"Is that really true?"
Kushina puffed out her cheeks, arms crossed tightly as she stared at Seisui with obvious dissatisfaction.
"If Mikoto hadn't told me, how long were you planning to keep this from me?"
Seisui looked at her exaggerated expression and couldn't help but smile.
He didn't bother explaining.
After knowing Kushina for several years, he understood her personality very well. She was loud, emotional, and dramatic—but never truly angry for long.
Sure enough, the next second, Kushina broke into laughter.
She reached out and gave him a casual slap on the shoulder.
"I really didn't expect this, Aomizu. You actually turned out to be such a genius in medical ninjutsu!"
Seisui smiled helplessly.
Before he could reply, a knock sounded at the door.
"Lord Hirakawa."
A nurse poked her head inside.
"Another patient has been admitted. Please come over immediately."
"I understand. I'll be there right away."
Seisui stood up at once.
Seeing this, Kushina also rose to her feet.
"Alright, I won't hold you up. Go save people."
She waved at him cheerfully before leaving the hospital.
---
Not long after leaving Konoha Hospital, Kushina returned to the Senju Clan Compound.
It was already lunchtime.
Inside the spacious dining hall, the atmosphere was quiet and warm.
At the head of the table sat Uzumaki Mito.
Though advanced in age, she still carried an aura of dignity and calm authority. Her presence alone was enough to steady the hearts of those around her.
On one side sat Tsunade, arms folded, expression indifferent.
On the other sat Kushina, who looked unusually excited.
Mito was a pure-blooded Uzumaki, but she had married Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, early in her life. She later became the first Nine-Tails Jinchūriki and one of Konoha's spiritual pillars.
Tsunade was their granddaughter.
A direct descendant of Hashirama Senju.
A disciple of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
And one of the legendary Three Sannin of Konoha.
In terms of medical ninjutsu, Tsunade stood at the absolute pinnacle of the ninja world.
If she claimed to be second, no one would dare claim to be first.
However, ever since the end of the Second Great Ninja War, Tsunade had changed.
She gambled excessively.
She avoided the hospital.
She avoided the battlefield.
She avoided everything related to war.
Yet, despite her avoidance, she still returned home every day for lunch.
In this vast Senju compound, only three people remained to share meals together.
The Senju Clan itself had long since merged completely into Konoha.
And there should have been one more person at this table.
Nawaki.
Tsunade's younger brother.
But he had died in a trap of explosive tags during the war.
Kushina picked up her chopsticks, eyes sparkling.
"Lady Tsunade, do you know what I saw today at Konoha Hospital?"
Tsunade glanced at her lazily.
"What?"
"Aomizu has already become a Medical Ninja! And he even healed Mikoto!"
"He's actually a genius in medical ninjutsu!"
The moment those words fell, both Mito and Tsunade paused.
Surprise flickered across their expressions.
Kushina's identity was extremely special.
She was the future Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
Because of this, Mito and Tsunade paid close attention to the people around her.
Naturally, they were familiar with the "Aomizu" Kushina mentioned.
In their impression, he was nothing more than an ordinary civilian ninja.
Unremarkable talent.
Average ability.
But now—
A genius in medical ninjutsu?
"Are you sure you're talking about that kid… Hirakawa Seisui?"
Tsunade frowned instinctively.
She remembered him.
A year ago, Kushina had asked her to guide him.
At that time, Tsunade was drowning in grief, trapped by memories of war, blood, and death.
And Seisui's displayed talent back then had been mediocre at best.
So she had refused without hesitation.
But now…
Only one year later…
He could independently treat serious injuries?
If that were true, such talent would rival even her own younger self.
"Who else would I be talking about?" Kushina replied confidently.
Mito listened quietly, eyes thoughtful.
Kushina's personality was straightforward, but she never lied about important matters.
And Mikoto was an Uchiha.
Healing her injuries would not have been a simple task.
"So, Lady Tsunade," Kushina leaned forward eagerly,
"you won't refuse to guide him again this time, right?"
Mito finally spoke.
"Tsunade, you haven't been to Konoha Hospital for a long time."
Her voice was gentle but firm.
She understood Kushina's intentions clearly.
This wasn't just about helping Seisui.
It was about pulling Tsunade back.
Back to life.
Back to healing.
Back to the will she once carried.
With Mito speaking, Tsunade couldn't directly refuse again.
But agreeing was just as difficult.
The wound in her heart had never healed.
After a long silence, Tsunade finally sighed.
"…Fine."
"I'll go to Konoha Hospital tomorrow."
"If that kid is really as impressive as you say, then I can consider giving him some guidance."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"But only guidance."
"Nothing more."
In her heart, Tsunade remained skeptical.
She believed Seisui must have only assisted in Mikoto's treatment.
She didn't believe a formerly ordinary ninja could suddenly become a medical genius.
"That's great!"
Kushina nearly jumped out of her seat in excitement.
She knew Tsunade well.
Once she took the first step, the second and third would follow.
Seeing Kushina's reaction, Tsunade immediately added coldly:
"The prerequisite is that his talent must satisfy me."
"And even if I am satisfied, it will only be guidance."
---
At the same time—
Inside Konoha Hospital.
Seisui was completely unaware of the discussion happening in the Senju compound.
He was in the middle of another treatment.
The patient was a middle-aged Genin.
His left eye had been injured during a mission.
In Seisui's previous life, people often joked that a ninja's eyes were "plug-and-play."
But that was a misunderstanding.
Only those with powerful regeneration abilities—or special bloodlines—could treat eyes so casually.
For ordinary ninja, eye injuries required immediate treatment.
Otherwise, permanent damage was almost guaranteed.
Fortunately, this was the ninja world.
Compared to his previous life, eye surgeries here were indeed much simpler.
And this patient…
Seisui knew him.
Maruboshi Kosuke.
A "perpetual Genin."
In his youth, Kosuke had once led a mission recklessly in pursuit of quick success, resulting in the deaths of two comrades.
Filled with guilt, he swore to the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, that he would never seek promotion again.
Thus, he remained a Genin for life.
But his true strength?
Elite even among Jonin.
Seisui didn't know him because of memories from his previous life.
Kosuke rarely appeared in historical records, and always as an old man.
Instead, Seisui met him years ago during a mission, shortly after graduating.
Recognizing Kosuke's character, Seisui decisively chose to cling to him.
Kosuke embodied the Will of Fire.
And he never refused those who sought genuine improvement.
It was Kosuke who taught Seisui Konoha-Style Swordsmanship.
Ten minutes later, the treatment concluded smoothly.
The system's voice echoed in Seisui's mind.
[Completed the treatment of Maruboshi Kosuke.]
[Reward: One Gold Orb.]
[Congratulations on acquiring Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique.]
Seisui wasn't surprised.
He had already suspected that the system judged rewards based on actual strength, not official ninja rank.
"Uncle Kosuke," Seisui said gently,
"your injury is fine now. Rest for a day or two, and you'll be able to leave."
Kosuke smiled.
"Thank you, Aomizu."
Seisui shook his head.
"It's my duty."
"And honestly… if you hadn't taught me swordsmanship back then, I might've died on the battlefield long ago."
He knew his own limits.
Without medical talent, without combat strength, he would have been cannon fodder.
Kosuke had saved his life.
Those words came from the depths of his heart.
---
The path ahead was slowly unfolding.
Opportunities.
Challenges.
And people who would test him.
Tomorrow, Tsunade would come.
Whether she would be satisfied…
That depended on him.