Hyuga Kiyonari finished a full day of work, stepped out of the tent, and looked at the sunset on the horizon, letting out a long sigh.
"I'm done for…"
Whether in his previous life or in the ninja world, the hardest part of treating patients was always the diagnosis—the "looking"—not the actual healing.
Whatever. Tonight I'm giving myself a cheat. I'm opening the Byakugan.
I'm going full laser eyes!
"Good work, Kiyonari." Shizune walked up and patted his shoulder. "Come on—Tsunade-sama already got dinner for us."
"Mm."
"For your first day to handle that many treatments independently, with zero mistakes—seriously impressive." Shizune praised him without holding back.
Tsunade set down her chopsticks. "I'm satisfied with your performance today. So I've decided to teach you another medical ninjutsu."
"What is it?"
"Cell Extraction Technique," Tsunade introduced slowly. "This jutsu can directly draw out toxins or pathogens that have invaded the body."
"On the battlefield, if a pre-prepared antidote doesn't work, or if the poison is too complex to formulate an antidote in time, Cell Extraction can be used for emergency treatment. But it only works in the early stage—before the toxin has fully spread and taken effect."
"This technique is B-rank. The difficulty is similar to Mystical Palm. The key lies in precisely locating the toxin or pathogen—"
Kiyonari began thinking and spoke up. "Sensei, I have a question—"
Listening beside them, Shizune couldn't help feeling a little down.
The fact that Kiyonari could think of so many questions meant his understanding of medical ninjutsu was already deep. In less than two years, he had caught up to—maybe even surpassed—her.
With his own accumulated knowledge, in the span of a single dinner Kiyonari had already grasped the basics of Cell Extraction. All that remained was practical experience.
"This Yakushi Nonō's teaching really is excellent," Tsunade said, frowning slightly. "I almost want to hire her as a training instructor at Konoha Hospital. But—"
She narrowed her eyes. "Even if I've been away from the village for years, it's strange that I've never once heard Konoha has such an outstanding medic named Nonō."
At that, a sharp glint flashed through Kiyonari's eyes.
The script had finally reached this point.
So he immediately offered, "Maybe… it's because Dean Nonō doesn't actually live in the village."
"She doesn't live in the village?" Tsunade was genuinely puzzled now. "Then where does she live?"
"She runs an orphanage outside the village—specifically for war orphans from the Land of Fire."
"An orphanage?"
Tsunade froze, and Shizune's eyes widened too, clearly surprised.
"But doesn't the village already have an official orphan facility? Why would there be a separate orphanage outside the village?"
Kiyonari answered slowly, "Sensei, you might not know, but I do—because I've lived it."
"The village does have a system, but in practice, only the children of shinobi who died for the village receive that kind of care. Dean Nonō's orphanage doesn't have that restriction. As long as a child has nowhere to go, she takes them in—though most are war orphans."
Tsunade immediately recognized an opportunity and asked, "She really is admirable. But how do they solve funding? Does the village help?"
Kiyonari pretended to think hard. "Funding has always been a problem.n. The village provides some money, but it's limited. And the orphanage was built outside the village because living costs inside are too high—Dean Nonō and a few people like her can't afford it."
Tsunade's eyes lit up.
Perfect timing—this was an excellent excuse to investigate Yakushi Nonō. Bringing Kiyonari here really had been the right move.
But then—another problem: who should she send to carry out the investigation?
She hadn't been back long; she didn't have many people she could use. And ordinary shinobi probably couldn't handle someone like Danzo. More importantly, only she understood the significance of Yakushi Kabuto's connection—sending anyone else wouldn't meet expectations.
Did that mean… she had to go personally?
Just then, Kiyonari said, "New Year's coming soon. Sensei, do you want to take this chance to go back and have a look?"
"Go back to the village?" Tsunade tapped the tabletop lightly, sounding casual. "If I leave, what happens to the shinobi stationed here?"
"Isn't Shisui-senpai here?"
"Uchiha Shisui…" Tsunade rubbed her brow. "I'll think about it."
Was going back to Konoha really necessary?
Still, Kiyonari's words planted a seed in her heart.
Half a month passed quietly.
Kiyonari's medical skills advanced at frightening speed—his performance increasingly dazzling. But what Tsunade cared about even more was Shisui's change.
Ever since she started letting him screen the paperwork first, her own desk had become cleaner and cleaner.
That afternoon, Tsunade sat in her office staring at the empty desktop, and once again Kiyonari's suggestion—"go back and have a look"—surfaced in her mind.
Just then, Shisui knocked and entered, holding several organized documents.
"Tsunade-sama, these are the materials requiring your review today."
"Due to Mist involvement, we've adjusted the western patrol routes. I've marked the pros and cons of three workable plans—please take a look."
"Next is a supply request. After checking quantities, I recommend approving about half. The rest can be obtained through survival drills. I suggest increasing survival-drill frequency—both to obtain supplies and to train the newly rotated shinobi."
"Then, medical unit rotations—"
Tsunade listened to Shisui's clear report and opened the documents. Each one was neatly organized, the key points highlighted, and the alternative plans thorough. She only needed a quick scan to make decisions.
"These plans are good." Tsunade nodded and signed. "Do it as you suggested."
"Yes." Shisui took the documents. "Also, one more thing. A few days ago, Kiyonari-kun came to me and we drafted a medical-ninja training plan."
"He proposed several constructive ideas. I combined them with my work experience and refined them into a detailed plan. Please see if anything needs modification."
Tsunade read it carefully.
It proposed integrating medical knowledge into the Ninja Academy so all shinobi would be exposed early. For example, wound-treatment lessons could follow combat drills; identifying poisonous foods and basic detox could follow survival exercises—
Just one glance was enough to make her eyes brighten. This was definitely Kiyonari's approach.
Then it suggested offering specialized "medical-ninja interest classes" on weekends for students to sign up voluntarily—
She closed the document. "It's good. I'll think it through more carefully. And—lately you've been doing very well."
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama." Shisui bowed slightly. "If there's nothing else, I'll go arrange things."
Watching Shisui leave, Tsunade fell into thought.
In just half a month, Shisui's ability to handle administration had surged. Issues she used to mull over repeatedly—Shisui now proposed solutions that satisfied her. Matters she used to coordinate personally—Shisui handled smoothly.
Now, even Shizune didn't watch her drinking so tightly anymore.
Having such a capable deputy should have made her feel relieved. Yet deep down, Tsunade felt something hard to name.
Am I… becoming unnecessary?
The moment the thought appeared, she shook her head.
Ridiculous. This was the border—how could she be unnecessary?
But… Shisui really was doing extremely well.
So well that she found herself wondering: if she left for a while, could the border still run normally?
Tsunade stood and went to the window.
Even if Shisui could handle paperwork, if she left, could Shisui alone deter the enemy?
As her thoughts tangled, another knock sounded.
"Come in," she answered automatically.
A masked youth stepped inside, wearing Anbu uniform—looking even younger than Shisui.
When did Anbu start recruiting kids like this?
Just as the thought rose, the youth removed his mask and bowed respectfully.
"Tsunade-sama. I'm Uchiha Itachi. I was invited by Shisui to assist the border force. I'm here to report in."
So I can leave, then?
Tsunade suppressed her emotions and kept her tone even. "Shisui invited you?"
"Yes."
"He asked you to come help?"
Itachi didn't understand why she kept asking, but answered honestly. "…Yes."
"Shisui just left the command room not long ago. Go look around the camp—you'll find him."
"Yes."
Itachi turned and left.
Tsunade leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes, the events of the past weeks flashing through her mind.
Everything… began with Shizune's careless remark:
"If word gets out that the medical prodigy's student can't use medical ninjutsu…"
Then Tsunade wrote to the old man and posted a commission. Nonō happened to see it and accepted. Then the drift bottle appeared. Then Tsunade brought in Kiyonari, hoping to use the chance to learn about Nonō—
And just now, she'd been thinking: would Shisui be overwhelmed alone? And Itachi appeared.
A chain of "coincidences," perfectly fitted, as if some unseen force were pushing—toward one purpose: sending her back to the village.
Tsunade couldn't help thinking of that idiot Jiraiya and his constant talk about the "Child of Prophecy."
But in this moment, Tsunade truly felt the faint, intangible presence of something like "fate."
Maybe… she really should go back and take a look.
The thought grew clearer and clearer.
With Shisui's current ability, he could fully serve as acting commander—especially with Itachi assisting.
Administration wasn't a worry. But if she left, the border would lose one of the "Sannin" as a deterrent. And with rotations happening soon, would the Raikage seize the opportunity?
How much could Shisui's strength alone intimidate him?
The next day, after Shisui finished reporting and prepared to leave, Tsunade suddenly called out.
"Wait."
Shisui paused and turned. "Do you have further instructions?"
Tsunade was silent for a moment. Her fingers began tapping the desk again, her expression turning serious.
"You've done very well," she said slowly, praise in her tone. "As far as administration goes, I can trust it fully to you."
"Thank you for your trust, Tsunade-sama," Shisui replied humbly.
Tsunade waved her hand and continued. "There are matters that require me to return to Konoha for a time. But I'm worried that…"
"If I leave, the border will lack a Sannin to hold the line, and the Raikage may take action."
"Kumogakure has been impatient for a long time. They've been actively probing for opportunities—if peace fails, they seek chaos. Their reconnaissance along the border has become more frequent, more aggressive. They're even testing other nations' attitudes."
"He's waiting for an opening—waiting for Konoha to show weakness. My departure could be seen as exactly that opening."
She straightened and paced the room.
"'Shisui of the Body Flicker'… I don't know the true limits of your speed, but against an opponent like the Raikage, speed alone isn't enough."
A brief silence filled the room.
Then Shisui made his decision and spoke. "Tsunade-sama."
Tsunade looked—and saw crimson eyes. Three black tomoe turned slowly within, radiating an eerie red light.
Three-tomoe at his age was indeed genius-level, but against the Raikage—
Before the thought could finish, the tomoe spun faster and faster. Their edges stretched and warped, then—
Merged into a four-pointed pinwheel.
Tsunade's pupils shrank. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.
Mangekyō Sharingan!
The last person to possess those eyes was Uchiha Madara. And now—this legendary power had appeared in Shisui.
Tsunade studied him for a long moment, then exhaled. The tension on her face eased, replaced by a calm acceptance.
"The Uchiha… really do produce monsters of talent."
Shisui said nothing, standing still as he waited for her decision.
Tsunade stepped closer. "If you have the Mangekyō Sharingan, then I can leave the border to you."
Shisui lifted his head. "I swear on these eyes and the honor of the Uchiha: while you are gone, even if Kumogakure comes in full force, even if the Raikage comes personally—so long as I, Shisui, still draw breath, I will not allow them to step onto the Land of Fire's soil even half a step."
"I believe you," Tsunade's voice softened. "But don't overreach. If something truly can't be done, don't die holding the line. Fall back, preserve strength, and wait for reinforcements."
"People are the most important thing. As long as there are people, lost land can always be taken back."
"Then… I'll return."
Tsunade patted his shoulder and left the command room, taking Shizune and Kiyonari back to Konoha.
Thus, Act Two of the script was complete.
All preparations were in place—only the opening of the main performance remained.