Testing

After adjusting his schedule, Houka refined his Chakra in the morning, practiced hand seals in the afternoon, and trained his body at night. His daily routine was packed so full that there was simply no room for anything else.

As for the surveillance from the shadows, he paid it no mind. As long as he didn't reveal his Sharingan, he believed that his current level of training wouldn't be enough to alarm any truly significant figures.

The facts proved this to be true. After Uchiha Yamano, the captain of the Police Force, had people monitor Houka for a week, he recalled the surveillance personnel and labeled Houka: an industrious but limited-talent member of the Uchiha clan; if he could successfully awaken his eyes, he would be worth cultivating.

This monotonous life continued for half a month, and Houka's training finally yielded results.

Snake-Ram-Monkey-Boar-Horse-Tiger!

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!!!"

Houka spat out a mouthful of air, and a massive, scorching fireball erupted forth. Compared to before, this fireball was twice as large, and the heat was astonishing, making its destructive power even more terrifying.

"My hand seal speed has reached one per second; there's finally some progress!"

Furthermore, the weights he carried had increased again; his feet now carried three kilograms each, and his hands two kilograms each.

Correspondingly, his daily consumption of meat was increasing day by day, and the money Yakushi Nonō had lent him was gradually running dry.

As for Uchiha Obito, that guy only lasted two days before he couldn't take it anymore and went off to find Rin to get his "good guy card."

Houka tried to persuade him several times, but Uchiha Obito remained the same, so he had no choice but to give up.

"Hmm, my current Chakra level has barely reached the Genin standard; I should be qualified to learn medical ninjutsu now!"

Houka rubbed his hands together, deciding to go find Yakushi Nonō, first to borrow money, and second to learn medical ninjutsu.

Konoha Hospital was located in the center of Konoha, some distance from the Uchiha clan's compound. Houka changed into clothes without the Uchiha crest and headed out.

Come to think of it, this was the first time Houka had left the Uchiha compound alone.

The village outside was far livelier than the Uchiha compound. Most of the people coming and going had smiles on their faces, and the sound of laughter made Houka's mood brighten inexplicably.

Walking toward Konoha Hospital, Houka saw several Uchiha ninjas in Police Force uniforms patrolling the streets. Their eyes were cold and arrogant, looking at everyone as if they were spies.

Houka shook his head slightly. It was no wonder the Police Force had such a poor reputation in the original story; with patrolmen like these, it would be a miracle if they were well-liked.

Soon, Houka arrived at Konoha Hospital. The crowd here was even larger, with many patients entering and exiting accompanied by their families, and the air was filled with the pleasant scent of disinfectant.

Houka entered the hospital, asked for the location of Yakushi Nonō's office, and went to find her.

Now that the Second Shinobi World War had just ended, the medical ninjas of Konoha were much less busy, so when Houka arrived, Yakushi Nonō happened to be sitting at her desk, deep in thought.

"Sister Nonō." Houka knocked on the door, a shy flush appearing on his youthful face.

In both his past and present lives, this was the first time Houka had ever gone to someone's house to borrow money.

"Hmm?" Yakushi Nonō looked up, startled, and then a gentle smile appeared on her face. "It's Houka. What's the matter? Are you here to pay back the money?"

Houka rubbed his hands together in embarrassment and said, "Sister Nonō, you guessed wrong. Guess again."

"..." Yakushi Nonō blinked, then said with a wry smile, "Could it be that you're here to borrow money?"

"Sister Nonō is truly brilliant." Houka complimented her.

Yakushi Nonō shook her head and laughed bitterly: "Yes, yes, you little brat, really!"

Seeing that she didn't look angry, Houka immediately pressed his advantage: "Sister Nonō, you're a medical ninja; could you teach me medical ninjutsu?"

"You want to learn medical ninjutsu?" Yakushi Nonō asked curiously. "You're only six years old; why do you want to learn that?"

"That way, if I get hurt, I can treat myself and won't have to come to the hospital." Houka said earnestly. This was seventy percent true and thirty percent false, but given his age of six, it sounded like the absolute truth to Yakushi Nonō.

"Wanting to learn medical ninjutsu is no simple matter. Your Chakra must reach a certain standard, and you must be able to control it precisely; these are the two prerequisites. Of course, if you lack talent, even if you meet these two conditions, you won't be able to learn it." Yakushi Nonō smiled. "Are you sure you want to learn?"

"Yes, I want to learn!" Houka nodded seriously.

"Alright, then let me test your Chakra levels." Yakushi Nonō walked over to Houka and placed a hand on his shoulder.

In an instant, Houka felt a clear stream flow from her gentle hand, circulating through his meridians once before departing.

Yakushi Nonō's eyes widened slightly: "Not bad, Houka. Your Chakra level has barely reached the standard."

Considering this child was only six, his training must have been very hard. Yakushi Nonō patted Houka's head and then tested his Chakra control ability.

"Have you learned to walk on trees and tread on water yet?"

"Of course, I learned that a long time ago!" Houka patted his chest, trying his best to act more like Uchiha Obito; after all, a six-year-old child couldn't appear too mature.

"Then, try walking up this wall."

Naturally, there were no trees in the office for Houka to climb, but the wall would do.

Houka walked up to a wall, took a deep breath, and instantly covered his soles with Chakra before walking up step by step. His body was horizontal to the ground, as if he had escaped the pull of gravity.

Yakushi Nonō's eyes brightened slightly, and she nodded: "Alright, Houka, come down. Your Chakra control ability is also up to standard."

"So, can I learn medical ninjutsu now?" Houka jumped down and asked excitedly.

"That remains to be seen, depending on whether you have the talent for it!" Yakushi Nonō smiled.

Although she was part of Konoha's Root and a subordinate of Danzo, she had no orders prohibiting her from teaching medical ninjutsu to others. Plus, she liked children and had no direct grudge against the Uchiha clan, so she was not opposed to teaching Houka.

"Channel your Chakra into your right hand, like this." Yakushi Nonō's right hand gathered Chakra, emitting a pale blue light that was quite beautiful.

Houka followed suit, controlling the Chakra in his body to surge into his right hand. Soon, his right hand began to glow as well.

"Medical ninjutsu is a type of ninjutsu that stimulates cells with Chakra to heal wounds on a patient. Through changes in form, it can also be used for detoxification or even attack."

Yakushi Nonō explained the basics of medical ninjutsu while observing the glow of Chakra on Houka's right hand, her eyes shining slightly.

Medical ninjutsu also places great importance on stamina.

Just like a surgeon at an operating table, if you get exhausted after standing for half an hour, you wouldn't even have the chance to hold a scalpel!

It is the same for medical ninjas; the Chakra glow on Houka's right hand lasted for ten minutes before Yakushi Nonō smiled and told him to stop.

At this moment, Houka's face was deathly pale. Continuously outputting Chakra while precisely controlling it in his right hand to prevent leakage was a major test for him, but fortunately, it seemed he had passed.

"Congratulations, Houka, you have passed the first round of testing," Yakushi Nonō said with a gentle smile.

"Sigh, that was only the first round?!" Houka was truly on the verge of tears.

What happened to the gentle, kind, virtuous, considerate, enthusiastic, generous, and understanding big sister persona he was promised?