"Lady Tsunade, let go!"
Shizune rushed forward, desperately grabbing Shinji's arm and trying to pull him away. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't pry Shinji from Tsunade's embrace.
Tsunade's grip on him was anything but light.
"So annoying, Shizune!"
Faced with Shizune's forceful obstruction, Tsunade finally let go with a sigh of resignation, raising her hands in surrender.
"I'm sorry, Shinji!"
Shizune immediately bowed her head in apology. Having been with Tsunade for so long, she had become all too proficient at apologizing.
Shinji, however, felt a pang of regret in his heart. He hadn't resisted at all; in fact, he had wished Shizune wouldn't pull him away.
He reached out to help Shizune up, then casually straightened his clothes, which had been rumpled by Tsunade.
"I know Lady Tsunade meant no harm."
Shinji turned to look at Tsunade and explained:
"I was planning to find you after finishing my talk with Chief Priest Chukaku. I just ended up talking a bit longer than expected."
Tsunade crossed her arms and pouted. The fear and helplessness she had shown upon seeing blood last night were completely gone now, replaced by her usual demeanor.
"Good timing. Let's talk while we walk. That Enichihiko fellow wants to rush back to the capital of the Land of Fire immediately."
Shinji was slightly taken aback. "Mr. Enichihiko is in such a hurry?"
In his original expectation, the group could have easily rested at the Fire Temple for another day.
Shizune scratched her head awkwardly, leaned close to his ear, and whispered, "Mr. Enichihiko is afraid Hiruko might return, so he asked us to notify you all to depart now."
Shizune's hint was enough. Shinji understood immediately.
With the client's request, they had no choice but to comply.
About an hour later, under the watchful eyes of Chukaku and the others at the Fire Temple, Shinji and his companions set off once more, continuing their journey to the capital of the Land of Fire.
On the road, Kurenai Yuhi looked at him with concern. "How are you feeling?"
Shinji smiled. "After a night's rest, I'm pretty much recovered."
Asuma, standing nearby, lowered his head and sighed softly. "Leaving so suddenly... I wanted to chat a bit more with Chiriku and the others."
Kurenai suddenly teased, "Asuma, don't tell me you've taken a liking to the Guardian Ninja?"
Asuma hesitated for a few seconds, then shook his head gently. "I'm just a bit interested in the concept of the 'Jewel' they mentioned."
He unconsciously thought of his own father.
If the Guardian Ninja's "Jewel" was the Daimyo, then was his "Jewel" his father, the Hokage?
He looked up, gazing blankly at the sky, finding no answer in his heart.
Shinji reached out and patted Asuma's shoulder.
"Think about what you most want to protect. That is your Jewel."
He could only offer this much guidance.
The current Asuma was far from mature and clear-sighted, having not yet found the person he truly wanted to protect. This path was ultimately one he had to figure out for himself, step by step.
"I'm going to ask Lady Tsunade about something."
Shinji gestured with his chin towards the front, bid farewell to Kurenai and Asuma, then passed Enichihiko's carriage convoy and walked up to Tsunade's side.
"Lady Tsunade, you wanted to see me. Is there something you need?"
Tsunade turned her head to look at Shinji, her emotions somewhat complicated, and spoke in a low voice.
"It's nothing."
"Hmm?"
"..."
Tsunade suddenly fell silent!
Shizune immediately stepped out from beside Tsunade, smiling as she smoothed things over:
"Lady Tsunade wants to thank you for saving her yesterday!"
Tsunade didn't refute Shizune, only let out a proud, dismissive hum before getting straight to the point. She reached into her chest and rummaged for a moment, pulling out a crumpled slip of paper.
"This formula of yours... it wouldn't happen to be from Orochimaru, would it?"
This was the very formula Shizune had brought her to appraise last night. She had already asked and learned it came from Shinji.
On the surface, Shinji remained calm, quietly walking alongside them, but inwardly, his heart jolted.
This formula was originally something Orochimaru would specially concoct for Sasuke in the future. However, Shinji had bought it from the System Shop using Points.
He frowned, immediately realizing that the large amount of snake-based ingredients in the formula must have made Tsunade think of Orochimaru.
"I've never had any dealings with Lord Orochimaru. This formula was found in an ancient text from my clan," Shinji shook his head, giving a vague explanation.
He wasn't at all afraid of being verified. The Uchiha clan had a long history and a rich collection of texts. Moreover, after Madara Uchiha took away a large number of their records, much of the content was difficult to cross-check.
Sure enough, Tsunade merely raised a slender eyebrow, harboring no further suspicion. After all, if she really wanted to ask, she could always go directly to Orochimaru for confirmation.
Perhaps this formula just happened to resemble Orochimaru's style.
She flicked her finger, lightly sending the slip of paper back into Shinji's hand.
"This formula has side effects. Prolonged use will reduce one's lifespan to some extent. So kid, use it with caution."
Tsunade's words carried a note of warning.
Shinji hurriedly took the slip of paper, bowing his head respectfully. "Thank you, Lady Tsunade."
Reduce lifespan?
He hadn't expected the formula to have such a side effect. Shinji held the paper, stunned for a moment, before finally letting out a soft sigh and tucking it close to his body.
Perhaps he could use it to make a deal with Orochimaru and gain some benefits from him. Speaking of which, he still had Iwagakure no Shuu's corpse sealed away in a scroll.
It seemed that after returning to the village, it was time to make contact with Orochimaru.
The three of them walked side by side, the sound of Enichihiko's carriage wheels behind them thudding against Shinji's heart.
"Hey, Uchiha Shinji!"
Tsunade reached out and patted him, interrupting his thoughts.
Shinji immediately snapped back to attention, turning to look at her. "Is there something else, Lady Tsunade?"
"About the Fire Temple incident, I owe you a favor. I never owe anyone favors."
The implication was clear: she wanted him to make another request so she could clear the debt.
Shinji's eyes suddenly lit up, instantly recalling the Side Quest.
He had been worried about not having a chance to get close to Tsunade, and now the opportunity had presented itself?
He quickly stepped in front of Tsunade, his tone extremely earnest. "Lady Tsunade, may I become your disciple? I wish to learn Medical Ninjutsu from you."
Become a disciple?!
"No, absolutely not."
Tsunade hadn't expected this request at all and immediately waved her hands in refusal.
She didn't want to take on any more students.
A flicker of gloom passed through her eyes. Besides, how could she, who froze at the sight of blood, possibly be qualified to teach anyone Medical Ninjutsu?
Tsunade smiled self-deprecatingly. "Make another request!"
But Shinji didn't give up. He raised his hands, channeling Chakra, and a pale green glow immediately enveloped his palms.
Mystical Palm Technique.
"Lady Tsunade, I have already mastered the Mystical Palm Technique."
"With the help of a comrade, I have also learned the Chakra Scalpel."
Shinji executed a vertical chop with his palm, producing an extremely faint hum.
"I mastered this technique in less than two months."
"Two months?"
Shizune gasped in surprise. How long had it taken her?
It was definitely much longer than Shinji's time!
Shinji nodded in confirmation.
Tsunade's face immediately showed astonishment.
This was a promising talent!
For a moment, she felt tempted.
Should she take him as her disciple?
"If Lady Tsunade wishes to repay this favor, then take me as your disciple!"
A faint smile curled at the corner of Shinji's lips. Sensing her hesitation and knowing there was a chance, he pressed his advantage: "I won't require much of your attention. Occasional guidance will suffice."
What he wanted was simply an opportunity to be near Tsunade whenever possible.
"This!"
Tsunade pursed her lips, staring at him in a daze.
Shinji took another step forward, adding his final bargaining chip: "I can pay tuition!"
Tuition?
A faint blush spread across Tsunade's cheeks, unable to conceal her excitement. She had to admit, Shinji looked rather handsome at that moment.