I, Konoha's Sage of Life

"Tsunade-sama, I beg you! Please save my child!"

The one speaking was Gekko Kazahana.

The moment Kyoichi saw him, he recognized him right away—Kazahana was the uncle of Gekko Hayate.

Hayate's father had passed away years ago, leaving Kazahana to raise him ever since.

Clearly, he was here for Hayate.

"It's you…"

Tsunade let out a sigh.

The Gekko clan…

They had risen to prominence during the Second Hokage's era and were now well-known in Konoha. She was naturally familiar with a few of them, including Kazahana.

"Tsunade-sama, my brother's son, Hayate, has been sick since childhood. Please, I beg you to save his life!"

Kazahana pleaded desperately.

He had sought help from many people.

But…

No medical ninja in Konoha had claimed they could cure Hayate. His only hope now rested with Tsunade.

Tsunade hesitated.

She knew herself well. Theoretically, she understood medical ninjutsu deeply, but the moment she saw blood, fear would paralyze her. She simply couldn't perform surgery.

Kyoichi's mind stirred.

He had some understanding of Hayate's condition.

On one hand, he had suffered from a lung disease since childhood.

On the other, there was his clan's Kekkei Genkai—

Transparent Escape Technique.

The combination of these two factors made his illness difficult to cure, leaving him frail even at twenty-three. If not for this, even someone like Baki might not have been able to kill him so easily.

He was a true talent.

It was a shame that illness had been holding him back.

"Tsunade-sama, let's at least take a look first?" Shizune couldn't help but suggest.

Tsunade shot her a glare. Then, noticing that Kyoichi had a similar expression, she sighed helplessly and said, "Kazahana, I can't promise anything."

"I understand! I understand!"

Kazahana was overjoyed.

With no one else able to help, he had no choice but to pin all his hopes on Tsunade. There was no room for complaints.

Medical disputes?

In the entire ninja world, there were probably very few people who dared to cause trouble for Tsunade over medical treatment.

—

The Gekko clan's compound wasn't large, but it bore distinct symbols of their lineage.

Trees and moon insignias decorated the place.

Upon entering, they saw several children practicing sword techniques. Most were simply practicing basic slashes, while only a select few had mastered actual kenjutsu.

The most talented among them, naturally, was Gekko Hayate!

But…

His physical condition was also the worst.

"Hayate…"

"Uncle Kazahana… Kyoichi-sensei!"

Hearing voices, Hayate turned his head. When he saw Kyoichi, his eyes immediately lit up, and he even seemed a bit more energetic.

"You've got quite a way with kids," Tsunade muttered.

She could tell that Hayate truly respected Kyoichi.

Otherwise…

Why the hell did he not even look at her?!

"I temporarily took over as his instructor before," Kyoichi explained.

Hearing his voice, Hayate finally looked at the woman standing beside him.

Tsunade had already left the village by the time Hayate was born, so he didn't recognize her.

But…

The large "Gamble" character on her clothing caught his attention, and his expression shifted as he deeply bowed. "Tsunade-sama!"

"Ugh…" Damn it, is this tiny hobby of mine known across the entire world?!

Tsunade was speechless.

She studied Hayate carefully, and soon, her brows furrowed.

For a child…

His condition was already quite severe.

"Let's talk inside."

"Yes!"

—

Inside the house, Tsunade signaled Hayate to sit down before beginning a careful diagnosis.

Kazahana stood nearby, his heart pounding with anxiety.

Tsunade was their last hope!

If even she couldn't help…

"You have a Kekkei Genkai?"

"…Yes."

Hayate nodded.

He had awakened Transparent Escape Technique at a young age, which made him highly valued by the clan. From then on, he had been trained in Dance of the Crescent Moon.

"Curing your lung disease isn't difficult, but the real issue stems from your Kekkei Genkai. Every time you use Transparent Escape Technique, it damages your body. Eventually, it will relapse."

Tsunade stated bluntly.

Kazahana was stunned.

So…

That meant Hayate couldn't use Transparent Escape Technique anymore?

He looked at his nephew, unsure of what to say.

"So, I can't use my Kekkei Genkai?"

Hayate was equally dumbfounded.

"That's right. If you stop using Transparent Escape Technique, I can cure you."

Tsunade nodded.

She had some prior understanding of the Gekko clan's Kekkei Genkai, so she was able to make a quick judgment.

In fact…

She had said the same thing to Hayate's father before.

And the result back then had been obvious.

Kazahana hesitated for a moment before turning to Hayate. "This is your decision to make. No matter what you choose, I will support you!"

"…Sensei."

Hayate looked at Kyoichi in confusion.

He was the same age as Shisui. Though both were precocious, such a major decision left him overwhelmed.

"You're asking me?"

Kyoichi had intended to stay out of it, but seeing the hopeful, pleading look in Hayate's eyes, he sighed.

"Fine. Let me ask you this—what defines the Gekko clan: your Kekkei Genkai or your swordsmanship?"

Hayate thought for a moment.

Then, with firm determination, he answered:

"Swordsmanship."

Their Kekkei Genkai was merely a tool.

It was Kenjutsu that truly made the Gekko clan strong.

At that moment, he understood.

"Then what are you hesitating for?"

As Kyoichi spoke, he drew his sword—

And in the blink of an eye…

He instantaneously appeared above Hayate!

"Dance of the Crescent Moon?!"

Kazahana was shocked.

Though Kyoichi hadn't created shadow clones for interference, the essence of the technique was the same—

Find a weakness.

Strike from a blind spot.

"Dance of the Crescent Moon doesn't rely heavily on Transparent Escape Technique. Its true strength lies in its ability to deceive an opponent's vision. Completely forbidding its use might be unrealistic, but unless absolutely necessary, don't rely on it."

Kyoichi's voice was serious.

"Yes! Thank you for your guidance!"

Hayate bowed deeply.

Tsunade glanced at Kyoichi with an amused expression before suddenly saying, "I can heal you, but I won't be the one performing the surgery—your teacher, Kyoichi, will. Do you still dare to go through with it?"

"I do!"

Hayate answered without hesitation.

"Then it's settled. Come to the hospital tomorrow morning for pre-surgery preparations."

"Yes!"

"Thank you, Tsunade-sama! Thank you, Kyoichi-sama!"

"…Uh."

Kyoichi wanted to protest, but he knew why Tsunade was doing this. Calling her out on it now wouldn't be appropriate.

Fine…

It's just surgery.

No big deal!

Besides…

Just now, Hayate had even given him a reward.

[Gekko Hayate sees you as his life mentor.]

[Reward: Secret Sword – Moon Shadow.]

This kid really just handed me a freebie!

Even Kyoichi hadn't expected Hayate to accept him so easily.

Well…

Thanks for the gift!

---

Leaving the Gekko clan's compound,

"Lady Tsunade has… some minor issues, which is why she can't personally handle the surgery…"

Shizune hesitated, trying to choose her words carefully.

But Tsunade cut straight to the point. "I have hemophobia."

Hemophobia.

Kyoichi put on a deliberately surprised expression.

After a moment, he asked, "Is that why you left the village?"

"I am one of the Legendary Sannin, a top-tier medical ninja, yet now I can't step onto a battlefield or even hold a scalpel. What use do I have in Konoha?"

"Leaving means no one would know about my condition."

Tsunade sighed.

Her departure from the village had been due, in large part, to this affliction.

Of course…

There were other factors as well.

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