A few weeks flew by in the blink of an eye.
The courses at the Ninja Academy weren't exactly easy for Moku Nohara.
In Taijutsu, there was a monster like Guy leading the pack; in Ninjutsu theory, a genius like Kakashi overshadowed everyone; even during class questions, he had to carefully control himself not to appear too "advanced."
After all, he was just a six-year-old kid and not a descendant of any great clan; if he could talk about B-rank Ninjutsu principles with such eloquence, it would be a wonder if he weren't snatched away to be dissected.
But there was one thing he couldn't hide.
Or rather, he didn't intend to hide it at all.
—Medical Ninjutsu.
It all started with Rin Nohara.
In her spare time, Rin was always devouring medical books borrowed from various sources, pestering Moku to practice with her.
Moku was naturally willing.
The Beginner Medical Ninjutsu Mastery given by the system gave him a strange sense of familiarity with this knowledge; while practicing with his sister, he could always offer a pointer or two at key moments.
At first, Rin just thought her brother was smart and had a good memory.
But gradually, she noticed something was off—some of the techniques Moku pointed out to her couldn't even be found in books, yet they worked perfectly.
"Moku... how did you do that?"
"Uh..." Moku scratched his cheek, "Just... from reading books?"
Rin stared at him suspiciously, but was eventually convinced by her brother's innocent expression.
This matter should have ended there.
The turning point occurred on a most ordinary afternoon.
That day, Rin was practicing basic Medical Ninjutsu techniques in the school's open space, with Moku sitting nearby as an "Advisor" as usual.
A middle-aged female Ninja passed by, initially just glancing over, but stopped in her tracks the moment she saw Moku correcting Rin's technique.
She stood in the shade of a tree and watched for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
That boy, who was even more delicate-looking than a girl, hit the mark precisely every time he spoke.
What caught her attention most was that he didn't even lift a finger, only using his words, yet every sentence he spoke sounded like that of a veteran who had practiced Medical Ninjutsu for ten years.
"Interesting."
She turned and left without alerting anyone.
Three days later.
After school, the homeroom teacher Kumo Yūto called out to Moku.
"Moku Nohara, go to the Hokage Office after school tomorrow. Sandaime-sama wants to see you."
Moku Nohara was stunned: "Eh? Sandaime-sama? Why?"
Actually, Moku Nohara had known this day would come, because on the day the female Ninja saw him, he had guessed it from the system's prompts.
[Gained +3 Favorability from Hiruzen Sarutobi]
[Gained +3 Favorability from Hiruzen Sarutobi]
[Gained +3 Favorability from Hiruzen Sarutobi]
[Triggered Favorability Critical Hit]
[Obtained: Beginner Fire Release Mastery x1]
[Obtained: Beginner Wind Release Mastery x1]
[Obtained: Beginner Lightning Release Mastery x1]
[Obtained: Beginner Earth Release Mastery x1]
[Obtained: Beginner Water Release Mastery x1]
[Obtained: Shadow Clone Technique - Basic Chapter]
This is a huge gift pack!
Should I say as expected of the Hokage? He gives so much!
Kumo Yūto shrugged: "Don't ask me, I'm just the messenger. Remember, tomorrow at five in the afternoon, don't be late."
Then he turned and left.
The next day at five in the afternoon, Moku Nohara stood at the door of the Hokage Office right on time.
He knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Moku Nohara took a deep breath and stepped inside.
But as soon as he entered, he realized that not only was the Third Hokage in the office, but a woman with long blonde hair was also standing nearby.
With that hair color, there was no need to guess; it had to be Tsunade.
Especially when she turned around, that fair and deep "talent" made Moku Nohara even more certain.
This is Tsunade!
At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, spoke.
"Moku Nohara, right? Sit."
Moku Nohara obediently sat down on the chair.
"Child, you've done quite a big thing at home."
Hearing this, Moku's cold sweat immediately broke out, not because he thought he had done something wrong, but because the impact of those words was simply too strong.
"Sandaime-sama, I don't understand what you're talking about?"
"Don't be nervous," the Third Hokage said with a chuckle. "A few days ago, a Medical Ninja passed by your house, saw you guiding your sister's Medical Ninjutsu, thought it was interesting, and mentioned it to me."
Hearing this, Moku Nohara also breathed a sigh of relief. So it was Medical Ninjutsu they were talking about; he had thought it was something else.
At that moment, Tsunade walked up to Moku and looked down at him.
The two peaks of her "benevolence and righteousness" directly blocked his vision.
"Who taught you your Medical Ninjutsu?"
"Self-taught," Moku Nohara said calmly.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
"Self-taught?" Her tone gave away no emotion. "You're telling me that level of proficiency is self-taught?"
"I..." Moku braced himself, "I learned it from reading books."
She suddenly leaned down and stared into Moku's eyes.
Moku's scalp tingled under her gaze, definitely not because of anything else.
"When your sister was practicing, I had someone record everything you said."
Tsunade straightened up. "Those aren't things that can be learned from books. That is experience, intuition, and—talent!"
"Phew—" Moku Nohara immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
[Gained +1 Favorability from Tsunade]
[Gained +1 Favorability from Tsunade]
[Gained +1 Favorability from Tsunade]
[Obtained: Mystical Palm Technique - Basic Scroll]
She walked back to the window, her back to Moku Nohara.
"I've seen many talented people. Some are born with massive Chakra reserves, some have incredible control, some have quick minds."
She paused. "But someone like you—who can reach this level without being taught—I've seen very few."
Moku Nohara didn't know what to say.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, everything you say is right!
The office was silent for a few seconds.
Just then, the Third Hokage suddenly smiled and said, "Alright, Tsunade, tell us what you think. Do you want to take this child under your wing to learn Medical Ninjutsu?"
"Tomorrow at this time, come find me at the Senju Ancestral Home."
With those words, Tsunade had already reached the door, not looking back. "Remember, don't be late."
Moku Nohara was completely stunned.
Just like that... I'm an apprentice? Isn't this too hasty?
"Lady Tsunade!"
Tsunade stopped in her tracks.
"Um, could my sister come along too? She also wants to learn Medical Ninjutsu from you."
Hearing this, Tsunade just waved her hand and muttered, "Whatever you want."
When he got home, Rin Nohara was waiting for him in the courtyard.
"Moku! How was it? What did the Hokage-sama want with you?"
Moku saw her expectant look and told her what happened that afternoon.
After hearing it, Rin's eyes instantly lit up: "Really?! That's great! Moku, you're amazing! You've become a disciple of the Sannin even before graduating!"
"Sis," Moku suddenly said, "do you want to go too?"
Rin was stunned: "Eh? Me?"
"Yeah. I asked Lady Tsunade, and she said it's fine."
Rin stared blankly at her brother, her eyes turning a bit red.
"Moku... thank you!"
"Don't cry," Moku hurriedly waved his hands. "I just thought that if two people learn together, we'll improve faster."
Rin wiped her eyes and nodded with a smile: "Mm!"
[Gained +1 Favorability from Rin Nohara]
[Gained +1 Favorability from Rin Nohara]
[Gained +1 Favorability from Rin Nohara]
[Obtained: Beginner Medical Ninjutsu Mastery x1]
[Detected three Beginner Medical Ninjutsu Masteries, synthesizing...]
[Obtained: Intermediate Medical Ninjutsu Mastery x1]
The next day at five in the afternoon, Moku Nohara brought Rin Nohara and stood before Tsunade right on time.
Tsunade looked at the siblings.
Tsunade glanced at him, then at the somewhat nervous Rin.
"Let me say this upfront—I don't keep idle people here."
The siblings looked at each other and quickly followed.