"Of all the A-Rank Medical Ninjutsu, the Mystical Palm Technique has to be the hardest. I can't believe it took me so long."
It had been three days since Qingshui learned the Shadow Clone Technique.
During that time, he had used Shadow Clones to train in the Mystical Palm Technique.
Though only after work.
He didn't use them during work because he was worried that if a Shadow Clone suddenly dispersed while he was treating a patient, it could cause problems.
At his current Chakra level, he couldn't make a Shadow Clone last very long.
And besides, Qingshui had already started practicing the Mystical Palm Technique before learning the Shadow Clone Technique.
Four days had passed since he first acquired the Mystical Palm Technique.
By comparison, the A-Rank Chakra Scalpel had taken him only two days to master, all told.
"Good. Starting tomorrow, I can focus on training in Konoha Ryūyanagi. It's S-Rank difficulty, so who knows how long it'll take me to learn."
Thanks to the system raising his Medical Ninjutsu talent to the highest level, Qingshui only needed a few days to master even A-Rank Medical Ninjutsu.
But Konoha Ryūyanagi was a combination of swordsmanship and Genjutsu, and his talent in both areas was merely average.
As the sun rose, a new day began.
After completing his daily physical training, Qingshui arrived at Konoha Hospital right on time for work.
"Big Brother!"
A bright, delighted voice rang out. Qingshui followed the sound and saw that it was Yūhi Kurenai.
She let go of Yūhi Shinku's hand and ran toward Qingshui.
She was so adorable that, worried she might fall, Qingshui instinctively crouched and caught her in his arms.
"Shouldn't you be in class right now? Did you skip school?"
"No, I didn't! We don't have class on weekends!"
Kurenai quickly explained.
"And Dad is being discharged today, so I came to take him home."
Seeing how she seemed to be waiting for praise, Qingshui was happy to oblige.
Just then, Yūhi Shinku came over as well.
"Sorry, Hirakawa. Kurenai's caused you trouble."
"Not at all. Kurenai is adorable and well-behaved."
Kurenai's face immediately lit up with a happy smile.
"By the way, Big Brother, my name is Yūhi Kurenai. I still don't know yours!"
"Hirakawa Aosui."
"Big Brother Qingshui."
"All right, Kurenai. We should get going. Big Brother Qingshui still has work to do."
At Yūhi Shinku's words, Kurenai obediently climbed out of Qingshui's arms and took her father's hand again.
"Goodbye, Big Brother Qingshui!"
Then Qingshui got back to work.
It was past eleven when Tsunade, who had been making sporadic visits, finally arrived at Konoha Hospital.
"Lord Tsunade, thank you for guiding me these past few days. I've learned the Mystical Palm Technique."
To Tsunade, this was wonderful news.
She had promised to teach Qingshui the Mystical Palm Technique, which meant she had to visit Konoha Hospital every day.
She wasn't the sort of person who went back on her word.
Thankfully, starting today, she could finally take a break.
"I've really put you to a lot of trouble these past few days, Lord Tsunade. I don't even know how to thank you."
Though Tsunade had only come to guide him because of Kushina, Qingshui knew they weren't related. He couldn't just take her help for granted; he ought to show his gratitude somehow.
The Ninja World wasn't all fighting and killing. It was also about human relationships.
But given Tsunade's status, there was practically nothing she lacked.
Even though her gambling had left her in debt, it wasn't a big deal to her.
With her skills, making money would be easy.
So Qingshui was genuinely at a loss about how to thank her.
"Just treat me to a meal."
As soon as she said that, Tsunade turned and walked out of Konoha Hospital, heading toward the casino.
That was so like her.
It perfectly matched the impression I had of her.
After making a quiet comment to himself, Qingshui returned to work.
When he went to find Tsunade after work, he was astonished to discover that she was still gambling.
At this rate, she'd probably been at it all day.
"I bet big!"
"Small, small, small!"
"Hurry up! Everyone bet small! Put it all down!"
When the other gamblers saw Tsunade bet big, they hurried to bet small.
After a year of spreading through the rumor mill, Tsunade's nickname, Big Fat Sheep, had become famous in every casino in Konoha.
The result was just as expected: Tsunade lost her bet on big again.
By the end of the day, she had lost all the money she'd brought with her.
Watching this, Qingshui shook his head to himself.
She was such a spendthrift. Who could afford to support her?
"Lend me another hundred thousand ryo! I'll turn it all around!"
Seeing that Tsunade, carried away by the game, wanted to borrow more money, Qingshui couldn't sit by any longer. He quickly pulled her out of the casino.
Tsunade had been about to fly into a rage, but when she saw it was Qingshui, she merely pursed her lips and held it back.
"Oh, it's already this late? I'm hungry anyway. Let's stop gambling."
The two of them then headed to Yakiniku Q, a famous and extremely popular barbecue restaurant in Konoha.
Supposedly, it was run by the Akimichi Clan.
Qingshui wasn't sure if that was really true.
"I want some sake!"
As soon as they entered a private room and sat down, Tsunade immediately called out.
If her admirers saw her like this, they'd be stunned.
With memories of his past life, Qingshui wasn't surprised at all.
The Three Ninja Prohibitions forbade Ninja from gambling or drinking.
Even adults were supposed to drink in moderation.
After all, being a Ninja wasn't a profession for those seeking a comfortable life.
But Tsunade was in her give-up-on-everything phase, so she naturally didn't care about the Three Ninja Prohibitions.
Giving up on everything was great for a while—and even better if you kept doing it.
Qingshui shook his head, but still gave her what she wanted.
After all, the bigger someone was, the more right they had.
"Have a drink with me, too."
When the sake arrived, Tsunade made another unreasonable request.
Qingshui naturally refused.
"Lord Tsunade, I have work tomorrow."
Seeing Qingshui's troubled expression, Tsunade pursed her lips, but didn't force him.
Even drinking alone, Tsunade got drunk quickly. Then she grabbed Qingshui and started asking him all sorts of questions.
"You're such a genius. Do you want to become Hokage?"
Looking at the drunk Tsunade, Qingshui laughed helplessly. How had the conversation suddenly turned to whether he wanted to become Hokage?
"Come on, tell me. Do you want to become Hokage or not?"
"Becoming Hokage is every Konoha Ninja's dream."
Qingshui gave the answer helplessly.
But Tsunade wasn't satisfied. Her face twisted with indignation.
"What's so great about being Hokage? Only fools want to become Hokage."
Qingshui didn't dare say much about that.
He wasn't Tsunade. If he spoke ill of the Hokage, he might be taken away by Anbu the next day for lacking sufficient devotion to the Will of Fire.
Or, if things went too far, Root might take him in and force its ideology down his throat until he became Danzo's loyal dog.
Eventually, he might die on some mission no one ever heard about.
That would be the most despairing way to die.
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