Chapter 18: Kira challenges Tsunade
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The room was chaotic.
"Ah!"
A group of women, who had been curiously chatting and teasing earlier, suddenly scattered, their expressions shifting to ones of urgency as they hurriedly returned to their workstations.
They busied themselves as if they had been focused all along, leaving Uchiha Kira free to finally escape the awkward situation.
And then he saw her.
The "intruder" who had disrupted everything stood at the entrance. Her confident stride and personality were enough to command the attention of everyone in the room.
With her strikingly refined face and undeniable presence, Kira couldn't help but silently admire, Damn... this is big! Cough, I mean, impressive!
"Hm?"
At that moment, Tsunade's sharp eyes landed on Kira, who was standing in a corner with his outfit slightly disheveled. Her gaze softened, when she saw his youthful, adorable features.
"What a cutie!" she exclaimed, stepping forward with a grin. "Whose kid are you?"
Before Kira could respond, Tsunade crouched down, pinching his cheeks without hesitation. Despite his silent protests, she ruffled his hair, turning it into a bird's nest.
"Back then, I didn't realize the kid I checked on while still in the womb would turn out to be this cute," she mused, her gaze sparkling with amusement.
"Lady Tsunade," said Mika, stepping forward quickly and pulling Kira closer. "This is my youngest son, Uchiha Kira. You examined me when I was pregnant with him."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow in surprise, but before she could speak, Mika gave Kira a gentle nudge. "Didn't you say you admire Lady Tsunade and want to learn from her? Go on, introduce yourself!"
Kira, unfazed, gave a slight bow and greeted, "Lady Tsunade." His voice was steady and respectful, yet lacked servility.
"Oh?" Tsunade's surprise deepened. She studied him closely, noting his composed demeanor. "So you're the little Genius everyone's been talking about? The one who started walking at three months, speaking fluently at six months, and reading on your own at one year?"
She narrowed her eyes, smirking slightly. "Is that real, or just a bunch of hype?"
Kira held back an eye roll. "If you don't believe me, why not test me yourself?"
"Oh?" Tsunade tilted her head, intrigued.
"I've heard you're the best medical ninja in all of Konoha, maybe even the world," Kira said, smirking slightly. "But I'm curious to see if you've got the skills to back it up."
"I've been self-teaching medical techniques and ninja medicine for years now. I've read every single book on the subject within the Uchiha archives. If you're up for it, I'd like to compare notes and see if your reputation is deserved."
It was a calculated move. Kira knew that as an Uchiha, earning Tsunade's trust—or even a chance to learn from her—was going to be an uphill battle. Why not use her pride as a way to engage her?
"Oh, you're bold for a kid, huh?" Tsunade crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow as she looked him over.
Her grin widened. "Alright then, let's see what you've got. Follow me to my office."
She turned and began walking, leaving Mika and Kira scrambling to keep up.
"Kira, what were you thinking?" Mika whispered sharply as they hurried after Tsunade. "You're supposed to be asking for her guidance, not challenging her!"
"Relax, Mom," Kira replied casually, waving a hand. "I've got this under control."
Mika sighed, her expression skeptical. Control? This kid has no idea what he's up against.
In Tsunade's office, she gestured for Mika and Kira to sit on the couch. Taking her seat behind her desk, she got straight to the point.
"So," she said, leaning back in her chair. "From what I'm hearing, you're here to have this little genius apprentice under me?"
Mika quickly stood and bowed slightly. "Yes, Lady Tsunade. My son has a unique talent for medicine, far beyond anything I can teach him. He's already mastered every medical text within the Uchiha archives. I believe you're the only one who can help him continue to grow. Please, give him a chance."
Kira stood up as well, mirroring his mother's bow. "Please."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, surprised at his respectful attitude. She chuckled. "So, you do know how to behave yourself, huh? Alright, I'll consider it. But don't get your hopes up. I don't really take students anymore. I've been thinking about leaving Konoha altogether, honestly."
That statement hung heavy in the air, but she quickly waved it off. "Anyway, let's see what you've got, kid. If you impress me, I might let you study under me for a while and give you access to some of the hospital's resources."
With that, the unprepared examination began.
Tsunade started with simple questions about basic medical knowledge, expecting to trip him up. But to her surprise, Kira answered every question smoothly, not only providing correct answers but also sharing his interpretations and theories.
Her curiosity deepened. She pushed further, asking more advanced questions about herbal medicine, chakra-based healing, and complex treatment methods.
To her astonishment, not only did Kira keep up, but his insights were impressive—bordering on Genius. Even when he didn't know an answer, he explained how he would approach the problem, offering logical and well-reasoned guesses.
By the end, Tsunade was leaning forward in her chair, her eyes shining with interest.
"Kid," she said finally, her voice tinged with amazement. "Are you sure you're not a Senju or Uzumaki? That life force of yours, paired with this level of understanding, is... something else."
Kira smirked. "I guess you'll just have to stick around and find out."
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