Qianye Lan rested his hand against his chin, watching their retreating figures as he asked tentatively, "Are they that odd father-and-son pair?"
Uchiha Mikoto turned to him in surprise. "You've seen them too?"
Qianye Lan shook his head. "No, I've only heard of them. Today was my first time seeing them too."
Watching the two of them talk, Kushina felt as though a cat were scratching at her heart. Unable to wait any longer, she asked, "Who exactly are those two oddballs?"
Uchiha Mikoto stopped keeping her in suspense and began explaining. "I've only heard a little about them myself. The father of that odd pair is called Might Duy. He's a perpetual Genin."
"As for the son, his name is Might Guy. He was rejected when he first tried to enter the Ninja Academy. Apparently, running laps around the field earned him the Third Hokage's recognition, and he was finally admitted to the Ninja Academy by special approval."
With her question answered, Kushina nodded.
After that little interlude, the three said goodbye.
On the way back, Kushina looked at Qianye Lan and asked, "We still have two days off. What should we do?"
Qianye Lan offered a reminder. "If you have nothing to do, you could spend more time with Grandma Mito."
Kushina nodded. "I know. I talk with Grandma Mito every day."
With that, she tossed her long red hair and walked ahead of Qianye Lan.
The two returned home. After greeting Mito Uzumaki, Kushina asked in puzzlement, "Where's Big Sister Tsunade?"
Mito Uzumaki answered from her reclining chair, "The Anbu came looking for her just now. Hiruzen probably needed her for something."
Hearing that, Kushina gave it no further thought and went over to chat with Mito Uzumaki.
Outside the Hokage Office.
Tsunade glanced at the Anbu who was about to knock, then pushed the door open herself. "Old man, what did you want me for?"
Inside, the Third Hokage was resting with his eyes closed. Hearing the door open, he opened his eyes and said, "Ah, Tsunade. Have a seat first."
With that, he gestured for Tsunade to sit.
Only after Tsunade sat down did he slowly begin. "Tsunade, I called you here today mainly for two things."
He then handed her the intelligence concerning her fear of blood.
Tsunade took the intelligence, her delicate brows furrowing as she looked at the Third Hokage. "Old man, how did this get leaked?"
The Third Hokage replied, "I've already dealt with the spy. Don't worry."
To avoid undermining unity, the Third Hokage still told a "well-intentioned" lie.
Hearing that it had already been dealt with, Tsunade gave her teacher a meaningful look. "Since it's already been dealt with, I'd like to ask who discovered it."
The Third Hokage answered truthfully, "Hatake Sakumo and Qianye Lan intercepted it by chance during a mission."
Tsunade nodded to show that she understood.
The Third Hokage asked, "The second reason I called you here is to ask how much longer Lady Mito's body can hold on."
At his question, Tsunade's expression fell somewhat. "It's worse than expected. She can probably hold on for a few more months."
Hearing her answer, the Third Hokage seemed to mutter to himself, "It looks like we'll have to prepare to transfer the Nine-Tails to another Jinchuriki."
He waved a hand. "Tsunade, those were the two main things I called you here for. You can go back."
Hearing that, Tsunade left the Hokage Office without looking back.
On her way home, she happened to run into Hatake Sakumo and Kakashi.
Seeing them, Tsunade said, "Thank you, Senior Sakumo."
Hatake Sakumo naturally knew what she meant and replied politely, "We're comrades from the same village. It was only right."
As they spoke, Tsunade shifted her gaze to Kakashi.
"This is your son, Kakashi, isn't it? He'll surely become an excellent ninja."
Hatake Sakumo smiled. "Then I hope your kind words come true, Lady Tsunade."
Only during their conversation did Kakashi realize that the seemingly young woman before him was actually one of the legendary Sannin.
He hurriedly bowed. "Lady Tsunade."
Tsunade gave a soft "Mm" in acknowledgment, then said goodbye to the two of them.
On the way home, Tsunade considered how to thank that little fellow, Qianye Lan.
When she came back to her senses, she found that she was already home.
Still without an answer, Tsunade decided to ask Qianye Lan in person what he wanted.
After returning home, Tsunade found Qianye Lan engrossed in his training.
Seeing that he was still training, she quietly stopped and stood to one side, patiently waiting for him to finish.
When Qianye Lan finished training, he saw Tsunade standing to one side, waiting.
He asked, "Big Sister Tsunade, did you need something?"
Tsunade asked directly, "I mainly came to thank you."
Qianye Lan looked puzzled. "Thank me?"
Seeing Qianye Lan's confusion, Tsunade knew that he did not know what the intelligence contained.
She explained, "You remember intercepting intelligence from a group from Sunagakure with Senior Sakumo while you were out on a mission, right?"
Qianye Lan nodded, then realized what she meant. "You mean the intelligence we intercepted concerned your weakness, Big Sister Tsunade?"
Tsunade replied, "That's right. So, as thanks, I decided to give you something, but I don't know what you need."
Hearing that, Qianye Lan declined. "There's no need, Big Sister Tsunade. We're all... Besides, the Hokage is giving us a reward too."
Tsunade cut off his refusal and said firmly, "Don't stand on ceremony. Hurry up and tell me what you want."
Seeing Tsunade's resolute gaze, Qianye Lan stopped refusing. "Big Sister Tsunade, I've recently needed a batch of kunai made from special metal for the Flying Thunder God."
Hearing his request, Tsunade rested her hand against her chin. "Special kunai, Flying Thunder God... Wait a moment."
Her eyes suddenly lit up. "I remember Second Grandpa seemed to have a batch of metal ready to use. Take a look and see if it'll work."
With that, she turned and left.
A quarter of an hour later, Tsunade brought a piece of metal and handed it to Qianye Lan. "See if this kind will work."
Qianye Lan took it and flipped through Tobirama Senju's notes, carefully comparing it against them. He nodded. "Big Sister Tsunade, this will work."
After confirming it, he handed the metal back.
Tsunade took the stone. "Any requirements?"
Qianye Lan took out the special kunai he had paid to have custom-made. "Just make them like this."
Tsunade took the kunai and nodded, then left.
Before you continue