The Third Hokage's Arrangements

Soon, afternoon came.

After entering the Hokage Office Building, Yu followed an Anbu Ninja to the door of the Hokage's office.

"Come in."

A steady voice came from inside.

"Lord Hokage, Yakushi Hane is here."

After entering, the Anbu Ninja knelt on one knee and bowed.

"Thanks for your effort. You may leave."

The Third Hokage spoke to the Anbu Ninja standing before his desk.

Then he turned his gaze to Yu and smiled kindly. "Yu, you're here."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Feeling the Third Hokage's gaze on him, Yu stepped forward and bowed. As he did, he glanced around the spacious office and noticed Shisui was there too.

"Yu."

When Yu walked in, Shisui greeted him as well.

"Shisui, you can head back for now. I want to speak with Yu alone."

Seeing Yu arrive, the Third Hokage told Shisui to leave first, then added a reminder. "Remember to report to the Anbu tomorrow."

"Yes, Lord Hokage. I'll head back now."

At the Third Hokage's words, Shisui bowed and left the office.

But as he passed Yu, he gave him a meaningful look.

Anbu... As expected, the Third Hokage had assigned Shisui to the Anbu... Watching Shisui leave the office, Yu thought to himself.

"May I ask why you called me here today, Lord Hokage?"

After Shisui left, only Yu and the Third Hokage remained in the office.

As the Third Hokage studied him, Yu quietly studied the older man in turn.

Unlike yesterday's graduation exam, the Third Hokage was wearing an old-fashioned suit of shinobi armor today, since they were at war.

Although he was only fifty-four this year, his hair and beard had already turned white, making him look much older than Danzo, who was the same age.

If not for the powerful aura he unconsciously gave off and the occasional glint in his cloudy eyes, the Third Hokage would have looked no different from an ordinary, kindly old man.

"Sorry, I was just reminiscing..."

"Seeing the village raise a talented shinobi like you makes me very happy."

Noticing that his gaze seemed to make Yu uncomfortable, the Third Hokage smiled warmly and lifted the pipe in his hand to his mouth.

"I called you here today because I wanted to ask your opinion..."

"Would you be willing to accept the Hokage's orders and join the Konoha Medical Corps?"

"The Medical Corps?"

Yu was stunned.

He had originally thought the Third Hokage would assign him to the Anbu, directly under the Hokage, just as he had Shisui.

But he hadn't expected the Third Hokage to plan to assign him to the Konoha Medical Corps instead.

"I took the time to look through your records..."

"You were adopted by Yakushi Nonō, the former captain of the medical unit."

Noticing the surprise on Yu's face, the Third Hokage looked at him and explained.

"I also saw your exceptional Medical Ninjutsu yesterday. The Konoha Medical Corps is seriously short-handed right now..."

"That's why I made this arrangement. Do you agree?"

"I agree."

Once he'd recovered from his surprise, Yu nodded without the slightest hesitation.

The most important thing was to train hard and grow stronger. Yu didn't particularly care which department he was assigned to.

Besides, the Third Shinobi World War was now at its fiercest.

Konoha had just defeated the Sand Ninja of the Land of Wind, only to be ambushed by the Rock Ninja of the Land of Earth.

The Mist Ninja of the Land of Water were also stirring on the front lines, waiting for a chance to claim their share of the spoils.

Just as Minato Namikaze had said in the original story, Konoha had never been so short on fighting strength.

Yu often treated injured shinobi from the village for pay, so he understood the situation well.

Konoha's medical ninja were in short supply. Every day, large numbers of injured shinobi from the front lines were sent back to the village for treatment.

And since Yu happened to possess Medical Ninjutsu that surpassed everyone else's, it made perfect sense that both the Third Hokage and Danzo had their eyes on him.

"Hmm..."

Seeing Yu agree without a moment's hesitation, the Third Hokage nodded in satisfaction, his gaze growing gentler. Then he changed the subject. "Besides your Medical Ninjutsu, I also know you have astonishing talent in ninjutsu and combat..."

"So, to make up for the shortfall in your ninjutsu training after you join the Medical Corps..."

The Third Hokage paused, then gestured toward the many ninjutsu scrolls displayed on the bookshelves around the office.

"I can promise you... you'll have access to every ninjutsu scroll here."

"And whenever you have time, you can also come to me privately for guidance."

That generous?!

Hearing what the Third Hokage said, Yu looked up in surprise from before the desk.

The Third Hokage was being so generous to him. Not only was he giving Yu access to every ninjutsu scroll in the Hokage's office, but he was also allowing him to ask for private guidance.

He hadn't expected that agreeing to join the Medical Corps would bring him such a huge bonus.

Who was the Third Hokage?

He was the Shinobi Hero, hailed in the Ninja World as the "God of Ninjutsu" and the "Professor of Ninjutsu."

He had not only trained legendary shinobi like the Konoha Sannin, who had shaken the Ninja World, but had also mastered every major type of ninjutsu, including all five elemental transformations.

With the Third Hokage guiding his training, combined with Yu's exceptional talent for ninjutsu, his strength would undoubtedly improve by leaps and bounds.

"Then... thank you, Lord Hokage!"

Looking at the old man who had devoted himself to Konoha, Yu suddenly found himself feeling a little moved.

Whatever people outside said about the Third Hokage, whether they called him kind and tolerant or indecisive...

One thing could not be denied: he treated every shinobi in Konoha as his own child.

Even Orochimaru, who in the original story had completely gone down a path opposed to his own, was someone the Third Hokage couldn't bring himself to kill.

Perhaps, as a shinobi and a politician, the Third Hokage had failed.

But as a kind man and a teacher, he had undoubtedly succeeded.

"Your talent and strength are the best I've ever seen."

"Even Orochimaru was nowhere near your level at your age."

After giving Yu a long, sharp look, the Third Hokage reached for the white Hokage cloak beside him and draped it over his shoulders.

"Come on, we still have some time..."

"I'll take you to see the Medical Corps!"

After saying that, the Third Hokage led Yu out of the Hokage Office Building.

Every shinobi they passed bowed to them, casting curious glances at the white-haired boy walking beside Lord Hokage.

"We're here. The Ninja Hospital is just ahead."

The Third Hokage led them around the Hokage Office Building and down several roads. Soon, they arrived in front of a white building.

"Come in with me."

Before they even entered the Ninja Hospital, Yu had already seen many injured people lying haphazardly along the way.

Following the Third Hokage, they finally reached a hall with a sign that read "Konoha Medical Corps."