Stealing His Girlfriend, Then His Mom

Early the next morning, Hiruzen Sarutobi saw Hyuga Ningyuan at his doorstep.

This was the first time he had seen Hyuga Ningyuan from such close range. As for his first impression...

The child was adorable, with lively eyes and a bright, radiant spirit.

It seemed he still did not know that his Hyuga bloodline was declining. Instead, he was smug about being a Genjutsu prodigy.

No rush. One day, he would be rejected by the Hyuga Clan. Then it would be my turn to act.

"Are you Hyuga Ningyuan?" Hiruzen Sarutobi reached out and rubbed Hyuga Ningyuan's little head to show affection.

"Third Hokage-sama!" Hyuga Ningyuan hurriedly greeted him, his eyes full of curiosity.

"I know about you. 'Marry Yūhi Kurenai for a wife; be a ninja like the Second Hokage,' right?" Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. "When I heard that, I was quite curious what Yūhi Kurenai looked like. So why not 'be a ninja like the Third Hokage,' but rather the Second Hokage?"

How could you possibly not know what Yūhi Kurenai looked like?

Hyuga Ningyuan grumbled inwardly, but his expression remained unchanged as he answered honestly, "Because I don't know much about the Third Hokage, sir!"

"Is that so?" Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "It seems I still need to do more before you recognize me!"

Yūhi Shinku smiled from the side. "Third Hokage-sama, you have already done a great deal. The people simply have delayed information and do not know about it yet!"

"It's fine. Since the people recognize my teacher, I'll take my teacher as my goal and work hard!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said, rubbing the child's little head twice more.

This felt so nice. The child was obedient too, unlike the one at home, who got impatient after just two pats.

"I heard you want to learn Medical Ninjutsu. It's very difficult. Are you prepared?"

"I'm prepared at all times!" Hyuga Ningyuan answered seriously.

"Mm." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "I hope you have the talent to learn Medical Ninjutsu, and I hope you can persevere. Don't give up halfway!"

"Mm!" Hyuga Ningyuan nodded.

"All right, go on in!" Hiruzen Sarutobi released his hand. He still had work to do.

Being Hokage was no easy job. Three hundred and sixty-five days a year, with no days off.

Still, Hyuga Ningyuan had reminded him of something. How could children not know of my reputation?

It seemed the academy needed another course, one dedicated to telling my story!

Konoha's Number One Medical Ninja was naturally Tsunade, but Tsunade had not been among the first batch of Medical Ninjas.

Konoha's first Medical Ninjas had been female ninjas such as Sarutobi Biwako and Utatane Koharu.

Based on his elder brother Senju Hashirama's recovery power, Senju Tobirama developed the earliest versions of Medical Ninjutsu: the Healing Technique and Mystical Palm Technique. He then taught them to Utatane Koharu, Sarutobi Biwako, and other ninjas whose ninjutsu talent was less outstanding.

These first-generation Medical Ninjas then developed more Medical Ninjutsu based on the Healing Technique and Mystical Palm Technique, passing them down generation after generation.

However, since the overall environment was still peaceful, Medical Ninjas did not hold particularly high status in the village.

It was only after a master of Medical Ninjutsu like Tsunade emerged, followed by a brutal war like the Second Shinobi World War, that the importance of Medical Ninjutsu rose.

Even so, Medical Ninjutsu and Medical Ninjas still occupied an awkward position among ninjas.

On one hand, Medical Ninjas had saved countless lives, and innumerable ninjas were grateful to them.

On the other hand, ninjas preferred fighting and killing, earning merit and building careers through battle. They also felt that Medical Ninjas who hid in the rear to heal others went against a ninja's honor.

Thus, although the status of Medical Ninjas had risen, there were still few willing to learn Medical Ninjutsu.

This was also the main reason why, when Yūhi Shinku said that Hyuga Ningyuan wanted to learn Medical Ninjutsu, Hiruzen Sarutobi still wanted him to give it a try even though he believed Hyuga Ningyuan would not be able to learn it.

Even if Hyuga Ningyuan failed to learn it, the impact of a Hyuga clansman voluntarily studying Medical Ninjutsu would still be significant enough to change the minds of some Civilian Ninjas or clan ninjas who had originally disliked Medical Ninjutsu.

Sarutobi Biwako's thoughts were similar to Hiruzen Sarutobi's. When she heard that a Hyuga clansman was coming to study Medical Ninjutsu today, she immediately made up her mind.

If he lacked talent, so be it. But if he had talent, she would personally teach this child and make sure to train him into a model Medical Ninja, just like Tsunade!

Through Hyuga Ningyuan, she wanted to tell other ninjas that Medical Ninjutsu was not something only female ninjas could learn, nor was it something only Civilian Ninjas would study. Male ninjas and clan ninjas could become Medical Ninjas too!

"Are you Hyuga Ningyuan?" When she saw Hyuga Ningyuan, delicate and adorable as a carved doll, Sarutobi Biwako—who had already liked him—was instantly even happier.

Even in the ninja world, looks mattered. If her disciple was cute, seeing him every day would put her in a much better mood!

"Hello, Auntie Biwako!" Hyuga Ningyuan greeted her.

"Oh, what a polite child!" Biwako smiled. "By the way, have you eaten? If not, eat here with us!"

"Uh, no!" He had actually eaten already, but Hyuga Ningyuan had a large appetite and usually restrained himself.

If he could mooch another meal, why not?

"Good!" Biwako smiled even more happily. Feeding human cubs was human nature. Especially since Hyuga Ningyuan was about the same age as her son, raising him felt just like raising her own son.

Seeing Biwako's attitude, Yūhi Shinku relaxed somewhat and said, "Since Hyuga Ningyuan has been delivered, I'll head to work first!"

"Mm!" Biwako waved her hand. Her eyes were now full of Hyuga Ningyuan, and she could not wait for Yūhi Shinku to leave already!

Yūhi Shinku was speechless and somewhat annoyed. He always felt as though someone was trying to steal his son.

Fortunately, the Third Hokage did not have a daughter. Otherwise, how could such a good child have ended up with him!

"Come, try this Shrimp Tempura." Biwako picked up a piece of Tempura for Hyuga Ningyuan and offered it to him with smiling eyes.

Hyuga Ningyuan accepted it without praising it, simply lowering his head and eating.

Seeing this, Biwako became even happier. Wasn't him eating so happily proof that her cooking was delicious?

"Eat slowly, eat slowly. There's more!"

"Mm-hmm!" Hyuga Ningyuan nodded, but he kept stuffing food into his mouth.

Biwako's heart ached at the sight. How had this child's family raised him? How could they have starved him like this?

"Mom, what's for breakfast—eh?" A bleary-eyed Asuma appeared on the stairs. He called out twice, but no one answered.

He felt that something was off. Looking closely, he realized that someone was already sitting in his seat!

And he knew that person!

"Hyuga Ningyuan, why are you in my house? Sitting in my seat? Eating the breakfast my mom made?" Asuma was stunned. Wait, am I still asleep?

"You're already this old, yet you can sleep until eight in the morning?" Biwako snapped. "Get down here already!"

Asuma fell silent.

"Look at Hyuga Ningyuan. He got up early to study and doesn't waste even the weekend. Now look at you, sleeping like a dead pig, and the first thing you do when you wake up is ask for food. What, you only get up when you're hungry?"

Asuma was speechless. What was going on?

No, stealing my girlfriend wasn't enough for you? You want to steal my mom too?