Tsunade's Change

The moonlight spilled down, bathing the courtyard in a pale white glow. A thin layer of frost covered the ground, emitting a faint, crisp crunching sound underfoot.

In the distance, the perimeter wall cast a long shadow under the moonlight. At the end of the shadow stood an old tree, its leaves long gone; its bare, skeletal branches reached toward the sky like a withered hand.

Tsunade stood under the eaves of the Senju ancestral home, watching the courtyard that had once again become empty.

She had been standing there for a long time.

The clansmen who shared her bloodline were already gone. After finishing dinner, Shizune was inside packing her luggage, settling Tonton into a corner. The pig would poke its head out from time to time to look at her, but it made no sound to disturb her.

Tsunade closed her eyes to the outside world, forcing herself to grow calm, and used her inner eye to sense the changes within her own body.

In her youth, she had always felt that the reputation of the Senju Clan and the fame of her grandfather, Senju Hashirama, were stumbling blocks on her path of growth. These reputations erased her efforts, making all her achievements seem like a matter of course.

She had desperately wanted to cast off those reputations, so she never cared about the fragmentation and decline of the Senju Clan. She believed that even if she couldn't compare to her grandfather Senju Hashirama, she would still be a legendary ninja on par with her grand-uncle Senju Tobirama.

However, reality dealt Tsunade a harsh blow: without the Senju Clan, she couldn't even protect the lives of her younger brother and her lover.

Watching her brother and lover die before her eyes, Tsunade began to feel fear. She feared ninjas, she feared Konoha, she feared everything. It wasn't until she watched her grandmother—who had always doted on her—pass away after the Nine-Tails was extracted from her, that she completely lost control. She began to fear blood, and she feared her own identity as a ninja.

Tsunade had always felt that she was a disgrace to the Senju Clan, until...

That happened after Jiraiya received her promise that she would return to the village.

"Lady Tsunade." Shizune's voice came from behind her. "Then I will wait for you in the town ahead. I will leave a signal; after you emerge from Shikkotsu Forest, you can come find me at any time."

Tsunade turned around and looked at Shizune, who was holding Tonton in her arms. That was the first gift she had ever given Shizune, and she had protected it well.

This girl had followed her for many years. From the time she was a little girl who knew nothing, she had accompanied her as she left Konoha and left her home. She herself had been a self-destructive mess, drinking and gambling every day, never truly taking care of this child.

But Shizune never complained. Perhaps, ever since Shizune became an orphan, she had completely discarded the word "complaint." After all, for a child whose very survival was in question, there was no opportunity to complain, and no one to listen to her grievances anyway.

Her parents had died early. After learning that she was the niece of Dan Katō, Tsunade had taken her in. At first, it was only for the sake of Dan Katō; for his sake, she taught her ninjutsu and taught her the principles of being a person.

Tsunade had never formally declared that she was taking Shizune as her apprentice. Tsunade knew that, in the beginning, it was only so she could have some connection to Dan Katō—the two of them hadn't even truly confirmed their relationship as lovers.

"Shizune, come here."

Shizune walked over and stood before Tsunade, looking at her with a bit of confusion. In the past, Tsunade would always just summon her way out directly; why was today a bit different?

"You have studied under me for so many years." Tsunade looked at Shizune, in whom she had always felt the shadow of Dan Katō. Today, she finally saw clearly: Shizune was just Shizune; there was no shadow of anyone else. "I never let you sign the summoning scroll for Katsuyu."

Shizune was stunned for a moment, then lowered her head. "Lady Tsunade, if you didn't want me to sign, you must have had your reasons."

"It wasn't that I didn't want to." Tsunade sighed. She knew that Shizune knew, but she still voiced the reason she could finally give: "It was that I couldn't."

She reached out and stroked Shizune's head. Before she knew it, the child from back then had grown into a graceful young woman.

"You know about my hemophobia. For all these years, it hasn't improved, and signing requires blood, so I was a bit resistant. Secondly, everyone in the Ninja World knows my summon is Katsuyu. Once you signed the summoning scroll, ninjas from other villages would see your Katsuyu and immediately know our relationship. I have made many enemies in other villages over the years, and I was worried you would be targeted by them..."

Tears welled up in Shizune's eyes instantly. In the past, she had only thought that Tsunade treated her as a surrogate for Dan Katō, but hearing Tsunade's explanation today, she suddenly realized that Tsunade truly held a place for her in her heart. "Lady Tsunade, you never told me these things before..."

"I didn't want to say it before." Tsunade wiped away Shizune's tears. "Now I've thought it through. I have overcome my hemophobia. You are my disciple, and you are qualified to receive Katsuyu's recognition. Besides, you have been by my side for so many years; anyone who investigates even a little will know our relationship. Having Katsuyu will actually better ensure your safety."

As she spoke, Tsunade directly summoned Katsuyu.

"Lady Tsunade, is there a battle that requires assistance?" As soon as Katsuyu was summoned, she asked in her characteristically gentle voice.

"It is not a battle. I want Shizune to sign the summoning scroll as well, to make her your summoner." Tsunade explained to Katsuyu. She was usually too lazy to carry a pack, so many of her things were tossed into Shikkotsu Forest, to be retrieved when needed.

"Oh, so Lady Shizune is also to become my summoner? Congratulations, congratulations." Katsuyu often saw Shizune and knew her character, so she was quite welcoming of her becoming her summoner.

Through the summoning technique, Katsuyu brought out the summoning scroll that Tsunade had left in Shikkotsu Forest and placed it before Tsunade.

Tsunade stroked the summoning scroll and slowly opened it. On it were already the names of Senju Hashirama, Senju Nawaki, and her own. The scroll was very old, and the paper had turned yellow, but the handwriting remained clear.

"Sign it." Tsunade turned the scroll toward Shizune.

Shizune took the scroll, her hands trembling. She crouched down, spread the scroll on the ground, bit her finger, and used her blood to write her name on the scroll—Kato Shizune.

The characters were crooked, but in Shizune's eyes, they were exceptionally clear.

Tsunade looked at those two characters, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly.

"Lady Shizune, from now on, we are partners." Katsuyu watched Shizune's tearful joy and was very happy for her as well.

Shizune was flustered by Katsuyu's words and hurriedly bowed to her, saying, "Lady Katsuyu, please take care of me from now on."

"Alright." She put the scroll away and handed it to Katsuyu. "Katsuyu, please use the Reverse Summoning Technique to summon me and Shizune to Shikkotsu Forest. I need to go into seclusion for a few days, and Shizune can take this opportunity to learn some cooperative summoning ninjutsu from you."

"Very well." Katsuyu nodded, then transformed into white smoke and vanished.

In an instant, Tsunade and Shizune also turned into white smoke and disappeared from the spot.

Shikkotsu Forest—one of the Three Great Sage Regions of the Ninja World. Tsunade and Shizune appeared in a clearing within the forest.

A massive Katsuyu watched Tsunade and Shizune quietly. Her body was larger than any other summoning creature, white in color with blue stripes, her tentacles swaying slowly in the air.

Katsuyu Sage—the progenitor of Shikkotsu Forest, one of the three great progenitors of the Three Great Sage Regions, alongside the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku and the White Snake Sage of Ryūchi Cave.

"Lady Tsunade, has your hemophobia been cured?"

"Yes." Tsunade nodded and walked up to Katsuyu. "I need to train here for a period of time. I leave Shizune to you. Please, I beg of you."

Katsuyu lowered her head and touched Shizune's forehead with her tentacles.

"I have watched this child grow up. She is kind-hearted and well-suited to be a medical ninja. Rest assured, leave it to me."

Shizune bowed, feeling somewhat nervous: "I leave it to you."

After the three of them chatted for a while longer, Katsuyu left with Shizune, while Tsunade used another portion of Katsuyu to travel to a base where she kept her belongings.

Upon arriving at the base, she found a flat stone to sit on, closed her eyes, and began to recall the contents of the inheritance Uchiha Naro had given her.

Unlike Orochimaru, who read incessantly and struggled to understand every word, Tsunade only read through it two or three times before she began trying to perceive the Cloud Canopy above her head.

The Cloud Canopy is not static; it thickens or thins with the increase or decrease of national fortune and slowly expands as one's cultivation deepens.

However, that process is passive and occurs naturally. The practice of Uchiha Naro's Method of National Fortune is about grasping the key to actively manipulating it, causing it to rhythmically pulse, fluctuate, and rotate in specific ways to proactively pull the fortune related to oneself into the Cloud Canopy.

Tsunade sank her consciousness into the void, sensing that thin layer of the Cloud Canopy.

In truth, Tsunade's aptitude and comprehension were far superior to those of Orochimaru and Jiraiya.

Orochimaru was the type of person who reached the pinnacle through diligence and obsession, while Jiraiya was the type who became a powerhouse by being a genius among ordinary people. Tsunade, however, was a true genius—the granddaughter of Senju Hashirama and Uzumaki Mito; from the day she was born, she stood at a height that countless people could never reach in their entire lives.

Yet, she had a fatal flaw: she had always lived a rebellious life, or rather, she had deliberately abandoned the bright, straight path to pursue obscure side roads just to prove herself.

Perhaps it was because things came too easily; the sealing techniques of the Uzumaki Clan brought by Uzumaki Mito and the various ninjutsu and forbidden arts researched by Senju Tobirama were all things within her easy reach.

Furthermore, ninjutsu that others had to exhaust all their efforts to learn, she could master after seeing it once; medical techniques that took others years to grasp, she could master in a few months.

Things obtained too easily are not cherished. Heights reached too easily are not lingered upon.

That was why she had resisted for all those years. She resisted the path laid out for her by her family, refusing to learn the profound ninjutsu of her house, and instead studied medical ninjutsu, all just to prove the talent of Tsunade.

Indeed, in terms of practical results, she had achieved her initial goal—she became a famous medical ninja in the Ninja World.

However, she had also lost a great deal.

She lost the strength to protect her younger brother and her lover; she lost the opportunity to change Konoha; she lost the powerful military deterrence of the Senju Clan. No matter how strong medical ninjutsu might be, in this Ninja World where the strong are respected, she still could not command much influence; she lost...

Now, she had truly recognized herself and was once again accepting the things she had previously spurned...

Soon, much faster than Orochimaru, the things brought to her by her bloodline allowed her to feel something different—she felt the Cloud Canopy.

Tsunade's national fortune was far deeper than Orochimaru's. It hovered right above her head, very close to her; it was quiet, almost motionless, like a stagnant pool of water.

"Rhythm..." Tsunade silently recited the incantation from the inheritance, "The Cloud Canopy is like a drum; when it beats, fortune is born..."

She attempted to use her intent to stir that layer of the Cloud Canopy.

It did not move.

She tried again, still nothing.

Tsunade did not grow anxious. She knew she had only just begun and could not rush; in matters of cultivation, the more anxious one is, the slower the progress. She took a deep breath, letting her breathing become slow and even, and her consciousness become soft and flexible. One must not use brute force to push, but rather subtle strength to guide.

Once, twice, three times...

She did not know how much time had passed, but that layer of the Cloud Canopy finally trembled slightly. It was like a drum being tapped gently, sending out a ripple.

The corners of Tsunade's mouth curled up slightly.

Continue.

The rhythm of the Cloud Canopy became increasingly distinct, shifting from a faint tremor to a rhythmic rise and fall. Tsunade could feel something gathering from the void—following those rays of cloud light, it landed on the Cloud Canopy, causing it to slowly grow thicker.

Those things were national fortune.

The bloodline of the Senju, the inheritance of Shikkotsu Forest, the fame of the Sannin... these things that had always belonged to her, but which she had never actively accepted, were gathering above her head bit by bit.

Tsunade was immersed in this sensation, forgetting the passage of time.

In the days that followed, Tsunade practiced in Shikkotsu Forest every day. She would sit on that stone, practicing the Method of National Fortune passed down to her by Uchiha Naro.

She would try different ways of rhythm: some fast, some slow, some light, some heavy; she would practice making the Cloud Canopy fluctuate, spreading out in layers like waves on water; she would try to make the Cloud Canopy rotate, turning bit by bit, as slow as a snail crawling.

It was also during this process that Tsunade sensed that flicker of fortune, like a candle in the wind—the fortune of the Senju Clan.

In Tsunade's view, after so many years, she should have been the only one left of the Senju Clan. As for the other branch members of the Senju, she had never cared for or looked after them, and she assumed they had long forgotten their identity as members of the Senju Clan.

According to Uchiha Naro's theory of national fortune, the fortune of the Senju Clan should have long since dissipated and vanished, meaning her Cloud Canopy should no longer be able to absorb the fortune of the Senju.

However, to Tsunade's surprise, during her practice, she actually absorbed the fortune of the Senju Clan. Although it was very little, it was constant.

Following those strands of fortune and using the Art of Qi Observation, Tsunade saw that there were several streams of fortune continuously maintaining the existence of the Senju Clan's fortune. Within those streams, there were the branch members of the Senju she had never paid attention to, as well as people she had never imagined...

So, besides her, there were others in Konoha who had never forgotten the Senju.

Tsunade now knew what she wanted!

The recollection was swift; in just a few breaths, Tsunade took a deep breath and let her thoughts return to the present.

"Shizune, go to the Konoha Hospital." Tsunade's voice was not loud, but it was just enough for Shizune to hear.

Shizune, who was tidying up the room, froze for a moment: "The Konoha Hospital?"

"Yes." Tsunade nodded and said, "Go notify the person in charge of the hospital to come here for a meeting tomorrow morning."

"But... Teacher, you have been away for so many years; the hospital may have already changed its director."

"It hasn't." Tsunade said in an irrefutable tone, "The Third wouldn't do that."

Shizune nodded, stopped what she was doing, and stood up to head out.

"Oh, right." Tsunade added a sentence before Shizune reached the door, "Make it clear when you notify them... tell them that the Director of the Konoha Hospital, Tsunade, is summoning them to the Senju Compound for a meeting."

Shizune paused for a moment, then smiled, "Yes, Teacher."

She trotted away.

Tsunade watched Shizune's retreating back. Above her head, the Cloud Canopy was growing larger and thicker bit by bit; her decision to restore the Senju bloodline had caused the Fortune that had been scattered for years to begin converging once more.

She was the director of the Konoha Hospital, yet she had not utilized this status for years because she had been disappointed in certain people. Now, she was taking it up again, also because she was thoroughly disappointed in certain people.

Tsunade closed her eyes, sensing the Cloud Canopy above her. It rotated slowly, as sluggish as if it were dozing off. Yet, with every rotation, it pulled a wisp of Fortune from the void—not much, but it had the advantage of being steady.

It was like a trickling stream gathering into a river.

"Grandfather, Nawaki," she whispered a promise within the Senju Compound, "just watch. I will lead the Senju Clan and Konoha back to glory once again."

"Teacher, it's bad!" Just as Tsunade was still sensing the Fortune, Shizune, who had just left, suddenly came running back in a rush. "Teacher, something terrible has happened. Just now..."