Momoka broke the silence. "After the child graduates from the Academy, he wants to work at the Hospital."
Hiruzen was surprised and looked at Sasuke.
"An Uchiha work as a Medical Ninja?"
Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he sounded disbelieving. "That sounds absurd."
"It's not impossible," Momoka said, shaking her head and looking at Hiruzen. "Kagami was different in his time, too. Maybe his nephew will be the same."
Sasuke thought for a moment and then slowly nodded. "That's true. Kagami was certainly unique among the Uchiha."
He paused, then added, "If that child can't learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, then working at the Konoha Hospital is a good choice."
Hiruzen agreed, "Medical Ninjas also contribute to the Village."
"What if he does learn it?" Momoka suddenly asked.
Hiruzen frowned and looked at Sasuke. He hadn't been alarmed because, deep down, he didn't believe Senba could master a Jutsu that only his teacher could use.
But there was still a chance of success.
"If he learns the Flying Thunder God Technique... then staying at the Konoha Hospital wouldn't be suitable for him."
Sasuke was silent for a moment before slowly nodding. "Yes, the Flying Thunder God Technique has immense strategic importance."
He had lived through the Warring States Era and had personally witnessed Tobirama's legendary abilities.
That era was dominated by Hashirama and Madara, two men at the pinnacle of the world whose battles could reshape landscapes. Their very names struck fear across the globe.
But beneath them, Senju Tobirama was incredibly powerful, especially after Uchiha Izuna's death.
Sarutobi Sasuke and Senju Momoka weren't weak then, but even together, they could barely hold their own against Tobirama.
As for Hiruzen, though he inherited the Hokage position from Tobirama, he didn't learn much from him. Most of his skills came from his father, Sarutobi Sasuke.
Hiruzen's talent was truly astonishing, even greater than Sarutobi Sasuke's when he was young. If anyone in current Konoha could challenge a prime Tobirama, it would only be Hiruzen.
Uzumaki Mito didn't count; as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, she could overpower Tobirama in a fight.
Hiruzen gazed at the Hokage Rock outside the window.
"The Flying Thunder God Technique..." He murmured, "If that child can truly learn it, Konoha will gain another secret weapon."
Sasuke nodded. "That depends on his own luck and talent."
Seeing them fall silent, Momoka suddenly stood up.
"Alright, I'm leaving."
She walked toward the door, then remembered something.
"You two old chain-smokers, don't smoke too much."
Sasuke gave a dry laugh. "The kid was just here, so we didn't smoke. But now..."
He took out his pipe and began to fill it with tobacco.
Hiruzen also smiled, pulling out his own pipe. "We'll just have a couple of puffs."
Momoka snorted and left before the smoke could fill the room.
"I hope they get sick from smoking all day."
***
After leaving the Hokage Building, Senba and Tsunade went to a barbecue restaurant for lunch.
The smell of charcoal filled the air, along with the sizzling sound of fat dripping onto the coals.
Senba picked up a piece of grilled meat and was about to eat it when a timid voice spoke.
"Um... Lady Tsunade..."
Both turned to see a little girl standing nervously beside their table.
She had long blonde hair and black-rimmed glasses.
Her clothes were old and faded but clean. Her small hands clutched the hem of her outfit as she looked nervously at Tsunade.
"I want to... learn Medical Ninjutsu from you..."
Tsunade put down her chopsticks and looked at the girl with interest. Senba's eyes fell on the black-rimmed glasses, and he guessed her identity.
This age, blonde hair, glasses... It could only be her.
"Why do you want to learn Medical Ninjutsu?" Tsunade asked curiously.
The girl answered sincerely, "I'm from the Orphanage. I want to become a Medical Ninja to earn money and buy a gift for Mother Director."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. She stared into the girl's eyes for a few seconds, seeing no sign of deception.
"What's your name? How old are you?"
"My name is Yakushi Nonou," the girl replied obediently. "I am five years old."
Senba's eyes widened. It was indeed her. The future legendary spy, codenamed the Wandering Nun, and Yakushi Kabuto's foster mother.
In the original timeline, she would join the Root Organization as a spy sent to other Villages, gathering countless valuable intelligence for Konoha.
After the Third Great Ninja War, she would leave Root to become the director of the Orphanage, while also leading the Medical Emergency Squad.
This position was equal to a Medical Ninja unit squad leader, on par with an Anbu squad leader or a Konoha Military Police Force squad leader.
The future Uchiha Itachi was an Anbu squad leader before becoming a rogue ninja. For Yakushi Nonou to reach this position, she had to be at least a Medical Jonin.
Tsunade asked again, "Have you ever extracted Chakra? And have you learned any Ninjutsu?"
Nonou nodded. "I extracted Chakra last year, and now I've learned the Three Basic Jutsu."
A flicker of surprise crossed Tsunade's eyes. Although the Three Basic Jutsu were E-Rank basics, they required good Chakra control to master.
Essentially, having learned and proficiently used the Three Basic Jutsu meant one had the foundation for C-Rank Ninjutsu.
"If you learn Medical Ninjutsu, how do you plan to make money?" Tsunade pressed further.
Nonou answered earnestly, "People often get hurt at the training grounds, especially adult Ninjas practicing Taijutsu; sometimes they accidentally injure themselves."
She paused. "If I treat them, I'll only charge half of what the Hospital does, so I'll definitely be able to make money."
Tsunade looked at her thoughtfully. This child was sharp and had her own plans. She glanced at Senba, then back at Yakushi Nonou.
Senba's talent for Medical Ninjutsu was exceptional, but Tsunade knew he couldn't just be a Medical Ninja.
Senba had the Sharingan, the ability to create A-Rank Ninjutsu, and strength far beyond his peers. His future was destined for a much grander stage.
But if this child also had decent talent, Tsunade could take on another student, letting her become the future captain of the Medical Department, specifically handling medical affairs.
As for Senba? She would just make him her Hokage advisor when the time came.
Tsunade, who had not yet experienced the Second Ninja War, also dreamed of becoming Hokage, even though many people disagreed.
Grandma Uzumaki Mito, Grandma Momoka, Sarutobi Sasuke, and Old Man Hiruzen Sarutobi all worried that if a gambler became Hokage, she would gamble away all of Konoha.
'Wouldn't it be great if we unified the villages through gambling?'
Tsunade snorted and looked at Nono. "Sit down first, let's eat together."
Nono shook her head, a little embarrassed. "I... I've already eaten..."
"If I tell you to sit, then sit," Tsunade said, waving her hand. "After we finish eating, I'll take you to learn Medical Ninjutsu."
Nono's eyes instantly lit up. She sat down carefully beside Tsunade, her hands on her knees, behaving very well.
After the meal, the plates on the table were stacked high. Tsunade wiped her mouth, stood up, and looked at her student.
"You pay the bill."
Senba raised an eyebrow. How could a teacher take her student out to eat and then make him pay?
"You're fat rich, so you pay," Tsunade said casually, as if it were obvious.
'Can't argue with that.'
Senba sighed in defeat and paid the bill without starting a useless argument.
The three of them walked out of the barbecue restaurant and stood by the roadside.
"Senba, you take her home," Tsunade said.
Senba was confused for a moment, not understanding her intentions.
Tsunade pointed at Yakushi Nono. "You take her back to practice. If she has the talent to become a Medical Ninja, then she will be my disciple. I'm entrusting this important task to you. As my first student, shouldn't you help?"
Senba paused. That actually made some sense.
Tsunade continued, "Although Nono has learned the Three Basic Jutsu, she hasn't received formal training and needs to practice Chakra control first."
"Have her practice tree climbing and water walking first. Once she masters those, I will personally teach her Medical Ninjutsu."
"But I still need to study the nature transformation of Fire Style Chakra this afternoon," Senba said.
Tsunade waved her hand. "Study it tomorrow. Today, take care of your fellow student first."
Without waiting for a response, she turned and quickly walked away, leaving Senba and Nono standing by the roadside, staring at each other.
Nono looked at him timidly, clutching the corner of her clothes with her small hands, and asked softly, "Th-that... Senba-kun..."
Senba looked at her eyes hidden behind the glasses and sighed slightly.
"Let's go."
He turned and walked toward the Uchiha Clan Compound, with Nono jogging to keep up.