Insomniac Tsunade
"You're truly amazing. You actually possess the power to end a war single-handedly. Perhaps I should now call you the strongest Shinobi World."
"We're still far from it, and shouldn't we care more about eternal life than power?"
"Oh, Eiji- kun, have you found a research direction yet?"
Orochimaru's eyes revealed admiration. He was happy to discuss this topic with Eiji, as it made him feel like he had found a kindred spirit.
"I have a direction, but I can't do it with my current abilities. However, it's only a matter of time. If I find the solution first, I can share the results with my seniors."
Eiji looked relaxed and spoke in a casual tone.
Orochimaru was taken aback at first, but then his face lit up with surprise.
"If that's the case, I really don't know how to repay Eiji- kun. After all, the world of Ninjutsu is endless, and I want to keep learning forever."
He originally wanted to find the answer in Hashirama Senju's cells, but that was just a hypothesis. The rejection reaction after implantation and whether his own body could be compatible with the powerful Wood Release Cells were all problems.
Moreover, even if one were to succeed by chance, it wouldn't mean they would truly achieve immortality, considering that even Hashirama Senju himself died long ago.
But seeing the confident look on Eiji's face, Orochimaru already understood that his junior had found the solution to the problem.
Although it's not exactly honorable to be surpassed by a senior on the path of learning, he's not the kind of person who cares about such trivial matters. If he has the opportunity to copy someone else's work, he naturally won't take a detour just to save face.
"If you need anything in the future, Eiji- kun, just let me know. Although I haven't found a solution to the problem, I still want to contribute in this way."
Eiji did not intend to refuse Orochimaru's offer, after all, Orochimaru was a key force in his plan to reshape the Shinobi World.
His plan is to accelerate Konoha's technological advancement to the level of the Boruto: Naruto Next Generations era after the Third Shinobi World War, which requires a large number of technical talents.
With Orochimaru's core technology and his knowledge from his past life, Eiji was confident that Konoha's development speed would far surpass that of other Shinobi Village, making it a beacon of the Shinobi World.
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Inside the tent, a blonde girl with a single ponytail tossed and turned, unable to sleep, staring at the tent ceiling with a weary expression.
Tsunade has been like this lately; ever since Eiji saved her from the Kazekage, she hasn't been able to sleep peacefully.
To be honest, she didn't have a particular fondness for younger boys; it's just that Eiji happened to fit her aesthetic in every way.
However, she definitely couldn't tell Eiji any of this, so for the time being, she could only use some methods to fall asleep faster every night.
To lessen her guilt about her nighttime activities, she used Transformation Technique to revert to her appearance from when she was still in the Jonin academy.
I don't know if it was because I went too far with my activities before bed tonight, but it backfired, and the scenes in my dream were particularly intense.
Just as Tsunade was getting into the swing of things, Kushina suddenly pushed open the door and entered, startling Tsunade awake from her sleep.
Tsunade threw back the covers and sat up, her eyes filled with weariness.
She yawned and scratched her messy hair.
No, this will only worsen my mental health; I need to find a way to alleviate the symptoms.
Tsunade got dressed, the chilly night at the Konoha border quickly calmed her agitated emotions.
She rubbed her eyes as she strolled around the camp, still in her Little Tsuna form.
The tents of important figures in Konoha were separate from those of ordinary Ninja; the Ninja on night watch could be seen from the distant Kakkō.
She wanted to check if Eiji was asleep, but found that his tent was empty.
Wandering around, I found Eiji sitting on a tree trunk that had been stripped of its bark, fiddling with puppet parts.
The campfire not far in front of him was burning brightly, and the reflection of the flames danced on his cheeks.
"... Tsunade- nee?"
Eiji looked up, a hint of confusion on his face.
How did it suddenly shrink?
Sometimes I want to change my mood this way.
Tsunade, but she couldn't explain the specific reason to Eiji.
Eiji didn't ask further whether this method could change her mood.
"Eiji? It's so late, aren't you going to rest?"
"Hmm, I'm thinking about some things. I wonder how Kushina is doing."
Eiji was thinking that he should have received news from the other side about Kushina beating up the princess of the great nation by now.
Tsunade sat down next to Eiji, looking at his profile.
Whether it was because her mood had really changed after she shrank, she hugged the back of her head and alternately raised and lowered her legs.
"The war will be over in a few days. What are your plans for the future?"
"Plans? I'll try to become stronger first. Tsunade has the right to go to Shikkotsu Forest, right? I'd like to try learning Senjutsu too."
"Senjutsu? That's very dangerous; a slight mistake could be fatal."
"The desire to become stronger comes with risks. At least I have the chance to enter the Shikkotsu Forest; ordinary Ninja don't even have the right to take that risk."
Furthermore, Eiji believed that Senjutsu were essentially about the precise manipulation of energy, and that learning Senjutsu shouldn't be difficult for him, given his Six Eyes.
He had a premonition that, with the blessing of Senjutsu, his various Cursed Technique would achieve new breakthroughs.
Why are you so obsessed with becoming stronger?
Tsunade found herself increasingly unable to understand Eiji. Despite his current strength being enough to dominate the Shinobi World, it seemed as if some danger was chasing after him, forcing him to constantly strive to become stronger.
"After all, strength is the only true measure of power in the Shinobi World. If I don't become stronger, I might be surpassed, and then I won't be able to protect the people and things I care about."
Hearing Eiji say that, Tsunade felt somewhat ashamed.
"I'm sorry, everything about Nawaki depends on you, and I didn't help with the Kazekage's situation either. I'm an incompetent older sister, and I'm also unqualified as a teacher."
Tsunade, her tone somewhat dejected.
Not only was he unable to help, but he also became Eiji's weakness when facing the Kazekage, which was truly unacceptable.
As a result, he even used Eiji as a side dish, although Eiji himself was unaware of this.
But when I spoke to him up close, those imagined scenarios became increasingly real.
"Don't say that. Brother Nawaki and Tsunade- nee are both important family members to me. This is just my duty."
"Relatives?"
"Isn't it obvious? It was Tsunade who brought me to the Senju Ancestral Home; I've long considered this place my home."
If he hadn't met Kushina and the others, Eiji could still have become a powerful Shinobi World, but he wouldn't have been able to share the joys along the way. Eiji felt that his current life was quite good.