Yasashii asked, "Help him? How?"
"Both you and your brother did not win the genetic lottery." Ryu said it without any filter.
Ryu continued, "You lost growth hormones. And your pal is suffering from osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition where a person lacks genes that affect how the body makes collagen, a protein that helps strengthen bones."
Ryu looked at Jiyuu and said, "Your friend's case is severe considering his size. It's strange to live past childhood considering the severity of his condition and lack of nutrition. It's even rare that he could become so tall with this condition."
Yasashii said, "Please don't mock him. Why are you getting involved with us? What motivates you to help us?"
Ryu replied, "I'm not mocking; I'm stating facts. Would you like to know another fact?"
Ryu told him after a pause, "I was expected to not listen past the age of 6, but I'm already 7 and healthy now. And the reason why I want to help you is because I can. What more reason do I need? While others may have abandoned you, I want to help you two."
Not fully convinced, Yasashii said, "You want me to believe your word for it."
Ryu replied, "Believe what you want. But after I was adopted, my life changed. I want to share a bit of what I received.
And the reason I called you a dwarf is not because I am intensive. But because that is the truth, and because I did not know your name."
Ryu looked seriously at Yasashii and said, "What would you call a blind person whose name you do not know? I know calling him blind to his face would be insensitive, but what to do if I don't know his name and I have to address him to a third person?"
Yasashii then realised.
Ryu then continued, "Truth can be hurtful sometimes, but in the end, truth is truth."
Yasashii thought about what Ryu just said.
Ryu then asked, "Do you know what the most powerful word is?"
Yasashii thought about it and said, "Hope. According to me, hope is the most powerful word. It's the only thing that has kept us living.
Before I met Jiyuu, I lacked hope. I tried to end my life too, but after I met him, I feel like I want to live so that I can take care of him."
Ryu said, "You are right; hope is a powerful thing. But what is more powerful than even hope?"
Yasashii thought about it and could not come up with an answer, "More powerful than hope."
Tsunade also wants to hear what is more powerful than hope. She said, "Enough with the theatrics. What do you think is more powerful than hope?"
Ryu replied, "The truth."
Everyone was shocked by his answer.
Ryu continued, "Truth is the most powerful thing in this world. Even more than hope. Hope can be false. And even hope needs truth alongside it. But truth stands alone.
When truth is added to negative or hurtful words, they take on a new meaning worth defending. For example, truthful anger can inspire change. Without truth, even acts of kindness can become harmful."
Ryu looked at the dwarf and said, "My suggestion is that you need to accept the truth even if it hurts you. You are a dwarf; that is the truth, your truth. When you accept that, then no one will be able to hurt you with that fact."
Everyone was in deep thought about what Ryu had just said.
Ryu looked at Yasashii and said, "If you keep losing your cool every time someone calls you a dwarf, you will never be at peace."
Yasashii thought about what Ryu just told him and thought hard.
Tsunade enquired, "Where did you come across such wisdom?"
Ryu smiled and remembered one of the famous TV series. It was his brother's favourite. He said, "You may not believe me, but those words also belong to a dwarf. I hope you find something valuable in the words of a fellow dwarf."
Yasashii asked with eyes full of hope, "Can you really help him?"
Ryu replied, "Truthfully, all I can do is try. I want to change this world, and you are the best place to start. Will you join me on this journey?"
Jiyuu asked, "What can we offer you? We have nothing."
Ryu replied, "I also had nothing. Then somebody held my hand and helped me up. Now I have enough money to live all my life without worrying about money.
I hope that, just like I am trying to help you, you will also help me change this world."
Yasashii and Jiyuu looked at each other.
Ryu said, "But to reach where I stand, I had to accept the hand that reached out to me. Will you also accept my hand?"
Yasashii replied, his voice filled with hope and vulnerability, "I put my trust in you, please."
He started sobbing and continued, "If you can really help him, please help him. I beg of you."
Ryu said, "You don't have to beg from this day onwards.
You have put your trust in me, so believe me when I say you are someone now. Someone important to me.
Let's go home. I will talk to Grandfather. We have a lot of space lying vacant to accommodate you."
As they were walking again towards Ryu's home. Tsunade asked, "How are you planning to help them exactly?"
Ryu replied, "There are specific supplements available that can aid in his gradual improvement and well-being.
Other than supplements, I can suggest artificial strengthening of major bones."
Shizune asked, "How can we do that?"
Ryu replied, "We could inject enzymes and proteins that help bone synthesis directly into his bones, but it will be a very painful process for him."
Jiyuu replied, "I can handle the pain. I am living proof of that fact."
Ryu thought hard and shook his head and said, "No, for now oral medication that boosts calcium synthesis is enough in the beginning. It's safe, and we also cannot do anything till you regain some strength.
Tsunade thought and said, "You are right. You should take the safe approach. Oral medication is safer.
Jiyuu clenched his fists and said, "Safe isn't living! I want to walk on my own two feet."
Ryu interrupted, "I understand your desire to explore all options, even risky ones. I've been there, and I know the temptation. However, risking dangerous experiments can have severe consequences. I must prioritise a safe approach for your well-being. Don't worry; we will find a way, but it is going to take time and patience.
If I try to forcefully harden your bones using an injectable serum, it will turn your joints to stone, leading to immobility and severe health risks. You will trade one cage for another, risking a different set of challenges."
Jiyuu's smile falters, his eyes reflecting uncertainty and concern.
Yasashii said, "He is right." He looked at Ryu and said, "Please don't try anything dangerous, even if he insists on it."
Ryu replied, "Do not worry; I will only administer verified and safe treatment. I have a new kind of treatment in my mind for his case, but it will take time for me to make it a verifiable treatment."
Tsunade and Shizune were both intrigued by this declaration. They have decades of experience, but even they could not think of any treatment.
Tsuande asked, "Ryu, what do you have in mind?"
Ryu replied, "You will know when I am ready."
Tsuande's eye twitched, and she hit Ryu in the head. "Ouch!" Ryu shouted.
Tsunade said, "Don't be a spoilsport and tell me already."
Ryu rubbed the bump on his head and said, "I am thinking of a new jutsu that will help him support himself without breaking bones."
Tsunade replied, "But he will never be admitted to Ninja Academy. And one cannot officially teach ninjutsu without permission."
Ryu replied, "Don't worry; I have asked the future daimyo of the country to allow me to raise a few ninjas. There are many conditions we have agreed upon. But when I receive permission, I will be able to train both of them."
"What??" Tsunade was surprised by this information.
Ryu continued, "For now I will develop the jutsu for him to help him support and improve his mobility. I will also artificially strengthen his bones using a new synthetic substance. But first I need to eliminate the risks involved. Then I'll show you."
Jiyuu, not believing what he just heard, asked, "Will I be able to become a ninja?"
Ryu replied, "Both of you will become ninjas. Didn't I ask for your help to change this world? How are you going to do that if you are weak?
He looked at Yasashii and asked, "You want to learn how I was able to paralyse you with a touch?
Yasashii asked, "I can do that too?"
Ryu replied, "Yes, you can do it. I will teach you how to. It will be very hard but worth it. For your brother, I want to test his affinity first, and then I will decide what to do with him. I really need water affinity from him for my plan to work. Otherwise, he will have to work extra hard."
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