I Have an Announcement

Hikawa instinctively looked up at Tsunade, her face reflected in his eyes.

Just then, his right eye twitched, and everything in his field of vision shifted.

Hikawa couldn't help but be stunned. So white!

Delicate collarbones, fine skin—every detail was laid bare in his right eye.

Normally, if you magnified skin eight times, it wouldn't be as smooth as imagined.

But Tsunade was different. She had the Yin Seal.

The Yin Seal was an S-rank Medical Sealing Technique.

It had many effects, like instant healing, enhanced attack power, and increased speed.

But what drove female ninjas wild was its ability to keep the body's functions at peak condition, preserving youth.

Coupled with the fact that Tsunade was only thirty now, her skin was terrifyingly good.

"What are you spacing out for?"

Tsunade noticed his gaze and immediately frowned.

Though she was often carefree, she was serious about teaching and never slacked off.

"Yes!"

Hikawa quickly turned off the Eightfold Scope.

After a brief experience, he had a general grasp of the Eightfold Scope.

First, it could be activated as long as he held a ninja tool.

He had just been holding a scalpel, so it had automatically activated.

Well, he couldn't blame himself.

It was all this system's fault for being so inappropriate.

Second, only his right eye could use the Eightfold Scope.

This wasn't a flaw.

If both eyes had the Eightfold Scope, he might miss targets up close.

With the Eightfold Scope in his right eye and normal vision in his left, he could cover both.

But this required adaptation and training.

After all, different magnifications in each eye could have negative effects.

"Hm?"

Tsunade squinted, studying Hikawa.

She noticed his proficiency with the scalpel had suddenly improved.

The E-Rank Entry 'Seven Ninja Tools' had been turned into a synthesis material, but its effect hadn't disappeared—it still existed.

All ninja tool power increased by 10%, naturally including the scalpel.

Tsunade didn't know Hikawa had cheated; she just thought this kid's talent was too comprehensive.

From genjutsu to swordsmanship to Medical Ninjutsu, he was proficient in everything.

Tsunade suddenly recalled what Nara Shikaku had said at the grilled meat restaurant.

A genius like this was indeed qualified to be her student.

But... it wasn't enough.

As a Medical Ninja, Tsunade wanted to see his talent in Medical Ninjutsu.

It was there now, but not impressive enough to make her feel he was indispensable.

"Let's stop here for tonight."

Tsunade watched for a while, then said, "If you want to improve further, you'll have to become a lead Medical Ninja."

"Thank you, Tsunade-sama."

Hikawa put down the scalpel and said sincerely.

"It's nothing."

Tsunade chuckled, reached out, and ruffled his hair. "I got more out of it."

She was referring to gambling.

The money she'd won recently had already exceeded a million ryo.

If Hikawa really wanted to learn, he could just pay a Medical Ninja to be his tutor.

If it was just teaching the scalpel, he wouldn't even need a million ryo—probably one or two hundred thousand would get plenty of takers.

"Tsunade-sama is different."

Hikawa raised his hair-gel hand and smoothed his hair back into place.

"Oh?"

Tsunade tilted her head, feigning cuteness as she asked, "What's different about me?"

Why must an old woman put on such airs?

Ahem.

Hikawa said seriously, "Because you're the most skilled Medical Ninja."

"You little one sure know how to talk."

Tsunade's red lips parted slightly as she teased, "You'll probably trick plenty of girls in the future."

"That's slander!"

Hikawa declared firmly.

Tsunade laughed even more at that.

Hikawa glanced at the swaying outline and felt the urge to activate Eightfold Scope again.

But in the end, he gave up, because he was a proper man.

After the Scalpel lesson ended, Hikawa bid Tsunade farewell and walked out of the house.

The sky had darkened, but not completely, thanks to the streetlights.

Hikawa looked at the distant streetlight and activated Eightfold Scope.

After some testing, he gained a sense of distance.

Within two hundred meters, it was clearest; the farther it got, the blurrier, and beyond four hundred meters, it was no good.

"Kakuzu throwing Kunai from over eight hundred meters away really is tough."

Hikawa recalled another saying about eight hundred li.

That one was purely a joke.

Eight hundred li converted over would be four hundred thousand meters.

"Hikawa!"

A voice rang out as Yuhi Kurenai appeared before him.

"Waiting for me?"

Hikawa couldn't help asking.

"Hmph, no!"

Kurenai put her hands on her hips, acting tsundere. "I'm announcing something—I've learned Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique!"

Though it couldn't compare to Hikawa, at this age, she was already a genius in genjutsu.

"As expected of you, that's impressive."

Hikawa looked at her expression begging for praise and smiled.

"Of course!"

Kurenai puffed out her chest.

So cute.

Hikawa reached out and ruffled her head.

"Don't mess up my hair!"

Kurenai pouted.

"Got it."

Hikawa said dismissively while still patting her head.

Sure enough, patting heads was more fun than having your head patted.

Seeing him push his luck, Kurenai shot him a fierce glare, then turned and ran into the house.

Hikawa couldn't help but laugh.

He stood at the entrance, changed his shoes, and walked into the living room.

"Back?"

Yuhi Shinko looked up and asked, "Eaten yet?"

"Ate at Tsunade-sama's place."

Hikawa said casually.

"You've been getting close to Tsunade-sama lately. How is it? Any chance?"

Yuhi Shinko suddenly thought of something and asked curiously.

Thanks to Tsunade, Hikawa had already caught the attention of many people.

Coupled with his constant study of Medical Ninjutsu, it inevitably sparked speculation.

Tsunade was Sarutobi Hiruzen's student.

If Hikawa became her student, he would automatically be part of the Hokage lineage, with boundless prospects.

Yuhi Shinko naturally wanted to see that happen.

"Can't say."

Hikawa said mysteriously.

"..."

Yuhi Shinko was silent but didn't ask further.

It was clearly unsuccessful.

"Tomorrow I'll teach you a new genjutsu."

Yuhi Shinko pondered for a moment, then said, "Medical ninjutsu is fine, but it lacks combat power. Genjutsu is your foundation."

This statement was true, and so was the desire to ride on the fame.

He wanted to take this opportunity to boost the Yuhi Family's genjutsu reputation.

"Can it be the day after tomorrow?"

Hikawa explained, "Tsunade-sama has something for me tomorrow."

"Then handle Tsunade-sama's matters first."

Yuhi Shinko waved his hand.

Hikawa nodded.

Nearly two months had passed since he last learned genjutsu; it was time to learn a new one.

Coincidentally, he no longer needed to spend time practicing Ninja Tool Throwing.

The D-Rank Entry 'Ninja Tool Mastery' he obtained today had no synthesis path, meaning it had reached its limit.

As a ninja, ninjutsu was the priority; ninja tools could only be the foundation.

In the late game, ninja tools had minimal effect.

Even if they were used, it would be in conjunction with Exploding Tags or the Flying Thunder God Technique.