Torao Senju 3

The smell of flesh, blood and sweat welcomed the two as they entered the camp, Tsunade began to move to the end where a large tent guarded by two shinobi stood. She stopped and turned around to look at Torao.

"You can't come inside. You're pretty tired from the trip right?" Tsunade called for a shinobi standing a bit afar.

"Yes Lady Tsunade?"

"Take the boy and give him a spot to sleep."

Torao wanted to object but he was too tired to really speak for himself. He followed the older shinobi's lead inside a small tent and was given a sleeping bag for himself.

3 hours later

"So that's how it is. After Minato claimed the Kannabi bridge, we've lacked any reports of enemy advancement. We are fortunate to have such young talent, wouldn't you say so, Tsunade?" Orochimaru peered at her from his sharp eyes. He was seated with a few scrolls laid in front of him.

Tsunade sighed and replied, "Envy is ugly, Orochimaru. You're doing well right here. We have fewer casualties and we've pushed back the enemy incredibly. Infamy may go to the yellow flash but you've proved superior generalship. If he's picked over you for Kage, it'll be for his personality rather than notoriety, that I assure you."

Orochimaru brought his lips to a frown. "Ridiculous. Anyways, I need you to focus your attention on the casualty here. You could help a lot of these squirming fools. I know for a fact I'm tired of the screams."

"You're certainly in a bad mood, my slithering pale friend. I'll be off then. Will try to make the night a bit more quiet for you."

"Lady Tsunade! The boy... he's requesting permission to treat the wounded"

"What boy?...oh. What!? What does he know of medical ninjutsu? Move." Tsunade stormed out of the commander's tent and moved to the med-nin corps' where he found Torao standing next to a screaming man having his leg amputated.

"What are you doing here? Don't distract the professionals, this is a matter of life and death for many in these beds." Tsunade began as she put on gloves and a face mask.

"I want to help! I can help. I know how to use the magical palm"

"Mystic palm"

"Yes, that. I've practiced it for a year. I can help"

"If you want to help, leave the ninjutsu to the professionals and bring fresh towels and some clean water."

Torao opened his mouth to protest but he refrained and went away. Tsunade had not spared a glance, instead she looked at the shinobi in front of her who had a massive wound in his abdomen. The moment her eyes landed on the wound, her knees went weak. She was forced to look away.

"Come on, be strong, be strong. These people need you." After a few deep breaths, she formed a few hand seals and summoned Katsuyu.

"How may I help you, Lady Tsunade?" The small Katsuyu looked up at her as she spoke.

"I'd like you to use your jutsu over this man's wound. Once he's stabilised, I'll perform the cleaning and stitching. I'll need you to keep me strong then. I can't have the blood get to me."

"I understand"

"Here!" Tsunade looked back from whence the voice came to see Torao with a basin of clean water in one arm and a stack of fresh towels on the other.

"Now what can I do?"

Tsunade smiled a bit.

"Katsuyu, change of plans, get on my shoulders and stabilise me. Boy! You apply the mystic palm on his abdomen. No physical contact, only the chakra should touch him. You know that right?"

"Yes, I've done it before."

Later

Tsunade and Torao stepped out for some fresh air, they'd worked for hours on various patients. Some made it and some lived long enough to say their goodbyes. Torao had not experienced something of this nature before, he was used to small injuries and fevers back in his village and the only run-in with death he had was the death of his parents. However, he hadn't seen them die right in front of him. His mother had hidden him away inside the cupboard before they got to her. This was his first time seeing the light leave a man's eyes and he saw it while he was giving it his all to keep him awake. It had left him deeply grieving. He wondered how the light must have left the eyes of his mother and father as they didn't even have the fortune of a doctor attempting to save them.

"You'll get used to it."

"What?" Torao snapped out his train of thought, confused by the statement

"Death. A medic-nin experiences both sides of death. One that occurs by your intent to kill and one that occurs during your intent to save. You've witnessed both. You will continue to witness more. Is this really what you want?"

"What are you talking about? I told you I gave up my dreams of being a shinobi"

"Because shinobi killed your parents. You still have the dream, you're just conflicted by what it entails. So have you truly cast it away or will you try to claim it once more when the dust settles and your mind is clear?"

"I...don't know. I want to be like you. Even now."

"You don't know me, kid. I'm no hero. I couldn't protect the people I love."

"Neither could I"

"I'll be a shinobi. Not like the ones that killed my parents, not like the ones that kill indiscriminately. I'll save the ones I can and only kill if I really have to."

"So that's your ninja way?"

"...My what?"

Three months later

"Welcome to the leaf village kid." Tsunade took the steps to the gates of her village with a young, bright-eyed Torao in tow.

"Wow! It's so bright and lovely." Torao looked around in wonder as Tsunade greeted the shinobi near the entrance.

"We're going straight to the old man's office. I'll get the paperwork ready as well"

"Paperwork for what?", Torao inquired curiously.

Tsunade turned around towards him with a big smile.

"For me to adopt you as my son."