Chapter 45 — Somehow, I Became a Medical Ninja
Senju Clan Compound. Training Ground.
Tsunade took out a carp on the verge of death and said, "Use the Mystical Palm Technique to save it. If you can do that, you'll be considered a medical ninja. Pay attention to precise chakra control."
Kinoshita Hikaru looked at the carp in front of him. Chakra gathered in his hands as he activated the Mystical Palm Technique.
This was the most basic medical ninjutsu—it stimulated all the cells in a wound, and with just five minutes, it could heal injuries.
After a while—
There was no sign of the carp reviving. It had gone from near death… to completely dead.
"You brat, focus!" Tsunade snapped.
Hikaru gave an awkward smile, quickly denying it and continuing his training.
He really couldn't concentrate today. As a result, his progress in medical ninjutsu was inefficient.
The reason was simple—Tsunade's wholehearted guidance made him feel guilty.
He had learned the Senju's secret technique, the Strength of a Hundred-style monstrous strength, as well as medical ninjutsu… yet in the end, he had gone and taken Orochimaru as his master.
Even with skin as thick as city walls, Hikaru didn't know how to face Tsunade.
After all, she was the first outsider to teach him ninjutsu without asking for anything in return.
And now, with her earnest instruction, Hikaru felt uneasy—like the guilt of cheating. It drained both his body and mind.
He really wanted to tough it out and just tell Tsunade directly that he had become Orochimaru's disciple, just to see her reaction.
But then he remembered Jiraiya still lying in the hospital…
Better to wait.
His thoughts became chaotic. His hand trembled, his chakra wavered, and he lost control again.
The fish… died again.
"Bonk!"
A sharp knock landed on his head. Hikaru felt intense pain and looked up—only to be greeted by an imposing sight.
"You brat, focus already!" Tsunade roared.
Faced with her rough teaching style, Hikaru was speechless.
Didn't anyone ever tell her to be gentle with kids?
"I absolutely cannot be the one to tell her about becoming Orochimaru's disciple," Hikaru thought.
He cleared his chaotic thoughts and focused fully on his training.
The dying carp, under the Mystical Palm Technique, gradually regained vitality—until it began flopping around energetically.
"It worked! That's amazing!"
Hikaru was overjoyed. He now understood that he had successfully used the Mystical Palm Technique. This ability to bring life back from the brink made him marvel once again at the wonders of chakra.
Originally, he had only learned medical ninjutsu as an extra trump card.
But now, he suddenly discovered its true appeal.
"Congratulations. You're now a medical ninja," Tsunade said approvingly.
Teaching a genius brought a teacher both joy and a sense of accomplishment.
Compared to master-level medics, most medical ninja could only use the Mystical Palm Technique.
But mastering this technique proved one had talent for medical ninjutsu. The rest simply required guidance from a good teacher and diligent practice.
At that moment—
Tsunade suddenly felt the urge to take him as a disciple.
Not as a standard jonin instructor—but to pass down her medical ninjutsu.
Through their interactions, she had come to understand Hikaru's character. He was upright, righteous, and willing to risk his life for his companions.
All of this earned her approval.
Originally, she had only taught him the Strength Technique at Mito's request. But by chance, she discovered Hikaru's exceptional memory.
Since he had already learned professional medical knowledge, she decided to let him try medical ninjutsu.
Yet now—he had mastered the Mystical Palm Technique so quickly.
Considering that Hikaru was a civilian ninja, Tsunade couldn't help but want to take him in as a disciple. She didn't want such a talented ninja to waste time taking unnecessary detours due to a lack of proper guidance.
A ninja's time was limited. Without a good teacher, one would waste years on wrong paths—and miss the chance to reach the peak.
"Kid, since you've learned the Mystical Palm Technique… do you want to become my disciple?" Tsunade asked, extending the invitation.
Hikaru froze instantly.
The thing he feared most… had finally arrived.
But this was not the time to hesitate.
He bowed deeply and said with utmost seriousness, "I'm sorry, Tsunade-sama… I already have a teacher. It's Orochimaru-sensei."
"Huh?"
Tsunade was stunned.
Had someone just snatched her student away?
"When did this happen?"
"When you injured Jiraiya… I was taking care of him in the hospital. That's when I met Orochimaru-sensei."
Hikaru explained everything honestly, without hiding a single detail.
"Oh… in that case, forget it. That guy Orochimaru isn't bad."
Hikaru was taken aback. Then his whole body relaxed, and his impression of Tsunade improved even further.
He realized he had overthought things.
Tsunade was a straightforward person. She simply valued talent. As a member of the Senju Clan and the Princess of Konoha, she didn't need a disciple to prove anything.
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama."
She simply didn't want talent to go to waste. The three of them all came from the Hokage's lineage—there was no real distinction between them. And in her eyes, Orochimaru would still be a capable teacher.
"You brat, get back to training—or I'll smash your head in."
Ugh (︶︿︶)=凸. She might be straightforward, but she was way too violent.
Now that Hikaru had succeeded, all that remained was repetition to increase proficiency.
And so, the carp suffered—dying and reviving, over and over again.
Before long, only one thing could be heard:
[Used Mystical Palm Technique. Proficiency +1]
...
Elsewhere—
Hokage's Office.
Four people sat together—the so-called "Konoha F4":
Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, Shimura Danzō, and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen frowned deeply, contemplating how to deal with Sunagakure.
He held a pipe, exhaling smoke continuously. His fingers tapped against the desk unconsciously, producing a sharp knocking sound.
What he had anticipated had come true.
The conflict was escalating.
Reports from the frontlines had arrived—the Land of Wind had launched a surprise attack on the Land of Rain, destroying three villages.
Not only could the Land of Rain not tolerate this—
Konoha couldn't either.
In Hiruzen's view, if they were poor, they should stay poor.
They had no business causing trouble.
The Land of Wind could not be allowed to act freely.
War… was now inevitable.
As the strongest village in the ninja world, Konoha accepted peace—but not being surpassed.
As for the Land of Rain?
Konoha was "helping" them.
"Danzō, I'll leave this matter to you. Don't disappoint me."
Hiruzen trusted his old comrade deeply. Having worked together for years, he believed Danzō could handle the situation with proper judgment.
"Don't worry. As long as I'm here, Konoha's interests will not be shaken."
Danzō's gaze was firm as stone. He accepted the task without hesitation, carrying an air of absolute confidence.
Hiruzen nodded.
What he didn't realize…
Was that this "teammate" would completely disregard the lives of Rain Country civilians—
And in doing so, provoke Hanzō of the Salamander—
Ultimately igniting the Second Great Ninja War.