Past Scars

"I... I'm already an adult. I can control my own actions just fine. What do you mean by that? Are you saying I'm still a child, someone who's not even as capable as you?"

Shizune couldn't help arguing back.

There was no doubt that Takizawa Dan's words had really gotten to her.

Shizune had always been known throughout the ninja world as Lady Tsunade's most capable assistant and apprentice. Though she hadn't received as much praise as Tsunade herself, wherever Shizune went, she was met with countless compliments and accolades.

After all, who would go out of their way to offend a doctor unless they had no choice?

Anyone could suffer an injury and need treatment one day. What would they do if they offended a doctor and that doctor refused to treat them in the future?

So, without a doubt, this was a very practical concern.

But no matter what, someone like her wasn't someone a mere child like Takizawa Dan could casually lecture. If word got out, how was Shizune supposed to hold her own in their circles?

Takizawa Dan glanced at Tsunade and saw her give him a slight shake of the head.

The meaning was clear: Shizune wasn't ready to take harsh correction from an outsider, so it would be best not to force her to see reason.

Takizawa Dan frowned. Shizune's childhood trauma had led to flaws in her personality as an adult, especially in the way she acted.

Since Tsunade didn't want him to correct Shizune directly, he would have to wait and use a gradual, therapeutic approach to help her work through it.

Takizawa Dan sighed inwardly and shook his head, deciding to drop the subject. He would find a chance to deal with it later.

"Didn't you just say that you recognized my judgment, but doubted my actual medical skills?"

Takizawa Dan didn't argue the point further. Instead, he brought up something else.

"Hm? That's right. How about this? If you can surpass me in medical theory, then I, Shizune, will gladly admit that you've won!"

A crafty glint appeared in Shizune's eyes.

In truth, this was already a bit of a cheap trick.

People might have roughly similar levels of intelligence, but there was no doubt that time spent learning made a decisive difference!

For one thing, Shizune had spent a full twenty years studying. The medical knowledge she'd acquired was practically endless. How could a mere Takizawa Dan possibly compare?

Sure enough, Tsunade looked a little embarrassed, her face even turning slightly red.

She was about to step in and do right by Takizawa Dan, declaring the contest unfair, when he smiled.

"Fine, let's do it. Shizune, I'm going to show you today that I won't lose to you even in medical theory!"

That was an awfully bold claim. Even Shizune couldn't help frowning at his words.

It was good to have dreams, but chasing them while ignoring reality wasn't dreaming—it was getting yourself into trouble.

However, Takizawa Dan was adamant, and Tsunade had no choice but to begin the contest.

During the contest, Takizawa Dan unexpectedly showed off another ability that left everyone amazed.

Every time Tsunade asked a question, he answered before Shizune could, almost without needing to think. What was more, every answer was completely correct. Tsunade and Shizune couldn't help marveling at him.

If Tsunade hadn't come up with the questions on the spot, and if their difficulty hadn't alternated, they might have suspected that Takizawa Dan was cheating!

"Takizawa Dan... how can you answer so quickly?"

Shizune asked, full of confusion. "Have you studied medicine before?"

"Well... I was pretty weak before, so I couldn't go to the Ninja Academy, right?" Takizawa Dan's eyes shifted as he came up with an excuse on the spot. "I had nothing to do at home, so I thought I might as well study some medical books and pick up useful knowledge. Maybe I learned all this back then!"

Takizawa Dan's explanation was a little far-fetched, but it seemed there was no other way to explain what had happened.

Otherwise, was he some kind of monster—or a reincarnation?

Even if Takizawa Dan had been willing to tell Tsunade and Shizune about the system he'd received, they probably wouldn't have believed him.

"My goodness, this is incredible! You learned Medical Ninjutsu entirely through self-study, and you've mastered so much theory!"

Tsunade believed Takizawa Dan's explanation. Even the way she looked at him seemed to brighten with admiration.

If everything he'd said was true, then at last she had found someone worthy to inherit her skills.

To be honest, passing her medical knowledge on to Shizune had been a reluctant choice. Tsunade simply didn't have a better student around, so she'd had to make the best of a limited selection.

But Takizawa Dan's arrival gave her hope.

This boy was even more talented than she herself had been at his age. His future achievements would surely go far beyond this!

If she didn't take him on as her student, it would be a terrible waste of talent!

"Shizune, are you convinced now? Takizawa Dan surpasses you in both medical theory and judgment under pressure."

Tsunade looked at her student and spoke in a cold tone.

"I'm convinced. Takizawa Dan is truly an outstanding person. Lady Tsunade is so fortunate to have him! I really did lose this time. I was overestimating myself."

Though Shizune offered her congratulations, a hint of disappointment surfaced in her eyes.

It looked like Takizawa Dan would be the favorite from now on. Would she still enjoy the same special treatment she'd had until today, when she could call herself Tsunade's senior apprentice?

"Good. You can admit when you're wrong—that's worthy of being my student!" Tsunade nodded, her eyes showing a little more approval. "Since you've admitted defeat, you should honor your promise and hand over that Ninjutsu Scroll Launcher!"

Tsunade knew when to show kindness and when to assert her authority. Without hesitation, she now stepped in to demand the device in Shizune's hands on Takizawa Dan's behalf.

Shizune gazed at the launcher in her hands, reluctant to part with it. In the end, she gritted her teeth, squeezed her eyes shut, and handed it to Tsunade.

It was a treasure, something she'd always loved and could never get enough of.

Handing it over just like that was painful indeed.