Shennong (Part 2)

Starting from the second day, Ye Wuji temporarily set aside other training to begin learning medicine from Shennong. It was only then that Ye Wuji truly understood the distinction between medical ninjutsu and other arts. Most medical ninjutsu are non-elemental; it is rare for anyone to incorporate elemental properties into them. As for whether anyone could actually infuse elemental chakra into medical ninjutsu, Shennong did not know, though he certainly could not do it himself.

During this period of study, Ye Wuji learned that very little of the medical curriculum was actually about treating illnesses. The vast majority of it was focused on treating injuries—external wounds, internal trauma, and most importantly, fractures.

At first, Ye Wuji focused primarily on medicinal herbs: which ones treated illnesses, which were for injuries, which stopped bleeding, and others for strengthening the body, detoxifying, or replenishing chakra.

From this, Ye Wuji realized that there were no "ordinary" doctors in the Naruto World. Basically, anyone who knew a bit of medicine was considered a medical ninja. This was likely because the general health of people in this world was quite high; usually, they only suffered from minor colds or fevers, which they either fought off themselves or treated with simple herbs they knew how to find.

In short, the medical arts here were used almost exclusively for treating wounds and neutralizing poisons.

Once Ye Wuji could identify various herbs, Shennong gave him several books. These texts focused on the various parts of the human body. While Ye Wuji had already learned some of this from Fu, she had not taught him the deeper aspects: the complex relationships between nerves, cells, muscles, and bones.

Although Ye Wuji had not received much formal education in his past life, he still possessed some basic biological knowledge. Judging by Shennong's books, however, the research into the human body in this world was quite advanced—and that was not even counting the methods used by ninjas, but purely from a theoretical standpoint.

It was no wonder that research into cells was so advanced in this world; after all, chakra required cells to generate energy.

Aside from external injuries, most other bodily trauma involved internal damage, which required a practitioner to master the knowledge of meridians, nerves, and cells within the human body.

After studying for a while, Ye Wuji discovered that the medical arts of this world seemed to be a fusion of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western medicine. The "look, listen, ask, and feel" diagnostic methods of Chinese medicine played a major role here. The first three were identical, but the biggest difference lay in the "feel." While traditional doctors used their fingers to sense the pulse, here, one used their own chakra to sense the patient's physical condition. Only by understanding the patient's body could one determine the appropriate treatment.

From this perspective, the Hyuga Clan's Kekkei Genkai was the most suitable for medical ninjas, as they could see through a person's meridians. Yet, it seemed the Hyuga Clan didn't have a single medical ninja. It was hard to fathom what that family was thinking—did they consider medical ninjutsu to be beneath them? Then again, perhaps they were right; unless one's medical ninjutsu reached the level of Tsunade, it didn't seem very useful, and reaching that level was certainly not something one could achieve with just a Byakugan.

Ye Wuji focused primarily on knowledge regarding the body and detoxification, planning for his future. A month passed in this manner. Shennong called Ye Wuji to his side and said, "I have seen your efforts this past month. It seems you truly have an interest in medicine, and I have discovered that your chakra control is quite strong, making you well-suited to be a doctor. You have passed the first stage; now comes the second: practical application. Rest today. Starting tomorrow, I will take you out in the morning to gather herbs, and in the afternoon, you will begin treatments, starting with animals. Go back and prepare; we will be gathering herbs in the morning, and if we go far, we might stay out overnight."

"Understood, I will go back and prepare."

From the next day on, Ye Wuji followed Shennong, spending most of his time outside the Land of Waterfalls, studying the properties of herbs and treating injured animals in the forest. Another month passed. By now, Ye Wuji could use chakra to treat minor external wounds. He still could not treat internal injuries because he could not use his own chakra to perceive the patient's body—if he had a Byakugan, it would be much easier.

Shennong brought Ye Wuji back to Ukyo's house in the Land of Waterfalls and told him to go rest, while he went to find Ukyo and Kei. "The Daimyo's toxins have been completely cleared. There is nothing left for me to do here, so I plan to leave tomorrow. I will leave that boy in your care."

"Why leave at such a time? The New Year is only half a month away. Why not stay and celebrate before heading out?" Ukyo asked.

"Haha, I would love to stay, but although the war at the front has ceased, the nations are still negotiating for their own interests, and the atmosphere is becoming increasingly tense. I fear war may break out again," Shennong said with a tone of compassion for the world. "Even if it doesn't, the nations have no time to care for the civilians injured during the war. I want to get there early to do my small part."

"I see. In that case, I won't hold you back. I wonder how Ye has been doing under your tutelage?" Hearing Shennong's explanation, Ukyo could no longer persuade him to stay and turned the conversation to Ye Wuji.

"Speaking of him, I must thank you both. If I weren't in such a rush to get there, and if he weren't so young, I would truly want to take him with me. This boy learns incredibly fast, but more importantly, his fine control over chakra is simply too strong. By the time he grows up, I might not even be his match. His future achievements should surpass mine," Shennong said, his face beaming at the mention of Ye Wuji.

"Is that so? It seems it was the right decision to let him study with you. If he had studied swordsmanship with me, I fear his talent would have been wasted," Ukyo said, stunned by the high praise.

"Shennong, you shouldn't praise him too much. He is still young, after all," Kei added from the side.

"This isn't praise; it's the truth. Although he is young, he has ideas that even I hadn't considered, some of which have been very useful to me. He has only just touched upon this knowledge; once he becomes familiar with it, who knows? He might even spark a revolution in the medical arts. When he grows up, even if he doesn't come looking for me, I will come looking for him. If such a good apprentice were to run off, wouldn't I be the one losing out? Besides, if he really does bring about such a major change in medicine, I, as his teacher, will be famous throughout the world, hahaha!" Shennong finished with a hearty laugh.

"In that case, Mr. Shennong, please continue to stay here today. We will hold a farewell party for you this evening," Kei suggested.

"That's a good idea. I will also go inform the Daimyo. Since you saved the Daimyo's life, I believe he would want to come as well," Ukyo added.

"There is no need for that. If we are to have a farewell, let it just be the people here. Don't call anyone else; too many people is not ideal. Besides, the Daimyo is so busy, it is best not to disturb him. Oh, and please convey my regards to the Daimyo, Mr. Ukyo. If there is an opportunity in the future, we shall meet again," Shennong said, stopping Ukyo from calling the Daimyo.

"How can that be? Even if the Daimyo is busy, he can spare a little time," Ukyo insisted.

"Really, there is no need. If the Daimyo comes, more people will follow, and it will be too much trouble. I think it is better not to," Shennong maintained.

"Then how about this: tonight, just our family will accompany you, Mr. Shennong. I hope you don't mind. Why don't you go rest for now? You have worked hard for Ye's sake. We will call you when everything is ready," Kei suggested, seeing the two men arguing.

"That works." Hearing Kei's arrangement, Ukyo and Shennong both thought it over and agreed.

"Then I will go make the arrangements. Please, make yourselves at home," Kei said before leaving.

"Then I will see you later, Mr. Shennong," Ukyo said, also departing.

"See you later," Shennong replied.

The food that evening was indeed very sumptuous, which surprised not only Ye Wuji but also Rei and Yuta. It was only after Kei explained the reason that everyone realized it was a farewell dinner for Shennong.

"I see. Is Ye going with him?" Rei asked. Because Ye Wuji had been studying with Shennong for the past two months, everyone knew he was practically Shennong's apprentice.

"That won't be happening. Ye is still young, and Mr. Shennong said he would come back to take Ye as his formal apprentice when he is older, so Ye will be staying behind," Kei explained.

"Ah, is Mr. Shennong leaving tomorrow?" Ye Wuji asked. He hadn't expected Shennong to leave so soon. Over the past two months, Ye Wuji had learned a lot, but for some reason, although Shennong had taught him many things, he hadn't taught him a single medical ninjutsu. Ye Wuji hadn't felt it was his place to ask him to teach him any.

However, Shennong had not held back on the basic knowledge of medicine. Although Ye Wuji didn't have a deep understanding of the field, he had learned quite a bit from his time in the Naruto World.

Ye Wuji watched Shennong chatting with Ukyo. To be honest, Shennong had truly taught him with all his heart over the past two months, but that did not change the fact that Shennong was a villain.

"Mr. Shennong, are you leaving?" Ye Wuji stepped forward to ask.

"Yes. I originally wanted to take you with me, but that is not possible now. However, you must not slack off just because I am not by your side. I will prepare some things for you tonight. You must study diligently after I leave. When I return, I will test you. If you meet my requirements, I will take you as my apprentice," Shennong said with a smile.

"I understand. Thank you, Mr. Shennong." After saying this, Ye Wuji hurried out of the hall, leaving everyone in the room stunned.

Seeing this, Uncle Ken stood up and chased after him.

A while later, Uncle Ken returned and said, "That boy seems unable to accept the fact that Shennong is leaving; he's crying in his room."

"I see." The people in the hall breathed a sigh of relief.

"Don't worry about him. Mr. Shennong, children are like that; he will be fine by tomorrow," Kei said first. "Everyone, please, continue."