Uzumaki Mito Couldn't Stand It Anymore

Tsunade's medical talent was clear to Uzumaki Mito.

To have created multiple Medical Ninjutsu techniques at such a young age, each one capable of elevating the entire shinobi world's medical standards by several tiers.

Uzumaki Mito had always been deeply gratified by this.

In her experienced eyes, this was the limit a Medical Ninja could reach.

But Uchiha Dan...

"Grandma!" Tsunade interrupted Uzumaki Mito's thoughts and asked, "I've always been curious—why did Second Grandfather target Uchiha Dan so much? Can you tell me the reason?"

"It seems..." Uzumaki Mito sank into memory, looking somewhat embarrassed, "It was because that kid smiled at the wrong time."

"Huh?"

That was supposed to be a reason?

Tsunade thought she'd misheard, staring at Uzumaki Mito in disbelief.

"At the time, your Second Grandfather was about to leave for Kumogakure. I had a vague sense of foreboding, so I went to see him off," Uzumaki Mito continued reminiscing.

"Uchiha Dan happened to be on that street. But that kid must have thought of something happy and suddenly smiled."

"Your Second Grandfather noticed him immediately, and his gaze was very unfriendly."

"That's it?" Tsunade fumed, huffing angrily. "That's not fair!"

"I found it hard to believe too, but I investigated that child and found nothing wrong. So aside from this explanation, I really can't think of another reason."

"Your Second Grandfather never liked the Uchiha Clan—you know that." Uzumaki Mito sighed.

"But I never imagined that just because a ten-year-old kid smiled at the wrong time, he'd be targeted to this extent."

After saying this, Uzumaki Mito and Tsunade fell into a long silence.

What more could be said?

In truth, Uzumaki Mito had misjudged Tobirama Senju.

The reason Tobirama Senju targeted Uchiha Dan was because he saw something in Dan's somewhat manic eyes that only he could interpret.

As a mad ninjutsu scientist, Tobirama Senju occasionally fell into the same state Uchiha Dan had been in.

Seeing something in another that mirrored himself, how could Tobirama Senju not be wary?

If Uchiha Dan weren't from the Uchiha Clan, Tobirama Senju wouldn't have minded.

But the one showing that same madness as him could not be from the evil Uchiha Clan.

Because the last Uchiha to wear that expression was named Madara Uchiha.

Tobirama Senju himself couldn't remember how many Forbidden Jutsu he'd created, and he was well aware of their dangers.

If the evil Uchiha Clan produced someone as crazed as him in creating Forbidden Jutsu, would it be good or bad?

For Tobirama Senju, there would only ever be one answer.

This child must not be allowed to live!

That was why he was willing to tarnish his own reputation to target a ten-year-old before his death.

In truth, Tobirama Senju had originally planned to confirm after the negotiations whether Uchiha Dan was truly as dangerous as he suspected.

But he was ambushed and had little time left.

Holding to the principle of suppressing rather than letting slip, he issued that order.

"Grandma!" After a long pause, Tsunade finally spoke. "Can't you think of a way to help Dan?"

"His talent is truly unparalleled. If it's wasted for this reason, I won't accept it."

Uzumaki Mito sighed. "This was your Second Grandfather's dying decision. How could Hiruzen Sarutobi openly defy it?"

"What if we only let him extract Chakra?" Tsunade's eyes lit up as she proposed.

"Not letting him train in ninjutsu or any other training, just letting him become a better Medical Ninja so his talent isn't wasted—can't that be done?"

"That... isn't impossible." Uzumaki Mito hesitated.

War was cruel.

In her youth, Uzumaki Mito had experienced many battles, watching relatives, clan members, and comrades die one by one.

Many of them weren't killed directly by the enemy but died from a lack of timely and effective treatment.

So outstanding Medical Ninja were treasures anywhere, greatly reducing wartime mortality.

With Uchiha Dan's medical talent so high, if he could truly unleash it, what that would mean for Konoha was obvious.

Having made her decision, Uzumaki Mito suddenly smiled. "Little Tsuna, aren't you afraid of raising a rival for yourself?"

"Hmph!" Tsunade crossed her arms, confident. "One day I'll beat him head-on and make him know who the real number one Medical Ninja of Konoha is!"

That evening, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi received a notice from an Anbu Ninja and arrived at the Senju Clan Estate.

"Lady Mito!" Hiruzen Sarutobi bowed respectfully to Uzumaki Mito.

"Hiruzen, you've come? Have a seat!" Uzumaki Mito pointed to the seat across from her, signaling Hiruzen Sarutobi to sit down.

At this time, the Land of Whirlpools had not yet fallen. Although Tsunade's parents had unfortunately died while carrying out missions, Uzumaki Mito had not yet grown as disheartened as she would later become, ceasing to concern herself with village affairs. On the contrary, she would occasionally offer Hiruzen Sarutobi some advice.

Because she understood boundaries well and was quite tactful, Hiruzen Sarutobi would almost always choose to adopt the suggestions she raised. After all, as the wife of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and the sister-in-law of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, Uzumaki Mito held immense prestige in Konoha. If not for her advancing age and reluctance to meddle in trivial matters, Hiruzen Sarutobi would surely have found her quite troublesome.

"You've heard about what happened at Konoha Hospital today, haven't you?" Uzumaki Mito didn't need to beat around the bush with Hiruzen Sarutobi and asked directly.

"I've heard about it already!"

"What's your take on this matter?" Uzumaki Mito asked while brewing tea.

"Rivalry among children isn't necessarily a bad thing. Over the years, Tsunade has grown increasingly diligent—not only has her strength improved tremendously, but she has also created multiple Medical Ninjutsu techniques, making great contributions to Konoha." Hiruzen Sarutobi did not hold back his praise.

"Indeed, the importance of an excellent Medical Ninja to the village goes without saying." Uzumaki Mito nodded in agreement. "Every time war breaks out, how many people die because of inadequate treatment?"

"Little Tsunade's talent in Medical Ninjutsu is truly a great blessing for our Konoha."

"Lady Mito speaks the truth!" Hiruzen Sarutobi echoed.

"By the way!" Uzumaki Mito suddenly thought of something and asked, "How is the village's current training of Medical Ninjas coming along?"

"Well..." Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turned grim, and he said helplessly, "Although we've been investing in this area, Medical Ninjutsu demands too much from one's talent. For now... the results are minimal..."

"That's not surprising!" Uzumaki Mito showed no intention of blaming Hiruzen Sarutobi; instead, she offered a word of comfort before continuing, "But the investment must still be made."

"You've also participated in the First Ninja World War, so you know the importance of Medical Ninjas."

"Rest assured, Lady Mito, I can guarantee that!" Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded solemnly. "The only question is whether Tsunade is willing to teach the Mystical Palm Technique to the village's other Medical Ninjas."

"What's there to be unwilling about?" Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi steer the conversation directly to this point, Uzumaki Mito smiled. "But the Mystical Palm Technique is very difficult to learn. Even a highly talented Medical Ninja would struggle to see results in less than half a year to a year."

"Ah..." Hiruzen Sarutobi was taken aback. "But I heard that Uchiha Dan mastered this technique just by seeing Tsunade perform it once."

"That is indeed true, because this child's talent in Medical Ninjutsu surpasses even Tsunade's!" Uzumaki Mito nodded.

Then she handed a cup of tea to Hiruzen Sarutobi and fell silent, continuing to brew tea.