Jiraiya turned around.
Naruto had already vanished into the shadows beneath the bright lights.
He and Kakashi exchanged silent glances.
After a while, Jiraiya lifted his head and issued orders: "Root members are to keep their distance. No testing allowed."
"ANBU, leave two of your own by the door to keep watch. No matter what, do not engage with Naruto."
"Everyone else, dismissed!"
Two ANBU acknowledged and instantly appeared.
Others, with the Root member, disappeared without a trace.
In the Hokage's office.
Inside the meeting room.
Three high-ranking advisors, Nara Shikaku—the captain of the Jonin squad—and a group of elite Jonin, including Maito Guy, were all gathered.
The entire village was on high alert, tension like a pulled string.
They were waiting for a signal, or the return of two individuals.
It wasn't long before the door swung open.
"There's no need to be so tense," Jiraiya spoke up with a hearty laugh. "Naruto bears no ill will, nor does he intend to harm the village. He's a good kid."
Everyone in the room sighed in relief.
Danzō, biting his teeth in frustration, slammed his fist on the table: "Rubbish! Jiraiya, is this your answer to us?"
"Such indulgence of the Jinchūriki."
"What is Konoha to him, a playground?"
"Does he think he can just come and go as he pleases?"
"To trample on the village's dignity like this, and you—"
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharpening: "Lord Danzō, there is indeed something I need to report to you."
He had always disliked this high-ranking advisor.
Especially after what happened with Naruto.
Danzō's face was stern as he waved his hand dismissively.
"Naruto told me, if Konoha could hand you over and let him deal with you, he might consider it." Jiraiya said softly.
Everyone in the room was stunned.
Consider what?
Returning to Konoha, or something else?
Danzō frowned, wondering if this was a threat directed at him.
He glanced around again, feeling even more uneasy.
A number of senior ninjas were actually considering this possibility.
"Lord Jiraiya, Lord Danzō," Shikaku Nara spoke, "We cannot deny that Naruto is a ninja of Konoha."
This was both a reminder and the truth.
The current state of Konoha meant that Naruto could come and go as he pleased, what else could they do?
If anyone dared to curse Naruto here, did they have the courage to say it to his face?
Koharu Utatane followed with a calm voice, "Shut up, Danzō!"
"We haven't allowed you to speak as a high-ranking advisor again."
"Jiraiya, what is the purpose of the jinchuriki's return this time?"
Jiraiya responded, "It's for a young boy named Rock Lee."
"His target is Rock Lee?" Maito Guy exclaimed in shock.
"It's to cure Rock Lee's illness." Jiraiya clarified, his tone gentle to reassure him, "Kakashi is over there keeping watch, don't worry, everything will be fine."
Maito Guy nodded, trusting his friend.
"Would a mere Genin's illness warrant the return of a Jinchuriki?" Koharu Utatane mused, "Could there be another motive behind this?"
Maito Guy shook his head, his voice heavy with frustration, lacking its usual vigor, "Lee's condition is quite serious."
"Konoha currently lacks the power to heal him."
"Naruto visited him once before, he must have been preparing for this then."
Koharu Utatane exclaimed in surprise, "Even Konoha's medical ninjas can't help?"
In terms of medical ninjas' skills and techniques, Konoha is undoubtedly top-notch.
This is thanks to the "medical ninja" initiative proposed by Tsunade, one of the "Legendary Sannin."
Although it hasn't been fully implemented, at least within Konoha, a relatively complete medical ninja training system exists.
"Lee has overexerted himself using forbidden techniques, causing bone fragments to lodge in his nervous system." Maito Guy clenched his fist, "Konoha's medical ninjas are at a loss."
"They said..."
"Only Lady Tsunade's return might bring healing."
"Does Jinchuriki possess such an ability?" Koharu Utatane inquired.
No one answered her.
Jiraiya frowned in contemplation.
Had it been in the past, he would have definitely given a "no" without hesitation.
Mastering medical ninjutsu is not something that happens overnight.
It requires extensive practice.
But, considering Naruto's talent and the power of the Nine-Tails, he found himself unable to provide a definitive answer.
The atmosphere in the room turned silent, no one uttered a word.
After consulting with Jiraiya, Maito Guy headed towards Konoha Hospital, unable to set aside his worry for Lee.
When he arrived, only Kakashi was in Rock Lee's hospital room.
"Where's Naruto?" Maito Guy poked his head in, searching for that familiar blonde figure.
Kakashi replied, "He's already gone."
"How's Rock Lee?" Maito Guy's eyes shifted to his disciple lying in the bed.
The bowl-cut boy seemed at peace, a faint snore escaping him as he slept.
This surprised him.
Rock Lee hadn't slept like this in a long time.
Due to his injuries, he could only sleep on his side.
Lying flat caused too much pressure on his back.
"According to Naruto, the operation was quite successful." Kakashi walked to the table and picked up a surgical tray.
"These were removed from Lee's body."
Within lay a collection of tiny, fragmented debris.
The smallest was less than half the size of a sesame seed, while the larger ones matched the scale of a fingernail.
These were the bone fragments embedded in his nerves, as diagnosed by Konoha's medical ninjas.
"I thought of having a doctor examine him further," Kakashi continued, "but Lee seemed too exhausted and drifted off right after the surgery."
"However, before he slept, Naruto roused him to confirm his condition.
He can now walk unaided, without crutches, and even stand straight."
"It seems he's healed."
"So, I didn't disrupt his rest any further."
Maito Guy felt as though all his strength had suddenly left him.
He collapsed into a nearby chair, relieved, "That's truly wonderful."
"We'll examine Lee once he wakes up to make sure everything is fine."
That's the plan, anyway.
But he wasn't worried.
Staring at the blood-streaked debris in the tray, he couldn't stop himself from foolishly grinning with happiness.
With everything in place, Rock Lee's current condition is nearly confirmed as completely healed.
He only asked for a medical ninja to double-check, just in case, to turn the 'highly probable result' into a 'completely confirmed result'.
"Naruto left too quickly; I should have thanked him properly." Maito Guy lifted his head, gazing gently at Lee.
Kakashi didn't speak, also staring at Lee.
However, his thoughts were not on the bowl-cut youngster.
They lingered on Naruto, who had just left.
He seemed completely indifferent to having just parted ways with Konoha.
Returning to visit those he cared about when he desired, and leaving once the visit concluded.
To him, Konoha was like 'air'.
Before Lee's treatment, Kakashi felt guilt towards Naruto, believing somewhat that he had abandoned a comrade.
But had he really abandoned him?
If he had, he wouldn't have returned to save Lee.
At this moment, Kakashi recalled the things Naruto had said during Team 7's first mission, "Why force yourself to accept those who do not accept you."
So, in his eyes, comrades are comrades, the village is the village?
Kakashi tilted his head slightly, looking towards Maito Guy.
The big bowl cut was still grinning foolishly.
He thought, if he himself were a rogue ninja, and there were no conflicts with Konoha, should danger arise, Maito Guy would surely come to his aid, right?
Kakashi sighed.
Naruto truly is carefree.
But how can one be so carefree?
(End of Chapter)
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