Chapter 390: First Meeting with Tsunade

"Yu-sama, why...?"

Seeing Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, the two Konoha Elders, leave, Haku, who was standing behind Yu, looked a bit hesitant. He didn't understand why Yu had previously refused the position of the Fifth Hokage of Konoha but now accepted the proposal from these two old men to reorganize the Root.

"Just wait until you see the Third and the upcoming Fifth Hokage, and you'll understand..."

"As Hokage, there are often many restrictions from all sides. Their actions are limited, and they have to consider many things."

Noticing the concerns in Haku's heart, a slight smile appeared on Yu's lips. "That's why, compared to being exposed under the sunlight as Hokage, I'd rather stay in the shadows. In this position, I can kill whoever I want. Isn't it thrilling? Even the Hokage can't control me because they can't beat me, and they're also afraid that if they lose me, it will disrupt the whole of Konoha. So, I can do whatever I want."

"And more than that..."

"What I'm most looking forward to is the expression Sarutobi-sensei will have on his face at that time..."

Gazing at the departing backs of Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, a faint, cold smile appeared on Yu's face.

Cough, cough, cough... splat!!

At that moment, Kimimaro, who had been standing silently beside Yu and Haku, suddenly erupted into a violent coughing fit and spat out a trace of blood.

"Kimimaro!!"

Seeing Kimimaro's pale face, Haku was immediately shocked and rushed forward to support him.

"I'm sorry... Yu-sama, I..."

Feeling Yu and Haku's concern, Kimimaro clenched his fists in guilt, filled with hatred for his own sickly body.

"His condition is worsening..."

"It seems Kimimaro's situation can't be delayed any longer..."

Looking at the pale-faced Kimimaro, Yu's heart stirred. Without hesitation, he opened a portal to another dimension and instantly disappeared from the scene.

...

At the same time, at Konoha Ninja Hospital:

Having returned to Konoha in her role as the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade was revisiting familiar grounds, touring the current Konoha Ninja Hospital, accompanied by Shizune and another Konoha Ninja.

"It's been so many years since I've been back here..."

"Though the medical equipment has long since been updated, these guys' Medical Ninjutsu skills are still not that great..."

As she walked among the bustling crowd of medical ninjas, Tsunade casually used her unparalleled Medical Ninjutsu to heal a gravely injured, unconscious ninja. She then remarked in a laid-back tone.

Indeed, as the granddaughter of Konoha's First Hokage, the "God of Shinobi" Senju Hashirama, Tsunade was born into a noble lineage and had extraordinary skills in Medical Ninjutsu. She was regarded as a medical sage within the ninja world. In her youth, she implemented a comprehensive Medical Ninjutsu system that earned her immense respect across the entire ninja realm. To her, these ordinary medical ninjas were little more than kids.

"Hmm? That technique is..."

At this moment, Tsunade's attention was drawn to the Medical Ninjutsu being performed by four medical ninjas in the nearby emergency room. They were working together to create a large barrier emitting a soft green glow, enveloping and healing over a dozen injured ninjas at once.

"Tsunade-sama, that is a medical barrier..."

Noticing Tsunade's curious expression, the Konoha ninja beside her quickly explained, "It's a Medical Ninjutsu developed based on the principles of a standard Ninjutsu barrier. Even with fewer medical ninjas, it allows for the treatment of many injured ninjas at once, making it highly effective in wartime."

"A barrier created with Medical Ninjutsu... what a genius idea!"

Before Tsunade could respond, Shizune, standing nearby, was already expressing her amazement. "Tsunade-sama, it seems that after you left Konoha, some exceptional medical ninjas have emerged!"

As an outstanding medical ninja herself, Shizune fully understood the immense value of the Medical Ninjutsu barrier they were witnessing. It was a groundbreaking development in the field of Medical Ninjutsu, something truly astonishing.

"Hmm..."

"It seems Konoha isn't as devoid of talent as I originally thought..."

Seeing Shizune's amazed reaction, Tsunade acknowledged this in her heart but still spoke with a hint of stubbornness. Shizune, knowing her well, couldn't help but chuckle quietly to herself.

"Ahem... that's not quite the case, Tsunade-sama, Shizune-san."

At this moment, the accompanying Konoha ninja awkwardly explained, "This medical barrier was independently developed by the former Squad Captain of the Konoha Medical Corps, Yakushi Yu."

Indeed, ever since Yu left Konoha six years ago, his name had remained a sensitive topic in the village. However, the entire Konoha Medical Corps still relied on the Medical Ninjutsu techniques that Yu had developed, which explained the ninja's awkwardness.

"Yakushi Yu... Yu-sama?!"

Upon hearing the explanation, Shizune's eyes widened in surprise. "So... it was him?!"

"I never expected that Yu-sama, who is so powerful, would also have such extraordinary mastery in Medical Ninjutsu..."

As Shizune mentioned Yu, the image of the remarkably handsome, white-haired boy from years ago came to her mind, leaving a deep impression on her. "Tsunade-sama, do you remember? The last time in Tanzaku Quarters, he even saved the two of us!"

"So, it was that kid..."

Tsunade also showed a hint of surprise. Although she had been completely drunk and unconscious during their encounter with Hiruko in the Tanzaku Quarters of the Land of Fire, Shizune had mentioned Yu's assistance to her more than once afterward.

"I've heard that the Medical Seal that's now popular across the entire ninja world is also his creation—a truly significant development..."

Thinking about it, a trace of curiosity appeared on Tsunade's youthful and beautiful face. "Hearing you all talk about him like this, I'm starting to get a bit interested in my talented little junior..."

"To receive such praise from my Senpai Tsunade... I'm truly flattered…"

As the voice fell, a strange sound, unfamiliar to the space, suddenly echoed. Under the astonished gazes of Tsunade, Shizune, and the surrounding Konoha ninjas, a mysterious portal to another dimension abruptly opened in the once calm air before them.

"However, I believe this is our first formal meeting, isn't it?"

A tall young ninja dressed in a black ninja kimono appeared out of thin air. His pale, tousled hair stood out sharply against his dark outfit, and his flawlessly handsome face, along with his deep amber eyes, was impossible to ignore.

"You... you're... Yu-sama?!"

After many years, the once youthful and delicate boy had grown into such a strikingly refined ninja. Recognizing him, Shizune, who was holding her pet pig Tonton in her arms, blushed slightly.

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