After advising Hyuga Pyo to rest for a week before returning to Hyuga Hanano to address his eye problem, Reiki gathered his medicinal supplies and left the Hyuga clan.
By the time he arrived home, the evening shadows had already set in.
"Back so late again?" Morishita greeted him with mock disapproval as he entered the small courtyard. "Aren't you worried someone might try to kidnap you on your way back?"
"They wouldn't dare," Reiki responded with a smile. "At least, not for now."
"I'm heading out on a mission," Morishita informed him, his tone growing serious. "From now on, you'll need to be mindful of your own safety. Konoha may not be as safe as you think, especially for someone of your skill."
As a captain of the ANBU, Morishita had seen the darker side of Konoha. Even though Reiki had found a powerful mentor in Tsunade, his growing talent and influence had not gone unnoticed by the village's leadership. When one's strength and influence reach a certain level, the expectation is that they must align with Konoha's higher-ups. Should Reiki's views diverge...
"Thank you, Morishita-sama, for your guidance," Reiki replied sincerely. "If you're ever injured, come find me, and I'll treat you for free."
Morishita chuckled. "You're quite the character. No wonder Tsunade is so fond of you," he said, laughing. With that, he vanished into the evening.
"Goodbye, Morishita-sama," Reiki said softly, turning to enter his room. Once inside, the calm demeanor he had shown earlier faded. Even Morishita had been mobilized; it seemed a new wave of unrest was looming over the ninja world. However, he wasn't concerned—these issues weren't his to solve.
After drinking a bottle of advanced body-strengthening potion, Reiki resumed his training. The potion's effects were immediate, enhancing his physique by about twenty percent. Knowing his body was still growing, Reiki seized every opportunity to push his training to the next level.
---
Over the next few days, Reiki settled into a steady routine of work and training. Five days later, as he prepared for an afternoon mission, Shizune arrived.
"Brother Reiki, Sensei is back," she said urgently. "Jiraiya-sama is injured, and Sensei asked you to come quickly."
Reiki's heart skipped a beat, and he followed Shizune to the private ward. Inside, he found Tsunade treating Jiraiya, who appeared badly injured. Reiki couldn't believe it—he knew how powerful Tsunade and Jiraiya were. Who in the current ninja world could inflict such wounds on them?
"Teacher," Reiki approached Tsunade, concern clear in his voice.
"Reiki, assist me with the treatment," she instructed, but her chakra was nearly depleted, and she staggered.
"Shizune, help Sensei rest. I'll handle Jiraiya-sama's treatment," Reiki said, taking over. As he placed his hands on Jiraiya, he could feel the extent of his injuries—internal damage, impact trauma, and even traces of poison.
"Teacher, did Hanzo of the Salamander break the alliance?" Reiki asked as he began treating Jiraiya.
Tsunade, too weak to speak, simply nodded.
Reiki got to work, administering antidotes, recovery potions, and strength potions. As the potions took effect, he repaired Jiraiya's damaged organs and meridians. After nearly an hour, Jiraiya's condition had stabilized.
Just then, the system's prompt chimed in Reiki's mind:
>[Ding! Comprehensive treatment of Jiraiya completed. Rewards: 21 treatment points, +1 special fairyland map fragment, +10 constitution, solid chakra boost...]
"Reiki... Tsunade, she..." Jiraiya whispered, his voice weak.
"Jiraiya-sama, Sensei is alright," Reiki reassured him. "She's just exhausted. Shizune, please stay and care for them."
Leaving his medical robe in the office, Reiki exited the hospital. Inside, Jiraiya looked troubled, gazing at Tsunade.
"Tsunade, I..." he began, but Tsunade cut him off sharply.
"You're not going back to the Land of Rain," she said firmly. "We're no longer allies. If you go, they'll be waiting for you."
"But..." Jiraiya hesitated. "Aren't they your disciples?"
"You have to trust them," Tsunade insisted. Jiraiya's involvement with the three young ninjas from the Land of Rain had given Hanzo the excuse he needed to accuse Konoha of planting spies. The Akatsuki's previous actions had also fueled suspicions that they sought to challenge Hanzo's rule. These suspicions had finally erupted, leading to this violent breakdown.
"Tsunade, what if Reiki were in a similar situation? I'm going to see the Hokage first; I won't act impulsively," Jiraiya said, a steely resolve in his eyes. Tsunade understood; if Reiki were in such a predicament, she wouldn't be able to stand idly by either.
After Jiraiya left to speak with Sarutobi Hiruzen, Reiki arrived at the village gates. Handing a copy of a mission order to the guard, he stated, "This is for a C-rank mission—a letter delivery."
The guard confirmed, and with a nod, Reiki vanished into the night.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 320 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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