Naruto: My Unique System

"Ding~ [Strength+3], [Speed+3], [Stamina+5]"

Once whisked away to the medical room for urgent treatment, Tatsuma finally found the energy to review his newfound gains. It's worth noting that Minato remained the best target, yielding bountiful rewards.

Reflecting on the perks acquired, Tatsuma, reclining on the sickbed with bandages adorning several areas, couldn't suppress a hearty chuckle. Just then, an unusual voice echoed from beyond the door.

"Why are you laughing so happily? Do you really enjoy getting injured?"

As the words hung in the air, the small curtain enveloping his sickbed was drawn aside, revealing a female ninja with golden hair in Tatsuma's line of sight. Tatsuma studied her for a moment and inquired with a hint of uncertainty, "Tsunade-sama?"

Observing Tatsuma's recognition, Tsunade was somewhat taken aback but didn't dwell on it. While her current renown hadn't reached global heights, she was by no means an unknown ninja.

As the granddaughter of the First Hokage and a protegé of the Third Hokage, among other distinctions, she held a noteworthy place in the ninja world. It was only natural for Tatsuma, a young aspirant who likely harbored dreams of becoming a ninja, to be acquainted with her reputation.

Tsunade nodded and remarked, "I happened to pass by today. That blond kid outside begged me to treat you the moment he spotted me."

In response, Tatsuma exclaimed with genuine joy, "Really? Tsunade-sama is willing to treat me?"

Tsunade patted the pocket where her wallet resided. Having borrowed money from Jiraiya a few days ago, she had managed to squander it all in gambling. Left with no other plans but to head home, she nodded and added, "Yes, but you haven't answered my question yet."

Before Tatsuma could reply, Tsunade, not one to wait, channeled a burst of green chakra into her hand. As the chakra enveloped Tatsuma's wounds, he experienced a tingling and itching sensation.

To distract himself from the physical sensations, Tatsuma spoke up, "Nobody enjoys getting injured. It's just that the feeling of winning is too exhilarating. If I could, I'd prefer to keep winning."

As Tatsuma's words reached her ears, an unexplainable surge of anger welled up within Tsunade. Was this kid being sarcastic or something?!

Despite the irritation, Tsunade refrained from exploding, mindful of her role as a medical ninja. How could she harm a patient while trying to heal them?

Yet, as Tsunade delved into her Medical Ninjutsu, a subtle furrow appeared on her brow. It seemed that Tatsuma's recovery ability was not particularly remarkable. Compared to the blond kid outside, who could bounce back and be lively after a brief rest, Tatsuma lagged significantly behind.

The body's recovery ability, to a large extent, could indicate a person's potential. Take Tsunade herself, for instance; she was well aware that her body's recovery ability surpassed that of an average person, even without the aid of Medical Ninjutsu.

Observing the young boy before her, in comparison to other prodigies who had distinguished themselves during their academy days, he didn't appear to possess particularly high innate talent.

With this thought in mind, Tsunade suddenly inquired, "If, in the future, you discover that after ten years of dedicated practice, your accomplishments are not even on par with someone else's progress in just one year, what would you make of it?"

"Are you referring to talent?" Tatsuma inquired. Tsunade nodded in acknowledgment. Tatsuma took a moment to reflect; the disparity in talent could indeed be profoundly disheartening, and he had come close to losing hope because of it.

Nevertheless, he found himself in a position to alter his inherent abilities, a stroke of fortune that set him apart from the majority. With an infectious smile, he remarked, "Everyone is destined to face death, so why get bogged down in the journey? For me, as long as the outcome remains the same, even if my path differs from others, it's worthwhile. It might have taken me a decade to achieve what some accomplish in a year, but isn't that still an achievement? My talent might not measure up to others' right now, but who's to say that won't change someday? The future is uncertain for everyone, isn't it?"

"Hmph, lofty words for a little one," Tsunade muttered. She shook her head, concluded the healing process, stood up, and advised, "In the future, steer clear of these unnecessary injuries. Otherwise, while you're recuperating, others might catch up, surpass you, and leave you in the dust."

"Thank you, Tsunade-sama."

Sensing the pain dissipate and a significant amount of fatigue lifting from his body, Tatsuma expressed his gratitude to Tsunade. She waved her hand dismissively and exited the medical room.

Leaving the medical facility, Tsunade spotted Jiraiya squatting on the ground, engrossed in conversation with the blond kid named Minato Namikaze.

Originally intending to stroll past them, Tsunade changed her mind the moment she turned around. The corner of her eye caught sight of a distinctly square shape protruding from Jiraiya's pocket. She approached and inquired, "Jiraiya, did you go to sensei to claim a mission reward?"

"Yeah," Jiraiya subconsciously replied, realizing that Tsunade wore a familiar smile. He instinctively guarded his pocket and added, "Well, not exactly. The village's finances are a bit tight lately."

"Bring it out!"

"Tsunade, there's really..."

"Bring it out!"

Under Tsunade's determined gaze, Jiraiya reluctantly produced the money he had just received from the Hokage Building. Tsunade swiftly snatched it away, poised to tuck it into her pocket, and simultaneously declared, "The next time I win, I'll return this along with the previous amount."

"Don't! Tsunade, leave me some money for meals!" Jiraiya pleaded. Tsunade frowned, then counted out three or four bills and handed them back to Jiraiya. Jiraiya breathed a sigh of relief; at least he wouldn't go hungry for the next few days.

But soon, he thought of another matter and inquired, "Weren't you leaving? Why are you still at the school?"

Before Tsunade could respond, Minato interjected, "I bumped into Tsunade-sama and asked her to treat Tatsuma."

"Oh."

"He's already healed and can go home anytime."

After Tsunade finished speaking, without waiting for Minato's words of gratitude, she departed. Images of her reigning supreme in the gambling scene began to replay in her mind.

Jiraiya pocketed the money in his hand and suggested, "Call your friend, I'll treat you both to ramen."

"Wouldn't that be too extravagant?" Minato hesitated, considering that Jiraiya's funds might not even surpass what he had saved over the past two years. He didn't want Jiraiya to go hungry just because he treated them to ramen.

However, Jiraiya boldly waved his hand and asserted, "It's just money, no big deal. I can earn a couple hundred thousand with a casual mission. I just happened not to have it on me at the moment."

Minato was somewhat skeptical, but he didn't want to outright reject Jiraiya. He reluctantly invited Tatsuma, who had just recovered from his injuries. The moment Tatsuma saw Jiraiya, his eyes lit up.

Jiraiya felt uneasy under Tatsuma's enthusiasm. He recognized that fervent and sincere gaze—it was the same look he has when peeping into the women's bathhouse.

Finally, at the ramen shop, Jiraiya couldn't bear it any longer. His voice trembled, and with a blend of severity and ambiguity, he questioned.

"Kid, why are you staring at me like that? What do you want?!"

---- 

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