Inside the Hokage's Office, after Uchiha Shunichi left, Katsuyu suddenly spoke to Tsunade. "Lady Tsunade, I sensed an aura similar to yours in the blood on the contract."
Tsunade, who was gathering documents from the floor, paused at those words before pretending nothing had happened. "Mm, I understand."
Then she continued collecting the scattered papers.
But clearly, Tsunade was far from calm. Just now, Uchiha Shunichi had wanted to tell her the specific experimental procedure, but she had refused.
Because Tsunade had already guessed what had happened. After all, she was Uchiha Shunichi's teacher. Even if it had only been a short time, she still knew very well what he was capable of.
Other than exceptionally special Ninjutsu, the only thing that could strengthen the body was Hashirama Cells.
The God of Shinobi had been too remarkable a presence. After the First Hokage's death, Konoha began researching his cells.
Tsunade knew all this because the first person to research Hashirama Senju's cells had actually been the Second Hokage.
Of course, at the time, he had wanted to find a way to prevent Hashirama Senju's death.
As for the later Wood Release experiments...
"If they can save the lives of people in the village, Great-Granduncle would be happy too, wouldn't he?" Tsunade murmured, her eyes somewhat lost.
Katsuyu on the desk shifted her body and crawled onto Tsunade's shoulder, as though comforting her.
For Tsunade, everything after becoming Hokage had been difficult.
Like Jiraiya, she was not truly suited to become Hokage. But for the village her lover and younger brother had loved, she chose to shoulder that burden.
"Tsunade, what happened?" Jiraiya's voice came from the window. He looked travel-worn, as though he had just returned.
Tsunade stood and placed the documents in her hands back on the desk, once