"Tsunade, can you create a form of medical Chakra that's universally applicable?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his eyes and looked at her directly.
"That part isn't a problem. I've already considered it. If it's meant for military use, it has to be broad-spectrum. Hemostasis, wound healing, sterilization. Trying to narrow it into specialized fields isn't realistic right now…"
"I've already completed the relevant formula."
She straightened unconsciously. "Ever since you said you supported my medical work, I haven't really slept these past few months. I've been buried in medical texts."
"I guarantee the formula is mature. Orochimaru and I tested it together."
Orochimaru inclined his head slightly. "Her drive exceeded even my expectations…"
Hiruzen felt a quiet stir in his chest.
He truly believed Tsunade's love of gambling made her unsuitable for the Hokage's seat.
But her love for the village was real.
She didn't lack money. She didn't crave the title of Hokage.
The only thing sustaining that kind of relentless effort was her pure devotion to Konoha, and the lingering regret over the loved ones she had lost.
Given that, her impatience after a breakthrough was understandable.
This had always been her dream.
Those who act for the public good shine on their own, Hiruzen thought.
"You've worked hard, Tsunade. On behalf of every ninja in the village, I thank you."
She blinked, caught off guard. A faint sting rose behind her eyes.
"You've worked hard too, Sensei," she murmured.
He continued, "If this medical Chakra is stabilized at a very low output and fixed into an object, could it produce a harmless, beneficial effect on a healthy person?"
Medical Chakra, as the name implied, was Chakra produced through medical ninjutsu.
But once it entered the body, more was not automatically better just because it was called "medical."
Even medicine could become poison.
"It's possible…"
"But that would make its effects similar to the Sage Land Pill. It wouldn't mean much on the battlefield."
Tsunade hesitated, then exhaled. "I got ahead of myself earlier. I was too excited."
"Even if I simplified the formula, medical ninjutsu is structurally complex. There's still a gap between understanding it and applying it properly. It requires a lot of repetitive practice."
Calmer now, she spoke with the precision of a professional.
What did it mean to truly master a jutsu?
Take the Fire Style: Great Fireball. Spitting out a small flame and unleashing a sea of fire that could scorch the earth both counted as performing it.
Medical ninjutsu was no different. Many ninja could release a trace amount. But if the output was too low, it meant nothing in real combat.
Knowing it and not knowing it became the same thing.
"So you're saying that with enough repetition, they can master it, and the effect can be integrated with the Sage Land Pill?"
When Tsunade nodded, Hiruzen's eyes brightened.
"Excellent."
"I was just considering how to cultivate industrial ninja for large-scale military Medical Scroll production."
"This solves the problem."
Tsunade frowned slightly, puzzled.
Hiruzen explained, "We incorporate a small, controlled amount of medical Chakra into the Sage Land Pill. Training through production."
"That fifteen-person production team, based on the dosage Orochimaru designed and accounting for defect rates, needs to produce around fifteen pills per person per day. And that's just the beginning."
"These health supplements for the nobles will become their training ground."
He smiled faintly. "And it's not even exploitation. For the nobles, this is more than worth the price. It's something they'll feel compelled to pursue."
Jiraiya found himself nodding.
In his mind, coins rained from the sky. Nobles scrambling over one another, even fighting each other just to secure a purchase quota.
Money. So much money.
"Once the industrial ninja are proficient in medical ninjutsu through this process, they can mentor new recruits. The veterans can then free up time to research and produce more advanced Medical Scrolls."
The shinobi world was unique, shaped by Chakra.
Politically, it was a fragile balance between feudal lords and monopolized military power. Daimyo, ninja villages, and nobles maintained a tense equilibrium.
Economically, it was rooted in agriculture, dotted with Chakra-driven, semi-industrial products that gave the illusion of early industrialization.
But in truth, from ninja tools to future Medical Scrolls, most war materials and research goods were handcrafted by ninja and artisans working together. Chakra blades. Paper Bomb. All products of extraordinary craftsmanship.
Technology alone meant nothing if manufacturing could not keep up.
Training skilled industrial workers had always been something Hiruzen, as Hokage, carefully considered.
Tsunade followed his logic quickly, light returning to her eyes.
She nearly agreed immediately. Then she remembered his earlier question and replayed the possibilities in her head, testing every angle.
"No problem, Sensei!"
"I'll get started right away. It'll all be settled in under two weeks!"
She could already picture a future where Konoha's ninja wouldn't fall so easily on the battlefield. Even the severely wounded might still have hope.
The urge to rush back to work tugged at her.
"I'm entrusting all medical development to you," Hiruzen said.
"But take care of your health. Serving the village is a long-term endeavor."
"When the scrolls are ready, give them a proper name."
Tsunade blinked.
A name? Wasn't Medical Scroll enough?
"How about Nawaki-style Scroll?"
Orochimaru's voice drifted in, low and reflective. "That foolish student of mine always said he wanted to become Hokage one day. Said he'd protect everyone in the village."
"He even said he'd protect me, his teacher."
"Saving gravely wounded ninja… that's something he would've wanted to see."
The air grew heavier.
"…That's a good name."
Tsunade took a long breath. Her eyes shimmered faintly. "Thank you, Sensei. You always think further than I do. I won't be so impulsive with you again."
"You are impatient," Hiruzen said with a chuckle. "But if you weren't, you wouldn't be Tsunade."
"I'm used to it. You two are as well, right?"
Jiraiya and Orochimaru nodded in unison, perfectly synchronized.
Tsunade rolled her eyes, but warmth spread quietly through her chest.
She wasn't alone.
She still had family who cared about her.
No blood ties, yet stronger than blood.
At that very moment, while Hiruzen and his students finalized the details, his youngest son Asuma pressed a book flat against his stomach and covered it with his shirt. He tiptoed along the wall like a guilty little mouse sneaking food from the pantry.
Don't look at me. Don't look at me…
I have to bring the Fire Style compendium to my brothers…
Forging the glory of the Azure Dragon Gang is my duty as leader!
The irony was that Hiruzen, Orochimaru, and Tsunade were so focused on their discussion that they only vaguely registered that Asuma was awake.
But Jiraiya, who wasn't fully following the technical talk and was instead busy demolishing breakfast, caught the entire suspicious display at a glance.
Their eyes met.
Asuma's look pleaded, Jiraiya-nii, please don't say anything.
Jiraiya's lips curled into a wicked grin.
"Kid, what're you sneaking around for?"
Darkness fell over Asuma's vision.
Was this the day the leader of the Azure Dragon Gang met his great calamity?