Yakushi Nono was quickly led away by Chiwa, but Natsuki—who should have left with her—stayed behind.
“Natsuki, is there something else you need?”
Tsunade looked at him and asked.
When Chiwa had introduced Yakushi Nono just now, she had also briefly mentioned Natsuki’s situation.
To sum it up: he didn’t really have much talent for medical ninjutsu.
“Lady Tsunade,”
Natsuki asked carefully, “Nono is still a student at the Ninja Academy right now.
If she starts learning medical ninjutsu, will that conflict with her regular studies?”
“She’s still young, so there’s no need to rush.
Her studies at the Ninja Academy should come first.”
After a moment’s thought, Tsunade replied, “She can come to Konoha Hospital after school or on weekends.”
“Lady Tsunade, I have a suggestion.”
Natsuki continued.
“What suggestion?”
Tsunade arched a brow.
“How important do you think medical ninja are?”
Natsuki asked in return.
“They’re obviously very important.”
Tsunade answered without hesitation.
“But Konoha doesn’t place enough importance on medical ninja.”
Natsuki shook his head.
“If you have a suggestion, just say it.”
Tsunade suddenly sensed where this was going, and a look of interest appeared on her face.
She had originally thought Natsuki was only worried about Yakushi Nono’s studies, but clearly that wasn’t all.
“I hope Konoha can establish a medical ninja training class,”
Natsuki said, finally stating his real goal.
“That way, any student who wants to learn medical ninjutsu can join the medical ninja training class.”
Tsunade couldn’t help letting out a small sound of surprise.
She had to admit, it was a very good suggestion.
Her thoughts immediately went to Yakushi Nono.
Because there had been no proper channel for learning medical ninjutsu, Natsuki had been forced to come up with a very roundabout solution—posting a mission.
If he hadn’t thought of that method, Yakushi Nono would have had to wait until after graduation to even have a chance to study medical ninjutsu.
But even after graduation, learning medical ninjutsu still wouldn’t have been easy.
It would depend entirely on whether the team leader assigned to her by Konoha happened to be a medical ninja.
Tsunade suddenly realized that Konoha’s system for training medical ninja was practically nonexistent.
“On top of that, each ninja squad could have one designated medical ninja.”
Natsuki continued, “Once the students from the medical ninja training class graduate, they can be assigned to those teams.”
To improve mission efficiency, Konoha had a rule that ninja had to operate in three-person squads.
But aside from the number of members, there were no hard structural requirements for a ninja team.
Tsunade’s expression gradually turned serious.
She was an exceptionally intelligent medical ninja.
These two suggestions from Natsuki would undoubtedly bring enormous benefits to Konoha’s current medical ninja training system. Read this novel at novelping.com for the best experience.
“You’re six this year?”
Tsunade came back to herself and asked.
“I turned six in March.”
Natsuki answered.
“These two suggestions are excellent.”
A smile appeared on Tsunade’s face.
“To borrow my teacher’s words, at such a young age, you’re already capable of thinking from a Hokage’s perspective.”
In the original story, Hiruzen Sarutobi had used the same line when praising seven-year-old Uchiha Itachi.
Children in the ninja world matured very early.
The earlier someone displayed mature thinking or overwhelming talent, the more likely they were to be called a genius—or someone with the makings of a Hokage.
That was exactly why Natsuki dared to bring up these two proposals at the age of six.
“Come see me again tomorrow.”
Tsunade stood up.
“I’m going to the Hokage’s office to discuss this with my teacher.”
“Yes, Lady Tsunade.”
Natsuki suppressed the excitement in his heart and nodded.
The plan had gone through perfectly.
Though that wasn’t really surprising.
These two suggestions had originally been Tsunade’s ideas to begin with.
Then another thought suddenly occurred to Natsuki: would Hiruzen actually agree?
In the original story, when Tsunade first proposed these ideas, they were opposed.
Only Kato Dan had stood up to support her, and that was how the two of them ended up becoming lovers.
Natsuki thought it over carefully.
Clearly, it wasn’t that the suggestions themselves were bad.
It was that at the time, the Second Great Ninja War was already underway, making them impossible to implement.
After the war ended, however, both suggestions received strong support from Konoha.
But right now, the Second Great Ninja War was still a long way off, so Hiruzen would most likely approve them.
At that thought, Natsuki finally relaxed.
As long as his proposals were accepted, he would gain Tsunade’s goodwill and protection.
At the very least, he wouldn’t have to worry about Shimura Danzo anymore.
As for Kato Dan… all Natsuki could do was wish him good luck.
After all, he was such a kind person.
He simply couldn’t bear the thought of Tsunade becoming a widow.
He shook his head and cast the random thought aside.
Yakushi Nono had already gained Tsunade’s approval, and her strength would definitely improve by leaps and bounds.
He couldn’t afford to fall behind.
Natsuki headed to a nearby training ground and began practicing his Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu.
Even though this Earth Release technique was only D-rank, he was learning it on his own, so progress was slow.
At the same time, Tsunade arrived at the Hokage’s office.
At this point, she wasn’t nearly as casual and carefree as she was in the original story.
She knocked first, waited for permission, and only then entered.
Tsunade got straight to the point and told Hiruzen about the two suggestions Natsuki had made.
After hearing them, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into thought.
The ideas were excellent, but as Hokage, he had to consider everything from every angle.
For example, if Konoha added a medical ninja training class, how much extra financial burden would that place on the village?
“I agree.”
In the end, Hiruzen still approved them.
It would cost more money, yes, but the increase in medical ninja would bring far more benefits than disadvantages.
Most importantly, Konoha at its current stage could afford the expense.
After all, it had already been more than ten years since the last great ninja war ended.
And from all appearances, there were still no signs of the next one on the horizon.
“Where do you plan to start?”
Hiruzen asked again.
“First, establish the medical ninja training class at Konoha Hospital,”
Tsunade answered.
“Then select students from both the Ninja Academy and the genin ranks.”
“Looks like you’ve already thought this through.”
Hiruzen chuckled.
“I’ll leave this matter to you.
I hope it can improve Konoha’s shortage of medical ninja.”
“I understand.”
Tsunade paused, then added, “Those two suggestions were Natsuki’s idea.”
“Natsuki?”
Hiruzen asked in surprise.
“You mean Natsuki from Class 1-A?”
“Yes.”
Tsunade nodded, then said with slight surprise, “So you’d already noticed him, Teacher.”
“He ranked fourth in the final exam, so I remembered him.”
Hiruzen looked puzzled.
“Why did he come to you with these suggestions?”
“It has to do with Nono.”
Tsunade briefly explained the whole chain of events.
After hearing it, Hiruzen felt like he’d struck gold.
Not only that—there was even a bonus medical ninja prodigy included?
Wonderful.
What Hiruzen liked most was the bond between geniuses.
Because that, too, was one expression of the Will of Fire.
“When you see him tomorrow, ask him on my behalf what reward he wants.”
After thinking it over, Hiruzen said, “If we’re being serious, those two suggestions count as a major contribution.”
As Hokage, he had always believed in clear rewards and punishments.
Tsunade nodded.
In truth, even if Hiruzen hadn’t said it, she would have asked anyway.