Twenty-one: Classic Konoha Old Man's Eyes

The autumn rain pattered rhythmically against the window lattice of the Senju compound.

Tsunade rose at the crack of dawn, tiptoeing stealthily into the kitchen.

On the stove, a bone broth that had simmered through the entire night bubbled away, its steam filling the room with a rich, savory aroma.

The broth was a milky white, the meat on the bones stewed so tender that it felt as if it would slide into one's throat with a mere sip, leaving a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth.

She blew gently on the rising heat, clutching a ladle with flushed cheeks as she scooped the most succulent portions of broth and meat into a lunchbox with meticulous care.

She took out the rice steamed the day before, portioning it into a new container, then added several nourishing side dishes, arranging them into an aesthetically pleasing display.

Once everything was packed, she took advantage of the fact that her grandmother and younger brother had yet to wake, grabbed an umbrella, and stepped out into the fine autumn drizzle, her footsteps light as she hurried toward the hospital.

A week had passed since their return from the mission in the Land of Fang.

The details regarding the anti-Five Great Nations alliance had been fully reported to the Third Hokage; the news was like a stone cast into still water, sending ripples spreading outward, and in these past few days, Konoha had gradually taken on a solemn hue.

Everyone knew that the Second Shinobi World War was looming just ahead.

"Good morning, Lady Tsunade."

"Are you here again today, Lady Tsunade?"

The voices of the nurses reached her ears, pulling Tsunade back to reality.

She nodded to them one by one, carrying the lunchbox as she quickened her pace toward the third floor.

She walked silently to the end of the third-floor corridor, standing before the door and drawing a deep breath.

Although it wasn't her first time here, she still felt a flutter of nervousness.

After all, the person inside was injured entirely because of her.

Beyond the guilt, the words the young man had spoken while carrying her to safety in Tea House City still echoed in her mind.

For a guy from the Uchiha Clan, he certainly knew how to say the right things.

Tsunade bit her lip lightly, her heart racing like a trapped fawn.

She had never experienced a feeling like this before.

Her usual bold and unrestrained temperament felt completely stifled.

She was like a young girl tasting honey for the first time, wanting nothing more than to lose herself in the sweetness.

She placed her hand gently against the door, her cheeks flushed, intending to knock.

But a voice from inside drifted into her ears.

It was the voice of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Strange, why would that old man be here?

Tsunade felt a surge of suspicion and leaned quietly against the door, listening to the conversation within.

"Knock, knock."

Early in the morning, the door to the hospital room was rapped upon.

Sakuya propped himself up with his right hand, sitting up in bed with some difficulty.

"Please, come in."

"Heh heh, good morning, Sakuya."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, wearing his Hokage Hat, walked in with a chuckle.

"Lord Third."

Sakuya greeted him.

"How is your recovery coming along?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi walked to the bedside, his gaze falling upon Uchiha Sakuya's missing left arm.

"The wound is gradually healing."

Sakuya nodded. "The residual toxins in my body have also been mostly cleared out. Thank you for your concern, Lord Hokage."

"Heh heh, it is nothing. I should be the one thanking you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pulled up a chair and sat down. "If not for you, I fear Tsunade would have been taken away by Amegakure."

"She is our comrade. Protecting our comrades is the duty of a Konoha shinobi."

Sakuya replied.

"But because of her, you lost an arm."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. "That is your left arm. Without it, how will you weave hand seals? How will you throw ninja tools? Even your taijutsu will be severely compromised by this loss."

Looking at Sakuya's empty sleeve, Hiruzen Sarutobi's words were filled with regret over the loss of a powerful asset to the village, yet they also carried a hint of probing and an imperceptible expectation: "Sakuya, do you think... it was worth it?"

"Worth it?"

Sakuya heard the question and smiled. "Lord Third, Tsunade is my comrade."

"But didn't you argue with her at the jonin meeting before you left for your mission?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "If your relationship with her is so poor, why did you save her?"

"Poor relationship?"

Uchiha Sakuya tilted his head. "No, I simply disagree with her philosophy; that doesn't mean our relationship is poor."

"Hm?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was taken aback.

"Lord Hokage, I still hold the same view as before. Tsunade's idea of reforming the current squad system is deeply problematic and could even lead Konoha to dig its own grave, but that does not mean I don't acknowledge Tsunade as a comrade."

Uchiha Sakuya spoke with great sincerity. "She is a ninja of the village and my comrade. Losing an arm to save a comrade is nothing worth mentioning."

"Sakuya..."

The Third Hokage looked at the youth, and in a daze, he seemed to see an old friend.

"Besides."

Uchiha Sakuya suddenly smiled, raising his right hand. "My dominant hand is my right, and I can also perform one-handed seals and seal-less ninjutsu. Losing a left arm does not mean I have lost my combat effectiveness."

"...You are truly magnanimous."

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned back around and nodded with satisfaction. "Sakuya, your heart is filled with the Will of Fire."

Just like Kagami...

"Speaking of which, Lord Hokage."

Uchiha Sakuya did not dwell on the topic of the so-called Will of Fire with Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Regarding the matter of reforming ninja squads that Tsunade brought up earlier."

"What? I thought you didn't approve?"

"After encountering ninjas from Amegakure on this trip, I have given it some careful thought."

Uchiha Sakuya said, "Actually, Tsunade's ideas have their merits, it's just that they aren't very mature."

"Oh?"

"I think her line of reasoning to promote medical ninjutsu is correct, but it is simply too early."

Uchiha Sakuya used his right hand to prop himself up and sit straight. "I believe that starting to learn medical ninjutsu as a genin is far too early. The average age of genin in the village is only twelve or thirteen. At that age, they have just graduated from the Ninja Academy, and most students have only learned the Basic Three Body Techniques and haven't even mastered their chakra nature. Making them start learning medical ninjutsu so early does more harm than good."

"Sakuya, are you saying..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi heard the implication in his words and pressed for more.

"If they were chunin, or special jonin, they would be qualified to learn medical ninjutsu."

Uchiha Sakuya said.

"Chunin..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked thoughtful.

"The average age of chunin in the village is eighteen. Ninjas at this age already know quite a few ninjutsu, and have even touched upon chakra attributes and nature transformation. If they were to learn medical ninjutsu at this stage, not only would it not be as elusive as it is for genin, but they would understand it as soon as it is taught. The time and cost required to learn medical ninjutsu would also be far lower than for genin."

Uchiha Sakuya looked at the autumn rain outside the window. "Moreover, they are older and understand the meaning of sacrifice better. At that point, learning medical ninjutsu would also help them realize the heavy responsibilities they carry."