Big and beautiful.
This was Aomi's first impression of Tsunade.
It wasn't that Aomi was shallow; it was just that her external features were quite prominent, to the point where even the Sharingan found it difficult to resist this great Genjutsu.
"Very interested indeed. Medical Ninjutsu can help comrades, allowing them to better realize their talents and survive on the battlefield..." Aomi said slowly, locking eyes with Tsunade's beautiful brown gaze.
"Kid, the battlefield only leads to tragic fates for everyone; medical Ninjutsu cannot save anyone..."
Tsunade's eyes reflected a trace of disdain and sorrow, as she coldly said, "Judging by your age, you must be fifteen or sixteen, right? How can you still be so naive? Don't tell me you're another idiot who wants to be Hokage?"
"You're also an Uchiha. I'm not even sure what to say about you..."
After the Second Shinobi World War, following the tragic deaths of her brother Nawaki and Katou Dan, Tsunade not only developed hemophobia but also developed a strong aversion to becoming Hokage, thinking only fools would want the position.
Senju Tobirama silently watched his beloved granddaughter, the joy that had been in his heart moments ago suddenly vanished.
What could have happened to make Tsunade say such despairing words and hold such a prejudice against the Hokage?
What worried Senju Tobirama even more was that he saw a hint of world-weariness in Tsunade's eyes...
After Tsunade finished speaking, Might Guy, Might Duy, Nohara Rin, and Shisui were all shocked, looking at her as no one expected Konoha's Sannin, the student of the Third Hokage, to utter such rebellious words.
This really doesn't align with the Will of Fire!
"I have no desire to be Hokage, only to protect the people around me," Aomi said, shaking his head slowly.
"Hmph, naive kid..." Tsunade snorted indifferently, staring unabashedly at Aomi's Sharingan, then glanced over at Nohara Rin, a trace of shock crossing her mind.
Could it be that the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan could be used this way?
A little girl without even a ninja headband could so easily master Mystical Palm Jutsu with the help of the Sharingan...
Tsunade recalled the idea she once proposed—adding a medical ninja to each squad to ensure higher survival rates for ninjas.
If only there could be help from the Sharingan...
But as soon as this thought surfaced, Tsunade discarded it. From Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, to Nawaki, the important people around her kept dying, leaving her too weary to even contemplate.
"What's your name?" After receiving Aomi's answer, Tsunade said slowly, "Show me your Mystical Palm Jutsu. Medical Ninjutsu is not a simple jutsu; a crude grasp of it will only worsen patients' injuries."
"He's Aomi, my lifelong rival!" Might Guy shouted at Tsunade with a frown, "Aomi's green jutsu are not crude; he uses them very well!"
"Someone like you, auntie, wouldn't understand the bonds of our youth!"
Auntie—
Tsunade's eyes narrowed slightly, a dangerous glint of killing intent appearing within them.
"Tsunade-sister, please guide me. I apologize for the trouble." Aomi subtly kicked Might Guy and stood in front of him, amassing exquisite Medical Chakra in his hands.
"You little brat speak more sensibly..." Tsunade snorted, glancing fiercely at the bewildered Might Guy before seriously observing Aomi's Mystical Palm Jutsu.
However, soon Tsunade's observation grew more serious, the redness on her face gradually dissipating, leaving her stunned.
Even with the same jutsu, different people could have drastically different feel to its usage, especially for Mystical Palm Jutsu, which requires extremely precise Chakra control.
But Aomi's Mystical Palm Jutsu gave Tsunade a feeling of both familiarity and unfamiliarity, causing her to fall into deep thought.
Aomi watched Tsunade with a smile, even a hint of tenderness in his eyes.
Tsunade stared blankly at Aomi, her mind drifting back thirty years.
Back then, she was just a little girl, younger than Nohara Rin.
Sitting atop her granduncle's desk, causing a ruckus, while the gentle and resigned Senju Tobirama could only appease her patiently, teaching her the Mystical Palm Jutsu by hand.
Truly, those were the carefree days of Tsunade's life.
But soon, the nightmare began.
Her loved ones died one by one in battle, and her childhood companions and mentors gradually became strangers—some following the toad's prophecy, others pursuing eternal life, still others obsessed with balancing politics...
Only Tsunade was left, wandering this unfamiliar Ninja World.
"You..." It took a long while for Tsunade to come back to reality, her expression complex as she gazed at Aomi's Sharingan and caring eyes, involuntarily musing:
"So much like him, truly."
Yet Aomi's Sharingan reminded Tsunade of the differences between them, making her feel a sense of absurdity and humor.
If granduncle knew she thought an Uchiha kid was so much like him, would he storm out of the Pure Land to scold her?
If it were possible, Tsunade wouldn't mind if that happened.
"Your Mystical Palm Jutsu is well-learned and you have great talent..." Tsunade sighed helplessly, her hands emitting a glow as she said gently:
"But you can still improve. Let me demonstrate the nature transformation of Yang Release Chakra; watch carefully."
Tsunade's Mystical Palm Jutsu shifted in form; when it came to the application of Medical Ninjutsu, she was confident that not even Senju Tobirama, who taught her, could surpass her now.
Aomi nodded, the tomoe in his eyes spinning, keenly observing Tsunade's entire Chakra flow.
This was the Uchiha's talent.
[Ninjutsu Inventor (Senju Tobirama version)]: You have immense capacity for learning and modifying most jutsus.
This was the Senju's talent.
With the combination of both abilities, Aomi effortlessly simulated Tsunade's specialized Mystical Palm Jutsu, smiling as he said to her, "Is it like this?"
Just as Tsunade broke free from her earlier illusion, she found herself confused again.
As a child, whenever Tsunade thought of a little trick to show off to Senju Tobirama, she would encounter such a scene.
Her extraordinarily gifted granduncle could instantly replicate her jutsu, then gently pat her head.
"...I have nothing left to teach you, Aomi brat."
Tsunade exhaled deeply, rudely yet sincerely eyeing Aomi's features before swiftly turning away, with inexplicable tears gleaming in her eyes.
This was both from the catalyst of alcohol and a true reflection of her lonely heart.
Aomi silently watched her receding figure.
Meanwhile, Senju Tobirama couldn't hold back any longer: "Aomi, tell me, what has happened to Tsunade?"