Tsunade's Interest

After finally squeezing out of the crowd, Muzan looked at the patients surging in behind him and was so frightened that he hurried into the director's office, narrowly avoiding being torn apart by a mob of crazed fans.

"You came at just the right time."

Director Harano had heard the commotion outside. He did not scold Muzan for barging into the office, instead taking a document from his desk and looking at him solemnly.

"What I'm about to say may be a bit of a blow to you. You need to prepare yourself."

After Muzan became a genin, Director Harano immediately approached the Third Hokage. As a renowned doctor in the hospital, Sakumo-sama's son, and someone with impeccable talent and strength, Muzan was an ideal candidate. The two men had reached the same conclusion: they both wanted to recommend Muzan as Tsunade-sama's disciple, even deliberately spreading rumors throughout the hospital about Tsunade and Muzan.

The reality was that Tsunade did not want to teach a child, so the apprenticeship plan had failed.

I thought it was going to be something earth-shattering. Indeed, in other people's eyes, Tsunade was the teacher best suited for him. Only Muzan himself knew the truth: his early path resembled Tsunade's, but his later path leaned more toward Orochimaru's.

"So that's what this is. I wasn't planning to take Tsunade as my teacher anyway."

Director Harano froze. This was not what he had expected at all. And what was with that indifferent expression?

"What kind of tone is that, brat?! That's Tsunade-sama! Show some respect!"

After lecturing Muzan, Director Harano revealed his true purpose. Now that Muzan had graduated from the Ninja Academy, he was no longer part of it. That old man Nobiwena could no longer compete with him for talent.

"The Third Hokage wants you to remain at the hospital and further your medical ninjutsu studies."

"These are ninjutsu I pulled some strings to get from the medical division. You can practice them whenever you have time, and I'll guide your training as well."

Do not underestimate Director Harano. To hold a position like his, his ninjutsu ability was at least on the level of a special jonin. Moreover, during wartime, his role was even more important than that of ordinary ninja.

To keep Muzan from looking down on the hospital, he deliberately placed two ninjutsu scrolls before him and said with a hint of pride:

"See these? They're A-rank ninjutsu. If I didn't have connections, I wouldn't have been able to get them."

The two scrolls contained the Mystical Palm Technique and the Healing Resuscitation Regeneration Technique, advanced forms of healing techniques. Medical ninjutsu placed immense demands on its practitioners. Its greatest difference from other A-rank ninjutsu was that it did not produce obvious side effects.

If Tsunade had not refused to become Muzan's teacher, and the Third Hokage had not wanted to give up on someone as gifted as Muzan, they would not have had to temporarily keep him in the medical division, hoping that once his classmates graduated, they could form a team and forge bonds with one another.

"Thank you, but I'd rather use the hospital laboratory."

"I knew you'd like the A-rank ninjutsu... Wait, did you just say the laboratory?"

Director Harano was already numb. Why was everything so different from what he had imagined? These were A-rank ninjutsu! Why was Muzan's attention on the laboratory?

"If you really want to use the laboratory, I can give you permission. But there's a big shot in there spending her retirement, so be careful not to offend her."

"A retired big shot? Don't worry. I'm only doing research. I won't disturb her."

Although he did not know who this big shot was, Muzan was friendly and never caused trouble. He would not come into conflict with her.

After getting the key, Muzan arrived at the laboratory. Since the Second Shinobi World War had ended, Tsunade had begun enjoying a carefree life of slacking off. The hospital laboratory had not been used for a long time, and a layer of dust had accumulated everywhere. Muzan used Wind Release to blow the dust away.

"Clink, clink, clink!"

The sound of beakers colliding rang out without end. Fortunately, the gale swept close to the ground, so none of the experimental equipment was smashed.

"Pah! Which bastard used Wind Release in the laboratory? I got a mouthful of dust!"

A woman clutching a wine bottle crawled up from the floor.

Combined with her bleary eyes, it was hard to imagine that such a rigorous laboratory had somehow let a drunkard slip in. But the clothes she wore made Muzan's pupils suddenly contract. "Gamble!"

Muzan looked at her with a complicated expression. That was right—she was the "gamble" of Konoha's yellow, gambling, and drugs, and also one of the Three Sannin: Tsunade!

"So it's Tsunade-sama."

"Huh? Why do you seem so familiar?"

In her drunken state, Tsunade pressed herself against Muzan's face. Her enormous chest happened to block his vision as she looked down at him, even lifting his robe before realizing that the little brat before her was the disciple the Third Hokage had tried to assign her.

"A Hatake brat! Did you come to the laboratory looking for me? Too bad, I'm not taking you as my disciple."

Tsunade stroked Muzan's white hair. Her alcohol-soaked scent made him slightly uncomfortable. He moved away from her hand, and past the mountains before him, he could see the disdainful look on Tsunade's face. He was not angered by her refusal and merely answered calmly:

"You're mistaken. I didn't come looking for you. I didn't even know the person retired in the laboratory was you. I came here to conduct experiments, and please do not disturb me while I work."

"This brat... He actually ignored me? Let's see what he's up to!"

As Tsunade watched Muzan pass by her, it was obvious that his actions had piqued her interest. Did he not know the weight carried by the name Tsunade in Konoha?

Or was this kid playing hard to get? That was it! He had to be doing it on purpose.

She simply followed behind Muzan, wanting to see when he would finally reveal his true colors.

But later, she discovered that Muzan really did not care about her. He was so absorbed in his experiment that he could not pull himself away.

"Could it be that my reputation has declined, or that my beauty has faded? Don't children his age usually want to become Hokage or find a pretty girl?"

It was easy to catch a woman's interest, but one had to bear the corresponding risks—especially when that woman was a Kage-level powerhouse.

Tsunade set down her wine bottle and noticed Muzan standing on a stool. Despite his young age, he possessed the mature focus of someone wholly absorbed in his work.

She had only seen that in one person before.

Orochimaru!

"Compared to me, Orochimaru would be more suitable as Muzan's teacher. The old man misjudged this time."

As she remembered, Orochimaru had no disciples. He was also one of the Three Sannin, and Muzan was Sakumo's son, so it would not disgrace Orochimaru's status. When she had time, she could entrust Muzan to Orochimaru.

At this time, Orochimaru was obsessed with science, but he had not yet become as utterly devoid of humanity as he would later. Combined with his command performance during the Second Shinobi World War, Orochimaru had made the greatest contributions among the three of them and was also the most capable contender for the position of Hokage.

"Hahaha! I really am too smart! That brat will definitely thank me!"