That evening, at Konoha Hospital.
The kindhearted Doctor Shennong had come by to offer his guidance once again. This time, Nara Lukai, the hospital director, personally stayed late to accompany him, showing his respect and gratitude.
During the consultation, the two discussed the challenges of making medical knowledge more widely available and possible solutions. They had a series of meaningful conversations and drafted four preliminary plans, labeled A, B, C, and D, for spreading medical knowledge. Doctor Shennong once again stressed that he wanted to contribute everything he knew about medicine to protect the lives of people across the Shinobi World.
At the end of their conversation, Nara Lukai asked a devastating question: "Doctor Shennong, aren't you hot wearing all that?"
It was September, but the average temperature in Konoha was still around twenty-eight or twenty-nine degrees. Apart from a few people, like the Aburame Clan Ninja, everyone else wore short sleeves. Shennong, meanwhile, wore a thick gray-brown coat. He stood out in the crowd like a penguin among chickens!
Shennong smiled calmly, then reached out and took Nara Lukai's hand. Lukai felt that his touch was cool, without the slightest trace of heat.
Shennong explained, "Director Nara, when I was young, I ate many poisonous herbs to test their medicinal properties. As a result, my body... Ah!"
"I see!"
Nara Lukai immediately imagined Shennong braving the wilderness, eating leaves and flowers just to test their medicinal properties. He couldn't help praising him. "As expected of Doctor Shennong! You went to such lengths for the sake of medicine!"
"No, please don't praise me like that."
Shennong gave a wry smile. "If I'd had the talent to become a Medical Ninja, perhaps I wouldn't have done those things."
They chatted for a little longer, then Shennong said he wanted to buy some herbs.
Nara Lukai had already been won over by Shennong's noble character and integrity, so naturally he had no reason to refuse.
Carrying several large bundles of herbs, Shennong left Konoha Hospital. He straightened his clothes a little, checked that the scroll hidden inside was intact, and, with a warm smile, headed straight back to Shencao Izakaya for drinks and a late-night snack.
The next morning.
Ninja Academy, Class 8, second year.
The Theory Exam results were all in, including those of Hanfu and the four other students who had taken the make-up exam.
Kashima Isamu stood at the front of the classroom, his face livid. He slapped the desk in exasperation and called up the students who had done poorly one by one, giving them a harsh scolding.
Hanfu in particular!
Because Hanfu had excelled at Ninja Tool Throwing, Kashima Isamu's expectations of him had steadily risen. Naturally, that meant Hanfu's mistakes on the Theory Exam were magnified out of all proportion.
Kashima Isamu spent an hour lecturing all the students who'd done poorly, and Hanfu alone accounted for half of it!
How was that fair?
Hanfu felt wronged, but he didn't dare act up now. The consequences would be serious.
Ito Ni sat in the front row. As he listened to Kashima Isamu scold Hanfu, he couldn't help straightening his back and sitting up properly, his eyes bright and alert. Even the psychological scars from yesterday afternoon's failed prank had vanished in an instant!
After finishing the scolding, Kashima Isamu handed out the exam papers and, gritting his teeth, began going over every question except the first.
At last, the morning's classes ended in a gloomy, oppressive, and serious atmosphere. As soon as Kashima Isamu left, his face still livid, Hanfu grabbed his Bento Box and rushed outside.
"Hanfu, where are you going?" Iruka asked in surprise. He'd just been scolded. Couldn't he stay put for a while?
"I've got something to do. Eat without me—don't wait."
Without turning around, Hanfu waved and dashed out of the classroom.
As he ran, Hanfu opened his Bento Box.
There was a generous meal inside today: Nori Sesame Sushi and Nori Sesame Rice Balls. Even more remarkably, Keiko had added a few slices of greens. It looked... a little greasy, but there was nothing to be done. He needed energy, and if he didn't eat, he wouldn't have any. Hanfu wolfed it down, and by the time he reached the school gate, he'd finished the whole Bento Box.
Hanfu looked around at the gate, stashed the Bento Box nearby, then left the school and ran straight to Might Duy's house.
Last night, a sudden inspiration had struck Hanfu: he'd spotted a fatal flaw in Shennong's disguise—the clothes.
As a Taijutsu Ninja who had developed the Forbidden Body Activation Technique, Shennong's body had to be exceptionally strong. Yet he wore thick clothes in such hot weather. He had to be hiding something!
So Hanfu boldly guessed that Shennong kept the scroll containing the Forbidden Body Activation Technique tucked against his body.
With that in mind, Hanfu immediately spent half an hour drawing up a preliminary plan to steal the scroll!
The first step was to find out when Shennong would come to give Might Duy that back massage.
The round trip from the Ninja Academy to Might Duy's house took a little over an hour at a run. Hanfu had two hours before afternoon classes, so he had enough time.
He ran the whole way, and half an hour later finally arrived at Might Duy's house, panting. But since he'd just eaten and then exercised, his stomach was bothering him. Still, compared with his plan, a stomachache was nothing!
Hanfu walked up to Might Duy's house and knocked. Before long, the door opened, revealing thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a flash of heart-pounding green!
"Might Guy-senpai!"
Hanfu waved with a smile.
Might Guy tilted his head and stared at him, his expression grave and solemn, his big eyes never blinking.
Under that stare, Hanfu began to feel uneasy. The smile on his face gradually faded.
After a long moment, Guy finally spoke. "Who are you?"
"I..."
Hanfu nearly choked.
They'd only met yesterday, and Guy already didn't recognize him? How did he manage that?
Hanfu felt both frustrated and miserable.
"Guy, who is it?" Might Duy's voice came from inside.
Hanfu's eyes lit up, and he was about to call out, but Guy had already slammed the door shut. His muffled voice came from inside. "I don't know. Some weird kid."
Three dark lines appeared on Hanfu's forehead. He'd been caught completely off guard by that door in his face—he never saw it coming! As expected of the man who'd almost kicked his way to the end of the story. I, Gekko Hayate, acknowledge you as the strongest!
Hanfu took a deep breath, knocked twice more, and called out, "Uncle Dai, it's me, Gekko Hayate."
"Little Hanfu?"
Inside, Might Duy rose in surprise and went to open the door.
"Dad, do you know him?" Guy asked, puzzled.
Might Duy said helplessly, "Guy, it's about time you worked on your habit of not recognizing people."
Guy furrowed his brow and tried to remember. "Have I met him? Strange. I don't remember him at all."
Hearing this as he entered, Hanfu somehow felt like he'd come here just to play an extra.
"Little Hanfu, have you eaten?"
Might Duy asked with a smile.
"Ah, I already ate." Hanfu's first words came out smelling of seaweed. He didn't waste time and got straight to the point. "Uncle Dai, I came to ask when Doctor Shennong will come to treat you."
Might Duy paused, then asked seriously, "Little Hanfu, do you really want to learn medicine from Doctor Shennong?"
Hanfu nodded firmly. "Yes, Uncle Dai. I'm determined to become an excellent doctor!"
"That's my Little Hanfu! Chasing after your dream at such a young age! Guy, did you hear him? As his senior, you absolutely cannot let Little Hanfu surpass you!"
Might Duy didn't know which of Hanfu's words had moved him, but he was immediately swept up in enthusiasm, as if an entire sea were singing behind him.
"I understand, Dad. No matter what, I won't let anyone surpass me on the path to pursuing my dream!! Because... this is my youth!!!"
Guy set down his chopsticks and stared at Hanfu with eyes blazing like fire. "I'll remember your face... What... was your name?"
"I..."
The muscles at the corners of Hanfu's eyes twitched. Forgive him, forgive him, forgive him...
"You idiot, he's Little Hanfu!"
Might Duy turned to Hanfu and finally gave him the answer he'd been waiting for. "Because of my training, Doctor Shennong and I arranged to meet at four in the afternoon! If you really want to study medicine with him, Little Hanfu, you can come then."
"Thank you, Uncle Dai!"
Hanfu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Four in the afternoon. If he didn't take his little brother home, he'd have just enough time!
Looks like Iruka would have to work hard for the next few days.
Thanks to the reader Unyindian for the generous tip.
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