Battlefield Training, Healing Power is Paramount

That night, the camp was quiet.

Aside from the occasional patrol passing by, only dim yellow lights shone from the tents.

Tōka was assigned to the rear of the camp.

Not far ahead was the central command tent of Konoha's White Fang, Sakumo Hatake, and behind him was the medical unit led by Tsunade.

It could be said that Tōka's location was the safest in the entire camp.

At the same time, it was also the most heavily monitored.

With two powerful Kage-level shinobi watching him, one in front and one behind, let alone Tōka being just a newly graduated Genin.

Even if Tōka possessed the strength of a Jonin, he would have to think twice before causing trouble in secret.

However, none of this mattered to Tōka. He lay peacefully on his bed, refining his Chakra while resting.

The night was eerily quiet, and the wind howled outside the tent.

It sounded like the wind in the woods, or perhaps the sound of sandstorms raging outside the forest.

Suddenly, Tōka, who had his eyes closed, opened them.

"Since you're here, come in," he said, staring at the outside of the tent flap.

"Yo, pretty good perception!" Jiraiya said with a smile as he pushed aside the tent flap and walked in, showing no sign of embarrassment at being discovered.

He had received a secret letter from Minato and roughly understood the Third Hokage's attitude towards Tōka.

However, Jiraiya had also been pondering a question on his way here: how to teach Tōka, or rather, how to quickly improve Tōka's strength.

The battlefield was a merciless meat grinder. No matter how powerful the people protecting you were, nothing was as reliable as possessing powerful strength yourself.

Therefore, the Third Hokage's request was indirectly a hope that Jiraiya would guide Tōka.

Whether he would take him as a disciple was entirely up to Jiraiya.

"Lord Jiraiya," Tōka said, sitting up from his bed.

Then, he tilted his head slightly, looking at Jiraiya, seemingly with no intention of speaking first.

Jiraiya didn't stand on ceremony. He plopped down opposite Tōka, crossed his arms, and sized up the young boy with the strange origins before him.

He had personally witnessed that rain of falling stones. A person emerging from a rock? That was quite miraculous.

However, Tōka's performance in Konohagakure during this period had been "good" enough that the Third Hokage reluctantly considered him "one of their own."

The Third Hokage's approval would directly influence the attitude of the Hokage faction's subordinates towards Tōka.

From the moment Jiraiya appeared, Tōka hadn't detected any hostility from him, which was much better than their first meeting.

A brief silence fell in the tent.

After a moment of thought, Jiraiya broke the silence.

"There's no need to rush onto the battlefield. You'll learn Ninjutsu with me for a while," he said straightforwardly.

"Oh," Tōka replied with a slight nod, his expression unchanging.

Jiraiya's mouth twitched. The atmosphere instantly became awkward.

He was, after all, one of the renowned Sannin, known as the Toad Sage—Lord Jiraiya!

Why did it feel like this little brat before him, who wasn't cute at all, seemed indifferent to him!

Jiraiya pinched his chin, pondering inwardly.

The two faced each other, yet their eyes didn't seem to see the other.

The tent was quiet, with a strange atmosphere.

Jiraiya was thinking of ways to pique Tōka's interest and seize the initiative.

Meanwhile, Tōka was contemplating that Jiraiya's abilities, apart from Sage Mode, didn't seem suitable for him.

It wasn't that Jiraiya wasn't strong. Each of the Sannin possessed their unique abilities.

Jiraiya's Ninjutsu and Taijutsu were incredibly powerful, and he also knew Sealing Jutsu.

However, Tōka's Taijutsu was being trained with Kai. Although he hadn't learned the Eight Inner Gates, he didn't need any other training.

As for Ninjutsu, the power of any of Jiraiya's Ninjutsu couldn't compare to the destructive force of All-Killing Ash Bones.

Therefore, this was the reason Tōka wasn't particularly interested in Jiraiya.

As for Sage Mode, it required traveling to Mount Myōboku to learn.

Tōka didn't dare to gamble. He was still too weak now, and the old toad's abilities on Mount Myōboku were too fantastical.

The risk of going to Mount Myōboku to learn Sage Mode was too great.

Once that old toad discovered his origins...

Tsk, tsk, tsk, that would be a huge mess.

As the thought crossed his mind, Tōka was the first to speak, breaking the silence, "Lord Jiraiya, if it's possible, I'd like to ask for your help with something."

"Eh? Help with what?" Jiraiya, who had been lost in thought, immediately snapped back and looked over.

His face was full of pride as he tilted his head back slightly, as if to say, "See? You still need this immortal's guidance."

A line of black veins appeared on Tōka's forehead. He pursed his lips, hesitating whether to let the other party bask in his glory for a while longer.

"Speak, I can do anything within my power," Jiraiya said with a smile.

"I want to learn medical ninjutsu from Lady Tsunade."

The moment Tōka finished speaking, the smug expression on Jiraiya's face froze, replaced by an expression that was neither a smile nor a frown.

He had been proud for so long, thinking Tōka had realized his greatness and wanted to become his disciple...

But it turned out he was after Tsunade!!

"What's so good about medical ninjutsu? How can it compare to this immortal's abilities?" Jiraiya's face darkened, and just as he was about to launch into a lengthy lecture on toad philosophy.

Tōka glanced at him expressionlessly. Under Jiraiya's astonished gaze.

He simply lay straight back down.

Damn it! Jiraiya cursed inwardly.

How many people were lining up, begging to become his disciple, even offering great gifts just for a few words of his guidance.

And he wasn't even willing!

Besides Minato, only Kushina could be considered half a disciple.

And this kid in front of him...

Actually...

Jiraiya was momentarily speechless, unable to find words to describe Tōka.

"Hmph!"

Jiraiya wasn't someone with a thick skin. If it weren't for the Third Hokage specifically having Minato deliver a secret letter, he wouldn't have made this trip.

Since this kid wanted to learn medicine from Tsunade, so be it!

When he hit a wall at Tsunade's place...

Hmph!

Jiraiya angrily lifted the curtain and walked out, his figure gradually disappearing into the dark night.

Tōka did indeed intend to learn medical ninjutsu from Tsunade, but he didn't know how to start.

His Ninjutsu, All-Killing Ash Bones, and Genjutsu were passable. His Taijutsu and ninja tools were decent.

If he learned medical ninjutsu, Tōka's combat endurance would significantly increase.

Currently, besides Genjutsu, which still had room for improvement, his Taijutsu and All-Killing Ash Bones could only be steadily cultivated.

With his body not yet fully developed and his Chakra reserves increasing, it was impossible to significantly improve his All-Killing Ash Bones and Taijutsu.

Therefore, Tōka had the idea of learning medical ninjutsu.

Tōka possessed both Yin and Yang Release. Yang Release represented the power of the physical body, and the techniques of Yang Release could infuse life into form.

In other words, Yang Release was the key to mastering Medical Ninjutsu.

It was another sleepless night. Tōka didn't know how to impress Tsunade enough to get her to teach him medical ninjutsu.

In the early morning, the first rays of sunlight fell upon the forest.

Tōka was awakened by the early birds chirping in the woods. Their clear calls echoed throughout the entire Konoha encampment.

Movement was not allowed in the camp without permission. If there was a necessary reason to go to a particular department, one had to report to the team leader in advance.

Tōka was new and had not yet been assigned to any team.

He wasn't even considered temporary combat personnel.

"Never mind, they'll assign me a mission eventually." After much hesitation, Tōka decided to keep a low profile.

It was wartime, a highly sensitive period.

Any small action could attract attention. With that thought, Tōka stopped at the foot of a large tree in front of his tent.

Standing in the shade of the tree, Tōka decided to train here today.

"Today's mission is basic Taijutsu training and Genjutsu practice!" Tōka declared and began his training.

Unexpectedly, just as he finished a light jog and stretched his leg muscles.

A figure swooshed down and landed in front of Tōka.

"Konoha Genin, Tōka, temporarily assigned to the Medical Department. Here is your transfer order." The person briefly stated their purpose and tossed the order in their hand to Tōka.

Tōka reached out and took it. The other person then used a Body Flicker Technique and disappeared into the woods in an instant.

Opening it, Tōka found that it was indeed a transfer order personally signed by Jiraiya.

"Huh? He's not angry?" Tōka was slightly surprised. Jiraiya, instead of being angry, had actually helped him.

Shaking his head slightly, Tōka couldn't be bothered to think about it.

He suppressed the joy in his eyes and walked directly towards the medical department in the rear, holding the order.

The battlefield changes in an instant; who knows when fighting will break out.

Tōka had to seize the time, at least to learn the Healing Jutsu and Hemostasis Jutsu from the basic Medical Ninjutsu.

As for the more advanced Mystical Palm Technique, it would depend on luck.

In a brief moment of thought, Tōka had already appeared outside the medical department's camp.

The medical department was located behind the Konoha main camp, yet it was set apart.

It looked like the tail of the main camp, with two elite squads guarding the entrance and other squads patrolling the surroundings; it was heavily defended.

As Tōka approached the main gate, four dark figures suddenly descended and quickly surrounded him.

"Who goes there!" a man wearing a Jonin vest shouted sternly.

Tōka made no unnecessary movements, merely slowly handing over the order in his hand.

The Jonin man signaled his men not to let their guard down. He took the order, confirmed it several times, and then looked up at Tōka.

"You may enter. Lord Tsunade is in the central tent."

"Thank you for telling me."

Tōka nodded slightly and turned to walk into the camp.

The Jonin man made a gesture, signaling the elite squad behind him to let him pass.

Entering the camp, a pungent smell of alcohol hit him, and the moans of the wounded could be heard intermittently throughout the camp.

The wounded soldier tents on both sides were crowded, with medical ninjas only making up a small portion.

"This is the battlefield!" Tōka sighed inwardly and walked straight towards the central tent in the camp.

The medical department was clearly divided and arranged in a linear fashion. Tsunade was stationed in the center, with the wounded soldier tents on either side, and medical supplies and operating rooms in the middle.

This was to facilitate the quickest possible retrieval of medicine to treat the wounded.

"Konoha Genin Tōka reports for duty." Tōka stood outside the central tent and announced loudly.

Upon seeing this, one of the guarding ninjas turned and disappeared into the tent.

After a moment, the ninja emerged again and nodded at Tōka, "Lord Tsunade will see you now."

Tōka's expression remained calm, but inwardly he marveled at Konoha's camp's deployment of guards every ten steps and sentries every five steps.

Ninjas were not soldiers, after all, and achieving this much was already quite good.

Tōka entered the tent; this was the second time he had met Tsunade.

Tsunade was handling documents, a rare sight of her being so serious.

Shizune, who had just graduated, was already by Tsunade's side. It seemed everything had been arranged long ago.

"Jiraiya mentioned you wanted to learn medical techniques?" Tsunade glanced up at Tōka. She wasn't bothered by the silence.

She just wanted to get rid of Tōka quickly so she could go have a drink.

Handling official business? Tsunade would never do such a thing!

She was merely pretending to be busy upon hearing an "outsider" had arrived.

"Yes, to be precise, I wish to learn medical techniques from you, Lord Tsunade." Tōka deliberately emphasized his words. Was Tsunade trying to pass him off to someone else because she found it troublesome?

If Tsunade herself didn't teach him, Tōka would rather study on his own.

Aside from the Mystical Palm Technique, which required some time, Healing Jutsu and Hemostasis Jutsu were not difficult.

Hearing this, Tsunade narrowed her eyes and stared at Tōka. What an impolite brat, to immediately discover the loophole in her words.

The atmosphere suddenly became oppressive, yet Tōka stood there as if completely oblivious.

Finally, Tsunade sneered, curling her lips.

Then, she pulled out a scroll from somewhere and tossed it directly to Tōka.

"You know the theory of Healing Jutsu, right?" Tsunade started, then shook her head and leaned back casually in her chair, "Forget it. Shizune, you tell him."

"Huh? Yes!" Shizune was slightly taken aback, then stood at attention and responded.

"Inside is an injured fish. If you can meet the requirements, I will teach you myself." Tsunade stared at Tōka with a half-smile, clearly intending to give him a difficult task.

"Please tell me." Tōka could sense Tsunade's refusal, but if he didn't try, who knew what the outcome would be?

"I'll give you one day. Figure out how to heal it within ten minutes." Tsunade's expression turned serious, a cold smile appearing on her lips.

Ten minutes? Tōka's expressionless face finally changed.

For a beginner, not killing it would be considered good. Demanding to heal it within ten minutes?

A difficult problem is called difficult precisely because it is not easy to complete.

"What? You can't do it?" Tsunade asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I understand." Tōka nodded slightly. As soon as he finished speaking, he took the scroll and turned to leave.

Seeing this, Shizune glanced at the stunned Tsunade and quickly chased after Tōka.

She hadn't forgotten her mission.

"Dong, Tōka classmate!" Shizune shouted as she ran.

"Hm? Is there something else?" Tōka stopped and turned his head to ask.

"Uh, just now, Lord Tsunade asked me to tell you the principle of healing jutsu." For some reason, Shizune had a strange feeling; even though Tōka was younger than her, she felt like the child.

"Healing jutsu? Do you have an introductory textbook for Medical Ninjutsu or something?" Tōka asked meaningfully.

"An introductory textbook?" Shizune rummaged through her ninja tool pouch and pulled out a palm-sized booklet, then handed it to Tōka.

"Thanks, I'll read it myself." Tōka took it, nodded slightly at Shizune, and then turned to leave.

Shizune stood there stunned for a moment before deciding to go back and tell Tsunade.

Inside Tsunade's tent in the medical division, Shizune stood respectfully to the side, having recounted everything that had happened outside verbatim.

Tsunade squinted, tapping her finger rhythmically on the table.

"Did he give up?"

She couldn't seem to see through this kid either.

"Regardless, the truth will be revealed in one day."

If Tōka could truly complete the task she set, Tsunade wouldn't mind guiding the "genius."

However, something like this was simply impossible.

Even her grandfather, the First Hokage Hashirama Senju, wasn't this amazing when he first encountered Medical Ninjutsu.

"Shizune, is that kid your classmate?" Tsunade suddenly asked.

"Yes, Lord Tsunade," Shizune replied.

"Whether he can meet my requirements or not, tell me the result in one day," Tsunade stopped tapping the table and said in a deep voice.

"Yes." Shizune nodded, indicating she understood.

After a brief exchange, Tsunade casually tossed the document in her hand into a corner.

However, from somewhere, she took out a bottle of sake... (To be continued)