Talent Beginning to Show

"All right, your wound has been properly bandaged. Come back every other day to have the dressing changed, and the stitches can be removed in half a month."

Hyuga Mirai looked at the result of his work with considerable satisfaction. The Ninja who had initially doubted him now sincerely thanked Hyuga Mirai.

"Thank you, young man. I was blind earlier. Please accept my apology."

Hyuga Mirai waved it off with a smile. "It's nothing. Please go pay the fee." He naturally would not get angry over a minor verbal dispute with a stranger whose wound he had skillfully stitched. Or perhaps he simply had not taken it to heart at all.

"Nicely done."

After the injured man left, a voice praised him from behind. Hyuga Mirai turned around and found Doctor Nakano standing there.

"The procedure was very skillful. Though it was only a minor suturing operation, Mirai-kun, your proficiency is already comparable to that of some Medical-nin."

Nakano had arrived halfway through, but he had still witnessed the latter part of the procedure.

The suturing, medication, and bandaging had all flowed seamlessly together. If he had not known that Hyuga Mirai had only been interning at Konoha Hospital for a few months, Nakano would have thought he was a Medical-nin who had been a doctor for years.

If Nakano remembered correctly, this seemed to be Hyuga Mirai's eighth suturing operation.

A genius indeed. In such a short time, after only a few suturing procedures, he had already reached the level where he could independently treat the wounded.

Someone like this was born to be a Medical-nin.

"You flatter me, Doctor Nakano." Hyuga Mirai smiled sheepishly. "It is thanks to Doctor Nakano's guidance that I improved so quickly."

"That isn't flattery. Once the others learned of your progress, they were all green with envy."

Nakano chuckled. There was no exaggeration in those words. Hyuga Mirai's current ability to treat external injuries already made him a highly capable Assistant, and he was diligent and thorough in everything he did. At Konoha Hospital, he could save Nakano quite a bit of time.

Although Healing Technique and Mystical Palm Technique, both Medical Ninjutsu, could quickly heal wounds, they consumed too much Chakra. Outside of wartime or emergencies, Medical-nin rarely used Chakra.

Moreover, treatment with Chakra and treatment without it came at completely different prices. Many Chunin and Genin would also choose not to use Chakra to heal their injuries, or the medical fees would become very difficult for them to bear.

Ever since Hyuga Mirai had displayed exceptional talent in medical knowledge, Nakano had gradually begun entrusting some minor operations to him.

This freed up a great deal of Nakano's time. Once the other doctors learned about Hyuga Mirai, they were incredibly envious. Some even privately approached Nakano, hoping to take Hyuga Mirai as their Assistant.

Naturally, Nakano righteously refused the proposal. Hyuga Mirai had great talent as a Medical-nin, and he was also Nakano's intern Assistant. Once he learned Medical Ninjutsu, he would be able to help handle many patients and operations, giving Nakano more free time and larger bonuses.

Nakano would have to be crazy to hand such a genius Assistant over to someone else.

Nakano patted Hyuga Mirai on the shoulder and smiled. "Mirai-kun, you still have Ninja Academy this afternoon. Let me treat you to lunch at noon."

"Really? Then thank you, Doctor Nakano."

Hyuga Mirai smiled happily. He then checked the time. Since noon was approaching, he tidied up the operating room before following Doctor Nakano straight to a sushi restaurant.

While they ate, Nakano spared no praise for Hyuga Mirai. He felt that Hyuga Mirai's foundational knowledge was extremely solid, and he also shared some good news with him.

Tomorrow, Nakano planned to begin teaching Hyuga Mirai Medical Ninjutsu.

After hearing the news, Hyuga Mirai happily ate thirty plates of sushi. When he returned to Ninja Academy that afternoon, the corners of his mouth remained slightly raised.

Hyuga Mirai made no effort to hide his talent for medical work. After Taijutsu class and Ninjutsu class ended, he brought up the matter to Hyuga Kiyomi on the way back.

If the Main Family learned of his talent in Medical Ninjutsu, there was more than a fifty percent chance they would increase their investment in him—perhaps by providing high-level Medical Ninjutsu or money.

Hyuga Mirai would gladly accept either.

Nakano was only a Medical Chunin, so he certainly did not know much Medical Ninjutsu. Although the Hyuga Clan could arrange for a six-year-old student to intern at Konoha Hospital, they could not possibly arrange a Medical Jonin for Hyuga Mirai.

However, once word of Hyuga Mirai's talent spread, the Hyuuga Main House might increase its investment. After all, Hyuga Mirai was still Hyuga Kiyomi's Guard.

Early the next morning, Hyuga Mirai had just stepped outside when he saw Hyuga Sosuke waiting for him at the door.

Did this guy come so early because of my medical talent?

"Lord Sosuke?"

"You have done well. The Fourth Elder already knows about you."

Hyuga Sosuke fixed his gaze on Hyuga Mirai, nodded, and said,

"In the Hyūga Clan, anyone with talent will be properly nurtured. Hyuga Mirai, after learning of your situation, the Fourth Elder has decided to increase your monthly allowance by ten thousand ryō. That way, you can save the time you spend hunting and Fishing in the wild."

"Really? Thank you, Lord Sosuke."

Hyuga Mirai pretended to be delighted, but inwardly, he was thoroughly disdainful.

His monthly allowance did not even amount to the reward for a single C-rank Mission, yet they still acted so high and mighty. This was not an investment in a younger clan member at all. The Main Family simply treated Branch Family members like dogs from their lofty position.

This bone is mine to give you. You had better lick it happily. If you dare show even the slightest dissatisfaction, then die!

They tossed out a random bone and expected Branch Family members to die for them. If they were unwilling to do so, then they would truly be sent to die.

Hyuga Mirai could sense the Main Family's attitude from Hyuga Sosuke. Because of the Caged Bird Seal, no matter how talented one was—even if one possessed the talent of a Sannin—so long as one belonged to the Branch Family, one had to serve the Main Family.

"No need to thank me. These are benefits granted to you by the Main Family."

Hyuga Sosuke said solemnly,

"Make good use of your talent, Hyuga Mirai. Cultivate diligently so that you may better serve the Main Family in the future. That is the mission for which our Branch Family exists, and the meaning of the Branch Family."

Look at that. When it came to training dogs, the Inuzuka Clan only did it for fun. To see the true essence of dog training, one had to look at the Hyūga Clan.

The Inuzuka Clan trained dogs well, while the Hyūga Clan trained people into dogs!

"I understand, Lord Sosuke. From now on, I will cultivate diligently and repay the Main Family properly."

Hyuga Mirai declared loudly, then revealed a gentle smile.

No matter how strong the chains were, he would find a way to break free!