Ten minutes later, the two Lapahn rabbits lay on the ground, wholly surrendered. Blood dripped all over their bodies, and their fur was fried black.
Shin wiped the sweat from his forehead, worry crossing his face. "If it wasn't for the explosive tags, I probably couldn't have fought off these two rabbits. Their physiques might be even more terrifying than a Jonin!"
Of course, ninja battles aren't purely based on physical strength; with chakra enhancement, pure physique alone is insignificant. However, it was clear that the Pirate World was completely different from the Shinobi World. Whether human or animal, the upper limits of physical power here seemed far beyond those of the Shinobi World.
This made things clearer: unlike real-world people, individuals in the Naruto world have cells infused with chakra from Otsutsuki's power, effectively enhancing their potential. But in the Pirate World, the gap from reality is even more pronounced—figures like Kaido and Charlotte Linlin are genetically so advanced that calling them "human" barely seems accurate.
For example, while Kakashi became a Genin at five, entering the battlefield at such a young age pushed the limits of even the Naruto world. Charlotte Linlin, destroying a giant village at five would be unthinkable in the Shinobi world.
The fight Shin had with the two rabbits wasn't exactly difficult. Essentially, the rabbits couldn't catch Shin, and he couldn't hurt them either.
The chakra in Shin's body boosted his speed, reflexes, and sensory abilities. Being young, he had dedicated much effort to refining these skills, allowing him to dodge the rabbits' powerful attacks. Yet, his kunai barely pierced their skin, and his finely crafted blade only drew a little blood.
In the end, Shin had to use his precious explosive tags, finally putting the rabbits down for good. However, once subdued, they transformed entirely, behaving like they'd been tamed instantly.
Shin didn't feel too surprised. He remembered hearing that animals in the Pirate World behaved this way; once convinced of someone's strength, they were obedient.
Not only were the Lapahns incredibly strong, but they also seemed rather intelligent. When Shin asked them to guide him, they dutifully led him to the outskirts of a town.
"Alright, you're free to go." After arriving, Shin waved the rabbits off and used basic medical jutsu to heal their wounds. The rabbits reluctantly bid Shin farewell.
The hemostatic technique Shin applied was basic by Shinobi standards, but it was highly effective on these rabbits, who healed rapidly. The incredible resilience of animals here left Shin in awe.
"These rabbits are unreal! No wonder some characters in the original story would recover from severe injuries in mere days."
"Everyone here in the Pirate World is practically a monster!" he thought as he entered town.
The town itself didn't look exceptionally bustling; it was freezing and snowy, and people naturally avoided the outdoors. Still, the townspeople seemed well-off, with relaxed expressions, warm clothing, and no worn face among them.
"People here seem to be doing well, and there are quite a few medical clinics around... The guy with the munch-munch fruit (Baku Baku no Mi) hasn't taken over as king yet!"
Shin recalled the infamous monarch who once ruled here, a glutton who could consume anything. His tyrannical rule devastated the country. In contrast, under current leadership, Drum Kingdom retained its reputation as a center of advanced medicine.
As a medical ninja, Shin was fascinated by the possibility of learning new techniques in this world, where medical knowledge bordered on black magic. With any luck, it might expand his skills and improve his jutsu.
Lost in thought, Shin became aware of the murmur of the townsfolk around him.
"Where's this kid from?"
"He's barely dressed—do you think he's homeless?"
"He looks so pitiful!"
Shin's faint smile crossed as he continued toward the town's largest hospital.
Though Shin was curious about meeting Dr. Kureha, the legendary centenarian doctor, he knew he needed to start somewhere more accessible. A gradual approach would give him time to understand the distinctions between the medicines of the two worlds and improve his skills.
"Little boy, are you alright?" asked a burly man in a stained lab coat, who looked more like a butcher than a doctor.
"I'm fine, doctor. Are you looking for apprentices? I'd like to become one."
"An apprentice?" The burly doctor eyed Shin skeptically, waving his hand dismissively. "That's absurd. We're not..."
"We could use more help!" A blonde, blue-eyed nurse interrupted as she entered, flashing a gentle smile at Shin. Her face softened maternally at his small, earnest expression.
In the Naruto world, Shin would be considered an average-looking young boy, but he was actually quite handsome here. The pirate world seemed to have a generally lower average appearance, perhaps except for some famous women.
The doctor coughed awkwardly, his face flushing. "Ahem, well... alright then. You're our new apprentice!" he declared, though it was clear the nurse's opinion carried weight.
It appeared that the nurse, not the doctor, actually held authority. Given all the quirks of the Pirate World, this was just one more amusing contrast to the dark, controlled world of the Shinobi.
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