Yakushi Nonō

The medical area of the Konoha front-line base was already overflowing.

Although Hanzō's frenzied counterattack was at its last gasp, it still inflicted tremendous casualties on Konoha.

Stretchers were carried in and out like a flowing river, the sounds of groaning and the smell of blood intertwined, painting a picture of hell.

A week had passed since that surprise attack.

Nishikawa Tetsu's injuries were recovering quickly, thanks to Tsunade's personal treatment and his own not-too-weak physique.

Although he couldn't engage in high-intensity combat yet, walking around on his feet was no longer a problem.

He didn't choose to lie around and rot in the tent.

"Here's the hemostatic agent, apply pressure for three minutes. For the guy with the broken leg, inject half a dose of anesthetic, don't let him die from the pain."

Nishikawa Tetsu, wearing a slightly oversized white medical robe, moved among the wounded.

While he wasn't a formal medical ninja, his medical knowledge from his past life, combined with his studies during this period, was more than enough to handle some external injuries and first aid.

"Thank you... thank you." A Chunin whose arm had been blown off looked at him gratefully.

Nishikawa Tetsu expertly tied the knot and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Just as he turned to head to the next bed, a small figure caught his eye.

It was a girl, about ten years old, with long, light-golden hair and round glasses.

She was struggling to carry a box of bandages, looking strained.

"Careful."

Nishikawa Tetsu reached out and steadied the box that was about to slip from her grasp.

The girl looked up, and through her thick lenses, revealed a pair of gentle yet resilient eyes.

"Ah... thank you, sir." The girl's voice was soft, carrying a calming power. "I'm here to help. My name is Yakushi Nonō."

Nishikawa Tetsu froze for a moment.

Yakushi Nonō?

The one known as the Wandering Miko, the future head of the orphanage, and the adoptive mother of Yakushi Kabuto?

He hadn't expected to meet her here.

"I'm Nishikawa Tetsu." Tetsu took the box. "This is too heavy, let me carry it."

She was too frail; Nishikawa Tetsu was afraid she wouldn't be able to hold it.

"It's alright. Everyone here is fighting with all their might." Nonō smiled. Even though her face was smudged with dirt, her smile was like a daisy blooming on a rainy day. "I want to do everything I can, even if it's just handing over a roll of bandages."

"They... they are all heroes of Konoha. We can't let heroes not receive the treatment they deserve."

Even though the girl's voice was small in the noisy environment, her determined gaze struck Nishikawa Tetsu.

There were children his own age among the wounded. This world was truly messed up, sending such young children to the battlefield.

Over the next few days, Nishikawa Tetsu and Nonō became temporary partners.

On the front lines where medical resources were extremely scarce, Nonō displayed astonishing medical talent and meticulousness.

Although she couldn't perform advanced Medical Ninjutsu, she was exceptionally skilled at identifying herbs and bandaging wounds.

Nishikawa Tetsu, using his memories from his past life, improved the fixation method for simple splints and also concocted a more efficient hemostatic powder.

"Nishikawa-kun, your ideas are truly amazing."

During a break, Nonō looked at the draft Nishikawa Tetsu was sketching, her eyes full of admiration. "If these could be popularized, they could save many lives, couldn't they?"

"Perhaps."

Nishikawa Tetsu stopped writing and looked at the continuous rain curtain outside the tent. "But even the best medical skills can't save everyone. As long as the war continues, the wounded will keep coming."

Nonō fell silent. She lowered her head and gently stroked her medical bag. "So... we have to strive to survive until the day of peace."

"Peace..."

In this cruel Ninja World, peace was never something to wait for; it was something to be fought for.

Besides helping treat the wounded, Nishikawa Tetsu also had to care for two critically ill patients.

Namikaze Minato's recovery was astonishing; he was already able to get out of bed and do some simple rehabilitation exercises.

Although his right shoulder was still heavily bandaged, he remained optimistic and even helped the nurses deliver food to other patients.

He moved through the crowd, bringing his sunny and cheerful demeanor to many. The nickname "Little Sun" had already spread among the wounded.

The troublesome one was Uchiha Fugaku.

Ever since that night, Fugaku had become taciturn. Although he wasn't a big talker to begin with, he was now like someone in self-imposed isolation.

His eyes were covered with bandages. Tsunade, to prevent him from recklessly using his Dojutsu, had specifically applied a Fuinjutsu.

"How are you feeling today?" Nishikawa Tetsu entered Fugaku's tent with a bowl of medicinal porridge.

"Noisy."

Fugaku leaned against the headboard. Though he couldn't see, he accurately turned his head toward Nishikawa Tetsu. "The outside is filled with screams. Has Hanzō not retreated yet?"

"Soon."

Nishikawa Tetsu placed the porridge on the bedside table. "Yesterday's battle report showed that Sunagakure has already withdrawn its troops. Hanzō is now alone and can't hold on for many more days."

Fugaku nodded. He reached out, fumbling for a spoon, but knocked over a cup of water.

Clink.

The cup hit the floor and shattered.

Fugaku's hand froze mid-air, his expression instantly turning extremely grim.

The frustration of losing his strength, of being unable to even take care of himself, caused the proud Uchiha to clench his fists tightly.

"Don't rush it, senior."

Nishikawa Tetsu calmly picked up the shards. "Lady Tsunade said the optic nerve damage is reversible. As long as you rest for a month, you'll regain your sight."

"That's not what I'm worried about."

Fugaku took a deep breath, his voice low. "You know what I'm worried about. These eyes... once I return to the village, those old guys won't leave me alone."

"Then let them come."

Nishikawa Tetsu interrupted him, his tone carrying an undeniable confidence. "Senior, I told you before. Fear stems from the unknown. When you turn these eyes into an indispensable deterrent for Konoha, they won't dare to touch you; they'll even have to revere you."

"Deterrent?"

"Exactly." Nishikawa Tetsu leaned closer, lowering his voice. "I already have a plan on how to use these eyes to secure the greatest political bargaining chip for you, for the Uchiha."

Fugaku was silent for a long time.

"Drink your porridge; it won't be good if it gets cold."

Nishikawa Tetsu placed the spoon into Fugaku's hand.

"Senior Fugaku, I'm going to change your dressing now," Namikaze Minato said cheerfully as he entered with a tray.

"...Get someone else." Fugaku, his eyes covered, mumbled. "Get a nurse, or get Tetsu. Your hands are too strong; last time, you almost tied my bandages into a death knot."

"Ah, that was an accident!" Minato wasn't angry. He sat by the bed and skillfully unwrapped the bandages on Fugaku's arm. "Besides, I sent the nurses away. You're a Konoha secret right now; too many people can't see you."

Fugaku fell silent, letting Minato tend to his wounds.

After a while, he suddenly called out softly, "Minato."

"Hmm?"

"Outside... what's the weather like?"

Minato paused, glancing at the long-awaited sunlight outside the tent. A smile curved his lips.

"The rain has stopped, senior. Although there's still a bit of a muddy smell, the sun is out. It's warm when it shines on you."

"Is that so..." Fugaku tilted his head slightly, as if picturing the scene. "It's a shame I can't see it."

"Don't say that," Nishikawa Tetsu, who was adjusting medicine nearby, chimed in. "When your eyes are better, the three of us can watch it together, watch it to our heart's content."

"Ah... and barbecue!" Minato added. "Don't forget the barbecue!"

This mission was a complete success, with a high rating.

"Got it, got it," Fugaku said, waving his hand impatiently. But beneath the gauze, his furrowed brow relaxed slightly. "You two are really... so noisy."

As he walked out of the tent, Nishikawa Tetsu glanced back.

Yakushi Nonō was bandaging a crying child's wound not far away. Namikaze Minato was helping someone move supplies. And Uchiha Fugaku, inside the tent, was quietly drinking his porridge.

This brief moment of peace felt like a moment of rest before a storm.

Nishikawa Tetsu tightened his grip on the Chakra Scalpel in his hand.

The medical support during this period was not without its rewards. He not only learned the basic Mystical Palm Technique but, more importantly, gained a deeper understanding of the body's meridian system and Chakra flow.

This would be a crucial foundation for his future development of "Biotechnology" and "Human Modification."

"Soon."

Nishikawa Tetsu looked at the sky, which was gradually clearing in the distance.

"The day we return to the village is almost here."