"So, Chiba's return to the village after narrowly escaping death half a year ago was not truly an escape from death after all. There are hidden dangers inside his body that none of you can understand, even unknown changes that Chiba himself does not know how to explain. Is that correct?"
After hearing this, the six old men had clearly been startled upon seeing him and had hesitated somewhat, but in the end, they had pieced together an explanation of the problems Chiba had been concealing about his body. Minato Namikaze had also basically understood Chiba's condition.
"Y-Yes... that is correct. Chiba insisted that we keep it confidential, so we did not reveal a single word. That was Chiba's wish, and as healers, we had to respect the patient's wishes."
In response to the young Hokage's understanding of the situation, the six old men, who were usually noisy and constantly bickering, spoke in unison. Yet both their tone and wording were clearly meant to shirk responsibility.
The six elderly scholars had even gathered around Minato Namikaze, making the originally spacious hospital room feel especially crowded where he stood.
"Then is the reason Chiba fainted related to his physical condition?"
Watching the six men seem to edge even closer, Minato Namikaze's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly as he asked.
These gentlemen must be worried that concealing Chiba's condition will affect next year's budget...
The thought crossed his mind without prompting.
"Well, one cannot say there is a direct connection..."
"Yes, fainting can be physiological or psychological. We cannot diagnose this episode as having been caused by Chiba's physical condition."
"That's right. Chiba may have been under immense pressure—pressure so suffocating he could barely breathe—and then suddenly been released from it. His emotions may have undergone an extreme change, and his mind could