Medical Ninja and Fish

"Hikawa."

Yakushi Nonō reminded him, "During the surgery, you must listen and not run around or move recklessly."

"I understand."

Hikawa nodded.

"Begin."

Tsunade stepped before the operating table and pulled on her gloves.

Hikawa stood to the side, watching.

Though he possessed an adult soul, the sight of an open abdomen still made him uncomfortable.

Fortunately, after watching for a while, he grew accustomed to it—at least he didn't vomit on the spot.

Three hours later, the surgery ended.

To Hikawa, surgery in the shinobi world felt like a fusion of science and ninjutsu.

Simply put, it was the surgical process of his past life enhanced with Medical Ninjutsu to save time and improve results.

"Hikawa, how do you feel?"

Tsunade removed her mask, revealing her delicate features.

"As expected of Tsunade-sama, easily accomplishing what others cannot."

Hikawa praised.

"Smooth-talking little brat."

Tsunade couldn't help but smile. "That's not what I asked."

"I learned a lot."

Hikawa answered honestly.

"You have good mental fortitude."

Tsunade walked out. "In that regard, you're suited to be a Medical Ninja."

"Tsunade-sama."

Yamanaka Inoichi, waiting outside the door, stepped forward.

"He's fine now."

Tsunade gave a slight nod. "But if you want to read his memories, it's best to wait until tomorrow."

"Thank you, Tsunade-sama."

Yamanaka Inoichi let out a breath of relief.

"Alright, the surgery's over. I have my own things to do."

Tsunade turned and waved. "Goodbye, everyone."

Before long, she had vanished from sight.

Hikawa couldn't help but marvel—truly Tsunade, decisive and dashing.

But... her "things to do"—could it be gambling?

Very possible.

A phrase suddenly came to Hikawa's mind.

Though she fought, drank, and gambled, she was still a good ninja.

Hikawa glanced at Yamanaka Inoichi, then followed Yakushi Nonō back to her office.

"Hikawa."

Yakushi Nonō asked, "How are your Medical Texts coming along?"

"I've mostly finished the basic ones."

Hikawa thought for a moment and replied.

"Good."

Yakushi Nonō pulled a test paper from her drawer. "Finish this within two hours."

Hikawa's eyes lit up.

Was she about to teach him Medical Ninjutsu?

"Understood."

Hikawa sat at the office desk and began the exam.

In less than two hours, he had finished.

Basic Medical Texts didn't require much understanding—just rote memorization.

"Not bad."

Yakushi Nonō nodded in satisfaction.

The entire test paper had only two wrong answers—for a six-year-old child, that was practically a perfect score.

"Learning Medical Ninjutsu requires extremely strong chakra control."

Yakushi Nonō put away the test paper and said, "Even though you've studied it at the academy, that's far from enough."

"Then what should I do?"

Hikawa put on the look of a model student and asked.

"Use a fish."

Yakushi Nonō said softly.

Hikawa's expression turned strange, thinking of nuns and fish.

Even though the Yakushi Nonō before him was the Wandering Miko.

"Wait for me."

Yakushi Nonō turned and left the office.

A few minutes later, she reappeared.

She unsealed a scroll, and inside was a carp.

"Come here, I'll teach you."

Yakushi Nonō waved him over and said.

Under her guidance, Hikawa extended both hands, and chakra surged out.

He suddenly froze, a few lines of text appearing before his eyes.

code
[D-Rank Talent Entry: Medical Ninja.]
[Trigger Condition: Possess three Medical Ninjutsu entries.]
[Current Progress: 10%.]

Hikawa couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

Finally, a health bar had appeared.

As long as there was a health bar, even a god could be killed, let alone a mere Medical Ninja.

Just like the fellow D-Rank Entry 'Genjutsu Genin,' the trigger condition was learning three ninjutsu.

Although it didn't specify what rank, it was obvious that the simplest techniques would do, like D-Rank and C-Rank.

Time passed, and soon it was noon.

"Take a break and eat."

Yakushi Nonō took out two bento boxes.

"Okay."

Hikawa withdrew his hands and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Though the amount of chakra output wasn't large, maintaining it continuously put a lot of strain on him.

No wonder learning Medical Ninjutsu always started with fish.

"You bastards! Chasing me for several blocks over this little bit of money! It's not like I'm not going to pay it back!"

Just then, a familiar and irritable voice sounded from outside the door.

The voice drew closer, and Tsunade stormed into the office, cursing under her breath.

"Tsunade-sama."

Yakushi Nonō reminded her, "Please don't shout in the hospital."

Tsunade plopped down onto the sofa, her hips trembling slightly as she crossed her legs.

She was wearing high-heeled sandals, her jade feet dangling in the air, revealing a row of toenails painted with red nail polish.

"Lost again?"

Yakushi Nonō asked, as if this were routine.

"Just bad luck today."

Tsunade pouted, looking displeased.

"..."

Yakushi Nonō fell silent.

Just today?

You have bad luck every single day—you're simply not cut out for gambling.

"Is there any bento left?"

Tsunade glanced at the two bento boxes on the coffee table and asked.

"Here."

Hikawa handed her the bento box in his hand, saying.

Tsunade couldn't help but pause.

This scene felt familiar.

"I'll go get another one."

Yakushi Nonō stood up and left.

"You eat."

Tsunade reached out, patted Hikawa on the head, and said, "I'll wait for Nonō."

Patting his head again!

Hikawa was furious.

One day, he would get his revenge!

"Tsunade-sama."

In less than a minute, Yakushi Nonō returned with a bento box.

"Thank you."

Tsunade opened the bento box and picked up her chopsticks.

The bento came from the hospital cafeteria; the taste was average, but as a ninja, she wasn't picky.

Because meals during missions were even worse.

"Is Hikawa already learning Medical Ninjutsu?"

Tsunade noticed the scroll and the carp not far away and asked casually.

"Mm."

Yakushi Nonō explained, "His foundation is solid enough."

"So he's a little genius, huh."

Tsunade's eyes flickered, and a sly grin appeared. "Hikawa, if there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me."

"Tsunade-sama, are you trying to borrow money from me again?"

Yakushi Nonō saw through her directly and asked.

"I'll pay you back if I win!"

Tsunade wasn't embarrassed even after being caught.

"..."

Yakushi Nonō had a good temper, but even she felt a wave of helplessness at this point.

Have you ever won?

She seriously doubted it.

"Can I go?"

Hikawa looked up and asked.

"You're a child; you can't go to the casino."

Yakushi Nonō quickly said.

If Hikawa got led astray, that would be terrible.

Tsunade glanced at him and suddenly thought of Hashirama Senju.

The source of gambling.

She had been taken to casinos by Hashirama Senju since she was little.

"I have good luck."

Hikawa was recalling a phrase from his past life.

Bet against Tsunade, and the villa would be by the sea.

He really wanted to give it a try.

"No!"

Yakushi Nonō firmly refused.

Tsunade nudged Hikawa with her foot under the table and gave him a look.

It wasn't that she wanted to teach him gambling; she was treating him as a lucky charm.

What kind of childish behavior is this?

Hikawa was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood.

She was planning to take him along?