The Actor's Self-Cultivation

The next day at noon.

Akashi ate his fill and arrived at the hospital, feeling refreshed and energetic.

He had played a small trick on Shinnō last night, letting him get a taste of the treachery in Konoha. In reality, Akashi never intended to pay; with research funding so tight, there was no room for public-funded wining and dining—every single cent had to be saved.

The only regret was that because of Shinnō, his plan to give Guy a physical examination had been interrupted.

Today was Shinnō's first day on the job.

The hospital was packed. People were lined up from the examination rooms all the way out the door, and many who had taken a number were left standing to the side, having found no seats.

It wasn't just patients; there were many medical ninja as well.

Akashi never expected to be blocked at the entrance. Seeing a group of people huddled together, he couldn't help but ask out of curiosity, "What's going on? Why are there so many people today?"

A nameless chunin nearby replied, "They're all here to see the doctor. The new doctor, Shinnō, is holding consultations. I heard his medical skills are superb; he's easily resolved many difficult and miscellaneous illnesses."

"That's right, that's right. He's very professional in herbal conditioning and surgery, and his research on toxins is also very profound."

"He's even going to hold a lecture at the hospital in a while. Ever since Lady Tsunade left the village, we haven't had such an expert in medical arts. I reckon he's the most authoritative figure in the medical field right now."

Mentioning Shinnō brought forth nothing but praise and discussion.

This was only his first official day, right?

Akashi couldn't help but raise his opinion of this guy a notch. To win such massive support in such a short time, he certainly had some real talent.

His heart stirred slightly. "When does Dr. Shinnō's lecture start?"

"What, you want to go listen too?" a medical ninja teased.

Akashi nodded.

"It starts promptly at eight o'clock in the evening. Dr. Shinnō said he has to treat patients during the day and can't waste time. He's so dedicated; I want to become a doctor like him too."

"Indeed, we are currently short-handed. It's truly fortunate to have met Dr. Shinnō."

He hadn't expected to trigger another wave of praise unintentionally.

Regardless of whether he was sincere or putting on an act, his medical skills were undeniably real. Taking Hyuga Shingetsu to listen should be beneficial, and it would be a good chance to probe the guy's bottom line.

Besides, didn't Shinnō also develop a Body Activation Secret Technique?

If he could be kidnapped and handed over to Orochimaru for research, that would be even better.

A bold idea suddenly popped into Akashi's mind.

Kidnap him!

If he picked the right moment, it might actually be feasible.

Akashi immediately explained to Orochimaru that he had found precious experimental material and needed two admission passes for the evening lecture. Less than half an hour later, Orochimaru handed the special invitations to Akashi.

Seven-thirty in the evening.

Walking into the medical department's lecture hall, Akashi was surprised to find it already crowded, with even the current head of the medical department, Nanase Oren, in attendance.

She was here to listen to Shinnō's lecture too?

As a medical ninja, her profession was actually quite different from that of a regular doctor. Using ninjutsu was more convenient for emergency treatment; after all, medical ninjutsu was originally developed to ensure combat effectiveness during battle. But medical arts were different—they included daily conditioning, health maintenance, and self-care.

Therefore, many ninja who suffered severe injuries on the front lines still needed to return to Konoha to recuperate.

Shingetsu looked around. "Why did you bring me here?"

"This is a great opportunity." Akashi glanced at Shingetsu. "I have always believed that the use of the Byakugan shouldn't be limited to the Gentle Fist; it has great potential when applied to medical ninjutsu."

Not limited to the Gentle Fist?

Another new theory had emerged.

Shingetsu felt she was already accustomed to his endless stream of unconventional theories. She said, "So you think I should become a medical ninja?"

Akashi smiled. "Not entirely. In any case, you will gradually discover a broader world."

"I understand."

In Shingetsu's eyes, Akashi was already an authority. Although he was similar in age to her, his vision went even further than the elders in her clan. Sometimes she didn't even know if the soul hidden inside this shell was truly from this world.

Following him, just how far could she go?

She felt a strange sense of anticipation.

After settling Shingetsu, Akashi looked toward the podium where Shinnō was mingling with the crowd, and walked over with a smile.

"Hello, Dr. Shinnō!"

"Oh, it's you. Are you a medical ninja too?" Shinnō probed. For some reason, he felt a bit apprehensive whenever he saw Akashi now.

Akashi said honestly, "No, but I am very interested in medical ninjutsu, and you are a well-deserved expert. I must learn a lot from you. Also, thank you for your hospitality yesterday; I should have been the one to treat you."

It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned that. At the mere mention of it, Shinnō felt a belly full of suppressed anger.

He swallowed his grievances and forced a smile. "It's nothing, ha-ha-ha. Just a small amount of money, a small amount. But children really shouldn't touch alcohol."

Akashi said very shyly, "I can only drink a tiny bit; I can't have too much."

A tiny bit? What kind of misunderstanding do you have about that quantity?

Shinnō did not want to continue speaking with Akashi, so he let out two dry laughs and stepped onto the podium.

Today's focus was primarily on the analysis of practical medical applications from various nations, even touching upon knowledge regarding surgical procedures.

Akashi had little interest in this.

He mainly observed Shinnō's performance; the old man's talent for disguise was truly excellent. His accent, tone, demeanor, and gestures all fit the persona perfectly, allowing him to integrate into the village in almost no time, even occasionally cracking a few Konoha-style jokes.

If he couldn't make it as a doctor, he would have a bright future as an actor.

Applause rang out repeatedly from the audience.

Shingetsu, who had been completely bewildered at the start, found herself developing a sliver of interest in medical ninjutsu as she listened.

?

A week passed in a flash.

Shinnō was kept very busy with his daily clinical work and was equally dedicated to his teaching; he was almost never seen taking a break.

He had practically fully immersed himself in his fake identity; anyone who didn't know better would think he was a native-born Konoha citizen.

However, after dinner, Shinnō always liked to go out for a stroll.

From the top floor of the research institute, Akashi could see his leisurely figure exiting the hospital gates and heading toward the streets, and he had sent shadow clones to follow him several times.

Shinnō's walking routes were not fixed; sometimes he followed the Konoha River, and other times he went along the Central Thoroughfare.

Yet, no matter how he changed his route, there was one place he always visited.

The Konoha library.

That was it; the old fox was finally showing his tail.

He had begun scouting, repeatedly confirming the routes. He had likely mapped out every street and alley in Konoha, and thanks to the positive image he had cultivated, the residents all treated him as a good man, with enthusiastic greetings being the bare minimum.

At this stage, he was not far from making his move.

Akashi gradually locked onto his schedule and made a series of preparations.

The next day, Shinnō indeed headed toward his destination once more, lingering by the roadside for a long time and pretending to look around casually, as if he were about to act.

Akashi, who had been observing from the shadows, quickly followed.