By the time Sukuna arrived back at the Konoha hospital, he found the same old welcome from his old-time colleagues as he always did, full of helplessness and a bit too handsy at times before he ran away.
He mostly didn't mind, since all of them were women in their 20s or 30s. Though it could get a bit annoying, especially when he wasn't even planning on running away. They just jumped on him before he could even say anything.
Once again, he found himself being dragged to that old man Aizawa's office. He could only sigh at his own situation.
Sukuna knew something was wrong the moment he stepped into the office. For once, the old man wasn't alone.
Seated across from Aizawa, legs crossed with casual authority, was Tsunade of all people in full glory, arms folded, expression sharp, honey-colored eyes already locked onto Sukuna the moment he entered. Sukuna could practically sense her stiffening or her jaw tightening the moment she saw him.
'Seems like the prior engagement between us has left her with resentment. Makes sense, since I did threaten to kill both her and Shizune back then. After that, even when we met, it was in front of the Hokage, and we didn't talk personally.' Sukuna pursed his lips, now seriously wondering why this old man had this ancient lady scamming as a young woman in his office.
"Well," she said, gaze sweeping over him. Seems like Sukuna stared a bit too much.
Sukuna stopped just inside the door. "…Why is she here."
Aizawa beamed like a child who'd successfully ambushed his parents. "Ah, Sukuna! Perfect timing. Come in, come in."
'Perfect timing my ass, you called me here, old man…!'
Sukuna didn't move. His eyes narrowed. "You didn't answer."
Tsunade snorted. "I would like to ask the same."
Aizawa waved dismissively. "Now, now. No need to be rude. Show some respect—this is Senju Tsunade."
"I know who she is," Sukuna muttered, now certain her being here wasn't a coincidence. "I wanna know why she is here!"
Tsunade raised a brow. "He's charming. Isn't he," almost snorting.
Aizawa leaned forward eagerly. "Lady Tsunade, I've told you—this boy is a bit rude. But please overlook that, his talent is extraordinary. I taught him everything I know about healing, and he surpassed me before he was even aware he was doing it."
Sukuna shot him a look. "Don't put it that way, old man, I might eat away at your job!"
"And look how far that got you!" Aizawa said proudly, not even registering that little cheek.
Tsunade sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Aizawa. For the last two months, you've followed me through the hospital, the archives, and once into the bathing corridor—"
"Ahem— that was an honest mistake, Tsunade-sama, I swear I didn't mean to," Aizawa coughed.
Tsunade didn't wish to hear the long list of apologies again and just waved her hand, motioning him that she knew already…
"—trying to convince me to take him as a disciple," Tsunade continued flatly. "I've said no. Repeatedly."
Sukuna blinked. "Two months?"
Aizawa nodded enthusiastically. "Persistence is the mark of a true medical shinobi."
"It's the mark of a stalker," Tsunade corrected.
"No wonder you attend all the patients who are young girls or women personally, you're a bigger pervert than I thought…"
Slam…
Before Sukuna knew it, a fist came down on his head by an infuriated Aizawa, but the old doctor didn't say anything, still only focused on Tsunade.
Tsunade looked back at Sukuna, her expression more serious now. "I know what he is capable of. I have heard about him enough ever since I came back, not only from you but practically everyone. His healing method is… unconventional but potent."
Tsunade paused there. Though she never planned to take him as a disciple, recalling that absurd healing he did back on Kurenai had her curious as well. She wished to see it one more time.
Being the number one medical expert in the Elemental Nations, she knew everything there was to know about medical jutsu, and yet she couldn't think of any way to heal someone else like how he did it.
Healing oneself, yeah, possible with her 100 Healing Mark. But to heal someone else like that. It was impossible, mainly because technically a healer only simulates the healing; it was the patient's body which actually did the healing. And normal people were just not capable of healing like that.
No matter what kind of healing technique she tried, she always found that impossible, until she saw this brat doing it.
"Thank you, I guess," Sukuna said dryly.
"That's exactly why I don't see what I could teach you," she continued. "You don't need refinement. If anything, you could use some restraint." She snarked, earning Sukuna's irritation.
Aizawa slapped the desk. "Exactly! Who better to teach restraint than you?"
Sukuna groaned. "I think I feel like I'm getting completely sidelined for what seems to be an important decision of my life..." he said with dry humor.
Aizawa glanced at the boy just for a second. "Huh… what do you know, brat! It's called elders looking out for their silly little juniors. Now shut up and stand straight."
Aizawa clasped his hands together. "So! You'll at least consider it?"
Tsunade glanced at Sukuna, who was sighing hard. He didn't blow up only because he knew the man meant well for him, and Tsunade too couldn't say anything, since Aizawa was also a long-time friend. This was the first time he was asking for something.
She once more glanced at him, eyes sharp, curious. "This is just a meeting. Nothing more."
Sukuna sighed at this.
"However, I'm here until the Chunin Exam. That old man somehow convinced me to stay until then. So, during this time, come by to the hospital. Let's see how much of what Aizawa said holds weight…" She said with a smirk.
Sukuna blinked. Why did she suddenly change her track? He honestly thought she'd outright dismiss the request.
Little did he know that Tsunade wished to know about his RTC from him.
"Excellent, he'll be there, you leave that to me." Aizawa showed a big smile and clapped his hands together, determined to ship this relationship together no matter the case.
—-<>—-
Rain tapped steadily against the stone spires of Amegakure as Black Zetsu emerged from the wall of the tower like a stain crawling out of darkness.
Pain stood at the center of the chamber, unmoving. Konan was beside him, folding paper cranes with practiced calm.
"We've lost contact with Kakuzu," Zetsu said.
The paper cranes stopped mid-fold.
Pain turned his head slightly. Still completely indifferent, he asked, "Explain."
Zetsu's black half rippled. "Kakuzu and Hidan were pursuing that bounty hunter Kakuzu had informed us about. The one called Ryomen."
Konan frowned. "The masked one?"
"Yes," Zetsu replied. "They found him."
Pain's eyes narrowed. "And?"
"Kakuzu attempted to recruit him," Zetsu continued. "Ryomen refused."
Konan sighed. "They all do..."
Zetsu nodded. "A fight broke out. Kakuzu engaged him directly. Hidan did not intervene—he only observed."
Pain was silent for a moment. "And the outcome?"
"That is the problem," Zetsu said. "Beyond that point, we know nothing."
Konan turned fully now. "Nothing?"
"Kakuzu vanished," Zetsu said. "So did Ryomen. In the middle of the fight."
Pain faced him completely. "Vanished how?"
"No remains. No chakra signatures. No bodies," Zetsu replied. "We attempted to trace them. There are no lingering signs of combat beyond the initial clash."
Konan's eyes sharpened. "What about Hidan?"
Zetsu shrugged. "The idiot waited there for an entire day thinking Kakuzu would be back, then when he wasn't, he got free reign. He ended up killing a bunch of people for his god. He claims Ryomen simply disappeared. One moment Kakuzu was fighting him, the next—both were gone."
Pain was quiet. The rain outside seemed louder.
Konan let out a short breath. "So we've lost a member, or at least contact with one, because of a bounty hunter."
Pain raised his hand slightly. The room fell still.
"Find him," he said. "Both of them. I want both Kakuzu and that bounty hunter's location."
Konan nodded. "What are your orders?"
"We will search for both," Pain said. "Tell the other teams to keep an eye out."
Zetsu's grin widened. "What about Kakuzu's vacancy?"
"Yes," Pain replied. "If Ryomen can erase Kakuzu from the field, then he is no longer just a bounty hunter. He joins. However, until then, try finding more people."
"And what about Tobi, how come he hasn't come back after all this time?" Pain's eyes narrowed.
When Obito was in a coma, Tobi (the White Zetsu clone of Obito) was still covering for him. But his appearance was minimal at best, so Pain didn't find him out.
"He'll be back soon. Got other things he's up to," Zetsu said, internally lamenting Obito's fickle behavior. Even after waking up, he was being a brat.
Konan's paper cranes unfolded, taking flight around the room. "Akatsuki will watch for him."
"If you can't find Kakuzu or Ryomen, Tobi will be taking that role. Make sure he is back," Pain said with an irritated tone.
"Understood!"
xXx
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