The Hyuga guard left.
But the money stayed behind.
Aoba accepted the request.
Whether he could actually succeed, he had no idea.
All he could promise was to do his best.
Before leaving, the guard had made one thing perfectly clear:
Whether Aoba succeeded or failed, the Hyuga Clan would not ask for the money back.
To the Hyuga Clan, one hundred thousand ryō was probably little more than pocket change.
Holding the heavy bundle of cash, Aoba broke into a radiant smile.
Unfortunately…
That smile quickly froze.
“So…
when exactly did little Aoba become acquainted with the eldest daughter of the Hyuga Clan?”
Yugao’s voice carried both a trace of coldness and a hint of grievance.
She had originally thought Tenten was already the limit.
Who knew there was an even stronger rival?
A family that could casually hand over one hundred thousand ryō…
Watching Aoba stare at the money with sparkling eyes made her feel strangely unhappy.
“Big Sis Yugao, let me explain…”
Aoba carefully recounted how he had first met Hinata.
After hearing the whole story, Yugao looked genuinely surprised.
“I never imagined the dignified eldest daughter of the Hyuga Clan would almost get bullied by a few civilian children.”
As he untied the bundle and counted the money inside, Aoba replied,
“What’s so strange about that?”
“Didn’t Ino and the others almost get bullied before too?”
Yugao fell silent.
Looking at Aoba happily counting his money, she sighed helplessly.
She knew exactly what kind of person he was.
Every time he helped someone, it came from genuine kindness.
Yet somehow…
He always ended up attracting girls.
Unable to resist, she pinched his cheeks again.
“Little Aoba…”
“I really wish you were a little uglier.”
The next morning…
Aoba, Yugao, and Hayashi were eating breakfast together.
“You want to learn medical ninjutsu?”
Both Hayashi and Yugao looked surprised by Aoba’s sudden request.
“Mm.”
“If I learn medical ninjutsu, treating injuries in the future will be much more convenient.”
Aoba answered matter-of-factly.
Seeing how natural he looked, Hayashi couldn’t help explaining,
“You can learn medical ninjutsu at Konoha Hospital.”
“But medical ninjutsu requires incredibly precise chakra control.”
“You’ve only just begun learning chakra nature transformation, haven’t you?”
“And if I remember correctly…”
“Your only chakra nature is Wind Release.”
“Learning medical ninjutsu under those circumstances would likely require twice the effort for half the results.”
Hayashi wasn’t against Aoba learning medical ninjutsu.
The problem was that it demanded exceptional talent and an enormous investment of time.
Very few people began studying it from childhood.
Most children simply lacked the patience.
Just healing a single fish could take countless hours of practice.
But Aoba was different.
I’ve already unlocked the talent.
I’d be wasting it if I didn’t use it.
He picked up his chopsticks.
As chakra flowed into them…
A sharp aura instantly emerged.
Yet the chopsticks themselves remained completely undamaged.
Hayashi and Yugao’s eyes widened.
“You’ve already mastered chakra nature transformation?”
“Not just mastered it.”
“I’ve mastered it completely.”
Aoba smiled confidently.
Then he used the chakra-coated chopsticks to slice through another pair.
Without encountering the slightest resistance…
The second pair was cleanly cut in half.
“You’ve really mastered it!”
“But yesterday you had only just started!”
“How did you become this good overnight?”
Holding the severed chopsticks, Yugao stared at the perfectly smooth cut in disbelief.
“Haha.”
“I guess that’s just talent.”
There was no way Aoba could tell them he’d gotten another cheat.
“Aoba, you’re amazing.”
Yugao gently rubbed his head before turning to Hayashi .
“Teacher.”
“In that case, I’ll take Aoba to Konoha Hospital later.”
“I don’t have any missions these next few days.”
“Skui happens to be on duty there today.”
“…Very well.”
“I was only explaining the drawbacks.”
“The choice is yours.”
After breakfast…
Since Hinata wasn’t scheduled to visit until the afternoon, Yugao used the morning to take Aoba to Konoha Hospital.
“Hm?”
“Yugao?”
“What brings you to the hospital?”
“Did you get hurt somewhere?”
Inside an office…
A woman in a white medical coat had just woken from a nap.
She adjusted the glasses resting on the bridge of her nose while looking at Yugao with sleepy eyes.
She was rather pretty.
Then…
A small head peeked out from behind Yugao.
“This little guy couldn’t possibly be…”
A flash of white reflected across her lenses as the last traces of sleep disappeared.
Yugao gently pulled Aoba forward.
“This is Aoba.”
“My younger brother.”
“He wants to learn medical ninjutsu.”
“Are you free?”
“So young?”
“And he already wants to study medical ninjutsu?”
Skui looked genuinely surprised.
It was the first time she’d met someone so young with that ambition.
She herself hadn’t begun studying medical ninjutsu until after graduating from the Ninja Academy.
Unable to find another path, she had eventually chosen to specialize in medicine.
Fortunately…
She had proven quite talented and had become an excellent medical ninja.
Yugao and Aoba both nodded.
“…Alright.”
“Have a seat first.”
“Aoba.”
“Let’s see whether you have any aptitude for medical ninjutsu.”
Skui walked over to a fish tank in the office.
Several carp swam lazily inside.
Normally they served as decoration.
Whenever needed…
They became experimental subjects.
With astonishing speed, Skui reached in and caught one.
Then—
Flick!
A perfectly timed forehead flick instantly knocked the fish unconscious.
She placed it onto a tray before carrying it over to Aoba.
Smiling gently, she said,
“Watch carefully.”
“I’ll demonstrate once.”
Buzz…
Green chakra quickly enveloped her right hand.
“This is healing chakra.”
“It accelerates the patient’s cellular division, allowing injuries to recover at incredible speed.”
She placed her hand over the fish.
Moments later…
The fish’s tail began slapping noisily against the tray.
It had fully revived.
Thunk!
Skui calmly flicked it unconscious again before looking back at Aoba.
“To stimulate cell division…”
“You first need to convert your chakra.”
“It must become a life-filled attribute.”
“In other words…”
“Yang Release chakra.”
“This is a special talent.”
“Although it can also be comprehended through personal insight.”
“Very few people ever manage to do so.”
“You’ll have to feel it for yourself.”
Aoba naturally understood.
Medical ninjutsu required Yang-attribute chakra.
In theory…
Since he’d obtained [Medical Ninjutsu Talent MAX], Yang Release should already come naturally to him.
Recalling Skui’s demonstration…
Green chakra likewise gathered around Aoba’s hand.
He gently placed it over the fish.
After several moments…
The fish’s tail twitched twice.
Then…
It stopped moving forever.
The fish died.
“…Uh…”
Aoba looked awkwardly toward Skui.
“This…”
Then he noticed her expression.
She looked as though she’d just seen a ghost.