Improvement Complete

"Tsunade-sama, Hyuga Mirai just asked me for some materials to practice Sealing Techniques."

"Tsunade-sama, Hyuga Mirai has already begun trying to improve the Healing Tag."

"Tsunade-sama."

"I know already, Kimura!"

Tsunade slammed the pen in her hand onto the desk and said to Kimura, "I'm not going back on my word, so stop emphasizing it!"

"That wasn't what I meant, Tsunade-sama."

Seeing Tsunade getting somewhat flustered, Kimura let out a faint smile before solemnly saying to her, "Tsunade-sama, in my opinion, Hyuga Mirai's talent for Medical Ninjutsu is almost enough to catch up to yours. I feel that within ten years, Mirai-kun will be able to shoulder responsibility for Konoha's medical system—if you stay as well, Tsunade-sama."

"Say no more!"

Impatience surfaced on Tsunade's face as she snapped at her. Regarding this matter, whether it was the Third Hokage or anyone else who knew about it, they all wanted to persuade her to remain in Konoha.

Every word out of their mouths was for Konoha. No one ever considered her feelings.

All that did was make her hate this village of Konoha more and more!

If she stayed in Konoha, aside from training Medical-nin, she would be treating others. She could not even drink a little alcohol without having to mind her image. The Konoha of the past had been something she wanted to protect, but now, Tsunade only felt that Konoha was a prison. If she remained here any longer, she feared she would not be able to endure it.

Besides, she had developed hemophobia. She could not even perform surgery anymore. Was she supposed to stay and serve as a decorative mascot for everyone else?!

Next month, she would have Shizune graduate from the Ninja Academy, then leave this place.

Tsunade made up her mind. If she wanted to leave, no one could stop her.

Then she rose directly to her feet and headed outside.

Kimura froze at the sight and asked, "Tsunade-sama, where are you going?"

"I'm in a bad mood. I'm going to relax!"

"But you just decided to deal with the documents today—"

Before Kimura could finish, Tsunade had already left the office. Kimura sighed, then gathered up the documents on Tsunade's desk, intending to take them back to her own office and finish processing them.

Hyuga Mirai's progress, on the other hand, went quite smoothly. With the scroll Kimura had sent over regarding the use of Sealing Runes, he found it much easier to improve the Healing Tag.

While conducting research at Konoha Hospital, Hyuga Mirai could freely replenish his energy through eating. With sufficient supplies, three Shadow Clones plus his original body worked at full capacity to improve the Healing Tag, and they soon made breakthrough progress.

Through day-and-night research and refinement, Hyuga Mirai and his Shadow Clones tried many different methods.

On the eighth day, Hyuga Mirai finally perfected the Healing Tag.

"With a three-three-four Sealing Rune array, I should be able to perfectly seal Yang Release Chakra within this chakra paper."

Looking at the palm-sized Healing Tag in his hand, Hyuga Mirai could not help smiling in satisfaction.

If he delved deeper into the research, he could continue improving the Sealing Runes and reduce the amount of chakra paper used. Alternatively, he could research having other materials carry Yang Release Chakra, such as healing shinobi uniforms imbued with the Mystical Palm Technique, healing forehead protectors, and so on.

"However, internal injuries still require a Medical-nin nearby to guide the Yang Release Chakra. Without a Medical-nin, it can only heal ordinary external wounds—but that is enough."

With Healing Tags, Medical-nin could conserve the maximum amount of chakra on the battlefield. They only needed to expend a small amount of chakra for guidance to complete many medical procedures.

This was a massive industry. If developed, it could seize an enormous amount of wealth from the Ninja World. At the same time, the development of medical ninja tools would serve as an accelerant for war.

Once injuries were guaranteed to be treatable, shinobi would fear war less.

However, all of that was still too far away from Hyuga Mirai. Once he had his own forces in the future, he would not mind further developing research into medical ninja tools. But under the current circumstances, the improved Healing Tag was more than enough to satisfy those Konoha Higher-ups.

Afterward, Hyuga Mirai took the improved Healing Tag and the compiled drawing instructions directly to the office of Vice-Director Kimura.

After knocking and receiving permission, Hyuga Mirai pushed open the door and entered.

The female vice-director, who looked decisive and capable, was handling official business behind a mountain of documents. Hyuga Mirai had no idea how such a small hospital could have so much work to deal with.

Hyuga Mirai spoke directly. "Vice-Director, the Healing Tag has been successfully improved. Since yesterday, not a trace of Yang Release Chakra has leaked out."

"It's already a success?!"

Kimura stood up in surprise. Only eight days had passed. Though she had always praised Hyuga Mirai's talent, the one standing before her was still just a boy.

The other team improving the Healing Tag had yet to produce any news, while this boy, working alone, had already succeeded.

Kimura walked away from her desk and came before Hyuga Mirai, taking the Healing Tag from his hand.

It was much smaller than the half-finished product she had first seen, only slightly larger than a palm. The Sealing Runes formed a three-three-four arrangement around a large character for "Yang." Unless the seal was released, Kimura could not sense even the slightest trace of chakra from this Healing Tag.

It was perfect. If she used this to report back to the Third Hokage, the achievement would be worth at least three S-rank missions.

If Konoha stockpiled enough of these Healing Tags, it would be equivalent to having several Medical Saints on the battlefield.

Kimura looked at Hyuga Mirai with a somewhat complicated gaze. It seemed she had still underestimated his talent as a shinobi. Perhaps he could become like Tsunade-sama. Maybe he might even surpass Tsunade-sama in the future.

"Mirai-kun, come with me to see Hokage-sama. Since you researched and improved the Healing Tag, Hokage-sama will definitely grant you great credit."

Hyuga Mirai paused at her words. After thinking it over, he said, "All right. Are we going now?"

"Right now."

Vice-Director Kimura did not even want to deal with the documents on her desk anymore. She immediately took Hyuga Mirai, along with the Healing Tag and his report, and hurried toward the Hokage Tower.

Not long after leaving Konoha Hospital, Hyuga Mirai and Kimura suddenly saw Tsunade walking toward them, a lingering drunken flush still on her face.

Hyuga Mirai's eyes flickered. He suddenly waved to Tsunade-sama and called out, "Tsunade-sama, I've accumulated a lot of questions. I'll come ask you for guidance tomorrow."

As he spoke, he held a Healing Tag between his fingers and gave it a demonstrative shake at Tsunade-sama.

Afterward, Hyuga Mirai and Kimura headed toward the Hokage Tower, while Tsunade-sama remained where she was. After standing there blankly for a moment, she dispelled the smell of alcohol from herself and, coming back to her senses, thought it over.

That kid... was he provoking me just now?

The more Tsunade-sama thought about it, the more she felt that White-eyed Kid's provocation had been blatant. Anger immediately welled up in her heart, and she stomped hard.

"Damn White-eyed Kid!"

Hokage Tower

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the Healing Tag in his hand with considerable satisfaction. If Konoha stockpiled Healing Tags in large quantities, they could make up for Tsunade-sama's absence when she went out. Even if war broke out in the future, they would not have to worry about lacking enough Medical-nin.

What a pity. Despite being so talented, he was a ninja from the Hyuga Branch Family. Just the Caged Bird Seal on his forehead was enough to make Sarutobi Hiruzen unwilling to let him join the Anbu.

Otherwise, if he were brought into the Anbu and properly trained, then in ten years, Hyuga Mirai would become a capable and loyal subordinate. The Anbu required both loyalty and ability; neither could be lacking. But the first loyalty of a Hyuga Branch Family ninja would undoubtedly belong to the Main Family.

But now, Sarutobi Hiruzen needed to consider other ways to reward him.

Votes!