A Performer's Self-Cultivation

When Hanfu's hand reached for him, Shennong subtly shifted aside, discreetly hiding his backpack behind his back.

"Little guy, even if you admire me, you still have to go to school on time, right?" Shennong said with a kind smile.

"Lord Shennong, I'm only five this year. I can't go to school until next year!" Hanfu lied without batting an eye. "I just happen to be a bit big for my age."

"..."

The smile froze on Shennong's lips. Even as a seasoned actor, he could barely keep his expression under control. Could a five-year-old really be this tall? Did Hanfu think he'd wasted his time studying medicine?

At seven years old, Hanfu was already five feet tall. He stood out even among children his own age, let alone five-year-olds!

"You're quite the funny little guy, haha!" Might Duy couldn't help laughing. "What's your name?"

"My name is Gekko Hayate! It's nice to meet you, sir!"

Hanfu replied politely, then took a pen and paper from his pocket and handed them to Shennong, excitement in his voice. "Doctor Shennong, could I have your autograph?"

"An autograph?"

Shennong had already regained his composure. Smiling, he took the pen and paper and signed his name for Hanfu. Then he said with a grin, "There you go, little guy. Now be a good boy and go home."

Hanfu shook his head. "I'm not going home. I want to learn medicine from you, Doctor Shennong. Please? Can I?"

"Hehe... Of course you can, little Hanfu. But studying medicine is very tedious. Do you think you can stick with it?" Shennong wore a smile, but in his heart he wanted Hanfu to get lost as soon as possible. Unfortunately, he'd just told Might Duy that his dream was to spread his medical knowledge throughout the Shinobi World. If he turned the kid down now, wouldn't that make him a hypocrite?

"I definitely can!"

Hanfu nodded earnestly.

"In that case..."

Shennong glanced at Might Duy and smiled. "You can come along with us for now. Think of it as a little outing. But be sure to go home at noon, or your parents will worry."

The three of them set off together and soon arrived at Might Duy's home. Hanfu looked back and realized it was only a few dozen meters from Shencao Izakaya.

This Shennong guy couldn't be underestimated. Where had he gotten his information?

Hanfu felt a little uneasy, but then he thought it over. Might Duy was known in Konoha—as the eternal Genin—yet didn't attract much attention. It probably wasn't that hard to find out about him, so Hanfu relaxed.

Might Duy's home was only a little over seventy square meters. It had two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom, but no backyard.

"This is my home. It's a little modest, so please excuse the state of it, Doctor Shennong." Might Duy looked a bit embarrassed.

As the eternal Genin, most of the missions Might Duy got from the Mission Center were C- or D-rank, and the pay wasn't great. This was about as much as he could afford.

"Not at all," Shennong said with a smile. "It's very quiet here, Duy. A good place to study medicine."

Hanfu forced a laugh. Hey, hey, you aren't planning to live here, are you?

"Doctor Shennong, about this..." Might Duy awkwardly pointed to the bandages on his hands.

Shennong's expression grew serious. "Duy, Taijutsu specialists have much higher standards for their bandages than ordinary ninja. Especially for ninja like you and Guy, who train extensively in Taijutsu every day. If the bandages are wrapped too tightly or too loosely, they can cause unseen harm to the body. Over time, that harm can turn into internal injuries that remain for life!"

Might Duy's expression turned solemn. He didn't care much about himself, but his son, Guy, was another matter!

Guy was nine years old and had graduated from the Ninja Academy two years ago. Outside of missions, he spent all his time training in Taijutsu. And because Might Duy wanted Guy to inherit the Eight Inner Gates Formation, he increased Guy's training load every day. He wouldn't let him rest until he'd wrung out every last bit of his strength!

Training at that intensity took a heavy toll on the body. If improperly wrapped bandages made it even worse, and left Guy with internal injuries, Might Duy would never forgive himself!

"Doctor Shennong, I'm begging you. Please teach me the Bandage Technique!"

Might Duy stood up and bowed deeply to Shennong.

Shennong hurried forward to support him, speaking with deep emotion. "Duy, what are you doing? Didn't I just tell you that my dream is to spread my medical knowledge throughout the Shinobi World? I'm delighted that you want to learn!"

After helping Might Duy up, Shennong continued gravely, "Duy, if you don't mind, I'd like to examine your body first."

Might Duy's expression shifted. "Doctor Shennong, does that mean there's already something wrong with me...?"

"Don't worry. If you really do have internal injuries, I'll do everything I can to treat them!" Shennong smiled.

"Thank you so much, Doctor Shennong!"

Might Duy bowed deeply again.

Standing to the side, Hanfu managed a strained smile. Was Might Duy really that straightforward?

He was practically being sold off, and he was still thanking the man...

Unable to stomach the way those two were cozying up to each other, Hanfu couldn't resist jumping in to steal the show. "Doctor Shennong, I can help you!"

Shennong's mouth twitched as he smiled at Hanfu. He'd almost forgotten about the kid!

"Hehe, little Hanfu, you're still too young to help me," Shennong said with a smile.

"Hehe."

Hanfu answered Shennong's laugh with one of his own, then said, "I can help carry your things."

Shennong smiled and shook his head. Then he gestured for Might Duy to lie down on the sofa, set his backpack on the floor, and leaned over Might Duy's back to examine him.

Hanfu stared at the backpack on the floor, both hands itching to grab it.

"Doctor Shennong, let me carry your backpack!"

Hanfu pounced on the backpack like a starving tiger, picked it up, and hugged it to his chest.

For just an instant, Hanfu felt the air go still. Then the moment passed.

Was it his imagination?

Impossible!

Hanfu had always trusted his instincts. Grabbing the backpack had definitely put Shennong on his guard.

But Hanfu wasn't worried at all. If Shennong dared to attack him in front of Might Duy, he'd immediately expose himself as a ninja. How could he keep pretending to be harmless in front of Might Duy then?

But what happened next was beyond Hanfu's expectations.

Shennong quietly examined Might Duy's body, not paying Hanfu any attention.

What was going on?

Was Shennong really not worried about the Forbidden Body Activation Technique Scroll in the backpack being exposed?

Or was the scroll not in the backpack at all?

Hanfu stared at Shennong's back, full of uncertainty.

Should I just open it by accident and take a look? Hanfu hesitated.

"Duy, your body..."

After examining him for a while, Shennong spoke gravely. "What kind of Taijutsu are you training in? Your body's been pushed to this extent!"

"Doctor Shennong, the Taijutsu I practice is... a kind of Forbidden Jutsu." Might Duy was an adult. He knew what he could and couldn't say.

"A Forbidden Jutsu?"

Shennong nodded slightly, but couldn't stop a faint smile from tugging at his lips.

Still trying to hide it? Did he think I didn't know?

Hmph!

The Eight Inner Gates Formation!