It was the first day of the Medical Campaign, and Ryuku had just been accepted as the direct student of Hosho, a high-ranking Medical-nin at Konoha Hospital.
At the moment, Hosho was introducing him to the other staff members and familiarizing him with the hospital's inner workings. Not only was Ryuku officially registered as a staff member, but he also gained access to the various benefits available to high-potential medical students.
Thanks to Hosho's assistance, the entire process was completed in a matter of minutes.
While Hosho maintained a cheerful and welcoming demeanor in front of his colleagues, Ryuku remained composed, offering polite nods in response. It was a small price to pay—securing a mentor as skilled as Hosho was invaluable, and showing a bit of decency to his teacher's colleagues wouldn't hurt.
There aren't many Medical-nin here with Jōnin-level chakra... Hmm, well, there is one—no, two...
Ryuku's gaze drifted toward the second floor as he assessed the presence of powerful medical-nin using the Spiritual Sense technique.
Once all the formalities were completed, Hosho led Ryuku to the exclusive medical-nins' lounge.
"Now that everything is settled, shall we discuss the optimal timing for your medical training? As well as your thoughts on academy life?" Hosho asked.
Seated on the couch, Ryuku had already anticipated this conversation. He nodded. "Yes, Sensei."
I have no choice but to graduate—but only after I get my hands on those forbidden jutsu. Since Hiruzen will be watching closely, trying to come clean would only make me seem more suspicious. That leaves me with only one option... To be honest, I'll have to reveal a thing or two to impress Iruka and Hiruzen. It's not like I'll have a choice in that situation...
Meanwhile, Hosho was momentarily caught off guard. Though he had already been called 'Sensei' before, hearing it now still gave him mixed emotions—but above all, a deep sense of accomplishment.
After all this time, he finally had someone to pass down his teachings to. And to top it off, his new student was a medical genius—one on the level of his admired figure, Princess Tsunade.
"So, besides the time you'll be spending at the hospital, are you also planning to pursue life as a shinobi alongside Medical Ninjutsu? I need to know, Ryuku, so we can finalize your training schedule as early as today," Hosho stated, wanting to understand his student's intentions.
Ryuku's expression turned serious, and he answered in a deep voice, "Yes, Sensei. I will dedicate myself equally to both. As a shinobi, I will protect the village from external threats and rival nations. As a medical-nin, I wholeheartedly desire to help those in need—whether friend or foe. That is my path."
How's that…? Probably never expected a child to spout such words, did you?
A few moments earlier, Ryuku had noticed an unfamiliar chakra spying on their conversation from outside the window. Sharp as he was—and considering how he had helped Naruto yesterday—it only took him a fraction of a second to realize he was being watched by Hiruzen. If not him, then who else could it be? Given his current status and achievements, he was of no use to someone like Danzo, so he ruled him out immediately. The answer was clear.
The massive chakra signature remained in place, easily detected through his Spiritual Sense.
Since his chakra waves spread out in an extremely thin layer, even an Anbu would struggle to notice them—unless they had mastered an advanced sensory technique or could detect such minute amounts of chakra outside the body. His confidence in this technique came only after extensive experimentation.
Still, it was a gamble—he had no way of knowing if the Anbu watching him was a sensory type or not.
Meanwhile, Hosho was lost in thought after hearing Ryuku's words.
How could such a noble child exist?
Not only did he want to protect the village, but he also wished to help both friends and enemies alike?
The sheer contrast between them… how could it be so vast?
Finding it hard to digest, Hosho unconsciously reflected on his own reasons for becoming a medical-nin back then.
Only when Ryuku called out did he snap out of his thoughts.
"Sensei?"
Focus returned to Hosho's eyes as he looked deeply at Ryuku before speaking. "That's a very difficult path you've chosen, Ryuku. Aiming to become both a shinobi and a medical-nin at the same time… It will take immense hardship and time. You do realize that, right?"
Ryuku nodded, pretending to listen.
Seeing his student so serious and attentive, Hosho let a smile play on his lips. Straightening his neck with pride, he advised, "But with me as your guide—combined with your talent and effort—I'm absolutely certain you'll achieve your goal in no time. As your teacher, I'll make sure of it!"
Hmm… Not bad. He's exactly what I could hope for… Easy to rely on and take advantage of…
Though his thoughts were calculating, outwardly, his expression softened. His gaze turned slightly moist, as if he was deeply moved. "Sensei…"
Noticing his student's reaction, Hosho gave a warm smile and chuckled. "Hehe, let's settle your training schedule for the future. It's best to get started as soon as possible, after all…"
"…Yes." Ryuku nodded, efficiently wiping away a single tear from the corner of his eye before it could ruin his face.
---
A few hours later.
Ryuku left the hospital with an all-too-childish smile. Pausing, he looked back at the towering Konoha Hospital, his eyes glowing with clear anticipation.
Only after a few seconds of silent observation did he finally turn and decide to head home.
The moment he stepped beyond the hospital's boundary and onto the street, he suddenly halted and let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Finally gone…
Three hours of surveillance on a civilian kid who barely interacted with Naruto for an hour? How is that normal?
Then again, considering their perspective, he might as well be a hidden spy from another village. If that was their reasoning, this level of scrutiny wasn't surprising. Even if his house had been searched thoroughly, they wouldn't find anything noteworthy. He always burned the spoiled Fuinjutsu papers after each session—there was nothing to worry about.
Unless… they'd stoop so low as to plant fake evidence just to get rid of me…
Ryuku massaged his temples and dismissed the thought. No matter how incompetent Hiruzen was when it came to internal affairs, he wouldn't harm a boy who had become good friends with Naruto.
All that aside, I got a pretty sweet deal with Hosho earlier…
He had agreed to let Ryuku take time off whenever he wanted, as long as he consulted with him first. Now, he had the freedom to stay in the hospital for as long as he pleased.
I bet he wouldn't have allowed such a thing for just anyone… Haha…
Laughing inwardly, Ryuku felt his mood improve.
Without wasting any more time, he began making his way home.
----
Hokage Building
An Anbu member knelt on the floor before the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who sat in his chair, calmly smoking his pipe.
"So, how did it go? Did you notice anything unusual?" he asked nonchalantly. He had already reviewed Ryuku's detailed records—from his parents' deaths to his last year at the Academy—and found nothing suspicious. He wasn't expecting much from the assigned Anbu.
"There was nothing unusual at his house, Hokage-sama," the Anbu answered respectfully.
As I thought... Just a normal kid with a past similar to Naruto's. His parents also died in that tragic incident...
Hiruzen closed his eyes in thought. "Dismissed."
Without a sound, the Anbu vanished using the Body Flicker technique.
Although it's unusual for a child to befriend Naruto, given how the villagers treat him... I suppose it comes down to their similar circumstances... But why now?
The next instant, another Anbu appeared in his office.
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, recognizing him as the one assigned to monitor Ryuku earlier that morning.
"Why are you back early? Did something happen?"
The Anbu nodded. "Yes, Hokage-sama. Ryuku participated in the medical campaign today. He easily learned the Mystical Palm Technique and was taken in as a direct student by a senior medical-nin named Hosho. It was his first time learning Medical Ninjutsu, yet he mastered it in mere minutes."
Hiruzen fell silent.
A genius in Medical Ninjutsu?
His thoughts drifted to Tsunade—one of his most brilliant students and possibly the greatest medical ninja alive.
Is another medical genius about to emerge in Konoha?
After a moment of contemplation, a rare smile crossed his lips. The future seemed a little brighter.
"Anything else?" he asked.
The Anbu hesitated slightly before nodding. While the next detail seemed irrelevant, it was still his duty to report everything. "It's about his path—the dream he shared with his new teacher, Hosho."
Hiruzen's interest piqued. "Tell me everything. Leave nothing out."
This time, the Anbu didn't hesitate and relayed every detail, even those he had initially considered insignificant.
Once he finished, the office fell into silence.
The Anbu had long since been dismissed.
Hiruzen took a deep puff from his pipe, exhaling slowly. Smoke rings formed in the air, unconsciously shaped by his breath.
To protect the village from outside threats as a shinobi… and to help those in need as a medical-nin… regardless of whether they are friend or foe…
Hiruzen muttered to himself, "I need to have a few words with this kid someday..."
----
I call upon thee, My Dear Lords. Lend thine support to this † poor soul † in need.
Patreon.com/lordazathoth