The next day.
Nohara Rin was roused early in the morning by ANBU at her door, and, as instructed, made her way to the newly built Konoha Hospital.
Watching the bustling figures moving about inside the hospital, Rin felt an indescribable tension rising in her chest.
Ever since she was little, she'd wanted to become an outstanding medical ninja.
Now that the opportunity had finally arrived, no matter what, she had to seize it!
Rin stepped inside—and a woman carrying a pink pig with a pearl necklace immediately came up to greet her.
"Rin!"
"Shizune?"
"I heard earlier that you'd be meeting Lady Tsunade today. I was worried you might not be familiar with the place on your first visit, so I came ahead of time to wait for you."
Hearing that, Rin looked at Shizune gratefully. "Shizune, thank you."
Shizune smiled and waved it off. "No need. We're friends, after all. Even though I left Konoha back then to follow Lady Tsunade, I didn't forget you, my dear classmate."
A few casual words dispelled the awkward distance between them. Rin smiled warmly as she reached out and gently patted the pink pig in Shizune's arms.
"Shizune, is this your pet? It's so cute."
After hearing Rin, Shizune explained, "Its name is Tonton. It's a very smart little pig, and its nose is incredibly sensitive. It's worth more than people like us, you know."
"Someone once offered one million ryō to buy Tonton, and I still refused."
Rin stared at Tonton in surprise and couldn't help saying, "No wonder it looks so refined. It practically screams expensive."
"Hahaha..."
They went all the way to the top floor of the hospital. Shizune then stopped. "Lady Tsunade is inside. I won't go in with you."
"Don't be nervous. I believe you'll definitely pass Lady Tsunade's assessment."
Rin nodded softly.
After Shizune left, Rin took several deep breaths, finally settling her nerves before pushing the door open and walking in.
The moment she entered, she saw Tsunade sitting behind her desk, handling paperwork.
And on the sofa nearby sat a man sipping tea, looking completely at ease.
At the sight of them, Rin's heart started pounding violently again. She bowed respectfully. "Lord Yuzuru, Lady Tsunade!"
Uchiha Yuzuru smiled. "Don't be nervous. Sit."
Rin obediently sat down on the sofa, and Tsunade naturally walked over as well.
"You're Rin, right? Yuzuru recommended you to me, saying you're very talented in medical ninjutsu, so I had you come in today for a simple evaluation."
"And I have to say... you're even cuter in person than you looked in the photo."
As Tsunade spoke, she couldn't help shooting Uchiha Yuzuru a look.
So that was why this guy had proactively recommended her—who knew what nonsense he was thinking again.
Rin blushed at the compliment and said softly, "Thank you both for giving me this opportunity."
Seeing Rin relax, Tsunade didn't say much more. Instead, she took out a fish she'd prepared beforehand.
"Rin, try treating this fish's injuries first."
"Understood, Lady Tsunade."
Rin was already a medical ninja, and she'd mastered the Mystical Palm Technique early on. Treating a fish was naturally no challenge.
Green light surfaced in both her hands as she hovered them above the fish's body.
As chakra flowed in, the wounds on the fish began to heal at a steady, gradual pace.
Five minutes later, the surface of the fish's body had completely healed, with no trace of the original injuries remaining.
"Not bad."
"Now treat this dragonfly."
Before Rin could even catch her breath, Tsunade took out a green dragonfly and placed it on the table.
Rin examined it carefully and found that one of its wings had been torn, covered in countless cracks. Only a thin membrane still connected it to the body, as if it could detach at any moment.
Just from one glance, Rin felt an invisible pressure bearing down on her.
Under the gaze of Tsunade and Uchiha Yuzuru, she could only steel herself and begin treating the dragonfly.
As time passed, fine beads of sweat formed across Rin's forehead, and the chakra inside her body gradually began to waver.
After a while—just as she felt she could no longer hold on—Tsunade's voice sounded by her ear.
"Alright. That's enough."
Rin let out a breath of relief. Glancing at the dragonfly whose injuries hadn't improved much, she said with disappointment, "Lady Tsunade, Lord Yuzuru... I'm sorry. I've let you down..."
Tsunade smiled and shook her head. "Rin, the purpose of this assessment was simply to evaluate your chakra control and your familiarity with medical ninjutsu."
"You did very well. From now on, you'll be my disciple."
The sudden joy left Rin completely stunned. When she snapped out of it, she immediately knelt.
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade!"
Uchiha Yuzuru smiled and reminded her, "Shouldn't you change how you address her now?"
"Ah! Tsunade Sensei!"
Tsunade waved a hand. "Alright, that's enough. Go back and rest for today. I'll also take the chance to plan out your training schedule from here on."
Rin nodded and quickly left the room.
Walking downstairs, her steps were light—she looked like she might start hopping at any moment.
It felt like a dream. She'd actually been accepted as Lady Tsunade's disciple.
And also...
Lord Yuzuru was really so gentle!
——
——
Inside the office.
Tsunade hummed a cheerful tune, her expression brimming with delight.
Uchiha Yuzuru couldn't help but ask curiously, "Tsunade, you only took in a disciple. Do you really have to be this happy?"
Tsunade snorted softly and explained, "From that assessment just now, I've gotten a rough understanding of Rin."
"She has very strong control over the chakra in her body, and her mentality is steady enough as well."
"Even without proper guidance before, she was able to reach this level relying solely on her own abilities."
"If I train her a little, in just a few months she'll become an excellent medical ninja who can handle things on her own."
After saying that, Tsunade stretched lazily. "By then, I'll finally be able to relax."
Uchiha Yuzuru casually said, "Missing those days of staying up all night in casinos again, are you?"
"Once you train Rin up, you'll have plenty of time to drink and gamble."
Hearing that, Tsunade suddenly grabbed Uchiha Yuzuru by the collar.
"Gamble? Drink? I want to have a baby!"
Uchiha Yuzuru froze, not reacting for a moment. "Huh?"
"Watching Sasuke, Naruto, Gaara and the others every day—I can't take it anymore. I want a child with you too!" Tsunade's breath was warm and soft, her gaze carrying a teasing edge. "Yuzuru... can you do it?"
Uchiha Yuzuru only felt his body heat up. The corner of his mouth tilted into a crooked grin.
"This man here is robust and vigorous, endowed with profound essence. In a few days, I'll definitely make your wish come true!"