Back in the house, Hatake Sakumo's mood had noticeably improved.
"Reiki, Tsunade-sama's disciple, right?" he asked, a smile breaking through his earlier gloom. "You're impressive! I can tell you'll become an excellent ninja."
Reiki felt a surge of pride at Sakumo's words. The foundation of a village lies in its youth, and as long as that foundation remains strong, hope is not lost.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing Hatake Sakumo's psychological treatment. You have gained 30 solid chakra, top-notch sword skills, and the ability *One-Slash Kill: Murasame*!]
As Sakumo's heart began to heal, the system notification chimed in his mind. But when he checked the scan, Sakumo was still marked as injured.
Ignoring the reward for now, Reiki stepped closer. "Uncle Sakumo, are you injured?"
Sakumo hesitated, then pulled up the sleeves of his arms, revealing hideous wounds. "These… they're nothing," he said, though his expression betrayed his pain.
"Father, your hands!" Kakashi gasped, visibly distressed. Such severe injuries could greatly impact Sakumo's swordsmanship, perhaps even leaving him unable to wield a sword again.
Reiki put the pieces together: Sakumo was not just suffering from village gossip; the weight of Sarutobi Shinnosuke's ingratitude, combined with his own physical trauma, was pushing him into despair.
"Your injuries are a burden on your spirit too, aren't they?" Reiki probed gently.
"Yes…" Sakumo admitted, looking downcast. "My hands may never recover."
"I can help you! I'm a medical ninja!" Reiki interjected confidently.
"A medical ninja?" Sakumo shook his head in disbelief. "With injuries like these, even Tsunade-sama might not be able to help. The damage to my meridians... it's too extensive."
"I really can help," Reiki insisted, grabbing Sakumo's hand firmly. "Trust me!"
Kakashi looked at Reiki, urgency in his eyes. "Please, help my father!"
Reiki felt the support of the younger ones around him. He could sense the weight of their hopes resting on his shoulders.
Sakumo, realizing he had nothing to lose, relented. "Fine. Let's see what you can do."
With Reiki's focused effort, he began repairing the damaged meridians. The skin wounds would be easier to treat.
"Is it done?" Sakumo asked, uncertainty lacing his voice.
Reiki smiled. "Just a moment longer!"
A surge of energy flowed through Sakumo's arm. Suddenly, he felt a familiar strength returning. Without thinking, he pulled out his short sword and swung it. A flash of white light cut through the air, slicing a boulder clean in half.
"I... I can use my sword again!" Sakumo exclaimed, astonished.
"Dr. Reiki, thank you!" he said, gratitude evident in his eyes.
Reiki waved his hand dismissively. "No need for thanks. As a medical ninja, it's my duty to help all patients."
Sakumo admired Reiki even more now. Meanwhile, Kakashi stood off to the side, feeling a mix of confusion and admiration.
"Uncle Sakumo, I remember you were the commander-in-chief on the front lines. Who's in charge now?" Uchiha Obito asked eagerly.
"Orochimaru is commanding now. While I was on the mission, I stepped down," Sakumo explained. "Kakashi, take your friends home for dinner. I need to visit the Hokage's office first."
With that, Sakumo left, determination returning to his stride.
"Reiki-kun, you're amazing! Even Uncle Sakumo praises you!" Nohara Rin said, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
"I'm powerful too! But I want to be a hero on the battlefield, like Uncle Sakumo!" Obito declared. "One day, I'll be Hokage!"
"Really?" Reiki chuckled, bemused by Obito's ambition.
"Reiki, can I fight you?" Kakashi suddenly asked, a spark of competition in his eyes.
Reiki was taken aback. "Sure! But let's keep it fair: no chakra, just taijutsu and swordsmanship."
"Deal! Do you have a sword?" Kakashi asked.
"I do! And it's bigger than yours!" Reiki grinned, summoning the enormous evil ghost sword.
Kakashi's face twitched as he stared at the massive blade. "Well, swordsmanship isn't about the size of the sword."
"True, but mine is definitely bigger!" Reiki replied, swinging the sword playfully.
Kakashi soon realized that Reiki's technique was much more refined than he initially thought. As they began sparring, Kakashi initially believed he had the upper hand, but to his surprise, Reiki's skill shone through, and he quickly found himself disarmed.
Staring at his fallen short sword, Kakashi was left in a daze.
>>>>>
Gimme Power stones I'm Poor