Nonō

"Lord Third."

Yakushi Tenshin offered a respectful greeting.

There was no trace of malice in her manner or bearing.

At a glance, she seemed like the kind of woman who naturally inspired affection and warmth. Calm, gentle, and suffused with goodwill.

"Tenshin, I'm troubling you again." Lord Third smiled kindly, like a truly benevolent old man.

"It's no trouble at all. Lord Third, you work so hard for the village. Being able to do this for you is my honor."

It did not sound like mere politeness. She seemed to genuinely believe it.

Lord Third smiled and nodded. Next came the examination.

A physical examination, followed by a precise and systematic record of the observations. In present-day Konoha, aside from Orochimaru, Yakushi Tenshin was the only one capable of handling such work thoroughly and properly.

He used more scientific examinations to understand his body and support his martial arts training.

In the past, in another world, that was how he had trained. He had been born into wealth; though obsessed with martial arts, he had never simply trained himself to death.

Since his family had money and connections, why not use more scientific and systematic methods to support his training?

His attainment of the Hua Jin Grandmaster realm was due not only to his sincere devotion to martial arts, but also to this open-minded approach to assisted training.

Now that he was the Third Hokage in this world and could access many resources that money alone could not buy, he naturally would not be foolish enough to train bitterly by himself.

He would make use of everything available to him.

Thus, aside from reading medical and anatomical materials at the hospital, he had Yakushi Tenshin help examine his body. After all, one's own senses were not always accurate. Only observation from more comprehensive, multidimensional angles could give him a better grasp of his physical condition.

Yakushi Tenshin also assisted the Third Hokage with the examinations in earnest.

During the process, she discussed medical and anatomical knowledge with the Third Hokage. She gained a great deal, inwardly marveling that he was indeed the Third Hokage, indeed the Professor of Ninjutsu!

Of course, the current Lord Third came from a world with more advanced science. Naturally, modern medicine and research into the human body, founded on science, were also more developed. Though that world lacked the cheat-like power of Chakra, some of its research into the human body, medicine, and life was likely more profound.

As a National Martial Arts Grandmaster who combined scientific testing methods with martial arts training, he had constantly studied this modern medical and anatomical knowledge. It allowed him to better explore the hidden treasures of the human body and bring his martial arts to even greater heights.

He did not begrudge sharing any of this knowledge with Yakushi Tenshin.

After all, it would enable Yakushi Tenshin to help him more effectively.

However, what the Third Hokage did not realize was that while Yakushi Tenshin inwardly marveled at the depth of his understanding of medicine and the human body, she was also chilled to the bone.

As a highly skilled Medical Ninja, she understood very well.

Such exploration of medical and anatomical knowledge had been built upon countless human lives! How many lives had been spent for Lord Third to know all this?!

She also knew that Lord Danzo and Lord Third were close.

The darkness within Lord Third was probably no less than Lord Danzo's—perhaps even greater...

Yakushi Tenshin quickly suppressed that thought. Though she had already decided that Lord Third and Danzo were cut from the same cloth, she naturally could not show it. Instead, she had to focus earnestly on the tasks Lord Third assigned her.

Otherwise, this Lord Third, who appeared kind and benevolent but was actually far above her, could make her suffer with the slightest flick of a finger.

If it were only herself, that would be one thing. But now, many things were tied to her, many bonds depended on her.

At last, the examination was finished.

The Third Hokage took the recorded data and began discussing it with Yakushi Tenshin.

On the surface, Yakushi Tenshin gently and agreeably joined the discussion, but inwardly, she remained vigilant. As a ninja, she naturally understood the importance of detailed physical data—especially when it was the Third Hokage's data. It could be called a major secret of the village.

And this secret...

Lord Danzo probably wouldn't let it go.

Lord Third had not concealed the fact that he was undergoing physical examinations.

Danzo would likely catch the scent and come to her door, demanding this information.

But if Danzo took this information and Lord Third later found out, what would he think of her?

Therefore, as someone highly sensitive to intelligence, Yakushi Tenshin pondered for a while before making her decision.

Danzo was terrifying, but Lord Third was, after all, the Hokage-sama.

So she offered a careful reminder.

"Lord Third, the records of your physical data are village secrets. It would be better to handle them carefully."

Hearing this, Lord Third froze for a moment before quickly grasping the implication.

Indeed, the physical data records of the village's leader had to be secret. Given the Hokage's status, calling them state secrets would not be an exaggeration.

Whoever possessed such information would have to bear the responsibility for it.

Yakushi Tenshin certainly would not dare treat such a matter lightly.

And Yakushi Tenshin was so sensitive about this kind of matter—was that to be expected of the head of Konoha Hospital? Of course, that was not all.

Through the Third Hokage's memories, he also knew Yakushi Tenshin's other identity.

She was Konoha's finest intelligence operative, Anbu name: Nonō, former Root elite, codename: Wandering Miko. She could be called an ace espionage ninja, having gathered countless vital pieces of intelligence for Konoha.

Her systematic organization of Medical Ninjutsu might well have been related to the meticulous and comprehensive mindset she applied to intelligence gathering. She was exceptionally skilled at systematically sorting intelligence and identifying key points. Likewise, she was equally capable of organizing medical and anatomical materials and identifying their key points.

She possessed an extremely strong capacity for systematic and comprehensive thought.

She truly was an exceptionally talented person.

It was perfectly normal for someone like her to possess such sensitivity.

And he had indeed benefited greatly from her help. He owed her a debt of gratitude and could not let her be harmed.

Besides, he would need her help often in the future.

With that in mind, he made a decision.

Then he smiled and said, "Tenshin, I would like to invite you to become my 'medical advisor.'"

The Third Hokage's medical advisor?

Tenshin was initially stunned, but she quickly caught the goodwill behind the offer.

"Then thank you, Lord Third. I will work hard and won't disappoint you."

This was an official appointment.

As the Third Hokage's medical advisor, it could essentially be said that Lord Third had made it clear he would protect her.

That way, even if Danzo came demanding the information, she could refuse him with complete confidence.