Questions and Answers

When Shizune heard Lady Tsunade say that her answer was merely adequate, a flicker of discontent rose in her heart.

That answer was already exactly the same as the one in the medical textbook she had memorized.

If even that wasn't good enough for Lady Tsunade, then what kind of answer would be right?

"Takizawa Dan, you tell me."

Tsunade looked at Takizawa Dan, who sat beside her with a calm expression, and asked him.

"All right."

Takizawa Dan nodded, then said, "Shizune's answer just now can't be called wrong. In fact, it was very standard. If this were an exam, she'd almost certainly get full marks. Anything less would be outrageous."

His words made Shizune feel a little better.

She had been a top student ever since she was little. Whether it was the rules taught at the Ninja Academy or Hand Seals, she could recite them all without missing a word. She had a perfect memory!

Lady Tsunade had taken her as a student in the first place because she recognized her high intelligence and exceptional memory.

What Shizune found strange was that even though she always completed every task Lady Tsunade assigned her, often finishing ahead of time, Tsunade never seemed to smile.

Shizune couldn't understand it. What kind of result did Lady Tsunade want?

If even the standard answer wasn't right, then what was?

This question had troubled Shizune for twenty years.

Just then, Takizawa Dan spoke again.

"However, although Shizune's answer was indeed flawless and completely free of mistakes, that's precisely why it was wrong."

"Because it was far too correct!"

Tsunade had been sitting there with an impassive expression, not saying a word. But when she heard Takizawa Dan, a faint smile finally appeared on her tense face.

This kid...

He really had something.

To have this kind of awareness at such a young age... It would be a real shame if he didn't learn Medical Ninjutsu. He had so much potential!

"Too correct... How can that be wrong?" Shizune looked at Takizawa Dan, confused. She hadn't understood what he meant.

"Then let me ask you something, Shizune."

"Go ahead. I'm listening."

"Suppose—I mean, just suppose—you came across a wounded person who had been gravely injured in battle and was on the brink of death. If you didn't treat him the way you described, he'd probably die within moments."

"But at the same time, the enemy hadn't been dealt with yet and was about to attack the rest of your team. Your remaining teammates aren't strong enough to hold the enemy back. They need you to join them to drive the enemy off; otherwise, they'll be killed one by one right in front of you."

"In that extreme situation, would you choose to treat the wounded person first, or protect your remaining teammates?"

The moment Takizawa Dan finished asking, Shizune's expression changed completely!

This question was practically a philosophical dilemma!

It was like the famous trolley problem: there was one child on one track and four children on the other, and you had to decide which way to steer the train.

Likewise, if she really faced that situation and chose to treat the wounded person, she would be abandoning all her remaining teammates.

But if she chose to fight the enemy alongside her companions, she would be leaving the wounded person to die before her eyes. That went against the most basic purpose of being a medical ninja!

So what was she supposed to choose?

In an instant, Shizune was consumed by indecision.

It seemed like either choice would be completely wrong!

The moral dilemma set Shizune's mind at war with itself. She felt as if she were being driven mad!

"Takizawa Dan, what would you do in that situation?"

Tsunade's voice sounded from beside them.

To be honest, she had never considered this question before. Even if she faced such a situation herself, she might hesitate for a moment.

She really wanted to know what Takizawa Dan would choose, after raising the question himself.

It had started out as a test she'd set for her student, and she'd even meant to put Takizawa Dan in his place.

But now... well...

Shizune was just as engrossed. She lifted her wide eyes and stared fixedly at the slight curve of Takizawa Dan's lips, unwilling to miss a single word that came from his mouth!

Neither Tsunade nor Shizune realized that, at that moment, Takizawa Dan had become the center of attention.

The two of them were both renowned figures in the world of medical ninjas, yet now they were asking Takizawa Dan for guidance on a question no one had ever raised before.

That would have been unthinkable just moments earlier. If word got out, it would leave everyone stunned!

Yet Takizawa Dan, the one who had started it all, looked completely calm, with even a hint of a smile.

"Lady Tsunade, Shizune, this question is easy."

"The reason you're stuck on this dilemma and can't decide is that you haven't put yourselves into that situation. You've only been thinking about it in the abstract."

"If you think about it from a ninja's perspective—I mean, if you really look at it as a ninja... Would you even need to think twice in a situation like that?!"

Boom!

It was like a thunderclap out of a clear sky!

Tsunade and Shizune were both left dumbstruck.

So that was it!

That was the answer!

They had been at a loss because they hadn't thought about the problem from a ninja's perspective.

What mattered most during a ninja's mission?

The mission! The mission! And the mission!!!

Everything they did was for the sake of completing the mission! That was a ninja's top priority.

If the main objective was to escort important documents, then no matter how important a teammate's life was, they would have to abandon them immediately!

If the main objective was to cover their teammates' retreat, then of course they should leave the smaller group behind and lead more people to safety!

If the mission was to get away themselves, then in an emergency, they could even sacrifice every teammate in front of them, turning them into living targets to draw the enemy ninjas' fire!

This was never a question that required thought in the first place. The situation itself would show them what the best choice was!

"Takizawa Dan, you've convinced me!" Shizune said sincerely, her eyes full of astonishment. This time, she didn't call him "little brother."

She felt that even her understanding and preparation for the world of medical ninjas were less mature than those of a mere kid in his teens!

What had she been doing all these past twenty years?!

At the thought, Shizune lowered her head in shame.