"If everyone is interested, why not go together?"
Tanaka glanced around the room and extended an invitation to those present.
Minato, Fugaku, and the others naturally felt intrigued, but they didn't respond immediately. Instead, they looked toward Hiruzen.
"Since Tanaka has already said so, let's all go together!"
"After all, if he truly passes the assessment, he will become the youngest jonin in Konoha's history. A historic moment like this is definitely not to be missed."
Facing everyone's gazes, Hiruzen pondered briefly before nodding in agreement.
After all, he had already achieved his objective.
Whether it was finalizing Tanaka's contribution to Konoha's medical system or gathering intel on his space-time ninjutsu through the jonin assessment, both were valuable.
Since Tanaka himself didn't mind letting various clans learn about his abilities, Hiruzen naturally had no reason to refuse.
After all, if Tanaka had already spoken up, and he chose to object, wouldn't that make him the villain?
---
On the way to Training Ground No. 3, Tsunade grabbed Tanaka's hand, pulling him ahead to distance themselves from the others.
As for Hizashi, he was left playing the role of a bystander.
"Tanaka, I don't care what you're scheming, but listen up."
"You are a genius, but first and foremost, you are a genius of the Hyūga clan, and secondly, a genius of Konoha. At least, that's how he sees it."
"With your abilities and the backing of the entire Hyūga clan, some people may not wish you harm, but they will definitely guard against you."
"To gain intel on you, he will certainly increase the difficulty of your jonin assessment. So, don't expose all your cards just for an A-rank forbidden jutsu."
Tsunade scolded him before softening her tone. She couldn't forget that when she was practically "alone in the world," he was the first to bring half of the Hyūga clan's wealth to support her medical project.
Especially those eight words by an eight-year-old boy: "Preserve youth, retain beauty, and ensure eternal radiance."
The impact was no less than a Tailed Beast Bomb from the Ten-Tails.
"If you're really interested in the jutsu within the Scroll of Seals, come to my house after the jonin assessment."
"The jutsu collected by the Senju clan over the years has mostly been stored in Konoha's forbidden jutsu archive, but some copies still remain."
"You can choose whichever ones you like."
The Konoha Forbidden Jutsu Archive or the Scroll of Seals would always exist as long as she was alive. Whether it was the Senju clan's collection or Tobirama's personally documented jutsu, she would ensure its preservation.
"How could I possibly accept such generosity?" Upon hearing this, Tanaka was overjoyed, though he didn't refuse.
Tsunade had practically served him a golden opportunity on a silver platter, how could he not take it?
Moreover, he had earned this opportunity through his own efforts.
Across all of Konoha, no other clan had dared to invest in the medical project, except him.
So, not only did he have the right to accept her favor, but he could also do so with a clear conscience.
"I don't see you hesitating at all."
Seeing his reaction, Tsunade couldn't help but laugh.
She had almost forgotten how long it had been since she had smiled like this since Mito's passing.
Whether or not this smile could topple nations was uncertain, but it could definitely shake the ninja world.
"Showing proper respect means never declining a generous offer." Tanaka found an excuse for himself.
"Oh? But when you asked me to change my surname to Hyūga, was that how you respected my generous offer?" Tsunade's face carried a teasing expression.
Confessions of love? She had received plenty since childhood.
But in front of all the clan leaders, Tanaka had dared to suggest she take on the Hyūga surname, that was a first.
The irony was that she had been the one to bring it up first.
"Lady Tsunade, just say whether you're willing or not."
Tanaka went all in, refusing to miss this opportunity to press his advantage.
"Let's talk about it when you grow up. If, by that time, you see that I've grown old and you still want me to change my surname to 'Hyūga,' then I'll tell you whether I'm willing or not."
Tsunade's lips curled into a smile. She neither agreed nor refused outright.
"Then I probably won't be able to see it."
Tanaka pondered for a moment before responding.
"Won't be able to see what?"
Tsunade was slightly confused.
"Of course, I won't be able to see you grow old, Lady Tsunade."
Tanaka's voice paused for a moment before he turned his gaze directly into her deep eyes.
"I will never allow myself to live with regrets."
The moment those words fell, Tsunade couldn't help but recall what Tanaka had said to her back in the meeting room:
Preserve youth, retain beauty, and ensure eternal radiance.
Even as someone who had seen the heights of the shinobi world, every time she thought of those words, a shiver like an electric current ran through her heart.
"Remember what I just told you. Don't reveal all your trump cards."
"In the shinobi world, intelligence about jutsu is always the most important resource."
Of course, Tsunade understood the deeper meaning behind Tanaka's words.
Looks like I need to study the Yin Seal again.
She had always been someone who cared about her appearance.
But now, beyond just preserving her youth, there was another reason, she didn't want the grown-up Tanaka to ever see her looking old. She wanted his impression of her to remain frozen in this very moment.
"Intelligence about jutsu, huh? If the Hokage is so desperate to see something, then I'll make sure he gets an eyeful."
A cold glint flickered in Tanaka's eyes.
Not only had Tsunade already dissected Hiruzen's intentions right in front of him, but even if she hadn't, he knew full well what the old man was after.
Going to great lengths to grant him access to an A-rank forbidden jutsu and arranging a jonin assessment, there was only one purpose behind it.
He wanted to gather intelligence on his abilities.
But information was a double-edged sword.
Sometimes, knowing too much didn't necessarily lead to an advantage, it could lead to disaster.
In battle, misjudgments based on intelligence could have far worse consequences than going in blind.
---
Meanwhile...
"Hokage-sama, who do you plan to have assess Tanaka's performance?" Minato asked curiously.
"That kid managed to snatch the Kusanagi Sword from Orochimaru, he definitely has space-time ninjutsu."
"Against such speed, most jonin wouldn't even have time to form a single hand seal before being defeated. If you want to gauge his true strength, it's best to have Minato as his opponent."
Jiraiya, being an expert in intelligence gathering, immediately understood Hiruzen's intention.
To him, this wasn't about targeting Tanaka specifically.
After all, as the Hokage, it was Hiruzen's duty to understand the abilities of the village's ninja.
---
A Yamanaka's Trait System is out!
---