At the entrance of Konoha Forest, Kakashi lay sideways on a tree branch, staring blankly at the sky in boredom.
Huh, those two clouds look a bit like Sister Tsunade's...
"Kakashi, why are we here? Skipping class on the first day of school... it'll be terrible if Teacher Iku finds out!"
After a long wait, Rin Nohara, standing beneath the tree, couldn't help but ask.
She had just entered the school gates for the afternoon session when Kakashi suddenly grabbed her small hand and ran toward Konoha Forest without a word!
Eh?!
This... this counts as holding hands, right?
Looking at Kakashi, who was half a step ahead of her, Rin Nohara suddenly felt flustered, and a faint blush appeared on her cute little Face.
After her mind had been wandering the whole way, Rin Nohara finally calmed down once Kakashi stopped and asked out of curiosity.
"Don't worry, I used a Shadow Clone to transform into you. Aside from that idiot Obito, no one at school will notice."
Snapping back to reality, Kakashi jumped down from the branch and came to Rin Nohara's side.
"The person we're waiting for is here. No matter what I say later, don't refuse. Just follow my lead."
Tsunade was seen walking from the village entrance, accompanied by a quiet-looking little girl dressed in black and gray.
If he guessed correctly, this should be Shizune.
"Sister Tsunade!"
Kakashi immediately reined in his wandering thoughts, approached Tsunade, and bowed respectfully.
"Punctual, I see. Not bad. Well then..."
"Wait a moment, Sister Tsunade."
Kakashi interrupted Tsunade just in time.
"I have a companion who is very talented in the study of Medical Ninjutsu. Could you also give her a chance to take the test?"
Kakashi pulled over the bewildered Rin Nohara.
"Eh?!"
"Nonsense! You brat, don't push your luck..."
Hearing this, Tsunade was furious. Did he really think the Sannin were as common as cabbage?
He wanted her to take an apprentice just by dragging someone over? Did he think her Face didn't matter?!
Huh?
Just as Tsunade was about to storm off, she was suddenly attracted by the thick envelope before her eyes. This familiar feeling...
"Sister Tsunade, this is our apprenticeship gift. It's eight million Ryo in total. It's not much, but it's a token of our sincerity."
"Just give us both a chance. Whether we succeed or not, you don't have to return it. Please!"
Kakashi handed over the envelope with both hands and bowed sincerely.
"*Cough, cough*..."
Her expression softening, Tsunade shot a look at Shizune, who understood instantly.
"Lady Tsunade, let's give them a chance. That way, I'll have someone to accompany me during practice. It gets boring being alone all the time..."
Shizune put on a pitiful look.
"Mm, since Shizune said so, I'll give you this chance. Follow me."
Tsunade turned and walked forward, discreetly tucking the envelope away.
The whole process was smooth and perfectly natural.
Kakashi couldn't help but sigh inwardly; he had indeed made the right bet. The legendary "Big Sucker" who loses every bet—it would be hard for her not to be in debt.
Could he only say, as expected of Tsunade?
Meanwhile, Rin Nohara was in shock; the scene before her was far beyond her comprehension.
That was eight million Ryo!
A fortune that could support her family for a very long time!
And it was only to buy a spot for a test from this pretty older sister?
Rin Nohara felt like her little brain couldn't keep up.
But she remembered Kakashi's instructions and didn't make a fuss. Instead, she tugged at Kakashi's sleeve and whispered:
"Eight million Ryo! That's way too much!"
"I can't let you spend this money on me. Let's get the money back before it starts!"
"Shh, this is one of the legendary Sannin, Lady Tsunade, the person with the strongest medical skills in the entire Ninja World!"
"Eight million isn't that much. Others would fight tooth and nail and still might not get an opportunity like this."
"Think about it. If the three of us go to the battlefield together in the future, the better your medical skills are, the easier it will be for that silly boy Obito to survive, right?"
Kakashi spoke in a low voice to soothe the overwhelmed Rin Nohara.
"But..."
"Alright, alright. A chance to change your fate might only come once. As for the money, just consider it a loan from me. You can pay me back when you grow up."
"Besides, didn't we agree? Just follow my lead."
Kakashi patted Rin Nohara's head. Seeing her conflicted expression, his eyes curved into crescent moons.
Rin Nohara's excitement gradually calmed down, and she looked up to quietly observe her surroundings.
Above, the forest was dense with interlacing branches. A few rays of sunlight spilled onto the ground. As the breeze blew, the leaves rustled as if blaming the visitors for disturbing their dreams.
Before long, a clearing suddenly appeared ahead, with the afternoon sun shining down recklessly upon it, a bright sight to behold.
At this moment, Tsunade and Shizune stopped and turned to look at the two following them.
"It's quiet enough here; we won't be disturbed."
"Next, I will first teach you how to use the Healing Technique."
"The Healing Technique is a fundamental Medical Ninjutsu. Whether it's internal or external injuries, it can achieve a certain degree of recovery."
"And you must master it within one hour."
"If you succeed, it proves you truly have talent, and you will have passed the first stage of the assessment."
"Yes!"
Kakashi answered with full vigor.
"Y-Yes!"
Rin Nohara, on the other hand, seemed a bit lacking in confidence.
Kakashi squeezed Rin Nohara's small hand, signaling her not to be nervous and that he was there for her.
Feeling the warmth from his palm, Rin Nohara's anxiety gradually dissipated.
Kakashi knew in his heart that although Sister Tsunade called the Healing Technique fundamental...
...as a B-rank jutsu, even in the Medical Corps, not everyone can master it proficiently!
Considering that he and Rin Nohara were still young, this assessment was much more difficult than he had anticipated!
He himself would be fine.
But as for Rin Nohara's talent, to be honest, he was taking a bit of a gamble.
However, as a girl who could quickly adjust her mindset and perform an eye transplant surgery on the battlefield in the original work, Rin Nohara's innate talent for Medical Ninjutsu was bound to be strong!
While thinking, Kakashi's hands already began to emit a green glow, just like Tsunade's.
He succeeded so quickly!
Shizune covered her small mouth in surprise, looking at Kakashi in disbelief.
Seeing this as well, Rin Nohara clenched her fists excitedly, her eyes filled with surprise and admiration.
"As expected of Kakashi! I need to work hard too!"
Beside them, Tsunade's expression shifted, and she created a Shadow Clone that walked deeper into the forest.
Soon, half an hour passed, and Rin Nohara also successfully performed the Healing Technique.
Although this speed couldn't compare to Kakashi's, it was still outstanding enough.