Learning Medicine Can't Save the Ninja World

"Whose adorable child is this?"

Tsunade asked with a faint smile. "Could it be yours, Nonō?"

As for Hikawa's gaze, she paid it no mind.

He was just a child.

There was no need for her to get angry.

If it had been Jiraiya, she would have punched him outright.

"His name is Hikawa. He's a child from the orphanage."

Yakushi Nonō explained softly.

"Hikawa?"

Tsunade raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is he the Hikawa who beat Asuma?"

Yakushi Nonō instinctively glanced at Hikawa.

Although Sarutobi Asuma was the Hokage's son, a fight between children wouldn't spread far and wide, so she had no idea.

"I was just lucky."

Hikawa showed a modest smile.

Sarutobi Asuma: Aminos!

Hearing this, Yakushi Nonō's face revealed surprise.

She now understood why Sarutobi Hiruzen had snatched Hikawa from Shimura Danzō's grasp.

It was indeed worth it.

But at the same time, worry crept into her heart.

The more outstanding Hikawa was, the less Shimura Danzō would give up.

"Is there something you need from me with this little one?"

Tsunade let out a light laugh and asked.

"Hikawa is your fan, so he wanted to get to know you."

Yakushi Nonō patted Hikawa's head and said.

"You're an Illusion Ninja, so how can you be my fan?"

Tsunade asked curiously.

I'm a fan of your chest.

But he definitely couldn't say that out loud.

Hikawa spoke up: "Because I think Medical Ninja are amazing. They can save lives and heal the wounded."

"Is that so?"

Tsunade paused slightly, then suddenly remembered something and sighed. "Medicine can't save the shinobi world."

Are you a Senju Tree Person?

Hikawa wanted to roast her but didn't know how.

"Little one, anything else to say?"

Tsunade stood up and stretched. "It's about time. I have to go see a patient."

Hikawa hesitated for a moment, then shook his head.

What could he say?

Was he supposed to kneel like Lu Bu and say, "I wish to pledge myself as your adopted son"?

It was only because of Yakushi Nonō's connection that he had the chance to exchange a few words with Tsunade.

Though Hikawa wanted to learn Medical Ninjutsu, seeking to become her disciple would be nothing but presumptuous.

To make it in this world, you needed influence and backing.

Right now, he only had two options.

Either he possessed exceptional Yang Style talent, or he had money—enough to do whatever he wanted and become her creditor.

But at present, he could do neither.

"Then see you next time."

Tsunade waved her hand and turned to leave.

"Director,"

Hikawa pretended to be interested and asked, "Does Tsunade-sama usually perform surgeries?"

"She does."

Yakushi Nonō nodded slightly. "But she won't bother with minor injuries."

Hikawa's heart stirred.

So it seemed she really didn't have hemophobia.

In the original story, Tsunade only developed hemophobia after witnessing Dan Katō's death.

Now that link was gone.

The flow of fate had shifted.

Though he didn't know the cause, as he grew stronger, he would surely uncover the Sage of Six Paths' different secrets.

For Hikawa, that was a good thing.

If Tsunade stayed in Konoha, he only needed to display his Yang Style talent to catch her attention.

If she wandered the land like in the original, there would be no opportunity at all.

Hikawa's insistence on becoming Tsunade's disciple wasn't because he was a fan—it was to stay alive, to live more safely in Konoha.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had taken some notice of him, but not enough.

If Shimura Danzō ever pulled an underhanded sneak attack, how could he stop it?

He needed another insurance policy.

Besides Sarutobi Hiruzen, only the Konoha Three Ninjas weren't afraid of Shimura Danzō.

Orochimaru—a dangerous and charming villain. Becoming his disciple might mean turning into an experiment one day.

Jiraiya only took the Child of Prophecy as a disciple, and he already had Namikaze Minato.

By comparison, Tsunade was the best choice—noble in status and alone.

"Director, can you teach me Medical Ninjutsu?"

Hikawa looked at Yakushi Nonō and asked.

"Medical Ninjutsu?"

Yakushi Nonō showed a surprised expression.

Was it because he admired Tsunade?

"You're still young now. You should focus your energy on learning genjutsu."

Yakushi Nonō advised.

"Genjutsu doesn't take energy."

Hikawa shook his head and said, "I can learn three genjutsu in a single day."

"...?"

Yakushi Nonō froze.

Was this human?

She knew Hikawa had excellent Yin Style talent, but she hadn't expected it to be this good.

No wonder beating Sarutobi Asuma was understandable.

"Medical ninjas aren't as simple as genjutsu ninjas. Before learning Medical Ninjutsu, you need enough foundational knowledge."

Yakushi Nonō took out a scroll and said, "Since you want to learn, give it a try."

Geniuses always got special treatment.

If he could learn it, that would be best.

If not, no harm done—he could still become a genjutsu ninja.

"Thank you, Director!"

Hikawa unconsciously let out a sigh of relief.

This shinobi world really had plenty of good people.

Hikawa opened the scroll, and the table of contents met his eyes.

He flipped a few pages and found it was still the table of contents. He couldn't help but wonder—where was the actual text?

"This is the list of medical books you need to study."

Yakushi Nonō explained.

"Huh?"

Hikawa instinctively looked up.

This wasn't one book? It was a list of books?

You call this basic introduction?

He finally understood the weight of the saying, "Persuade someone to study medicine, and heaven's lightning will strike you."

"You can come to Konoha Hospital to read whenever you have time, or borrow a few books to take out."

Yakushi Nonō smiled and patted his head.

"..."

Hikawa's mind echoed with Tsunade's words just now.

Medicine can't save the ninja world.

Forget it, just do it for the kids.

Hikawa bid Yakushi Nonō farewell, borrowed two medical books, and left Konoha Hospital.

With so many books, he wasn't in a rush to read them all at once.

He started with the simplest.

[E-Rank Talent Entry: Nimble Steps (Unacquired).]

[Trigger Condition: Speed reaches the peak of a standard genin.]

[Current Progress: 30%.]

The E-Rank Entry 'Nimble Steps' was a necessary component for synthesizing the C-Rank Entry 'Heavenly Strength.'

And its trigger condition was simple—run.

Since Hikawa had already been running for two weeks, his progress had reached 30%.

Coupled with the Body Energy recovery effect of the E-Rank Entry 'Strong Physique,' he estimated he'd meet the condition soon enough.

Hikawa stretched his limbs, ready to run.

The streets were already crowded with pedestrians, unsuitable for running.

After a moment's thought, he headed north and arrived at Konoha's Fourth Training Ground.

The training ground was public.

Hikawa swept his gaze and spotted a familiar face—Hatake Kakashi.

He wasn't training ninjutsu or working out, but clashing blades with a silver-haired young man.

Hatake Sakumo?

Hikawa mused.

In Konoha, there was actually one other ninja unafraid of Shimura Danzō—Hatake Sakumo.

At this time, his reputation surpassed even the Konoha Three Ninjas, second only to Sarutobi Hiruzen, shaking the ninja world and earning him the title Konoha White Fang.

But in two or three years, he would take his own life after a mission failure.

Hikawa didn't disturb them. He began running along the edge of the training ground.