War Ends, Sannin

"Doctor Uesugi, good morning."

"Doctor Uesugi, thank you for everything you've done."

"Thank you, Brother Uesugi, good morning."

All kinds of patients greeted Miyoshi warmly when they saw him.

After all, for a "life-saving benefactor" like him, no amount of warmth was too much.

Miyoshi simply nodded in return.

He just smiled faintly, nodding to each one.

He had merely seen people protecting the village, and along the way, protected himself, then accepted that debt of gratitude and helped them as much as he could.

He took good and evil very lightly; perhaps in the past he had been kind.

But ever since the Blood Rage, much of his compassion had faded.

Indeed, the Divine Tree symbolized plunder, and the dragon symbolized brutality.

There wasn't a single drop of human blood in Miyoshi's body, and even if there were, it was very faint.

So he didn't care about others' goodwill or malice toward him, but when he saw goodwill surrounding him, he still felt a sense that his efforts hadn't been wasted.

Perhaps that was the light of humanity.

"Miyoshi, you're really popular."

Shengshu said enviously.

Seeing so many people acknowledge, even respect, Miyoshi made him deeply envious.

"If you can also treat and help them when they're in trouble, you'll earn their recognition too."

Miyoshi saw Shengshu's expression and said with a soft laugh.

"Goodwill and recognition aren't really that hard, as long as you're a person of value."

"I don't really get it."

Shengshu shook his head.

Although he was older than Miyoshi, the other gave him a feeling of being far more mature.

"Then just contribute to the village. That's the fastest, simplest way to get everyone to acknowledge you."

Miyoshi shook his head with a wry smile, finding Shengshu's naivety amusing.

But he wasn't wrong—telling others to contribute to the village might not mean much.

Shengshu was different, though. He was the First Hokage's grandson; he would be recognized by nature.

Do a few good deeds, get a little publicity, and he'd become Konoha's great benefactor.

No difficulty at all—slander could hardly destroy the halo of the First Hokage's grandson.

"That's true. As long as I contribute to the village, I'll definitely earn everyone's recognition."

"Yan, do you think so too?"

Shengshu turned to look at Yan.

Even though she was a member of the Uchiha clan, Shengshu had long stopped using that old bloodline theory to judge others.

Besides, her relationship with Miyoshi was deep; maybe she'd even change her surname in the future.

Shengshu didn't see anything wrong with it. The Uchiha were indeed a strong clan, but the Senju were no less.

In fact, because two Hokages came from the Senju, he felt that in terms of glory, the Senju outshone the Uchiha.

"Helping others is the most direct way to gain recognition."

Yan pursed her lips, her gaze passing over Shengshu to look at Miyoshi.

"But I don't have that kind of thinking. I don't have many companions; just being with Miyoshi-kun is enough for me."

"You're so easily satisfied, but are you two doing this on purpose!"

Shengshu felt like he'd been force-fed a full meal of dog food.

Though he was a few years older than Miyoshi, he felt completely outmatched.

It felt like an adult humoring a child—even his sister didn't treat him like this, believing he'd become Hokage one day.

But from Miyoshi and Yan, he couldn't see any respect for his dream, only "friendly" smiles.

"If you want to be Hokage, first try beating Yan in a fight."

Miyoshi, seeing Shengshu full of energy, decided to take him down a peg.

Otherwise, with that doomed look, always charging ahead—he really didn't value his life.

Hearing Miyoshi's words, Yan eagerly drew her short blade and looked at Shengshu.

"No way."

Shengshu quickly raised his hands, crossing them.

No way—he absolutely did not want to fight Yan.

Even though there was only a three-year age gap, the difference in their strength was far too ridiculous.

Yan's Genjutsu made it impossible for him to tell what was real, and then a blade would be at his throat, while a single chop from her hand would leave him aching for days.

At first, he had trained hard, after all, as the grandson of the First Hokage, how could he lose to an ordinary young girl from the Uchiha Clan?

But after half a year of struggle, he couldn't take it anymore.

She was just too good at fighting.

And even Kaser was just as capable, though in a different way from Yan.

Kaser was also a Senju, but he crushed opponents with sheer power and overwhelming Chakra.

This had dealt a massive blow to Shengshu's psyche.

Who was the real Senju here? Was he a fake grandson of the Hokage?

"Shengshu, you look nothing like the motivated you from before."

A teasing voice came from the hallway—a golden ponytail, a heroic bearing, and a chest as turbulent as a great river.

Tsunade had come specifically to mock her brother upon seeing his awkward state.

"Sis, you—"

Before Shengshu could finish, Tsunade dashed up in one swift stride.

At this moment, Shengshu struggled free, his face flushed red, panting heavily.

Then Tsunade looked towards Kaser, but Yan quietly stepped in front of him.

Glancing down at the hospital floor, Yan lifted her head, her expression serious.

"Alright, alright, little one, no need to be jealous."

Tsunade shot a wistful look at Kaser before getting down to business.

"Kaser, there's a hospital meeting later. Do you want to sit in?"

Because of his solid skills, he had genuinely reduced mortality rates, and through his own applications, he had improved and enriched Konoha Hospital's medical foundation.

The hospital was very interested in Kaser, this person specially favored by Lady Tsunade.

And from Lady Tsunade's occasional remarks, it seemed she was considering taking him as an apprentice, so they might as well bring him into the inner circle.

Moreover, this doctor had truly earned everyone's respect.

Whenever surgery ended and sweat beaded on Kaser's forehead, the young girls would even take the initiative to wipe it away.

This was undoubtedly a testament to Kaser's personal charm.

Of course, perhaps the Dragon Blood's allure played a small part, but mainly it was Kaser's own solid qualifications.

As for some of the methods to reduce mortality, he had learned them in his previous life at Kaser, used by the Execution Department—after all, their death rate was high.

And Tsunade was also satisfied with her prospective disciple's performance.

A healer's heart—being able to genuinely lower mortality was more important than anything else.

Kaser was undoubtedly her perfect successor. She decided that once he was a little older, she would formally take him as her apprentice.

"Ahem, I'll pass."

Kaser had intended to agree, but when he saw the faint, barely perceptible disappointment in Yan's eyes, he swallowed his original words.

"Fine, those meetings aren't much use anyway. If anything comes up, I'll just tell you directly.

Also, tonight you and Shengshu pick out a restaurant and treat me to a welcome-back meal."

Tsunade casually dumped everything on Kaser and Shengshu, then swept away with a flourish.

Kaser then turned his gaze to Shengshu beside him.

"Ahem, I still have training tasks to finish today. I'm counting on you, Kaser!"

Shengshu promptly passed the buck and bolted.

"Miyoshi-kun, you were just bluffing Shengshu, weren't you?"

Yan looked at Shengshu's relieved expression and couldn't help but flash a mischievous smile.

"I wasn't bluffing him."

Kaser spread his hands and said.

"He's too loud and excitable. Having him around makes me a bit uncomfortable."