Chapter 10: Considering a Position at the Hospital?

Chapter 10: Considering a Position at the Hospital?

After running all afternoon, Chiba felt completely revitalized.

More than that, he vaguely sensed that his energy was far stronger than before—

It definitely wasn’t due to chakra depletion.

Bodhi seeds!

“A good thing,” Chiba thought with quiet delight.

After walking for a while, he looked up and was momentarily stunned.

Three heads peeked over the wall of the Ninja Academy.

Chiba met their gazes directly.

Naruto, Shikamaru, and Choji.

Shikamaru raised a finger, signaling Chiba to stay silent.

Chiba nodded.

They all breathed a sigh of relief and carefully climbed down.

“Skipping class?”

“Hmph, isn’t that obvious? You’re skipping class too, aren’t you?” Naruto sized Chiba up.

“Isn’t the study atmosphere at the Ninja Academy supposed to be really good now? Everyone is working hard, right?” Chiba asked, puzzled.

“Ah, yeah, we tried for a while, but it was too exhausting. Also, graduating early is more troublesome. I thought about it and decided it’s better to stay a bit longer,” Shikamaru said idly, chewing on some grass.

From their demeanor and tone, Chiba vaguely guessed their identities.

Choji remained silent, munching on snacks.

“Hehe, come on, I’ll take you out to play,” Naruto said with a smile.

Chiba smiled brightly. “At this age, if you don’t study, how can you be in the mood to have fun?”

“Hm? Who are you?” Naruto looked at Chiba with curiosity.

They were all skipping class, but this guy acted all high and mighty, lecturing them openly.

“Me? A well-meaning person who can’t bear to see you go astray.”

As he spoke, several threads of chakra extended out.

Chiba controlled the three of them one by one, making them climb up the wall. Naruto turned his head and glared at him angrily, but—

Snap!

With a snap of his fingers, they all fell off the wall.

Naruto wanted to climb back up for revenge but was held down by Shikamaru. Choji also wanted to seek revenge, but seeing Shikamaru didn’t move, he stopped as well.

Growing up with Shikamaru, he had never suffered losses.

“We’re no match for him. Better to go back quickly; the patrolling teachers must have heard the noise,” Shikamaru said.

***

“Damn it! Don’t let me run into him at school!” Naruto grumbled.

“You wouldn’t beat him even if you did,” Shikamaru said, shrinking as he headed back to class while complaining. “His chakra threads are very strong. The three of us couldn’t break free just now. If I’m not mistaken, he should be that early graduate, Yagyu Chiba.”

“Oh, him,” Choji thought for a moment and continued eating.

Indeed, they couldn’t win.

“What’s wrong with Yagyu Chiba? I’m going out to teach him a lesson,” Naruto said angrily, jumping over the wall.

Shikamaru facepalmed in disbelief.

Choji was taken aback, glanced at him, seemingly asking for an opinion.

“Forget it, let’s run,” Shikamaru said, quickening his pace.

Soon after, while sneaking back to the classroom, Shikamaru saw Naruto “walking into a trap” at the school gate.

How pitiful!

He told him not to go, but Naruto didn’t listen.

Chiba sat at the school gate, chatting warmly with the teachers.

“Kid, I heard you’ve been the lead surgeon at the hospital?”

“That’s just a rumor. I’m only an assistant—I can’t perform surgeries,” Chiba humbly shook his head.

“Hey, I think you’re capable. Your use of chakra threads surpasses even the ninja from the Hidden Sand. Try developing puppet techniques; then the Sand Village won’t have any bragging rights!” the teacher said.

Puppet techniques?

The real skill lies in making the puppets, not just chakra threads or manipulation. The former requires decades of accumulation and experimentation. Unless Konoha can obtain the Sand Village’s technology, Chiba could only “improve” on it.

Otherwise, it would be a thankless task.

Of course, the teachers were just speaking casually, mostly admiring Chiba’s talent and ability. They hadn’t really talked much before, trying to find topics.

After a few words, Chiba left the Ninja Academy, leaving Naruto standing awkwardly in the wind as punishment.

…

“Chiba, Lord Kanpou wants to see you,” someone called.

“Yes,” Chiba nodded and turned toward Kanpou’s office.

He gently knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Upon opening the door, Chiba paused for a moment.

Besides Kanpou, there was also a kindly-looking old lady present, but her appearance somehow—

Hiss!

The grumpy old hag from the dormitory!

He was startled inside but maintained a composed expression and bowed respectfully to both.

“Chiba, come, sit down. This is the village advisor, as well as a very skilled medical ninja,” Kanpou quickly introduced.

The old lady, Koharu Utatane, smiled slightly and said, “Oh, no, I haven’t participated in treatments for many years. I’ve long forgotten much of my skill, so I can only offer some blind advice. It’s nothing to boast about.”

Perhaps because technical skills are easily exposed, she was quite rational about medical ninjutsu, Chiba thought.

“You’re too modest.”

“Alright, let’s get to the point. Child, we called you here to ask if you’re interested in becoming a specially appointed hospital ninja.”

“Specially appointed ninja?” Chiba was momentarily confused.

“Yes. Because you don’t know medical ninjutsu, but I observed you yesterday—your chakra control is excellent. With proper training, you could be outstanding with the surgical blade. Many surgeries require such specialists,” Kanpou explained.

He had previously regarded Chiba as a somewhat talented student, but after yesterday, he realized he had underestimated the boy’s insight and ability.

With this child’s aptitude, it wouldn’t take long for him to master surgery involving chakra scalpels and needles, potentially surpassing many veterans.

“No need. I’m just a student; I still have books to read with Teacher Kitayama,” Chiba said.

“That won’t interfere. Plus, Kitayama-san has been busy with her studies lately and might not have much time to look after you. Granting you the special ninja status would allow you to participate more fully,” Kanpou delicately hinted at Kitayama’s recent hardships and her intention to continue improving her skills.

Chiba was no fool.

The use of chakra needles had been proven. In the future, some medical ninjas would have to learn it. They couldn’t always rely on him for every surgery.

He was still just a child!

Even if Chiba agreed, the medical ninjas would be embarrassed.

He thought for a moment and said, “If it’s about the chakra needle… I tried it yesterday during rest. Adding fifteen more hand seals should make the technique more stable and simpler—more suitable for medical use.”

“Really?” Kanpou’s breath quickened.

Koharu Utatane was also noticeably excited. How many years did it usually take to develop a ninjutsu? This kid had refined the chakra needle in just a few days.

“Yes, that’s right…” Chiba slowly formed the seals.

His initial version had five seals; yesterday’s simplified version had twenty—this idea came from the Water Dragon Bullet Technique.

The Second Hokage’s Water Dragon required four seals, while Zabuza’s required forty-four, so the number of seals affects the difficulty of the ninjutsu.

Thus, he went back and experimented with various combinations.

(End of chapter)