"Lady Tsunade!"
Aosui and Mikoto greeted her almost simultaneously as they spotted her outside the casino.
Mikoto's posture straightened slightly the moment she recognized Tsunade. There was no hiding the admiration in her eyes.
Within Konoha, Tsunade Senju was more than just a legendary ninja. She was the greatest medical shinobi in history, a direct descendant of the First Hokage, and a woman who had carved her name into the very foundation of the ninja world.
Among female shinobi, she was nothing short of an idol.
"Oh? It's you two," Tsunade said lazily, her sharp eyes flicking between them. "When did you get back?"
"We returned today," Aosui replied respectfully.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, then smirked.
"You just got back and you're already dragging a girl out on a date?" she teased. "You're fast, kid."
Mikoto's cheeks flushed faintly, and she lowered her gaze in embarrassment.
Aosui coughed lightly, pretending not to hear the teasing.
After a brief moment, Tsunade's expression shifted from playful to serious.
"I heard about what happened in the Land of Rain," she said. "You fought Hanzo… and won?"
Her eyes locked onto Aosui, sharp and penetrating.
Aosui answered honestly, without hesitation.
"We were only able to survive thanks to Lord Jiraiya."
Tsunade clicked her tongue.
"You're humble to a fault," she muttered. "That's not always a virtue."
Then, without any warning, she asked:
"Do you want to sign a summoning contract with Shikkotsu Forest?"
The question hit Aosui like a thunderbolt.
He froze.
Shikkotsu Forest.
One of the Three Great Sage Regions of the ninja world, standing alongside Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave.
For a ninja, signing a contract with any of the three was a dream.
Not only did it grant access to powerful summoning creatures, but it also opened the path toward Sage Arts—a power that transcended ordinary ninjutsu.
Aosui's heartbeat quickened.
Coincidentally, he had already gained the ability to sense natural energy thanks to Jiraiya.
This was an opportunity he could not afford to miss.
"Yes," he answered firmly. "I want to."
Tsunade nodded, satisfied.
"Good. Then we'll do it now."
Mikoto blinked in surprise.
"R-right now?"
"Of course," Tsunade replied casually. "Why wait?"
In truth, Tsunade had already given this a great deal of thought.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's request for her to mentor Aosui had made one thing very clear—there was actually very little she could teach him.
In terms of medical ninjutsu, Aosui had already reached a level where the gap between them was no longer large. What he lacked wasn't knowledge, but experience.
And Tsunade wasn't particularly interested in babysitting.
If she was going to help him, it would be in the most efficient way possible.
And there was no better support she could offer than Shikkotsu Forest.
Without wasting another second, Tsunade bit her finger.
Blood welled up.
She pressed her hand to the ground.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
With a soft poof, a pale, translucent slug appeared.
It was roughly half the height of a human, its body smooth and faintly glowing.
This was a fragmented body of Katsuyu.
The one and only resident of Shikkotsu Forest.
"Lady Tsunade," Katsuyu said gently, her voice calm and soothing. "It has been a long time."
Tsunade wiped the blood from her finger and straightened.
"This is Aosui," she said. "He wants to become a contractor of Shikkotsu Forest."
Katsuyu's attention shifted to Aosui.
"No problem," she replied without hesitation. "Lord Aosui, please write your name on the summoning scroll with your blood, then press your handprint upon it."
Despite being a Sage, Katsuyu's demeanor was humble and polite.
She never acted superior.
Following her instructions, Aosui pricked his finger, signed the scroll, and placed his palm down.
The moment his hand touched the parchment, he felt it.
A gentle yet profound connection formed—warm, steady, and vast.
It was unlike any contract he had ever felt before.
"Lord Aosui," Katsuyu said kindly, "should you ever need assistance, you may summon me at any time."
"Thank you," Aosui said sincerely. "Katsuyu-sama."
With that, Katsuyu voluntarily dispersed, returning to Shikkotsu Forest.
Tsunade turned and stretched.
"Well, I won't interrupt your date any further," she said. "Have fun."
Mikoto's face flushed all over again.
At the same time, a tiny crack appeared in the flawless idol image she held of Tsunade.
Tsunade, of course, didn't notice—or care.
---
Later That Night – Senju Compound
Tsunade returned to the Senju compound, only to find someone waiting.
"Huh?" she said irritably. "Old man, it's this late. Why aren't you home sleeping?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.
Every single one of his students spoke to him like this.
Jiraiya, Tsunade… even Orochimaru, before things had gone wrong.
He had truly failed as a teacher.
"I came to visit Lady Mito," Hiruzen replied calmly.
During the First Great Ninja War, Hiruzen had been appointed Third Hokage in a time of chaos.
He had been young.
Inexperienced.
And lacking support.
It was Mito Uzumaki's backing that had allowed him to secure the position and stabilize Konoha.
For that, Hiruzen had always held her in deep respect.
"Well, you two talk," Tsunade muttered, already turning to leave.
"Tsunade," Mito's voice called out gently. "I'm tired. Entertain your teacher."
Tsunade groaned.
But she obeyed.
Once Mito had left, Tsunade crossed her arms.
"Alright, old man," she said bluntly. "What do you actually want?"
Hiruzen took a long drag from his pipe.
Then he pulled out a sealing scroll.
With a flick of his wrist, the seal released.
Inside lay the corpse of White Zetsu.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed.
"This thing again?"
"I want you to research it," Hiruzen said quietly.
"Why not Orochimaru?" Tsunade immediately countered. "He'd love this."
"No," Hiruzen said firmly.
That alone told her everything.
"Tsunade," he continued, "this must remain absolutely confidential. Not Danzo. Not Orochimaru."
Seeing his expression, Tsunade finally nodded.
"Fine."
Hiruzen relaxed slightly.
"A dedicated research facility will be prepared in a few days."
Afterward, he brought up the next matter.
"The joint Chunin Exams will be held in one month."
Sunagakure and Kumogakure had already agreed to participate.
Several smaller villages would join as well.
"Kushina will participate," Hiruzen added. "Have her form a team with Aosui."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"Interesting."
The storm was coming.
And Aosui stood right at its center.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)