Katsuyu Sage

"Lord Tsunade!"

Qingshui and Mikoto took the initiative to greet Tsunade.

Among them, when Mikoto looked at Tsunade, she couldn't help but reveal an expression of admiration.

Given Tsunade's status, position, and fame, there were very few female ninja in Konoha who didn't admire her.

"It's you two. When did you get back?"

"We just returned today."

"Dragging someone out on a date the moment you get back? You're quite quick, Qingshui."

After a couple of teasing remarks, Tsunade returned to a serious expression and looked at Qingshui: "I heard you fought Hanzo in the Land of Rain, and that you actually won?"

"We only managed to win thanks to Lord Jiraiya."

Seeing him act so modest, Tsunade couldn't help but click her tongue.

"Do you want to become a contractor of Shikkotsu Forest?"

This sudden question made Qingshui's expression freeze; he clearly hadn't expected Tsunade to ask such a thing.

Shikkotsu Forest was one of the Three Great Sage Lands of the Summoning Realm, on par with Mount Myōboku. If given the chance, anyone would want to sign a contract with it.

Naturally, Qingshui was no exception.

Not only would he gain a powerful summoned beast, but he would also be able to access the practice of Senjutsu.

It just so happened that he had already acquired the ability to sense Nature Energy from Jiraiya.

Therefore, Qingshui gave an affirmative answer.

"Alright, then let's just get this taken care of right now."

Because of the mission Hiruzen Sarutobi had given earlier, Tsunade had thought it over and realized the help she could offer Qingshui was quite limited.

After all, in terms of Medical Ninjutsu proficiency alone, the current Qingshui was not much weaker than Tsunade herself.

He was only slightly lacking in experience compared to her.

Thus, she could only provide help in terms of combat, and becoming a contractor of Shikkotsu Forest was undoubtedly the most effective and effortless form of assistance.

Action followed thought; Tsunade immediately closed her eyes, bit her finger, and performed the Summoning Jutsu, summoning a slug the size of half a person.

It was a clone of the Katsuyu Sage from Shikkotsu Forest.

Within the entirety of Shikkotsu Forest, the Katsuyu Sage was the only living entity that existed.

"Long time no see, Lord Tsunade."

As soon as Katsuyu appeared, it greeted Tsunade in a soft, gentle voice.

After wiping away the blood, Tsunade opened her eyes and looked at Katsuyu.

"This is Qingshui. He wants to become a contractor of Shikkotsu Forest."

"No problem. Lord Qingshui, please write your name on the Summoning Scroll with your own blood, and then press your handprint on it."

Even though it was a sage, Katsuyu never put on airs and addressed its contractors as "Lord."

After doing as Katsuyu instructed, Qingshui immediately felt a vague connection established between himself and Katsuyu.

"Lord Qingshui, if you need help in the future, you can summon me at any time."

"Thank you for the trouble, Katsuyu Sage."

Afterward, Katsuyu dispelled the Summoning Jutsu on its own and returned to Shikkotsu Forest, and Tsunade prepared to leave as well.

"Alright, I won't disturb your date any further. I hope you two have a good time."

Listening to Tsunade's words, which seemed to carry a deeper meaning, Mikoto felt a bit shy, and at the same time, the image of Tsunade in her mind crumbled slightly.

Tsunade naturally did not know what Mikoto was thinking.

And even if she did, she wouldn't care.

At this moment, Tsunade had returned to the Senju Clan Compound, only to find that Hiruzen Sarutobi was actually there.

"Old Man, it's so late. Why aren't you at home sleeping? What are you doing here?"

Listening to Tsunade's disrespectful tone, Hiruzen Sarutobi only felt weary.

All three of his students were like this.

And that wasn't all; for instance, Orochimaru had developed problematic ideologies, obsessed with immortality all day long.

Jiraiya seemed to have forgotten he was a Konoha Ninja, wandering the ninja world all day while searching for the so-called "Child of Prophecy" based on a prophecy from Mount Myōboku.

He had thought Tsunade, the most normal of the three, was just slacking off because of her hemophobia.

The most formidable medical ninja in the ninja world, yet she had hemophobia?

How absurd!

"I came to pay a visit to Lord Mito."

During the First Shinobi World War, Hiruzen Sarutobi had been entrusted with the heavy responsibility of becoming the Third Hokage in a time of crisis.

But back then, he was very young and his foundation within Konoha was quite shallow; even with the status of being a student of the Second Hokage, it was difficult for him to firmly sit in the position of Hokage.

Fortunately, it was with the support of Uzumaki Mito that he was able to successfully succeed to the throne and hold supreme power.

Therefore, toward Uzumaki Mito, Hiruzen Sarutobi held genuine respect, and he would come to pay a visit from time to time.

"Then you two talk."

After saying this, Tsunade was about to leave, but she was called back by Uzumaki Mito.

"Tsunade, I am sleepy and preparing to rest; you stay and entertain your teacher."

Although Tsunade dared to give Hiruzen Sarutobi the cold shoulder, she dared not disobey her grandmother's words, so she could only stay behind obediently.

After Mito left, Tsunade said to Hiruzen Sarutobi with a huff.

"Alright, Old Man, speak up. What exactly do you want with me?"

How could she not see that Hiruzen Sarutobi visiting Mito was a pretense, and that finding her was the real reason?

Even Mito had seen this, which was why she had specifically made space for them to talk.

After all, Mito was advanced in age and no longer participated in the affairs of Konoha; now, she was single-mindedly focused on nurturing Kushina.

After taking a deep drag of his pipe, Hiruzen Sarutobi took out a Sealing Scroll and opened it; sealed inside was the White Zetsu Corpse that Qingshui had brought back from the Land of Rain.

This was the reason Hiruzen Sarutobi had come to find Tsunade—he hoped she would begin research on the White Zetsu Corpse.

"Why not go find Orochimaru? With his abilities, he could research it too."

Only wanting to slack off, Tsunade immediately tried to decline.

"Orochimaru won't do."

Hiruzen Sarutobi had specifically come to the Senju Clan Compound to find Tsunade after work under the guise of visiting Mito precisely so that he wouldn't expose this matter.

In particular, he did not want Orochimaru or Danzo to know.

"Tsunade, don't forget your identity. You are a Konoha Ninja!"

Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi had put it this way, even if Tsunade was reluctant, she could only agree.

"Remember, this matter must be kept strictly confidential; it must absolutely not be leaked. In a few days, I will prepare a dedicated research facility for you to conduct your studies."

The White Zetsu Corpse definitely held a great secret, and Hiruzen Sarutobi had to warn Tsunade.

Seeing his serious expression, Tsunade quickly gave her assurance.

After finishing the serious business, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not leave immediately, but instead brought up the upcoming Joint Chunin Exam.

He had already received replies from various ninja villages, and both Sunagakure and Kumogakure had indicated they would send people to participate.

There were even more Small Ninja Villages planning to participate, including Amegakure, Kusagakure, and Takigakure.

Consequently, after discussions today, the time for the Joint Chunin Exam was officially set for one month from now.

After all, many ninjas from other villages would arrive at that time, and Konoha needed time to make comprehensive arrangements to prevent any accidents during the Joint Chunin Exam.

"Kushina should also participate in the Chunin Exam. When the time comes, let her and Qingshui form a Ninja Squad."

The Chunin Exam required registration as a Ninja Squad.

However, ever since Kushina graduated, she had been kept by Mito's side to be taught Sealing Technique, so she had no teammates to form a squad with.