First Meeting

Time flew by until April; the spring break ended, and the Ninja Academy officially opened.

Ever since mastering the Shadow Clone Technique, Genma had uncharacteristically refrained from skipping class in his original body.

The reason was his desk mate, Shizune.

Yes, Genma's desk mate was none other than Shizune.

However, he had no interest in romance; his entire mind was focused on cultivation.

Women?

They would only slow down his cultivation speed.

But now, he had changed his mind.

He had previously gained Setting Value by changing Kakashi's mindset; if he could change Shizune, or even the original fate of Tsunade behind her, he should be able to gain more Setting Value.

Only with Setting Value could he continue to modify his own settings.

After the morning classes ended.

Genma carried his bento and sat down with Shizune.

Not far away, Kakashi watched them, feeling somewhat strange.

He felt this guy was acting very odd today; not only did he not skip class in the morning, but now he had even gone over to Shizune's side.

Shizune was also a bit surprised.

They had been desk mates for a year and had a good relationship, but they had never eaten lunch together before.

Turning her head to look at Genma, Shizune took the initiative to ask, "Is something the matter?"

Genma nodded slightly, "Shizune, have you already started practicing medical ninjutsu?"

Shizune was stunned for a moment, "Eh, how did you know?"

Genma smiled, "You were secretly reading books on human anatomy during class before. So much time has passed, it's about time."

Shizune's face flushed slightly.

Genma continued while eating, "I'm also studying medical ninjutsu."

Shizune's eyes lit up when she heard this, "Genma, are you going to become a medical ninja in the future too?"

Genma was noncommittal, "My mother is a medical ninja, and I usually study over at Konoha Hospital. Shizune, do you want to join me?"

"It would be perfect for us to learn from each other and make progress together."

Shizune tilted her head upon hearing this, then smiled, "Just like you and Kakashi?"

Genma chuckled, "Something like that."

Shizune hesitated, lost in thought.

She lacked nothing in terms of resources for medical ninjutsu; one could even say she had access to the very best in Konoha.

She also had no shortage of teachers, as she was being mentored by the best medical ninja in Konoha, and perhaps the entire ninja world.

But thinking of Tsunade's current state, Shizune nodded and agreed, "Then I'll be troubling you."

Genma smiled, "We'll help each other."

The first step was complete.

However, the Setting Collection remained silent.

But Genma's ultimate goal was not Shizune, but Tsunade, who stood behind her.

He didn't know if Tsunade was still in Konoha at the moment, but she would definitely return to take Shizune away in the future.

If he could make Tsunade stay at that time and change her original fate, he would certainly gain Setting Value.

As for Shizune, there should be some for her as well.

At 7:00 PM, Genma appeared at the entrance of Konoha Hospital, carrying two bentos.

"Genma!"

Shizune, who had been waiting there, immediately waved upon seeing him.

Genma quickened his pace to meet her, shaking the bentos in his hands, "Shizune, have you had dinner yet?"

Shizune nodded, "I've already eaten. Haven't you?"

Genma said as they walked, "I've eaten, but the hospital is a bit busy today and Mom didn't go home for dinner, so I'm bringing this to her."

"The other one is our late-night snack."

The two walked into Konoha Hospital while chatting.

"Genma, eh, who is this..."

Although she looked exhausted, Ritsuka couldn't help but beam with a smile upon seeing her son. However, she was stunned when she saw Shizune following behind him.

In her eyes, her son had been steady and self-disciplined since he was young, with very few friends and absolutely no girls around him. Now that one had suddenly appeared, she was naturally very surprised.

"Mom, this is my desk mate Shizune. She wants to become an outstanding medical ninja, so she's studying with me."

Kazekaze Genma said, placing his bento on the desk.

"Lady Ritsuka, I am Shizune."

Shizune bowed respectfully.

Ritsuka immediately pulled Shizune in with a beaming smile: "No need to be so formal, just call me Auntie."

Shizune nodded obediently: "Yes, Auntie Ritsuka."

Ritsuka asked gently: "Have you had dinner yet, Shizune? Why don't you eat with Auntie?"

Before Shizune could answer, Kazekaze Genma pulled her toward the door: "Mom, Shizune has already eaten. We're going to train first, and we'll have a late-night snack later."

Watching the two kids leave, Ritsuka felt her fatigue vanish in an instant.

It seems my son is finally starting to get it!

Wait, is it too early for that?

Kazekaze Genma had no idea his mother's thoughts had wandered off track; he and Shizune arrived at the practice room in the hospital.

Konoha Hospital served the function of training medical ninjas, so it was equipped with specialized practice rooms.

They kept various small animals, including fish, rabbits, and mice, to serve as subjects for practicing medical ninjutsu.

"Shizune, you should have already mastered the Yang Release nature transformation, right?"

Kazekaze Genma asked.

Shizune nodded: "Yes, I've already mastered the Hemostasis Technique, and now I'm practicing the Healing Technique."

"Impressive!"

Kazekaze Genma praised her, then scooped up a fish for her to use as a practice subject, adding: "I'm still practicing the Hemostasis Technique."

Both the Hemostasis Technique and the Healing Technique were the most fundamental medical ninjutsu and the two entry-level techniques, both rated as D-rank in difficulty.

As for the Yang Release nature transformation, Kazekaze Genma had spent half a month mastering it last month.

"Let's begin!"

Scooping up a fish for himself, Kazekaze Genma picked up a scalpel, made a few cuts on the fish, and began his training for the night.

Shizune nodded and began her own training as well.

The two practiced diligently, occasionally exchanging experiences, and didn't even notice when Ritsuka appeared in the practice room.

Before they knew it, it was 10 o'clock.

After a late-night snack, Kazekaze Genma walked Shizune home.

"Why are you so late?"

The voice that suddenly emerged from the darkness startled both Kazekaze Genma and Shizune.

"Lady Tsunade?"

Shizune looked at the figure leaning against the wall in the shadows, stunned for a moment before hurrying forward: "Why are you here?"

They were still some distance away from home.

Kazekaze Genma followed, only seeing Tsunade clearly once he got closer.

At this moment, Tsunade wasn't wearing the green haori he was familiar with, but a blue one.

She was far from the mature woman he knew twenty years later; she was only "half-ripe," her face flushed with a lingering scent of alcohol.

"Lady Tsunade, I am Kazekaze Genma, Shizune's classmate."

Kazekaze Genma bowed in greeting.

Tsunade scrutinized Kazekaze Genma: "A brat from the Kazekaze clan, your mother is Ritsuka?"

Kazekaze Genma nodded: "Yes, does Lady Tsunade know my mother?"

Tsunade didn't answer, instead waving her hand: "Alright, brat, you can go back now."

"Shizune, let's go home!"

With that, she turned and walked away.

Shizune looked at Kazekaze Genma apologetically before hurrying to catch up.

Kazekaze Genma watched the two figures disappear into the darkness, deep in thought.

Tsunade was still in Konoha, but clearly, she wasn't in a good state.

Due to the successive deaths of her younger brother and lover, her dissatisfaction with the Third Hokage, and her Hemophobia, she seemed to be wallowing in self-abandonment.

However, judging by later events, Tsunade hadn't given up on her training.

He had just noticed that Tsunade didn't have the diamond-shaped mark of the Yin Seal on her forehead, meaning she likely hadn't mastered that technique yet.

As for the Strength of a Hundred Technique and Creation Rebirth, those were clearly developed later.

"How can I get Tsunade to stay?"

"Or perhaps, cure her Hemophobia?"

Kazekaze Genma turned to head home, his mind racing with thoughts.