Thump! Thump! Thump!
In a small courtyard within Yoshida Jin's mansion, a slender figure was continuously swinging a wooden sword, striking a wooden training post. It was a young girl, about eleven or twelve years old.
Not far from the girl, a middle-aged man dressed as a samurai watched silently. Outside the courtyard, a young man dressed in a light blue long robe walked in. Behind the young man, a slender woman dressed in ninja attire followed closely.
"Physician Yaryu." Seeing the man who had entered, a look of surprise flashed across the middle-aged samurai's face, and he quickly bowed in respect.
The middle-aged samurai, named Koyama, was a guard samurai in Yoshida Jin's mansion. His strength was average, and his status in the mansion was not high. However, the young physician, although he had not been in the mansion for long, was already a well-known figure throughout the household.
Within the mansion, Yoshida Jin had not only allocated a small courtyard for this young physician to live in and conduct his medical experiments, but he had also spent a huge sum of money to hire a powerful expert, said to be of Jonin level, to act as his guard. This ninja guard was the woman following the young physician.
The two were Tatsuya and Pakura, who had entered in disguise.
Tatsuya waved his right hand lightly, his gaze fixed on the training girl, not responding to Koyama. Seeing this, the middle-aged samurai tactfully bowed and retreated.
The activity in the courtyard had naturally been noticed by the young girl. Already exhausted, she turned her head to look at Tatsuya and Pakura, her eyes filled with confusion and caution.
Seeing this, Tatsuya smiled slightly and glanced at Pakura beside him. She immediately understood, and with a flash, disappeared from her spot.
Whoosh!
Amidst the sharp sound of breaking air, the disguised Pakura appeared in front of the young girl. She kicked out with her right foot, aiming directly at the girl's chest.
The young girl was startled. Her body couldn't react in time, so she immediately swung the wooden sword in her hand, striking directly at Pakura's approaching right ankle.
Pakura's right foot suddenly paused in mid-air. Then, with a spin of her body, she instantly leaped into the air, kicking out with both feet in a series of rapid attacks, still aiming for the vital points on the young girl's chest.
Tap tap tap
Taking advantage of the gap created by Pakura's change in attack direction, the young girl suddenly exerted force with both feet, retreating sharply. As she retreated, she held her wooden sword horizontally in front of her chest, blocking all of Pakura's kicks.
Retreating more than ten meters, the young girl stopped and stood, looking at Pakura, who had also stopped attacking, her face full of doubt. She hadn't felt much force in those few kicks. Clearly, the newcomer was just testing her.
"How is she?" Tatsuya's face showed a smile as he looked at Pakura and asked.
"Not bad! She's a good seedling!" Pakura's face also showed a satisfied smile, and she nodded.
"Having her as your student won't disgrace you, will it?"
Hearing this, Pakura smiled and remained silent.
For Pakura, talent wasn't her main concern; Pakura was more concerned with character. If Tatsuya hadn't told her about the young girl's tragic experiences, Pakura would definitely not have been willing to take on a disciple at this stage. And from her performance upon their first meeting, the young girl's talent was not lacking.
Across from them, hearing their conversation, the young girl's expression was uncertain. Her gaze was mostly focused on Tatsuya.
"Guren, come here!" Seeing that Pakura hadn't refused, Tatsuya turned his head and beckoned to the young girl with a smile.
Poof!
As he spoke, Tatsuya also formed a single hand seal, releasing the Transformation Technique.
"Big Brother Tatsuya!" Seeing Tatsuya revert to his original appearance, the young girl's eyes instantly welled up with tears, and she rushed over to him.
The young girl was Guren, whom Tatsuya had rescued more than half a year ago. When he left the Land of Rice Fields, Tatsuya had left Guren in Yoshida Jin's mansion and asked him to find her a teacher. However, Tatsuya hadn't expected Yoshida Jin to find a samurai to be Guren's teacher. This was a complete waste of Guren's talent.
Having arrived at Yoshida Jin's mansion almost a month ago, Tatsuya had been busy researching the new medicine. Only today had he managed to find time to see Guren.
Gently hugging the little girl, Tatsuya patted her back to comfort her. After a moment, Tatsuya pushed her away and pointed to Pakura beside him. "Alright! Guren, come, this is the teacher I found for you, Yukari (Pakura's alias). From now on, she will teach you ninjutsu."
Leaving Tatsuya's embrace, Guren turned to look at Pakura and said timidly, "Big Brother Tatsuya, can't I learn from you?"
Tatsuya stroked the little girl's head and comforted her gently. "Guren, Konoha has rules. I can't just bring anyone into the village. Do you want to be constantly monitored by the village after entering Konoha, or do you want to grow up freely here? Besides, the teacher I found for you is a powerful and great ninja. Under her guidance, you will definitely become a strong ninja in the future!"
Hearing Tatsuya's words, the light in Guren's eyes dimmed slightly. After a moment of silence, she turned and bowed to Pakura. "Teacher Yukari, please take care of me!"
For Guren, who had been forced to leave her home at a young age, Tatsuya, who had once saved her and accompanied and encouraged her, was the only light in her heart! She didn't want to leave Tatsuya's side, but she also didn't want to go against his wishes.
"Guren, I will teach you well from now on!" Reaching out, Pakura gently helped Guren up and spoke in a soft voice.
After speaking, Pakura's gaze couldn't help but turn to Tatsuya, her eyes holding a meaning that Tatsuya couldn't quite understand. Seeing this, Tatsuya smiled slightly and didn't dwell on the meaning in Pakura's eyes.
For Tatsuya, entrusting Guren to Pakura was both finding a good teacher for Guren and finding a source of emotional support for Pakura. In his memory, Pakura in the original story was a good teacher. Before Tatsuya's future plans were implemented, the bond of teacher and disciple between the two of them would be beneficial to both.
A week later, on the main road outside Yamanashi City, the capital of the Land of Rice Fields, Tatsuya and Pakura walked side by side.
"After I leave, I'll leave things here to you. Help me keep an eye on Yoshida Jin and Guren." Stopping a few dozen meters outside the city gate, Tatsuya turned to Pakura and said.
"Mm! I will!" Hearing this, Pakura also stopped and nodded gently.
Then, a strange look flashed in her eyes. "Aren't you afraid that after you leave, I'll completely take over everything here?"
Tatsuya smiled and said softly, "In life, what can be completely predicted? Do your best, and leave the rest to fate! If you really want to do that, then take it all. Consider it my blessing to you! I'm still young; none of this is a big deal to me! However, I also believe in my judgment of people. You shouldn't be capable of such a thing!"
After speaking, Tatsuya didn't wait for Pakura's reply. He waved to her, turned, and walked away. Behind him, in the setting autumn sun, Pakura stood silently in place, watching Tatsuya's figure gradually fade into the distance.
In early January of Konoha Year 49, shortly after Tatsuya left the Land of Rice Fields, the first Ansei Hall pharmacy in Yamanashi City launched its first batch of Six-Flavor Rehmannia Pills, causing a frenzy of purchases among numerous wealthy merchants and noble families.
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