Chapter 47: Persuading Tsunade
Nan never intended to truly defeat Tsunade in this fight. They had agreed that if Tsunade used her second finger, it counted as his victory.
In reality, Tsunade had already used both hands, but Nan couldn't stop now to accuse her of breaking the rules.
His goal wasn't to win the battle, but to demonstrate his determination to defend the honor of the Hokage and his dream of becoming Hokage, hoping Tsunade would notice.
In the original story, Naruto won Tsunade's favor by doing just that.
So Nan planned to use a similar method to gain Tsunade's goodwill.
Whether Tsunade returned to Konoha was of little importance to Nan; he only wanted to learn the finest medical ninjutsu from her.
Of course, giving up after just one fall wasn't acceptable—it wouldn't show his resolve—so Nan's performance had to continue.
He rose from the ground, battered and bruised, propping himself up with his hands and shakily standing again.
His gaze remained firm; he showed no confusion despite the failed attack and readied himself once more.
Seeing Nan stand up again, Tsunade couldn't help but admire him.
"Not bad, kid. You've got guts."
At that moment, Shizune lost patience and scolded Tsunade:
"Lady Tsunade, didn't you say you'd only use one finger? You just used both fists; according to the agreement, you lost. Please come back to Konoha with us as promised."
Nan was secretly delighted—he had been waiting for someone to say that. With this support, he could continue his act:
"It doesn't matter, Shizune. I never cared about any agreement. I just want to teach this person who disrespects the Hokage a lesson. I won't give up until I've knocked her down."
Tsunade's breath caught hearing Shizune's words, realizing she had indeed lost by using both hands.
According to the agreement, she was supposed to apologize to Nan and return to Konoha.
But hearing that Nan wanted to continue fighting, she quickly thought up an excuse to save face.
"Alright, kid, you're right—ninja battles aren't about agreements. To truly decide a winner, you must show real skill.
But since I said I'd only use one finger, and I defeated you with both fists, let's call it a draw."
Minato exclaimed happily, "So, Lady Tsunade, will you come back to Konoha with us?"
Tsunade wasn't unwilling to return but had her own unspeakable difficulties. She stubbornly said:
"I said I'd return only if he defeated me. He hasn't; it's just a draw. I don't have to keep the promise to come back to Konoha."
Before Minato could respond, Shizune yelled at Tsunade:
"There's no such thing like this! You're just making excuses.
You already lost by using both fists—now you want to renege on your promise?"
Hearing Shizune, Tsunade blushed and could only say:
"Returning to Konoha is impossible now. But I can help with the Sand's poison problem. Send me the virus samples, and I can help develop an antidote."
Minato was initially disappointed Tsunade refused to return, but hearing her willingness to help develop the antidote eased his mind.
Though they failed to bring Tsunade back, her participation meant the antidote's development would proceed smoothly.
Konoha's manpower shortage would soon be alleviated—a good outcome.
Minato quickly handed Tsunade a scroll:
"Lady Tsunade, inside are the virus data and samples. To speed up the antidote's development, we brought the virus samples and main research with us.
We hope that if you're unable to return immediately, you can start working on the antidote right away."
Tsunade took the scroll, unsealed it, revealing another larger scroll and a small vial.
She picked up the vial containing the poison, examined it, then began studying the data on the scroll.
At this moment, Nan spoke up:
"Hey, Lady Tsunade, you haven't apologized for insulting the Hokage yet. That means our battle isn't over. Let's continue."
Nan persisted, but Tsunade, realizing she had lost, didn't want to fight anymore.
Since she was clearly in the wrong, she weakly said:
"Okay, okay, I was wrong. Not all Hokage are idiots. Is that better?"
Nan inwardly murmured that this wasn't quite what he had planned.
He originally wanted to keep provoking Tsunade, making her angry, continuing the fight until he was thrown down again and rose once more.
Only with such repeated struggles would Tsunade be thoroughly moved by his resilience and finally insist on taking him as her disciple to pass on her legacy.
But the fight ended after only one fall. Since Tsunade apologized, Nan had no reason to provoke further.
Nan's dedication to the Hokage stirred something in Tsunade.
Years ago, her brother and lover had been the same way. She was moved by them, giving them the necklace she inherited from her grandfather—yet they soon died after receiving the gifts.
Looking at Nan now, Tsunade seemed to see her brother's shadow in him.
Though they looked nothing alike, Nan's tone when speaking of the Hokage was exactly the same as Nawaki's when he had described his dream of becoming Hokage, leaving Tsunade with a complex expression.
She glanced at the poison sample and Konoha's research data. Having dealt with Chiyo of the Sand, Tsunade immediately recognized the poison as Chiyo's handiwork.
Chiyo's poison was no easy matter—she had spent much effort to crack it during the Second Great Ninja War.
Nan actually possessed the ability to treat this poison, which surprised Tsunade.
Especially Nan's method—Delicate Illness Extraction Technique.—a highly advanced medical ninjutsu; ordinary medical ninjas couldn't learn it without a good teacher.
So she asked Nan, "Who is your medical ninjutsu teacher?"
Nan was stunned, not expecting the question; he answered truthfully:
"I learned from my mother since childhood—her name is Uchiha Saki."
"Told you," Tsunade said. "This kid really is Saki's son."
Saki was her junior and a distant cousin on her maternal side; in other words, Nan was also her nephew.
Having confirmed Nan's identity and relation, Tsunade had an idea. She turned to Minato:
"I won't return to Konoha. You can tell the Third Hokage that.
But tell Shizune and this kid to stay as my assistants and help me finish the antidote.
Once it's complete, I'll let them bring it back."
Upon hearing Tsunade wanted to keep Nan as an assistant, he was delighted.
Shizune was obviously going to become Tsunade's disciple now; with Tsunade keeping him as well, it was very likely he would also have that chance.
Perhaps his earlier performance had some effect, or Nan's mother's relationship with Tsunade was closer than he had imagined.
Minato, knowing Tsunade's connection with these two children, guessed that Tsunade intended to take them both as disciples.
Hearing Tsunade's instructions, Minato immediately agreed:
"In that case, I'll take Kakashi back first."
Then he said to Nan and Shizune:
"You two assist Lady Tsunade in completing the antidote.
I'll report this to the Third Hokage when I return—I'm sure he'll be very pleased."
(End of chapter)