After treating Kakashi-sensei's not-so-serious (and now even worse) mental trauma, Kano sent him off with a lullaby; Kakashi finally fell into a dead-asleep slumber.
"Kano-chan, your Mystical Palm Technique really isn't going to kill him, right?"
"It hurts a bit, but it definitely closes the wound. Want me to demonstrate on you?"
"No, no, I'm good."
Naruto resolved that until Kano-chan had fully mastered the Mystical Palm Technique he would not get injured again—if he did, he'd hide the cut so she wouldn't see it and insist on "helping."
"Next up, let's fix Sasuke. Once he's patched up he can hustle on missions to pay me back."
"I vote we skip Sasuke. He holds grudges."
Kano considered Naruto's warning; it sounded reasonable. She didn't want to star in Sasuke's revenge flashback for the next three hundred episodes. They'd simply visit; the healing could stay with Master Tsunade.
As for using Illusory Healing—better not. An illusion wasn't a cure; it only materialized a genjutsu to replace the real effect.
In the end it was still genjutsu; dispel it and the "healing" vanished.
Worse, the illusion would occupy the wound site and block actual recovery.
"All right, we'll just drop by and let Master handle the medical part."
The two reached Sasuke's ward—he was out.
Looks like his injuries weren't serious; he was already up and about.
"Kano-chan! Long time no see—where've you been?"
Ino, bouquet in hand, arrived to visit Sasuke just as Kano and Naruto were leaving.
"Ino!"
Kano dove straight into Ino's arms. The height gap had grown; Ino had filled out nicely, landing right in Kano's sweet-spot range.
Seeing the girls chatting, Naruto tactfully slipped away—he still had to find Granny Tsunade and get Sasuke treated.
"I was planning to look for you later; guess fate sped things up."
"Need something? Since you're here you must be visiting Sasuke too—let's head inside."
"Sasuke's not in. He's probably out; when he gets back Master Tsunade will heal him, so hospital visits are pointless."
"The Legendary Sannin Tsunade's back?!"
"Yep—and she's about to become the fifth hokage. Secret: I brought her back. My trip was to drag her home for the job."
"Fun like that and you didn't call me? Some best friend."
"Don't blame me—they didn't invite me either; I tagged along shamelessly."
Kano gave a concise recap. She hid nothing from Ino, but Ino found it hard to swallow.
"You solo-beat the Sannin?"
"Yup—killed one on the spot."
"Why not claim you're the fifth hokage while you're at it?"
"They offered; I refused."
"Pfft—as if."
Ino squeezed the sweet, soft little girl half a head shorter than herself; she looked so bully-able. She couldn't picture Kano thrashing Sannin—getting thrashed, sure.
"Don't believe me? How about this: I'm Tsunade's disciple now—believe that?"
"You? Really?! I want in! Help me, Kano-chan—I want to be Tsunade's student too!"
This Ino bought instantly; Kano was obviously gifted and adorable.
"Well~"
Kano tapped her cheek; Ino's lips landed there at once.
"Pretty please, Kano—help me~"
She knew Kano caved to this, and she rather enjoyed it herself. Kano's little face lit up—girls only, the sort of closeness boys could never share.
"I can ask Master—but you owe me one condition."
"Name it."
"Form a Girls Band with me!"
"Huh? I can't sing or play like you; we'll clash. And if you want a band, use Shadow Clones—like in the Chunin Exams."
"It's not the same. Please—just once."
"But…"
"Please~ please~"
Once Kano turned on the charm, Ino smiled, stroked her head, and caved.
"Great—band's at three members; let's see who else we can snag."
"Besides me, who's in?"
"Karin—the redhead who helped me nurse Naruto and Sasuke in the Forest of Death. You haven't seen her in ages; she's changed a ton."
"How much?"
"Same level of makeover you gave me—I paid it forward."
At first Kano had been a total tomboy, indistinguishable in a crowd of boys. After the system and Ino's styling, no girl looked cuter.
These days Kano scoffed at pants; even in winter she wore skirts—thicker socks solved everything.
"Where is she? I want to see."
"Probably with Master—let's head over."
They set off for the Hokage Office and ran into Tsunade, Nara Shikaku, and Shikamaru just leaving.
"Dad, annoying big bro."
"Great, Trouble's here… ugh."
"Ino, did you hear that? Shikamaru called you trouble."
"No-no, he meant you."
"He wouldn't dare. If he does I'll deck him."
Shikamaru hunched beside Naruto, whispering.
"What do you even see in her? Violent, bizarre—most troublesome woman alive."
"Kano-chan's gentle, thoughtful, and smart."
"Are we talking about the same person?"
Meanwhile Tsunade chatted with Shikaku.
"Nara, you've raised one hell of a daughter."
"Far from it—I still have much to learn. I'm counting on you, Lady Tsunade; please look after Kano."
"Haha, she's already surpassed me."
"That's Tsunade? She looks so young."
"Fifty-something; a special Ninjutsu keeps her that way."
"Kano-chan is in your hands."
"Relax, I've got this."
The boys clustered, the adults talked shop, and Karin trotted over to join the girls.
"Big sister…"
"Karin, long time! You've really changed."
Karin had ditched her glasses; Kano had tamed her hair into silky twin-tails—adorable, though a bit more length would perfect it.
After quick greetings Karin relayed Tsunade's arrangements and passed on a message.
"Lady Tsunade says there's a mission only you can handle—vital to Konoha Village: we're throwing a birthday party for the princess!"
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