Tsunade's Despair

"I plan to have Nawaki apply for early graduation this year. Orochimaru will take him on missions after that.

"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 does.

"If you graduate early, you'll at least have 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, I can place her 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 then." Tsunade glanced at Uchiha Mikoto as she spoke.

If Uchiha Mikoto didn't seize this opportunity, she might not get another chance to remain Orochimaru's student.

If she waited until next year to graduate and wanted to avoid the battlefield, Uchiha Mikoto would have to report to the Konoha Military Police Force. But that would inevitably lower Tsunade and the others' opinion of her.

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

The Senju Clan disliked war, but they had never feared it.

"Join Lord Orochimaru's team?" Uchiha Mikoto exclaimed.

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

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

The Uchiha were proud, but they admired strength. Of course, plenty of Uchiha still refused to acknowledge Orochimaru.

During her time at Tsunade's home, Uchiha Mikoto had met Orochimaru and even received a few pointers from him. She had never 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 met the requirements for early graduation.

"Of course, if you don't want to, I won't press you," Tsunade told 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 who could balance Nawaki's recklessness.

Otherwise, one careless mistake might get Nawaki blown up.

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

She just worried that people would target him.

A Senju who keeps declaring he'll become Hokage is hardly a sensible Senju, my foolish little brother!

Once war began and she and Orochimaru went to the battlefield, Uchiha Yi could carry out missions with Nawaki and the others. That would make things safer.

Uchiha Yi was already as strong as a Chunin. If he kept growing quickly, she wouldn't have to worry so much.

Uchiha Mikoto looked at 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 mission-going ninja or join the Konoha Military Police Force.

But if she could become Orochimaru's student, taking missions didn't sound bad either.

She could also go on missions with Yi. Turning down this offer would be terribly ungrateful.

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

"She won't graduate early, but she'll come along to get a feel for missions. Once the team disbands, Kushina will return to school and continue her studies.

"I might as well tell you: the other member of my team is Hyuga Hiashi. You may join Orochimaru's team on your own later. Of course, there's also a good chance the two teams will carry out missions together. That depends on what everyone wants and what Teacher Sarutobi thinks." Tsunade had considered bringing Uchiha Mikoto onto her own team.

Unfortunately, having two Uchiha on one team simply 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!" After thinking it over, Uchiha Yi agreed. "Should I apply when we get back?"

Uchiha Yi had no objection to Hyuga Hiashi becoming his teammate. The Hyuga Clan was a little rigid, but the Byakugan was undeniably useful.

It was a shame Hiashi wouldn't be on Nawaki's team. Otherwise, Nawaki might not 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 Monstrous Strength. 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 think anyone could master Monstrous Strength in three months. Wouldn't that make her look bad?

"I'll work hard!"

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 had mastered Monstrous Strength and even worked it into his fighting style. Tsunade couldn't help questioning herself.

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

Judging by Mito Uzumaki's reaction, she had expected Uchiha Yi to perform this well. That made Tsunade wonder if this was simply what a true genius was like.

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

What she didn't know was that Uchiha Yi had held back to spare her pride. Otherwise, he could easily have learned Monstrous Strength in a month.

Fortunately, when Tsunade began teaching Uchiha Yi Medical Ninjutsu, she regained her confidence.

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

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

Uchiha Yi might be a genius, but he still couldn't compare to her.

In truth, Uchiha Yi was progressing quickly in Medical Ninjutsu. His heart just wasn't in it, and his talent for it wasn't particularly exceptional.