Chapter 2: The First Step
The Hidden Sand Village, with its ancient stone buildings and dust-laden streets, greeted Rei with an oppressive stillness. The wind howled through the narrow alleys, carrying the constant reminder of the village's harsh desert surroundings. As Rei walked through the village, it became evident that survival was a daily battle—every person here had hardened against the relentless forces of nature and war.
The hospital he was about to enter was no different. It was an old structure, its walls showing signs of age and wear, and the air within was thick with the scent of antiseptic and dry earth. Despite the apparent lack of resources, there was a certain dignity in the place—a quiet strength that spoke of the village's resilience, even when faced with the limited supplies and manpower.
Rei stood at the threshold of the hospital, his eyes scanning the interior with a critical eye. It was clear that the medical system here was in dire need of improvement. From his background as a doctor, Rei knew that, while the tools and technology of this world were primitive, there was always a way to make do. His knowledge of anatomy, medical treatments, and even the blending of old and new techniques would be enough to make a significant difference.
Dumbledore, ever the calming presence, stood beside him. He had been a silent companion throughout the journey, his wisdom imparted only when necessary. Though Rei appreciated his presence, it was clear that he was on his own for the most part. It was time to begin.
Inside the Hospital
The hospital was eerily quiet. The only sounds came from the shuffling of nurses moving between patients and the occasional soft murmurs from behind closed doors. Rei's steps echoed in the hallway as he made his way deeper into the facility. He could already sense the inefficiency, the wasted potential.
It wasn't long before he came across Doctor Akemi, a woman in her thirties, who was overseeing the care of a patient in one of the rooms. Akemi was tall and sharp-featured, her demeanor as no-nonsense as her gaze. Her eyes studied Rei with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, as though trying to decide if he was here to help or simply another outsider looking to make a name for themselves.
"Can I help you?" she asked, her tone sharp and commanding.
"I'm Rei," he said, offering a polite bow. "I've recently arrived in the village, and I was told you're the head of the medical department here. I'd like to offer my assistance."
Akemi looked him over for a long moment, sizing him up. "Assistance, you say?" Her tone carried an edge of skepticism. "What kind of assistance could you possibly offer?"
Rei stood tall, unflinching. "I'm a doctor. I specialize in advanced diagnostics, trauma care, and medical treatment. But in addition to that, I've studied alternative medical methods that could enhance what you're doing here. I believe I could help you improve the efficiency of your operations, especially in such a resource-strapped environment."
Akemi raised an eyebrow. "We don't have the luxury of fancy tricks here. We treat people the best we can with what we have."
Rei nodded, unfazed by her skepticism. "I understand. But sometimes, all it takes is a fresh perspective."
Demonstrating His Skills
Rei didn't waste time. Without asking for permission, he approached one of the patients lying on a nearby bed. The man, probably in his mid-forties, had a severe leg wound—blood had long since dried, and the area around it was swollen and inflamed. Rei knew that the infection was deep, and if left untreated, it could spread further, threatening not just the leg but the man's life.
"This wound is infected," Rei observed aloud. "We need to clean it thoroughly before it spreads. But there's more. The infection has already begun to affect the surrounding tissue. This is a dangerous situation, but it's not beyond saving."
Akemi moved closer, watching carefully as Rei inspected the wound. "How do you plan on treating it? You'll need proper supplies to clean the infection and stitch the wound."
Rei paused and looked around the room. While the hospital had its limitations, there were still some basic supplies—a few herbs, bandages, and surgical tools. But there was no modern antiseptic or antibiotics. He would have to work with what he had.
"I'll need to make a remedy on-site," Rei said, his mind already racing with solutions. He moved to a nearby shelf, scanning the herbs and medical supplies. He picked out a few dried leaves and roots, and quickly began to prepare a poultice.
Akemi watched in silence, surprised by the young man's confidence. "What are you doing?" she asked.
"I'm preparing a salve," Rei explained. "This mix of herbs should help cleanse the wound and reduce the infection. There's no time to waste." He worked quickly, grinding the herbs with a mortar and pestle, mixing them with water to create a paste. The smell was strong—sharp and earthy—but it was effective.
Rei carefully applied the mixture to the wound, his movements practiced and efficient. While the remedy wasn't a cure-all, it would help the body fight off the infection and allow the wound to heal at a faster rate. He didn't need modern tools to know how to treat the body. His knowledge of anatomy and the way various substances interacted with human biology gave him an edge.
After applying the remedy, he cleaned up the area around the wound and bandaged it with clean cloth. He then turned to Akemi. "We need to monitor his condition. The wound will need regular cleaning, but he should start showing signs of recovery soon."
Akemi's eyes widened in surprise as she examined the man's leg. The swelling had already begun to recede slightly, and the redness around the wound had dulled. "You really did all this with just what we had here?" she asked in disbelief.
Rei nodded. "I did. But this is just the beginning. We need to ensure that our patients are receiving consistent care and that we don't overlook anything."
Akemi's skepticism began to melt away, replaced by a grudging respect. "You're not like the other doctors I've seen," she admitted. "But if you're serious about helping us, you'll need more than just medical skills. You'll need to win over the village leadership. You'll need power."
Rei knew what she meant. It wasn't enough to be skilled. To truly change the medical practices in the Hidden Sand Village, he would need influence. But that, too, was a challenge he was ready to face.
"I understand," Rei said calmly. "But I'm ready to take on that challenge."
The ANBU's Watchful Eye
Unbeknownst to Rei, his actions were being observed from the shadows. The Hidden Sand Village's ANBU, the covert operations force, had already taken an interest in the newcomer. One agent, clad in black and wearing a mask, had been stationed outside the hospital, watching for any signs of trouble. He had been ordered to report back to the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, if anything unusual occurred.
The agent had witnessed Rei's interaction with Doctor Akemi. The young doctor's skills were undeniable, and the way he had made a remedy from the limited resources available had piqued the agent's curiosity. But there was something else about Rei—something that didn't quite fit. His calm, confident demeanor, and the way he seemed to command attention without effort, made the agent uneasy.
Before he could assess the situation further, the agent felt a strange dizziness cloud his mind. His vision blurred, and he staggered slightly, confused. He shook his head, trying to clear the fog in his thoughts, but it only deepened. It wasn't until he realized his mind was slipping that he understood he had been under some sort of spell.
"Confundo," came a voice, barely audible from the shadows.
The ANBU agent tried to concentrate, but everything felt distant and unfocused. His mission—to observe and report back to Rasa—faded from his mind, replaced by an overwhelming desire to simply leave. He stumbled back, the disorientation making it impossible to recall his duties. Without another thought, he turned and vanished into the shadows, unaware that he had just been subtly manipulated by the ancient wizard standing at Rei's side.
Back in the Hospital
Inside the hospital, Rei remained unaware of the events unfolding outside. He was focused solely on the task at hand, on improving the medical practices of the Hidden Sand Village. He had only just begun, but his resolve was unwavering.
Akemi regarded him with a mix of admiration and caution. "You've proven your worth today. But if you're going to make real change, you'll need more than just skills. You'll need influence, allies. You'll need power."
Rei nodded, his eyes burning with determination. He wasn't just here to treat patients; he was here to reform the system and change the entire village, starting with the hospital.
"I'm ready," Rei said quietly. "Let's begin."
System Update
"Objective: Assist in reforming the Hidden Sand Village. Task: Gain trust of local leadership. Current progress: 5%. System reward: 20 System Points. Use points to purchase items from the system shop, summon characters, or travel to different worlds."
Rei, still focused on his work, didn't notice the small pop-up that appeared in his mind. The system had granted him 20 system points, a reward for completing his first task. He would need these points to further his mission, whether by acquiring items, summoning potential allies, or exploring new ways to aid the village.
But for now, Rei was focused on one thing—reforming the Hidden Sand Village, step by step.