Uchiha Xingliu glanced at the mountain of medical books before him. *Turning this knowledge into actual skills is going to be tough.* He sighed and placed the Great Fireball Technique into his AFK System's idle slot. No point letting it go to waste.
With that done, he sat down at the table piled with medical texts. *I thought getting close to Tsunade at the Ninja Academy would be hard, but it turned out easier than expected. Now I'm not sure what to do next.*
He couldn't help but zone out, staring at the books. His plan to approach Tsunade hadn't even begun, yet he'd already achieved his goal. It was both satisfying and a bit bewildering.
Being adopted by Uzumaki Mito was a blessing. As long as he didn't do anything reckless and Mito was alive, his safety was assured. Mito might not have tamed the Nine-Tails, but her sealing techniques were formidable enough to forcefully extract its chakra, entering the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
In Konoha's current state, even if they all banded together, they might not stand a chance against her. Officially, the Third Hokage was in charge, but without Mito's nod, his hands were tied.
Xingliu's initial anxiety faded into calm. *Sure, I say I don't want to try hard, but this world is never peaceful.* Even after the First Ninja World War, peace was never guaranteed. The five great nations were always at odds, and for ninjas, espionage and assassination were part of the job.
As an Uchiha, and one not particularly valued, Xingliu worried about being an easy target. *Assassinating a non-activated, overlooked Uchiha wouldn't raise alarms and would be a quick mission.*
The Second and Third Ninja World Wars were only a few years apart, and they raged for over a decade. The thought of such prolonged conflict painted a grim picture in his mind.
Even with the AFK System, Xingliu felt the pressure. The system's speed was decent, but its potential mattered. If the highest it could achieve was evolving the Sharingan to Mangekyou, it would be useful, but not groundbreaking.
But Xingliu's worries were just his imagination running wild. Soon, surprise would replace his anxiety.
Meanwhile, Uzumaki Mito returned to the Senju compound with Tsunade. As they entered, a maid approached to assist Mito, who sighed, "Qianxia, I've told you many times, I don't need this. I'm not that old."
Despite her youthful appearance, Mito was over fifty. In a world where the average ninja lifespan was only thirty, she was a rarity. Her Yin Seal kept her looking young.
"But it's my duty to serve you, Lady Mito," Qianxia insisted, grateful for Mito's support that allowed her to care for her family.
Mito shook her head, knowing Qianxia's stubbornness. Most of her maids were girls without ninja talent from struggling families. Qianxia was the most persistent in showing her gratitude.
"Actually, I do have a task for you," Mito said, changing the subject. "I'll be adopting a child soon. Prepare a room for him, just like Tsunade's."
Qianxia nodded, unfazed by the topic shift. "Understood, Lady Mito. I'll have it ready."
Tsunade watched the exchange, amused by Mito's failed attempt to deter Qianxia. But she kept her face neutral.
"Qianxia, you don't need to serve me like this. I see you as my own child. You have talent, not the best I've seen, but definitely in the top ten."
Qianxia's family had been ninjas, and she inherited their talents. During the First Ninja World War, her parents were ambushed by Sand Ninja Puppet Troops. They survived but were left needing expensive medicine to live.
Mito found Qianxia at her lowest, offering her a lifeline. "Flowers shouldn't be watered with tears. Let the sun help them bloom," Mito had said, becoming Qianxia's savior.
Qianxia recalled those words, smiling at Mito's childish pout. "I'll stay by your side, Lady Mito."