The Third Hokage and Tsunade

Hokage's Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the technique Yūske had used. Even with his reputation as the Shinobi World Professor, he could not tell what kind of ninjutsu it was.

Chakra Threads? It did not quite seem like that.

This was beyond the scope of the question. Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.

If it had not been for today's Jonin Meeting, he might never have paid special attention to a civilian Special Jonin.

At the same time, he could not help blaming the boy for hiding his abilities. If he had displayed his talent from the start, Konoha might have gained another powerful shinobi capable of standing on his own.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared blankly at Watanabe Yūske's file, his thoughts drifting somewhere unknown.

Senju Clan Compound.

Ever since Tsunade returned, she had stayed in her room, searching through Wind Style Ninjutsu to see which techniques suited Yūske and could help him out of his predicament.

"Lady Tsunade, Lord Hokage requests your presence." An Anbu knelt on one knee outside the door.

She did not know why the old man had suddenly summoned her. Though the two had argued unpleasantly at yesterday's Jonin Meeting, he was the Third Hokage and also her Teacher. Without a second thought, Tsunade put away the scrolls and headed out.

Halfway there, Tsunade smacked her little head and cursed herself for being stupid. Why had she not thought of finding help? Wasn't her Teacher the Shinobi World Professor? If she had a problem, she could just ask him.

Hokage Building.

Bang! Tsunade kicked the door open.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth twitched as he looked at the collapsed door.

"You're already grown up. Why are you still so rash and careless?" Hiruzen Sarutobi scolded Tsunade with feigned sternness.

Tsunade rolled her eyes and got straight to the point.

"Old man, why did you call me here?"

"Although your proposal to reform Medical Ninja was not passed at the Jonin Meeting, after discussion by the Elder Council, it does appear to be feasible."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, then asked softly.

Realizing that the Third Hokage was trying to smooth things over, Tsunade put away her dissatisfaction and explained to him.

"During the battle against the Sand Village Puppet Unit, I saw all kinds of wounded patients in the Medical Department. Quite a few comrades were sent there only after the poison had already spread because there were not enough Medical Ninja."

"The Medical Department still had to draw blood for testing and prepare antidotes. Most of the comrades who could ultimately be saved were no longer able to fight."

Tsunade spoke bitterly.

"So that is why you proposed medical reform to Konoha?"

"Yes. If every squad assigned to missions had been equipped with a Medical Ninja, the casualties would not have been so devastating."

"If only back then..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly interrupted her.

"Nawaki would not have died, right?"

The grief she had forced down surged up from her heart. Tsunade's eyes reddened as she remembered the terrible state in which Nawaki had been carried back—his body covered in wounds, his missing organs...

"If I had been by Nawaki's side then, maybe he wouldn't have..."

Seeing Tsunade's sorrow, Hiruzen Sarutobi comforted her.

"Tsunade, this is not your fault. It was Nawaki's fate. You were a qualified sister. Nawaki would not blame you either. After all, he used his own way to protect the village he loved most."

After all, he had been the First Hokage's grandson. Hiruzen Sarutobi grieved deeply as well.

"But he was still so young. His life had only just begun..."

Tsunade cried for a long while before finally emerging from her grief.

"But reform is easier said than done. It affects the interests of too many people."

"Even someone as powerful as the First Hokage had to expend tremendous effort when the village was first founded before those clans were willing to give up even a piece of meat."

"I know what you're saying makes sense, Teacher. Given the current situation, even if we wanted to do it, it might not achieve any results. It would be better to put all the funds and resources into the Front Lines and fight for this after the war ends. I understand all that."

Hiruzen Sarutobi comforted Tsunade while analyzing the situation for her. The First and Second Hokage were gone. Though he was now the Third Hokage, the Elder Council still restrained him. Even if he forcefully issued orders and pushed them through, problems would inevitably arise within the village.

"I heard that after the meeting, you had dinner with Special Jonin Watanabe?" Not wanting to continue discussing the matter, Hiruzen Sarutobi changed the subject.

"To rise from personnel allocation to the village's future... that boy sees far ahead."

"Although Yūske is a civilian shinobi, just like us, he values the village more than his own life."

Tsunade then told the Third Hokage about Yūske's various cultivation problems.

"Yūske is a Special Jonin and already qualified to complete missions independently. During wartime, the village will not let such fighting strength go to waste. He may be transferred to the Front Lines again before long."

"I only wanted to help him, so he could survive the war." Seeing Tsunade's bashful appearance, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed for Jiraiya. Yet he was even happier. Perhaps having someone and something she cared about would allow Tsunade to emerge from her past pain.

The next day.

After resting for the night, Yūske had mostly recovered his strength.

Having only recently been transferred back to the village, he finished a simple meal and wandered through the streets.

Yesterday, he had focused only on training and had not had time to take in Konoha as a whole. His home was not located in a prime area; Konoha's prime districts were now basically controlled by the shinobi clans.

Although it was still wartime, it had little impact on Konoha's civilians. People came and went along the streets without a trace of tension. Perhaps because Konoha was strong, the villagers had faith in their own ninja.

The timeline he had transmigrated into was during the Second Shinobi World War, which meant Kaguya's resurrection was at least thirty years away. Fortunately, Yūsuke now possessed the powers of the String-String Fruit. Kazama Tetsu had loved watching One Piece in his previous life, so he knew the String-String Fruit's abilities were far from weak.

If Donquixote Doflamingo had not been defeated by the protagonist's plot armor, Luffy probably would not have had any story afterward.

After quickly taking a lap around Konoha, Yūsuke spotted Ichiraku Ramen and went inside to satisfy his curiosity. As for the online jokes about Otsutsuki Ichiraku, he merely smiled at them.

"Welcome!" Looking at the little brat before him, Yūsuke recognized at a glance that he was Teuchi.

"You're here for the first time, aren't you?" Though young, Teuchi spoke with the ease of someone far older as he struck up a conversation.

"Yeah, I just came down from the Front Lines and wanted to try the village's food. What do you recommend?" Yūsuke asked with a smile.

"So you're a ninja, sir." Teuchi bowed.

"Let me recommend our Miso Tonkotsu Ramen."

Yūsuke looked over the menu, pondered for a moment, then said, "Sure, I'll have a bowl."

"Dad, one bowl of Miso Tonkotsu Ramen."

"Got it. Please wait a moment, sir."

"Yūsuke." Hearing the voice, Yūsuke turned around and saw Tsunade standing in the doorway with a bright smile.

"Tsunade." Yūsuke raised a hand in greeting.

"Have you eaten? If you don't mind, let's eat together."

With that, Tsunade sat down and picked up the menu. "What ramen did you order?"

"Miso Tonkotsu Ramen," Yūsuke replied.

"Then I'll have the same."

"Okay," Teuchi replied, then ran into the kitchen.