Chapter 42: The Wager
Not long after Tsunade returned to Konoha, rumors began to spread throughout the village: one of the legendary Sannin was looking for a disciple. However, anyone hoping to become Tsunade's student would first have to pass three difficult tests.
In the month following the rumor, many Konoha shinobi tried their luck, but none managed to meet Tsunade's standards.
The news of Tsunade searching for a disciple caused quite a stir. Naturally, Yusuke, who was currently in the village, caught wind of it too.
In his view, the reason behind Tsunade's sudden interest in finding a disciple likely had something to do with the Fourth Hokage's condition. After all, Tsunade had only returned to the village in the first place to check on Minato's injuries.
From what Yusuke gathered from those who had failed the trials, Tsunade was clearly searching for someone with exceptional chakra control.
Upon learning this, a faint smile tugged at Yusuke's lips.
"This... is a golden opportunity."
—
Hokage Tower – Third Hokage's Office
"How's it going? Still no suitable candidates?" Hiruzen asked, frowning as he turned to Kakashi.
Kakashi shook his head. "The trials Tsunade-sama set are incredibly difficult. I tried them myself, and even I couldn't meet her standards for chakra control."
Hiruzen fell silent for a moment, then turned to Tsunade. "Wouldn't it be possible to slightly lower the bar?"
"Absolutely not," Tsunade rejected flatly. "Treating Minato is a process where even the slightest error could be fatal. If the candidate doesn't meet my standards, it'll only end up killing him."
"To be honest, I didn't expect much from the beginning. Shizune already has the most medical potential of any child I've come across in recent years—and even she's far from meeting the requirements. I never expected you'd find someone suitable so quickly."
Deeply concerned for his teacher, Kakashi stepped forward and bowed low before Tsunade. "Tsunade-sama, only you can save sensei now. If there's no one else, I beg you—please stay in the village and treat him yourself."
Kakashi had already lost too many—family, friends… He couldn't bear the thought of watching his teacher waste away like a living corpse.
Tsunade let out a sigh, but true to her willful nature, she didn't change her mind. "I'm sorry. I can't accept your request."
"If there's no one suitable, then I plan to leave the village today. I've already left instructions on how to conduct the trials. If you manage to find someone who passes, contact me immediately, and I'll teach them the technique."
Just as despair began to settle in Kakashi's heart, a knock came at the office door.
"Third Hokage, we have good news!" came a voice from outside.
"Enter," Hiruzen ordered.
A messenger ninja stepped in, followed by a young boy—around eight or nine years old—with white hair and clear, intelligent eyes. It was none other than Yusuke's disciple, Kabuto.
"This boy has just passed all three of Tsunade-sama's tests," the messenger announced. "I brought him here at once to meet you and Tsunade-sama."
To think someone actually completed her trials—and such a young child at that! Tsunade couldn't help but be surprised. But more than that, she grew intrigued. If this boy truly had such exceptional talent, taking him in as a disciple might not be a bad idea.
Tsunade called Kabuto to the front and personally examined him. To her astonishment, she found that his chakra control surpassed even her own in some aspects.
Delighted by the discovery, Tsunade was just about to ask Kabuto if he'd become her student, when Kakashi's voice doused her excitement like a bucket of cold water.
"Kabuto... Aren't you Yusuke's disciple?" Kakashi asked, now standing and visibly confused.
He had been elated to hear that someone passed the test—but to learn it was Kabuto of all people caught him completely off guard.
"That's right," Kabuto answered with a respectful nod. "It was my teacher who suggested I try Tsunade-sama's trials—to help me further refine my chakra control."
At first, Kabuto had felt a little nervous entering a room with the Third Hokage and one of the legendary Sannin. But with his strong mindset, he quickly composed himself and remained calm and collected.
"So this beautiful lady is the legendary Sannin, Tsunade? I didn't expect her to look so young…"
Even Kabuto, normally composed, couldn't help but be slightly dazzled by her youthful appearance.
Though Tsunade was already in her forties, her youthful appearance remained untouched by age. Thanks to the power of her Yin Seal, which maintained her looks and regulated her bodily functions, she still looked no older than a young woman.
Upon hearing Kabuto's reply, a slight frown appeared on Tsunade's face. "So, you're already someone else's student?"
"Yes. My teacher is Uchiha Yusuke," Kabuto answered with a calm nod.
The moment she heard the name "Uchiha," Tsunade instinctively furrowed her brows. As someone of the Senju clan, she had little fondness for the Uchiha. Still, unlike her grand-uncle Tobirama or Danzo, she did not harbor deep hostility toward them.
"Uchiha Yusuke… That name sounds familiar," Tsunade murmured to herself.
"He's a jonin of the village," Kakashi explained. "Known as the 'Blazing Blade,' and now considered the Uchiha's strongest member. A very capable ninja."
Tsunade nodded in understanding. "So it's him. I think I'll go meet him in person."
She had already taken a liking to Kabuto and was strongly considering making him her disciple. Knowing now that Kabuto belonged to Yusuke, Tsunade decided to speak with the man directly—perhaps she could convince him to let Kabuto go.
"If Kabuto can't formally become your student…" Kakashi started to say.
But Tsunade cut him off, already knowing what he meant. "Don't worry. Regardless of what happens, I'll still teach him how to heal Minato."
Hearing this, both Kakashi and Hiruzen breathed a sigh of relief. True to her decisive nature, Tsunade wasted no time. She took Kabuto with her and headed straight for the Uchiha compound to find Yusuke. Kakashi, still concerned, and Shizune, Tsunade's own disciple, accompanied them.
—
At the Uchiha compound, Yusuke was in the middle of instructing young Itachi in ninjutsu. Izumi stood nearby, observing them.
"Ninjutsu: Fire Illusion – Crow Technique."
Itachi quickly weaved hand seals, his body dispersing into a flock of flaming crows—an illusion that fused both fire-style and genjutsu.
Seeing Itachi grasp the technique so swiftly, Yusuke nodded in approval. After all, this technique had been developed by improving upon Itachi's own crow clone technique. For Itachi, learning it was second nature.
Izumi, watching from the side, found the technique dazzling, though despite multiple attempts, she couldn't grasp the core principles—her talent in genjutsu simply wasn't up to par.
At that moment, they spotted Tsunade and her group approaching from the distance. The training session promptly paused.
"So you're Uchiha Yusuke?" Tsunade asked as she studied the boy who couldn't be more than fifteen or sixteen.
On the way over, Kakashi had shared more details about Yusuke's feats—especially his recent match against Shisui. Even Tsunade had been astonished.
From what Kakashi had described, this Uchiha prodigy she'd heard whispers about had already become a warrior on par with the very best.
Tsunade trusted Kakashi's judgment—if he said Yusuke was the real deal, she didn't doubt it.
As Tsunade examined Yusuke, he was also studying her.
It wasn't his first time seeing Tsunade, but they'd never spoken before.
In the original story, Tsunade had always stood out—beautiful, powerful, and unapologetically herself. One could argue she wasn't perfect, but no one could deny her charisma.
Today, she wore a short, stylish kimono, her golden hair tied into two braids that fell behind her. A blue diamond seal gleamed on her forehead, and a necklace passed down from the First Hokage hung around her slender neck.
Yusuke's first impression of Tsunade was simple: commanding.
As a princess of the Senju clan, Tsunade carried herself with boldness and strength—not a trace of demureness. Her commanding presence didn't diminish her charm—it enhanced it, lending her an aura of heroic elegance.
"Lady Tsunade," Yusuke greeted with a faint smile, "what brings you to the Uchiha compound today?"
Of course, he already knew the reason. After all, sending Kabuto to take her test had been his plan from the start.
"Kabuto is an outstanding child," Tsunade said directly, her gaze steady. "I want to take him as my student."
That was just how she was—blunt and to the point.
Yusuke chuckled inwardly but put on a troubled expression.
"Kabuto is someone I value greatly as well, Tsunade-sama. To be honest, his talent for ninjutsu is exceptional, and he's been a tremendous help in my own technique development."
Tsunade frowned slightly. "Talented ninjutsu users are everywhere. But someone capable of inheriting my medical ninjutsu? I've yet to find even one."
"I'm not one to coerce others, but I'd truly hate to pass up someone with Kabuto's potential. If you're willing to let him be my disciple, name your conditions—anything at all."
Kabuto looked toward Yusuke, clearly uneasy. If he had to choose, he wouldn't want to leave his current teacher.
Yusuke fell silent, as though deeply torn, and then finally spoke as if making a great decision:
"Tsunade-sama, I understand your perspective. But from mine, losing Kabuto would be just as painful."
"How about this—we settle it with a wager. Let fate decide."
"If I lose, Kabuto becomes your disciple. But if you lose… I have one small request. I hope you'll agree."
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