Night had fallen over the Hidden Leaf Village.
The lamps outside Tsunade's residence flickered softly as the last bit of evening light faded.
Shizune stared at Kitazawa, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Y–You…!"
Kitazawa tilted his head with a calm smile. "What's wrong, Shizune-senpai?"
"You—" Shizune started, then stopped herself. She couldn't quite find the words.
Just last night, Kitazawa hadn't yet mastered the fundamentals of the Anesthetic Technique…
and now, in less than a day, he'd learned it completely.
Even more shocking was his improvement in controlling Yang Release chakra.
His growth rate was unnatural.
Tsunade finally broke her silence. "You're saying you've never studied Medical Ninjutsu before?"
Kitazawa nodded seriously. "No. I've only read a few medical texts on my own. But as for actual jutsu… I never had anyone to teach me."
That statement wasn't easy to doubt.
Only a trained medical-ninja could properly teach such techniques, and Tsunade was the head of Konoha's medical division.
If she wanted to confirm, she could simply ask the hospital.
There was no reason for Kitazawa to lie.
After a moment's thought, Tsunade said, "That's enough for today's lesson. Go call Kurenai and Yakumo down."
"Yes, ma'am." Kitazawa nodded and turned toward the stairs.
Shizune finally exhaled, muttering, "Am I… really not the genius of Medical Ninjutsu after all?"
Tsunade gave a small smile. "Your talent surpasses most people, Shizune. But compared to Kitazawa… it's on a different level."
Shizune sighed. "That gap's too big…"
Tsunade fell silent, thinking deeply.
Someone like Kitazawa — with chakra control and aptitude beyond anything she'd seen in years — should have been reported to the Third Hokage immediately.
But she knew how Sarutobi Hiruzen would respond: he'd order her to take Kitazawa as her direct apprentice.
Partly to train another elite medical-nin, and partly… to keep Tsunade in the village longer.
Yet Tsunade's heart toward the Leaf was still complicated.
She hadn't decided if she truly wanted to stay.
So, for now, she decided to wait.
Kitazawa climbed up to the rooftop and found Yakumo Kurama painting under the moonlight.
Kurenai, however, was nowhere in sight — until he spotted her near a tree, training alone.
She was practicing the Rasengan — her chakra swirling wildly but unstable.
"Kurenai!" Kitazawa waved.
She turned sharply, landed gracefully in front of him, and straightened her crimson outfit.
Her eyes gleamed with focus. "What's the matter?"
"Sensei wants everyone downstairs," Kitazawa said lightly.
Kurenai nodded, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.
"Let's go."
Together, they joined Yakumo and headed back inside.
The group gathered once more in the living room, surrounding a scroll-covered table.
Their task tonight: finalizing Yakumo's Fourth Technique.
Hours passed quickly. The moon climbed high.
By the time they finished, it was already past ten.
"We did it!" Kurenai smiled, exhaustion mixing with pride.
Shizune sighed in relief. "That one took far too long."
Tsunade folded her arms, expression softening. "A B-rank technique, at least. Not bad."
She smirked faintly. "Maybe I should make the old man pay more than a million ryō this time."
Kurenai tilted her head. "We should give it a name, then."
Shizune thought for a moment. "The technique seals off parts of a person's memory. How about Memory Seal Jutsu?"
"Sounds right to me," Kurenai said. "Simple and clear."
"What about you, Kitazawa?" Shizune asked.
"I'm not good at naming things," he replied with a small shrug.
"Come on, give it a try," she teased. "You helped perfect it."
Kitazawa paused in thought. "If it seals memory to numb emotion… then maybe Art of Forgetting Pain?"
The room fell quiet for a second.
Tsunade's eyes darkened. That word — forgetting — had touched something deep inside her.
She stood suddenly. "We'll stick with Memory Seal Jutsu. I'm calling it a night."
Kurenai frowned slightly. "Tsunade-sama, are you alright?"
Kitazawa blinked, realizing what had happened. The mention of "forgetting" must have stirred memories Tsunade tried to bury.
He stood. "I'll check on her."
Shizune hesitated, then stayed behind. She'd tried comforting Tsunade many times before — maybe Kitazawa could reach her in a different way.
Outside, under the cool night air, Kitazawa caught up to Tsunade.
"Tsunade-sama."
She stopped, not turning around. "You? Where's Shizune?"
"She stayed behind," Kitazawa said softly.
Tsunade sighed. "You're quick to catch on… But you don't need to follow me."
"Where are you heading this late?" he asked calmly. "Maybe I can help."
Tsunade frowned, then suddenly smirked. "You got money on you?"
"…Money?"
"We're going to the casino," she said flatly.
Kitazawa wasn't surprised. People sought comfort in familiar vices. For Tsunade, that meant gambling.
She waved a hand. "Relax. Once the Hokage pays tomorrow, I'll return it."
Kitazawa chuckled faintly. "Then how about we make it interesting? Ever heard of 'drinking wagers'?"
Tsunade blinked. "Drinking… wagers?"
"It's simple," Kitazawa explained. "You gamble and drink at the same time. A small game to lighten the mood."
Tsunade's eyes lit up — truly lit up.
To her, combining sake and gambling sounded like perfection. "You're on!"
Before he could react, she grabbed him by the wrist and dragged him down the street.
"Try to keep up, kid. You call yourself a special jonin?"
Kitazawa winced, half-laughing. You've got Senju blood. I don't.
"Remember this, Kitazawa," Tsunade said as they walked. "A true medical-ninja isn't one who hides behind comrades. A true healer must be able to stand and fight!"
"Yes, ma'am. I'll remember that," Kitazawa replied, smiling faintly. "Maybe someday you'll teach me Taijutsu yourself."
"Hah! Bold of you to ask." Tsunade smirked. "Master your Medical Ninjutsu first."
They reached a quiet izakaya. The place was empty this late at night.
Tsunade led him straight to a private booth, ordered drinks and food without hesitation, and even got a free plate of peanuts from the owner — clearly, she was a regular.
"So," she said, sitting cross-legged. "How's this 'drinking wager' work?"
"It's simple," Kitazawa said. "We play by numbers with our fingers — whoever guesses the total right wins. Loser drinks."
Tsunade grinned. "Not bad. Strategy and luck. I like it."
They began playing, laughter breaking the silence of the night.
But as expected… no matter the game, Tsunade could never win when it came to gambling.
"Ugh! Unbelievable!" she groaned, downing yet another cup of sake.
Kitazawa chuckled softly. "Easy there, Tsunade-sama. Don't drink too fast."
"Don't tell me what to do," she muttered, though her expression had softened.
Her words slowed, her tone gentler.
Kitazawa poured her another drink and spoke quietly.
"Some things can't be changed, but not everything from the past needs to chain us."
Tsunade froze for a heartbeat, the glass halfway to her lips.
She looked at him, eyes unfocused, then sighed. "…You wouldn't understand."
"Maybe not," Kitazawa said honestly. "My parents died when I was little. I don't really know what it's like to lose someone close after years together."
Tsunade didn't reply. She simply took another sip, eyes downcast.
He gave a small, reassuring smile. "Eat something before it gets cold."
"Persistent brat," she grumbled — but took the chopsticks anyway.
The tension in the air eased a little as they shared quiet conversation and food.
Eventually, Kitazawa asked softly, "The one you mentioned earlier… was it Nawaki?"
Tsunade looked up sharply. "You know his name?"
"I've heard of him," Kitazawa replied. "Not much beyond that."
Her gaze softened. "He was… a bright kid. Always smiling. Said he'd be Hokage one day…"
For a long while, she talked — about her little brother, about dreams cut short, and memories that time couldn't erase.
It had been years since she'd spoken about him to anyone.
Kitazawa didn't interrupt once. He simply listened. Patiently. Quietly.
Finally, Tsunade fell silent.
"The story's… already over, huh?" she murmured, voice trembling just slightly.
She finished her last drink and set the cup down, her shoulders heavy.
Kitazawa stood, voice gentle. "It's late, Tsunade-sama. Let me walk you home."
She hesitated, then nodded wordlessly. "...Alright."
On the way back, she stumbled once, bumping lightly into a doorframe. "Ow—! Who put that there?!"
Kitazawa couldn't help laughing quietly. "This way, Tsunade-sama."
"Don't just stand there! Open the door!"
"Yes, ma'am."
He helped her back to her quarters safely.
Shizune opened the door just as they arrived — her eyes widening at the sight of the two of them together.
"T-Tsunade-sama! You're back!"
Tsunade waved her off tiredly. "I'm fine… just tired."
Kitazawa handed over her green coat. "She just needs rest."
As Shizune guided her inside, Kitazawa exhaled softly.
He glanced up at the moonlight streaming through the paper windows and thought quietly to himself:
Even the strongest hearts need someone to listen sometimes.