Might Guy's Soul-Searching Question

Nighttime, Konoha Hospital.

Doctor Shennong, the quintessential nice guy, had arrived once again to provide guidance. This time, Nara Lukai, the hospital director, was personally working overtime to accompany him, showing his respect and gratitude toward Doctor Shennong.

During the consultation, the two sides held a series of significant discussions regarding the difficulties and potential solutions for popularizing medical techniques. They preliminarily formulated four plans, labeled A, B, C, and D, for the dissemination of medical knowledge. Throughout the conversation, Doctor Shennong emphasized once again his desire to contribute all of his medical expertise to provide a strong safeguard for the lives and safety of the people in the ninja world.

At the end of the talk, Nara Lukai posed a fatal question: "Doctor Shennong, you're wearing so much. Aren't you hot?"

Although it was September, the average temperature in Konoha was still around twenty-eight or twenty-nine degrees Celsius. Except for a few ninjas like those from the Aburame Clan, everyone else was in short sleeves. Shennong, however, was wearing a thick, gray-brown overcoat. Amidst the crowd, he stood out like a penguin in a flock of chickens!

Shennong smiled calmly, then reached out to shake Nara Lukai's hand. The latter felt only a cool, refreshing touch, without a hint of heat.

Shennong explained, "Director Nara, when I was young, I consumed many poisonous herbs to test their properties, which resulted in my body... sigh!"

"So that's how it is!"

Nara Lukai instantly imagined a scene of Shennong hacking through brambles and thorns in the wild, eating grass and swallowing flowers just to test the properties of herbs. He couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "As expected of Doctor Shennong, to think you could go to such lengths for the sake of medicine!"

"No, please don't praise me like that."

Shennong gave a bitter smile. "If I had the talent to become a Medical Ninja, perhaps I wouldn't have had to do those things."

The two chatted for a few more minutes, and Shennong proposed purchasing some herbs.

Nara Lukai had already been conquered by Shennong's noble character and integrity, so naturally, there was no reason to refuse.

Carrying several large bags of herbs, Shennong left Konoha Hospital. He straightened his clothes slightly, confirmed that the scroll hidden inside was intact, and with a gentle smile on his face, headed straight to Shencao Izakaya for drinks and a late-night snack.

The next day, morning.

Ninja Academy, Class 8, Year 2.

The results of the theoretical exams had all been released, including the scores for Hanfu and the four others who had taken the make-up exams.

Kashima Isamu stood on the podium with a livid expression. Looking as if he were disappointed that his students hadn't lived up to his expectations, he slammed the table and called up those who hadn't performed well one by one to criticize and lecture them severely.

Especially Hanfu!

Because of Hanfu's outstanding Ninja Tool Throwing, Kashima Isamu's expectations for him had gradually grown, and consequently, the errors Hanfu made on the theoretical exam were naturally magnified infinitely.

All the underachievers in the class had been lectured by Kashima Isamu for an hour, and Hanfu alone accounted for half of that time!

Where could one even go to reason with this?

Hanfu felt very aggrieved, but he didn't dare to act cheeky at a time like this, or the consequences would be severe.

Ito Ni sat in the front row. Listening to Kashima Isamu criticize and lecture Hanfu, he couldn't help but puff out his chest and sit up straight, his eyes shining with spirit. Even the psychological shadow caused by the failed prank from yesterday afternoon vanished in an instant!

After the lecture and reprimand, Kashima Isamu handed out the test papers and, gritting his teeth, began to explain every single question except for the first one.

In a dull, oppressive, and serious atmosphere, the morning classes finally came to an end. As soon as Kashima Isamu left with a livid expression, Hanfu immediately grabbed his bento and ran outside.

"Where are you going, Hanfu?"

Iruka asked in surprise. Could he not just settle down for a moment after being lectured?

"I have something to take care of. You guys eat without me, don't wait up."

Hanfu waved his hand without looking back and bolted out of the classroom.

As he ran, Hanfu opened his bento box.

Today's bento was quite rich, consisting of Nori Sesame Sushi and Nori Sesame Rice Ball. What was particularly commendable was that Keiko had added a few pieces of greens. It looked... a bit greasy, but there was no helping it; without eating, he wouldn't have the energy. Hanfu wolfed it down, and by the time he reached the school gate, the entire box was in his stomach.

Hanfu looked around at the school gate, hid the bento box on the spot, and then left the school, heading straight for Might Duy's house.

Last night, a flash of inspiration hit Hanfu: he realized a fatal flaw in Shennong's behavior—the issue of his clothing.

As a taijutsu ninja who had developed the forbidden technique Body Activation, Shennong's body was undoubtedly very strong. Yet, he wore thick clothes in such hot weather; he was definitely hiding something!

Thus, Hanfu boldly guessed that the scroll for the Body Activation forbidden technique was being kept on Shennong's person!

With this hypothesis, Hanfu had spent half an hour drafting a preliminary plan to steal the scroll!

And the first step was to confirm exactly when Shennong would be giving Might Duy that back rub.

It took about an hour round-trip to run from the Ninja Academy to Might Duy's house, and Hanfu had two hours before afternoon classes, so he had plenty of time.

Running all the way, Hanfu finally arrived at Might Duy's house half an hour later, panting. However, because he had exercised right after eating, his stomach felt a bit uncomfortable. But compared to his plan, a little stomach pain was nothing!

Hanfu walked up to Might Duy's house and knocked on the door. A moment later, the door opened, revealing thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a heart-stopping shade of green!

"Senior Guy!"

Hanfu waved and greeted him with a smile.

Might Guy tilted his head, looking at him with a grave and solemn expression, his large eyes unblinking.

Hanfu felt a bit creeped out by his stare, and the smile on his face began to falter.

After a long while, Guy finally spoke: "Who are you?"

"I..."

Hanfu nearly choked on his own breath.

We just met yesterday, and you don't recognize me today? How do you even manage that?

Gekko Hayate felt both stifled and uncomfortable.

"Guy, who is it?" Might Duy's voice drifted out from inside the room.

Gekko Hayate's eyes lit up. Just as he was about to call out, Guy slammed the door shut with a bang. A muffled voice came from inside: "Don't know, just some weird kid."

Three black lines appeared on Gekko Hayate's forehead. This cold shoulder had caught him completely off guard; it was truly impossible to defend against. As expected of the man who nearly kicked his way to the series finale, I, Gekko Hayate, am willing to call you the strongest!

Gekko Hayate took a deep breath, reached out, and knocked on the door twice more. "Uncle Duy, it's me, Gekko Hayate."

"Little Hayate?"

Inside the room, Might Duy stood up in surprise to open the door.

"Dad, do you know him?" Guy asked, looking puzzled.

Might Duy said with a troubled expression, "Guy, you really need to fix this habit of not recognizing people."

Guy frowned, trying to recall. "Have I met him? Strange, I have absolutely no memory of him."

Gekko Hayate, who had just stepped into the room, felt an inexplicable sense of being a mere extra here.

"Little Hayate, have you eaten yet?"

Might Duy asked with a smile.

"Ah, I've already eaten." The moment Gekko Hayate opened his mouth, a scent of seaweed wafted out. He didn't waste time and went straight to the point. "Uncle Duy, I came to ask you, when is Doctor Shennong coming to treat your body?"

Might Duy was taken aback, then asked seriously, "Little Hayate, do you really want to learn medical techniques from Doctor Shennong?"

Gekko Hayate nodded solemnly. "Yes, Uncle Duy. I must become an excellent doctor!"

"As expected of Little Hayate, already pursuing your dreams at such a young age? Guy, did you hear that? As his senior, you absolutely cannot lose to Little Hayate!"

Might Duy didn't know which part of Gekko Hayate's words had moved him, but he immediately became fired up, feeling as if an ocean were singing behind his back.

"I understand, Dad! On the path of pursuing my dreams, I will never lose to anyone!! Because... this is my youth!!!"

Guy put down his bowl and chopsticks, his eyes staring at Gekko Hayate as if they were on fire. "I've memorized your face... what... is your name?"

"I..."

The muscles at the corner of Gekko Hayate's eyes twitched slightly: Forgive him, forgive him, forgive him...

"Idiot, he's Little Hayate!"

Might Duy said, turning to look at Gekko Hayate, and finally gave the answer he wanted. "Because of my training, the time I agreed upon with Doctor Shennong is four o'clock in the afternoon! If you really want to learn medical techniques from him, you can come at that time."

"Thank you, Uncle Duy!"

Gekko Hayate finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Four o'clock in the afternoon—if he didn't have to take his little brother home, the timing would be just right!

It looks like I'll have to make Iruka work hard these next few days.

Thanks to book friend "Bu Yong Dian Yin Zen Me Yang" for the tip and support.