Dialogue with Tsunade Begins Learning

Chapter 40: Conversation with Tsunade · Beginning of Studies

Tsunade's face had sharp lines, skin pale as jade, and a pair of bright, intelligent eyes. Her hair was a brilliant gold, cut in a hime style in the front, while the long, flowing strands in the back were tied behind her head.

Her figure was perfectly proportioned—a slender waist and long legs made her graceful and alluring. Her full, upright chest added a touch of feminine softness to her presence.

Her bearing was noble and elegant, the kind born from a prestigious lineage and years of family cultivation. But the successive deaths of her lover and younger brother, along with her doubts about the Will of Fire, had left a trace of hesitation and confusion in her once-strong heart.

That didn't diminish her charm, though—it only added a hint of pitiable tenderness.

Tsunade leaned sideways against a lab table cluttered with glassware. Though her eyes were hazy with drink, her mind was sharp, and she cut straight to the point: "What brings you here, and with a little pervert in tow?"

Hyuga Ningyuan silently gave a thumbs-up in his mind: She sees people clearly!

"This is my new disciple. I brought him for you to meet!" Sarutobi Biwako ignored Tsunade's jab at Ningyuan. Who isn't a pervert in your eyes? My old man is one too.

"Hyuga Ningyuan—his talent is astonishing. He might even surpass you one day!"

Tsunade was already suffering from hemophobia, and Biwako might have hoped Ningyuan could spur her to rise again, though she knew it was likely futile.

"Hah, him?" Tsunade shook her head dismissively. Plenty of people claimed they'd surpass her over the years. How many succeeded?

Not a single one!

As for geniuses?

Could any be more of a genius than Orochimaru?

He was just so-so!

"Heroes aren't judged by youth; ambition isn't measured by age!" Ningyuan said softly. "The waves behind drive on those before, each wave stronger than the last. As long as history moves forward and humanity progresses, those who come later will always surpass their predecessors."

"If they can't, doesn't that mean we're standing still—or even falling back?"

"You little brat, you sure talk a good game!" Tsunade chuckled. "If you could rein in your eyes and stop staring at my chest, your words might actually carry some weight!"

Ningyuan didn't blush at all. I'm a lecher. I covet her body. I'm open and honest about it. I deserve praise!

"Facts speak louder than words!" Ningyuan said. "And in my view, surpassing you isn't that hard. I'm sure the five-year-old you was weaker than the five-year-old me. So I just need to be better than the six-year-old you at six, better than the seven-year-old you at seven, better than the eight-year-old you at eight—stronger at every age—and naturally, I'll surpass you!"

He paused, then added, "Of course, I mean in Medical Ninjutsu!"

Comparing anything else would be unfair—he was a cultivator.

Tsunade was left speechless.

She hadn't started learning Medical Ninjutsu until she was eight. At ages five, six, seven, and eight, this brat really did outshine her in that field!

"I don't know if this disciple of yours is a genius, but I've definitely seen his sharp tongue!" Tsunade said. "I feel like you'll have your hands full with him!"

"Doesn't that just prove he's smart? Better than those kids who can't squeeze out a word all day!" Biwako had long accepted Ningyuan, and her fondness made her see only his strengths—even his flaws became virtues.

Talkative is good! Talkative means easy to communicate with!

"When I'm not around, you can come to her with any questions!" Ningyuan's best teacher was actually Tsunade, but Biwako knew Tsunade would never take on a disciple.

So she took him on herself, and when problems arose, they'd come to Tsunade—same effect!

"Don't bother me with anything too simple!" Tsunade waved a hand. She didn't much like her own teacher, but she had no issue with her master's wife.

And within three to five years, this kid probably wouldn't have problems his master's wife couldn't solve.

By the time he did, she'd be long gone from the village!

Back in Sarutobi Biwako's office, she pulled out a stack of books and asked, "Can you read?"

"Yes."

"Good!" Biwako nodded. "A medical ninja isn't just about Healing Technique or Mystical Palm Technique. You need a clear understanding of human anatomy, meridians, bones, and the five viscera. Plus, many illnesses don't require Medical Ninjutsu—that's when herbs come in. When we ninjas fight, we also face poison users, like Chiyo of Sunagakure or Hanzō of Amegakure—both masters of poison. So poison identification and antidotes are mandatory subjects for medical ninjas!"

"Take these books back and memorize them all. Once you've done that, we'll move to the next stage of learning!"

"Okay!" Ningyuan picked up the books: Human Anatomy, Human Skeleton, Understanding of the Five Viscera, Chakra Meridians, Land of Fire Herbal Compendium, Ninja World Herbal Compendium, and Poison Identification and Antidotes.

He glanced at the authors. Five of the seven were by Tsunade.

The two on herbs were by Shennong.

That was impressive. Tsunade wasn't just the Number One Medical Ninja—she'd single-handedly established several medical disciplines!

"I hear you go to the Yūhi Clan every afternoon to study genjutsu?" Biwako asked.

"Yes!" Ningyuan nodded.

"I'll talk to Yūhi Shinku. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays you'll study genjutsu; Tuesdays and Thursdays you'll come to my place to memorize these books in person; Saturdays and Sundays you'll assist me, watching me treat patients and perform surgeries!"

"Yes!" Ningyuan nodded. The schedule was tight, but that suited him.

After all, the safest place was right under their noses. With all his actions in plain sight—even under the Hokage's watch—no one would suspect he had anything hidden beyond genjutsu and Medical Ninjutsu.

That was the blind spot right under the lamp!

In common understanding, a person's energy was limited. No matter how smart you were, no one would guess he had a cheat!

What, didn't you say you were going to lie low and slack off?

Don't forget—the essence of lying low is rejecting capitalist exploitation, oppression, and PUA, seizing every moment to learn and train, improving your abilities, and taking control of your own fate.

Lying in bed doing nothing isn't lying low—it's being a useless shut-in.

"Don't go back today. Start reading here. Ask me about any characters you don't know. Lunch is here too."

Biwako wanted to gauge Ningyuan's learning progress. A talent for healing was useless if he was too dumb to memorize a book.

But she'd heard he grasped genjutsu instantly and could use it right away. Surely that wouldn't be a problem... right?