After helping Qiu to his feet, Reiki and Qiu left the ward together.
"Alright, everyone, go complete your medical tasks," Qiu said, regaining his composure. "Then, carry on with combat training. Remember, we are medical ninjas first and members of the battle order second."
With newfound determination, Qiu walked briskly to the task board to pick up a mission.
"Reiki Medical Ninja is amazing!"
"I need to grab a mission too, or they'll all be gone."
"Quick, hurry!"
The crowd buzzed with excitement. Reiki's actions had won them over, inspiring a belief that many thought they had lost—a belief carried by a child under nine years old. Recognizing this, the other medical ninjas hurried to the task board to pick up their assignments.
Within minutes, they realized something unusual.
"Wait, have all the tasks been taken?" one medical ninja asked, stunned.
"Reiki, it's not fair that you handled all the tasks! Tsunade-sama said to leave some for us!" another shouted, half-jokingly.
---
After finishing his responsibilities at the hospital, Reiki made his way to the Hyuga clan. Dozens of members awaited him, most of whom hadn't yet activated their Byakugan. Reiki's goal was to continue their treatment and ensure proper recovery after the removal of the cursed seals.
Back at the hospital, the remaining medical ninjas exchanged awkward glances.
"Qiu, are we just supposed to stand around waiting for new missions?" Yihai asked, embarrassment clear on his face. With all the tasks handled by Reiki, they found themselves without work.
"Let's head out," Qiu suggested, a spark of realization crossing his face.
"Yeah, we can go out on medical calls!" Yihai added, understanding immediately. "After treatment, we'll just have them fill out task receipts."
With a collective nod, the other medical ninjas dispersed, leaving the task board empty. Throughout the afternoon, Konoha experienced an unusual phenomenon.
---
"Sir, I see that your legs are giving you trouble. Let me treat you," one medical ninja said to a villager. "It'll cost just 3,000 ryo, the equivalent of a C-rank mission."
"I'm a certified medical ninja from the hospital. Here's my ID."
---
"Brother, you're injured? Let me help. Treatment will be 2,000 ryo. Just remember to go to the hospital afterward and get a receipt for the mission."
---
"Auntie…"
---
With medical ninjas moving around the village, many injured villagers who hadn't gone to the hospital or hadn't had the time were treated on the spot. The sight of medical ninjas competing over patients even led to a few friendly disputes.
Reiki, meanwhile, was unaware of these happenings. After finishing the second round of treatments for the Hyuga clan, he stayed for final checks. The Hyuga clan, a prominent family in Konoha, had all the necessary resources prepared, which made the process smoother.
It wasn't until the morning of the third day that Reiki completed his work. Unlike the earlier members he treated, these Hyuga clan members showed different traits. Familiar chakra signatures surfaced, with Hyuga Hizashi exemplifying this change. The same corrosive power associated with the Uchiha's Sharingan seemed to manifest in the Byakugan. Reiki's theory about bloodline limits and the mysterious energy that caused hereditary conditions felt more credible than ever, though he still couldn't identify the source of this energy.
Exhausted, Reiki returned to the courtyard where he lived.
"Brother Reiki, there aren't any medical tasks left at the hospital today, so I'm back," Shizune said, her voice full of concern. "Are you hungry?"
Reiki smiled. Shizune's worry warmed him. "Yeah, let's eat something, and then I'll get some rest. Where's the teacher?"
"Tsunade-sama is still asleep. She came home really late last night. Let's not disturb her," Shizune said softly.
"Alright."
---
After a meal, Reiki returned to his room to refine chakra. As he focused, his energy slowly replenished, and his mind cleared. By noon, Shizune sat alone in the courtyard, feeling a bit bored. The day was unusually quiet.
"Shizune?"
Startled, she turned to see Ma Chuan standing at the gate. He looked anxious, fidgeting with his hands. "I… I'm here to see Reiki. Is he around?"
"Senior Brother Reiki is resting. Do you need something from him?" Shizune asked, noticing how Ma Chuan seemed a bit older than her but was clearly malnourished.
"I completed the task Reiki gave me. I wanted to ask when we could start training," Ma Chuan said, his voice timid.
"Wait here. I'll check if he's awake," Shizune said, hurrying inside.
Ma Chuan sat on a stool, glancing around the courtyard with awe and a hint of apprehension. "This is where Tsunade-sama lives," he whispered to himself, feeling a mix of curiosity and humility.
"Ma Chuan, sorry to keep you waiting," Reiki said, stepping outside with a smile. "Let's go. I'll come with you now."
"Right!" Ma Chuan stood quickly, following Reiki.
At the orphanage, workers were busy repairing buildings. Some structures were already complete, providing a safer environment for the children. Yet the location was still far from the village center, a concern for safety given threats like Orochimaru and Danzo.
"How's everyone doing?" Reiki asked, scanning the surroundings.
"They're at the temporary lodging. We can head there now," Ma Chuan said with a brighter expression. With Reiki beside him, he felt a rare sense of ease. After all, they shared a past in this place.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 420 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
Gimme power stonesssss
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