Chapter Thirty-Three: Tsunade's Instructions

After formally accepting the SS-rank mission codenamed "New Spring" in the Hokage’s office, Yufeng Kato remained with Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, who proceeded to discuss the specifics and precautions of the assignment in even greater detail. In the end, Hiruzen once again emphasized the utmost secrecy required regarding all intelligence related to the mission.

During this last meeting, Yufeng Kato refrained from using his usual persuasive charm to make small talk or build rapport with Hiruzen. The atmosphere was unmistakably tense and solemn; the entire handover process was conducted with the gravitas befitting such a mission.

The SS-rank mission "New Spring" was a task that Konoha had pursued intermittently for over thirty years, perhaps even longer. Its objective was to cultivate a new generation of Wood Release users within the village. Whether the aim was to better suppress the Nine Tails—one of Konoha’s greatest powers—or to carry on the legacy of the First Hokage’s Wood Release, or even to raise another powerful shinobi in the Fire Shadow’s lineage to balance the power of the Hokage’s line against the Uchiha clan and other family factions, it was all for the propagation of the Will of Fire, the peace and stability of Konoha.

The mission New Spring had continued, on and off, for more than thirty years, and had never been abandoned. It began with voluntary transplantation experiments of Hashirama Senju’s cells among the Senju clan members. Later, other shinobi of Konoha volunteered for the same procedure, and finally, the experiments extended to war orphans collected within the village.

From a previous world’s perspective, there was something undeniably inhumane about this. But this was the reality of the shinobi world. Yufeng Kato himself had lived as a shinobi for more than twenty years, serving as a jonin in Konoha—the largest war machine in the ninja world.

When Hiruzen Sarutobi entrusted Yufeng Kato with the details and caveats of the New Spring mission, he made no effort to conceal the darker side of his leadership. Yet, with Danzo Shimura—the village’s elder advisor—bearing the brunt as New Spring’s official leader, Sarutobi’s own involvement was somewhat veiled. The two men, Sarutobi and Danzo, were two sides of the same coin, working together to strengthen Konoha and spread the Will of Fire throughout the shinobi world.

…

After his meeting with the Third Hokage, Yufeng Kato used Body Flicker and Wind Light techniques to return swiftly to Konoha Hospital. The New Spring mission did not require him to report immediately; it was a long-term endeavor, not something to be resolved in a day, regardless of his own talents or genius. He knew too well the efforts of countless prodigies poured into this task over the past thirty years.

Yufeng decided to consult Tsunade first. Although he had already accepted the mission, her feelings were something he could not ignore. Passing by a fruit shop, he bought some kiwifruit—a new import from the Land of Fruits in the south, said to beautify and enhance the figure if eaten regularly. It was so popular among the kunoichi of Konoha that it was often sold out.

On his way to Tsunade’s office in the hospital, Yufeng Kato spotted an unfortunate ANBU shinobi in the corridor—a man wearing a white cat-shaped mask. As a member of the elite ANBU under the Third Hokage, it was rare for him to leave the hospital by simply walking through the corridors and out the main door.

When Yufeng passed him, he noticed the man’s energy was utterly spent; he moved listlessly, barely responding to Yufeng’s greeting with a nod. Although the mask concealed his expression, Yufeng could sense the immense resentment and negative energy radiating from him. Yufeng mused that even the proud Sasuke might call this man "boss" and wisely stay out of his way.

"Women truly are a force to be reckoned with when they decide to be unreasonable," Yufeng muttered as he watched the ANBU’s retreating back. He then turned and headed toward the office of his would-be girlfriend.

But this was by no means Yufeng’s evaluation of Tsunade—he would stake his newly acquired jonin title on that.

…

Upon returning to Tsunade’s office, Yufeng placed the kiwifruit he’d bought on the coffee table beside the sofa. At that moment, Tsunade and a nurse named Koharu were finishing up sorting the various items Tsunade had purchased earlier that afternoon.

"I'm back, Tsunade," Yufeng announced, eyeing the neatly organized sealing scrolls and the ongoing work. "On my way here, I saw some fresh kiwifruit at the fruit shop. I bought some for you. Nurse Koharu, thank you for your help. Please take some with you when you leave—I've heard it’s very popular among the women of Konoha."

Tsunade glanced at the remaining items and said, following Yufeng’s lead, "Thank you, Koharu. I’ll finish up here."

"Really, it’s nothing, Lady Tsunade, Lord Yufeng," Koharu replied, somewhat embarrassed. "Actually, most of the sorting was done by that ANBU with the white cat mask who was just here. He was so polite and enthusiastic—I hardly helped at all…"

"Polite and enthusiastic about sorting out a mess? Are you sure it wasn’t the threat of an iron fist the size of a cooking pot?" Yufeng thought to himself, recalling the aura of negativity he’d just witnessed.

Yufeng divided the kiwifruit, packing about half into a bag for Nurse Koharu. "Please, take these—don’t be shy. They're delicious. If you can’t finish them, share with the other nurses."

"Thank you, Lord Yufeng! Then I won’t be polite," Koharu said, accepting the fruit and bidding them goodbye. She closed the door behind her, leaving the office to the pair who had become the talk of the entire nursing staff.

…

After Tsunade finished tidying up, she joined Yufeng on the sofa. "So, Yufeng, what did the Third want with you? Tell me if it’s not classified. By the way, he’s been summoning you so often lately, I’m starting to wonder which of us is really his protégé. That old man seems to be getting more and more senile…"

"The Third is just in his early forties—not exactly an old man. If you want to tease him, at least have some basis—like his slovenly appearance," Yufeng replied, quietly activating a sensory technique to ensure their privacy. Then he answered her question, "Classified? I have no secrets from you. Would you like some kiwifruit? I can wash one for you."

"Let’s save the fruit for dessert—it’s almost dinner time. Tell me what my teacher wanted," Tsunade replied.

Yufeng paused to gather his thoughts. "Here’s the situation: you’re probably aware of the mission in Konoha codenamed New Spring…" He described the main points of his meeting with Hiruzen, including his concerns for Tsunade’s feelings, and asked for her opinion.

As he spoke, Yufeng deftly peeled and sliced two kiwifruits with a wind-style ninjutsu, placing the pieces before Tsunade—a small gesture to please his soon-to-be girlfriend, while also training his chakra control.

When Tsunade heard mention of the New Spring mission and Hashirama’s cells, she paused for a moment, her expression clouded, but she soon regained her composure.

"That mission… I should have guessed. I’ve known about it for a while. The first time I learned of it, I felt uneasy, but I later realized it had grandfather’s blessing, and granduncle was actually one of the proposers. Many from the Senju clan contributed to it…" Tsunade’s voice grew somber, and she looked at Yufeng, picking up a slice of kiwifruit and biting into it.

She continued, "You must be careful and prudent. Don’t experiment on yourself lightly. There are too many unknowns… Never let the pursuit of power blind you. Grandfather’s cells hold great secrets and potential, and Wood Release is a formidable ability."

After swallowing the fruit, Tsunade stared into Yufeng’s eyes and said gravely, "Promise me, Yufeng—unless you are absolutely certain, never try to transplant my grandfather’s cells into yourself."

Yufeng felt her concern and the complex emotions she held for her grandfather and her beloved village, which had used his cells for experimentation.

He reached out, taking Tsunade’s left hand in his right, turning to face her fully. Gazing into her brilliant eyes, in which his own reflection was mirrored, he gently tucked a stray lock of her golden hair behind her ear with his left hand and wiped away a drop of fruit juice from her lips.

In a steady voice, Yufeng promised, "Tsunade, I swear to you, unless I am absolutely certain, I will never attempt to transplant your grandfather’s cells into myself. After all…"

"After all, I have yet to fulfill the dream I had as a child at the Academy—to win your heart. You haven’t agreed to be my girlfriend yet. I still need to protect you…" As he spoke, he leaned closer toward Tsunade…

…

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