Chapter 177: Confidentiality
"It's so boring... I really
want to go to training..."
Kiba lay on the bed with a
thousand thoughts running through his head, but all that came out was a single
sentence. Six days had passed since he woke up, nine days since the incident.
Hirohiko was discharged from the hospital today and would come to visit in the
evening.
Reflecting on the past few days,
Kiba had completely digested the battle with Yotsuki bi, and the training plan
to master the Pain mode was ready. The
matter that weighed heavily on Kiba's mind also had some clues, but he felt
apprehensive and hesitant. Kiba knew that mastering the Pain mode was essential before anything else.
As everything was drawn up, Kiba
couldn't wait to train. However, he was covered in plaster, unable to move or
even eat on his own, relying on the little nurse for everything.
I don't know if Hirohiko has gone to see Yukina.
After the treatment, she's still weak. Could Yukina's injury be serious?
Tsk! I'm bored! I really want to go to training!
Kiba's thoughts spun around
Yukina's condition and his desire to remove the cast and start training.
As a Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails,
Kiba wasn't worried about Kushina. The village would focus on protecting her.
Kiba wasn't upset that Kushina hadn't visited; her safety was what mattered
most.
No! There are still a few days until the end of the
month. I'll be bored to death if this continues, and it's a waste of time. What
can I do without hands and feet?
Kiba frowned, thinking about how
far behind he was in daily training and the incomplete Chunin exams. Medical
ninjutsu and Strange Power training had also been reduced. This wasn't good.
The mastery training for Pain mode
had begun, and opening the fifth gate,
Gate of Limit, could be considered. Daily training should also increase. Kiba
remembered hearing that Might Guy's physical training was calculated in the
thousands.
When it comes to hard work, I'm not as good as him.
I've often missed training... No! I feel empty! I
must make up for the lost training. Let's do the math now!
Thinking this, Kiba began to
calculate the daily training he missed. Ten minutes later, he finished and made
a compensation plan.
Kiba's eyeballs rolled, barely
seeing the clock on the wall.
1:12.
Only ten minutes have passed!
Kiba's face was bitter. He was
bored and anxious, thinking, Training, training, I want to train! Make up for
daily training!
Daily training needs to be supplemented, and the
practice of medical ninjutsu cannot be given up. Medical ninjutsu plays a
crucial role in combat!
Kiba recalled the battle with Yotsuki
bi, where his shoulder was severely injured. Without medical ninjutsu, he
couldn't have continued fighting. Medical ninjutsu was vital, not just for
developing the Eight Gates mode but also in combat.
Such a major event has happened; the peace treaty
between countries is essentially torn up, and war may break out anytime. I must
improve my life-saving ability in the war as much as possible.
Wait! Medical ninjutsu...how did I forget? I still
have two scrolls of medical experience I haven't read yet! Isn't it a good time
to study them?
Kiba's eyes flashed with
realization, and a thought crossed his mind.
Yes! I can study the theoretical knowledge of
medical ninjutsu.
A smile appeared on Kiba's face,
but it quickly turned bitter.
He... didn't bring the scrolls of medical ninjutsu
experience with him!
"It seems... Now I have to
wait for Hirohiko to visit." Kiba sighed, closed his eyes, and planned to
sleep for a while, although he wasn't sleepy.
However, he had nothing else to do
but sleep.
He had thought through everything
over the past few days, hundreds of times, with nothing left to ponder. All he
could do was practice.
But the only thing he couldn't do
now was practice.
As Kiba closed his eyes, a knock
on the door interrupted him.
Kiba opened his eyes.
Could it be Hirohiko visiting early?
"Come in," Kiba called
out.
The door opened gently, but it
wasn't Hirohiko. Instead, a handsome blond man entered.
"Lord Minato?" Kiba was slightly surprised.
Namikaze Minato smiled gently,
raising the fruit basket in his hand. "Kushina can't come, so she asked me
to bring you something. By the way, I would like to ask about your current
condition, but from the way you look, she doesn't need to worry."
Seeing Minato's smile, Kiba
couldn't help but sigh. Sure enough, Namikaze Minato became the Fourth Hokage not only because of
his unparalleled strength but also because of his charisma as a leader.
Minato's smile made Kiba feel an
inexplicable sense of security.
"Is Kushina sensei being protected?" Kiba asked after
hearing Minato's words, seeking confirmation.
Minato was slightly startled, a
different look flashing across his face, but then he smiled. "Yes, she is
being protected."
Minato noticed Kiba squinting
while talking and seemed a little tired, so he helped him sit up and placed a
few pillows behind him. Then, Minato's face turned serious. "Kushina told
me that you saw her Tailed Beast form."
Tailed Beast form? Did Minato come to ensure I keep
it a secret?
Kiba knew that Kushina being a
Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was a secret only known to Konoha's high-ranking
officials. Even Anbu, in charge of the operation, didn't know.
"What is Tailed Beast form?"
Kiba asked, pretending ignorance. He knew about Kushina's Jinchuriki form but
had to act like he didn't to avoid suspicion.
Minato looked at Kiba and smiled
slightly. "I don't know how to explain the Tailed Beast transformation,
but don't tell others about Kushina. Otherwise, she will be in danger
again."
Listening to Minato's words, Kiba
frowned. "Is there something that must be kept secret? Does Kushina sensei
have any secrets?"
Kiba thought, No matter what Minato
says, I must persistently question, otherwise it will seem suspicious.
"This is a village secret,
and I can't say more. Don't tell anyone, understand?" Minato looked at
Kiba seriously.
"I won't tell anyone! But I
want to know what happened to Kushina sensei . What is the Tailed Beast? Is
that why the Kumo ninjas took her?" Kiba asked.
Has this kid already guessed something?
Seeing Kiba's inquisitive look,
Minato sighed. "Kushina is very special. The fewer people who know about
this, the better. I believe even Kushina wouldn't want you to know."
Kiba frowned, inhaled slightly.
"Then promise me you'll tell me."
"Yes!" Minato nodded.
"I promise you."
Minato stood up. "I have
other tasks and must leave."
Sure enough, I was asked to keep it a secret.
Kiba nodded. "I know, I won't
tell anyone about this."
"Good." Minato nodded
again and left.
Kiba watched him leave and exhaled
slightly.
There shouldn't be any telltale signs.
As the door closed, Minato's voice
came through. "Thank you, Kiba, for saving Kushina."
Kiba, who had just relaxed, was
startled and then smiled wryly.
I didn't save Kushina; she saved me!
At this time, Minato had already
closed the door, but his face was full of solemnity.
When the Tailed Beast was mentioned, the look in
Kiba's eyes seemed to indicate he knew what it was...
Could it be that the new prophecy Master Jiraiya
brought back from the Great Toad Sage refers to... Kiba?
An ominous prophecy!