24, Encrypted Call

Apart from the three guard squads, the main members of the expedition were all medical staff from the hospital.

Needless to say, the old Director Chosokabe Masayuki was commanding from the center...

The hospital's new-generation backbone, Usami Hanbei, had also joined the support team, along with other young doctors eager to make a name for themselves.

Since the Uchiha Fugaku incident, the hospital leadership, with Director Chosokabe at its core, had been openly ostracizing Soji.

As a result, the boy's identity had become closely tied to the new generation, and he got along with quite a few of the young doctors in the group.

But when it came to someone like Deputy Director Usami, a leader of the hawks, it was usually hard for an intern like him to find an opportunity to get closer. In that respect, the Field Hospital construction assignment had given Soji a chance.

Of course, with the outside situation so tense, he couldn't rely on the awkward small talk he might have used in peacetime to strike up a conversation during the mission.

So, after a little observation, Soji decided to make good use of his unusual position as both guard and physician. He took the task of coordinating the camp arrangements from his teacher Motochika.

That way, he had the chance to speak with Doctor Usami about work during the march!

And using that as a starting point, he slipped in a few personal remarks and successfully got past the hardest part: breaking the ice.

Over the next few days, the boy went from being just another passerby whom the other man thought had potential to an ordinary friend he could greet with a smile whenever they met!

This meant that, aside from Director Inoue, whose connection couldn't be brought into the open, Soji had finally made his first contact in the hospital's network who could just about be considered a major figure in the upper ranks.

In the long run, this was undoubtedly a milestone for the boy's plans for his own future!

"Doctor Usami, I'll have to trouble you again today."

"Not at all, Yamada-kun. You have to keep the whole squad safe during the day, and after we make camp, you're responsible for coordinating everyone's accommodations and the storage of the equipment. You're the one working hard here."

As the sun sank in the west, its brilliant afterglow fell upon Usami Hanbei, adding an extra aura to the already handsome, fresh-faced man.

From Soji's perspective, the rosy filter of that dazzling light suited Doctor Usami's personality particularly well.

—He was a classic hawkish up-and-comer whose appearance was highly deceptive.

His strong ambition had shaped him into someone who was strict with himself and equally demanding of others.

So when Doctor Usami offered the usual courtesies, Soji couldn't just laugh them off as he might with his teacher Motochika. Instead, he dutifully wasted his breath repeating the same sort of polite exchange they had every day.

"Guard duty is part of the mission, and coordinating accommodations is my responsibility as a support physician. Since the old director went out of his way to select me, how could I, as a junior member of the team, let down the trust our seniors have placed in me?" The boy put extra emphasis on "trust," making his meaning clear.

"I see. It seems we have quite a lot in common after all."

Doctor Usami lowered his eyes slightly and gave him a warm but restrained smile.

...As someone who had risen to the position of deputy director so early, in an era of such fierce conflict between the old and new factions, Hanbei's intelligence was beyond question.

He had picked up on the meaning behind Soji's words, and greatly appreciated the boy's way of speaking—gentle but firm, and careful not to leave anything that could be used against him.

With the goodwill that had built up over the past few days, Doctor Usami finally handed over the accommodation roster and took the opportunity to extend a subtle invitation to Soji. "It's been a pleasure working alongside you on this operation, Yamada-kun. But the ninja and medical systems inevitably clash. I can't help feeling that it's a shame we'll probably have little chance to work together once we return to the village."

(I admire your abilities, but we work in different departments and have little room to collaborate. If you're interested, you could transfer to my team.)

"I feel the same way, actually." Soji quickened his pace, moving to the other man's side, then slowed down and let himself fall just behind Doctor Usami. "I've truly enjoyed my time with my colleagues at Konoha Hospital, and on a personal level, I can't bring myself to leave the patients who still need treatment.

"But I'm a recent graduate of the Ninja Academy, after all, and the situation is growing tense. If I asked all my senior colleagues to appeal to the Hokage on my behalf, I'd only hand my enemies ammunition. That wouldn't be the right thing for a hero to do."

(I appreciate your concern, sir. But my background means I have to fulfill my duties as a ninja. Besides, with war looming, using connections to get me out of this assignment could earn me a deserter's label and give the Conservative Faction material to attack us with.)

"You're right, Yamada-kun. I didn't think it through."

Doctor Usami raised an eyebrow.

Though Soji had turned down his proposal, every word the boy had said was in consideration of him as deputy director. Rather than getting angry, Hanbei thought even more highly of Soji.

"Luckily, you're still young, with an unlimited future ahead of you. Even if you don't become a renowned physician who saves lives, I think you have every chance of making your own way in the world of ninjas."

(There's plenty of room to make your mark. We can support each other and help each other succeed. Once you've made a name for yourself, we'll have opportunities to work together.)

"You flatter me. As I see it, the roles of ninja and doctor don't actually conflict. The mythical age of Lord Hashirama's generation is over. For ordinary people who could be wounded and bleeding at any moment, medical ninja will become increasingly valuable in future conflicts."

(We don't need to wait for the future. With war looming, the villages will fight more fiercely without the deterrent of superweapons. Konoha Hospital won't be limited to treating patients in the rear; it will inevitably become more closely integrated with the entire ninja system.)

Soji deliberately slowed his speech, making sure every word reached the other man clearly while leaving him plenty of room to think.

Only after gathering enough information from Doctor Usami's subtle expressions did the boy continue, spelling out the answer. "I imagine Director Chosokabe and the others saved countless warriors who bled and sacrificed themselves for the village in battle after battle. As their successors, we should carry on their will and write a page in history worthy of those who came before us!"

(The old director and the other conservatives owe their power to the achievements they earned in the last war. Likewise, if the new generation seizes the opportunities this conflict brings, we can rise through our own military accomplishments!)

"Ha, Soji-kun, it feels as if we've known each other for ages," Hanbei said, smoothly changing the way he addressed him.

"I feel the same way! I hope I can learn from you in our future collaborations, Director Usami." Soji immediately followed suit, dropping the awkward "Deputy."

The two exchanged smiles, their false sincerity somehow touching...

Meanwhile, over in the camp's unloading area, a certain male medic had been quietly watching the whole scene.

He wore a light blue surgical mask, and even his hair was hidden beneath a surgical cap. Standing among the doctors, he had no distinguishing features whatsoever.

...Only the strange way he seemed to slowly dissolve into the shadows hinted at his identity.