Knock, knock, knock…
Naori knocked on the gate of the Zenin Clan estate, not far from Naka Shrine.
A short while later, Toji opened the door.
He still wore those plain prescription-less glasses, and though his expression remained gentle, there was now a trace of confusion.
“You are…
from the Uchiha Clan?
It’s very late.
May I ask what brings you here?” “My name is Naori Uchiha.
Toji-sama, forgive me for disturbing you so late.” Naori placed both hands before her lower abdomen and bowed slightly, lowering herself completely.
“We have injured people in the Uchiha Clan who need your treatment.
Please rest assured, we will pay triple the normal fee.” “It’s not about the money.” Toji stepped slowly out into the courtyard.
“Gospel Hospital accepts patients twenty-four hours a day.
Why not bring the wounded there directly?” “Because…
this concerns private clan matters.
We do not wish to make it known to everyone.” Toji adjusted his glasses.
“I see.
Understood.
Please lead the way.” * * * Soon enough, Toji was taken to the Uchiha district.
Inside a large room, it was packed with injured people.
The air was heavy and oppressive.
He immediately got to work.
Burn wounds caused by ninjutsu were wrapped in Mystical Palm Technique chakra.
Cuts and torn wounds from ninja blades were stitched using Earth Grudge Fear threads released from his palm.
Of course, outwardly he still called it Heavenly Mercy Fear.
Compared to the version released from his back, this one looked ugly, but its chakra presence was extremely weak.
To others, it felt harmless, like an average chūnin’s level.
“Thank you, Dr.
Toji.” “Many thanks.” “Please come visit the Uchiha sometime.” The injured clan members were grateful and friendly toward Toji.
The Uchiha Clan had no medical ninja.
During the endless wars of the Warring States Period, they respected strength, but they also deeply respected healers.
A skilled medical ninja was a second life to them.
Even now that peace had come, that tradition remained.
Toji answered them one by one.
At the same time, he silently marked one person in particular.
Naka Uchiha.
‘Interesting.
This chakra… are they blood relatives?’ * * * In the corridor, Naori stood with arms folded, leaning lightly against a pillar to rest.
Hearing footsteps, she opened her eyes.
Her blurred vision slowly focused again.
When she saw who it was, she asked, “Toji-sama, how is it?
Have all the treatments finished?” “Just call me Toji.” He nodded lightly.
“Most of them were seriously injured, and many have gone blind.
They need proper rest.
But there is still one person left untreated.” Naori instinctively asked, “Who?” “You.” “Me?” She froze for a moment, then shook her head.
“I’m not injured.
I don’t need treatment.” “Please trust my professional judgment.” For once, Toji’s tone became firm.
“To discover an injured patient and ignore it would be an insult to me.” Naori hesitated, then finally gave in.
“…Very well.” “Please come with me.” * * * Toji brought Naori to the former Gospel Clinic and gestured for her to lie on the operating table.
“Miss Naori, judging from how you moved all the way here, my judgment was correct.
You’ve suffered serious internal damage.
Even though you tried to hide it, your unsteady steps, poor distance judgment, and trembling pupils…
these are all signs of cerebellar injury.” Naori’s pupils suddenly contracted.
Even her breathing faltered for a second.
Toji raised a hand and activated Mystical Palm Technique.
His palm rested against Naori’s temple as gentle chakra slowly flowed into her body.
While probing and observing, he kept speaking, “When I traveled the ninja world, I encountered kekkei genkai dōjutsu users.
After overusing their eyes, they showed the same symptoms as you.” “I studied this.
The foundation of dōjutsu is ocular power, and ocular power is, in essence, a special chakra released from the brain.” “Overusing it is the same as squeezing your brain dry.
People become dizzy.
They lose balance.
Their body coordination worsens.
Even normal movement is affected.” “Your symptoms are far more severe than those of the clan members I treated earlier.
That leaves only one conclusion.
Miss Naori’s power is greater.
And naturally, the backlash and strain of your eye techniques on the brain are also stronger.” Toji’s voice was warm and calm.
Naori looked into his eyes and could feel the sincerity there.
Her tense body gradually relaxed.
He continued, “This is essentially a chronic bloodline disease.
Frequent use of your eye techniques causes irreversible brain damage.” “However, the human body has some healing ability.
If you do not use any eye techniques for at least three months, your body will slowly recover…
though it won’t return to perfect condition.” Naori let out a long breath.
Instead of asking about herself, she asked, “Toji, aren’t you curious what happened tonight at Naka Shrine?” “I’m not.” His expression did not change.
“I only do what a doctor should do.” “Those clan members who lost their sight used a misguided eye technique.
To guide them back, I also used my own eye technique.
It was my first time using it.
While I am stronger than them, facing so many clan members at once still injured my eyes…” Naori spoke on and on.
Beneath her cold exterior was a burning heart.
Toji listened quietly.
After a long while, he withdrew his hand.
“Miss Naori, this round of treatment is complete.
When you return, please follow medical advice.” “Come back in one week for the second stage.
It should continue for around one month.
That is when the treatment effect will peak.” “I understand.” Naori stood up.
“The triple treatment fee will be delivered to the Zenin Clan tomorrow.” “Normal payment is enough.
I only take what I should.” * * * Naori stepped out of the clinic.
Her blurred and doubled vision was gone.
Her steps became light again.
Feeling the improvement in her body, she softly said, “Toji is a good person…
and a man with principles.
He is worth befriending.” She quickly returned to the clan grounds and summoned a young clan member.
“Setsuna, have the numbers been counted?” “Yes, Naori-sama.” Setsuna Uchiha lowered his head, unable to hide his gloom.
“Yusuke, Masayuki, Taku…
five clan members are dead.
Yanagi is missing.
The clan members closest to her said Yanagi was badly wounded and ran toward the Forest of Death.
The clan elder has already sent people to pursue her.” “Yanagi…
escaped?” Naori’s brows tightened deeply.
The worst situation had still happened.
If clan members died in internal conflict, she could still conceal it and claim it was internal business.
But if a ninja fled, that meant defection.
Since the Uchiha produced a missing-nin, it had to be reported and the person captured.
“Go notify Ayano and have her bring another elite squad.
Yanagi is badly wounded.
She cannot go far, and she cannot move quickly.
We must bring her back before dawn.” ** ** ** Thank you for reading!
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