Tsunade's Decision

In truth, Tsunade and Uchiha Nagi weren't very familiar with each other, and they weren't particularly close, either.

So her greatest inner struggle came from the pangs of conscience.

As a ninja, she had already come to terms with many things. When facing an enemy ninja, she could bring herself to kill them even if they were just a child.

But... Uchiha Nagi was different.

Although he was also a child, he was a member of Konoha—one her grandfather had personally brought into the village.

If she killed Uchiha Nagi because of his talent, she would be completely betraying the will of the First.

Tsunade closed her eyes and raised one hand to her chest, clasping the pendant there. It was a keepsake her grandfather, the First, had left her.

After a long while, she felt the pendant's gentle warmth.

Her thoughts slowly cleared, and her gaze gradually grew resolute.

She looked at Uchiha Nagi and recalled everything she had learned about him from her earlier investigation.

Whatever the future held, at least he was innocent now, and his conduct was unlike that of those detestable Uchiha.

That was enough.

She couldn't kill a member of Konoha and destroy his future just because of an uncertain possibility.

"Yamanaka-senior, he's a member of Konoha now... I'll keep an eye on him in the future." Tsunade made her decision.

Since she couldn't kill Uchiha Nagi, yet still couldn't trust what the future might bring, this was her only choice.

She would keep an eye on Uchiha Nagi, watch him as he grew, and guide him away from the path Uchiha Madara had taken.

If Uchiha Nagi still ended up following that path, then she would take responsibility for dealing with him!

The Yamanaka Clan Head fell silent for a long while before letting out a sigh.

"I understand."

As he spoke, he looked at the six-year-old Uchiha boy, who was still asleep beside them.

He sincerely hoped the boy would always remain a member of Konoha.

"Now, are we certain that Nagi's mental problem is caused by his rapidly growing mental energy overwhelming his body, making him excessively sleepy?" Tsunade asked again, her voice much more relaxed.

Now that she had made her decision, there was no point in continuing to agonize over it.

"That's almost certainly the case," the Yamanaka Clan Head replied.

Tsunade nodded. "Sorry for the trouble, Yamanaka-senior."

"I'll be off, then."

The Yamanaka Clan Head turned to leave.

"Wait." Tsunade suddenly called out to him. He looked at her, puzzled.

"If Uchiha Nagi really grows into the worst-case scenario, no one will know about your examination," Tsunade said, looking at the Yamanaka Clan Head.

He smiled. "I have complete faith in you, Lady Tsunade."

Tsunade had an excellent reputation in Konoha. Even if she hadn't said that, the Yamanaka Clan Head would have trusted her.

Of course, when it came to gambling, that was another matter.

With that, the Yamanaka Clan Head left.

After he was gone, Tsunade looked at Uchiha Nagi, sighed, and then, somewhat irritably, tapped him on the head.

Before meeting him, she hadn't had a worry like this in a long time.

She never expected a six-year-old Uchiha boy to trouble her so much.

If she hadn't thought of her grandfather, perhaps...

Tsunade pressed her lips together and thought of her Second Hokage, too. If it had been him, perhaps things would have been different?

Though then again, one of the Second Hokage's students had been from the Uchiha Clan.

One thing was certain: the Second Hokage would have been extremely wary of Uchiha Nagi from then on, and would have nipped any hint of trouble in the bud.

"I hope you don't go down that path."

Tsunade rubbed the spot she had just tapped and spoke softly.

Then she woke Uchiha Nagi and told him the results of the examination, as well as what had caused his problem.

"So that's what it is."

Uchiha Nagi feigned surprise. Inwardly, he understood, then let out a bitter laugh.

It was exactly what he had first suspected. If he had known the reason from the start, he absolutely wouldn't have accepted Tsunade's treatment.

From what he knew of Tsunade, even though he was an Uchiha, she probably wouldn't kill a genius.

But he wasn't about to gamble with something that threatened his life.

What Uchiha Nagi didn't know was that he hadn't merely been judged a genius. He had been judged a genius on Uchiha Madara's level.

Those were two entirely different assessments.

He had practically walked back from the gates of death.

"So, does that mean my current situation is actually a good thing?" Uchiha Nagi asked, striking just the right note.

Tsunade nodded. "For now, it does seem like a good thing. But we can't be sure when your mental energy might overwhelm your body completely. When that happens, it won't just make you sleepy."

Uchiha Nagi's expression grew serious. Tsunade was right; it was a real problem.

Who knew how much further his mental energy could grow? If it outpaced the growth of his physical strength, a good thing could turn bad.

"So, Nagi, whenever I'm in Konoha, come by once a month. If your body develops an irreversible problem, we'll be able to catch it in time," Tsunade said without batting an eye.

"Won't that be a bother for you, Sis Tsunade?" Uchiha Nagi found it a little strange.

"It's no bother. You're Kushina's friend," Tsunade said with a smile.

"Okay."

Uchiha Nagi agreed, even though he wasn't entirely willing. It was hard to refuse her kindness.

Tsunade watched Uchiha Nagi. This arrangement would let her keep track of his physical condition.

As for everything else, she could ask Kushina. That way, she wouldn't risk exposing anything.

"Then, Sis Tsunade, I'll be going?" Uchiha Nagi said.

"Mm. Be careful on your way," Tsunade replied, making no attempt to stop him.

After Uchiha Nagi left, Tsunade rubbed her forehead. There were some things she couldn't entrust to anyone else when it came to keeping watch over him. She would have to do it herself.

Fortunately, the reason she had come up with seemed plausible for now.

At least until Uchiha Nagi's body could fully withstand his excessive mental energy, she shouldn't need to find another explanation.

Uchiha Nagi glanced back at the hospital, his expression strange.

As far as he remembered, Tsunade was a good person, but she wasn't normally so eager to help others.

"So, is it because of my 'talent' that she wants to see just how far I can grow?"

That was the only explanation Uchiha Nagi could come up with. There was nothing he could do about it but take things one step at a time.

After all, in his current state, he had no way to refuse Tsunade.