When Ryu told her about the dream, everyone's eyes widened with amazement.
"Change the world; this kid dreams big," Natsurama said.
Hiruzen just smiled. But at this moment, Tsunade saw an image of her younger brother, Nawaki, in Ryu. Her eyes shone bright with a newfound hope that was not there before.
Tsunade asked, "How are you going to achieve that?
Becoming strong is not a plan. There are many strong individuals out there, but they still cannot change this world."
Ryu smirked and replied, "Exactly. If changing the world were that easy and achievable through strength alone, your grandfather would have done it a long time ago."
Tsunade asked, "So what's your plan then?"
Ryu replied, "My plan is simple: I need to strike at the most critical problems the world faces.
Like famine, disease, and wars.
I built my company to deal with these problems."
Tsuande replied, "You are right; those are some serious problems the world faces again and again. But surely you don't need to become a ninja for that. You are already good at making stuff; then why become a ninja?"
She was trying to convince him to stop trying to become a ninja and focus on being a non-combat medic.
Tsunade gained fame after the Second Ninja War as a talented combat medic. She set a set of rules for all combat medics. They were kept away from dangerous situations and rarely sent to the front lines because at that time the combat medics were very rare, and because of this protocol, many died in the 2nd Ninja War due to lack of nearby medics. Even her fiancé, Dan Kato, died for the same reason.
After Dan Kato's death, she changed many things for medical ninjas. And she contributed to medical advancement in the Leaf Village, but even then she could not come back as a ninja.
Ryu replied, "That is because I found out one cannot protect anything without strength in this world, even dreams."
Ryu continued, saying, "I experienced this firsthand when I saw my fellow orphans taken away by Root. I knew that they were evil people. I could sense it from the way they looked at the children. Your old comrade was there too."
Tsunade closed her eyes and thought of Orochimaru when he was a young orphan just like Ryu. She thought, 'Orochimaru, how much have you fallen?'
Ryu continued, "I have to have strength, money, and people backing me to achieve my vision.
You must know what happened when your grandfather, Hashirama Senju, and Madara Uchiha came together. When people come together, many things thought impossible become possible.
But in this world, where strength is everything, why would anyone follow me?
That's why I work so hard to achieve my difficult dream."
Tsunade touched her necklace and thought, 'Maybe he can.'
She thought about those she had lost over the years, her fiancé, Dan Kato, and her brother, Nawaki Senju. She then took off her necklace and put it on Ryu's neck.
"This," Ryu said while being totally dumbfounded. He was there to impress her so that she would offer him a summoning contract in Shhikutoskyu Forest, but he did not guess that she would offer him a curse necklace.
Ryu thought, 'Shit! Why did she? I don't know if my plot armour is as strong as Naruto's. If this necklace is really cursed, then I am done for. I do not want to meet Mr. End so soon.'
Ryu asked, "Why? You gave it to those who dream of becoming Hokage. But I do not want to become Hokage."
Tsunade was surprised that Ryu knows.
Tsunade asked, "How did you know about their dreams? Who told you?"
Ryu replied, "You must know that Dan Kato is my uncle."
Tsunade replied, "Yes, I know you two are related. I met him through your grandfather when he was the personal guard of my grandmother. He is also named after your grandfather."
She then asked, "But why did you say you do not want to become Hokage? Didn't you say you want strength and recognition from people? For a ninja, that is the highest form of recognition."
Ryu replied, "I know the history of my clan. And surely you do too. You must know what happened to them."
Hiruzen closed his eyes in shame when he heard that from Ryu.
Ryu continued with his answer, "Hokage have to think of the village before everything else. I want to change the world, not just the Leaf Village. And moreover, Hokage is bound by chains of people who put him on his seat. I don't want to be bound to anything."
Tsunade smiled and replied, "Too bad; I have already given it to you. I don't take things I have given away back."
Ryu sighed and thought, 'I need recognition from her. But this belongs to Naruto. I don't know how this will affect the timeline. If I accept this, then what would she bet on Naruto when she met him?'
Ryu thought for a second and said to himself, 'I will return this to her when the time comes.'
Ryu then faced Tsunade and said, "Thank you, Lady Tsunade, for this honour. I will accept it for now, and I will hold on to it and wait for the day I find someone with the same dreams as Uncle Dan."
He added after a brief pause, "I am sure he is out there somewhere."
Tsunade then grabbed his head and kissed him on his forehead.
Everyone who saw this scene smiled.
Tsunade let go of his head and told Ryu, "You can call me Aunty Tsunade. Your uncle Dan was my fiancé. I would be happy if you called me Aunty."
"Thank you, Aunty Tsunade." Ryu said with a genuine smile.
Shizune, Hiruzen, and Natsurama were watching this scene with their jaws wide open. Never in a million years did they think someone would call Tsunade an aunty and live to tell the tale.
Ryu dusted the dirt from his clothes and said, "Now tell me what kind of aunty beats her nephew like this."
Ryu, who immediately started complaining to his aunt, and Shizune laughed at his antics as if he had known her all his childhood and was spoilt by her. She then said, "I think we should leave the first now. Ryu-kun's clothes are all now covered in dirt."
"I will carry you," said Tsunade, surprising everyone. Everyone stared at her.
She said, "What? I am the one who beat him. It is only right that I carry him home."
Hiruzen and Natsurama then left smiling, leaving Tsunade to enjoy this moment with her new nephew, and Tsunade carried him on her back.
As they walked back to Ryu's home, many people noticed him. Ryu could heal himself if he used a temporary enhancement on his healing ability, but he didn't.
Tsunade asked him, "That being the abilities you showed, it wasn't a simple healing?"
Ryu replied, "No, it wasn't simple, but it was not something I could use without side effects.
Healing that fast required large amounts of chakra and stamina, especially for serious wounds. I cannot do it multiple times also."
Tsunade replied, "I figured as much."
Ryu said, "Can I ask you something too?"
Tsuande replied, "Yes, ask away."
Ryu said, "I want to know about Senjutsu. I heard the 1st Hokage was able to use it."
Tsuande asked, "Where did you learn about it?"
Ryu asked, "Information gathering and analysis is my forte."
Tsunade explained, "Nature is believed to be a living entity, encompassing all living and non-living beings. Senjutsu involves harnessing nature's chakra, but it carries risks, potentially leading to merging with nature itself."
Ryu said, "You mean to say die."
Tsuande said, "You could say that. Or say one turns into an animal or rock statue."
Ryu asked, "Where did the 1st Hokage learn senjutsu from?"
Tsunade replied, "Senjutsu is not passed down in the traditional sense. There are many rules. The three legendary places where you could learn it have to acknowledge you first. Those places select a few in every generation."
Ryu said, "Only three places?"
Tsunade said, "Yes, three places of legend where Senjutsu is taught. There may be more, but for now only three are known. My summon also lives in one of those places."
Ryu asked, "Could you then help me connect?"
Tsunade replied, "No chance, kid. Senjutsu is dangerous. But I will give you a chance when you become an adult."
Ryu thought, 'I thought so. She wouldn't give me that easily. It's fine, however. I know I will not be able to handle it at my current level. At least I have saved opportunities for the future.'
Ryu then asked, "Did you also learned it too?"
Tsuande replied, "No, I did not. The slugs of the Shhikutoskyu forest determined that I was not fit for senjutsu, and I will most certainly die."
Ryu replied, "Slugs…gross."
Tsuande said, "Oye brat, don't say that. Slugs are very versatile. That can use ninjutsu through their summoner."
Ryu asked, "Are there any other summons in Shhikutoskyu Forest other than slugs?"
Tsuande replied, "There are many. Mostly feral and will kill you on the spot."
At that moment, Ryu noticed something intriguing. A dwarf was pushing a wooden cart containing a sleeping individual.
##PoWeR StOnEs##
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