Tsunade returns

The Shadow Clone Technique and Chakra Scalpel were both signature ninjutsu of Konoha.

The former was an advanced version of the Clone Technique among the Three Basic Techniques. Every clone had a physical body and would only be dispelled by lethal damage. It was a ninjutsu the Second Hokage had developed specifically to counter the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan.

The latter was the foundation of all Medical Ninjutsu, an essential skill for surgery.

Yakushi Nonō had been an elite member of the medical corps, so there was nothing strange about her having mastered them.

The issue was that she had entrusted them to him.

Yecheng settled himself, opened the scroll, and began studying.

Calling it studying was a stretch. With the aptitude granted by the Six Eyes and his current level of chakra control, Yecheng mastered the Shadow Clone Technique after reading through it just once.

What he aimed to practice was creating a clone directly, without forming hand seals.

As for Chakra Scalpel, a technique that emphasized only chakra shape transformation, Yecheng learned it at a glance and mastered it with a little practice.

After practicing for a while, Yecheng went straight to sleep.

With danger approaching, he needed all the more to stay in good condition to face the challenge.

The next day.

Two people who had been away for a long time arrived at Konoha's main gate.

Kotetsu Hagane had been chatting and laughing with his companion. When he saw the two appear, his face immediately filled with astonishment.

Beside him, Izumo Kamizuki quickly nudged him with an elbow, then straightened up, utterly respectful.

"Welcome back to the village, Lady Princess Tsunade!"

Kotetsu Hagane immediately straightened as well and said respectfully, "I'll go notify Lord Hokage!

"Kotetsu, show Lady Tsunade the way!"

Tsunade waved dismissively and walked straight into Konoha.

"No need. I grew up here. Do you think I could get lost?"

"Yes!"

Izumo Kamizuki lowered his head in acknowledgment, but his feet did not slow at all as he followed closely behind Tsunade and Shizune.

Inside the Hokage's office.

"Tsunade, you're back."

The Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi, smiled when he saw her. "As I get older, I can't help wanting to see my students. Sorry for the trouble this time."

"Old man, you..."

Tsunade hesitated. With her mastery of Medical Ninjutsu, she could tell at a glance that years of overwork had left him ill and his body badly deteriorated. Where was even a trace of the Shinobi Hero's bearing from his younger days?

At this rate, he probably had only a few years left to live!

Even though she harbored resentment toward him and was deeply disappointed in Konoha as it stood, seeing the teacher who had taught her in this state left her unable to voice any of her complaints, however many she had.

How could Hiruzen Sarutobi not know the state of his own body?

But he would not concern himself with such minor details.

His teacher, the Second Hokage, had entrusted Konoha to him. There was absolutely no way he would let Konoha be destroyed in his hands!

Anyone who wanted to harm Konoha would have to step over his corpse!

That was his conviction.

"Heh, rather than having you look at this old man, there's actually a young man I'd rather have you take a look at."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled as he spoke.

Tsunade clicked her tongue. "I knew nothing good would come of you tricking me into returning, old man!

"Let me make this clear first: my standards for students are very strict. If his talent isn't good enough, even your asking won't help!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi paid no mind to her threatening words, keeping the same smile.

"Let's go to the Ninja Academy. He should still be in class there today."

Unfortunately, Yecheng was not at the Ninja Academy at that moment.

After learning the Shadow Clone Technique, he had simply sent a clone to school in his place, while his real body headed to an abandoned training ground near the river.

No one at the Ninja Academy could see through his shadow clone anyway, and no one could dispel it during Taijutsu sparring.

He could not learn anything at school, and it was inconvenient to use his own abilities there, so he might as well practice on his own.

Only when Iruka stopped the lesson and called Yecheng out by name did he realize something was wrong.

"You little brat, you've got some nerve, trying to fool us with a shadow clone!"

The sight of the shadow clone Yecheng before her made Tsunade laugh in anger.

She was, after all, a powerful ninja counted among the Sannin, and the best medical ninja in the world, without equal.

Yet a mere six-year-old brat showed her no respect at all, sending only a shadow clone to meet her?

At those words, Iruka's face immediately turned green.

He could not tell whether the Yecheng before him was a shadow clone or the real body, but if Lady Tsunade said so, she certainly had to be right.

In that case, did that not make him an accomplice?

The shadow clone Yecheng gave an awkward smile and dispelled himself.

His real body immediately learned what had happened, and his expression stiffened.

He hurried back toward the Ninja Academy at top speed.

"Lord Hokage."

The moment Yecheng pushed open the door, he began explaining.

"I was actually training. I wasn't deliberately skipping class..."

"It's all right."

The Third waved a hand and looked at him with growing appreciation.

Good. Being able to use a technique like the Shadow Clone Technique at just six years old already puts him at Genin level. He has a promising future.

"She is Tsunade, one of the Sannin and currently the strongest medical ninja in the Shinobi World."

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "You have a great talent for chakra control and shape transformation. It mustn't go to waste, and Konoha needs geniuses like you. I want you to become her student."

Yecheng was overjoyed. All his painstaking effort had not been wasted. The arrangements he had made over so many days were finally paying off!

As long as he could become Tsunade's student, the pressure from Danzo would immediately lessen considerably, and many of his plans could soon enter the implementation stage!

This is good. This is wonderful!

He immediately bowed toward Tsunade. "Teacher!"

"Wait!"

Tsunade immediately said, "If you want to become my student, you have to pass a test first."

"Please set the test, Teacher!"

Whatever she said, Yecheng was going to keep calling her "Teacher" first.

With Danzo's threat closing in step by step, he had to consider whether this might be his only chance in this lifetime!

He had to make the most of it!

"Show me your chakra control and shape transformation first."

In truth, given Hiruzen Sarutobi's introduction and her regard for him, she was prepared to accept Yecheng as her student as long as he demonstrated a certain degree of talent.

Her stern attitude was really just an expression of her dissatisfaction.

Demonstrate chakra control and shape transformation?

Yecheng thought for a moment and decided to take an unconventional approach, directly demonstrating the Chakra Scalpel he had already mastered.

Only then could he leave an extremely deep impression on her.

Bzz...

A faint sound arose as chakra gathered in Yecheng's hand. Azure chakra covered the surface of his palm, immediately forming a chakra blade like a knife hand!

"This is... Chakra Scalpel!"

Tsunade grabbed Yecheng's palm and looked at his hand, her eyes filled with shock and astonishment. She almost failed to keep her expression under control.

At this sight, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes also widened in utter surprise.

He had thought Yecheng merely had strong chakra control and a good grasp of shape transformation...

But he had never expected Yecheng to have already mastered even Chakra Scalpel!