“No need to look.” Tsunade said lazily.
“You’ve kept it under control well, so of course you can’t see anything now.
In the early stages, Explosive Bugs are even smaller than bacteria.
They’re invisible.” The Fourth Raikage stood there without lowering his head or checking himself.
He simply looked at Tsunade.
“Then why am I fine?
When we arm wrestled, I used a lot of chakra.” Tsunade smiled as she explained, “Because you burn through your chakra too quickly.” “Explosive Bugs feed on chakra, but they need time to absorb it and grow.
Every time you refine chakra, you expend it before they have a chance to absorb it.” She couldn’t help laughing.
“Fourth Raikage, your Lightning Release Chakra Mode ended up saving your life.” Amai stared in shock.
“Th…
Then Raikage-sama is alright?” “Just because you’re fine now doesn’t mean you’ll stay that way.” Tsunade’s smile faded.
“As long as you continue refining chakra and continue fighting, the Explosive Bugs will keep absorbing it little by little.” “Sooner or later, you’ll end up just like him.” The stone house fell into silence.
Only Karai’s faint breathing and the sound of rainwater dripping from the roof remained.
The Fourth Raikage stood in the doorway, sunlight pouring in from behind him and leaving his face hidden in shadow.
The silence lasted for a long while before he finally spoke.
“You can cure this, can’t you?” Tsunade glanced at Karai and nodded.
“I can.
But our wager only covered him.
It didn’t include the rest of you.” The Fourth Raikage understood immediately.
“Your terms.” Tsunade smiled.
“Clever.” She raised one finger.
“First.
Fifty million ryo.
Not a single ryo less.” The Fourth Raikage nodded.
“It’s worth it.” Tsunade then raised a second finger.
“Second.
Prepare five Wind Release, five Water Release, and five Earth Release jutsu manuals.
Common techniques will do.” The stone house fell silent for a brief moment.
Souji’s fingers tightened slightly around his blind cane.
Wind, Water, and Earth.
Those were his chakra affinities.
He looked toward Tsunade’s profile.
Her face still carried that lazy, carefree expression, as though she were discussing what to eat for lunch.
Her golden eyes never even glanced his way.
They remained fixed casually on the Fourth Raikage.
The Fourth Raikage remained silent for a moment.
His hawk-like eyes stared at Tsunade, calm as still water, betraying no emotion.
“That’s too much.” His voice was low but left no room for negotiation.
Tsunade merely raised an eyebrow without speaking.
The Fourth Raikage continued.
“Fifteen jutsu are too many.
But I can trade you two techniques instead.” “Which ones?” “The Hidden Stone Village’s Light-Weight Rock Technique and Heavy-Weight Rock Technique.” Souji’s breathing paused ever so slightly.
The Light-Weight Rock Technique was an Earth Release secret technique capable of manipulating gravity.
It could make either the user or anything they touched lighter, allowing flight or extremely high-speed movement.
The Heavy-Weight Rock Technique did the exact opposite.
It drastically increased an object’s weight, making attacks far more devastating while also making opponents difficult to move.
These two techniques were the Hidden Stone Village’s signature Earth Release secret techniques.
They even touched upon the domain of gravity.
Throughout the entire Hidden Stone Village, only a handful of shinobi could wield them proficiently.
How had the Hidden Cloud obtained them?
Then, after a second thought, Souji understood.
The Land of Lightning bordered the Land of Earth, and the Hidden Cloud and Hidden Stone had been bitter enemies for generations.
The Hidden Stone had killed the Third Raikage, while the Hidden Cloud constantly harassed the Hidden Stone’s borders, with both sides repeatedly seizing resources, intelligence, and ninjutsu from one another.
After fighting for so many years, it wasn’t surprising that the Hidden Cloud had managed to obtain some of the Hidden Stone’s core secret techniques.
Besides, the Hidden Cloud specialized in Lightning Release and taijutsu.
Earth Release shinobi were naturally rare there.
Trading away these two techniques, which were of little practical use to the Hidden Cloud yet too valuable to simply discard, certainly wouldn’t put them at a loss.
Better yet…
Souji’s brow twitched slightly.
They could even use this opportunity to redirect the Hidden Stone’s attention toward the Land of Fire.
After all, if the Hidden Stone discovered that their secret techniques had ended up in the hands of one of Konoha’s Legendary Sannin…
They would be killing two birds with one stone.
The Fourth Raikage’s concession appeared generous, but in reality, it was a calculated move.
She had clearly thought of that as well.
Tsunade stared at the Fourth Raikage for two seconds before suddenly smiling.
“It’s a deal.” She agreed without a moment’s hesitation, as though she simply didn’t care about the calculation behind it.
Souji’s gaze settled on Tsunade.
She had asked for those three elemental jutsu for his sake.
Wind, Water, and Earth.
Those happened to be his chakra affinities.
Fifteen techniques would have been enough to greatly expand his ninjutsu arsenal, filling the gaps beyond his taijutsu and cursed techniques.
After the Fourth Raikage’s counteroffer, however, these two Earth Release secret techniques were even more valuable.
The Light-Weight Rock Technique would allow him to fly.
Combined with the visual advantage of the Six Eyes, whether for pursuit, retreat, or reconnaissance, it would be a qualitative improvement.
The Heavy-Weight Rock Technique could further enhance the destructive power of his Shikotsumyaku.
Just imagine it.
A bone spear enhanced by the Heavy-Weight Rock Technique could become ten or even dozens of times heavier than before.
Paired with Black Flash…
Even he didn’t dare estimate its destructive power.
But did Tsunade know any of this?
She didn’t know the specific abilities of the Six Eyes.
She didn’t know his cursed technique system.
She didn’t even know his true fighting style.
But she knew his chakra affinities.
She knew he wanted to become stronger.
She knew what would be useful to him.
That alone was enough.
Souji raised his head and looked at Tsunade’s back.
She still looked as lazy as ever, arms crossed as she leaned casually against the stone wall, bargaining with the Fourth Raikage exactly the same way she bargained inside a gambling hall.
Then Souji suddenly realized something.
In the original story, Tsunade had never accepted payment for treating the Hidden Cloud shinobi.
Back then, after losing Dan and Nawaki, she had become heartbroken and disillusioned, indifferent to everything.
The Hidden Cloud had sought her out.
She made a bet and lost.
Then she treated him.
And that was it.
But now…
She was asking for payment.
And the things she demanded happened to be exactly what he needed.
Was it because of him?
Had their year together turned him from a difficult patient into a reliable companion?
At that moment, Souji felt something stir gently inside his chest.
Very lightly.
So lightly that it was almost impossible to notice.
Even after crossing into another world…
he was still the same as before.
He could still be inexplicably moved by someone else’s simple act of kindness.
“Then it’s settled.” Tsunade clapped her hands and pushed herself away from the stone wall.
“We’ll treat him first.
You can hand everything over afterward.
Any objections, Fourth Raikage?” The Fourth Raikage nodded.
“Fine.” After receiving his answer, Tsunade strode over to the stone slab and looked down at the unconscious Hidden Cloud shinobi.
Karai’s breathing had grown even weaker than before.
The spider-shaped bulge on his chest seemed to have expanded again.
“You’re Amai, right?” Amai was momentarily stunned before nodding hurriedly.
“Y…
Yes!” “Heat some water.
As much as possible.
Then find several clean containers.
Earthenware jars are best.
If you don’t have any, bamboo tubes will do.” “Yes!” Amai turned around and ran off immediately.
“Brat.” Without turning around, Tsunade called out.
“Get over here.
I’ll teach you how to deal with this.” Another change.
In the original story, after making her diagnosis, Tsunade had Shizune handle the operation.
But now…
She was teaching him instead.
But what about Tsunade’s hemophobia?
Was she really going to be alright?
Holding his blind cane, Souji walked over to her.
Before he could speak, Tsunade lowered her gaze toward the bulge and quietly spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear.
“I’ve already figured everything out.” “You’ll be performing the surgery from here on.” “Shizune will stay beside you and assist.” “This is your first surgery.” “Do your best.” Souji froze for a moment.
Tsunade turned her head slightly.
Her golden eyes met his, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
“This is the Shinobi Assassins’ secret technique.
Very few people in the shinobi world can cure it.” “Once you understand it, if you ever encounter something similar again, you won’t be helpless.” Souji remained silent for a moment before giving a slight nod.
“Yes.” Tsunade turned her gaze back to the bulge.
She placed her hand over it as pale green medical chakra slowly seeped out.
“Shizune.” “Go prepare the medicines we’ll need for the surgery.” “Yes!” Shizune glanced at Souji before hurrying outside.
… Outside the stone house, sunlight streamed through the clouds.
The Fourth Raikage stood at the entrance, his tall figure absolutely motionless, like a statue.
His gaze swept through the stone house and settled on the silver-haired boy.
The boy stood beside Tsunade, his eyes covered by a black cloth, making it impossible to read his expression.
But the way he stood…
The slight tilt of his head…
The way his fingers rested on the blind cane…
Every detail showed a stance ready to strike at any moment.
Even while observing and learning, his body remained vigilant.
The Fourth Raikage recalled the instant the boy had rushed into the clearing.
The timing.
The position.
The angle.
Every one of them had been perfect.
It definitely wasn’t luck.
The Fourth Raikage narrowed his eyes slightly.
Where had Tsunade found a boy like this?
Then he recalled the name the boy had given.
Yamada Souji.
He had never heard that name before.
Yet those covered eyes constantly gave him the unsettling feeling that he was the one being watched.
This kid was no ordinary shinobi.
The Fourth Raikage withdrew his gaze and looked toward the distant sky.