Research Makes Me Happy

"You're that kid from the Nara Clan, aren't you? Your bandaging skills are pretty good!"

Tsunade praised Shikaku, who looked embarrassed, then thanked Inoichi and Choza before beginning to treat Nawaki's injuries.

Her hands glowed with a special chakra, and Tsunade quickly healed the burns and explosion damage on Nawaki.

"Amazing!"

Satoru and the other three watched Tsunade perform the technique with admiration. Nawaki, clearly accustomed to receiving such healing, occasionally wore a strange expression, likely due to the itching as his wounds closed.

Most people would probably have made odd noises at a time like this.

"This is the 'Mystical Palm Technique' among medical ninjutsu. It can revitalize cells in wounds, accelerating healing, and it even improves the skin!"

Tsunade smiled, looking at the wide eyes of the four young boys.

"Satoru, are you injured? Do you need any treatment?"

"Uh... I don't think so, thank you, Lady Tsunade."

Before Satoru could finish speaking, Tsunade grabbed Nawaki's newly smooth cheek and teased him, "You didn't even get hurt? Nawaki, you're too pathetic!"

"Ow, ow, ow..."

Nawaki retreated under the force of her grip. Tsunade thought for a moment, then turned back to Satoru.

"Satoru, being able to learn several new jutsu so quickly, especially the Food Creation Technique and Water Creation Technique, and to be able to change their flavors by stimulating them with chakra – it's truly eye-opening!"

"It seems you have excellent control over your chakra. Are you interested in learning medical ninjutsu?"

To learn medical ninjutsu, one must possess Yang Release chakra, either innate or acquired through later training.

However, precise chakra control is often a matter of talent.

Although it can be strengthened through practice, the greater the talent, the higher the achievement.

"Well..."

Satoru blinked, surprised by Tsunade's invitation.

To be honest, it was hard not to be tempted by medical ninjutsu.

Powerful medical ninjutsu would be welcomed by all ninjas, and it also offered a way to stay away from the battlefield.

But with a major war on the horizon, if he spent energy learning medical ninjutsu now, it would likely delay his interpretation of The Book of Medivh and his study of arcane knowledge.

Ultimately, Satoru's foundation was Arcane Power, and the stronger his control over it, the stronger he would become.

Staying away from the battlefield wasn't a solution; Satoru's biggest deficiency was practical combat experience. If he didn't gain experience while his strength was still low, it would be much harder later on.

Diverting his attention to learn medical ninjutsu now would be more trouble than it was worth.

As for being a "house cat" who doesn't go to the battlefield?

Even the Hokage's son couldn't manage that!

Of course, the most important thing was that if he accepted Tsunade's offer, he would undoubtedly place himself under her scrutiny.

This way, many of his secrets would be difficult to keep hidden.

"Actually, I've been afraid of needles since I was little."

Satoru blinked, putting on a look of lingering fear. "I'm fine with taking medicine, but syringes, IV drips, scalpels, surgical scissors, sutures, hemostatic forceps, and things like that give me an inexplicable sense of dread!"

"If I were forced to be around them, I might even faint... So, while I really want to learn medical ninjutsu, I guess I just don't have the ability!"

"..."

The other five people present looked at Satoru with speechless expressions.

As a ninja, he was afraid of doctors?!

Was he kidding them!

However...

"Ahem... Satoru was also afraid of heights not too long ago, and only recently got over it. Do all shut-ins have so many strange quirks!"

Shikaku couldn't help but grumble fiercely. He had thoroughly experienced Satoru's "shut-in" nature during this time.

Satoru shot Shikaku a subtle glare, causing the latter to shut his mouth sheepishly. However, he then fell into thought.

"Afraid of doctors, huh..."

Tsunade covered her forehead with a wry smile. She had heard of such strange phobias before.

But at most, it was just children being afraid of shots. This guy in front of her, however...

Wait!

"It's normal for a child this young to know about syringes and IV drips, but for him to not only know but also be afraid of so many professional surgical instruments..."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"This kid... there's something wrong with him!"

Seeing the expression on his face, Satoru first froze, then looked a bit embarrassed, and finally adopted a "this is just how I am" lazy demeanor. Tsunade couldn't help but laugh.

"You brat, at such a young age you're already so lazy. Be careful you don't end up like Jiraiya and can't find a girlfriend!"

"Tch... Why should the joys of a homebody be disturbed by women..."

Satoru muttered quietly, "Research brings me joy. Women only hinder my research progress..."

Tsunade looked speechlessly at Satoru, who was muttering to himself, then turned to the other four children who were all behaving obediently.

"I feel like you kids aren't all from the same age group."

"We think so too!"

The four boys nodded in unison.

"Don't you get along well with Nono? Is she hindering your research progress?"

Choza, seemingly unaware of the danger, wanted to delve deeper into this topic. Having successfully lost weight and become much more confident, the former chubby kid genuinely couldn't understand Satoru's viewpoint.

Girls are so cute, how could anyone be so heartless?

"Satoru, you can't be like this. I worked hard to be popular..."

"Transformation Technique: Pig!"

"Oink~"

Shikaku, Inoichi, and Nawaki covered their mouths in horror and stumbled backward—

Nawaki, especially, having just experienced the transformation, looked at the confused little pink piglet spinning on the ground and actually started to feel a little happy.

"Sister, I think a sheep would be much better!"

"This..."

Tsunade nodded heavily.

"Extremely insulting..."

Inoichi looked on with longing. "Damn... I really want to learn that..."

"It's practically torture... no, it's an excellent ninjutsu for delivering a harmless mental blow to the enemy!"

"Truly amazing!"

Tsunade's eyes lit up as she suddenly thought of someone.

"Well, Satoru, I happen to know a friend who really loves research~ I'll introduce him to you sometime!"

Tsunade gave a mysterious smile, which made Satoru shiver involuntarily.

A friend? Who loves research? Who?

No way...

Satoru quickly tried to wave his hands in refusal. "That, Lady Tsunade, there's no need to trouble you..."

"It's no trouble at all!"

Tsunade put on a knowing smile and waved her right fist in front of Satoru, looking with satisfaction as the young boy's face turned even paler.

"My friend will definitely be 'very happy' to meet a young man like you who also loves research!"

Tsunade emphasized "very happy."

"I bet you'll absolutely love him!"

"I..."

As Satoru silently complained in his mind about who was the "big sheep who loses every bet," he looked with a conflicted expression as Tsunade waved goodbye to the four of them, calling Nawaki over.

"This is troublesome now..."

"Satoru, the one Lady Tsunade knows, isn't it..."

Shikaku walked over thoughtfully and whispered, "Is that person troublesome?"

"Ah..."

Satoru sighed, his face creased with worry. "Who else could it be? It's Lord Orochimaru, of course."

"I'm so scared of being targeted by him!"