Speaking in Riddles

Shizune and Tsunade quickly finished whispering, then turned to look at Takizawa Dan with an expression he had never seen before.

"Wait... what are you two... planning to do? I'm warning you, I'm still a kid!"

Takizawa Dan grew increasingly wary and couldn't help taking two steps back.

"Little Takizawa Dan, it's fine. You don't need to be nervous. We're just giving you an entrance test!"

Seeing how frightened Takizawa Dan looked as he backed away, Shizune found it rather funny and couldn't help giggling.

"Huh? An entrance test?"

Takizawa Dan looked puzzled and turned to Tsunade.

"Ahem... Takizawa Dan, this is a rule I set earlier. Every new disciple has to take a test." Tsunade cleared her throat. "Although I already concluded at the Chunin Ninja Exams that you're good at fighting, we still have to go through the motions."

"That's right, little brother. Don't be afraid. It's just a formality. Master Tsunade already said she'd take you in, so do you really think I'd deliberately make you fail?"

Shizune grinned as she spoke from the side.

Now Takizawa Dan understood, and he felt a little more at ease.

It was just a test. Shizune would go easy on him, and he'd hold back too. They could just put on a little show.

Still, it was clear that Tsunade really valued ceremony. Even though she had already decided to take Takizawa Dan in, she still wanted to hold an entrance test as part of the apprenticeship ceremony, making the process official.

It was a bit of a hassle, but Takizawa Dan didn't dislike it. If anything, he admired Tsunade even more for it.

Just as Takizawa Dan was about to accept the challenge and spar with his senior, Shizune, while holding back, a blue fragment suddenly fell from her.

It fell at a peculiar angle, following a perfect arc before landing right at Takizawa Dan's feet.

"Lady Tsunade, wait a moment. I need to tie my shoelace!"

Takizawa Dan hurriedly said this as he bent down, pretending to tie his shoe while quickly picking up the fragment.

"Sure. Take your time. There's no rush," Tsunade said generously.

Shizune was just as unbothered. Since she had already decided to go easy on him, she didn't mind waiting a little longer.

Whoosh!

When no one was looking, the fragment shot straight into Takizawa Dan's mind.

[Congratulations, host! You have acquired a non-combat skill: Advanced Medical Ninjutsu!]

[As a reward for unlocking your first non-combat skill, Advanced Medical Ninjutsu has been upgraded to Top-tier Medical Ninjutsu. You now possess the highest level of medical ninjutsu in the entire Shinobi World!]

[PS: Shizune's current medical ninjutsu level is Advanced Medical Ninjutsu, while Tsunade's is Quasi-Top-tier Medical Ninjutsu!]

[Host's current abilities: Basic Taijutsu, Basic Gentle Fist, Multi Shadow Clone Technique, Wind Release: Sickle Weasel Technique, Wind Style: Floating Catkin Jutsu, Water Style: Great Waterfall Technique, Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence, Secret Art: Sealing Technique, Top-tier Medical Ninjutsu!]

The moment the system notification appeared, a flood of information suddenly poured into Takizawa Dan's mind.

In an instant, countless details about medical ninjutsu filled his mind, each one incredibly sophisticated.

This had to be Top-tier Medical Ninjutsu. It had made him the foremost medical expert in the entire Shinobi World!

What surprised Takizawa Dan, though, was that according to the system, it made sense for Shizune to have only Advanced Medical Ninjutsu, but Tsunade had only Quasi-Top-tier Medical Ninjutsu. That meant she was still a little behind him!

After thinking it over, Takizawa Dan understood.

Medicine was bound to advance and improve alongside technology. As far as he knew, Orochimaru seemed to be the only person in the entire Shinobi World who had mastered core technology!

In a place like Konoha, which didn't even have televisions, Tsunade had become the greatest medical ninja of her time through self-study. That was already an incredible achievement.

"Takizawa Dan, what are you spacing out for? Hurry up and get ready to spar with me!"

Shizune's annoyed voice from across the room snapped Takizawa Dan back to reality.

"Oh, right. I was distracted just now. Sorry."

Takizawa Dan hurriedly patted his forehead and put on an apologetic expression.

"Honestly, could you pay a little attention?" Shizune said, her eyes filling with disappointment.

He could actually get distracted in the middle of a fight? What on earth was going through this kid's head? It was a good thing she was going easy on him. If this had been a real fight, he would probably have been dead already.

"Sorry. It won't happen again."

"Hmph. Enough talk. Come at me!"

Shizune gripped her Kunai and took up a fighting stance.

She had decided to let Takizawa Dan attack first. She'd block three of his attacks, then throw a perfunctory punch that he could easily catch. That would be enough for him to pass.

That way, she wouldn't lose face, and she'd spare Takizawa Dan's feelings. To Tsunade, the back-and-forth of the fight would look convincing enough too.

But just as Shizune focused all her attention, ready to meet Takizawa Dan's attack, the boy across from her relaxed and shook his head.

"No. I've changed my mind. I don't want to fight."

"Are you saying you're too scared? You coward!"

Shizune narrowed her eyes at Takizawa Dan and shook her head again and again.

A hint of disappointment appeared in Tsunade's eyes too.

She and Shizune had practically spelled it out for Takizawa Dan, even handing him the victory, and he still didn't have the courage to attack?

With such a timid and spineless attitude, no matter how talented or strong he was, he would never amount to much.

Had she really misjudged him?

But Takizawa Dan smiled and said, "Don't rush. I haven't finished speaking yet."

"I've decided to compete with Shizune in medical ninjutsu!"

Takizawa Dan's voice wasn't loud, but it was clear and sharp, carrying across the room.

Tsunade and Shizune were both stunned.

"Y-You said what?" Shizune was so shocked that her mind went completely blank.

"I said I want to compete with you in medical ninjutsu." Takizawa Dan still looked relaxed. "Since we're both medical ninja, it makes sense to compete in medical ninjutsu, doesn't it?"

"No... that's not what I meant." Shizune waved a hand and rubbed her forehead, looking helpless. "Takizawa Dan, I know you're confident, but do you realize I've been following Lady Tsunade for over ten years? My formal medical training is beyond anything you could match, you little kid who's never studied medicine. To put it bluntly, I may have spent more years learning medicine from Lady Tsunade than you've been alive!"

Tsunade looked at Takizawa Dan with a frown. "That's right, Takizawa Dan. Shizune isn't as weak as you think. Apart from me, there's no medical ninja in the entire Shinobi World who can match her. You won't be able to beat her."