Plenty of today's Medical Ninjas had Senju blood flowing through their veins.
As the Jonin Squad leader, Senju Itsuki naturally carried considerable influence. His words prompted Hiruzen Sarutobi to give further thought to the feasibility of the two proposals.
Just then, Dan Katō, seated toward the back of the long table, stood up. His light blue hair fell past his shoulders as he chimed in, "Lord Hokage, aside from these two proposals, I think we could also make some appropriate reforms within the Medical Department."
His remarks immediately drew plenty of attention.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi furrowed his brow.
Before he could speak, Danzo said coolly, "Dan Katō, you're making it sound far too simple."
"There are extremely few Medical Ninjas, and war could break out at any moment. Introducing an untested reform plan that exists only on paper at a time like this is practically gambling with the lives of thousands upon thousands of shinobi."
"Reality is far crueler than you imagine!"
"But..." Dan Katō tried to explain his idea.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi raised a hand, signaling for him to sit down.
Tsunade glanced at Dan Katō and silently felt sorry for him. His Medical Ninjutsu ranked among the best in the village.
Unfortunately, he was too idealistic. That naive proposal was just like something Jiraiya, that idealist, would say.
Dan Katō sat down dejectedly. From the corner of his eye, he looked toward Tsunade. As a Medical Ninja, he couldn't help falling for a powerful, beautiful young kunoichi with exceptional Medical Ninjutsu.
His words had been for the village, in part, but he'd also hoped to catch her attention.
Unfortunately, she'd only glanced at him.
"Tsunade, it's not the right time for the other proposals. I'll leave these two in your hands," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, announcing his final decision.
Tsunade looked delighted as she glanced at Qingguang, then turned to Senju Itsuki with a grateful look.
After the meeting, Tsunade, Qingguang, and Senju Itsuki went to Kage Rock and gazed out over prosperous Konoha.
"Big Brother Itsuki, thanks for your help today."
"It's nothing. I'm not as clever as you two. Mother asked me to do it," Senju Itsuki explained.
As Jonin Squad leader, he handled matters without letting personal feelings get involved. Even when it came to Tsunade's proposal today, he'd maintained an objective, neutral stance.
Reform might make Konoha better, but it would also mean changing the Hokage's current policies and destabilizing the village, bringing new risks.
He'd planned to remain neutral, but before today, his mother, Senju Momoka, had asked him to represent the Senju Clan and express support for Tsunade.
He didn't quite understand his mother's reasoning, but he knew she'd once been a trusted aide to both the First Hokage and the Second Hokage. She would never do anything harmful to Konoha, so all he had to do was deliver her message.
"Grandma Momoka?" Tsunade and Qingguang were both surprised.
They hadn't expected this venerable Senju Clan elder to support them.
After Hashirama and Tobirama passed away, Senju Momoka became the one who held sway over the Senju Clan. Though the Senju had disbanded, many of their shinobi still kept in touch.
Momoka was their leader.
She held no official position in the village, but even Hiruzen Sarutobi had to show her respect.
"Yes. Your mother wants you to visit her tomorrow." With that, Senju Itsuki left.
That left Tsunade and Qingguang alone together.
"How did Senior Momoka find out about this?" Tsunade sat cross-legged on the edge of the cliff, her left hand supporting her chest and her right hand propping up her cheek. She sounded perplexed.
"Maybe when you visited the other Medical Ninjas, some of the Senju shinobi mentioned it to Senior Momoka."
"Is that so?" Tsunade tilted her head and glanced at Qingguang.
"What else could it be? She's a shinobi from the Warring States Period. Don't underestimate the Senju Clan's intelligence network."
Hearing Qingguang praise the Senju like that felt strange to Tsunade, especially since he'd attended the Jonin meeting today as a representative of the Uchiha, wearing clothes marked with the red-and-white Gunbai crest of his clan.
"You're an Uchiha. How can you praise the Senju Clan like that? It's weird."
Qingguang didn't mind at all. He spread his hands. "What's weird about it? You're a descendant of the Senju Clan, yet you're always meeting up with me, an Uchiha."
"Besides, Konoha was founded by the Uchiha and the Senju. It's like a child of our two clans."
"What's wrong with elders caring about their child?" Qingguang's gaze softened as he looked down at the bustling streets, his face brimming with contentment and happiness.
Tsunade watched his profile. The pink evening glow on the horizon cast a rosy glimmer in his normally dark eyes.
For a moment, Tsunade lost herself in thought.
Our child?
What was this kid saying? That was outrageous!
She grabbed Qingguang by the head, pressed it against her thigh, and landed several quick slaps on the back of his head.
Blushing, she scolded him, "You little brat! You've even got the nerve to tease your big sis? Our child? You've got some nerve!"
"Mmfff!" Qingguang felt his face buried against Tsunade's thigh and could barely breathe. He struggled and tried to explain through muffled words.
"I didn't mean our child. I meant the child of our two clans."
Tsunade's blush deepened, and even her earlobes turned pink like the evening sky. She kept hitting him harder.
"Still saying 'the child of our two clans'?"
"I meant Konoha! Konoha!"
"Hm? Konoha?" Tsunade stopped, her eyes going blank.
Only then did Qingguang press both hands against Tsunade's plump, rounded thigh and sit up, gulping in the fresh air. He rubbed the back of his head, which still throbbed faintly.
"What else could I mean? Isn't Konoha like a child of our two clans?"
Tsunade finally understood. She'd spaced out and misheard him.
"I-I was just in a bad mood, so I took it out on you."
"If you want to blame someone, blame that old man Sarutobi for rejecting my reform proposal." Tsunade's voice grew weaker as she went on.
Even she thought that excuse sounded flimsy.
Qingguang could only smile indulgently. "What can I say? You're my big sis."
"As your little bro, I don't mind being your punching bag once in a while."
That only made Tsunade feel a little embarrassed.
She cupped Qingguang's cheeks between her hands and pressed his head back against her thigh.
"Wait, you want to take it out on me again? Could you let me recover first?" Despair flickered across Qingguang's face.
Tsunade's slaps had packed quite a punch. His head was still ringing.
"Don't move. I'll use Medical Ninjutsu to treat you."
"Oh, okay."
"Also, come with me to see Senior Momoka tomorrow."
"Sure... Hm? I have to come too?"
"What, you don't want to?" Tsunade threatened, her hands beginning to tighten around his face.
"I do! Of course I do!"
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