Old Man, where's my Second Grandfather's book?

His entire arm was stained crimson with blood.

Kyohiko had not expected this at all.

The entry-level requirements for this technique were so demanding, and the backlash it dealt to his arm was unimaginable, to the point where he didn't even have the strength to flee at the final moment.

Shizune checked his injuries and said anxiously, "We need to get you to the hospital immediately!"

"We cannot go to the hospital!"

Kyohiko endured the pain and said, "If we go to the hospital, Lady Tsunade's condition will be exposed. Treat me first and heal the surface wounds."

"This..."

After hearing this, Shizune hesitated for a moment, then realized he was right.

Nearby, Tsunade remained trapped in her state of terror.

Shizune gritted her teeth and said, "Fine! I'll do it!"

However.

Cold sweat was already streaming down her forehead.

Shizune had indeed learned a fair amount of medical knowledge and ninjutsu, but her chakra reserves were low, and she lacked sufficient practical experience.

A procedure like this was extremely difficult for her.

Kurenai Yuhi said, "I've studied for over half a month and know basic medical ninjutsu. Can I help?"

"Yes!"

Shizune was overjoyed.

Kakashi stood to the side, remaining silent.

He hadn't trained in it, so he definitely wouldn't be of any use.

Then, Shizune began explaining how to treat the wound and how Kurenai needed to coordinate—

She didn't need Kurenai to do much.

She only needed her to use medical chakra to stimulate cell activity and help share some of the pressure.

Time ticked away bit by bit.

The wounds on Kyohiko's arm slowly began to knit together.

Correspondingly—

Shizune's forehead was now covered in cold sweat.

A long time passed.

"Kakashi, give me a hand."

"What do you need?"

Kakashi immediately stepped forward.

Kyohiko extended his uninjured hand and formed half of the Dragon seal.

Kakashi understood.

He drew upon his chakra and completed the other half.

Then...

Ox, Hare.

Water Style: Water Wave.

The two of them performed the seals, but the technique was unstable; they could only spit out a meager stream of water, unable to fully manifest the jutsu.

However.

Kyohiko only wanted to use it to wash his arm.

The blood was rinsed away.

The injuries on his arm were mostly healed.

"Let's move to another spot."

"Right."

Shizune understood his intent; she and Kurenai helped support Tsunade, moving her to a place where the bloodstains were no longer visible.

A long while passed.

Tsunade finally regained her senses. Her expression was dim as she first treated the internal injuries in Kyohiko's arm.

Then, she remained silent for a long time.

Only after a long while did she say, "As you can see, I am currently unable to perform even the most basic medical treatment."

Everyone fell silent.

Tsunade's condition could be considered post-traumatic stress disorder, and a severe case at that; recovery would largely depend on her own ability to adjust.

As for psychological counseling.

In a situation like Tsunade's, how could a few words possibly provide any real relief?

If it were truly that simple, Jiraiya and the others would have succeeded long ago.

Kyohiko stood to the side, sighing inwardly.

Tsunade, however, regained her composure.

Or rather, she had already recovered; otherwise, she would not have been able to help Kyohiko complete his hand treatment. She had remained silent earlier only because Kyohiko's experience had reminded her of the past.

Tsunade shook her head and said sternly, "Let's put that aside. Kyohiko, how did you learn that technique you just used?"

"Your strength itself isn't that terrifying, so I kept observing. I felt it must be a burst of power achieved through chakra."

"I don't have the ability to force you out of the circle on my own, but if I could achieve a similar effect to draw your attention, I could use an Explosive Tag to reach my goal."

After explaining, Kyohiko lowered his head, wearing an expression of shame.

At this moment, even his mask could not hide the look of astonishment on Kakashi's face.

Observation...

And then he just learned it?

Oh, no.

Strictly speaking, Kyohiko had only attempted it casually; he used it to draw attention when it failed, but the key was the Explosive Tag.

An explosion had indeed occurred just now.

Upon hearing this, Tsunade couldn't help but say, "Your idea is good, but it was too reckless. A technique involving such high-speed chakra concentration has severe consequences if it fails. You cannot learn or imitate it at will. It's fortunate you succeeded this time."

Of course I only used it because I knew how, Kyohiko thought to himself.

However, on the surface, he maintained an apologetic attitude.

"I was wrong!"

Tsunade glared at him but didn't lecture him further.

After all—

To be able to grasp the direction of a technique after just a few glances and then successfully execute it, such talent was truly monstrous!

This kid belonged to the type with extremely high comprehension.

In Tsunade's memory, only one person could compare to him.

Orochimaru!

She fell into memories of the past.

Kakashi was also reflecting on the battle that had just taken place.

At times, he suspected that he was the novice Genin, not a Chunin who had graduated a year or two ago.

The atmosphere fell silent for a moment.

"Kyohiko-kun is so amazing. I want to learn it, but I can't."

Shizune was filled with envy.

Tsunade said, "Your body is too weak, and you don't have a strong talent for chakra control. If you force yourself to learn and use it, you'll end up like him, or perhaps even worse."

Shizune stuck out her tongue.

Tsunade gave another round of instruction.

Naturally, everyone wanted to learn such a technique, but its threshold was quite high; it was not something an ordinary person could master.

Finally, Tsunade looked at Kurenai Yuhi.

"Do you want to try?"

"I apologize, my strength is far from enough, but I would still like to ask for your guidance, Lady Tsunade."

Kurenai Yuhi bowed.

Tsunade nodded, "One more won't hurt."

Following that, she drew a circle on the ground right there.

Kurenai Yuhi first used a Genjutsu, but Tsunade easily broke it. Later, she tried using the Clone Technique in combination with Genjutsu and Explosive Tags to disrupt the fight.

However.

Tsunade was able to accurately see through it and quickly counter every time.

Soon, Kurenai Yuhi was defeated.

"Alright, I'll talk to each of you one by one."

Tsunade sat cross-legged.

After the bout of fighting, she had completely forgotten the stimulation from the blood earlier, and she had returned to her carefree posture.

"Kakashi, your peak speed is faster than Kyohiko's, but Kyohiko can control his speed with greater flexibility, utilizing it to his advantage. You are far inferior in this regard, and it is an area you need to improve."

Tsunade spoke, pausing slightly to collect her thoughts. "If you intend to follow the path of assassination and one-hit kills, I suggest you learn a ninjutsu with powerful single-target destructive capabilities."

"Yes, thank you, Lady Tsunade."

Kakashi hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

Tsunade looked at Kyohiko, her expression turning serious.

"Kid, your ideas and talent are both very strong, but the learning and development of many techniques are accompanied by great risks. You need to improve your foundation and broaden your knowledge."

"Yes, I will do my best."

Kyohiko replied.

Knowledge was precious; some expertise was treasured by various clans like secret arts, not something he could learn just because he wanted to.

Tsunade nodded, saying nothing more.

She looked at Kurenai Yuhi, her expression softening.

"Kurenai, you have the same problem as Shizune—your physical foundation is too poor. However, your talent in chakra control is even stronger than hers. If you truly intend to walk the path of a medical ninja, you must make up for the fundamentals."

Being a medical ninja was by no means just about knowing how to use medical ninjutsu.

Kurenai Yuhi nodded: "I have been studying it recently."

"Mm, later I will have Shizune give you her notes; you two can learn from each other."

Having said that, Tsunade stretched her back.

"It's been a long time since I've loosened my muscles. Fighting you two or three little ones is actually quite tiring!"

"I'm off. You lot continue your training."

With that, she vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.

A short while later, at the Hokage Building, Tsunade pushed open the door to Hiruzen Sarutobi's office.

"Tsunade?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was slightly startled, but he quickly calmed down and smiled, gesturing for her to sit.

Tsunade slammed her hand on the desk, showing no courtesy, as if she had come to collect a debt.

"Old Man, surely my Second Grandfather's notes haven't all been taken by you people, have they?"

"This..."

The corners of Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth twitched, and he gave a light cough. "Those books have been sealed away."

"I understand that some involve taboos and must be sealed, but why have many of the ordinary notes also disappeared? Were they sealed, or were they taken by certain people who wanted to claim them as their own?"

Tsunade spoke very directly; while she didn't point the finger straight at the Third Hokage, her target was clearly Danzo.

Hiruzen Sarutobi found it difficult to respond.

Although he and Danzo were both disciples of the Second Hokage, in a strict sense, Tsunade was certainly more qualified to inherit the Second Hokage's legacy.

"That is not the case. Danzo only considered the Second Hokage's belongings precious and thought it safer to seal them within the Anbu. If you need them, I can have him bring them out. Which parts do you want?"

"Bring me the more fundamental ones; you have no use for them anyway."

Tsunade was blunt.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, his heart clear on her objective.

That child!