Chapter Sixty-Four: Busy Days and Obsession

After calming the joy in his heart a little, Kato Mikaze prepared to take advantage of Tsunade still being occupied in the operating room, busy saving lives with no free time, to carefully and thoroughly study the contents of the ninjutsu scroll in his hands.

Yet, the hint of a smile on Kato Mikaze’s face simply would not fade. It wasn’t just because he had obtained the ninjutsu scrolls for the Shadow Clone Technique and the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique. To be honest, if Kato Mikaze had truly been desperate to get his hands on these two techniques, he could have acquired them through other means, even if it would have taken more effort and would not have been as easy as it was now.

What made him even happier was that Tsunade genuinely kept his words and affairs close to her heart, making them a priority.

Sitting there, Kato Mikaze read the contents of the ninjutsu scroll and smiled to himself, looking very much like a certain little green slug.

He didn’t read the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique first. Although it was an A-rank forbidden jutsu—a stronger, enhanced version of the B-rank Shadow Clone Technique and certainly more powerful—any normal person would start with the Shadow Clone Technique before attempting the advanced one.

Moreover, the main reason Kato Mikaze wanted to learn these two ninjutsu was to combine them with his own Spirit Nurturing Technique’s soul clone effect. This way, he could gain a true clone in every sense, resolving the conflict between his frequent need to go on missions and his permanent station at the underground Spring Base.

At this stage, Kato Mikaze could create more soul clones if necessary, and could maintain them for a short time during battle. But sustaining multiple soul clones for a long period would not only consume more energy, but his own body would also find it hard to endure. There was no need to make things unnecessarily difficult for himself; acting according to his actual ability was best.

Strength should be built up steadily, step by step, with a firm foundation—this is more reliable than anything else. Steady growth brings lasting stability, while blindly pursuing power without considering the consequences often leads to hidden dangers and future disasters.

Even in the original story, the mighty Madara Uchiha, a genius among geniuses, spent more than thirty years before finally awakening the Rinnegan. And even after he succeeded, the process left his body frail—without the power of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, he couldn’t survive. Unable to emerge from the shadows immediately to act in the ninja world, he had no choice but to transplant his Rinnegan into Nagato.

At this moment, Kato Mikaze was alone in Tsunade’s office, undisturbed. Unconsciously, he became completely absorbed in reading the ninjutsu scroll.

...

By dusk, the last rays of the setting sun had faded, and the lights in Tsunade’s office had long since been switched on. Still, Kato Mikaze sat alone, his eyes fixed on the ninjutsu scroll. Unlike before, there was now some leftover trash from fruit and snacks beside him—he hadn’t had time to clean up after eating.

He had been waiting for quite a long time today; apparently, the condition of the patients brought in from the western border was serious.

He had already thoroughly understood the detailed steps and key points necessary to perform the B-rank Shadow Clone Technique. Now, he was focusing on studying the personal insights about the technique recorded in the scroll by Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage.

As expected from the man known as the "Professor of the Ninja World," the Third Hokage’s talent for teaching was extraordinary. His personal notes and experiences regarding the Shadow Clone Technique were far more vivid and engaging than simply reading about the principles and steps of the jutsu. Many times, when Kato Mikaze came across something he didn’t understand, Sarutobi’s commentary would provide a sudden flash of insight, greatly inspiring and helping him.

Time passed. Kato Mikaze left Tsunade’s office briefly to visit the nurses’ station. Nurse Koharu was still busy, and from her, he learned that Tsunade was still in the operating room, working with others to save lives.

Glancing out the window at the darkening sky, he knew it was already very late. Tsunade definitely wouldn’t make it to dinner at the normal hour. Kato Mikaze himself had eaten quite a bit of fruit and snacks earlier and wasn’t hungry. Nurse Koharu told him Tsunade would still need quite some time before she could leave the operating room.

Mobilizing his chakra, Kato Mikaze used the Wind Release: Light Step Technique to hasten his movement, vanishing from Konoha Hospital in an instant.

He hurried to Konoha’s commercial district, bought several of Tsunade’s favorite dishes, and stored them in his own custom-made miniature sealing scroll. While he was at it, he quickly grabbed a few bites for himself; just snacks and fruit were far from enough to satisfy his hunger.

He then used ninjutsu to rush back to Konoha Hospital. Moving quickly, he returned to find Tsunade still hard at work in the operating room.

He left the dinner sealed inside the scroll, which he’d had custom-made by a friend in the sealing division. It would keep the food’s flavor and warmth intact. There was no need to take it out just yet. Carefully stowing away the scroll, Kato Mikaze picked up the ninjutsu scroll again.

...

The office was quiet, with only the occasional call of birds or insects from the hospital yard drifting through the window. Kato Mikaze once again immersed himself in studying the Shadow Clone Technique, so much so that he didn’t even notice when someone opened the office door.

Clad in a loose green ceremonial robe that could barely conceal her stunning figure, with long golden hair flowing down her back ending in two short twin ponytails, her face looked slightly tired, but her beauty and poise remained undiminished. It was Tsunade, who, after a busy afternoon in Konoha Hospital, was still working overtime.

It wasn’t fair to say Kato Mikaze was careless—after all, his sensory ability was always active. How could he not notice Tsunade’s approach? But his sensory skill was attuned to danger, and, after all, he was human, not an emotionless machine that could remain on high alert at every moment.

Kato Mikaze was alive—a real, living person, not a heartless automaton constantly monitoring his surroundings for the slightest disturbance. To be able to do that would make one less than human—more like a god. And even gods do not know everything.

Besides the fact that Kato Mikaze was human, not a machine or a god, there was something even more important: this was Konoha Hospital, the very heart of the village, where basic safety was guaranteed. More importantly, this was Tsunade's office—her domain and her sanctuary. Only here, in Tsunade’s presence, could Kato Mikaze truly relax, casting aside worries about intrigue or conspiracies.

...

Tsunade entered the office and approached Kato Mikaze, who was deeply engrossed in reading the ninjutsu scroll she had prepared and left there for him. On the desk beside him were bits of trash from finished fruit and snacks, still uncollected.

She noticed that Kato Mikaze hadn’t even realized she’d arrived, so absorbed was he in the contents of the scroll. Thinking of the scroll, Tsunade remembered the personal seal and password she had set on it. Now that the scroll was open, Kato Mikaze must have known the password she’d specifically set for him.

"This idiot is actually pretty clever—he didn’t even ask me about it..." At that thought, a faint blush colored Tsunade’s cheeks, and she quickly fanned herself with her right hand.

"It must be this sweltering summer heat, or maybe I’m just exhausted and hungry from working overtime. That idiot Kato Mikaze only thought of feeding himself—he’s already finished all the good food..."

...

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