Mito Uzumaki nodded in approval. "Very well."
She then turned to Tsunade. "I take it you came to me today because of funding? Fine—I'll approve it. How much do you need?"
As long as the money wasn't being gambled away, and was for something productive, Mito had no problem supporting her granddaughter.
After all, the Senju clan's assets would eventually be passed on to Tsunade and Nawaki anyway.
And now, seeing Tsunade take a serious step forward under her student's influence, Mito felt nothing but relief and renewed appreciation for Ren.
He really was a good kid.
Tsunade glanced at Ren, then held up a single finger. "Let's start with ten million ryō! We may need more later—hehe…"
Asking for that much made even her feel a little awkward.
Mito gave her a knowing smile. "Ten million it is. Funny how you suddenly know how to be shy—when you lost a hundred times that in gambling, you never batted an eye."
"Today's restraint is... new. I'm impressed," she said with a chuckle.
Tsunade flushed red and rushed over, grabbing her grandmother's hand and whining, "Aww, Grandma! That was the old me, okay? Don't bring that up in front of my student—it's embarrassing!"
"It's not exactly something I'm proud of…"
Mito couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, alright. I'll spare you for today. Just make sure you stick with Ren and take this project seriously. Show some real results."
"Then maybe I can leave this world a little less worried."
There was genuine concern in her voice.
Not just for Tsunade and Nawaki now—but for Kushina too.
"Don't say things like that, Grandma! You're going to live a long, healthy life!"
Tsunade quickly objected.
But in her heart, she knew the truth.
Kushina's arrival in the village was a signal—that her grandmother's days as the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki were numbered.
Still, she didn't want to face that reality.
As an Uzumaki, Grandma's lifespan should be much longer than average… She's only sixty-one. She should still have decades left.
It's the Nine-Tails… Her constant suppression of its chakra must be consuming her life force faster than normal.
Is it possible… to use medicine or medical ninjutsu to slow that damage? Maybe even restore her lifespan?
Tsunade's mind began racing with possibilities. Not now, she told herself. But later—she'd ask Ren. If anyone could come up with a solution, it was him.
"Hoho…"
Mito didn't comment further. She could tell what Tsunade was thinking.
Instead, she turned to Ren. "Ren, I heard you started at the Academy this year. Kushina will be joining in a few days as well. You'll be in the same class, most likely."
"Could I trouble you to keep an eye on her? Help her settle in, make some friends—don't let the other kids pick on her. Would that be alright?"
Transfer students—especially ones from outside the village—often had a hard time fitting in.
Mito wanted Kushina to connect with other children, make memories, build a life here. One day, when she carried the Nine-Tails, she'd need those bonds more than anything.
"Of course," Ren nodded without hesitation.
"You sure?" Tsunade interjected with a smirk. She crossed her arms and gave him a teasing look. "Aren't you forgetting something? You've been sending a shadow clone to class lately, haven't you?"
"Eh?"
Both Mito and Kushina blinked in surprise. "You can do that?"
Ren scratched his cheek. "Well... I already finished the entire curriculum. There's really nothing more to learn there."
"Spending full days at the Academy is just a waste of time. Besides, I'm also learning medical ninjutsu from sensei. It's the only way to balance both."
"But don't worry—even if it's a clone, I'm still the strongest in class. I can definitely look after her."
Confident as always.
"Well then, thank you," Mito smiled. "Kushina, go ahead and thank Ren."
"Thank you, Ren-oniichan!" Kushina stood up and gave a quick, formal bow, eyes sparkling with admiration.
She was even more impressed than before. He uses shadow clones to attend school? That's so cool!
I wonder if I can learn that too… she thought eagerly.
If school turns out to be boring, maybe I'll try it.
"No need to thank me," Ren waved casually.
Just then, Tsunade pointed at him and turned back to Mito. "Grandma, one more thing—this kid also wants to invent something called a medical seal…"
She briefly outlined Ren's concept of a medical seal that could store healing jutsu and be activated in combat.
"And since the Uchiha clan lost most of their old scrolls—thanks to Madara walking off with everything—he hasn't been able to study proper sealing techniques."
"I know some, but not enough to help him get far with this project."
"You've been teaching Kushina—think you could take this one on too?"
"If this works, it could save countless lives. You always said that was what we should aim for, right?"
She figured it was better to hand the job over now than wait until Ren exhausted her meager sealing knowledge and started asking difficult questions she couldn't answer.
"Medical seals, hmm?" Mito's interest was piqued. She turned to Ren with a curious look. "You really are full of novel ideas."
"If you can pull it off, it could revolutionize battlefield medicine. Alright. Starting tomorrow, you'll join Kushina in her sealing lessons every afternoon."
"I'll also give you some introductory scrolls to study at home."
"But tell me this—are you sure you can keep up with everything?"
"I hear you're learning medical ninjutsu from Tsunade, training with some classmates… and I'm guessing the one in front of me is just a clone?"
Since when were kids in Konoha this overworked?
Even she was starting to feel overwhelmed on Ren's behalf.
Kushina, meanwhile, was staring at him with wide eyes. He really does all that?? Amazing…
"Hehe! I'm managing," Ren said, scratching his head sheepishly. "My chakra and mental stamina have improved a lot lately."
"I've also refined my shadow clone technique. Splitting off one more clone to study sealing won't overload me."
"I promise it won't affect my health or my other training."