Black hair. Thin frame. He looked almost malnourished.
"He's nothing like the rumors about those from the Hidden Cloud Village," Shizune thought to herself.
From what she knew, shinobi from the Hidden Cloud were known for their hulking physiques—arms thicker than most people's thighs—and signature sausage-like lips.
"Will he grow up to look like that too?" she wondered, examining Seiji more closely. His lips, however, were normal. If anything, they were quite thin.
"Flashlight," Tsunade said flatly.
"Ah—yes, right," Shizune snapped out of her daze and quickly handed over the tool from her ninja pouch.
When she looked up again, she noticed that the Uchiha boy she'd been staring at had actually smiled at her.
Shizune's heart skipped a beat. She quickly lowered her head in embarrassment, realizing she'd been caught openly sizing him up—an impolite thing to do.
"You're quite the rare smiling Uchiha," Tsunade remarked, raising an eyebrow.
Should've figured. Brought in from outside the village—no wonder he's different from the proud and aloof Uchiha raised here.
Honestly, if this incident hadn't gotten so much attention, and if the old man hadn't practically forced her to come check it out, Tsunade wouldn't have bothered.
With her hemophobia, she'd sworn off anything remotely related to blood if she could help it.
"Because your eyes are beautiful, Lady Tsunade. They sparkle like stars."
Seiji's words took her by surprise.
"Oh?" Tsunade's expression sharpened slightly as she clenched her fist.
If this little brat dared try to flirt or spout nonsense, she'd punch him through the wall. She wasn't someone to be taken lightly.
But Seiji continued seriously, "While you were examining me, I could see the responsibility in your eyes. You're of such high status, and I'm just an ordinary Uchiha..."
He paused for a beat, then added, "I've read a lot of stories. You're exactly the kind of healer they talk about in those tales—noble and selfless."
"Tsunade is one of the Legendary Sannin, the greatest medical ninja in the entire Hidden Leaf. Of course she's a renowned healer," Mikoto chimed in with a light chuckle from the side.
She found Seiji's comments charming in their naivety—a clear reminder that he was still a young boy at heart.
Tsunade relaxed, unclenching her hand.
So that's what he meant. Complimenting her medical skills, was it?
This kid sure knew how to talk.
"If I could learn such medical ninjutsu, I could help others too... I truly hope I can become someone like you, Lady Tsunade," Seiji added earnestly.
"Medical ninjutsu requires yang-type chakra. If you don't have it, you won't be able to learn," she said bluntly, rising to her feet.
She told Mikoto that she'd go look through some old files to see if there were any records of similar cases, and that she'd ask another skilled medic-nin—Kabuto's mentor, Nonō Yakushi—to take a look next time.
Shizune quickly followed Tsunade out of the room.
"Seiji, rest up for now. We'll arrange your admission to the academy soon," Mikoto said before leaving as well.
Just like that, the once lively room fell silent again, leaving Seiji alone.
"Well, I'm not Naruto, blessed by fate," he muttered.
After all, Naruto could even convince a wandering Tsunade to return and take on the Hokage's mantle. That kind of charisma didn't come easy.
Seiji wasn't surprised by her refusal.
If Tsunade had been truly interested, she would've checked his chakra nature immediately—something easily within her capabilities.
But she hadn't.
Because in the end, he was still an Uchiha.
Life is full of disappointment.
Still, Seiji wasn't discouraged. Instead, he turned his thoughts to Nonō Yakushi.
If he could win her over, that could be his way in. If he played it right, she might teach him medical ninjutsu.
The Uchiha clan didn't have many skilled medical-nin. Most of them, upon graduating from the academy, were directly funneled into the Konoha Military Police Force.
At best, they learned some basic healing techniques while in school, but rarely went beyond that.
In fact, Madara Uchiha was likely the most proficient when it came to surgery—he could perform an eye transplant at any time, anywhere.
Seiji's interest in medical ninjutsu was rooted in practicality.
This world was a glass cannon battlefield.
Even Sasuke's Six-Tomoe Rinnegan got stabbed and blinded by a common kunai. If he had received immediate medical treatment, it might have been saved.
Who could say they wouldn't lose a limb or worse in the chaos of future wars?
Hashirama cells weren't for everyone.
Seiji had already used most of his savings to hire ninjas to test his chakra nature.
The result: he possessed yang-type chakra.
Not everyone was born with it. Sasuke didn't have it according to the databooks. Naruto didn't have yin.
While chakra nature can be developed through training, it takes years of effort.
Those born with the right nature had a significant head start.
With that in mind, Seiji stood up from the tatami floor.
Unknowingly, he had walked to the window. Reaching out, he pushed it open.
A gentle rain was falling, pattering on the leaves in the courtyard. The breeze that entered carried a chill.
Rainy days always felt colder than they were.
And yet, Seiji smiled faintly.
"Just a bit of wind and frost. Nothing more."
He already had a plan for how to catch Nonō Yakushi's interest.
In the future, she would run an orphanage. She loved children—enough to rejoin Root to support them.
In this vast world, people's desires varied wildly.
Some craved power until the end. Others scoffed at power and pursued immortality instead.
And Nonō... she cared about children.
---
The Next Day.
Konoha Ninja Academy.
"This is our new student, Uchiha Seiji," the Chūnin instructor announced.
He gestured for Seiji to write his name on the blackboard.
Seiji picked up a piece of white chalk and neatly wrote his name, then glanced down at the class.
Plenty of familiar faces: Obito, Kakashi, Rin, Genma...
"Your handwriting is really pretty," said Nohara Rin with a smile.
"Hey, Rin, I heard that guy's from the Land of Lightning," Obito whispered to her.
He frowned. Those brutes from the Hidden Cloud were nothing but muscle and meatheads. Rin better not be fooled by appearances.
"Pleased to meet you all," Seiji said politely, smiling warmly. Under the teacher's instruction, he took the seat by the window in the back row.
"Alright, let's begin today's lesson," the instructor said, clearing his throat before launching into the material.
Despite the recent negative sentiments toward the Uchiha, the teachers generally liked having them in class.
Why?
Because they were easy to teach.
Normally, a new student would have to undergo a basic test to assess their aptitude in genjutsu and ninjutsu—but really, it just came down to chakra reserves and control.
As a member of a ninja clan, and one who had likely received prior training, Seiji would easily meet the standard.
Soon, it was time for a break.
"I heard you're from the Land of Lightning?" Rin approached Seiji's desk. Her seat wasn't far from his.
"That's right," he replied.
"Are you keeping up okay? You're a transfer student, right?"
"I'll do my best," Seiji said as he closed one book and opened another.
Then, lifting his eyes slightly, he added, "Rin, would you be willing to teach me some of Konoha's jutsu?"
(End of Chapter)