Chapter 47: The Healer Ninja

Chapter 47: The Healer Ninja

In Konoha, the prohibition against alcohol meant nothing in the face of overwhelming strength.

The receptionist who tried to stop Toneri from entering was easily persuaded by Tsunade's "advice," and they both made their way inside.

However, when they said they'd go drinking, it was really just Tsunade doing the drinking while Toneri sat beside her, behaving obediently.

With a few bottles of sake and some snacks, Tsunade was soon tipsy, a slight flush on her porcelain-like skin.

Toneri, behaving respectfully from beginning to end, only stood up to pour her another cup when she emptied it.

They hardly spoke, and since it was past dinnertime, they were the only two left in the tavern.

After a while, Tsunade seemed slightly drunk.

"Tsunade-nee, that's enough, right? If you drink more, you'll get drunk, and it's bad for your health," Toneri hesitated, then advised her.

Having once been a doctor himself, he knew all too well that drinking, especially to excess, could harm the body.

"Kid, did you know?

Whenever I used to drink, Nawaki would silently pour for me. Whenever I'd had enough, he'd say, just like you did, that I shouldn't drink more." Tsunade held her cup, her eyes gazing at Toneri with a look full of nostalgia. For a moment, Nawaki's and Toneri's images seemed to overlap.

Nawaki's death had been a heavy blow for her.

He had been her only remaining family and the most important person to her, yet he died on the battlefield.

She prided herself on being one of the most skilled medical ninjas, but she was powerless in the face of her loved one's death. The feeling of helplessness only added to her pain.

She had suppressed these emotions during the Second Shinobi War due to the constant threat of crisis.

After returning to Konoha, she either gambled or drank all day.

Today, Toneri's "big sister" address finally gave her a reason to release all those pent-up emotions.

Clink—

The cup fell to the floor.

Tsunade slumped over the table, her body trembling as she began to sob, and her crying grew more intense.

Seeing her like this, Toneri wasn't sure what to do.

When he hesitated to approach and offer comfort, Tsunade, still slumped over, grabbed him by the neck, pulling him into her embrace. Her sobs turned into full-blown cries, "Nawaki—it's all big sister's fault—"

Toneri's expression froze, and he dared not move.

Clearly, a drunken Tsunade was seeing him as Nawaki, letting out the emotions she'd been holding in for so long.

If she used her strength without restraint right now…

Soon, Toneri's clothes felt damp.

So, this is what they mean when they say "women are made of water."

After a while, Tsunade calmed down and realized she had been a bit improper.

But was Tsunade one to care about details?

Had Toneri not been underage, she might've made him her drinking buddy right then and there.

In the end, Toneri helped her, still unsteady, out of the tavern.

No need to ask who paid the bill; let's just say Toneri's wallet was feeling a bit lighter...

People familiar with Tsunade would have noticed that she seemed much better now compared to her state when she first returned from the battlefield.

Despite her tipsy appearance, this was the Tsunade she should be.

As the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, she was known as Princess Tsunade, a title recognized by the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. This meant that Tsunade's real title was Princess of the Land of Fire, Konoha's princess.

But her strength overshadowed her status, so her true position was often overlooked.

Tsunade's residence was easy to spot, and with her directions, they quickly found it.

Although they took a few extra turns along the way, that wasn't the main point...

Once home, Tsunade had sobered up quite a bit.

"Kid, thank you for today." She ruffled Toneri's hair, laughing, finding his hair texture pleasing, much like Nawaki's.

Unable to resist, Toneri could only force a helpless smile as she tousled his head.

By now, the moon was high in the night sky, and the cool evening breeze made his head feel remarkably clear.

They sat together in the courtyard of Tsunade's mansion.

It seemed that powerful people like her always had large, empty homes.

"Orochimaru told me to try teaching you some medical ninjutsu if there's a chance, to see if you have any talent in that area. If you do, he owes me a favor," Tsunade said, the alcohol having mostly worn off.

Ruffling his hair even more, Tsunade added in a surprised tone, "You know, not even Nawaki had Orochimaru so invested. Why is he so concerned about you?

Not only did he tell me things about you, but he also suggested I teach you medical ninjutsu.

That's not like him. He even brought up a favor—which, as you know, means something from him."

Toneri knew exactly how valuable a favor from one of the Legendary Sannin, like Orochimaru, would be; it was practically priceless.

For him to offer such a favor over a disciple he'd only had for two weeks was out of character for the Orochimaru that Tsunade knew.

Toneri's background…

This was partly why Tsunade was so curious about him and recognized him the moment she saw him.

Tsunade might not fully understand, but Toneri had some ideas.

Was Orochimaru trying to train him to become an assistant like Kabuto?

Not only could he help in the lab, but he could also provide support in future research.

There was only one possibility for Orochimaru to make such a large concession.

The cooperation between Orochimaru and Danzo was likely already underway...

For Danzo to win Orochimaru's agreement to work together meant he must have offered something valuable, with deep, complicated implications.

"So, in the end, the wheel of history keeps turning on its original path?" Toneri thought to himself.

If he could learn Tsunade's medical ninjutsu, even just part of it, combined with his previous life's experience, his self-preservation in combat would be much stronger.

Although he didn't yet know what role he'd play in Orochimaru's plans, it was clear that someone Orochimaru valued so highly wouldn't be easily abandoned.

For now, it was all beneficial for him, with no downsides.

But he wondered what he should do when things took a darker turn.

"Hey, kid, what are you daydreaming about? Let me be clear: I'm willing to teach you, but if you don't have the talent, don't force yourself.

A person's energy is limited. Better to excel in one or two things than know a little of everything. Do you understand what I mean?" Tsunade snapped Toneri out of his thoughts.

Hearing this, Toneri nodded immediately!

Whatever Orochimaru's plans were, if he wanted strength and safety, he needed to rely on him. Orochimaru wouldn't defect until after the Third Shinobi War, and who knew what things would be like by then?

Plus, by that time, he'd have Kabuto and other top-tier allies on his side—what need would he have to fear Orochimaru?

So yes, Tsunade's medical ninjutsu, he had to learn it!

A warrior who can't heal—is he really a warrior?

Enough talk; I'm going to heal myself first!

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