Chapter 33: Flying Thunder God and the Medicine of Life

The alliance between the Uchiha and Senju was no longer just an option—it was a necessity. The grudges of the past, the bloodshed between the clans, all of it seemed distant now. If nothing changed, the Senju would wither into memory. What meaning was there in clinging to old wounds?

Tobirama's warnings, his obsession with the Uchiha, no longer held weight for Uzumaki Mito. The world had changed.

"Second," Uchiha Hikari continued, her voice calm but firm, "I want access to the Flying Thunder God Technique, all elemental ninjutsu developed by Tobirama, and the full repertoire of fūinjutsu you possess."

She didn't ask for money. Once the Uchiha pharmacy opened, wealth wouldn't be an issue. And with incoming resources from Sky Island, they would be set for generations. Monetary concerns were beneath this negotiation.

Besides, even if the Gates granted instantaneous travel, the Flying Thunder God still had battlefield and strategic value—especially for training those without contracts or advanced spatial abilities.

Mito's expression hardened. "The Flying Thunder God and Tobirama's water-style techniques… those can be given. But two of my sealing techniques must remain with me: the Dead Demon Consuming Seal and the Adamantine Sealing Chains. The first is forbidden. The second—without Uzumaki blood, no one can use it."

"I see," Hikari nodded without protest. "Then we'll exclude those two."

She gestured lightly, and Gin—her son—stepped back silently, acknowledging the decision. Then Hikari continued:

"The third and final condition—Tsunade will accept Gin as her pupil and teach him everything she knows about medical ninjutsu. No half-measures. Full knowledge transfer."

"Eh?" Tsunade blinked, caught off guard. Even Mito raised an eyebrow.

"But didn't you say your son had already attained a sort of 'medical enlightenment'?" Mito asked, puzzled. "He created life-restoring medicine and nutrient pills—and yet he needs to study under Tsunade?"

"Not exactly," Hikari replied smoothly. "The title of Hokage is a goal for many among the Uchiha—but that's not the point here. I understand that power alone isn't enough. Influence, legitimacy, political support—these matter. And with Hiruzen's grip on power, being a 'descendant' means little."

She placed a hand on Gin's shoulder.

"My son's methods differ greatly from current medical doctrine. You saw how he diagnosed you from just a pulse check. But he lacks formal training in medical ninjutsu. That gap must be closed."

"Additionally," she added, "being a student of Tsunade, the student of the Third Hokage, will grant him a peaceful path forward. That's what we need. Stability, not ambition."

Neither Hikari nor Gin had any delusion that this apprenticeship would crown him Hokage. The time would come when Uchiha power would naturally place one of their own in that position—when no one would dare oppose it.

"I see," Mito said thoughtfully. "So I misunderstood. Yes, the student of Tsunade alone won't bring political power. But I can agree to that condition. What do you say, Tsunade?"

Tsunade looked at Gin for a long moment, then smiled slightly. "Alright. I have no objections."

"And he's cute," she added to herself. "Sharp eyes. Composed. There's something about this one…" Besides, she was intrigued by Gin's unique diagnostic abilities. Teaching him wasn't a burden—it was a curiosity.

Besides… refusing wasn't really on the table. This negotiation had been in Uchiha hands from the start.

"Then it's settled," Hikari said with satisfaction.

She nodded toward her son, and Gin stepped forward, producing a small, sealed vial. The Medicine of Life.

The moment he opened the box, Mito and Tsunade were stunned. The bottle radiated a soft, golden glow, and from it emanated a warmth so rich, so pure, it seemed to breathe.

The surrounding wood—from the floorboards to the grain of the table—began to sprout faint buds of green.

Mito's breath caught in her throat. She and Tsunade examined the vial carefully.

"…This is no ordinary concoction."

The liquid shimmered inside, its glow pulsating gently like a heartbeat.

"To think this was created by a six-year-old…" Mito whispered. But there was no more time for wonder.

"Drink it immediately after opening," Gin warned. "The life force will begin to evaporate otherwise."

Mito nodded in understanding. "Thank you."

She uncorked the bottle. A breath of radiant energy swept across the room. The life force within was overwhelming—pure, primal.

Mito drank it in one swallow.

The moment the liquid touched her tongue, light surged through her body. From her stomach outward, vitality exploded—like a dam releasing an ancient river.

Every dormant cell awoke. Dead air vanished. Her depleted life force replenished so quickly, it was like time rewound itself. Her complexion brightened, hair shimmered with a bold crimson sheen—and yet, the Byakugō Seal on her forehead continued masking her true appearance.

Even so, Tsunade saw it. She felt it.

"…Incredible."

Inside Mito's sealed space, Kurama, the Nine-Tails, stirred.

He felt it first—a rush of power, a flood of spiritual energy surging into Mito's core.

The chains binding him—Adamantine, unyielding—tightened with terrifying force.

"What… what is this!?" Kurama roared. "Your life force… it's back?! Damn it, Mito! What did you do?! Let me out! LET ME OUT!"

He slammed against the walls of his prison, enraged.

Mito had been fading. He had waited, patiently, for the moment her body would fail—when he would finally be free.

But now, that moment had vanished. Her vitality was stronger than ever—perhaps stronger than when she first became his jinchūriki.

Kurama could only howl in fury, shackled tighter than ever, reduced to a pitiful, powerless shadow of himself.

It was no wonder he hated Uzumaki Mito.

And no wonder he despised Senju Hashirama.

Who wouldn't?