Saionji Keiko continued staring blankly at the scroll in her hands, and Tachibana Kenji found her reaction rather amusing.
Naturally, the scroll he had handed to her was not the original ninjutsu scroll he had received from the system’s gacha.
The previous night, he had copied the knowledge the system had implanted in his mind onto a new scroll and created this version himself.
Compared with the original scroll, which contained a detailed and comprehensive explanation of the technique—including numerous directions for further training and various practical applications—Tachibana Kenji’s version contained far less information and a great deal of meaningless speculation and experimental notes.
The overall logic was sound enough, but it read more like the work of a beginner who, through sheer talent, had happened to develop a usable ninjutsu.
Even so, Saionji Keiko continued reading the scroll with an astonished expression, occasionally looking up at Tachibana Kenji.
“You developed this ninjutsu yourself?” After roughly reading through its contents, Saionji Keiko finally asked the question that had been on her mind.
“Of course, Aunt Keiko.
I’ve been studying the Healing Technique my mother left behind, along with my father’s training notes, and I happened to figure it out while experimenting.
There was some luck involved, but I really did develop it myself.” As he spoke, Tachibana Kenji put on an appropriately proud expression.
It wasn’t entirely a lie, either.
Recently, Tachibana Kenji really had been scratching his head over the training scrolls his parents had left him.
“It does resemble the basic Healing Technique.
More precisely, it uses a current of water to transmit Yang Release’s healing energy over a distance.” “The advantages of this technique are obvious.
It’s easy to learn—I would estimate it to be around C-rank.
Even ordinary ninja without extensive medical knowledge should be able to master it.
Of course, that also means it can’t treat injuries requiring specialized medical expertise, such as displaced bones, severed nerves, or damaged internal organs.” “It also consumes less Chakra in an environment with abundant water.
However, for ordinary medical personnel, mastering Water Release nature transformation may be a significant hurdle.” As expected of the director of Kirigakure Hospital, Saionji Keiko had gained a solid understanding of the technique after only a brief examination of the scroll.
Tachibana Kenji added further, “Aunt Keiko, while this technique can be learned without medical knowledge and used to treat minor injuries, it can actually be even more effective in the hands of a professional medical ninja.” “By controlling the flow of water, they can manipulate the healing energy more precisely and intuitively.
And once they’ve become proficient enough, they could use finer streams of water to enter the body and deliver the healing energy directly to the injured area.” Saionji Keiko watched Tachibana Kenji as he continued talking animatedly, a slightly foolish smile on his face.
Her expression became somewhat distant.
Did he inherit his mother’s talent?
Once, there had been another girl sitting before her, smiling as she spoke enthusiastically about the future development of medical ninjutsu.
This child was a genius in medical ninjutsu.
She couldn’t let him die in such a cruel examination.
With that thought, Saionji Keiko’s gaze gradually hardened with resolve.
“Ju, you can use this ninjutsu now, can’t you?” “Of course.” Upon hearing his answer, Saionji Keiko formed a sharp Chakra Scalpel in her right hand and, without hesitation, sliced open her own left arm.
“Show me the technique.” Tachibana Kenji looked rather helpless.
She wasn’t even a combat ninja, yet doctors in the ninja world really were a terrifying bunch.
Seeing blood beginning to flow from Saionji Keiko’s arm, Tachibana Kenji didn’t dare delay any longer.
He immediately began forming hand seals to perform the technique.
However, so that she could observe them more clearly, he deliberately slowed down his hand seals slightly.
Water Release: Aqua Ring!
As the final hand seal was completed, the water remaining in the bowl of noodle broth was drawn out by an invisible force.
It transformed into a clear stream that flew above Tachibana Kenji’s palm, forming a flowing ring of water.
As the ring gradually expanded, it floated toward the wound on Saionji Keiko’s arm.
The moment the flowing water passed over it, the shallow wound visibly began to close at an astonishing speed.
Feeling the cool sensation on her arm, Saionji Keiko thought for a moment before asking, “This technique seems to extract only pure water.
So bacteria from the surrounding environment won’t contaminate the wound, correct?” Saionji Keiko had clearly understood why Tachibana Kenji had deliberately used noodle broth to perform the technique.
“That’s right.
And Chakra can make up for any insufficient water, so it can still be performed even in a completely waterless environment.” “This technique is particularly effective against cuts and burns.” Seeing how impressive the healing effect was, Tachibana Kenji offered a brief explanation to prevent Saionji Keiko from misunderstanding its capabilities.
By then, Saionji Keiko had already made up her mind.
“Ju, come back to the hospital with me.
I have some medical notes from when I was younger in my office.
Take them home and study them carefully for the time being.
I’ll make the arrangements for you to become a medical ninja.” With that, Saionji Keiko abandoned her usual composure.
She tossed some money onto the table and grabbed Tachibana Kenji, preparing to leave immediately.
Seeing this, Tachibana Kenji had no choice but to scoop up Lan, who was still sneaking shrimp from the bowl, and hurry after her.
What Tachibana Kenji didn’t know was that while the two of them were rushing back to the hospital, another conversation was taking place between two people—one adult and one child—in another corner of Kirigakure.
“Zabuza, have you given any thought to what I told you before?” A baby-faced ninja with green hair and purple eyes stared seriously at Momochi Zabuza, who appeared utterly unconcerned.
If any of Kirigakure’s senior ninja had witnessed this scene, they would have been shocked.
Yagura Karatachi, a jōnin who had recently risen to prominence among the reformists and was gradually becoming a representative figure for civilian-born ninja, was actually asking a favor of a boy who hadn’t even graduated from the Ninja Academy.
“This isn’t merely a personal request.
That brutal graduation examination is constantly undermining the village’s unity, and many ninja who could one day become pillars of Kirigakure are dying meaningless deaths because of it.” “So you want me to kill every student in the examination?” Momochi Zabuza sneered contemptuously.
“Those are necessary sacrifices.
I’ve proposed reforms to the Ninja Academy at the jōnin council several times, but most of the ninja—and the Mizukage himself—have opposed them.
Unless we do something drastic, the village will never wake up to the problem.” In truth, Yagura Karatachi knew that his proposals were destined to be rejected.
The Bloody Mist policy had originally been introduced by the Third Mizukage himself.
Naturally, he would never tolerate anyone questioning it.
As for the clan ninja, who made up the majority of the jōnin, their children didn’t attend the Ninja Academy in the first place.
They would be more than happy to see a few more civilian-born ninja die—the fewer, the better.
Even among the small number of civilian-born jōnin, those without children attending the Ninja Academy might not object to the current students experiencing the same suffering they had endured themselves.
As a result, every proposal to reform the Academy had ultimately been quietly shelved.
Seeing that Zabuza still didn’t seem particularly interested, Yagura Karatachi continued, “Of the two ninjutsu I promised you, you may choose one B-rank technique.
And I guarantee that once the plan is complete, you’ll graduate successfully.
After graduation, I’ll arrange for one of my subordinates to become your jōnin instructor and guide your future training.” “I want both ninjutsu now.” Zabuza himself despised the current Bloody Mist policy and wanted to change Kirigakure’s situation through his own efforts.
But that had to be his choice.
Fine ideals without any tangible benefits weren’t enough to order the great Momochi Zabuza around.
Seeing that Zabuza had accepted his terms, Yagura Karatachi relaxed slightly.
After all, Momochi Zabuza was widely acknowledged as the strongest student of his class.
Choosing someone else to carry out the plan would only create a great deal of unnecessary trouble.
“No problem.
Once you’ve decided which techniques you want, just let me know.
Between now and the graduation examination, I’ll arrange special training for you.
These two ninjutsu will also help strengthen your abilities.” “Tch…” Although Zabuza expressed his disdain under his breath, he didn’t reject Yagura Karatachi’s offer.
“I want the Water Dragon Bullet Technique (Water Dragon Jutsu) and the Hidden Mist Technique.” “Uh…
the Hidden Mist Technique isn’t particularly suitable for fighting fellow ninja from Kirigakure.
As for the Water Dragon Bullet Technique…
that’s not ideal either.
I suggest you choose two different techniques.” Hearing Zabuza’s choices, Yagura Karatachi kindly offered him some advice.
However, Zabuza clearly didn’t appreciate it.
Staring at Yagura Karatachi, he repeated, “No.
Those two are enough.” Looking at the somewhat stubborn boy and considering his strength, Yagura Karatachi thought for a moment before saying nothing more.
In the end, he simply nodded and agreed to Zabuza’s request.