Springtime Shinobi 60 (Patreon)

Following the completion of the second stage of the Chunin Exams, Hiruzen arrived at the Forest of Death's central observation tower to give a speech and inform the six teams that had passed they would be facing one another in preliminary matches to determine who would go on to the Finals in one month.

Unfortunately for Seikun, only those participating in the exam and their Jonin sensei were permitted to watch the preliminary matches. He could observe them through a monitor in the command and control center, but since there were a lot of others present and he wasn't particularly fond of crowded places, he decided to wait in the long corridor connecting to the medical ward. That way, he would at least know if anyone he cared about was severely injured and in need of assistance.

Ostensibly for the same reason, Seikun spotted Tsunade appear from the direction of the medical ward, their gazes meeting from afar as she made her way over to him, smiled, and asked, "Worried about your little fiancee and girlfriends?" in a teasing tone.

"I can't help it..." responded Seikun, turning his head and staring off into space so he didn't inadvertantly gawk as Tsunade crossed her arms and shifted her weight onto her right foot. "I know they're very capable, but I also know there are monsters that defy common sense...monsters I might be unable to protect them from, even if I were there..."

"You're a real serious kid..." remarked Tsunade, raising her right brow with a slightly wry smile. Then, changing topics, she added, "I heard you were preparing to perform that dubious acupoint procedure of yours on another person. We have laws against the unlicensed practice of Medical Ninjutsu and the unsanctioned implementation of medical procedures for a reason, kid. If you make so much as a single mistake, you could seriously injure or even cripple someone..."

Though he was tempted to say something like, 'That's why I don't make mistakes,' Seikun nodded and affirmed, "I am aware of the risks. Before starting along my current path, I had planned to intern at Konoha Central Hospital for at least four years. Now, because of the demonstrable effects of the acupoint and massage techniques, I have determined it's better to hyper-fixate on refining and improving upon them..."

Turning to meet Tsunade's disapproving gaze, Seikun added, "Also, the techniques I employ may not be listed among Konoha's documented and approved medical procedures, but they are not unsanctioned. They are a part of the Hyuga Clan's established heritage, and by practicing them on land formerly belonging to them, the village's bylaws have no jurisdiction over their practice. Only the Hokage does..."

Holding up her right fist, Tsunade warned, "Don't think I won't beat some sense into you, kid..."

Shaking his head and smiling, Seikun assured, "I take willfully excessive precaution before, during, and after the procedure. That's why I refused to perform it when Tenten asked a few days ago. Unless I can ensure a 100% success rate, bar circumstances that can't be anticipated without some form of divination, I won't even consider it."

"I'm sure you think you factor everything in, but you're far too young and lacking experience," contended Tsunade. "It's fine right now, while you're not charging for your services, but if you plan to open a clinic and receive referrals from Konoha Central, you'll need the approval of the Hokage and the Chief Medical Director."

"I am aware..." affirmed Seikun, his expression hardening slightly. Getting Hiruzen's approval wouldn't be an issue, but the position of Chief Medical Director was presently held by Tsunade. If she decided to stonewall him, there was very little he could do...

"Here's the deal," stated Tsunade, recrossing her arms. "I will personally undergo the procedure to determine its practicality and benefit. You will also train Shizune and Sakura in the basics of your massage techniques, particularly those focusing on the lymphs in the back, neck, and chest. Do that, and I won't make a fuss when the council votes on whether or not to authorize your practice. I may even speak in your defense."

'Ah...'

Realizing that Tsunade was taking advantage of the situation to have Shizune learn how to relieve her neck, back, and shoulder pain, Seikun experienced an almost overwhelming urge to roll his eyes. Instead, he gave a curt nod and responded, "I can't impart the core techniques, as they can only be practiced by men with an innate affinity for Water and Yin Release, but there are others that should meet your specifications..."

Seeing Seikun stare impassively at her chest, Tsunade perked her right brow and asked, "And just where do you think you're looking, kid? Do you want me to hit you...?"

Shaking his head, Seikun calmly replied, "I was actually wondering if you would like a reduction. There's absolutely nothing wrong with your current appearance, but I can't imagine it's easy to move around at high speed or fight without inhibition..."

"You think I can't work around such a thing?" asked Tsunade, catching Seikun a little off guard as she abruptly performed the trio of hand seals for the Transformation Jutsu, plus a few extras. Her body abruptly burst into smoke once she was finished, and when it faded, a young girl around the same age as him appeared in a short-sleeved, slit-skirt teal kimono, a pair of bike shorts that barely covered a third of her thigh, and a thin wire-mesh undershirt. She also had on red forearm warmers, bandages around her calves, an older version of the current tabi-style Shinobi footwear, and a green ribbon fixing her golden blonde into a long, loose ponytail.

"Well, how do I look...?" asked Tsunade, striking a pose with her left hand on her hip and right behind her head. She had also changed her voice, so if someone didn't know she was actually in her fifties, they would assume she was a young, exceptionally flat-chested girl around 14-15.

"You certainly wouldn't have trouble moving around..." affirmed Seikun, staring at Tsunade's nonexistent chest. A split second later, his face met the floor below, smashing into it after Tsunade moved like a blur to punch him in the back of the head. Her bust size was a sore spot when she was young, especially with Jiraiya's persistent teasing, so when they showed no sign of developing naturally by her fifteenth birthday, she began taking hormonal supplements and developed her Creation Rebirth Jutsu to force their growth. Unfortunately, her modified Transformation Jutsu worked by referencing snapshots of her body at specific periods, so if she went back too far, her chest became flat as a board.

"You would think someone with a fiancee and multiple girlfriends would have a bit more sense..." said Tsunade, stepping on the back of Seikun's head and attempting to spread her Chakra through his body to ensure he wasn't too injured. To her surprise, not only was he not injured, but he was still conscious.

"What the hell?" asked Tsunade, raising her brows. "Just how tough are you...?"

Turning his head to the side, Seikun inadvertantly glimpsed the contents of Tsunade's skirt as he responded, "Stepping on the back of my head is a bit much..."

"Eh, I'm sure you're used to it..." said Tsunade, grinding her heel as if she were tousling Seikun's hair. Fortunately, she didn't persist for too long as Seikun had been seriously weighing the risk of blasting her with a column of water. He might endure a lot, but that didn't mean he lacked pride...

Rising to his feet after Tsunade removed hers, Seikun brushed himself off while she stared at him with crossed arms. Her transformation was a little older than him, so she found it curious that he was taller, prompting her to remark, "Your training regimen and diet are really paying dividends. You're around the same height Jiraiya was at your age."

"I doubt I'll grow that tall..." responded Seikun, knowing full well that his height would cap around 185 to 188cm. That was quite a bit taller than the average person in Konoha, but Jiraiya's 190-195cm had him beat.

"Mmm...maybe..." conceded Tsunade, shrugging. "Not that it matters. You have Jiraiya beat in many other categories, particularly around the face. If I were a few years younger, I might have gobbled a pretty boy like you up in a single bite."

Since it was relatively harmless, Seikun retorted, "If we were in the same or similar generations, I might have let you."

"You might have let me...?" asked Tsunade, a sardonic smile adorning her face.

"You're the Granddaughter of Shodai-sama and the Princess of the Senju Clan..." remarked Seikun. "Even if I were fortunate to receive your favor, it might not have made a difference."

"That's...not untrue..." conceded Tsunade, frowning. Her Grandfather had worked to eliminate the framework of clans, but it was impossible to run a nation or village with politics and conflicts of interest. Had that not been the case, she wouldn't have been unwed or childless at twenty-four, when virtually all of her peers had one or multiple children to help contribute to the war effort...

Recalling how messed up things were when she was a child and young woman, a weary, nostalgic sigh escaped Tsunade's throat as she turned her head and stared off into space. She was turning 52 that August, and since she had yet to and would likely never have kids, she suddenly felt a faint but fleeting urge to call Jiraiya over to share a drink.

"Are you okay...?" asked Seikun, prompting Tsunade to exhale a soft, scoffing chuckle as she looked at him, shifted her weight, and questioned, "And what if I weren't? Are you going to comfort me...?"

"I could at least give you a hug..." offered Seikun, his expression firm but his tone soft. He hated seeing any girl looking somber and depressed, but since he knew from the anime and manga what Tsunade had experienced, he felt like a hug was the least he could offer.

Exhaling from her nose as a suppressed 'hmph,' Tsunade remarked, "I can see why you've had so much success with Sakura and others around your age. But I'm not a little girl who can be easily coaxed, nor do I require the care or consideration of some brat."

"As long as you have someone else to comfort you, it's fine..." responded Seikun, turning his head to stare at the end of the hallway where a group of four Medic-nin wearing off-white jumpsuits had appeared, running over with a stretcher. Then, noticing Tsunade was frowning at him, he followed the group of Medic-nin with his eyes and asserted, "You don't need to live a long life to understand the thing that gives it meaning is the connections we form with others. People are adaptive, and those with hardened hearts can endure great pain and hardship...but even if you can endure for years, that doesn't make you strong. Real, meaningful strength comes from the desire to protect others and pass on the legacies entrusted to us by those who are no longer here...those who would rest much easier knowing we're happy or doing our best to become it..."

"Jeez, kid...are you sure you're not the one who needs a hug..?" asked Tsunade, taken aback by Seikun's words of wisdom. They were nothing she hadn't heard before, but hearing them from a teen made her wonder what kind of life Seikun had lived. She had memorized his personnel file, but most other boys in his situation would act out or close themselves off. Seikun behaved like someone who had experienced great hardships and overcome them. And now he was trying to help others do the same...

"Mmm...maybe if you revert to your previous form..." responded Seikun, hoping to lighten the mood with a faint smile. Tsunade laughed aloud at this, but before she could react by placing him in a headlock and drilling a bald spot into his head, the double doors leading to where the preliminary matches were taking place opened, followed by Sakura being carried past them on a stretcher. She wasn't severely wounded or in critical condition, but since her opponent had been Hinata, the Chakra flowing through the Tenketsu in her arms and chest had been blocked, leading to tremendous pain and discomfort...

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(A/N: Ino Template)