Tsunade sat up straight, staring at Senba's palm. The green glow was perfectly stable, without the slightest flicker—a clear sign he had mastered the Healing Technique!
"When did you learn that?" Tsunade couldn't help but ask.
Senba withdrew his hand and said casually, "I taught myself a few days ago; it only took one night to master."
Tsunade was stunned. Learning a C-Rank Medical Jutsu in one night?
When she had learned this Ninjutsu, it took her three whole days just to barely master it, even with her teacher's wife guiding her the entire time. And this kid only used one night?
Tsunade suddenly stood up, looking at him with thinly veiled excitement.
"Kid, do you know what this means?"
Seeing his oblivious expression, she took a deep breath and continued. "I originally thought that the Uchiha were all battle-crazed, and it was impossible for any of them to specialize in Medical Ninjutsu. The Sharingan combined with Fire Release and swordsmanship—that's your tradition."
She paused and continued, "But seeing you learn a C-Rank Medical Ninjutsu at six years old and master it in one night—such talent is even more terrifying than mine was back then!"
She abruptly grabbed Senba's shoulders, leaning in close to him, her eyes shining brilliantly.
"Kid, are you willing to become my student?"
The corners of Senba's mouth curled up slightly. Become Tsunade's student? He certainly knew what that entailed.
The First Hokage's granddaughter and a student of the Third Hokage—becoming her student was equivalent to stepping into Konoha's inner circle.
Furthermore, she promised to teach him all Medical Ninjutsu. Senba barely hesitated at the offer.
"I am willing."
"Good choice!" Tsunade smiled, released Senba's shoulders, and turned to pick up the Kunai from the coffee table.
"Then today's first lesson will start with saving the fish."
Tsunade picked up the fish and used the Kunai to make a cut on its body. The fish struggled, blood seeping out and staining its scales.
She raised her other hand, and a light green glow of Chakra appeared in her palm.
This light was thicker and softer than what Senba had displayed earlier, carrying an aura of vitality.
She placed her palm over the fish's wound. The green light seeped into the wound, the bleeding stopped, and the wound began to heal at a speed visible to the naked eye.
A moment later, the wound on the fish completely disappeared, leaving only a few fallen scales. The fish then flopped around on the coffee table, looking full of vitality.
"This is the Mystical Palm Technique," Tsunade said, withdrawing her Chakra and looking at Senba.
"It's an A-Rank Medical Ninjutsu. It can treat external and internal injuries, and can even be used for emergency hemostasis during combat. This is one of the core skills of a Medical Ninja."
She handed the Kunai to Senba. "Come on, you try."
Senba took the Kunai and cut the fish, shallower than Tsunade's cut, but it was still bleeding.
Then he raised his hand to gather Chakra, and a green glow appeared in his palm.
Senba recalled Tsunade's movements from just now and placed his palm over the fish's wound, letting the Chakra seep in.
But the wound healed very slowly, much slower than Tsunade's. The fish struggled, thrashing its tail back and forth and splashing water all over him.
Tsunade watched from the side, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly.
"To be able to do this on your first try is already quite good."
She squatted down and instructed: "The Chakra output must be stable; it cannot fluctuate in strength. You must also perceive the condition inside the wound, allowing the Chakra to penetrate every damaged tissue..."
As she spoke, she gestured with her hands. Senba listened attentively and continued to try with his hands.
The wound finally healed completely, but it took nearly a minute.
Tsunade's eyes widened. No way... he learned it just like that?
Remembering something, a complex expression appeared on her face, and she sighed: "When I learned Medical Ninjutsu from my teacher's wife, I ate fish every single day. During that time, I felt nauseous just looking at a fish.
I originally thought that in Konoha, I would sooner or later become the strongest Medical Ninja, but after seeing you... it's truly a talent that makes even geniuses envious."
Senba looked at the fish in his hand, then at Tsunade. "Teacher, are we eating fish tonight?"
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Is eating everything you know? How are you just like that idiot Nawaki?"
She clapped her hands and stood up.
"Alright, stop practicing here."
She glanced at his clothes, which were splashed wet by the fish. "I'll keep this fish in your sink for now. You go change your clothes and come home with me."
"Why?" Senba asked.
"From now on, every weekend, you will come to my place to learn Medical Ninjutsu from me. I will have the fish prepared."
Senba nodded in understanding and went upstairs to change his clothes while Tsunade waited downstairs.
A few minutes later, Senba came down in clean clothes, and the two walked out of the courtyard side by side, heading in the direction of the Senju clan grounds.
On the way, Tsunade suddenly said, "By the way, there's something I need to tell you."
Senba looked at her curiously.
"That kid Nawaki has been bouncing around at home lately."
Tsunade's tone carried a hint of helplessness. "He's muttering all day about 'that bastard Senba,' 'when I get stronger, I will definitely defeat him,' and the like."
Senba raised an eyebrow, somewhat confused. This was indeed Nawaki's personality, but what did it have to do with him?
"I don't know what he's thinking. Ever since he started at the Ninja Academy, it's as if he's unlocked his potential; he's no longer afraid of my fists."
She sighed, her expression complex.
"A few days ago, I couldn't help but beat him up. Guess what he said?"
Tsunade imitated Nawaki's tone, lifting her chin: "As the future Hokage, how can I be afraid of a mere medical Jonin!"
She paused, her expression even more complex.
"With that one sentence, he not only belittled me but also belittled all Medical Ninjas."
Senba: "..."
Indeed, that was asking for a beating.
"So?" he asked.
Tsunade revealed a meaningful smile.
"So I want you to go beat him up," Tsunade explained. "You are now my newly accepted student, you want to become a Medical Ninja in the future, and you are the person he wants to challenge. If you beat him up, it should be able to keep that guy well-behaved for a long time."
Senba thought for a moment. There was no downside for him to refuse, so he nodded in agreement.
"Alright."