[Yang Release - Initiation (White): You have a basic grasp of Yang chakra, and the effectiveness of your medical ninjutsu increases.]
"Using the clan's resources, the medical arts I gather should carry me to [Yang Release - Mastery (Green)]."
"As for Lady Tsunade's full medical lineage, if I learn it all, attaining [Yang Release - Dominion (Purple)] should be within reach."
"By then,"
"I might even use Amaterasu-Imperator one more time to seize Yin-Yang Release."
Yin Release draws on the power of imagination and spirit, shaping form from nothing.
Yang Release draws on the power of life in the body, granting life to form.
United, they are Yin-Yang Release, creation from void and the breath of life.
"If I fuse Flame Release with Yang Release,"
"what Bloodline Selection would be born?"
"What would fire infused with Yin-Yang be?"
"Flame that shapes from nothing and grants life to form…"
Shiro Gen's eyes narrowed, a spark of anticipation flashing by.
...
...
At the same time.
Shizune returned to Tsunade's home.
After Kato Dan's death, Tsunade had taken Shizune in.
Shizune was not only Tsunade's student.
Their bond ran deep.
Thinking of Shiro Gen's promise, Shizune hesitated not at all.
She went straight to Tsunade, knelt low with formal courtesy, and pleaded with earnest devotion:
"Lady Tsunade, for the sake of my future happiness, please grant Uchiha Shiro Gen's wish to study medical ninjutsu under you."
Tsunade blinked, startled, her eyes opening wider.
Her right hand slackened, a cup struck the table and spilled.
"Eh?"
Collecting herself, Tsunade thought it through.
So Uchiha Shiro Gen had asked Shizune to relay his wish to learn medicine from her.
But Shizune seemed to like that boy.
Or perhaps Shiro Gen and Shizune had some agreement.
So Shizune had made this gesture and spoken these words to her face.
"What a headache."
"Why are girls so precocious now?"
"Shizune, stand up and tell me the details."
Hearing that Tsunade would listen, Shizune rose at once, bright but anxious.
"Yes, Lady Tsunade."
She saw a glimmer of happiness ahead, but Tsunade had not yet agreed.
So she told the story from start to finish.
When Tsunade finished listening, her expression toward Shizune turned complicated.
How to put it…
That Uchiha boy likely did not return Shizune's feelings.
He had only recognized her connection to Tsunade and used her to gauge whether Tsunade would teach him medicine.
Shizune, however, clearly liked him and had for some time.
She saw hope here, believing that if Tsunade accepted him, she could earn chances to be near him.
"I did not expect you to have a crush at your age, and such a deep one."
"I…"
Shizune faltered, words failing, cheeks warm.
With a soft sigh and a glance at the girl, Tsunade said:
"Let me think."
Teaching Uchiha Shiro Gen medicine…
Why would an Uchiha seek medical arts?
Strange.
Did he have another aim?
Tsunade had no interest in power, but she was not naive.
The Uchiha seemed eager to produce a Hokage.
Becoming Hokage was not simple.
If Shiro Gen became her student,
he would gain the credentials to contend.
"What a headache."
That much she could not tell Shizune.
Murmuring to herself, she turned back to the girl:
"This is not a small matter. I need the Hokage's consent."
"Wait here. I will ask him now."
Shizune did not understand why Tsunade needed the Hokage's permission to accept Shiro Gen, but she trusted Tsunade.
Before Tsunade left, Shizune bowed again and begged:
"Lady Tsunade, this is the greatest request of my life."
"Please."
Tsunade understood a girl's heart well enough and answered:
"I know. Do not worry."
"If the Hokage agrees, I will teach him."
With that, she departed.
Though the academy day was over at this hour,
the Hokage had not finished work.
Tsunade strode into the Hokage's office without knocking.
Seeing who entered, Sarutobi Hiruzen paused, then smiled gently.
"Tsunade. What is it?"
Tsunade disliked circling around an issue. She spoke plainly:
"Shizune just asked me to teach Uchiha Shiro Gen medical ninjutsu."
In a few crisp lines she laid out the matter.
Hiruzen's brows knit.
He distrusted the Uchiha.
And Tsunade's concerns had merit.
But that boy…
If memory served, was he not the one involved with his son's crush, Yuuhi Kurenai?
Why did Shizune also like him?
How was that brat so popular?
There was a touch of envy.
And another thought:
So young, and already so shameless with girls.
That was very unlike the Uchiha he knew.
In truth,
Shiro Gen felt different from other Uchiha.
Perhaps,
he could become an ally.
Maybe even unexpectedly likeable.
Likeable in what sense?
Hiruzen glanced at the scrying crystal on his desk, then back at Tsunade, and said:
"This Uchiha Shiro Gen is not quite the same as the others."
"You may meet him first."
"If you find rapport, taking him as a student is acceptable."
"I trust your judgment."
Hearing her teacher speak so, Tsunade knew what to do.
"If you put it that way, old man, I have my answer."
"See you."
"Shizune is waiting for my reply."
Watching her go, Hiruzen's gaze turned complicated.
"Goodbye," he said softly.