Working with Tsunade

"It's rare for you to come looking for me. Is there something you need my help with?"

As Tsunade spoke, she poured herself a cup of sake and downed it in one go. After a busy day at Konoha Hospital, she finally had a chance to relax that evening.

After finishing the cup, Tsunade asked again, "Is someone giving you trouble?"

"No, nothing like that. There's something I'd like to ask you to do. Of everyone I know, you're the best at Medical Ninjutsu."

With that, Karn took several detailed files on terminal illnesses from his backpack, including case histories, and handed them to Tsunade.

"Could you develop drugs specifically to cure these conditions?"

Tsunade said nothing. She took the files Karn offered and began reading them carefully.

Nearly half an hour passed before Tsunade rubbed her brow and closed her eyes in thought. She had spent the entire day working, barely rested after getting off work, and now read through another half hour's worth of documents.

"Curing them wouldn't be difficult, but developing drugs that could cure them... I can't guarantee that. I'd need to run some tests. The first two conditions shouldn't be difficult, though. I remember my second grandfather doing research in this area. I'll need to look up some records."

"The Second Hokage studied Medical Ninjutsu too?"

Karn was a little surprised by Tsunade's answer. He hadn't expected the Second Hokage to have researched cancer and high blood pressure.

"That wasn't Medical Ninjutsu. It just happened to involve conditions similar to the ones you brought me." Tsunade didn't want to elaborate, so she changed the subject. "But I've been developing Medical Ninjutsu lately, so this might have to wait a while."

"Because of what happened to your brother?"

Karn asked the question. Over the past year or so, word had gradually spread through Konoha. Quite a few people were discussing how the younger brother of Princess Tsunade, one of the Sannin, could no longer be a ninja. It was also the news Yakushi Nonō reported most often.

"I didn't think even you would know about it, considering how often you're away from Konoha."

The subject dampened Tsunade's mood, and she poured herself several more cups of sake. The more dejected Nawaki became at home, the more urgently she wanted to develop regenerative Medical Ninjutsu. Otherwise, not even Grandma Mito could console him. Being unable to become a ninja had dealt him a devastating blow.

"The second thing I wanted to discuss with you has to do with Nawaki being unable to become a ninja. Stop drinking for now, or you won't be able to read in a minute."

At Karn's words, Tsunade set her cup down reluctantly. She considered herself capable of holding plenty of liquor; this little certainly wouldn't get her drunk. But once Karn said the next matter concerned Nawaki, she obediently listened.

"Take a look at this. My team is working on a project that, if successful, could allow a person to regenerate. It would even work on missing arms and legs."

As Karn spoke, he handed Tsunade the files on the extremis virus. Given her understanding of human organs and tissues, she should have no trouble understanding them.

"This is..."

After reading for a while, Tsunade became engrossed in the contents. The files covered everything from the extremis virus's development to its proposed applications. Worried that Tsunade wouldn't understand some of the algorithms, Karn had added explanatory notes, breaking down the technical terminology into plain language.

Experimental data followed, and this was the section Tsunade valued most.

This time, Tsunade read with intense concentration. A full two hours passed, and most of the guests at the izakaya had left by closing time. Only their private room was still being served. Since the establishment belonged to Karn, however, that didn't matter.

It's already been tested on mice? Then the next step would be human trials.

As Tsunade reached the end, she thought this to herself. She didn't know quite what to say about human experimentation. Her second grandfather, at least, had conducted more human experiments than anyone. Although she felt some resistance to performing them herself, thinking of Nawaki made her realize she could overcome it.

"Remarkable research. As things stand, it completely surpasses the Medical Ninjutsu I've mastered. In some respects, it even resembles the regenerative ninjutsu I've been researching."

After finishing the files, Tsunade gave the extremis virus an extremely high appraisal. Then she fixed Karn with a bright-eyed look and asked,

"You want to work with me, don't you? To develop a perfect extremis virus together..."

"That's right. That's what I have in mind. It doesn't just repair the body; it can also push the limits of human physical performance. Developing a perfect extremis virus would benefit me considerably too."

Karn made no attempt to hide his intentions. He wanted to research the extremis virus, and it also offered hope of curing Nawaki. Tsunade was willing to slow down reform of the medical system for Nawaki's sake, so naturally, she couldn't refuse Karn's invitation.

If they could fully understand the extremis virus, Nawaki would not only be able to become a ninja again, but would grow stronger as well.

The experimental data Karn provided showed that the main difficulty with the extremis virus lay in the subjects' ability to regulate themselves. Neither the plants nor the animals used as test subjects could match humans in that regard. If even humans proved inadequate, they would have to find a way to enhance the body's metabolism and prevent bioelectric overload.

Before long, Tsunade began considering experiments involving the extremis virus. It was quite a coincidence: she had just been thinking about the human experiments her second grandfather had conducted. After reading about the extremis virus, the first thing that came to mind was her eldest grandfather's cells.

During his lifetime, her second grandfather had conducted extensive research on her grandfather's cells, leaving behind a considerable amount of related data. It was all stored in the Senju Clan Compound. Tsunade had read it once before, but hadn't given it much thought.

Recalling it now, she felt that her grandfather's cells might offset the risks encountered in the extremis virus experiments. The cells' invasive properties could improve integration with the extremis virus while enhancing the body's metabolism and the functions of its various organs.

Was this a coincidence?

Tsunade bit her thumb, her brows drawing together slightly as she thought. The hope of my brother's recovery is right in front of me. All it would take is a few more experiments. But using Grandpa's cells for research... Should I go back and ask Grandma Mito?

"Tsunade!"

Karn's shout snapped Tsunade out of her thoughts. "What do you think? Want to work together?"

"I'll have to go back and ask before I can give you an answer. But I think Grandma Mito will agree."

Tsunade rubbed her brow. She had spent the day reading documents, then read for another long stretch that evening. Combined with the alcohol she'd drunk, it left her feeling quite dizzy.

"In that case, I'll wait for your good news, Tsunade."

Karn could tell that Tsunade was already interested; she merely had a few reservations. If Mito Uzumaki agreed, however, those reservations would vanish in an instant.

"Are we leaving? I suppose it is late. Too bad I haven't eaten yet."

Still a little dazed, Tsunade stood up. But when she reached the door, she saw Karn holding a food box. He told her, "There's food and sake packed in here. You can take it home and enjoy it at your leisure. Kushina took a large cake home today too, so she'll probably save you quite a bit. Anyway, I'll be heading back."

With that, Karn left.

When Tsunade walked out of the izakaya carrying the food box, the cold breeze cleared her head a little.

Looking at the box in her hand and hearing the sake bottles clinking inside, Tsunade pressed her lips together and thought, This guy really does know how to look after people.

It's so quiet around this book. Anyone out there willing to vote or leave a comment?