Intern

"Yan, when you go back, could you ask Second Grandfather to help me find an empty house in the village? Preferably somewhere secluded."

"Renting is fine too, mainly just a remote spot."

Early morning, Miyoshi woke up, washed up, and was about to head out when he saw Yan swaying as she walked over.

Miyoshi cheerfully stepped forward, and the two walked side by side toward the school.

Passersby had also started leaving their homes in the early morning, and seeing Miyoshi and Yan heading out together didn't surprise them.

After all, even if it was startling at first, two years of getting used to it had made it routine.

They couldn't help but sigh at the beauty of youth—at that age, they themselves were probably still playing in the mud.

"Mm, I'll ask Second Grandfather when I get back. Is Miyoshi going to do experiments?"

"Yeah, I've been thinking about the First Hokage lately. I heard he became so strong because he learned Sage Art."

"Sage Art?"

Yan looked a bit puzzled.

"You don't know about this?"

Miyoshi was a little surprised that Yan didn't know much about Sage Art.

"I have some impression, but I never paid it much attention. No one in the Uchiha Clan has ever mastered Sage Art."

Yan seemed quite interested in Sage Art too. Hearing that Miyoshi was planning to research it, she asked curiously.

"What happens after you learn Sage Art?"

"Probably a massive boost in physical ability, an increase in the intensity of Chakra in the body, and a huge improvement in the power of ninjutsu."

Miyoshi thought back to what he remembered about Sage Art.

"Maybe it could even help extend your lifespan a little."

"That's amazing!"

Yan's eyes widened, her small mouth slightly open.

It was the first time she'd heard of something so incredible. Sage Art was truly mysterious.

"Are these things written in the books at Miyoshi-kun's house too?"

"Ah, yeah."

Miyoshi scratched his head.

It didn't matter how he said it—whatever he said, Yan would believe him anyway.

"Mm."

Sure enough, Yan nodded and didn't ask further.

"By the way, Yan, could you help me buy a few things? I need them."

"Is Miyoshi going to borrow money?"

Yan, who had somehow walked ahead of him, looked up. Miyoshi could see a hint of slyness in her eyes, clearly because of his question.

"Just a little for now."

Miyoshi felt a bit awkward and rubbed his nose to cover it up.

"Alright then."

Yan smiled gently and nodded in agreement.

"Oh, and remember to use the Ninja Cat delivery service. The things I want might draw some attention."

"Mm, I'll do as Miyoshi-kun says."

"You're here?"

"Mm."

Rin was as early as always, sitting by the window seat, gazing at the training ground through the morning light. When she saw Miyoshi arrive, she turned her head and spoke.

"What's wrong, our frail and sickly classmate Miyoshi? Don't you need a few more days of rest at home?"

Seeing that Miyoshi's complexion was rosy and showed no sign of illness, she couldn't help but tease him.

"No need for that. Besides, being the first to make our unapproachable flower smile, I suppose I'm quite something."

Hearing Miyoshi's words, Rin was momentarily stunned.

"Miyoshi-kun, are you teasing Rin-chan?"

Yan's gentle voice came through, clearly having noticed Rin's dazed expression.

"Rin-chan is still very cute, especially with that blank look on her face right now."

"I—"

Rin snapped back to reality and instinctively put on a stern face.

But seeing Miyoshi looking at her with a smile, she couldn't bring herself to get angry.

There was even a hint of joy in his heart.

No, that had to be an illusion.

His relationship with Uesugi Yayoi was purely transactional, nothing more than ordinary classmates.

That afternoon, the great sun of dusk slowly sank, just like the decline of life.

Lives were being lost one after another in the war.

The fighting on the front lines had intensified again recently, with more and more wounded soldiers arriving.

Because the hospital was short-staffed, Yayoi was forced to step in once more.

As a key trainee with special approval from Tsunade, Yayoi was allowed to enter the hospital as an intern to learn.

A green glow enveloped a bloody, mangled thigh, ignoring the patient's gritted-teeth groans.

Beside her, a scalpel cut out a hard foreign object.

"Probably caught in an explosion on the battlefield. A kunai fragment was lodged in the muscle. Be more careful next time you're out there."

"My leg—"

"You got here in time. It's saved."

Yayoi, wearing a mask, handled the work in front of her with practiced ease, even finding time to chat with the wounded soldier.

This nearly pushed the patient's already frayed nerves over the edge, but as the treatment continued, he let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, Doctor."

He knew a bit about medical treatment and understood that his injury had been handled well—he'd be back on missions after about half a year of rest.

"You're welcome. Walk out on your own. Next."

Yayoi simply nodded and signaled the nurse to bring in the next patient.

The nurse understood immediately and called for the others.

This nurse had originally assisted Doctor Lingdu, but since that doctor was held up today and the wounded couldn't wait any longer, who would have thought this young intern could so skillfully perform surgery of this level?

It was truly impressive.

The patient, realizing he wasn't the only one in need, quickly moved aside and looked at Yayoi with respect.

"Can you tell me your name?"

"Just call me Uesugi Yayoi. Avoid alcohol and spicy food for a while."

"Thank you!"

"Phew."

Yayoi wiped off his sweat and sent off the last patient. His work for the day was done.

There were so many wounded that he'd been forced to use a scalpel for things he could have solved with Chakra.

The Chakra he saved could be used to save one more person.

These poor souls had been sent to the battlefield at such a young age; if they didn't receive timely treatment, they'd be crippled for life.

Yayoi had a kind heart and couldn't bear to see it, so he submitted a request to use the scalpel for what could be done with it, conserving Chakra.

Sure enough, many people survived, and their livelihoods were preserved.

He also collected some blood samples for experiments and comparisons.

"These people... just how bad is the fighting on the front lines?"

Yayoi sighed. Just the "lightly wounded" here today numbered in the dozens.

As for the "severely wounded," many were probably wheeled straight out of the ICU.

War was truly brutal.

"Indeed, only strength is the true path. I need to speed up the experiments on Sage Art and Dragon Script."

"On the eastern edge of the Uchiha Clan Territory, there's no one living nearby. Second Grandfather has a small house there—not big, but we can do whatever we want."

After finishing his work, Yayoi came home and heard the good news from Yan.

Hastily stripping off his bloodstained clothes, Yayoi took a bite of the food Yan had cooked.

The living room table was piled high with hearty dishes.

Yan could cook; she said she learned from her Second Grandfather.

That old man from the Warring States era was skilled in both letters and martial arts. Apparently, not only could he cook, but he was also top-notch at makeup, disguise, and dancing.

This made Yayoi sigh—the Warring States period really was tough.

"What brought you to my place today?"

Yayoi ate as he watched Yan untie her apron.

"Your teacher told me you became an intern, so I thought I'd come home and reward you."

Yan had tied her hair into a high ponytail again, her crisp purple locks looking dashing and spirited.

"After all, you're a big hero."

"Whose big hero?"

Yayoi instinctively jabbed back.

"My big hero, and everyone's big hero."

"Ahem, let's not talk about that. I might not come to school much anymore."

Yayoi's old face couldn't help but redden as he hastily changed the subject.

"The fighting is getting fiercer. Too many wounded are coming down from the front lines. I need to research Sage Arts as soon as possible, and you should improve your strength too."

"Have your Second Grandfather teach you more."

Yayoi took a bite of meat—tender and juicy, with just the right balance of fat and lean. The texture was good.

"Mm."

Seeming downcast that Yayoi couldn't accompany her to school anymore, Yan nodded with some disappointment.

"But you can come find me at that house from now on. Barring any surprises, I'll probably be moving."

This time, Yan lifted her head, her eyes filled with the purest joy of a young girl.