Chapter 147 : Are They Really Discussing Medical Ninjutsu?
After asking Tsunade a few questions about medical ninjutsu, Tsunade furrowed her brow slightly. Even after reading through Riku’s notes, she found herself at a bit of a loss.
She had encountered these problems before, but there had been no real solution.
So, she and Riku discussed it behind closed doors for several hours, and by the end, the issue was resolved.
Tsunade let out a long breath and smiled. "If I hadn’t sat down and gone over this with you today, I still wouldn’t have figured it out. Riku, in terms of medical ninjutsu, you might be the only one in the shinobi world who can rival me now."
Riku closed the book in his hand and replied calmly, "I’ve still got a long way to go. But... medical ninjutsu really is fascinating."
After they wrapped up the discussion, their conversation turned casual. These days, Tsunade rarely talked about her past.
Maybe because there was no need to anymore. Or maybe she didn’t want to shake Riku emotionally.
After all, now that they were in a relationship, if Tsunade kept bringing up Kato Dan—no matter how open-minded Riku was, it would still sting a little.
So ever since Tsunade and Riku had become involved, she had never once mentioned Kato Dan. Even Nawaki’s name came up less and less.
Truthfully, Riku didn’t mind. Tsunade having loved Kato in the past was just that—the past. There was nothing wrong with that.
As long as Tsunade loved him now, that was enough. He had no intention of clinging to her past or trying to erase it. That kind of emotional weight was exhausting.
If she truly still held onto Kato Dan in her heart, Riku would’ve simply walked away.
No resentment, no anger. That was Tsunade’s freedom.
And it was equally Riku’s freedom to not love a woman who couldn’t move on from her ex.
But thankfully, there was a clear mutual understanding between them.
Tsunade could feel, just from the way Riku held her hand, that he was the type to be naturally dominant. And he had the power, skills, and charisma to back it up—strong, competent, and damn good-looking.
Even though he wasn’t born into a prestigious clan, plenty of powerful kunoichi wouldn’t care in the slightest.
Tsunade understood that well. That’s why she never tried to force Riku to accept the version of her who used to love someone else. That would’ve been absurd.
She wasn’t foolish. She knew better than to bring up Kato Dan in front of Riku.
Even if she was brash by nature, she wasn’t stupid.
Around noon, Tsunade looked at Riku and smiled. "Why don’t you sign a summoning contract with Katsuyu? With her help, your medical ninjutsu would improve even more."
In fact, a large portion of Tsunade’s medical achievements had been possible thanks to Katsuyu’s assistance.
She was often called the "Slug Princess" of the shinobi world—especially by Chiyo, who always used the nickname sarcastically.
But Tsunade didn’t mind. Her collaboration with Katsuyu was a cornerstone of her healing techniques.
Riku thought it over and replied seriously, "I don’t think I need to. I’m not learning medical ninjutsu to heal others."
"I study it because I enjoy it. That’s all—it’s a personal interest."
But Tsunade gave him a long, quiet look.
When their eyes met, Riku sighed and smiled wryly. "Fine. I guess I’m not really losing anything. It just means I get another summon."
Satisfied, Tsunade grinned and pulled out a summoning scroll she had prepared in advance. "Here. Sign your name."
Seeing how eager she was, Riku chuckled. "Do you think I’m going to run off?"
He wrote his name and bit his finger, pressing his bloodstained hand against the parchment to complete the contract.
In the next moment, he could sense Katsuyu’s presence in the Shikkotsu Forest.
Riku formed a hand seal. "Summoning Jutsu! "
With a puff of white smoke, Katsuyu appeared on the desk in front of them.
As soon as she emerged, her gentle voice echoed, "Master Riku. Lady Tsunade."
Tsunade placed her hands on the table and smiled. "From now on, Riku will be one of your summoners."
Katsuyu nodded. "Understood."
After exchanging a few words, Riku dismissed her, allowing Katsuyu to return to Shikkotsu Forest.
Riku looked at Tsunade with a smirk. "I’m probably the first shinobi to sign contracts with two of the Three Great Summoning Clans."
Tsunade leaned into his arm with a grin. "Yes. Most people aren’t that lucky."
Feeling the warmth of Tsunade’s body against his arm, Riku inhaled deeply.
"Your figure is... a bit dangerous," he murmured.
Tsunade rested her head on his shoulder, chuckling softly. "Oh? Do you hate it?"
Riku didn’t answer.
But he knew full well—without her looks and that figure, they might not have ended up in such an intimate relationship.
Just as he was about to talk to Tsunade about something else, he sensed a familiar chakra signature approaching.
He quickly straightened up and smiled. "Jiraiya’s here."
Tsunade blushed faintly and adjusted her posture.
She leaned forward on the table, pretending to give Riku some advice about medical ninjutsu.
A few seconds later, Jiraiya slid the door open.
When he saw the two of them discussing medical techniques, he paused for a second...
Then grinned. "Well, well, Tsunade. Aren’t you being the diligent teacher today."
He plopped down opposite them and poured himself a cup of tea, seemingly oblivious.
Riku had spent the last six or seven years honing his ability to act calm. He wasn’t the type to get flustered easily.
And Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin—she was in her fifties. Her ability to hide emotions was nothing to scoff at.
Hearing Jiraiya’s teasing, Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Riku has talent in medical ninjutsu. Not everyone’s a shameless old lecher like you."
Jiraiya just grinned. He was used to the insults by now.
Watching him, Riku felt a flicker of guilt.
He knew Jiraiya had been in love with Tsunade for decades.
And now, here he was—already in a relationship with her.
But even so, Riku couldn’t lie to himself. He liked mature, powerful women—beautiful, confident, physically striking.
That’s just what he was into.
Though to be fair, he added silently: They have to be strong too.
He admired women like Anko and Yugao—they were beautiful and had great bodies. But their combat strength... wasn’t exactly elite.
Weak people were always vulnerable. And Riku couldn’t be there to protect someone all the time.
That’s why his relationships with Anko and Yugao had always stayed in the realm of close friendship.
As for Hinata and Ino—they were just childhood friends. Both came from prominent clans, and while Riku respected them, he didn’t see them in a romantic light.
Maybe it was because he’d known them too long. After a while, that romantic spark just... faded.
Or maybe it was because they were still too young.
And Sakura? That was Sasuke’s girl. Riku had no intention of stepping into that mess.
Now or ever.
After spending time with Tsunade, he found that no one else even compared.
Jiraiya glanced between the two of them. Something felt a little off about how close they were...
But watching them seriously discuss medical ninjutsu, he dismissed the thought.
Tch. I’m overthinking. Tsunade’s pushing fifty. Riku’s the same age as Naruto. There’s no way she’d be into him... right?
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