Tsunade's Despair

"I'm planning to have Nawaki apply for early graduation this year. Orochimaru will take him on missions afterward.

"The Shinobi World hasn't been peaceful lately. War could break out at any moment. If you and Mikoto don't apply for early graduation, you won't even have time to adjust when it comes.

"Graduating early would at least give you some time to get used to missions. You're strong enough to take them on, and you need to grow through combat.

"As for Mikoto, if she applies for early graduation, she can be placed on Orochimaru's team.

"Once war begins, I can arrange for your teams to carry out missions together. Orochimaru and I probably won't have time to lead you ourselves." Tsunade's gaze flickered toward Uchiha Mikoto as she spoke earnestly.

If Uchiha Mikoto didn't seize this chance, she might never get another opportunity to remain Orochimaru's student.

If she waited until next year to graduate and wanted to avoid the battlefield, she would have to report to the Konoha Military Police Force. That would inevitably lower her standing in Tsunade's eyes and the others'.

After all, Nawaki would be going to the battlefield when war began too.

The Senju Clan didn't like war, but they had never feared it.

"Join Lord Orochimaru's team?" Uchiha Mikoto cried out in surprise.

Orochimaru was the face of Konoha's younger generation of ninja. While Hatake Sakumo was still carrying out missions in the Anbu, Orochimaru was the foremost genius in the public eye.

Uchiha Mikoto had never imagined she would be offered such a chance.

The Uchiha were proud, but they admired the strong. Of course, quite a few Uchiha were unconvinced by Orochimaru too.

During her time at Tsunade's house, Uchiha Mikoto had met Orochimaru and even received some pointers from him. She hadn't expected that he might become her team leader.

"Yes. If you're willing to graduate early, Orochimaru will take you as his student. You're about as strong as Nawaki, and you've long since met the requirements for early graduation.

"Of course, if you don't want to, I won't press you." Tsunade spoke to Uchiha Mikoto with a smile.

She genuinely hoped Uchiha Mikoto would become Orochimaru's student. The girl was cautious and clever, just the sort of person to balance Nawaki's rashness.

Otherwise, Nawaki might get himself blown up through one careless mistake.

Tsunade didn't doubt Nawaki's talent. With ample resources and ninjutsu at his disposal, he had everything he needed to become strong.

What worried her was that he would become a target.

A Senju who keeps declaring he'll become Hokage isn't being very smart, my foolish little brother!

When war began and she and Orochimaru went to the battlefield, Uchiha Yi could carry out missions with Nawaki and the others. That would help keep them safe.

Uchiha Yi was already as strong as a Chunin. If he could grow stronger quickly, she wouldn't have to worry.

Uchiha Mikoto looked toward Uchiha Yi. Only after he nodded to her did she say firmly, "I'm willing, Lady Tsunade!"

Uchiha Mikoto had struggled with whether to become a ninja who took missions or join the Konoha Military Police Force.

But if she could become Orochimaru's student, taking missions didn't seem like a bad choice.

She would also be able to go on missions with Yi. Turning down the offer would be downright ungrateful.

Uchiha Yi turned to Kushina Uzumaki. "Will Kushina graduate early too?"

"She won't, but she'll accompany you on missions to gain some experience. Once the team disbands, Kushina will have to return to school and continue her studies.

"I might as well tell you that the other member of my team is Hyuga Hiashi. You'll most likely join Orochimaru's team on your own, though there's a good chance the two teams will take missions together. That depends on what everyone wants and what Teacher Sarutobi thinks." Tsunade had considered bringing Uchiha Mikoto onto her own team instead.

Unfortunately, having two Uchiha on one team clearly wasn't realistic.

Kushina Uzumaki lowered her head in disappointment, but she didn't argue with Tsunade. She had clearly known about this already.

"I'll graduate early!" Uchiha Yi thought it over and agreed. "Should I apply when I get back?"

Uchiha Yi didn't mind Hyuga Hiashi becoming his student. The Hyuga Clan was a little rigid, but the Byakugan was undeniably useful.

It was a shame Hiashi wouldn't be joining Nawaki's team. Otherwise, Nawaki wouldn't have been killed by an Explosive Tag.

"Apply in three months. Teacher Sarutobi will approve it soon enough!" Tsunade waved a hand. "Over these three months, I'll teach you Cherry Blossom Impact. I hope you can grasp the basics by then.

"And Mikoto, you can try learning it too. Even if you can't master it, the practice will improve your Chakra control."

She certainly didn't believe anyone could master Cherry Blossom Impact in three months. Wouldn't that make her look bad?

"I'll do my best!"

Over the next three months, Uchiha Yi improved at a pace that left Tsunade in despair.

Three months. Did anyone know what those three months had been like for Tsunade?

Starting from nothing, Uchiha Yi mastered Cherry Blossom Impact and even worked it into his fighting style. Tsunade couldn't help doubting herself.

She had been called a genius by plenty of people. So why did she seem so unimpressive next to Uchiha Yi?

And judging by Mito Uzumaki's reaction, she had expected this from Uchiha Yi all along. Tsunade began to wonder if this was simply what a true genius looked like.

Compared with ordinary ninja, Tsunade was certainly a genius. Compared with a real genius, she was nothing.

Little did she know that Uchiha Yi had been sparing her feelings. If he hadn't held back, a month would have been more than enough for him to learn Cherry Blossom Impact.

Fortunately, teaching Uchiha Yi Medical Ninjutsu afterward restored Tsunade's pride.

Wasn't Medical Ninjutsu something you could learn with a little study? Why did Uchiha Yi have to work so hard at it?

Sure enough, no one could match me at Medical Ninjutsu. She had become Konoha's best with ease, and was quite possibly the best in the Shinobi World.

Uchiha Yi might be a genius, but he still can't compare to me.

In truth, Uchiha Yi was learning Medical Ninjutsu quickly. His heart just wasn't in it, and his talent for it wasn't especially outstanding.