The Actor's Self-Cultivation

The next day at noon. → Google Search Reading

Akashi arrived at the hospital after a hearty meal, full of energy.

He'd given Shinnō a bit of a hard time last night, letting him see just how treacherous Konoha could be. In fact, Akashi had never intended to pay. The research budget was already tight—there was no room for public funds to be spent on food and drink. Every last coin had to be saved.

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

Today was Shinnō's first day on the job.

The hospital was packed. The line stretched from the examination rooms all the way outside, and many people who had taken numbers were left standing because there weren't enough seats.

There were plenty of medical ninjas, too, not just patients.

Akashi never expected to find himself blocked at the entrance. Seeing several people gathered together, he couldn't help asking curiously, "What's going on? Why are there so many people today?"

A Chunin whose name he didn't know replied, "They're all here to see the doctor. The new physician, Shinnō, is seeing patients today. I heard his medical skills are incredible. He's easily treated all sorts of difficult and unusual cases."

"That's right. He's an expert at herbal remedies and surgery, and he's also done extensive research on poisons."

"He's even giving a lecture at the hospital later. There hasn't been a medical expert like him since Lady Tsunade left the village. I'd say he's probably the most authoritative figure in the medical field right now."

Everyone was discussing and praising Shinnō.

And this was only his first official day at work, wasn't it?

Akashi couldn't help raising his estimation of the man. It took real ability to win so much support in such a short time.

A thought stirred in his mind. "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 tonight. Dr. Shinnō said he had to spend the daytime treating patients and saving lives, so he couldn't afford to waste any time. He's just so dedicated. I want to become a doctor like him!"

"Exactly. We're short-staffed right now. We're lucky to have Dr. Shinnō."

His casual question had sparked another round of praise.

Whether Shinnō was sincere or not, there was no denying his medical skills. It would probably do Shingetsu good to attend the lecture—and give Akashi a chance to sound the man out.

Wasn't Shinnō also developing a Body Activation Secret Technique?

It'd be even better if Akashi could bring him back and have Orochimaru study the technique.

A bold idea suddenly came to him.

Kidnap him!

If he picked the right moment, it might actually work.

Akashi immediately told Orochimaru he'd found valuable experimental material and needed two invitations to the evening lecture. In less than half an hour, Orochimaru had placed the special invitations in his hands.

At seven thirty that evening, Akashi entered a classroom in the Medical Department and was surprised to find it already packed. Even Nanase Oren, the current head of the Medical Department, was there.

She'd come to listen to Shinnō, too?

Medical ninjas and ordinary doctors had very different areas of expertise. Ninjutsu was more convenient for emergency treatment, after all. Medical Ninjutsu had originally been developed to preserve fighting strength on the battlefield. Medicine, however, also included daily care, health maintenance, and other such topics.

That was why so many ninjas who suffered serious injuries on the front lines still had to return to Konoha to recuperate.

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

"This is a great opportunity." Akashi looked at Shingetsu. "I've always thought the Byakugan shouldn't be limited to the Gentle Fist. It has a lot of potential in Medical Ninjutsu."

Not limited to the Gentle Fist?

Another new theory.

Shingetsu felt she was getting used to his endless stream of odd ideas. "So you think I should become a medical ninja?"

Akashi smiled. "Not exactly. Anyway, you'll gradually discover a much broader world."

"I understand."

In Shingetsu's eyes, Akashi was already an authority. They were about the same age, but he saw farther than even the elders in her clan. Sometimes, she couldn't help wondering whether the soul hidden inside this body even belonged to this world.

Just how far could she go by following him?

She found herself looking forward to it.

After settling Shingetsu in, Akashi turned toward Shinnō, who was chatting animatedly with the crowd beside the lectern. Smiling, he walked over.

"Good evening, Dr. Shinnō!"

"Oh, it's you. Are you a medical ninja?" Shinnō asked cautiously. For some reason, Akashi made him feel a little uneasy now.

Akashi answered with an honest, unassuming look. "No, but I'm very interested in Medical Ninjutsu. You're an undisputed expert, so I have to learn from you. And thank you for treating me yesterday. I should've paid for the meal."

If only he hadn't brought that up. Shinnō's heart was already full of pent-up frustration.

He swallowed his grievance and forced a laugh. "It's fine, haha. It was just a little money, nothing much. But children shouldn't drink alcohol."

Akashi replied shyly, "I can only drink a little. I can't have too much."

A little? What did he consider a little?

Shinnō didn't want to talk to Akashi anymore. He gave a dry laugh and went up to the lectern.

Today's lecture focused on the practical applications of medical techniques from various countries, and even included material on surgery.

Akashi wasn't very interested in that.

He mainly watched Shinnō. The old fox's disguise was superb. His accent, tone, mannerisms, and movements all fit his role perfectly. He'd blended into the village in almost no time and could even tell the occasional Konoha joke.

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

The audience applauded again and again.

Shingetsu had been completely lost at first, but as she listened, she began to feel a faint interest in Medical Ninjutsu.

?

A week passed in a flash.

Shinnō was busy treating patients every day and put a great deal of effort into teaching. It was rare to see him take a break.

He'd practically become the person he was pretending to be. Anyone would've thought he was a native of Konoha.

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

From the top floor of the research institute, Akashi could see him leaving the hospital at a leisurely pace and heading into the streets. Akashi sent Shadow Clones to follow him several times.

Shinnō didn't stick to a set walking route. Sometimes he followed the Konoha River; other times, he went along the Central Thoroughfare.

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

Konoha's library.

There it is. The old fox had finally shown his tail.

He'd started scouting the area, repeatedly checking the routes. He'd probably already mapped out every street and alley in Konoha. And thanks to the good reputation he'd built, the residents all thought he was a good person. A warm greeting whenever they met was the bare minimum.

At this point, it wouldn't be long before he made his move.

Akashi gradually pinned down his schedule and made all the necessary preparations.

The next day, Shinnō once again slipped away to his destination. He lingered by the roadside for a long time, pretending to glance around casually, as if he were about to act.

Akashi, who had been watching him in secret, quickly followed.