A New Challenge
Haruto stood silently, watching Shizune as she left the room. In the anime, Shizune had always seemed somewhat plain, easily overshadowed by the flashier characters like Tsunade and Kakashi. But in real life, seeing her up close was different. She was far more striking—her features sharp, her presence commanding despite her youth. There was a grace in the way she moved, efficient and without wasted energy.
As she turned the corner, disappearing from view, Haruto found himself thinking, She's really good-looking, actually. Not that it mattered, of course. He had far bigger things to focus on.
The moment she was gone, Haruto sat down and spread out the materials she had given him. Scrolls and notes detailing the basics of medical ninjutsu and the fundamentals of chakra control for healing. It wasn't anything too advanced, but there was a lot to take in—far more than he had anticipated.
Haruto sighed and rolled his shoulders, loosening the tension that had built up from the earlier test. Alright, time to get to work.
Four hours later, his brain felt like it had been stuffed with too much information. His head throbbed as he leaned back against the chair, closing his eyes for a moment. The material was dense, but the science part wasn't hard to grasp. He already understood a lot of the biology and anatomy from his previous life. The challenge lay in applying that knowledge through chakra.
"Ninjutsu is just another layer," he muttered to himself. "I get the science, now I just need to figure out the chakra application."
The basic exercises for a medical ninja were clear. The most foundational exercise was the Mystical Palm Technique (Shōsen Jutsu), but even beginners couldn't fully perform that yet. Instead, they started by learning how to regulate their chakra flow into small, specific areas—like the tip of a finger or palm—and control the intensity so it didn't overwhelm the patient's body. Precision over power.
"Alright," Haruto thought, rubbing his temples. "That's the key: fine chakra control. If I can get that down, the rest will follow."
His mind was already forming a plan. He would need to incorporate this into his daily routine, making chakra control as habitual as his physical training. That way, he could accelerate his progress and pass the test Shizune had set for him in two weeks.
Morning workouts, he thought. I can start early, before the hospital opens.
The plan began to take shape in his mind. He would wake up at dawn, start his usual workout routine, pushing his body to its limits as always. Then, after breakfast, he'd head to the hospital right when it opened to begin his medical training. He'd split his day into chunks—training in the hospital during the morning, a short workout session in the afternoon, and then returning to the hospital to study in the late afternoon.
Finally, he'd end the day with another intense training session before dinner and rest. It was ambitious, but with the system's support and his own drive, Haruto was confident he could manage it.
I can do this, he thought, determination swelling inside him.
As Haruto was lost in his thoughts, a gentle knock on the doorframe pulled him back to the present. The receptionist who had been speaking to Shizune earlier walked in, holding a folded note.
"Takeda-kun," she said, handing him the note with a polite smile, "this is from Shizune-sama."
Haruto accepted it and unfolded the paper. His eyes scanned the neat handwriting.
Takeda-kun,
You have two weeks to learn the basics of medical ninjutsu.
If you pass the test at the end of this period, you will be allowed to stay on as a volunteer to assist and learn around the hospital.
Don't waste this opportunity.
—Shizune
Haruto's grip on the note tightened slightly. Two weeks. That wasn't much time, but it was more than enough if he stuck to his plan.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he tucked the note into his pocket. "No problem," he whispered to himself. "I'll be ready."
With renewed determination, Haruto packed up the scrolls and notes. His path was set: a rigorous schedule of training, study, and practice. He would pour everything into these next two weeks, balancing his physical training with chakra control and medical studies.
Because this wasn't just about learning to heal—it was about securing his future.