My heart skipped a beat, and I turned to face the door, my hand instinctively reaching for my kunai.
"Don't worry," a calm voice said from the doorway, "I'm a doctor."
A figure emerged from the shadows, and I could see the man was indeed a doctor, or at least he had the look of one. He have short black hair and he wore a stethoscope around his neck, a symbol of his profession.
Or so I thought?
He came with someone, a woman, who looked equally as tired and worn as him.
"My name is Ise," the doctor introduced himself, his eyes scanning the room before settling on the injured girl on the bed. "And this is my wife, Fuso."
Fuso offered a gentle smile, her long red hair a stark contrast to her husband's. She looked at the scene before her with a mix of shock and concern. "What happened here?"
"We were attacked," I replied, keeping my voice low.
Ise and Fuso exchanged a concerned glance before rushing to Konan's side. They worked quickly and efficiently, their hands deftly checking her injuries. Despite their tiredness, their care was meticulous.
"Looks like she's been in a fight," Ise murmured, his voice steady as he assessed the cuts and especially the bruises. "Some of these look serious."
Fuso, the nurse, gently touched Konan's forehead, checking for fever. "We need to get her warmed up and cleaned up before we can do anything else," she said, her voice filled with the same calm determination that had carried them through countless battles.
I nodded, moving aside to give them room to work. Ame and Ranko remained vigilant, their eyes fixed on the newcomers, ready to protect their family if needed.
"Thank you," I said sincerely, watching as the doctor and his wife tended to Konan.
Ise nodded, his gaze never leaving her as he worked. "What's your name?" he asked without looking up.
"Konan," she replied through gritted teeth.
I could see the pain etched on her face, but she remained strong. The doctor and his wife worked in a synchronized dance of medical expertise, their movements swift and precise.
"Her injuries are severe," Ise said, glancing up at me with a furrowed brow. "We need to get her stable before we can move her anywhere else."
Fuso nodded in agreement, already preparing a warm herbal medicine to help ease the pain and reduce the swelling.
"Me and Konan can stay here," I suggested, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.
Ise nodded, his expression serious. "If Konan condition get better, We can offer you a shelter."
Fuso looked at him, her eyes filled with understanding. "We won't turn away those in need," she said softly, turning back to her patient.
The doctor's words echoed in my mind. This couple, who had seen so much pain and suffering, had chosen to help us, despite the risks.
"Thank you," I said again, feeling the weight of our situation lift slightly. "But before that, can you tell me, what's going on in the village?"
"Cause, last time we were here, the village is still in good condition," I said, my voice laced with confusion and concern. "What happened?"
Ise's expression grew grim as he continued to work on Konan's injuries. "The war," he said simply, not looking up from his task. "The ninjas have been passing through, taking what they want, leaving destruction in their way."
Fuso sighed heavily, her eyes never leaving her patient. "Many have been forced to leave their homes, seeking refuge in the mountains, Hidden Rain village or further into the countryside."
"What about you two?" I asked, watching them work tirelessly despite the obvious weariness etched into their faces.
Fuso looked up at me, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and resolve. "We've decided to stay and help those who can't leave, to provide care and aid as best we can."
These two had chosen to remain in a war-torn village, offering their medical expertise to those in need.
I can't say anything to them except for a nod, acknowledging their unspoken bravery. They were truly heroes in a world filled with chaos.
Maybe someone said is foolishness, but with their choices to do this, their help for me and Konan is like a saviour in this world.
"How can we help?" I asked, my voice earnest.
Ise glanced up, his eyes meeting mine for a brief moment before returning to his work. "For now, just keep watch," he instructed. "We don't want any unwelcome visitors while we're treating her."
I nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. The rain outside become heavier. Ame and Ranko took up positions by the window, their ears perked up, listening for any sign of danger.
Fuso handed me a steaming cup of tea. "Here, drink this," she said gently. "It'll help calm your nerves."
I took a sip, the warm liquid spreading a comforting warmth through my body. The rain outside had turned into a storm, the wind howling like a beast and the rain beating against the windows.
"Thank you," I murmured, setting the cup down and moving to the window to keep an eye on the village.
After Ise finished tending to Konan's immediate wounds, he turned to me, his gaze intense. "We need to keep her hydrated and rested," he instructed.
"I'll do my best," I assured him.
Fuso handed me a wet cloth to wipe Konan's face, while Ise started explaining the aftercare in a calm and precise manner.
"Her injuries are severe, but not life-threatening," he said, his eyes flicking up to meet mine briefly. "But she will need rest and care."
I nodded solemnly, my eyes never leaving Konan's face. She had fallen into a fitful sleep, her breathing shallow and her body tense with pain.
"We'll need to keep her here for a few days," Fuso said, her voice a gentle whisper in the quiet room. "It's not safe to move her yet."
"I even admire her for being able to endure such pain," Ise said, my eyes never leaving her peaceful, though pained, expression.
Fuso nodded, her hand resting on Konan's forehead, checking for any signs of fever. "Such a strong girl," she agreed.
Ise even checked on Ranko, the crow, which was an unexpected kindness. The doctor's eyes were filled with understanding as he examined the bird. "It seems to be in good health," he said, stroking its feathers gently. "But keep an eye on it. Shock can manifest in strange ways in animals."
The storm outside had grown into a full-blown typhoon, the winds howling and the rain pounding against the clinic walls. Inside, the only sounds were the soft whispers of the doctor and his wife as they worked, and the occasional whine from Ame as she watched over us all.
Konan stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She took in her surroundings, looking for any signs of danger before finally resting her gaze on me. "Are you okay?" she murmured, her voice hoarse.
"It should be me asking the question." I replied, squeezing her hand gently. "You just need to rest and get better."
Her eyes searched mine for reassurance, and I offered her a small smile, hoping to ease her fears.
"Thank you," she whispered to Ise and Fuso, her voice barely audible.
The doctor nodded, his expression serious. "You're welcome," he said.
Fuso began to clean up the medical supplies, while Ise checked on the medical storage.
After that Ise and Fuso said goodbye to us because they couldn't leave their child alone at home for too long, Ise also told us where his house was if we needed anything.
"Be careful you two," Fuso said as they prepared to leave, the rain still beating down outside. "You too." I said.
---|||---
Once they were gone, the clinic felt even quieter than before. I sat beside the bed, holding Konan's hand tightly. Her grip was weak, but she squeezed back slightly, letting me know she was still with me.
"Haruto." Konan stared with tearful eyes.
"What's wrong Konan?" I asked worriedly.
"I'm fine... it's just, I can't forget what I've done. I've... killed someone, and it bothers me a lot, I feel angry but also sad." Konan added, "Why did he force me to kill him, if he had left or let me go back then, he wouldn't have died." Konan's voice trembled.
"...."
*Sigh*
I held her hand tightly and occasionally caress it gently. "But you did it anyway, right? Back in the cave, I even saw the strong determination in your eyes. You were even stronger than me, smarter. And you also have a good heart."
"Everything you feel, is natural, because that's what makes us human. Don't let your heart go numb, even if you feel sad, angry, scared, happy, whatever it is, we are always there for you, with you." I said as I hugged her gently.
Konan also hugged me, "thank you Haruto." She said.
"You're welcome." I replied.
---|||---
The rain continued to pound against the window, and the occasional rumble of thunder shook the walls of the clinic. Ame had curled up at the foot of the bed, her eyes half-closed but still alert. Ranko had perched on a shelf, his head tucked under his wing, seemingly asleep.
I stared into the storm, my mind racing with thoughts of what could happen next. Would the war reach us here?
I thought it was enough for me to find a quiet place to live in peace. But it seems like the war had followed us.
Really? It's plot again, right? Can't you think or though about new plot or something?
I even didn't remember something like kidnapping children or slave traders in the anime, is it AU? Perhaps.
How about Haki? It's looks like not a haki from one piece, it's Yin energy I thought.
Something I remember with Yin energy or spiritual energy, it's capable to control imagination, creating form out of nothingness.
Can I manifest anything with Yin energy? Or it needed Yang energy to fully manifest it?
How about Armament haki? If I remember that, one must have a strong physique to use Armament haki.
Or not?
I don't remember it.
---|||---
"...." Slave traders, really.
But to think about slave traders, I can store their lifeless body in my inventory and I got new storage, medical storage with sub storage for the corpse.
Is it cause their body become inanimate object?
Then, what makes them a living being?
Soul? Breath? Oxygen? Heart? Blood? Chakra?
Or all of it? So to make them a living being, all of that is needed?
What if a living being that doesn't need to breathe, can I store it? Or the living being that doesn't have a heart? Can i store it? Or they have to be dead so I can store it?
How about undead?
"...."
So, it's a soul?
"...."
And these corpse, what should I do with it? Maybe I can use it for something.
Like, there is option extract, I can extract their blood, liver, eye, brain etc.
Unfortunately there's no chakra, maybe cause they are corpse?
How about living being?
I've tried it, right? With Ame and it's not work.
And speak about Ame, I had to admit, the kitten had grown on me. Her fierce loyalty and bravery in the face of danger had surprised me. Her sharp claws had saved the day, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for her.
Maybe Ame is an intelligent creature, like Kakashi dog, Pakkun, right?
---|||---
I pondered over the thought as I watched the rain pummel the village.
The days passed in a blur of pain and healing. Ise and Fuso would visit us daily, bringing food and supplies, checking on Konan's progress.
Even though I had told them that they didn't need to bother bringing us food, they still insisted, so we could only accept it.
The doctor taught me basic medical techniques to help manage her care, and together we discussed the possibility of me learning more advanced skills.
And I got surprising information, I didn't know that Ise and Fuso were Nagato's parents, If I didn't ask their child name, maybe I would never know, and would just think of them as characters who don't appear in the anime.
I don't even remember what Nagato's parents looked like in the anime.
But it's true, they have a son, Nagato.
The revelation hit me like a ton of bricks. This quiet, resilient couple, who had taken us in and tended to our wounds. Were Nagato parents.
Nagato, the man who would one day become the Pain, the one who would bring the entire Leaf Village to its knees, was their son.
I couldn't fathom the weight of that revelation. Yet, as I looked at Ise and Fuso, all I saw was a couple who had chosen to stand in the face of adversity, to help those who could not help themselves.
Konan's condition improved day by day under the watchful eyes of Ise and Fuso. Her bruises began to fade, and the doctor's skilled hands had mended her injuries well.
And I also learned a lot from Ise.
Maybe i can make a fake hospital now.
"...." I grinning.
"What are you thinking about?" Konan asked me, her voice still weak but growing stronger with each passing day.
"Just planning for the future," I replied, don't want to share my thoughts about the fake hospital.
"Really? I just feel something off with your grinning," she said with a hint of curiosity.
I chuckled, "It's nothing," I assured her.
How could I say the purpose of fake hospital to her? No.
"Konan." I said, turning to her, "What do you think about this village?"
"I think it's okay," she murmured, her eyes half-closed as she lay in the bed. "And in this village too, i can go shopping with you," she added with a faint smile.
Her words brought warmth to my heart. "Yeah," I said, smiling back. "We can go shopping and do what we usually do."
"But, hasn't this village been abandoned? " she questioned.
"Not completely," I replied, "Ise and Fuso are still here. And there are others who've chosen to stay."
"But the war..." she trailed off, her expression filled with concern.
I nodded, understanding her fears. "We'll face it together," I said firmly. "We've come this far."
"And i don't want to run anymore," I added, my voice filled with determination. "And you don't have too."
"You mean? Stay here?" she asked, her eyes searching mine for reassurance.
"Yeah," I said, taking a deep breath. "What do you think if this village is ours?"
Her eyes widened in surprise before filling with hope. "You mean... we could live here?"
"It's just an idea," I said, watching her expression closely. "But with your help, and maybe Ise and Fuso, we could rebuild it, make it a place where people can live in peace, no, a place where we can live in peace."
Konan looked at me with a mix of surprise and hope. "That's..." she began, then trailed off, searching for the right words. "That's a wonderful idea, Haruto," she finally said, a small smile playing on her lips. "But can we really do it?"
"We've survived this far," I said, returning her smile. "And we've got each other, Ame, and Ranko. If we work together, I think we can do anything."
Konan's smile grew, and she nodded weakly. "Okay," she said. "Let's do it."
Over the next few days, we began to lay the groundwork for our new life in the village. With Ise guidance, I started learning more about medical care and how to maintain the clinic. Meanwhile, Konan focused on her recovery.
I also keep training my body and honing my skills, pushing myself to new limits every day.
I studied the village, noticing its potential. The buildings were sturdy, though some needed repair. The mountain range surrounding us could offer protection from invasions.
Or not? Cause people still abandoned their home though.
Is it because there are no ninjas guarding here?
Speak of the ninja, I've killed two ninjas, no, I've killed a lot people.
*Sigh*
If I don't fill my mind and my heart with something, that feeling will always haunt me.
I am grateful, I am not alone.
"...."
And about the ninjas, why their skill are so bad?
Are they still genin? But they don't wear any forehead protector. Maybe they're missing-nins? Or are they people who failed to become ninja?
Most likely, cause people who hired them, just need their power to deal with normal people, not ninja.
But what if we could change that? What if we could train the villagers, even just basic self-defense?
Nah, it can't be that simple.
Really, chakra or even Bloodline limit itself is a cheat, Of course some have side effects.
But to think about those ninjas, are they really that weak?
I even doubted myself, that doesn't make sense, well none of this makes sense actually.
It's looks like, it's just me and Konan, or Nagato can be included, to protect this village.
Is it white Zetsu still monitoring Nagato? If I remember, Madara is still alive now.
The one and only Madara, it's just, why he transplant his Rinnegan to Nagato, why not white Zetsu? Is white Zetsu body can't hold it?
Is it Madara plan just to revive him using some jutsu from Rinnegan? Well, maybe it's black Zetsu doing?
"...."
Well it's not my business, my priority is to keep this village safe, or at least, keep my group safe.
But, I have no experience in managing a village.
Well, I've played game Townsmen, does that count as experience?
I chuckled to myself, maybe I just give it to Ise and Fuso to manage, cause I doubt I can handle that.
I'm not The MC that have a brilliant idea or super smart MC, or even MC that have Aizen trait.
What they call them? Ah? Template system, right?
"...."
But I'm really grateful with my inventory.
---|||---
With Ise and Fuso's help, I managed to make the clinic look more like a home. We cleaned up the dust and brought in some furniture from my inventory. Of course it's just me and Konan that knows my ability.
The doctor and his wife, along with their son Nagato, had become a part of our lives, sharing stories and meals together.
I met Nagato, and he is a quiet child, I'm a child too, but Ise told me that I have some vibes that the child don't have, so he considers me an adult even though I am a child and even though I'm younger than his son.
Nagato is now seven years old, Ise said to me.
And how about me? Ise thought, maybe I'm younger than Nagato by a year or two, because I myself don't even know my age.
But Ise's words didn't bother me.
What bothers me is, when they die in the anime?
Is it change due to me?
Or it's not the time, yet?
"Hmm," I murmured, my thoughts wandering. "Nagato do you want to training with us?"
Nagato looked at me. "Training?" he echoed.
"Yeah," I nodded, sitting up straighter. "We can train together, you know, to keep the village safe or at least our family safe."
Nagato looked down at his hands, seemingly lost in thought. "I... I don't know," he said hesitantly. "But I do want to be strong."
"That's all that matters," I said. "We'll start slow, okay?"
Nagato nodded, his eyes still cast downward.
"Look," I said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We'll start with the basics, and I'll teach you everything I know. You're already strong, Nagato. You just need to believe in yourself."
I still haven't seen his eyes though.
But that's for later, now, we need to focus on getting stronger.
I started with basic training and Chakra control exercises for Nagato, while Konan rested and observed. Her interest in the medical field grew, and she began to learn from Ise and Fuso. The doctor and his wife watched over us with a mix of admiration and concern, their eyes filled with hope for the future of their son and our growing community.
Days turned into weeks, and the clinic grew more lively with each passing moment. The sound of footsteps echoed through the corridors as Ise and Fuso tended to patients, and the scent of herbs and ointments filled the air. I told them that they don't need to be afraid of running out of medical supplies, so they only focus on handling and caring for people who come to the clinic. Nagato slowly grew more comfortable with us.
He was a quick learner, picking up the basics of chakra control with astonishing ease. It cause his Rinnegan, right?
Can I have Rinnegan too?
"...."
Or I can copy the Rinnegan, well of course if I can store the Rinnegan in my inventory. But that's another story.
But for now, let's focus to the training.