Rise of the Medical Ninja

A soaked middle-aged man with white hair and wet wooden sandals appeared before Tsunade.

"Tsunade, are you jealous of my charm?" Jiraiya asked with a grin.

*Bang!*

*Splash!*

He was sent flying even faster, crashing into the bath with a huge splash, causing panic as people fled the water.

In a teahouse, Dosuke sat to the side, occasionally pouring tea into Tsunade's cup.

Tsunade picked up the freshly filled teacup and took a sip.

Across from her, Jiraiya leaned back on one elbow, wet and looking at Tsunade. "Hey, Tsunade, even if you need something from me, this wasn't necessary."

"Oh? Then tell me what's wrong with my method." Bang! Tsunade set her teacup down hard on the table, her temper flaring as she saw Jiraiya.

"Alright, tell me what you want," Jiraiya said, raising his hands in surrender and facing Tsunade seriously.

"Oh, it's like this. This is Dosuke, my disciple, you know him." Tsunade gestured toward Dosuke, who was pouring tea.

"I know, isn't this the kid who nearly beat Kakashi?"

Jiraiya pointed at Dosuke. "Kid, when you passed out in that match, I caught you."

"Thank you, Master Jiraiya. Have some tea." Dosuke picked up the teapot and refilled Jiraiya's cup.

"Good kid, so polite and saying thanks. Hard to believe Tsunade taught you, she's got quite the fiery spirit," Jiraiya said with a smile, eyeing his teacup.

"Oh? Then, Jiraiya, tell me what kind of person I should teach?" Tsunade flexed her fingers, her fists making a rattling sound.

Tsunade's question left Jiraiya speechless.

"Didn't you say you needed me? Just say it," Jiraiya quickly changed the subject under her glare, unwilling to be sent flying again.

"Right, this kid wants to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique. You know I'm not great with ninjutsu. So, I need your help."

"I don't fully grasp the Flying Thunder God myself."

"No one in the village does. I recall only the technique's creator, the Second Hokage, and Minato have mastered it."

Realization hit, and Jiraiya smacked his forehead, staring at Tsunade. "Wait, you want Minato to teach him, but you're too proud to ask, so you're dragging me into…''

*Bang!*

The table's snacks and tea scattered.

Noticing Tsunade's fierce glare, Jiraiya straightened up, coughed twice, and composed himself. "Don't worry, Tsunade. I'll take this kid to ask Minato for help."

"Thank you for the trouble!" Tsunade said to Jiraiya.

"Sure, sure, I'll keep an eye on him for you," Jiraiya replied quickly.

Tsunade bent forward to speak, but pulled back as Jiraiya edged closer.

Looking up, she noticed Jiraiya's white hair shading the light, his eyes fixed on her chest. Two small nosebleeds dripped from his nostrils, and drool nearly escaped his lips.

Realizing her posture had revealed too much, Tsunade shouted, "Jiraiya!" She stood and struck, *bang!* her punch sending his head crashing through the table.

"Dosuke, let's go." Tsunade grabbed her coat from the hanger and called to Dosuke.

"Master Jiraiya, are you okay?" Dosuke sat dazed at the table, teapot in hand, still processing Tsunade's swift strike.

"I won't die yet. Tsunade's punch is still strong after all these years. Kid, meet me at the village gate tomorrow morning," Jiraiya said before passing out.

"Dosuke, hurry up." Tsunade shouted from the door.

*Clack, clack, clack!*

"Coming, teacher." Dosuke set the teapot down and stepped out.

At the door, Tsunade instructed the shop owner, "When he wakes up, that man will cover the damages." She turned and walked away without looking back.

Apologizing to the owner, Dosuke offered a quick bow and followed Tsunade.

"Dosuke, train hard with him. I can't help with the Flying Thunder God Technique. I'm working on a sealing technique, so I won't oversee your training," Tsunade said, walking toward Konoha Hospital.

Watching her depart, Dosuke felt a surge of gratitude and warmth in his heart. Tsunade seeking Jiraiya meant tapping into Minato's mentorship through him.

As the Flying Thunder God Technique, mastered by Minato, couldn't be taken from him by force, but given his generous nature, he'd likely agree to teach. Jiraiya's role as Minato's teacher added a new layer to the arrangement.

Smiling, he ran home.

At the door, he heard music drifting from inside.

Dosuke paused, puzzled. Hadn't he turned off the TV before leaving?

Opening the door quietly, he found the living room TV on, playing a song.

From the kitchen, clouds of oily smoke billowed, coating the ceiling in gray-blue haze.

Amid the fragrance, the smoke filled the small room. What was happening? Could someone be cooking for him? That made no sense, this was Naruto, not a fairy tale.

Patting his head, he decided to investigate.

Dosuke tiptoed to the kitchen door, peeking inside cautiously.