The Experimental Class's Little Teacher

"If a ninja were to be struck by an enemy's paralytic poison while on a mission, accompanied by internal bleeding, how would you handle it without an antidote?"

Tsunade's voice was calm.

The other students in the classroom looked at one another, their faces filled with confusion.

This seemed to have gone beyond the scope of what they had learned so far.

As their studies progressed, Tsunade's teaching style had also undergone subtle changes.

Her questions were no longer vague generalities. Instead, she placed them in practical scenarios and posed more complicated problems.

Sometimes, these questions concerned the application of chakra to different injuries. Other times, they involved pharmacological analysis of rare poisons, or even coordination between multiple disciplines. Such situations required healers to possess not only extensive knowledge, but also the ability to apply it flexibly.

Tsunade swept her gaze around the room. Everyone she looked at lowered their heads, trembling inwardly.

I don't know. I have no idea at all. What do I do?

Sigh...

Tsunade's gaze fell on Aoba again, signaling for him to stand and answer.

Aoba had long since grown used to it. Whenever Tsunade asked a question, he would think quickly, and he already had an answer.

After organizing his thoughts, Aoba answered steadily, "Lady Tsunade, first, I would try using Yang Release chakra to stimulate the cellular activity of the damaged organs and slow the bleeding. At the same time, I would use chakra to stimulate the acupoints and create slight interference in the nearby nervous system, slowing the spread of the poison through the nerves.

"However, this method can only temporarily keep the injured person's condition from worsening. They would need to be evacuated as soon as possible and receive professional treatment."

His answer surprised everyone. Rather than explaining how to treat the injury, he proposed controlling it, bringing the victim back, and finding someone to help.

Huh?

Wait, that seemed workable too.

Before this, everyone had been trying their hardest to figure out how to treat the injured person themselves. They had never considered asking for help or bringing the person back to the village hospital.

Then, everyone turned their eyes toward Lady Tsunade. Seeing her nod slightly without saying much, they could still clearly see her satisfaction.

His logic was clear and his explanation well organized. Most importantly, he knew how to think. That was the key.

He's a genius!

Tsunade secretly sighed. It was a pity that she had already decided to leave the village as soon as Shizune graduated. Otherwise, she might truly have accepted Aoba as her disciple.

Shizune had some talent in medical ninjutsu as well, but she still fell short compared to Yamashiro Aoba.

If anyone had previously doubted Aoba's first-place ranking and thought it was merely luck, they were now completely convinced.

Aoba's reputation in the Experimental Class rose accordingly.

Whenever class ended, groups of students would gather around him and ask him all sorts of questions.

Although Aoba found it troublesome, he could not refuse, because this was also Tsunade's intention.

The Experimental Class's curriculum advanced far too quickly. Aside from Aoba, everyone else was basically being dragged along by force.

After every class, they would have a mountain of questions. Lady Tsunade would leave gracefully, while everyone else was left with faces full of question marks.

They could only discuss things among themselves. If they could not figure something out or had disagreements, they would come ask Aoba.

That was right. Aoba was now doing the work of a "little teacher."

Shizune and Rin admired him immensely as well.

"Aoba-kun, you're really amazing! You can even answer questions this difficult!"

Rin's eyes sparkled with admiration.

He was very familiar with that look. Rin had once looked at Kakashi the same way.

Still, this feeling did not seem bad. It would be even better if he could let Obito see it. He wondered whether it could make him awaken his Sharingan early.

Although he was being used as a tool, it was not without benefits. Tsunade gave Aoba a pass that allowed him to visit the Archives Room at Konoha Hospital to consult materials.

Aoba said that classmates should help one another.

Helping classmates was what he liked most.

However, while some rejoiced, others worried.

During breaks at the Ninja Academy, Obito would always go over to talk to Rin.

Yet he kept hearing Aoba's name come out of Rin's mouth, more and more frequently. The admiration in her eyes stabbed at his heart.

Obito's fists clenched unconsciously, his knuckles turning white.

He had thought that after that bastard Kakashi graduated and left the Ninja Academy, Rin's attention would turn more toward him, and she would notice his efforts and excellence.

But now, that damned Yamashiro Aoba had no sense of fair play at all, sneaking in from behind to steal his girl!

A nameless fury burned in Obito's heart.

Looking at Rin's lively face, he felt that Yamashiro Aoba was simply a stumbling block on the road to his happiness.

He gritted his teeth and decided to find an opportunity to teach that "unsporting" Sunglasses Man a good lesson.

He, Uchiha Obito, would never admit defeat so easily!

That day, Lady Tsunade skipped class again.

For the students of the medical Experimental Class, skipped classes had practically become commonplace.

Whenever she taught for several days in a row, Lady Tsunade would disappear for a while. It had become a sort of pattern.

After all, as one of the Sannin and a high-ranking figure in Konohagakure, Lady Tsunade was surely busy with countless affairs. The fact that she could spare time to teach them was already rare, so everyone understood her occasional absences.

However, Aoba did not see it that way.

Whenever Tsunade skipped class, Shizune would wear a helpless expression.

Moreover, on the day after every absence, Tsunade's mental state would seem somewhat listless.

Aoba had seen this state during his previous life in university. His dormmates looked just like this every time they returned from an all-night session at an internet café.

On top of that, Aoba sat fairly close to Tsunade. Every time, he could smell the lingering scent of smoke and alcohol on her. There was no need to guess—Tsunade had definitely gone to the casino.

What Aoba was curious about, though, was that Tsunade would surely lose every last penny at the casino. Where did she get the money to drink?

Could she have brought alcohol into the casino with her?

With Tsunade absent, Aoba was happy to take it easy and treat it like a holiday.

Since the Experimental Class had no lessons, the students naturally returned to their respective classes and joined the group activities.

On the training field, the sunlight was somewhat glaring.

That afternoon was practical combat class. When Obito saw that the Sunglasses Man was there as well, he immediately felt that this was a good opportunity.

He would show Rin that Uchiha Obito was no longer the person he used to be. He would also defeat that damned Sunglasses Man in front of her and prove that Uchiha Obito was the strongest.

The taijutsu instructor held a roster and began assigning pairs.

"Next, you'll be sparring in pairs. Step forward when your name is called!"

"Might Guy versus Shiranui Genma!"

"Namiashi Raidō versus Sarutobi Asuma!"

"Uchiha—"

"Wait, sensei."

Obito quickly raised his hand and interrupted him. "I request to be paired with Yamashiro Aoba!"

The taijutsu instructor frowned, glanced at Obito, then shifted his gaze to Yamashiro Aoba.

Hearing his name called so suddenly, Aoba was momentarily stunned. Then he looked toward the voice and heard Obito requesting to be paired with him.

Aoba immediately understood. Obito wanted to fight him—or rather, challenge him.

As for why Obito had suddenly come looking for trouble, Aoba did not need to think about it. It was definitely because of Nohara Rin.

Fine. Since this idiot was asking for trouble, Aoba would grant his wish.

He immediately nodded to the taijutsu instructor, indicating his agreement.