Konoha: Gu Master

"I must have spent a lot of money on food... so please, take this!" Hinata's voice grew firm as she finished her sentence, a rare moment of courage for her.

"And what about you?" Shinho asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I... I don't really need money," Hinata's confidence wavered under his gaze. "If I run out... Father will give me more."

Of course, Shinho thought, wealthy and generous.

Reflecting on it, Tsunade might be generous but not exactly wealthy. Hinata, on the other hand, grew up to embody both traits.

Without hesitation, Shinho accepted the bankbook and said, "Let's go eat some yakiniku."

Now that he had money, it was time to splurge—eating meat with no regrets.

"We don't have to sneak out anymore," Hinata suddenly remembered, her tone excited.

"Aren't you afraid of getting caught?" Shinho asked, a bit surprised. Misunderstanding Hinata. Did my courage-boosting plan work?

"Father said I could be friends with you." Hinata's voice held a joyful tone.

Ah. Shinho raised an eyebrow slightly. So, Hiashi Hyuga changed his tune? The only explanation was that Hiashi had heard about Shinho becoming Tsunade's apprentice. Now it makes sense.

In the original series, the Hyuga clan was loyal supporters of the Hokage. When a Cloud Village emissary attempted to kidnap Hinata, Hiashi discovered the plot and killed the leader. But the Cloud made false accusations and demanded the killer, threatening war. To preserve peace, Hiashi's twin, Hizashi, sacrificed himself, with the consent of Konoha's higher-ups.

"Let's go," Shinho said, leading Hinata to a yakiniku restaurant.

As they sat down, Shinho glanced at the menu. "Any dietary restrictions? Do you eat beef?"

"I do," Hinata nodded.

Good thing she doesn't avoid beef, Shinho thought as he ordered a variety of dishes.

Soon enough, the table was filled with various cuts of meat, mostly pork and beef.

Shinho placed a piece of pork belly on the grill. Hinata hesitated, watching him, then gingerly reached for her own piece, feeling she shouldn't always rely on others to feed her.

"I'll eat later," Shinho commented, noticing her shy actions.

"Huh?" Hinata blinked, confused.

"I have to head to Tsunade-sensei's place later," he explained, smiling as he saw her flustered face.

"Shinho-kun... did I... take up too much of your time?" Hinata suddenly realized, feeling guilty, yet a sense of warmth filled her heart. Even with other important things, Shinho-kun still took time to eat with me.

"Having a meal doesn't waste much time," Shinho replied as he tossed another two slices of beef on the grill.

The aroma wafted through the air, making Hinata's mouth water. In the glow of the flames, her cheeks flushed red.

"Eat," Shinho said, placing a grilled piece of pork belly into her bowl.

Hinata looked up at him, then down at the food, before taking a bite. Her lips quickly became slick with the oil from the meat.

Shinho handed her a napkin, quietly tending to the grill as she ate. In the end, he couldn't resist and ate a couple of pieces himself. It really is too good.

"See you tomorrow," Shinho said as he walked her home, then turned and left.

Hinata stood at the door, staring at his departing figure.

"Big sis," Hanabi Hyuga suddenly poked her head out, asking, "Was that Shinho?"

"When did you get here?" Hinata nearly jumped.

"Just now," Hanabi's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "So, big sis, is that really Shinho-kun?"

"Yes, it's Shinho-kun," Hinata nodded.

"Oh," Hanabi smiled, her curiosity growing. "Can I meet him too, big sis?"

Hinata blushed. "If there's a chance, I'll introduce you."

"Thank you, big sis!" Hanabi beamed.

________________________________________

Shinho made his way to Tsunade's residence.

"Shinho, come eat," Shizune called out, waving to him from the dining table where she and Tsunade were already seated, waiting for him.

"Why so late?" Tsunade smirked, clearly pleased with herself. "Delaying won't help you. Just admit defeat already."

She assumed Shinho was late because he hadn't mastered the medical texts she had given him.

Shizune watched with concern. Could it be that Tsunade-sama might actually win this time? But no, a strange feeling gnawed at her. Wait... why do I feel like I want her to lose?

"I was held up by something else," Shinho said calmly.

"Such bravado, kid," Tsunade scoffed. "I'll test you right now. If you can't answer, you'll admit defeat."

Shinho nodded.

"The first question," Tsunade crossed her arms and squinted, determined to see how long his composure would last.

But as Shinho answered each of her questions—fifteen in total, one from each book—her expression began to shift, and Shizune's jaw practically dropped in shock.

He answered every single question perfectly.

Impossible! Shizune clapped a hand over her mouth, utterly stunned.

Tsunade's grip on her arms tightened slightly, her pale skin threatening to spill over her blouse. Shinho couldn't help but worry about the quality of her clothes—they looked ready to burst.

"You win, kid," Tsunade admitted, a touch of resignation in her voice. Luck may not be on my side, but I never go back on a bet.

She stared at Shinho, feeling a strange sense of bittersweetness. Why did I only meet him now?

"Let's have dinner," Tsunade said, grabbing her chopsticks. "I'll teach you after dinner."

Shinho nodded. He was eager for Tsunade's one-on-one training.

Shizune couldn't hide her envy. Shinho's natural talent left her awestruck. If only I had that... I'd have long since mastered Tsunade-sama's techniques. She thought about her struggles with learning the Yin Seal, a jutsu she could never seem to grasp.

After dinner, Shizune cleared the table while Shinho followed Tsunade to her room.

For once, Tsunade refrained from drinking, focused on the lesson ahead.

"Alright, kid, tell me your request," Tsunade said, unusually generous now that money wasn't on the line.

"First, I'm not a 'kid'," Shinho raised two fingers. "Second, I haven't decided yet."

"Take your time," Tsunade replied with a smirk, dragging out her words. "Kid~"

Childish behavior for someone her age... But he couldn't deny it was somewhat charming.

Still, Shinho silently marked it down as a grudge in his mental notebook. One day, she'll drop the 'kid.'

"Before we begin, you need to know the three rules of being a medical ninja," Tsunade's tone shifted to serious as she began the lesson.

These three principles were rules she had established herself:

First, never give up on treating a comrade until they are dead.

Second, a medical ninja must never stand on the front lines.

Third, a medical ninja must never die before their comrades.