Chapter 3: The patient and the training time

"Talking"

'Thinking'

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In the worn out but warm cozzy inn room. Three people could be seen. Two beatiful women and one cute red headed boy.

In the corner of the room Shizune was preparing their luggage and wrapping Tonton the little pink pig in warm cloth (AN:i'm sorry i forgot about Tonton)

Ryuu and Tsunade sat together on the table facing each other. Tsunade was sipping sake slowly and Ryuu was eating light meal.

It's been 3 weeks since Ryuu met Tsunade and Shizune. Master and apprentice duo stayed longer to heal Ryuu and make sure he's fit for travel.

"Now since you are healed let's go to the capital. Before we go i've got some present for you" Tsunade said while bringing out beautiful looking gray Hanten (a short winter coat) with black pants, warm boots.

This made smile instantly bloom with warm feeling in his chest Ryuu said " thanks mom" then he froze.

Hearing this Tsunade's eyes watered and her lips quivered.

'Why did i say that, what's gotten into me uhhhh it's so embarassing. Did i remind her bad memories. I need to do a damage control, think fast' Ryuu thought in panick.

"I'm sorry nee-chan. Please don't be upset with me. I won't do it again" Ryuu said with fearful expression and didn't know how to turn around this.

"No no no i'm not mad. You just made me so happy" Tsunade said then stood up walked around the table. Whe she reached him she ingulfed him in a hug with tears flowing down on her cheeks.

After staying like this for a while Tsunade said with warm smile " you can call me mom whenever you want. Actually i will be more happy if you called me mom. I always wanted a child, especially cute boy like you" then slowly parted from Ryuu and kissing him on his forehead " I will be outside with samurai guards we are going to travel with. Get dressed quickly and let's go to the capital ok." saying that Tsunade slowly walked out of the room with a smile.

Soon after Tsunade left the room Shizune said to Ryuu "it's ok Ryuu-chan. She isn't upset or anything. Tsunade-sama always wanted a child. Unfortunately the wound she recieved in the war made her incapable of concieving child. It's not possible for her to give a birth to a child ever. I'm happy too, you are starting to fill the void in her". Without either of them knowing Tsunade was leaning on the door listening still crying. It was tears of happiness.

Getting dressed didn't take long. After few moments later Shizune and Ryuu were ready for travel.

Outside of the inn on the snowy road they saw Tsunade talking with the captain of samurai guards.

When duo reached Tsunade Ryuu said "We are ready" then saw Shizunes encouraging eyes he added "...mom" softly and blushed.

Tsunade smiled at Ryuu and patted his head. Then turned to the samurai captain. "Thank you and i apologize for the delay but my son needed a medical care." In return samurai captain said " no need to apologize Senju-dono. We are grateful to you for accepting our request and traveling this far to come here" with a respectful bow. "

2 weeks later in traditional Japanese castle 190cm tall, fierce looking old samurai in armor could be seen pacing in his dim lighted room.

Suddenly maid came in sliding door open and fell down on her knees" My lord, Senju-dono and her companies are here. They are waiting in the waiting room "

" What are you waiting for lead them here immediately. Show them utmost respect." old warrior comanded fiercly. " No. i will greet them personally" after saying that he left the room in haste, leaving still kneeling maid alone.

In the waiting room Tsunade held Ryuu's hand and they were looking at a big painting of Commander of Iron country that was on the wall.

Shizune was on the chair hugging pink pig in red jacket. When they heard hurried foot step and turned to the source of the noise.

When Tsunade saw who it was she immediately walked to him and said " Nakamura-dono it's been a while" with acknowledging nod.

Then Tsunade introduced "This girl is my apprentice Shizune. And this is my son Ryuu" pointing to them.

Hearing Tsunade talking about them the duo immately bowed and said at same time " Nice to meet you sir" after all someone Tsunade talking with respect is not someone to trifle with.

"Hohohoho" old warrior laughed heftily then added "what a lucky girl to get an apprenticeship under you. And i've never heard you had a son"

"He's an orphan clansman from my grandmother's side. I adopted him recently.

" Nice to meet you too young man. I'm sorry for your loss. I had a few Uzumaki friends over my long life. I would like to talk about Uzumaki but we have a limited time" Then without waiting for an answer he turned to Tsunade " The patient is in secure place please follow me" Nakamura said and led Tsunade to the secret chamber leaving Shizune and Ryuu.

After walking long way in dark, narrow tunnel Tsunade and Nakamura reached the chamber. There could be seen a old man with few wrinkles on his face lying on the simple bed surrounded by maids.

When patient saw two of them he said weakly with smile. "I'm sorry Senju-dono. It's rude of me to not standing up and greet my guest"

"You are still uptight as ever Mifune-dono" Tsunade said with smile.

"You are still blunt as ever" Mifune said with smile and started coughing blood.

When maids rushed to him to help Mifune he raised his hand halting the maids then said to Nakamura "My old friend you shouldn't have burdened Tsunade-dono. This kind of condition comes with age, for warriors like us it is nothing i will be better soon with enough rest"

" I'm sorry Mifune-dono. I read your medical chart and from seeing your weakened state and everlasting cough with blood it might be a cancer. A lung cancer" Tsunade said grimly

"If i may" Tsunade said recieving nod from Mifune she started to diagnose him with medical ninjutsu.

"Yes, it is a lung cancer indeed. But no need to worry It's seems you are in luck Mifune-dono. Cancer itself is in it's first stage and it's still curable. It will just take quite sometime." Tsunade said reassuringly. " You made a right choice Nakamura-dono to contact me immediately"

Hearing this Nakamura sighed in relief "Thank you Tsunade-dono we will be in your care then" and then bowed to her.

"Thank you Tsunade-dono. I will be in your care" Mifune added

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It's been 2 years since Tsunade, Shizune and Ryuu came to the Iron country.

Whole treatment took almost 8 months due to nature of the disease.

After treating Mifune they decided to stay in the country little bit more and asked permission to stay from Mifune who gladly gifted them a land.

In the backyard of simple wooden house there was a red headed boy with white streaks in his hair was diligently training his sword kata with boken. Near him under a big tree old man in traditional samurai armor could be seen sitting and attentively watching his every movement.

Old samurai Nakamura took a liking to Ryuu and started teaching him sword art daily.

Under teaching of fiersome warrior Ryuu grew stronger day by day.

"Ryuu, keep your stance firm and fliud. Find the balance between" Nakamura shouted.

"Yes master!" Ryuu shouted firmly.

'If my son was still alive i might even have a grandson to spoil and teach' Nakamura thought breifly with sad smile.

In these 2 years Ryuu schedule consisted of chakra control with shizune from 7am to 11am, medical ninjutsu with Tsunade 12pm-4pm. From 5pm till 9pm kenjutsu with Nakamura. With 1 hour rest between his each training.

In 2 years Ryuu mastered various chakra control techniques to freely control his ever growing chakra reserve.

He also learned academy three jutsus, mystical palm jutsu, chakra scalpel, shunshin, shuriken and kunai jutsu, and kenjutsu.

Nakamura started to consider talented youth as a grandson and started to teach him his own personal style of sword to Ryuu little by little without telling him. His sword art centered around laido, quick counter attack and fast movement using katana and wakizashi(30-60cm short sword). He was quite satisfied that his student took his style like fish in the water.

"Ryuu come here for a second, i have something to discuss with you" Nakamura said interupting Ryuu's training.

Ryuu instantly ceased his training and obediently walked to him.

"We have already covered the basics. I've been teaching you my personal style. I talked with Tsunade and Mifune-sama, i approve of your stay in here. I will teach you my style for 6 years till you leave and make your own path. How much you can learn is up to you" Nakamura said shocking Ryuu.

Ryuu was really surprised that Nakamura was teaching him his own personal sword art.

"I won't dissapoint you master!" Ryuu said with deep bow.

Flash back: 5 days ago.

"Mom can i stay here and learn kenjutsu" Ryuu asked nerviously. Ryuu was started see them as his family and didn't want to part with them. Alas he knew if he want to survive crazy powerful Uchiha with god complex or literal real goddess and her clan he had to train like there's no tommorow.

"Why do you want to stay here Ryuu-chan, you can learn kenjutsu everywhere" Tsunade said hiding her shock.

"Our stay here will be over shortly. I know we can't keep burdening Mifune-sama and Nakamura-sensei. But there's no other best place to learn kenjutsu other than in Iron country"

Tsunade stayed silent for few moments in deep thought then said"Yes Ryuu-chan i can't keep holding you back forever. Sooner or later you will have to make a decision for yourself. Remember i will always love you no matter what happens. But first i must ask for permission from Mifune-dono".

"Thank you so much mom! I will become the strongest ninja and will protect you and nee-chan with all my might" Ryuu said beaming smile and hugged her tightly.

"I think i can extend my stay just one more year. After all i want to spend my days with my son longer" Tsunade said with smile.

"Mom when i finish my training i will be always by your side"Ryuu said earning kiss on his cheek

Flashback end.

"Don't regret your decision later brat. You will wish you were dead once real training starts" Nakamura said.

"Yes master! I will overcome anything you throw at me" Ryuu said.

When Nakamura heard him he laughed maniacally "Hahahahahaha that's the spirit. Now get back to the training"

'I might really regret it' Ryuu thought and started training from where he left previously.