r18novel Chapter 113 Unofficial Disciple, In Memoriam
Chapter 113 Unofficial Disciple, In Memoriam
Chapter 104 Unofficial Disciple, In Memoriam
It was around the time the hospital closed for the day.
Xingyuan Qianshuo received the memories and fatigue of the clinic's shadow clone after a busy day.
Nothing special happened today, and the harvest was mediocre.
He pondered to himself: although he had become a Jonin instructor, he had not resigned from his job at the hospital.
In this way, they can receive a fixed salary from the hospital and also earn a share of the profits from the tasks.
If they stay in Konoha, shadow clones can fill in; but once the team goes out on a mission, this method is no longer suitable.
We need to consult with Professor Biwako for specific arrangements.
The shadow clone that was seen practicing medicine has been dispelled, but the one that was instructing disciples has yet to disappear.
Ten minutes later, the shadow clone leisurely returned to the Senju mansion with Shizune.
Upon seeing Shizune, Hoshino Chisaku suddenly remembered that Nohara Rin wanted to graduate early.
He turned to look at Tsunade, who was reading a storybook to the side.
The book in her hand was recommended by Kushina. That night, he proposed the "Nine-Tails' Boredom Theory" and suggested that Kushina read more history or interesting stories.
As a result, she found history boring, so she asked someone to buy her some novels.
Xingyuan Qianshuo glanced at it a few times; it was a typical sweet romance novel, and more geared towards female readers.
He couldn't help but wonder: if Kurama (the Nine-Tails) reads these kinds of books with Kushina, will his "worldview" be affected?
Tsunade glanced up at Shizune and her shadow clone who had returned, but didn't greet them. She then buried herself in her book again, engrossed in reading.
Xingyuan Qianshuo smiled helplessly, dispelled the shadow clone, and received the memories.
After confirming that everything was alright, he gestured for Shizune to sit down, then turned to Tsunade: "Tsunade, do you remember you have a disciple?"
"What—wait, there really is one~" Tsunade looked up from her book, then paused for a moment before remembering, "Her name is—Rin, right?"
Shizune opened her mouth wide upon hearing this and looked at Tsunade in surprise.
Hoshino Senju had no choice but to reply, "It's Nohara Rin. You were supposed to teach her this afternoon according to the plan."
Tsunade waved her hand without any remorse: "I only forgot because I was helping you organize your documents today, didn't I?"
"Okay, it's on me." Xingyuan Qianshuo admitted that he should indeed take the blame.
"After seeing Jingyin and the others graduate early, Lin also wanted to graduate soon and learn from you," he continued. "But firstly, there were no suitable teammates, and secondly, it required approval from three generations, which was a bit troublesome."
Tsunade began to ponder.
She had a good impression of the girl; she was gentle, earnest, and quite talented.
However, if Qian Shuo hadn't suggested it, she might not have accepted this disciple.
"Then don't bother graduating, just skip classes and come study with me." Tsunade quickly came up with an idea.
Then, her eyes flickered, a smile playing on her lips, as she looked at Xingyuan Qianshuo. "Qianshuo, you already have three students. Wouldn't it be nice to take on one more?"
Xingyuan Qianshuo stared at her wide-eyed, thinking to himself, "Me, the one who's going to train her? Then whose disciple is she?"
"Nohara Rin is talented and obedient, so it won't be difficult for you to teach her~" Tsunade smiled slyly, "Yes, it's settled then."
What else can Xingyuan Qianshuo say?
Tsunade's hemophobia has been cured, and the motivation to continue having her teach apprentices is now gone.
Just thinking about the bet between the two of them, he glanced at Shizune who was listening quietly, raised an eyebrow at Tsunade, and gestured with his eyes.
Tsunade remembered the bet clearly and immediately understood.
"It's alright, let Shizune and Rin still have a match," Tsunade said casually. "You're not going to slack off on teaching Rin just so you can win, are you?"
Xingyuan Qianshuo was speechless for a moment.
Shizune's eyes widened, as if she had heard something incredible.
She raised her small hand, weakly interrupting the two: "Lady Tsunade, Master—what's the deal with Rin and me having a match?"
Xingyuan Qianshuo remained silent.
Since Tsunade let it slip herself, let her cover it up herself.
"Haha, your master and I made a deal to give you both more motivation to study. We've agreed that you and Rin will have a match a year from now," Tsunade said without changing her expression, adding, "There'll be a reward if you win."
Jingyin turned to look at her master in surprise.
Xingyuan Qianshuo nodded calmly: "That's right. The competition consists of three parts: medical ninjutsu, practical combat, and theory, best of three."
After saying that, he emphasized, "There is indeed a reward for winning."
There is a reward, but it's not for you.
Silent and powerless, she had no choice but to accept it.
She just couldn't adapt for a while: she and Lin were good friends, so how did they suddenly become rivals? Although she didn't want to compete with Lin, she didn't want to lose if they really had to.
Xingyuan Qianshuo and Tsunade exchanged a glance, and the matter was dropped.
He pondered for a moment and said, "Then I'll find an opportunity to ask Professor Biwako for permission to suspend Lin's classes at school and only allow her to take the final graduation exam."
Tsunade nodded, feeling relieved to have gotten rid of a troublesome matter.
Dinner was still a meal for the five of us.
The three of them tacitly avoided discussing the underground bounty, so as not to cause Kushina unnecessary worry.
After chatting for a short while, everyone dispersed to rest.
Hoshino Senju suppressed the urge to go to Tobirama's Ninjutsu Library that night to study.
Tsunade opened up the Senju clan's secrets to him without reservation, and he was deeply moved by this trust and dedication.
The matter of cultivation can be left for tomorrow, but repaying Tsunade's kindness should begin from this moment.
Unfortunately, he was all alone, penniless, and could only repay her with his own body and a precious gift. Tonight, whatever she asked for, he would grant; whatever she wished for, he would do his utmost; whatever she directed, he would do with all his might and with all his heart.
The next day.
The sky over Konoha was gloomy.
Because he needed to attend the memorial service, Xingyuan Qianshuo created two shadow clones: one to go to the hospital and the other to buy flowers.
Around 8:30, he and Tsunade changed into black mourning clothes and went to the cemetery with Minato.
Although he didn't know most of the sacrificed ninjas, he still felt heavy-hearted.
In the cemetery, mourners dressed in black arrived one after another.
Many people had red eyes and were sobbing softly; they were clearly relatives of the deceased.
On the platform inside the cemetery stands a tall, flame-shaped red sculpture with the words "Hokage" engraved on its base, symbolizing the enduring spirit of Konoha and the Will of Fire.
A long table was placed in front of the sculpture, covered with white chrysanthemums, and three large scrolls were placed among the flowers.
Xingyuan Qianshuo recognized one of them as the scroll he had used to seal his body at the front lines, while the other two scrolls must have been exchanged from Iwagakure Village.
Time passed, and the atmosphere became solemn and heavy.
Family members, relatives, companions, and high-ranking ninjas stood silently on the platform or in the cemetery.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and three high-ranking officials arrived and walked to the front of the group, offering white chrysanthemums in turn.
The death knell tolled, deep and resonant.
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke solemnly: "This funeral is to commemorate the Konoha comrades who sacrificed their lives defending the northwestern border against the Iwagakure invasion."
May their souls rest in peace and find eternal tranquility.
"May their will be passed down in Konoha, forever and ever."
"A moment of silence."
Under the dark clouds, everyone hung their heads.
In the silent cemetery, occasional suppressed sobs could be heard.
After the moment of silence, family members and friends came forward one after another to offer flowers.
The memorial service lasted for nearly an hour, after which people gradually dispersed.
This ceremony is a collective memorial service for Konoha (the village of Konoha). The remains will be returned to their families in stages, and each family will hold their own burial.
Xingyuan Qianshuo and Tsunade did not leave immediately, but instead went to a new grave and bowed to offer a bouquet of flowers.
That's Mito Uzumaki's tombstone.
The two observed a moment of silence in mourning, and then went to the graves of Hashirama, Tobirama, their parents, Nawaki, and others to lay flowers and express their condolences.
As for Kato Dan, whom I visited last time, I did not go there again this time. Time has passed, and the joys and sorrows of the past remain in memory, gently covered by the years.
Seven or eight ninjas are still paying respects to their loved ones in the cemetery, one of whom is Sakumo Hatake.
His face was filled with sorrow, a deep sadness shrouding his usually calm and gentle expression.
Xingyuan Qianshuo sighed inwardly: Yesterday's intuition was indeed correct.
The only person who could cause Sakumo such pain is probably Kakashi's mother.
Although the timeline in the original work is somewhat ambiguous, the day of Sakumo Hatake's suicide is probably not far off.
He wasn't sure if his butterfly effect could change the situation—but if it could, he absolutely didn't want Konoha to lose such a powerful elite Jonin.
On the way back, Xingyuan Qianshuo asked Tsunade about the person that Sakumo had been commemorating.
"That's Shiori Hatake, Kakashi's mother, a gentle and beautiful woman."
Tsunade's voice was low, and a memory flashed in her eyes.
"She was injured while on a mission, but insisted on completing it. What was initially a minor injury worsened into a serious one, and ultimately she could not be saved."
After saying that, Tsunade let out a heavy sigh—this was yet another tragedy caused by the lack of medical ninjas.
Xingyuan Qianshuo understood what she felt and gently squeezed her hand.
"No wonder Sakumo Hatake, an elite Jonin, abandoned his mission to save his comrades and ultimately committed suicide because of rumors."
He pondered to himself, "Perhaps, from the day Kakashi's mother sacrificed herself, Sakumo-senpai was already contemplating the difficult question of the weight of missions versus life."