Night fell over Konoha.
"You… you…"
Shizune stared at Kitazawa, so stunned that she couldn't form a complete sentence.
"What is it, Shizune-senpai?" Kitazawa asked with a bright, innocent smile.
"…"
Shizune hesitated. Just last night, he had barely grasped the fundamentals of the anesthesia technique. But now, in less than 24 hours, he had completely mastered it.
That wasn't all. She could sense something else—his Yang Release chakra nature transformation had also grown significantly stronger.
"You really never studied medical ninjutsu before?" Tsunade, who had been quietly observing from the side, couldn't help but ask.
"No," Kitazawa replied. "I've read a few medical books now and then, but when it came to actual medical ninjutsu, there was no one around to teach me."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
Medical Ninjutsu wasn't something that could be self-taught easily. And with her status, it would be easy to verify his story. She could simply ask the village's medical ninja. In short, Kitazawa wouldn't dare lie.
"...That's enough medical ninjutsu for today. Go call Yuhi and Yakumo down," Tsunade said after a pause.
"Understood." Kitazawa nodded. It was time—Yakumo's fourth Ninjutsu was finally ready to be completed.
He turned and headed for the rooftop.
Back inside, Shizune finally snapped out of her daze.
"Lady Tsunade…" she muttered, questioning everything she knew. "Am I not a medical ninjutsu genius?"
"You are," Tsunade said honestly. "Your talent surpasses most medical ninja in the world."
She paused before adding, "But it still can't compare to Kitazawa's."
"…I know I can't match him," Shizune sighed, "but the gap is just…too wide."
Tsunade fell silent, thoughtful.
Logically speaking, someone like Kitazawa—so monstrously talented—should be reported to Hiruzen.
The Third Hokage would no doubt ask her to take him on as a student. It made sense: she was still technically suffering from hemophobia, which made her position as a medical ninja incomplete. Training a successor would be both practical and politically beneficial.
And besides, having her stay in the village would add countless intangible benefits.
But Tsunade's feelings toward Konoha were complicated… and unresolved.
So, for now, she would delay making any decisions.
On the rooftop, Kitazawa found Yakumo absorbed in her sketchpad.
But where was Kurenai?
He scanned the area and spotted her up in a tree, practicing the Rasengan.
"Kurenai," he called out with a wave.
She leapt down gracefully, landing in front of him with a soft rustle of her red dress.
Kitazawa's eyes lingered for a moment. 'Quite the view.'
"Don't even think about it," Kurenai said sharply, noticing his look.
"I wasn't thinking anything. You were." Kitazawa smirked and gave her thigh a quick pat. "Don't slander my innocence."
Kurenai's eyes widened. 'What kind of person deflects blame like that?'
Her fists clenched automatically as she scanned him for a target to exact revenge.
"Aren't you afraid Yakumo might see?" Kitazawa added smoothly, cutting her off.
"Tch. I'll let you off for now." Kurenai's crimson dress swirled with annoyance as she huffed.
But in the end, she still lifted her leg and gave him a playful stomp.
Kitazawa chuckled. 'Teasing her never gets old.'
And truth be told, Kurenai had grown used to his antics—and his casual touch.
The trio returned to the living room. Without wasting time, they dove into finalizing Yakumo's fourth Ninjutsu.
The moon rose high into the sky.
Normally, their sessions would wrap up by nine. Tonight, it stretched until ten.
"It's done!" Kurenai beamed, her face lighting up.
"Finally," Shizune sighed, stretching. "This one took way too long."
She wasn't technically part of the psychological-medical development team, but as Tsunade's assistant, she'd been involved throughout the process.
"What should we name it?" Tsunade asked, a rare hint of satisfaction on her face.
This was a complicated jutsu—easily B-rank in difficulty. She figured Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't get away with paying her just one million Ryo this time. He'd have to sweeten the deal.
The thought of more money—and the gambling opportunities that came with it—filled her with joy.
"What about the Memory Reconstruction Technique?" Kurenai suggested after a brief pause.
"But the jutsu's effect is to seal a memory," Shizune pointed out. "'Reconstruction' doesn't quite fit. 'Sealing' might be better."
"That works too," Kurenai agreed with a nod. No need to argue over semantics.
"Kitazawa, what do you think?" Shizune asked.
"I'm terrible at naming things," Kitazawa replied.
"Come on, just toss something out. It'll make you feel like part of the team," Shizune teased.
Kitazawa thought for a moment. "Since sealing memories is also sealing emotions... how about the Forgetful Emotion Technique?"
"…Let's just call it Memory Sealing Technique." Tsunade stood up abruptly. "That's enough for today."
"Lady Tsunade?" Kurenai asked, noticing the sudden shift in her mood.
Kitazawa also froze—he understood instantly.
The phrase forgetful emotion had touched on something buried deep in Tsunade's past.
"I'll go after her," Kitazawa said, stepping out.
Shizune noticed as well but chose to stay seated. She had tried comforting Tsunade many times before—without success.
'Maybe someone new could reach her in a way I couldn't.'
"Lady Tsunade," Kitazawa caught up to her outside.
She glanced back, frowning. "Why you? Where's Shizune?"
"I just…" Kitazawa started, then trailed off.
"…You're sharp," Tsunade muttered, turning her gaze to the night sky. Her expression grew distant. "You don't need to follow me. Go back."
"Where are you going this late?" Kitazawa asked evenly. "Maybe I can help."
"You can? Hmm… actually, yes." Her tone suddenly shifted. "Do you have any money on you?"
Kitazawa blinked. "You're heading to the casino?"
Of course she was. When people are hurting, they retreat into the things that bring them comfort.
"Is that a problem?" she asked, holding out her hand. "When Hiruzen pays me tomorrow, I'll pay you back."
"Lady Tsunade," Kitazawa said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Have you ever heard of drinking games for gamblers?"
"…Drinking games?" she raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"It's a game where you gamble… while drinking," he explained.
"There's a way to combine both?!" Tsunade's eyes lit up like fireworks.
Her two great loves merged into one glorious activity.
"Yes. There is." Kitazawa grinned. "My treat. Interested?"
"Let's go!" Tsunade didn't hesitate for even a second.
She grabbed his wrist and dragged him toward her favorite izakaya.
"Slow down, Lady Tsunade!"
Kitazawa barely had time to react, stumbling to keep up.
"You're a Special Jonin, aren't you? This should be nothing for your stamina," she said with a smirk. "Train your body more."
"…"
Kitazawa's mouth twitched. 'Easy for you to say—you're a Senju.'
"Just because you're a medical ninja doesn't mean you get to hide behind your teammates all the time," she said firmly. "A real medical ninja can also hold their own in battle."
"I know you're a top-tier Taijutsu user," Kitazawa replied with a blink. "So… will you teach me?"
"You really don't hold back, do you?" Tsunade grumbled. "We'll talk after you've finished learning medical ninjutsu."
With that, the two of them disappeared into the warm lights of the izakaya—one craving distraction, the other quietly observing the burdens behind one of the Legendary Sannin.
It was already late at night, and the izakaya sat mostly empty.
Tsunade strolled into a private room with the ease of a regular. Without hesitation, she ordered sake and a round of food. Clearly, this wasn't her first time here—the owner even brought her a complimentary plate of peanuts with a knowing smile.
"How do you play sake gambling?" she asked eagerly the moment she sat down, not even waiting for Kitazawa to take his seat.
Kitazawa's gaze flicked—unintentionally—toward her curvy, well-proportioned figure. When it came to maturity, there were few kunoichi in the entire shinobi world who could rival Tsunade.
"It's actually pretty simple. Just a finger-guessing game," Kitazawa explained. "We both show a number with our fingers and call out what we think the total will be. If you guess the right sum, you win. The loser drinks."
Tsunade leaned in with interest. "Sounds fun. Show me how it's done."
Kitazawa raised both hands. "It's played with ten fingers."
Tsunade nodded in approval. "I like it. Clever idea, kid."
To her, this wasn't just a game of chance—it was a battle of wits and perception. The kind of gambling that excited her, especially with good sake on the line. Win or lose, she was already hooked.
A moment later, the izakaya owner returned with their order. "Please enjoy."
Tsunade stood abruptly, removing her tea-green jacket to reveal a sleeveless top beneath. She leaned forward and grabbed the sake pot, expertly pouring two cups. The necklace resting on her chest swayed gently with her movements, catching Kitazawa's eye.
This must be the moment that necklace is most envied, he thought.
"Stop gawking," she snapped, smirking. "Come on!"
Kitazawa raised his hands in surrender. "Go easy on me, Lady Tsunade. I don't handle alcohol well."
"Oh? I love watching lightweights get drunk." Her smile turned teasing.
"Then I guess I'll just have to beat you," he said, more serious now.
"You?" Tsunade scoffed. "I'll win for sure. Let's begin!"
But the universe seemed determined to remind her of one undeniable truth: when it came to gambling, Tsunade never won.
"Damn it!" she growled after downing her twelfth cup of sake. Her cheeks were already flushed, her voice starting to slur.
"Lady Tsunade, maybe I should drink one with you," Kitazawa offered, reaching for his cup.
Before he could lift it, she suddenly grabbed his wrist.
"You… what are you doing?"
She leaned forward again, and the neckline of her top dipped low, revealing an even more generous view.
Did someone just turn on a flash?
Kitazawa instinctively looked away.
"I give up!" she muttered. "No need to drink with me. Let's keep going!"
With no way out, Kitazawa resigned himself to another round.
"You're a lucky one tonight," Tsunade said with a chuckle, her voice husky and rich with alcohol. Her body swayed, mature and magnetic.
"Don't just drink, Lady Tsunade. Eat something too," Kitazawa advised gently.
He sighed inwardly. Lucky? More like your luck is terrible.
"Such a nag," Tsunade grumbled, slapping the table. "Drinking should be done boldly!"
"Yes, ma'am." Kitazawa picked up some chicken with his chopsticks and offered it to her.
Tsunade hesitated, then opened her lips and bit into it.
After a few chews, she swallowed and murmured, "The last person to feed me like this… was Nawaki."
Her eyes lowered, gaze falling to the sake cup in her hand. Her voice softened. "He didn't feed me out of kindness. My cooking was so awful, he couldn't bear to suffer alone."
Kitazawa raised his cup. "Some things can't be undone… but not everything is beyond repair. Lady Tsunade, you should keep looking forward."
"What do you know?" she snapped, turning her eyes to him sharply.
"I don't," Kitazawa admitted. "My parents died early. I never really experienced the loss of someone that close."
Tsunade was silent for a beat. Then, without a word, she took another drink.
Only then did she remember—Kitazawa had been alone since childhood.
"The food will get cold if you don't eat," he said gently.
"You're so annoying," she huffed, but still took the chopsticks from his hand.
She put down her cup, shoveled some food into her mouth, and chewed aggressively. Her cheeks puffed slightly like a sulky squirrel.
"Nawaki… was that his name?" Kitazawa asked, pouring her another drink.
"You know him?"
"I've heard of him," he said honestly. "But not much."
"He was cheerful. Bright. Always dreamed of being Hokage…" she began.
The sake was forgotten as she spoke, and once the floodgates opened, she couldn't stop. She hadn't talked about Nawaki in years—and now the memories came spilling out.
Kitazawa simply listened. His patience was remarkable. And since the original story never went into much detail about Nawaki, it was like getting access to a lost chapter.
Eventually, her voice faltered. "That's… that's it. His time was so short…"
She stood abruptly, grabbed the sake bottle, and tipped it back. The clear liquid spilled from the corner of her lips, trailing down her neck and vanishing beneath her top.
She slammed the bottle down and looked at him with a dazed, drunken stare.
Kitazawa met her gaze with quiet calm.
Tsunade's heart skipped—just a little.
"It's late, Lady Tsunade," he said softly. "Let me take you home."
"…Yeah," she mumbled. "Time to go."
She turned to leave.
"Your clo—"
Bang.
She walked straight into the door.
Clutching her forehead, she cursed, "Who the hell hit me?!"
Kitazawa bit back a laugh as she fumbled with the door.
"What are you laughing at? Come help me!"
"Yes, Lady Tsunade."
He stepped ahead, opened the door.
"There! Take that for hitting me!" she barked, kicking the door before stumbling out.
Shaking his head, Kitazawa grabbed her jacket and followed.
Tsunade wasn't walking straight, so he caught up in no time, handing her the jacket and gently grasping her wrist to keep her steady.
"Did you… pay?" she mumbled.
"You don't skip out on bills?" he teased.
"Skip out? I never skip out on the bill!" she declared, slapping his back.
"What about all those IOUs stacked up with Shizune?"
"…She told you that? Outrageous!"
"I saw them by accident," he said quickly. "It wasn't her fault."
"Those were… given willingly!" she muttered, biting her finger.
Kitazawa didn't argue. Technically, she wasn't wrong.
"Enough. Don't ask me anything else." Her body wavered before leaning into him. "Take me home…"
He steadied her by the waist, and she leaned in, resting her full weight against him.
The smell of sake and her natural scent mixed, her warm breath brushing against his neck.
Kitazawa swallowed and continued walking.
When they reached the house, the door opened.
"You two…" Shizune blinked, eyes wide, as she stared at Tsunade clinging to Kitazawa like a sleepy cat.
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