Chapter 40

"Heh, what kind of excuse is that?"

Tsunade set down her sake cup, her eyes provocative. "Who at Konoha Hospital doesn't know that Xuan learned every bit of my medical ninjutsu in just three months? His medical skills are practically on par with mine now."

She tapped the table with a finger. "You're just burying your head in the sand. If you can't accept losing, just say so. I look down on you."

Seeing that Jiraiya remained unmoved, Tsunade gestured with her chin toward Orochimaru, who was watching the show nearby. "If you don't believe me, you should at least believe Orochimaru, right? He wouldn't make up this kind of lie."

She turned and lifted her chin. "Ask him whether my Xuan really has that kind of ability."

Jiraiya's gaze followed hers.

Orochimaru curled his lips into a smile and nodded. "I've heard a little about Uchiha Yan as well. He is indeed a rare little monster."

His voice was unhurried. "He learned seventy or eighty percent of Tsunade's medical skills in three months. As for exactly how much he learned, I didn't examine it closely, so I can't draw a conclusion."

Then he cast Tsunade a curious look. "But I did hear something else. Those medicines from the Uchiha Secret Medicine Shop—they say they all came from the hands of your precious disciple?"

"Oh?"

Jiraiya spoke first, raising his brows high. "That shop selling delicious soldier pills and Body-Tempering Pills?"

"You've got to be kidding. Even Lady Tsunade couldn't develop secret medicines of that level. That kid can?"

Jiraiya looked utterly unconvinced.

If that were true, wouldn't that kid be even more impressive than Tsunade?

At least when it came to making medicine, he definitely was.

Minato had also mentioned that the kid had been heartbroken because Uchiha Yan had swooped in and stolen his girl.

Jiraiya had laughed at Minato over it more than once, saying he was far too spineless. He had met Kushina first, yet he still couldn't keep his girlfriend from being taken.

"Xuan really did make them."

Tsunade nodded, her tone certain.

The news had long since spread throughout Konoha, so there was nothing to hide.

Orochimaru's eyes brightened as he pondered, Looks like I underestimated him before. I should find a chance to talk to this kid.

He vaguely felt that Uchiha Yan might be able to help with his research.

"But that isn't even the most impressive part."

Tsunade shifted the subject and continued, "The Medical Talisman that Xuan and I are working on now—that's the real good stuff."

"Medical Talisman?"

Jiraiya and Orochimaru were both intrigued. They asked in unison, "What is that? Does it have something to do with medical ninjutsu?"

"Mm."

Tsunade nodded and briefly explained what the Medical Talisman did.

"What?!"

Jiraiya abruptly rose to his feet, planting both hands on the table with a shocked expression. "Really? You can seal the Mystical Palm Technique inside a talisman?"

If they had possessed something like that back then, many dangers would never have happened.

Many companions would not have died.

"Oh my, oh my."

Orochimaru was equally amazed. "This truly is an extraordinary invention. With this, casualties on future missions can be reduced considerably."

After all, even Konoha lacked medical ninja, let alone the other villages.

Tsunade had proposed expanding the training of medical ninja two years ago, assigning one medical ninja to every squad.

But the Third Hokage had said there was not enough money and refused to approve it.

Over the past two years, Tsunade had put in considerable effort, and Konoha's medical corps had finally grown somewhat, but it was still far from enough.

Orochimaru was now even more interested in Uchiha Yan and held him in higher regard.

He knew perfectly well that Tsunade had never mentioned anything called a Medical Talisman before.

Yet only a few months after taking Uchiha Yan as her disciple, she had created a strategic asset like the Medical Talisman with this boy.

He did not believe they had truly developed it together.

Considering the monstrous talent Uchiha Yan had shown in medical ninjutsu, Orochimaru was more inclined to believe that Uchiha Yan had proposed the idea from beginning to end and had created it himself.

At most, Tsunade had participated a little and offered some help.

Tsunade was doing this, plainly speaking, to protect Uchiha Yan and, while she was at it, secure more benefits for him.

Since she had made it public, the Third Hokage must have known about it long ago.

Perhaps they had even already negotiated the price.

Whether Tsunade got involved or not, the things the village offered would definitely be on entirely different levels.

Orochimaru noticed Tsunade's gaze and looked up to meet her eyes.

They both understood.

Tsunade was hinting to him: Even if you've guessed it, don't say it.

Naturally, Orochimaru nodded to show that he would keep his mouth shut.

He had never been one to gossip anyway.

"When will this be ready? Can it be mass-produced? How many can be made in a day?"

Jiraiya immediately pressed on, sounding rather urgent.

Tsunade frowned as soon as she heard that. "Is this because of Sand Village? Are they really going to make a move? Why?"

She genuinely could not understand it.

"It's still uncertain for now."

Jiraiya shook his head. "I went to the old man's office this morning. He said the spies we planted in Sand Village haven't sent back anything too precise. All we know is that the Third Kazekage seems to have disappeared."

"It's probably related to that."

"I have to leave for the Land of Wind tomorrow to investigate the details."

After saying that, Jiraiya sighed. "Sigh, why does there have to be war? Can't everyone sit down, talk things out, and live peacefully together?"

He had spent his entire life searching for the path to peace.

He had always believed that as long as he found the Child of Prophecy the Great Toad Sage had spoken of, the Ninja World could finally achieve true tranquility.

"Tch!"

Tsunade rolled her eyes at once. "You're still as childish as ever. Your awareness isn't even as good as Xuan's."

"What he said makes sense—as long as people exist, and as long as there are benefits to fight over, this world can never truly be peaceful."

"All we can do is change the way we fight and rein in how viciously we fight."

"Expecting the world to remain peaceful forever, without another war, is nothing but a dream."

Anyone who believed temporary effort could bring about permanent peace was a complete and utter fool.

How could there be such a good thing in this world?

Not even gods could accomplish it.

"Oh? Uchiha Yan can say something like that? Interesting."

Orochimaru's eyes lit up. Looking at Jiraiya mockingly, he said, "This idiot really has always been unbelievably naive."

"War has always been nothing more than an outward appearance. In the end, it is merely about benefits."

A cold smile touched Orochimaru's lips as his gaze bore into Jiraiya.

"Can you really not see it? Those people in Sand Village are **desperate. The Third Kazekage has disappeared, and they're afraid the other ninja villages will see them as easy prey. That's why they're so eager to start a war with Konoha—to shift everyone's attention."

He paused, his tone turning mocking.

"You can't even see through something so obvious, yet you shout all day about bringing peace to the Ninja World? Is there something wrong with your brain?"

Jiraiya's face instantly flushed red. His fists clenched as he trembled with rage.

He had never cared for Orochimaru's idea of placing his hopes in the Child of Prophecy.

It was too insubstantial.

Betting the entire future on the prophecy of an old toad that had lived for a thousand years was simply gambling.

If Jiraiya truly wanted to achieve peace and worked for it with his own hands, Orochimaru could at least respect him as a man.

But Jiraiya had never done that.

Instead, he had devoted himself to searching for some illusory Child of Prophecy.

It was truly laughable.

After speaking, Orochimaru lifted his sake cup and downed a mouthful.

Jiraiya abruptly stood up, his eyes blazing as he wanted to retort.

But his mouth opened and closed, yet he could not force out a single word.

In the end, he could only drop back into his seat with a bang, seize the sake bottle, and drink in silence, his face as dark as the bottom of a pot.

He could not help wondering, Have I really chosen the wrong path?

But the instant the thought appeared, he violently shook his head and cast it aside.

No! The Great Toad Sage cannot be wrong! Its prophecy must be true!

He gripped the sake bottle tightly, encouraging himself inwardly.