Chapter 23 is here! (Please keep reading)

The future is filled with infinite variables. Under the tree, Genichi Shita knows he must accumulate enough capital in the present to lay the foundation for the future.

The fact that the Konoha Hospital allows students like Shizune to study there is, in reality, the execution of a proposal put forward by Tsunade during the Second Shinobi World War: to equip every squad with a medical ninja. At the time, even her fellow Sannin, Jiraiya and Orochimaru, did not support this idea, as there were simply no resources to spare for such an endeavor during wartime. However, once the Second Shinobi World War concluded, Hiruzen Sarutobi began to take action. Allowing students still in the Ninja Academy who aspired to become medical ninjas to study at the hospital was one of the measures implemented.

Of course, even for Konoha, equipping every squad with a medical ninja is an extremely difficult goal to achieve. But that is of no concern to Genichi; he is content to simply enjoy the convenience of the policy. As for the politics behind it—well, one does not meddle in affairs outside their own jurisdiction.

It is a pity that he lacks the resources to set up an experimental base. In truth, Genichi’s current knowledge base is not enough to support one, or rather, it cannot support the human experimentation or cell transplantation he is so desperate to conduct.

"Don't rush. Take it slow, accumulate slowly, and push yourself a few more times..."

As Genichi performs a full-body examination on a cadaver, he suppresses his restless inner urges. This cadaver is a ninja, already stitched and unstitched many times over, yet Genichi remains meticulous, dissecting it layer by layer, then carefully sewing it back together. This is a sign of respect for the deceased, even if this person was once an enemy.

After spending half the day in the anatomy room, Genichi feels as though he can no longer smell anything else. Seeing that the sun has yet to set, he grabs Shizune’s hand. "Come on, let’s go to the hot springs."

"Huh?" Shizune is startled. "Go to the hot springs now?"

Genichi smiles. "We’ve been tired all day; naturally, we need to relax."

Without waiting for an answer, he pulls Shizune along. At the bathhouse, they part ways. Co-ed bathing? That, of course, is impossible. It is not that it doesn't exist, but the "Crab God" (censorship) does not permit it.

After soaking for half an hour, Genichi’s sense of smell is restored. When Shizune emerges, her complexion is a rosy white, making one tempted to reach out and pinch her cheeks. Seeing the sky has already darkened, Genichi smiles and says, "Shizune, let me treat you to some dango."

"No, it's too late today. I have to go back!" With that, Shizune runs off.

Genichi sighs helplessly. "Why are you running so fast? I’m not going to eat you." Left with no choice, he shoves his hands into his pockets and strolls home alone.

Elsewhere, Shizune packs up dinner, but instead of going home, she heads to Tsunade’s place. As expected, Tsunade is drinking alone, and there are already several empty bottles on the floor.

Sighing slightly, Shizune sets down the dinner and tidies up the bottles before saying, "Lady Tsunade, let’s have dinner first!"

Tsunade plops down at the table, waiting for Shizune to lay out the meal before she sets down her bottle to eat. By now, Tsunade is slightly tipsy. She glances at Shizune and asks, "I didn't see you at noon?"

Shizune quickly replies, "Genichi and I went to the Konoha Hospital."

Tsunade takes a sip of sake. "Genichi? That brat you mentioned before? Do you like him?"

Shizune’s face turns red instantly. "Lady Tsunade, that’s not it at all."

Tsunade says indifferently, "It’s better if you don’t. Lest you be heartbroken when he dies."

Shizune immediately retorts, "Lady Tsunade, Genichi is very strong."

Tsunade scoffs, curling her lip. "Isn't he just a brat who just graduated from the academy?"

Shizune doesn't know how to explain, so she can only say, "Anyway, he is very strong."

"Tch!" Tsunade dismisses the comment and asks, "How is your Mystical Palm Technique coming along?"

Shizune smiles. "I can use it now."

Tsunade nods. "Not bad. Tomorrow, I will teach you a new technique!"

Shizune is overjoyed. "Yes, Lady Tsunade!"

After the meal, Tsunade walks out with a bottle in hand, but stops at the door. "I might leave Konoha. Are you willing to come with me?"

Shizune, who is cleaning up, is left stunned.

...

Genichi is unaware that Tsunade intends to spirit Shizune away. After dinner, he returns to studying the Nine Syllables hand seals—it is all he can do at night.

Time flies, and winter gives way to spring. Before he knows it, it is March. Just as the time for another "overdraft" approaches, Genichi, who has only had two days of rest after finishing a mission, is notified by En Yamanaka of an emergency mission.

It is evening. Genichi tells his parents and heads to the village gate. Seeing that everyone has arrived, Sakumo Hatake declares, "Move out!"

*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*

Genichi leaps into motion, using the Body Flicker Technique to keep up with the other three. He can clearly feel that this mission is extraordinary, as Sakumo’s pace is unusually fast. They travel in silence, pushing straight to the border of the Land of Fire before stopping.

"Rest. Replenish your stamina!" Sakumo orders.

The three of them nod silently, sitting down to eat military rations and drink water. The exertion has been immense. Genichi, in particular, knows that if they didn't stop, his stamina would have been completely depleted.

After half an hour of rest, Sakumo finally speaks. "This is a top-secret mission. We cannot leave behind any proof of our identities."

The three of them tense up. Sakumo hands out four masks and says, "The target is the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers."

This leaves everyone stunned. En Yamanaka asks instinctively, "Captain, isn't the Land of Rivers our ally?" They had just finished a mission protecting that very Daimyo not long ago.

*It seems something has happened,* Genichi thinks to himself. Assassinating the Daimyo of a country that is openly an ally of the Land of Fire—if this fails... Genichi suspects this must be the mission that leads to Sakumo’s eventual suicide.

Addressing En's question, Sakumo explains briefly, "The Land of Rivers is indeed an ally of the Land of Fire, but their Daimyo has betrayed that alliance. He has married the daughter of the Land of Wind’s Daimyo. Furthermore, several mineral veins originally slated for the Land of Fire have instead been handed over to merchants from the Land of Wind."

Nami Uchiha says coldly, "This means the missions that originally belonged to the village have been snatched away by Sunagakure?"

Sakumo nods. "The target is the Land of Rivers' Daimyo. Leave him to me. En, you are responsible for extraction."

En nods immediately. Sakumo hands a stack of explosive tags to En, then looks at Genichi and Nami. "Nami, Genichi, you are responsible for distracting the Daimyo’s guards. Remember, there is no need to fight them head-on. I will take out the Daimyo as quickly as possible, and then we will retreat."

Genichi and Nami nod in unison.

Sakumo adds, "According to the latest intelligence, the Daimyo’s guards, besides the samurai, include three ninja squads, but only one Jonin. That Jonin will not leave the Daimyo’s side, so you don't need to worry about him. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that Sunagakure has hidden ninja squads in the shadows. Therefore, this mission is extremely dangerous. Nami, Genichi, you must be very careful."

Both Genichi and Nami grow solemn. The possibility that Sunagakure hasn't sent hidden ninja squads is very small.

"Captain, let me go with you!" Nami insists.

Sakumo shakes his head. "I am faster alone. Furthermore, distracting the enemy is crucial, and Genichi cannot complete that task alone."

Nami falls silent. Genichi says nothing; he knows his own limits and does not try to be a hero. If he had the chakra reserves of Tobirama Senju, he might dare to take on the distraction task alone. But he does not.