At the edge of Konoha Forest, Steve lay sprawled on his side along the thick branch of a towering tree, lazily staring up at the sky. His gaze drifted between the drifting clouds, and a smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.
Hey, those two clouds look like Tsunade's...
"Steve, why are we even here? It's our first day at the Academy, and we're already skipping class. If Mr. Iku finds out, we're doomed!"
After a long silence, Rin, standing at the base of the tree, couldn't hold her curiosity any longer. Her voice was filled with anxiety and confusion. She had only just walked through the school gate earlier when Steve had suddenly grabbed her hand and dragged her away without a single word.
Wait... hand?
This... this counts as holding hands, right?
Rin's cheeks flushed a brilliant red as she recalled the moment. Steve had been about half a body length ahead of her, pulling her along through the village streets, and despite the chaos of it all, she couldn't help but feel her heart flutter. By the time they reached the forest, she had barely recovered from the dizzy rush of emotions.
Now that things had calmed down, she finally gathered enough courage to ask what was going on.
"Relax," Steve said nonchalantly, jumping down from the tree and landing beside her with practiced ease. "I used a Shadow Clone Transformation to take your place at school. No one will notice—except maybe that idiot Obito."
He turned his attention toward the village path. "The person we're waiting for is about to arrive. From here on, just follow my lead and don't ask any questions. Trust me."
Still slightly dazed, Rin nodded.
Soon, a figure appeared in the distance. A tall, curvaceous woman with flowing blonde hair and a commanding presence approached from the village gate, accompanied by a small girl in black and gray attire. The girl looked quiet and gentle, almost too delicate for the shinobi world.
If I'm not mistaken, Steve thought, that must be Shizune.
"Sister Tsunade!" Steve quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Thank you for coming."
Tsunade raised a brow, folding her arms under her chest. "Punctual. That's unexpected. Then let's—"
"Wait a moment, Sister Tsunade," Steve interrupted, stepping slightly to the side and pulling Rin forward. She blinked, clearly unsure of what was happening.
"I have a companion here. She's very talented with medical ninjutsu. I was hoping you might consider giving her a chance to take the test as well."
"Huh?!" Rin gasped.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "Are you kidding me, brat? Do you think I take disciples like handing out candy? Who do you think I am?"
Her irritation crackled like static in the air. A Sannin accepting disciples wasn't something that happened casually—and this kid had the audacity to request another one on top of himself?
She turned as if to leave, but Steve moved quickly. He stepped forward and held out a thick envelope with both hands, bowing again, this time with a touch more sincerity.
"Sister Tsunade," he said softly, "this is our gift of apprenticeship—eight million ryo in total. It may not be much, but it's all we could gather. Please give us both a chance. Whether we succeed or not, there's no need to return it. All we ask is for an opportunity."
Tsunade paused, eyes falling on the envelope. Her expression shifted instantly. That amount of money wasn't exactly pocket change.
A familiar weight...
She took the envelope smoothly, slipping it into her cloak without a word. Her demeanor cooled as if the previous irritation had never existed. She looked at Shizune, and the girl beside her immediately stepped forward.
"Tsunade-sama," Shizune said softly, "why not give them a chance? It'll be nice to have someone to train with. It gets a little lonely practicing alone..."
Her voice was gentle and convincing. Even Rin felt moved.
"Well," Tsunade sighed, flicking her wrist as she turned. "Since Shizune insists, I'll allow it. Follow me."
The way she pocketed the envelope without hesitation or awkwardness... it was almost poetic in its grace.
Smooth, clean, and efficient, Steve mused. As expected of the legendary sucker of the gambling world. At least she won't be in debt for a while.
Rin, on the other hand, was still completely stunned.
Eight... eight million taels?!
Her mind reeled. That amount of money could support her entire family for years. In exchange... for just a chance to take a test?
Her voice trembled as she tugged Steve's sleeve. "Eight million taels! That's way too much!"
She leaned in and whispered urgently, "We need to get it back. Right now. Before anything starts!"
"Shhh." Steve hushed her, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "That's the Legendary Sannin, Master Tsunade. The most powerful medical ninja in the entire world. Eight million for a chance to study under her isn't a bad deal."
He bent down slightly, so his voice was only for her ears. "Think about it. If we go to war someday—and we will—the stronger your medical skills are, the better the chance that idiot Obito survives."
Rin's breath caught. The thought of Obito injured on the battlefield was one she'd tried to avoid, but deep down she knew Steve was right.
"But..."
"No buts." Steve smiled and ruffled her hair. "Didn't we agree you'd listen to me today?"
His hand was warm, reassuring. Rin took a deep breath, slowly letting her worries fade.
The group continued deeper into the forest. The branches above thickened, casting fragmented shadows over the ground. Sunlight barely slipped through the leafy canopy, and when the wind blew, the leaves rustled like the forest itself was whispering secrets.
Eventually, they reached a small clearing bathed in golden light, an island of brightness in a sea of green.
Tsunade stopped and turned.
"This place is quiet. We won't be disturbed here."
She clapped her hands once, drawing everyone's attention.
"Now, I'll teach you the basics of the Healing Technique. It's the foundation of all medical ninjutsu. Whether the injury is external or internal, this technique will allow you to begin mending it."
She looked at them sternly. "You have one hour. If you succeed, that means you have the potential, and you'll pass the first round of assessment."
"Yes!" Steve answered without hesitation.
"Y-Yes!" Rin echoed, though her voice cracked a little.
Steve reached out and gently held her hand, squeezing it lightly.
"Don't worry," he whispered. "You've got this."
The warmth of his palm calmed her nerves. She nodded, determination slowly replacing fear.
Steve knew Tsunade's so-called "basic" test was anything but simple. The Healing Technique was a B-rank jutsu, after all. Not something just anyone could master—especially not two pre-Genin kids.
But Rin... she was able to perform an eye transplant on the battlefield in the original timeline. That kind of composure and skill isn't something you can fake. She has talent. All she needs... is a chance.
He inhaled, focused chakra into his palms, and within moments, a faint green glow shimmered across his hands.
Shizune's eyes widened. "He did it... that fast?"
She covered her mouth in surprise. Even she hadn't expected someone so young to succeed instantly.
Rin looked over and gasped in awe. "Steve... you're amazing!"
Her eyes sparkled with admiration, and for a moment, she forgot the pressure she was under.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. She nodded slightly, then created a Shadow Clone and sent it deeper into the forest.
Half an hour passed in relative silence, broken only by the rustling leaves and the occasional murmur of concentration.
Rin sat cross-legged on the ground, her brows furrowed in focus. Her hands trembled slightly, but the determination in her eyes was unmistakable. Slowly, gradually, a soft green light began to form over her palms.
"Good," Steve whispered, watching her from the side. "Steady now... you're doing it."
Rin's heart leapt.
And then—success. The green chakra glowed steadily from her palms, pulsing with healing energy.
Tsunade walked over, her expression thoughtful.
"Not bad," she said finally. "You're slower than the boy, but considering your age and lack of training, you did better than most Chūnin."
Rin's eyes lit up. "Really?!"
Tsunade nodded and crossed her arms. "You pass. Both of you."
Rin's smile bloomed like a sunrise, her earlier fear forgotten. She turned to Steve, her eyes shining. "We did it!"
Steve just smiled, folding his arms and leaning against a tree. "Told you to trust me."
As the sun dipped lower behind the trees, casting long shadows over the clearing, Tsunade turned away with a slight smirk.
"Rest up," she said. "The next test will be much harder."