Morning in Konoha.
Sunlight poured through the window frames of the Ninja Academy classroom, scattering fine bits of light and shadow across the desks, as though Mizuki’s treason had never occurred.
The atmosphere in the classroom was more buoyant than ever, tinged with a restless excitement.
Naruto, who had been slumping in despair just yesterday, was now sitting boldly in his seat, the metallic sheen of the headband on his forehead practically blinding everyone.
“Naruto, didn’t you fail the graduation exam?
Why are you here?
You didn’t steal that headband, did you?” Kiba pointed at the forehead protector on Naruto’s brow, utterly confused.
Sitting behind Kiba, Hinata blushed and whispered softly, “Kiba, you shouldn’t say that about Naruto-kun…” “Hoshi!
Look, look!
I passed too!
Iruka-sensei tied it on me himself!” Naruto ignored Kiba and hopped onto Hoshi’s desk, shouting frantically while pointing at his headband.
His smug expression looked as if he wanted the entire village to know he was officially a ninja.
Hoshi put down his copy of *Pharmacological Taboos*, the iconic, gentle smile gracing his face.
“Congratulations, Naruto.
Looks like you’ll have money to treat me to ramen in the future…
Ah, no, yakiniku.” “Hmph.
A dead-last is still a dead-last.
Getting a headband doesn’t change the stupidity in your genes.” Sitting in the back row, Sasuke scoffed, resting his chin on his crossed hands, though his eyes unconsciously strayed toward Hoshi.
To Sasuke currently, the clear-eyed, foolish Naruto was far less intriguing than Hoshi, the mysterious “nice guy” with unknown depth.
“What did you say?!
You stuck-up bastard Sasuke, you wanna fight?!” “Alright, everyone back to your seats!” Iruka pushed open the door and entered, carrying a heavy team assignment roster.
His eyes lingered on Naruto for a brief moment with a hint of relief before he cleared his throat: “Starting today, you are all full-fledged ninjas.
Next, I will announce the team assignments.
You will be in three-man squads, each led by a Jonin instructor.” “Team 7: Uzumaki Naruto, Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha.
Instructor: Kakashi Hatake.” “Fwyeah—!” Hearing he was on a team with Sakura, Naruto instantly cheered, only to drop his face into a scowl the next second upon realizing he was also teamed with Sasuke.
“Team 10: Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji.
Instructor: Asuma Sarutobi.” Upon hearing the roster, Ino’s eyes, full of anticipation, instantly dimmed.
She abruptly stood up and looked toward the podium with dissatisfaction.
“Teacher!
What about Hoshi?
Why isn’t he on the list?” At those words, the whole class turned their eyes to Hoshi.
Hoshi maintained his lazy demeanor, his black hair swaying gently in the breeze.
He understood very well that with his demonstrated medical skill and status as Tsunade’s apprentice, the Third Hokage would never stick him into a standard combat trio.
“Hoshi’s situation is special,” Iruka said seriously, an unhideable trace of awe in his eyes.
“By special permission of Lord Hokage, Hoshi will not join a standard Genin squad.
He is entering the hospital’s Medical Corps directly.” “Graduating just like that?” Shikamaru scratched his hair helplessly.
“What a troublesome genius.” Just as he spoke, the classroom door was pushed open, and several figures walked in one after another.
Kurenai Yuhi picked up Team 8, and Asuma led away Ino’s group.
Before leaving, Ino reluctantly pulled on Hoshi’s sleeve, whispering instructions: “Hoshi, remember to visit my flower shop!
I saved the freshest sunflower for you!” “I definitely will,” Hoshi smiled and waved.
About half an hour later, just as Naruto was about to go crazy waiting, steady and highly rhythmic footsteps echoed down the hallway.
The person who walked in was not a combat ninja laden with weapons pouches and reeking of bloodlust, but a refined middle-aged man wearing a spotless white lab coat and black-rimmed glasses—the head of Konoha’s Medical Corps, Yakushi Tenzen.
“Excuse me, which one is Hoshi?” Yakushi Tenzen pushed up his glasses, his tone surprisingly polite, as if speaking to an equal.
“Is he Hoshi’s teammate?” Naruto’s mouth hung open wide enough to stuff an onigiri into it.
Is this arrangement right?
Sending the strongest guy to the hospital to be a doctor?
“Chief Yakushi, I’ve heard much about you,” Hoshi stood up and replied politely.
“Haha, Lady Tsunade’s apprentice returning to the village is something the entire Medical Corps has been eagerly anticipating.” Yakushi Tenzen made an inviting gesture.
“Your office and research lab are ready.
Shall we go?” “Sure, thank you Chief Yakushi for taking time out of your busy schedule to pick me up.
Naruto, let’s talk later when you’re free, I’m taking off.
Your captain seems a bit punctual-challenged.” Before leaving, Hoshi didn’t forget to dig a little hole for Kakashi.
Hoshi’s voice faded into the distance, leaving three kids in the classroom still waiting for the “lateness freak” Kakashi, staring at one another in confusion.
“What the heck, this team assignment is rigged, totally rigged!” Naruto complained to Sasuke indignantly.
After a moment, Naruto seemed to think of something funny.
He walked over to the podium and picked up an eraser…
On the way to Konoha Hospital, Hoshi thoroughly experienced what “national treasure treatment” meant.
Every nurse who laid eyes on his face—which shared a subtle resemblance to the Fourth Hokage—couldn’t help but stop, stare, cover their faces, and gasp.
Meanwhile, senior medical ninjas bowed to him with expressions of utter respect—in the medical world, Tsunade’s name was the sole absolute truth, and Hoshi was the successor to that truth.
“Hoshi, this is your private office, right across from the medicinal vault.
No one else gets this kind of treatment—it was personally approved by the Third Hokage,” Yakushi Tenzen handed Hoshi a document.
“Additionally, Lord Hokage instructed that for all difficult and complicated cases in the Medical Corps, you hold supreme authority.
Of course, if anything feels uncomfortable, just let me know.” Sitting in the plush armchair, Hoshi looked at the nameplate on the desk that read: “Deputy Chief: Hoshi”.
He felt a bit nostalgic.
He reversed his chakra to summon micro-Katsuyu.
“Master, look.
I’m a guy with an official position now.
Check out the salary the old man Third Hokage is paying me—see if my retirement pay will cover your gambling debts.” “Stupid brat, who wants your lousy tiny salary!” Tsunade’s voice came through Katsuyu, tinged with tsundere pride.
“Still, those old geezers in the Medical Corps are stubborn as mules.
If you ever get bullied, go ahead and smash that place up with Monstrous Strength.
I’ll clean up the mess when I get back.” “I’ll pass on smashing the building.
Don’t worry, I won’t let myself get pushed around.” The corners of Hoshi’s lips curled up slightly, his messy black hair casting a shadow over the familiar black-hearted smirk in his eyes.
“After all, you’re the strongest medical ninja in the Ninja World.
They’ll definitely respect your face and won’t make trouble for me.
Besides, I’m the heartless ‘agent’ who dared to redevelop the Senju compound.” “You brat, you haven’t been back long and you’re already this scheming.
Fine, if you get wronged, talk to me.
Gotta go, my gambling luck is great today, I’m gonna win back everything I lost yesterday!” Tsunade unilaterally hung up the mental line, the sound of shaking dice faintly ringing out…