First Meeting

Time flew by, and April arrived. Spring break ended, and the Ninja Academy officially reopened.

Ever since he mastered the Shadow Clone Technique, Genma had rarely skipped class with his real body.

Because his deskmate was Shizune.

That's right, Genma's deskmate was Shizune.

Still, he wasn't a lolicon. His mind was completely focused on training.

Women?

They would only slow down his training.

But now he had changed his mind.

He had earned Setting Values by changing Kakashi's way of thinking. If he could change Shizune's original fate, and even Tsunade's, he should be able to earn Setting Values too.

With Setting Values, he could keep modifying his own settings.

After class ended in the morning.

Genma carried his bento over and sat with Shizune.

Kakashi watched from nearby, puzzled.

He felt that Genma was acting strangely today. Not only had he stayed in class all morning, but now he was going over to Shizune.

Shizune was a little surprised too.

They had been deskmates for a year and got along well, but they had never sat together for lunch.

Turning to look at Genma, Shizune asked, "Is something up?"

Genma nodded slightly. "Shizune, have you started studying Medical Ninjutsu yet?"

Shizune froze. "Huh? How did you know?"

Genma smiled. "You used to sneak peeks at books about human anatomy and things like that during class. It's been a while, so I figured you'd probably started by now."

Shizune's cheeks reddened slightly.

As he ate, Genma continued, "I'm studying Medical Ninjutsu too."

Shizune's eyes lit up. "Genma, do you want to become a medical ninja when you grow up?"

Genma didn't answer directly. "My mother's a medical ninja, so I usually study at the hospital. Want to join me, Shizune?"

"Then we can learn from each other and improve together."

Shizune tilted her head, then smiled. "Like you and Kakashi?"

Genma chuckled. "Something like that."

Shizune hesitated, thinking it over.

She had no shortage of resources on Medical Ninjutsu. In fact, she could say she had access to the best in Konoha.

She also had no shortage of teachers, since they were the best medical ninja in Konoha, or even the entire Ninja World.

But when she thought about Lady Tsunade's recent state, Shizune nodded. "Then I'll have to trouble you."

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

The first step was complete.

But the Setting Collection remained silent.

Still, Shizune wasn't Genma's ultimate goal. Tsunade, who was behind her, was.

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

If he could get Tsunade to stay then and change the course of her original fate, he would surely earn Setting Values.

He should earn some for Shizune too.

At seven that evening, Genma showed up at the entrance to Konoha Hospital with two bentos.

"Genma!"

Shizune, who had already been waiting there, waved as soon as she saw him.

Genma hurried over and held up the bentos. "Shizune, have you had dinner?"

Shizune nodded. "I have. Have you not eaten yet?"

As they walked, Genma replied, "I already ate, but the hospital's been busy today, so Mom hasn't gone home for dinner. I brought her some."

"The other one's for our late-night snack."

They chatted as they entered Konoha Hospital.

"Genma—oh, who's this?"

Though she looked exhausted, Ritsuka couldn't help smiling when she saw her son. But when she noticed Shizune following behind him, she blinked in surprise.

Her son had always seemed mature and disciplined, with few friends and no girls at all. So seeing one suddenly show up was quite a surprise.

"Mom, this is my deskmate, Shizune. She wants to become an outstanding medical ninja, so she's going to study with me."

As he spoke, Genma set the bentos on the desk.

"Lady Ritsuka, I'm Shizune."

Shizune greeted her respectfully.

Ritsuka immediately smiled and took Shizune's hand. "You don't have to be so formal. Just call me Auntie."

Shizune nodded obediently. "Yes, Aunt Ritsuka."

Ritsuka asked warmly, "Have you had dinner, Shizune? Why don't you eat with me?"

Before Shizune could answer, Genma took her hand and led her out. "Mom, Shizune already ate. We'll go train first, then have a late-night snack later."

Watching the two kids leave, Ritsuka felt her exhaustion vanish.

It seemed her son had finally come around!

Wait, wasn't he a little young for that?

Genma had no idea his mother had gotten the wrong idea. He and Shizune went to the hospital's practice room.

Konoha Hospital also trained medical ninja, so it had a practice room set aside for that purpose.

It kept all sorts of small animals, including fish, rabbits, and white mice, as materials for practicing Medical Ninjutsu.

"Shizune, you've already mastered Yang Release chakra nature transformation, right?" Genma asked.

Shizune nodded. "Mm. I've mastered the Hemostasis Technique, and now I need to practice the Healing Technique."

"Impressive!"

Genma praised her, then scooped up a fish for Shizune to use as a practice subject. "I'm still working on the Hemostasis Technique."

The Hemostasis Technique and the Healing Technique were both basic Medical Ninjutsu, the two techniques used to get started. Both were D-rank in difficulty.

As for Yang Release chakra nature transformation, Genma had mastered it last month after half a month of practice.

"Let's begin!"

Genma scooped up a fish for himself too, picked up a scalpel, and made a few cuts on it before starting that evening's training.

Shizune nodded and began practicing too.

The two trained earnestly, occasionally sharing what they had learned. They didn't even notice when Ritsuka entered the practice room.

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

After their late-night snack, Genma walked Shizune home.

"Why are you so late?"

The sudden voice from the darkness startled both Genma and Shizune.

"Lady Tsunade?"

Shizune stared at the figure leaning against the wall in the darkness. After a moment, she hurried over. "What are you doing here?"

They were still some distance from home.

Genma followed her. Only when he got closer could he see Tsunade clearly.

Tsunade wasn't wearing the familiar green haori yet, but a blue one instead.

She was nowhere near as mature as she would be twenty years later. She could only be called half-grown. Her cheeks were flushed, and the smell of alcohol hung around her.

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

Genma bowed in greeting.

Tsunade studied him. "A kid from the Yu Feng Clan. Your mother is Ritsuka?"

Genma nodded. "Yes. Do you know my mother, Lady Tsunade?"

Tsunade didn't answer. Instead, she waved a hand. "All right, kid, you can go home."

"Shizune, let's go home!"

With that, she turned and walked away.

Shizune gave Genma an apologetic look, then hurried after her.

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

Tsunade was still in Konoha, but clearly wasn't doing well.

Her younger brother and lover had died one after the other, she was dissatisfied with the Third, and she had Hemophobia. She seemed to have given up on herself.

Still, judging by what happened later, Tsunade hadn't abandoned her training.

He had noticed that there was no diamond-shaped mark of the Yin Seal on Tsunade's forehead. She probably hadn't mastered the technique yet.

And the Strength of a Hundred Technique and Creation Rebirth had clearly been developed later.

"How can I get Tsunade to stay?"

"Or cure her Hemophobia?"

Genma turned and headed home, his mind still working through the possibilities.