Chapter 43

"This thing isn't something you can master with intelligence alone. You also need a talent for spatial perception, along with exceptional neural reaction speed, before you can use it in actual combat."

Back then, he and Danzo had both coveted this technique. Who wouldn't have wanted to learn it?

And what happened? Not a single one of them had succeeded.

"Don't worry!"

Tsunade waved her hand dismissively, her tone exceptionally light. "It might be as hard as climbing to the heavens for others, but for Xuan, it's no big deal at all. I refuse to believe there's any technique in this world that can stump him."

He had managed to come up with absurdly powerful things like the basic body-tempering technique and the Soul Refinement Art.

Even when learning sealing techniques, he could discard the old and create the new, inventing all kinds of tricks. If there truly was an all-round genius in this world, then it had to be Uchiha Yan.

"Uh..."

Seeing how brimming with confidence she was, the Third Hokage was left speechless. He helplessly waved his hand. "Fine, fine, I'll give it to you, all right?"

As he spoke, he turned and entered the hidden room beside them. After quite a while, he finally dug out a copy of the Flying Raijin Technique training scroll. When handing it to Tsunade, he went on and on with another round of reminders. "When you give it to Xuan, tell him not to push himself too hard. It'd be best if he can learn it, of course, but if he can't, he shouldn't lose heart. That's perfectly normal."

"If he really can't learn it, have him bring the scroll to me, and I'll exchange it for another ninjutsu. Understood?"

When the Third Hokage said this, his expression was as sincere as could be. Even he felt his performance had been flawless, almost moving himself to tears.

The only flaw was that Uchiha Yan was not here in person to appreciate his painstaking effort.

"Got it, got it!"

Tsunade casually accepted the scroll and waved it around twice.

Clearly, she did not believe that day would ever come.

If even Uchiha Yan could not learn the Flying Raijin Technique, then no one in this world could.

"Oh, right!"

The Third Hokage's expression turned serious as he continued, "I've already reviewed the Medical Talisman production plan. This requires cooperation between the sealing unit and the medical unit."

"I'll have the sealing unit produce more blank sealing talismans. As for the medical unit, I'll leave that to you."

"You know best who has mastered the Mystical Palm Technique. I hope you can produce a batch of Medical Talismans as soon as possible. The coming battles will depend entirely on them."

Right now, he wished he had a million Medical Talismans sitting in his hands.

Tsunade smiled and nodded. "That can be done."

With her arms crossed, she glanced sideways at the old Third Hokage, her tone carrying a hint of teasing. "But you know as well as I do that there are fewer than ten people in the medical unit who can use the Mystical Palm Technique proficiently. With that few people, how many Medical Talismans can they make in a day? If you want to increase production, you'll have to expand the medical ninja force."

She stepped forward, then shifted the topic. "I suggest the Ninja Academy add a basic medical ninjutsu course directly."

"Also, the medical unit needs a greater allocation of resources."

"Only then can I figure out a way to run crash courses and quickly train a group of people capable of using the Mystical Palm Technique, raising Medical Talisman production."

"Otherwise, with just these few people, how many can they make each day even if they work themselves to death?"

She spread her hands, her tone somewhat dissatisfied. "Besides, every medical ninja who knows the Mystical Palm Technique is already buried under work. Who has the spare time and extra chakra to produce Medical Talismans?"

Having said this much, she did not believe the Third Hokage would keep playing dumb.

If he disagreed? Then she would simply quit. Whoever wanted to deal with the Medical Talismans could deal with them.

The Third Hokage stood there blankly, his lips moving slightly. He clearly had not expected Tsunade to be waiting for him with this.

He truly had not considered it from that angle.

The old man frowned and said in a deep voice, "Adding courses at the Academy won't be a problem. I'll arrange it later."

"But tell me honestly, how many medical ninja capable of using the Mystical Palm Technique can you train in the short term?"

"I mean low- and mid-level medical ninja who don't have too many other duties."

"If we run crash courses, how long will it take?"

Without even thinking, Tsunade replied, "Half a year will be enough. Training ten people won't be a problem. Don't expect them to become experts, but they'll be more than capable of making Medical Talismans."

"Good."

The Third Hokage nodded in satisfaction. "I'll approve the resources. You'll be fully responsible for this. Train them as quickly as possible."

After a pause, he added, "Before this group is ready to take up their posts, you veterans will have to work harder for a while. Make as many extra talismans as you can."

There was no other choice.

"No problem."

Since Tsunade had achieved her goal, she naturally had no objections.

Still, she could not help sighing inwardly. That kid Xuan really knows what he's doing.

An idea she had been harping on for years had actually been settled so easily. Seriously...

"All right, go handle your business. I still have a huge mess to deal with here. I'm so busy my feet barely touch the ground."

The Third Hokage waved his hand, beginning to dismiss her.

"Wait."

But Tsunade did not move. Instead, she narrowed her eyes at him and asked coldly, "Old man, did you forget something important?"

The Third Hokage froze. "What?"

"The money!"

Tsunade strode to the desk in two steps and slammed her palm down hard with a bang.

"Didn't you promise me ten million ryo? That's my hard-earned money, won with my life on the line. You're trying to go back on your word? Hm?"

That old bastard was pretending to be confused, was he?

Didn't he know she was broke?

The moment Tsunade's words landed, the Third Hokage's face stiffened.

He stared at Tsunade, his tone somewhat helpless. "Tsunade, you know the village is constantly at war right now, and money is needed everywhere. You also need to train medical ninja, which won't be cheap. This debt really can't be settled all at once."

"How about I owe it to you for now? I'll make it up once the finances improve?"

It sounded like a discussion, but Tsunade was not about to fall for it.

If he kept owing it, wouldn't he eventually just refuse to pay?

Bang!

She slapped the desk again, instantly cracking the tabletop.

That was after she had held back her strength.

Tsunade gritted her teeth, her tone vicious. "Don't even think about it! Not a single ryo can be delayed! If you really won't pay, I'll have the medical unit stop working. You can forget about getting any more Medical Talismans!"

Trying to get something for free? Not a chance.

Seeing that she would not budge, the Third Hokage sighed, pulled open a drawer, and took out a check to hand over.

"Take it, take it! Get out of here already. Stop hovering in front of me."

It hurt him terribly.

This was all his private savings!

Was it easy to save money?

Tsunade took the check and carefully inspected it for authenticity. Then she grinned. "Now that's more like it! I'm leaving!"

With that, she turned and left, her steps as light as if she had found treasure.

Uchiha Yan's home.

"Here, the Flying Raijin Technique you wanted."

After leaving the Hokage Building, Tsunade went straight to Xuan's residence and tossed him a scroll.

There was a trace of worry in her eyes. "Are you sure you can learn it?"

Xuan nodded, his tone confident. "Of course."

What was so difficult about this?

There was no way he could fail to learn it.

Tsunade was still worried and reminded him, "If you can't learn it, don't force yourself. The Third Hokage said he can exchange it for something else."

"Got it."

Xuan did not explain further. The results would speak for themselves when the time came.

"All right, get busy. I'm leaving first."

With that, Tsunade turned and left.

Having just gotten ten million ryo, she had to spend it properly.

Of course, she would not use it for gambling.

There were free chips available over there every day anyway. Once used, they could not be withdrawn.

She was not stupid.

It was more practical to save this money for things she liked.

Eight days later.

[You conducted an in-depth study of the Clone Technique and Shadow Clone Technique, finally achieving complete comprehension. Both techniques have reached the perfected realm, and you have created a new divine ability—the Clone Technique Cultivation Method.]