The Senju inheritance and even sage arts, all were things he needed.
Medicine would grant him Yang Release.
The Yin Seal would ease his shortage of chakra.
Within Senju lore lay not only Water and Earth Release, but monstrous strength and Senju sword forms.
They could seed Water and Earth entries, and even raise his Sword entries again.
He might even learn the Flying Thunder God, gaining a space-time entry.
As for sage arts, all the better.
That was a step toward super Kage strength.
Study time slipped by.
When the bell rang, he said goodbye to Kurenai and followed Shizune to the Senju home.
Though she knew he was coming, Tsunade still drank as she pleased.
She did not care about appearances.
"Lady Tsunade, I am back."
"I am Uchiha Shiro Gen. An honor to meet you."
He greeted her politely.
Tsunade glanced at Shizune, then looked Shiro Gen over.
She had little fondness for the Uchiha.
But she had to admit, the boy's looks were excellent.
He carried a presence.
Nothing like a child's.
With a face like that, no wonder Shizune had fallen for him.
So thought Tsunade.
Everyone favors beauty; she disliked scruffy brats and preferred handsome ones.
"Mm. Looks decent."
"Tell me first, why do you want to learn medical ninjutsu?"
She drained her cup and asked.
His reply made her blink.
"Does one need a reason to master the power to save people?"
Her spine straightened on reflex, her eyes turning serious.
She held his gaze and saw unruffled calm.
Yes.
Why would saving people need a reason?
It was killing that demanded justification.
The line tugged up memories of her own beginning, the thought that had set her upon the medical path.
To save the wounded, to keep them from dying…
She drifted for an instant, then nodded firmly.
"I understand. I will teach you medicine in earnest."
"Thank you very much."
"Good."
She gave a slight nod and continued, "Let me ask what you know of medical arts."
"Then I will set your training plan to fit."
"No problem, Lady Tsunade."
She began her questions.
His answers shocked her again and again.
She had never expected a child to already command almost all the basics.
What a monstrous talent.
More than that,
his grasp of medical theory was deeper and broader than that of most medics.
Truly a prodigy.
On further probing,
she learned he had been reading Tobirama's medical treatises.
And he had his own thoughts on them.
Tobirama was her grandfather.
That alone warmed her toward the boy.
"So he really is different from the usual Uchiha."
"And a born talent for medicine, too."
"Good, good."
"This student is mine."
Tsunade could not have been more satisfied.
Even her tone turned gentle.
"Very well."
"Your foundation is excellent."
"And you have your own insight into the theory."
"In that case, I will begin with the advanced techniques."
"Shizune, go fetch a live fish."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade."
Delighted to see Tsunade so pleased with Shiro Gen, Shizune was all but skipping as she went.
When the live fish lay flopping before her, Tsunade pinched once with measured force.
"Watch closely. What I will teach you next is the Mitotic Regeneration technique."