Returning to Konoha was much easier than when they had come. Minato directly used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport Akira back to the village.
After returning, Minato reported the mission's results to the Third Hokage in full detail.
The Third Hokage's expression was a mix of regret and relief upon hearing that Tsunade still refused to return to Konoha. Yet, her willingness to develop an antidote for Sunagakure's poison softened the disappointment. It proved that, despite her bitterness, Tsunade still carried the will of fire. Konoha meant something to her—it was her grandfather's legacy, after all.
What truly surprised him was Minato's suggestion that Tsunade intended to take Akira and Shizune under her wing.
Akira's medical ninjutsu was already astounding. If he could inherit even a fraction of Tsunade's knowledge, he might surpass her one day. This would ensure Konoha a new generation of exceptional medical support, even if Tsunade never returned.
More than that, Orochimaru had noted Akira's overall talent—not just as a medical ninja, but as a shinobi in general. A disciple of two of the Sannin, Akira had the potential to combine their abilities into something unprecedented.
When Minato added that Akira had stood up to Tsunade in defense of the Hokage title—and even fought her—the Third Hokage's eyes softened with admiration.
The current generation had Minato. And now, the next generation had Akira.
A future worthy of hope.
But in another part of the village, the same news caused a different reaction. Danzo's expression darkened.
Danzo, unlike Hiruzen, carried the legacy of the Second Hokage—a cold, ruthless pragmatism. And that legacy had always bred mistrust of the Uchiha.
Danzo had been watching Akira since he first awakened the Sharingan. His interest only deepened when Akira became Orochimaru's student.
He had once tried to persuade Orochimaru to hand Akira over to Root. Danzo wanted to control him, to mold him into a tool of the village. Orochimaru had refused—why, Danzo never knew.
Then came the worst news: the Third Hokage had not only taught Akira the Flying Thunder God Technique, but had Minato personally oversee his training.
That was a breaking point.
The technique belonged to the Hokage. Giving it to an Uchiha was dangerous—reckless. Danzo confronted the Third Hokage in fury, accusing him of jeopardizing Konoha's future.
Hiruzen defended his choice. He believed that the wedge between the Uchiha and the village was one of fear and suspicion. Akira, he said, could be the bridge. He wasn't like the others. He was a path forward.
Danzo saw only risk.
Now, with Tsunade also grooming Akira—another piece of the First Hokage's legacy—Danzo's fears solidified.
If things continued as they were, the boy could become Hokage one day.
That, Danzo could not allow.
Akira, meanwhile, remained unaware of the storm brewing behind closed doors. He didn't know Hiruzen saw him as Konoha's future, or that Danzo now saw him as a threat to be eliminated.
But even if he had known, he would not have flinched. If Danzo wanted to act, then let him come. Akira would activate his Complete Body Susanoo and crush him without mercy.
Back in Tanzaku Street, Tsunade had begun working on the antidote with Akira and Shizune.
Though she never called them her students, her actions spoke volumes. She was teaching them far more than just how to neutralize poison. She was passing down her legacy.
Akira understood what she was doing. Tsunade's hemophobia made her hesitant to return to Konoha, but that didn't mean she had given up. She wanted to leave something behind. A seed that could grow.
Akira had been a top-tier doctor in his past life. Now, with Tsunade's high-level teachings, he was mastering techniques most medical-nin couldn't even begin to comprehend. His understanding of poisons, physiology, and treatment surpassed even Tsunade in certain areas.
Shizune's progress was slower. Her skills had been average, but with Tsunade's guidance and Akira's help, she improved steadily. Shizune also noticed Tsunade's avoidance of blood and began to understand her more deeply. Their bond grew. Tsunade was her teacher, but Shizune had become her emotional anchor.
While developing the antidote, Akira never stopped training.
Using shadow clones, he continued cultivating Water and Earth Release transformations, integrating new ninjutsu from Orochimaru's scrolls, and refining his combat skills.
Most importantly, he worked on mastering Chidori and the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Chidori came easily. Flying Thunder God was harder. He could now use it in battle, but only in short bursts. Still, it was enough.
Tsunade observed all of this quietly.
Day by day, she watched the boy she'd once dismissed as a brat evolve into something formidable. And in her heart, a long-dormant hope began to stir.
Maybe, just maybe... the Will of Fire was burning strong again.
Once, while Tsunade watched Akira train alone, she found herself increasingly intrigued. His body moved like a bolt of lightning, each strike honed to surgical precision, until one final thrust shattered a massive boulder with a shriek of raw power.
Tsunade couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. "What kind of Lightning Release is that? I've never seen a technique like it before," she asked, stepping forward.
Akira paused, beads of sweat glinting on his brow as he turned toward her. "This is something Kakashi and I worked on together. Eventually, it evolved into two distinct forms. The one I just used is my version: Lightning Release Body Technique of Divine Speed. Kakashi's version is called Chidori."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, arms folded. "It's certainly powerful. But why would a medical ninja need such a high-level combat technique?"
Akira hesitated. Deep down, his fascination with ninjutsu came from another life—a life where he was only an observer, watching from a screen as legends lived and died. But that truth wouldn't make sense here. He had to ground his explanation in the values of this world.
"My dream has always been to become Hokage," he said, his voice steady. "At first, I thought the Hokage should be someone who heals from the rear, supporting everyone—so I focused on medical ninjutsu. But after my mother died... I realized that to truly protect others, I needed the strength to fight on the front lines too."
Tsunade's expression softened slightly. There was sincerity in his voice, a flame that reminded her of days long gone. She could see bits of Nawaki in him, and maybe even Dan.
"You know the three rules I established for Konoha's medical ninjas?"
Akira nodded without hesitation. "Yes. My mother made sure I learned them before I could even write my name."
"Then you understand the second rule—medical ninja must never fight on the front lines. Their survival is the key to the survival of the team. If they fall, everyone else could die."
Akira nodded again, but his tone grew firm. "That's why I created Divine Speed. It doesn't focus on destruction like Chidori. It's purely defensive—meant to let me move so fast that I can avoid danger altogether. I want to fight, but I want to survive too."
Tsunade tilted her head in consideration. "High speed can indeed reduce risk, but it doesn't make you invincible. What happens when you do get injured? If you're the only healer and you're down, the entire team is vulnerable."
Akira fell silent. He had other tools at his disposal—namely, the Yang Release Illusion Body, a powerful jutsu tied to his Mangekyo Sharingan—but he wasn't ready to reveal that yet.
Seeing his hesitation, Tsunade pressed on. "There is one way, one exception to my rules. One condition under which a medical ninja can fight on the front lines without fear. It's the fourth rule—unwritten, but no less real. Only a medical ninja who has mastered the Strength of a Hundred Seal and Creation Rebirth can break the other three rules."
Akira's heart skipped. He remembered this—words once spoken to Sakura in another timeline. Was she really offering him this path?
"There's such a method? Then, Tsunade-sensei, will you teach me? Will you pass on those techniques to me?"
Tsunade studied him, her eyes searching for cracks, signs of false bravado. But all she saw was raw determination.
"I've already decided," she said finally. "Your conviction today made it clear. You remind me of my little brother and Dan. I see their fire in you. I will teach you the Yin Seal, the Strength of a Hundred, and Creation Rebirth."
The words hit Akira like a lightning strike. He couldn't hide the grin spreading across his face. For once, the excitement wasn't part of an act. It was real.
He had only hoped to learn some advanced healing techniques, maybe a secret or two about chakra control. He never expected Tsunade to treat him as a true successor—to pass down the pinnacle of her legacy.
And it all made sense. In the original world, Tsunade had chosen Sakura because of her talent and unshakable will. Shizune, despite her loyalty and skill, hadn't inherited those techniques. Now, in this timeline, Tsunade saw something else. Something new.
Something worthy.
As for Sakura's future... Akira didn't worry. If fate still led her to Tsunade, he would welcome her. If not, perhaps he could guide her himself.
For now, all that mattered was this:
He had taken a step closer to becoming someone who could truly protect those he cared for.
And the legacy of Tsunade, the Legendary Sannin, now lived on in him.