New Work

Konoha, Hokage's Office.

After giving a detailed report to Hiruzen Sarutobi on matters related to the East Front, Tsunade and Jiraiya's reporting for duty officially concluded.

The three of them then began to talk about their situation over the years. At this point, Taiichi and Shizune could only stand aside as background figures, quietly listening to the three elders' idle chatter.

"Tsunade, now that you're back, what are your plans?"

The three people, who were chatting casually, unconsciously turned their conversation back to work.

"Plans? I've never thought about it. I want to rest well and see what the new casino in Konoha is like?"

Taiichi covered his forehead as a flock of crows flew overhead.

Shizune instinctively reached for her wallet, where she and Tsunade kept their meager living expenses.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was also feeling a headache. He was wondering if Tsunade had too much debt outside, which was why she had to return to Miya to avoid the limelight.

Regardless, Tsunade's return is a wonderful thing.

Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored Tsunade's reluctance to do anything and immediately began assigning tasks.

"Go to Konoha Hospital and become its director. While you're at it, help me train more Medical Ninja."

In this war, if it weren't for Taiichi, the Konoha Ninja's endurance would have been reduced by more than half. But this also highlights the shortcomings of our Medical Ninja, and you'll have to put in more effort in that regard."

This is indeed true. Taiichi are equivalent to several Medical Team. More importantly, his ability to heal the seriously injured is unmatched by ordinary Medical Ninja.

"Konoha Hospital?" Tsunade frowned. "Isn't the director the head of the hospital? You want me to go there?"

"Heh." Hiruzen Sarutobi his hand dismissively. "Even the Hokage can step down, let alone the Dean. Biwako told me a long time ago that she couldn't handle it anymore, but they hadn't found a suitable replacement, so she had to stay in that position."

"Now that you're back, the position of dean should naturally be given to the most suitable person."

Tsunade's brows were lowered, and it was unclear what she was thinking. She would frown and then look at Taiichi behind her, making Taiichi's scalp tingle.

"OK!"

Tsunade up, first agreeing to Hiruzen Sarutobi's appointment, then pointing a finger at Taiichi and making a domineering demand.

But I need his help.

"Haha!" Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded happily, "No problem, you can decide all appointments at Konoha Hospital with a single word, as long as you can take the position."

Good grief, they sold out Taiichi for Tsunade's sake.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Taiichi and immediately ordered, "Taiichi, go and complete the formalities today. Your Anbu status is revoked starting today. From now on, you will follow Tsunade's instructions."

Taiichi was speechless. He had basically done nothing in the Anbu except stand guard, and the time he had spent there was far too short.

But no one listened to his opinions, and his future job was decided so easily.

Seeing that Tsunade's matter was settled, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his attention to Jiraiya.

"And you, don't you have anything to say?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt somewhat indebted to Tsunade, but he showed no mercy to Jiraiya.

"Minato is about to become the Fourth Hokage. As his teacher, you don't want to back out, do you?"

"Ah~ Haha!" Jiraiya scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed after being exposed.

Tsunade was immediately annoyed. "I, an outsider, have come back to work, and you, the teacher, dare to run away?"

"Jiraiya!"

Tsunade called out Jiraiya's name, word by word, which sent a chill down Jiraiya's spine.

It is said that everything has its counter, Tsunade is Jiraiya's nemesis.

"How could that be? Of course we have to stay and help Minato."

Jiraiya immediately changed his tune, fearing that if he hesitated even a moment longer, he would be severely beaten by Tsunade.

"Alright, then when Minato officially takes office, you'll become an Advisor and Minato your feedback." Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately seized the opportunity and finalized the matter.

"Well—" Jiraiya looked at Tsunade, but upon seeing her murderous gaze, he immediately softened, "Alright!"

With everything resolved, a harmonious and joyful scene returned.

The door to the Hokage's Office closed gently behind me, and the afternoon breeze from Konoha, carrying the scent of cooking smoke, brushed against my face.

Tsunade gazed at the molten gold sunset on the horizon, momentarily lost in thought. Four years had passed.

"Let's go, teacher."

Taiichi's voice rang out beside him, tinged with obvious joy, "I've tidied up the house."

Tsunade didn't speak, only nodded silently.

As I walked through familiar streets, the closer I got to that place in my memory, the heavier my steps became.

When that familiar door came into view, her breath hitched slightly. The lintel was still the same, but the door knocker was polished to a shine, reflecting the last rays of daylight.

The moment I pushed open the door, a sense of familiarity washed over me.

The courtyard was meticulously maintained, the bluestone slabs were spotless, and the wind chimes under the eaves tinkled.

However, what shocked her even more was the sight of the figures bowing in unison under the eaves.

Welcome home, Lady Tsunade!

The twenty-two people spoke in unison, clearly indicating that they had rehearsed beforehand.

The one leading the group was Mizuki. She raised her head, her smile gentle yet perfectly respectful, "You must be tired from your journey. Hot water and meals have been prepared."

Tsunade vaguely recognized the young faces behind her; they were the Mist Village Medical Ninja who had been "recruited" by Taiichi on the Eastern Front Battlefield.

Life has changed so much that we've ended up living in the same house.

"Hmph, you brat." Tsunade glanced at Taiichi, her tone complicated, "You've really managed to make this place quite presentable."

She stepped onto the smooth wooden corridor, her fingertips brushing against the familiar door frame, and memories seemed to return to the past.

"Wow----"

An exaggerated exclamation shattered this delicate sentiment.

Jiraiya's eyes lit up as his gaze lingered on the young women bustling about in the courtyard.

"This is incredible, Taiichi! He's keeping over twenty women hidden away? This kid's got me figured out—"

Thump!

Before he could finish speaking, Tsunade, accompanied by the whooshing sound of wind, had already slammed into his head.

Jiraiya yelled "Ouch!" and crouched down, clutching his head. A large, shiny bump instantly swelled up on his forehead.

"Stop staring at me like that, you idiot!"

Tsunade withdrew her fist and snapped, "If you spout any more nonsense, get out of here right now!"

Taiichi suppressed a laugh and quickly smoothed things over, "Jiraiya- sensei, your house isn't ready yet, and it's late. We've reserved a guest room for you. Please rest here tonight. This way, please."

He led the grinning Jiraiya and the smirking Shizune inside, and Mizuki immediately followed to lead the way.

Tsunade stood alone in the entrance hall for a moment.

The last rays of the setting sun shone through the lattice window, casting long patches of light on the gleaming floor. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of summer flowers, mixed with the steaming heat of food wafting from the kitchen.

She took a deep breath, and a long-lost sense of relaxation, like being at home, quietly spread through her body.

I had just sat down in the tidy main house and hadn't even had a sip of hot tea when a burst of noisy footsteps, accompanied by the clear voices of children, came from afar, like a lively breeze sweeping into the courtyard.

"Taiichi- sensei! We're back!"

Three small figures rushed through the corridor like cannonballs; it was Yami, Jiangtai, and Uchiha Itachi following behind them.

Yami's braids were a little messy from running, Jiangtai's schoolbag strap was slung diagonally over his arm, and Itachi's face showed more of a childlike liveliness.

Laugh.

Laugh.

Laugh.

The sound of footsteps stopping abruptly rang out as the three little ones rushed into the house, only to discover that something different was happening today—there were guests present.

"You are... Aunt Tsunade!"

Yami had met Tsunade, but it had been so long that her memory was hazy. She only vaguely remembered that Taiichi had brought her to the Orphanage.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, but before she could speak, Taiichi beside her lightly tapped Yami's forehead with his finger. "It's Lady Tsunade."

He turned to Tsunade and introduced them, "Sensei, these are Yami and Jiangtai, children from the Orphanage. You've met them before."

Tsunade nodded, looked at Yami who had just spoken, and corrected her mistake without any politeness, "Kid, you shouldn't call me 'Auntie,' you should call me 'Big Sister.'"

Taiichi and everyone else were speechless.

Ah, women, they really are all extremely concerned about their age.

To prevent Tsunade from saying anything else outrageous, Taiichi quickly changed the subject.

"Master, this is Uchiha Itachi, my disciple."

Itachi stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Nice to meet you, Lady Tsunade. This is my junior, Uchiha Itachi."

Her jet-black hair hung down, and beneath the wispy bangs on her forehead, the small Uchiha Clan Crest on her body was clearly visible.

Tsunade's gaze lingered for a moment on the striking red and white design, and her fingers holding the teacup tightened almost imperceptibly.

Uchiha —she remained expressionless, only nodding slightly. "Mm."

"Alright, stop standing there like an idiot." Taiichi clapped his hands with a smile, and a Shadow Clone silently appeared beside him. "It's time for today's Taijutsu practice. Let's go to the backyard."

"Yes!" the three children answered in unison, and were immediately led by Taiichi's Shadow Clone, rushing happily towards the backyard like birds returning to their nest.

Yami even turned around and made a mischievous face at Tsunade.

The courtyard fell silent for a moment, with only the crisp sound of bamboo tubes tapping against the stone base for adding water remaining.

Thump, thump, thump, one sound after another.

Tsunade gazed at the corner of the corridor where the three children had disappeared, her eyes seemingly piercing through space to land on the small figure with dark eyes and the Uchiha Clan Crest.

"Is he Fugaku Uchiha's son?"

She picked up her teacup, her voice devoid of emotion, but her gaze sharply turned to Taiichi.

"You're just going to accept it like that? Aren't you afraid of what others will think? Or what kind of trouble the Uchiha cause you?"

The grudges and feuds between the Senju and Uchiha inevitably affected her, and the fact that she could treat the Uchiha with a calm attitude during missions already showed her magnanimity.

As for cultivating a good relationship, or even taking him on as a disciple, that's out of the question.

Taiichi sat down opposite her, his expression no longer showing the liveliness of a young man.

"Teacher, a splinter stuck in your flesh needs to be dealt with eventually. You can't just leave it there because it doesn't hurt right now."

The Uchiha has the same problem.

His fingertips unconsciously traced the rim of the glass. "Itachi's talent and temperament are both top-notch. Rather than letting him be trained within the Uchiha and ultimately go to an unknown extreme, it's better to let him stand in a broader context and see the whole picture of Konoha."

He paused, recalling the blood-stained tragedy in the original story, "Besides, now, the leaders of the Uchiha all hope to integrate into Konoha, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

As dusk settled, warm lights quietly illuminated the corridor, elongating the shadows of the two figures.

The backyard faintly echoed with the steady commands of the Shadow Clone and the shouts of the children as they exerted their strength, brimming with vibrant energy.

Tsunade remained silent for a long time. Senju Tobirama Uchiha still echoed in her ears, and the deep apprehension of the clan elders when they spoke of the Uchiha was still vivid in her mind.

Yet this disciple, whom she had personally trained, so naturally took the hand of an Uchiha child and brought him under her wing.

After a long while, a very soft sigh was heard.

"The Senju's disciple, who has taken on the Uchiha— " Tsunade shook her head, a complex smile playing on her lips, a smile that seemed both self-deprecating and resigned. "This world has truly changed."

That evening, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Shizune, along with Jiangtai, Yami, and Taicho, who was the host, all enjoyed a sumptuous welcome dinner at Yeqi Restaurant.

Of course, this wouldn't be complete without Tai personally cooking (though it was made by his Shadow Clone, of course).

The long-awaited delicious food made Jiraiya exclaim with delight, as it was the first time in four years that he had tasted food made by Tai himself.

Everyone ate, drank, and chatted until the moon was high in the sky, at which point the banquet came to an end, and everyone returned to their rooms to rest and prepare for the arrival of the new year.

The director's office at Konoha Hospital had a faint smell of disinfectant. Tsunade was slumped in her chair, her blonde hair appearing somewhat dim under the light.

She listlessly poked at the documents on the table with her pen, her eyes vacant, seemingly lost in thought.

"Is this work even humanly possible?!"

Tsunade feet against the edge of the desk, causing the entire chair to slide backward with the force of the impact. "Even on the battlefield, there aren't this many—"

The files need to be merged!

"Teacher, haven't the previous documents been merged yet?"

Taiichi's voice came from the doorway, and he was holding another stack of new documents.

Tsunade's gaze toward Taicho was filled with resentment, and her golden hair dimmed even more.

"How come there are still more? Does the hospital's staff really pay more than what they've paid out?"

Taiichi placed the documents in his hand on Tsunade's desk according to their urgency, and rolled his eyes upon hearing this.

"If you hadn't sneaked off to the casino and gambled, all this would have been taken care of by now."

"Besides, this is only the beginning of the handover process, and there are still many things to confirm. Things will get much better later."

Tsunade blushed slightly at Taiichi's words; being caught red-handed by her disciple made her feel somewhat embarrassed.

Before Tsunade could have any time to vent her anger, Taicho pointed to a stack of documents and offered her a generous reward.

"These are all verified by me. The teacher just needs to sign them. Of course, it would be best to combine them, at least to have a clear understanding of the situation."

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Tsunade immediately grabbed a pen and quickly signed her Daimyo in the signature area.

And—that's impossible. Haven't we already merged enough?

Taiji didn't know whether to be happy or sad about Tsunade's trust in him; he still had to do what he was supposed to do.

"Once these are signed, the entire handover is complete. I just wonder what the teacher's plans are for the training of Medical Ninja going forward?"

Before the initial joy of hearing that only these documents remained to be signed could even surface, Tai Zhao's subsequent words poured cold water on her enthusiasm.

Training Medical Ninja?

It seems the old man did mention it back in the Hokage's Office, but she didn't take it seriously at all then, so what plans does she have now?