Shizune handed over a notebook that Tsunade had prepared in advance.
After Hakushi took it, he skimmed through it. It wasn't very difficult; with the "level" he had shown in Konoha, it would not attract any attention at all.
"Well then, please take care of me, Hakushi-senpai. Before Lady Tsunade returns, I'll be acting as your assistant."
Shizune smiled and bowed deeply to Hakushi with sincerity.
"No, that's something I should be saying to you. Your talent with medical ninjutsu is much better than mine."
Hakushi scratched his head. These weren't just empty words of flattery. Shizune indeed possessed the talent to become an outstanding Medical Ninja, and with Tsunade, a top-tier Medical Ninja, tutoring her one-on-one, there was no doubt she'd shine brilliantly in the field in the future.
"Lady Tsunade once said that Hakushi-senpai's fundamentals are extremely solid—even better than hers."
Shizune looked at Hakushi with eyes full of respect.
She knew that, with Tsunade's level of medical ninjutsu, she didn't need any assistant at all. The fact she had actively asked Hakushi to be her assistant was clear proof of his outstanding abilities in a certain aspect.
When it came to the theoretical teaching of medical ninjutsu, Hakushi had indeed greatly assisted Tsunade these past years, and together they'd trained many Medical Ninja.
"I just happen to have a knack for memorization, that's all."
Hakushi said modestly.
◎
After the experimental class let out, Hakushi brought Shizune back to the office, only to find Tsunade already sitting there.
Seeing the two walk in, she put down her teacup and smiled. "Thank you both for your hard work today."
"It's nothing, Tsunade-sensei. When did you come back?"
Hakushi asked first.
"Just now. I saw class was about to end, so I didn't go to the classroom."
"Did you leave suddenly because the Hokage had an important matter to discuss?"
Hakushi probed further.
Shizune also looked on curiously, clearly wanting to know what the Third Hokage wanted from Tsunade.
Seeing the curiosity on both their faces, Tsunade sighed helplessly and said, "It's nothing major. It's about the Land of Demons."
"The Land of Demons?"
Shizune's face showed surprise.
Hakushi also raised his eyebrows, his confusion evident.
"The Shion Flower Pharmaceutical Company is willing to share part of their medical data with us here in Konoha. In exchange, they hope to send their young people to Konoha to learn medical ninjutsu."
"So that's what it is. Doesn't seem all that strange to me."
Shizune tilted her head and said this.
As a Medical Ninja born and raised in Konoha, Shizune could always feel that in recent years, Konoha's support for Medical Ninja had already built a fairly comprehensive framework—truly unique in the Ninja Realm.
An official company from the Neutral Country of the Land of Demons wanting to exchange their pharmaceutical data so their people could come to Konoha and learn advanced medical ninjutsu—no matter how you look at it, this seemed like standard business cooperation.
"It's really not anything out of the ordinary. If it were any other country or Ninja Village making such a request, I would have rejected it without hesitation. However, the Land of Demons is a neutral country and has always stayed out of wars in the Ninja Realm. As for the Shion Flower Company's drug research, I've looked into some based on civilian feedback, and it's indeed a good deal."
Tsunade glanced down at a set of documents resting on her desk—part of the Shion Flower Company's pharmaceutical materials.
Just this portion alone made Tsunade feel that there were some extremely skilled Medical Ninja within the Shion Flower Company, and their pharmaceutical development was truly gifted beyond compare.
This kind of rare medicinal knowledge isn't something that can be measured with money.
What they're shouldering, are countless real, living lives.
With these materials, they could formulate new types of medicine, greatly lessening the burden on Konoha's medical system.
To share such precious medical data with Konoha, only to ask Konoha to train a batch of their Medical Ninja in return—so simple…
Is it because they lack a complete internal medical system?
Thinking along these lines, Tsunade felt much more at ease.
Right now in the Ninja Realm, Konoha was the only Ninja Village with a complete medical system.
The Shion Flower Company may have its strengths in pharmacology, but overall, Konoha was superior; it didn't have any obvious weaknesses, and its medical development was balanced and stable, making it truly fit to cultivate Medical Ninja.
"Is Tsunade-sensei planning on agreeing?"
Hakushi heard the indecision in Tsunade's tone and probed gently.
In this domain, Tsunade was the foremost authority in Konoha.
When it came to matters of medicine, even the Third Hokage had to yield to her.
As long as Tsunade agreed, everything else would fall into place.
Only experts in the field would understand how precious these pharmaceutical documents the Shion Flower Company handed over to Konoha really were.
"I can't find any reason to refuse. Here's what I think: it's already close to the end of the semester. Next April, we'll let people from the Land of Demons come to Konoha to study medical ninjutsu. Before that, I plan to open another Medical Ninja training class at the school. Hakushi, you'll be the instructor for that class and teach those trainees from the Land of Demons."
Tsunade was clearly placing a great deal of trust in Hakushi.
"..."
For a moment, Hakushi didn't know how to respond.
"What, you're not willing?"
"…No, I just didn't expect Tsunade-sensei to have such confidence in me."
Hakushi felt unworthy of such trust.
"Don't be nervous. With your ability, I believe you'll do great—you won't let me down."
Tsunade waved her hand, smiling in reassurance.
Sorry, Tsunade-sensei. In this matter, I'll surely disappoint you. Hakushi sighed to himself.
Because Hakushi wasn't even sure if he'd still be in Konoha by next April.
War could break out at any moment—maybe tomorrow, or the day after.
Every minute and every second, the Hidden Sand might already be mobilizing large numbers of ninja, preparing to attack the Land of Fire.
Leaving the Ninja School, arranging for people to come to Konoha to study medical ninjutsu, was just a small interlude. With Tsunade agreeing, it meant the matter was settled and no longer needed to be worried about.
As he was about to reach his residence, an elderly man suddenly appeared at the entrance, dressed in a casual black kimono, with a slightly stooped posture.
By his side was an adult man who, just from his bearing, clearly had Jonin-level skill—and it was obvious he was there as the elder's guard.
Both of them bore the Uchiha Clan's fan crest.
Hakushi approached calmly. Just as he was about to speak, the old man turned around, revealing an aged but warmly smiling face.
"You must be Ruri's boyfriend, right?"
He spoke in an affirmative tone.
"Yes. May I ask who you are…"
Hakushi responded a bit formally.
"I am Uchiha Shikora. I once taught Ruri some ninja skills—think of me as half her teacher. Since you're Ruri's partner, you can just call me Elder Shikora, like she does. There's no need to be formal."
"Alright, Elder Shikora. Then I'll gladly accept. But as it happens, Ruri isn't home right now. Would you like to come in, have a cup of tea before you go?"
Hakushi responded carefully.
The warm and approving gaze from the elder made Hakushi a bit uneasy.
It seemed this Uchiha elder was a little too enthusiastic toward him.
Was it because of Ruri? Did he see Hakushi through her?
"Then I'll have to trouble you."
Uchiha Shikora's face was covered in wrinkles, but his smile was ever more kind—the picture of a benevolent, kindly old grandfather.