Shizune handed over a notebook prepared in advance by Tsunade.
Upon receiving it, Hakushi glanced through and found it not very difficult. With the 'level' he had shown in Konoha, it would completely avoid drawing attention.
"Well then, please take care of me, Senior Hakushi. I will act as your assistant until Lady Tsunade returns."
Shizune said with a smile and bowed earnestly to Hakushi.
"No, it's I who should be saying that. Your talent in medical ninjutsu far exceeds mine."
Hakushi scratched his head, and these words were not false flattery. Shizune indeed had the potential to become an excellent medical ninja, and with one-on-one guidance from a top medical ninja like Tsunade, she would definitely shine in the medical field in the future.
"Lady Tsunade said that Senior Hakushi's foundation is very solid, even better than hers."
Shizune looked at Hakushi with eyes full of respect.
She understood that Tsunade, with her level of medical ninjutsu, didn't need any assistant at all, yet she voluntarily asked Hakushi to be her assistant, undoubtedly proving Hakushi's outstanding abilities in certain aspects.
In terms of teaching theoretical knowledge of medical ninjutsu, Hakushi had indeed been a great help to Tsunade in recent years, cultivating many medical ninjas alongside her.
"I just happen to have some insight into memory."
Hakushi said modestly.
◎
After the experimental class was over, Hakushi took Shizune back to the office and found Tsunade already sitting there.
Seeing the two of them enter, she put down the teacup in her hand and smiled, "You two have worked hard today."
"It's nothing, Tsunade-sensei. When did you come back?"
Hakushi was the first to ask.
"Just now. I saw the class was almost over, so I didn't go to the classroom."
"Did you leave suddenly because the Hokage had some important arrangements?"
Hakushi further inquired.
Shizune also showed a curious expression, eager to know what the Third Hokage wanted with Tsunade.
Seeing the two of them filled with curiosity, Tsunade sighed helplessly and began to speak, "It's nothing major, just about the Land of Demons."
"The Land of Demons?"
Shizune's expression became surprised.
Hakushi also raised an eyebrow, his curiosity naturally showing.
"Shion Flower Pharmaceutical Company is willing to share part of their company's drug data with us in Konoha, and in exchange, they hope to send young people to Konoha to learn medical ninjutsu."
"So that's it. I didn't find it particularly surprising."
Shizune tilted her head and said.
As a medical ninja born and raised in Konoha, Shizune could always feel that in recent years Konoha's support for medical ninjas had formed a relatively complete framework, which could be considered unparalleled in the Ninja Realm.
The official company of the Neutral Country, the Land of Demons, was willing to use drug data as an exchange to send their people to Konoha to learn advanced and comprehensive medical ninjutsu. No matter how you looked at it, this transaction was a normal business cooperation.
"It's not surprising at all. If any other country or ninja village had made such a request, I would have refused without hesitation. However, the Land of Demons is a neutral country and has always refrained from participating in the Ninja Realm wars, and the drug research capabilities of Shion Flower Company, as I've gathered from public feedback, indeed provide a reasonable exchange condition."
Tsunade looked down at the file on the table, which contained part of the drug data from Shion Flower Company.
Even if it's just a part, Tsunade felt that there were highly skilled medical ninjas within the company, who had extraordinary talents in drug development.
This valuable drug data is something money cannot measure.
What's at stake is the fresh life of each individual.
With these resources, new drugs can be synthesized, alleviating much of the medical pressure in Konoha.
Sharing such valuable drug data with Konoha as a result only required Konoha to cultivate a batch of medical ninjas for them. Is it because they lack a complete medical system internally?
When thinking along these lines, Tsunade felt much relieved.
In today's Ninja Realm, Konoha is the only ninja village with a complete medical system.
Shion Flower Company has its own unique strengths in medicine, but overall Konoha is stronger, lacking obvious weaknesses or deficiencies, and offers stable and average medical development, making it indeed suitable for cultivating medical ninjas.
"Is Tsunade-sensei planning to agree?"
Hakushi discerned a hint of concession in Tsunade's words and tried to probe further.
In this domain, Tsunade was the most authoritative figure in Konoha.
Even the Third Hokage had to defer to her when it revolved around the medical industry.
As long as Tsunade agreed, the following matters would naturally fall into place.
Only fellow professionals could truly perceive the preciousness of the drug data that Shion Flower Company entrusted to Konoha.
"I can't find a reason to refuse. Now, as the semester is about to end, let's have the people from the Land of Demons come to Konoha in April of next year to learn medical ninjutsu. So before that, I'll prepare to open another medical ninja training class at the school, Hakushi, you can be the instructor at that time and teach those students from the Land of Demons."
Tsunade showed boundless trust in Hakushi.
"..."
Hakushi didn't know how to respond for a moment.
"What, you don't want to?"
"...No, I just didn't expect Tsunade-sensei to have so much faith in me."
Hakushi felt unworthy of such trust.
"There's no need to be nervous. With your capabilities, I believe you can achieve the best and won't let me down."
Tsunade waved her hand, smiling as she reassured him.
Sorry, Tsunade-sensei, I'm afraid I'll disappoint you on this matter. Hakushi sighed inwardly.
Because Hakushi was not sure if he would still be in Konoha by next April.
War could break out at any time—perhaps tomorrow, perhaps the day after tomorrow.
Every minute and every second now, the Hidden Sand might already be mobilizing a large number of ninjas, preparing to invade the Land of Fire.
Leaving the Ninja School, having the organization send personnel to Konoha to study medical ninjutsu was just a minor episode. Since Tsunade has consented, it signaled the closing of the matter, with no further concerns necessary.
As he neared his residence, an old man suddenly appeared at the entrance, wearing a casual-style black kimono, and his body was slightly stooped.
Beside him stood an adult man, and it was easy to tell that the mature man beside him possessed the strength of a Jonin, clearly serving as the elder's guard.
Both of them bore the Uchiha Race's fan emblem.
Hakushi walked over nonchalantly, just about to speak when the old man had already turned around, revealing an aged yet kindly smiling face.
"You must be Ruri's boyfriend."
He spoke with affirmation.
"Yes. And you are...?"
Hakushi responded a bit awkwardly.
"I'm Uchiha Shikora, once taught Ruri some ninja techniques, so I'm half her teacher. Since you're Ruri's boyfriend, you can call me Elder Shikora as well, no need for formalities."
"Alright, Elder Shikora, I won't be too modest then. But Ruri isn't home at the moment. Would you like to come in, have a cup of tea, and take a rest before you leave?"
Hakushi cautiously responded.
The admiring and approving gaze made Hakushi a bit uneasy.
He couldn't shake the feeling that this Uchiha elder was being overly enthusiastic towards him.
Was it because of Ruri? Love her, love her dog as well?
"Then I'll impose on you."
Uchiha Shikora's face was interwoven with wrinkles, yet his smile grew more amiable, fully embodying the image of a kindly grandfather.