Follow the Seniors' Arrangements

Inside the training grounds of the Senju Clan, Mei Senju looked at the five children before him.

The Senju Clan had graduated 11 new genin this year.

In just a few short months, five had died, leaving only the severely injured young clan head, Nawaki, and the five children standing before him, including Shingu Senju.

Mei Senju said, "I presume you are all aware of Shingu's new status: he is my disciple.

Starting today, the five of you will follow us to learn medical ninjutsu.

Your objective is to showcase your medical ninjutsu during the Chunin Exams three months from now, ensuring others recognize you as medical-nin.

Once the Chunin Exams conclude, I will have you transferred to Konoha Hospital, removing you from your current squads."

I have also found five mentors for you; if you have any questions, you may ask me or your respective mentors."

Behind Mei Senju stood five young medical-nin, including Seigetsu Senju.

Seigetsu Senju led away a young girl, Arashi Senju.

"Arashi, I will supervise your medical ninjutsu practice every day for these next three months. Do not think me long-winded; we do not have much time left."

"Sister Seigetsu, how could I think you long-winded? I wish I could start learning medical ninjutsu from you right this second!"

As a member of the Senju Clan, Arashi Senju lived in a state of constant, overwhelming fear.

She was willing to die for Konoha, yet she did not know how she would meet her end.

Shingu had returned with news of Mitsuki; Mitsuki had not even left behind a body, only a lock of hair.

Mitsuki had been so beautiful; she would be happy for an entire month just from receiving a hair clip.

Arashi Senju arrived at Seigetsu Senju's home, first collecting three theoretical scrolls on medical ninjutsu, then following Seigetsu Senju to Konoha Hospital to purchase a medical kit.

On the way, as Arashi Senju listened to Teacher Seigetsu explain how to identify medical instruments and refine medical chakra, she suddenly saw an Uchiha emerge from the street corner.

She whispered, "Oh no! Teacher, an Uchiha is blocking the road!"

She felt a bit nervous, not knowing why an Uchiha would be here.

Uchiha rarely came to Konoha Hospital; they spent most of their time in their own district, and even when they fought, it was never intense enough to result in injuries.

However, she watched as Teacher Seigetsu walked up, leaned in toward the Uchiha's shoulder, and whispered something.

"Oh! So this is your disciple, Arashi. Arashi, you must study medical ninjutsu well," Kawadera Uchiha said.

"I don't have much to give you, so why don't you take this Shrapnel Explosive Tag of my own design as a welcoming gift?"

Arashi Senju was completely bewildered. Why would an Uchiha just walk up and offer her a gift?

Seeing the Uchiha hand over a thin iron cylinder the length of a palm and the thickness of a finger, covered in turtle-shell-like ridges, Arashi Senju looked toward Teacher Seigetsu for help.

Seigetsu Senju smiled and said, "Arashi, accept it. This is a Shrapnel Explosive Tag improved by Kawadera; it is suitable for throwing and has great power."

After Arashi Senju accepted it, Teacher Seigetsu told her to return to the clan grounds.

Arashi Senju felt everything was too strange. Why was Teacher Seigetsu's attitude toward an Uchiha so favorable?

On the street in the distance, Seigetsu Senju whispered:

"Kawadera, after Senior Mei Senju returned to the village, he found several allies at Konoha Hospital.

Every Senju clansman who heard our plan has agreed with our approach!

By developing medical ninjutsu, we can preserve the last embers of our clan.

Eleven genin graduated this term, and five have sacrificed their lives in just a few months.

There is no time to delay; if we do not take action, the Senju Clan will slowly face extinction."

Kawadera Uchiha added, "It is not just the genin who must change; the Senju children currently attending the Ninja Academy must also begin training in precise chakra control and medical ninjutsu early."

Seigetsu Senju nodded repeatedly, saying, "Yes, we must plan accordingly. I will go find Senior Mei tonight."

Just as the two were discussing the details, a person suddenly appeared to block their path ahead.

"Brother?"

Seiei Senju stood in front of the two.

Seeing his brother-in-law, Kawadera Uchiha felt a bit guilty.

Fathers-in-law and brothers-in-law naturally always felt that the boy was up to no good.

The three of them went to a park at the street corner.

Seiei Senju said coldly, "Your plan is too blatant. Neither the clan leadership nor the village leadership will allow you to turn the massive ship that is the Senju Clan."

Seigetsu Senju quickly explained, "Brother, training clan ninjas to enter the medical system is only one part of our plan.

The other part is to promote the achievements of Princess Tsunade on the front lines—the more widely we broadcast it, the better—to prove that our Senju Clan is still fighting for the village.

It is just that public opinion campaigns take time to show results.

The others in the village, and even the clan leadership, surely haven't realized what we are doing.

Kawadera said this is a spontaneous, bottom-up revolution."

Seiei Senju nodded and said, "A public opinion war as well? I didn't expect you all to be so thorough.

However, having all five Genin from the Senju Clan serve as medical ninjas during the Chunin Exams three months from now is far too conspicuous."

Seigetsu Senju replied, "Mm, it is indeed a bit conspicuous. If Young Clan Leader Nawaki hadn't been injured, he could have played the role of the combat powerhouse for the new generation."

Seiei Senju said, "I approve of your plan, but leave Shingu Senju to me. I will mentor him and have him take Young Clan Leader Nawaki's place.

In the Chunin Exams, one of the five must be a combat ninja."

Seigetsu Senju felt a twinge of reluctance; they had just given Shingu hope, and now her brother was about to snatch it away.

That night, Seiei Senju arrived at Konoha Hospital and found Shingu Senju, who was learning how to read his first medical chart.

Shingu looked up and saw the Jonin, Seiei Senju, standing at the doorway.

Seiei Senju had been quite famous lately, having led three vassal clan heads to visit Lady Mito.

Mei Senju emerged from the adjacent examination room and looked at Seiei Senju.

Seiei Senju said, "It is impossible for all five Genin to act as medical ninjas during the Chunin Exams. One must continue to shoulder the responsibility of combat to prevent others from creating public pressure that would cause your plan to die in the cradle.

This role originally belonged to Young Clan Leader Nawaki. With Young Clan Leader Nawaki severely injured, Shingu, as the strongest, must step up."

After a moment of hesitation, Mei Senju looked toward Shingu Senju.

Shingu Senju only said, "I will obey the arrangements of my seniors. For the sake of the clan, I will do whatever is necessary."

A flash of guilt crossed Mei Senju's eyes.

The fact that Shingu Senju could not become a medical ninja meant he would continue to fight on the front lines in the future.

Mei Senju said, "Shingu, you can come to me every day, and I will personally perform muscle repair for you."

Seiei Senju led Shingu Senju away from Konoha Hospital.

Shingu Senju looked back at Konoha Hospital several times with lingering attachment, as if his fate had shifted once again.

Returning to the clan grounds, they entered the basement of a building, and the space suddenly opened up.

There was a secret underground laboratory here, spanning over a hundred square meters.

Seiei Senju turned around, the incandescent light shining on his forehead, casting his eye sockets into deep shadow.

"Shingu! I have inherited one of Lord Tobirama's experimental bases!

Unlike Seigetsu's passive approach of preserving our living strength, what we must do is restore the glory of the Senju!

Restore! Wood Release!

The first step to restoring Wood Release is to enhance your physique.

Lord Tobirama left behind notes, experimental records, and many reagents.

His notes state that his methods failed, but he believed it was because the test subjects were too weak.

What we must do is continue Lord Tobirama's research!

We start by strengthening your muscles. To unleash the true power of Wood Release, one must possess a body like that of a sage."

Seeing the various culture tanks and syringes on the walls, Shingu Senju felt both trepidation and anticipation.

Wood Release?

The foundation of the Senju Clan was truly astonishing!