Chapter 17: Yakushi Nonō

Time flowed swiftly, and over a month had passed since the new semester began.

One afternoon, as Hoshita Shūichi walked out of the academy with Shizune and the others, he spotted a familiar figure waiting at the gates. His face lit up with joy as he hurried forward.

"Director!"

Shūichi threw his arms around Yakushi Nonō.

The bespectacled woman chuckled, running her fingers through his smooth black hair. "Shūichi, you've grown so much taller."

Indeed, he now stood well past her waist.

Breaking the embrace, Shūichi grinned. "Well, it has been months!"

As Shizune and the others approached, Shūichi quickly introduced them before excusing himself to stroll with Nonō. Without prying into her recent missions, he recounted his confrontation with Danzō—including Tsunade's timely intervention.

"I see..." Nonō halted, her expression complex as she studied Shūichi. "You've grown up, Shūichi."

He smiled. "Of course. Now I can stand beside you to protect the orphanage—and each other."

"So, since you're working at Konoha Hospital now, can I come help? It'd be a great chance to learn more about medical ninjutsu."

Nonō laughed. "Of course." She was far from rigid.

Then she asked, "Should we visit Lady Tsunade to express our gratitude?"

After a moment's thought, Shūichi nodded. "We really should."

This could also help Nonō build ties with Tsunade, he mused. At barely twenty, Nonō still had immense potential. With Danzō still a lurking threat, strengthening their connections was vital.

Nonō agreed. "We'll need to prepare properly. It wouldn't do to be impolite."

"Right," Shūichi said. "I'll confirm with Shizune first, then set a date."

With a final pat on his shoulder, Nonō urged, "Go join your friends now."

After training that evening, Shūichi asked Shizune to relay their request to Tsunade.

Shizune hesitated. "Isn't this too formal? There's no need for such courtesy."

Shūichi shook his head. "To Lady Tsunade, it might've been a small favor. But for me, Director Nonō, and the orphanage, it meant everything."

Understanding dawned on Shizune's face. "I'll let her know."

That night, Shūichi spent an hour preparing gifts. The next morning, Shizune delivered Tsunade's reply: they were welcome that very evening.

As dusk fell, Shūichi—freshly washed—and Nonō arrived at Tsunade's estate, the latter carrying homemade pastries. Along the way, Shūichi splurged 500 ryō on premium sake, wincing at the cost.

"The Senju clan sure lives large," Shūichi noted silently, eyeing the sprawling yet eerily lifeless compound.

Shizune greeted them at the door. Seizing the moment, Shūichi handed her a scroll. "This is for you, Shizune!"

Shizune blinked, cheeks pink. "F-for me?"

"Of course! You helped too," Shūichi said warmly.

As Shizune accepted it with thanks, Tsunade appeared at the hallway entrance. Her demeanor was subdued, and she made no offer of dinner. Catching the mood, Shūichi kept the visit brief—exchanging gifts and pleasantries before taking his leave. Tsunade didn't press them to stay.

Outside, Shūichi glanced back at the mansion. "No wonder Tsunade seems so hollow here. Losing her brother, her lover... The greatest medic-nin in the world, crippled by hemophobia."

Back inside, Shizune fretted. "Lady Tsunade, wasn't that... too cold?"

Tsunade waved a hand. "Why? They're the ones thanking me."

She eyed the gift basket. "Hah! Sake. That brat's got manners."

Shizune pointed out, "The scroll and pastries are likely the real treasures here."

With a scoff, Tsunade unsealed the scroll—then stiffened. "Hmm?"

Minutes later, she thrust it at Shizune. "Open yours too."

Shizune unrolled her scroll and gasped. "Memory Palace—a mental technique?!"

Tsunade smirked. "Cheeky kid, giving us identical gifts."

"Eh? The same?" Shizune peeked at Tsunade's scroll, then flushed with secret delight. Defending Shūichi, she added, "He must've inherited this from his parents. It's all he has."

Tsunade snorted. "You underestimate him. This is his own creation."

She tapped the scroll. "The Hokage's files mention his eidetic memory. This technique? It's his work."

Shizune's eyes sparkled. "Amazing!"

"Tch." Tsunade folded her arms. "Still, it's valuable—especially for medics. Learn it well. And pester that brat if you hit snags."

At home, Shūichi reflected on the visit. "They've noticed the duplicate gifts. Well, it's all I could offer."

He'd also shared the Memory Palace method with Nonō.

In the weeks that followed, Shūichi adjusted his routine—spending weekends at Konoha Hospital under Nonō's tutelage, solidifying his medical knowledge.

Autumn faded into winter. By December, as the semester neared its end, Kakashi shocked the academy by applying for early graduation—at barely six years old.

Shūichi, though resolved to graduate early himself, held back.

First, I'll secure the [Fire Release Expert] title.

Only then would he feel truly safe.

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