"So what?" Ren lowered his voice and leaned closer to his father, whispering conspiratorially. "Even Jiraiya—one of the Legendary Sannin—does that kind of thing."
He paused for effect before continuing, his tone turning persuasive.
"I heard from some Jonin… with the war going on, every village is facing manpower shortages. Konoha is even encouraging population growth now. Writing those kinds of books at a time like this? It might actually help the village. They could even promote it quietly."
"Re—Really?"
Mikami Tajima looked stunned, clearly struggling to process the idea.
Then suddenly, his expression changed.
He narrowed his eyes and shot Ren a suspicious look.
"You brat… don't tell me you've been secretly reading those kinds of books yourself?"
Ren froze for half a second.
"You sure seem to know a lot," Tajima continued, folding his arms. "I'm telling you, kids shouldn't touch that stuff. If you read too much, your body will get weak!"
"…Right."
Ren coughed lightly, deciding not to push further.
---
In truth, the ideas of opening a shop and writing books were still just rough concepts.
But the drink?
That part was real.
Ren had already developed a type of sweet, carbonated beverage. While it didn't quite match the taste of cola from his previous life, it was still far better than the bland tea drinks currently available in Konohagakure.
As for novels…
He could easily come up with dozens of story outlines on the spot.
Originally, these ideas were meant as a backup plan—something to rely on if he failed as a ninja.
But now?
He no longer needed them.
If his father was willing, Ren could simply pass them on.
And if Tajima agreed…
Ren had an even bigger plan.
Bring Tsunade into the business.
Offer her a thirty percent share of the profits.
In exchange, she would help refine the formula.
With her reputation as a Legendary Sannin and a master of medical ninjutsu, just slapping on the label—
"Produced by Princess Tsunade"
—would save an enormous amount of advertising effort.
He could even take it a step further.
Involve Shikkotsu Forest in the branding.
Claim the drink was made from "natural holy water" transported from one of the Three Sacred Lands—something that strengthened the body and balanced yin and yang.
At that point…
The nobles would probably line up to buy it without hesitation.
Of course, under normal circumstances, Tsunade would never agree to something like this.
Unlike Jiraiya, who openly published his novels, she still cared about her reputation.
But—
If the money was good enough…
That was a different story.
After all, the most infamous gambler in the ninja world was always short on funds.
Better to earn it honestly than to leave IOUs everywhere.
Just as Tsunade had warned—
The next few days became a nightmare.
A massive wave of wounded shinobi returned from the southwestern battlefield.
Victory had come at a cost.
And now, that cost had arrived at Konoha Hospital.
The corridors were filled with the sharp, metallic scent of blood mixed with disinfectant.
Stretcher wheels rattled constantly across the floors.
Low groans of pain. Urgent commands. The clatter of medical tools.
All of it blended into a relentless, suffocating atmosphere.
The Advanced Medical Class was immediately suspended.
Every available medical ninja—students, trainees, even those on leave—was recalled.
Under the leadership of experienced figures like Tsunade and others, emergency treatment began.
Surgery.
Blood transfusions.
Detoxification.
Round after round.
Day and night blurred together.
---
Ren and Rin Nohara worked tirelessly among the medical teams.
Their hands never stopped moving.
Their chakra reserves were pushed to the limit.
And still—
More wounded kept coming.
After several days of continuous work—
Everyone was exhausted.
When the condition of the last critical patient finally stabilized, Ren felt like he could fall asleep on his feet.
Beside him, Rin leaned against the wall, her face pale, barely able to stand.
At that moment, a senior figure stepped forward.
She informed them that everyone who participated in the emergency treatment would receive additional compensation.
Then, she instructed them to return home and rest.
A few senior medical ninja would remain on duty, just in case.
As the medical staff gradually dispersed—
Tsunade called out to them.
"Hey. You two."
Ren and Rin turned.
"You did well this time," she said casually. "Go home and get some proper rest."
Then she added—
"Come to my house this Saturday. Nine in the morning."
Rin blinked in surprise.
She had no idea about this.
Ren was equally startled.
Tsunade's house?
Not the hospital?
That could only mean one thing—
Private teaching.
---
Neither of them questioned it.
After briefly tidying up, they went to visit Tajima.
Rin, of course, came as a "friend's daughter."
After a short conversation, Tajima urged them to leave and rest.
---
Time passed quickly.
Soon—
Saturday arrived.
Early in the morning, Ren and Rin made their way to the Senju residence.
The once-great Senju Clan was no longer what it used to be.
After the death of Hashirama Senju, the clan's influence had declined rapidly.
Much of its former strength had relied on him alone.
And over the years, many members had dispersed—marrying into other families or adopting new names.
Now…
Only fragments of that once-mighty clan remained.
With a soft creak—
The gate opened.
And then closed behind them, cutting off the noise of the outside world.
Inside, the atmosphere was completely different.
Green grass stretched across the courtyard.
Ancient trees towered overhead.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering golden patches across the stone ground.
It was quiet.
Peaceful.
Almost timeless.
---
And there—
On the wooden corridor—
Sat Tsunade.
---
She was dressed casually, in a light yukata.
Gone was her usual imposing presence from the hospital.
Instead, she looked… relaxed.
Almost lazy.
Her collar was slightly loose, revealing a slender neckline.
Her pale-blonde hair was tied up casually, still slightly damp, a few strands clinging softly to her cheek.
Bare feet rested lightly against the wooden floor.
Beside her, Shizune knelt quietly, preparing tea.
---
"You're here?"
Tsunade glanced at them briefly.
"Sit."
---
Ren quickly composed himself and sat opposite her with Rin.
Moments later—
Without any small talk—
Tsunade reached beside her and pulled out a thick scroll.
With a flick of her wrist—
Shua!
The scroll unfurled across the table.
Dense diagrams filled the parchment.
Detailed anatomical structures.
Precise chakra pathways.
Countless annotations written in fine script.
"This is—"
Ren began.
---
"Mystical Palm Technique."
Tsunade tapped a section of the scroll.
"An A-rank medical ninjutsu."
Her tone was calm.
"But don't underestimate it."
"Even among medical ninja, it usually requires Jonin-level skill to master."
She tilted her head slightly toward Shizune.
"She's been with me for over two years and still hasn't fully learned it."
---
Rin's eyes widened in shock.
An A-rank technique.
She had barely touched B-rank jutsu, let alone something at this level.
---
But Ren's focus wasn't just on the difficulty.
It was on something else entirely.
[Ding! Detected giftable item: Advanced Limited Skin — Healing Technique: Mystical Palm Technique!]
[Note: Advanced Limited Skins can only be gifted after reaching the "Attachment" stage.]
Ren's heartbeat quickened.
A rare opportunity had just appeared before him.
And he wasn't about to let it slip away.
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