Strong Reinforcements Arrive

After taking Dan Katō to the Medical Station, Riyue returned to his lodgings. What a difficult day it had been. That morning, when Riyue heard that Dan Katō had gone to the battlefield with Tsunade, he'd had a bad feeling. Originally, Dan had gone to the front with Tsunade, suffered serious injuries, and died. Could the same thing happen this time?

Perhaps Riyue's arrival had interfered with how events were supposed to unfold, but there were some things he couldn't change—not yet, anyway. So when Tsunade and the others set out, Riyue deliberately went to take a look. There were only a few of them, but they were all elite Jonin. Riyue had a bad feeling, so he decided to follow them with his other water detector.

Of course, these well-trained elite Jonin soon shook him off, concealing their tracks as they went. But Riyue found an underground river and guessed they were following it, so he decided to do the same. In the end, he found extensive signs of fierce fighting near an oasis. A number of Hidden Sand shinobi were searching the area in a wide sweep, and heavy rain was falling from the sky.

Riyue thought, This is bad. Just as he'd feared, something had happened. Was Dan still going to die in the woods? Riyue activated his Byakugan and searched frantically through the trees for signs of Tsunade and the others. At last, he found some traces of blood that hadn't yet been washed away by the rain. Following them with his Byakugan, he finally found Tsunade and the others. Fortunately, he'd arrived in time, or the consequences would have been unthinkable...

When Tsunade returned to camp, she stayed at the Medical Station beside Dan Katō. He remained in a deep coma, his face deathly pale. The medical staff had cleaned the blood from his body and changed his tattered clothes into a hospital gown.

Tsunade watched Dan quietly, her thoughts unknowable. She stayed by his side without moving...

Hidden Sand camp, Medical Station.

Chiyo, Ebizo, Kalo, and the others stared grimly at the body on the bed, covered with a white cloth.

"Dosa... is dead..." Kalo was stricken with grief.

"Alas. See to the body properly, and inform the Third Kazekage!" Chiyo shook her head.

"Dosa may have fallen, but we took out quite a few Konoha elites this time. The one who used the Spirit Transformation Technique, for one," Ebizo said consolingly.

Dosa was the Third Kazekage's student. He possessed the Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai and could control Gold Dust. Like the Third Kazekage, who could control Iron Sand, he was one of Hidden Sand's most powerful fighters. Losing a skilled shinobi like Dosa left everyone in Hidden Sand deeply frustrated, and the Kazekage would be furious as well.

How would they feel if they knew Dan Katō hadn't died?

The next day, after hearing that Dan Katō was gravely injured and unconscious, everyone came to visit him.

Inoichi had picked a beautiful bunch of wildflowers from the nearby hills and carefully wrapped them in paper. Choza had brought a mountain of snacks, including a whole armful of his favorite barbecue-flavored potato chips. Shikaku had gone to Riyue in the Logistics Department and used his own pay to get a basket of canned fruit. Mizuki had made soup to bring to the hospital. Shibi had nothing suitable to offer—he couldn't exactly bring bugs—so he'd simply asked Riyue to come visit Teacher Dan with him first thing.

When they arrived at the Medical Station, everyone there, doctors and patients alike, greeted Riyue. The others gave him curious looks, making him feel a little awkward. When they finally reached the ward, they found quite a few Jonin inside, all there to visit Dan Katō.

"Looks like Teacher Dan has a lot of prestige. He really does have what it takes to be Hokage. If only he hadn't been injured..." Riyue sighed to himself.

Dan Katō was still unconscious, but his vital signs had improved considerably. The Jonin quietly discussed the mission's failure nearby, and the group learned the basic details of what had happened. After sitting for a while, the Jonin left to attend to their missions.

Riyue and the others sat down. The table beside the bed was already piled with Choza's snacks, canned fruit, and a beautiful bunch of wildflowers. Riyue also set down the congee he'd made and Mizuki's soup.

"I can't believe we fell for Hidden Sand's scheme," Shikaku sighed, blaming himself for not realizing there was something wrong with the prisoner.

"If only I'd noticed sooner. Eight seniors died," Inoichi and Choza said, lowering their heads as well. The ward grew somber.

"You can't blame yourselves. The Hidden Sand prisoner didn't actually know where the real supply station was, either. In other words, he himself thought that place was the main supply station. The enemy left no room for error. Even if it hadn't been you, someone else might have attacked another small Hidden Sand supply station and 'accidentally' gotten the information. We'd still have fallen for the trap. Hidden Sand counted on us attacking the main supply station. That's why the scheme worked," Riyue said softly, trying to comfort them.

"This mission failed because of me," a voice said from the doorway.

Everyone turned and saw Tsunade walk in. She'd changed into civilian clothes, and she looked at them guiltily. "If I hadn't been so hasty and misjudged the situation, I wouldn't have led the team to attack the main supply station. Then our eight companions wouldn't have died, and Dan wouldn't be gravely injured and unconscious." Tsunade looked despondent, her fists clenched tight.

A dignified voice came from outside the door. "If we've suffered a defeat, then we'll get even with Hidden Sand! Besides, you didn't lose this time. Hidden Sand suffered heavy losses too, and even the Kazekage's student was killed in action. A gloomy face doesn't suit you, Tsunade!"

A man walked in. He had tousled silver hair, a Konoha Forehead Protector, and a ponytail at the back of his head. A fine white short sword was strapped to his back. His eyes were bright, and his features were sharply defined, both handsome and resolute. His presence was calm and restrained, and he looked to be not quite thirty.

Riyue stared at the newcomer in surprise. Kakashi's father! Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of the Leaf!

Tsunade was surprised to see him too. "Sakumo, what brings you here?"

"Lord Sakumo!" The others hurriedly bowed as well. The White Fang of the Leaf had earned his reputation.

Sakumo Hatake smiled warmly. "Why shouldn't I come? I heard Hidden Sand was sending in reinforcements and attacking relentlessly, so I rushed over. Orochimaru is keeping an eye on the Hidden Mist front. There shouldn't be any problems there."

Tsunade nodded. "Thank you for taking care of things, Sakumo." With Sakumo Hatake here, the pressure on Tsunade would ease considerably.

The others were excited too. With the White Fang of the Leaf commanding their forces, the enemy's nightmare had arrived!

Sakumo Hatake checked Dan Katō's condition. "That rascal Dan is lucky to have survived such serious injuries. Your medical skills have improved a lot, Tsunade."

Tsunade blushed slightly and gave Riyue a meaningful glance. Riyue didn't react at all, keeping his head down as he ate Choza's potato chips.

"You're too kind, Sakumo," Tsunade said bashfully.

"I'll head to the tent first. I came in a hurry, and the assassination squad needs more people. We can discuss the details of the front when you get back. It'd be best to hold a Jonin meeting tomorrow to discuss a plan to counterattack Hidden Sand." Sakumo Hatake waved to everyone and left.

After visiting Dan Katō, the group saw that his condition was stable. Not wanting to disturb his rest, they prepared to leave as well.

As Riyue stepped out, Tsunade called after him. "Riyue, wait a moment."

"Hm?" Riyue felt a little helpless. He'd revealed his medical skills while saving Dan Katō, and now that Tsunade knew about them, the trouble was bound to come.

He told the others, "You go on ahead. I'll return to the warehouse on my own."

The others left, but they all wondered what Tsunade wanted to say to Riyue. Had Lady Tsunade found out that Riyue was the student the Third Hokage had assigned to her? Would she send him back? They looked at Riyue with sympathy.

"Lady Tsunade, what is it?" Riyue asked without expression.

"Thank you for saving Dan's life! And I want to thank you for helping the Medical Station and getting everyone through such a difficult time." Tsunade looked at Riyue and bowed deeply.

After seeing Riyue's medical skills yesterday, Tsunade, clever as she was, had immediately realized that he was the one who'd saved the Medical Station. His acupressure method for stopping bleeding was far more effective than the emergency hemostasis technique that consumed chakra. His surgical skills were on an entirely different level from those of an ordinary doctor. And he had all kinds of techniques she'd never heard of. Only someone with skills like his could have saved Dan Katō's life and helped the overcrowded, overburdened Medical Station.

"Well, there's no need to thank me. I did what I was supposed to do." Riyue didn't really accept Tsunade's gratitude. Everyone had something they took pride in, and Riyue's pride was his medical skill.

Tsunade had looked down on him before, and now she was thanking him. How could Riyue's pride let him accept that? He had his dignity. He didn't want to get too involved with Tsunade now, let alone have her become his teacher.

"Dan Katō is my teacher. I wasn't going to stand by and watch him die. I'm a member of Konoha, too, so I wasn't going to watch injured patients at the Medical Station die without proper treatment." Riyue wanted to add that he was a doctor, and a doctor's duty was to save people; his medical ethics wouldn't let him stand by and do nothing. But he held back. A six-year-old doctor was even more outlandish than a six-year-old Chunin, and would arouse even more suspicion.

"Regardless, I still have to thank you. You're a hero of Konoha! Konoha won't forget what you've done." Tsunade straightened up and spoke to Riyue sincerely.

"Oh, just give me a raise and we'll call it even." Riyue answered indifferently. Tsunade's gratitude? He didn't want it! A hero? Well, the people called "heroes" ended up carved into a stone monument. A raise would be much more practical. His salary as a surgeon had been so high; compared to that, his current pay as a shinobi was pitiful.

"Riyue, would you be willing to work at the Medical Station? There's a lot you could do here," Tsunade asked earnestly. It would be a waste of talent not to have someone with Riyue's medical skills working at the Medical Station.

"Lady Tsunade, I like my work at the warehouse, and the people in the Logistics Department treat me well. If the Medical Station needs help, I can come by when I have time." Riyue answered politely, which was really just a tactful refusal.

Riyue wasn't about to agree to Tsunade's request. When I wanted to go to the Medical Station, you sent me to the warehouse. Now you want me at the Medical Station again? You think I'll go just because you tell me to? And you're even trying to persuade me with the very reason I used when I asked you before. No way!

Tsunade sensed Riyue's resistance. She looked at him and asked, "Riyue, did your mother teach you your medical skills?"

Didn't I already tell you? Riyue grumbled to himself, but didn't say anything. His mother's medical books really had helped him a lot. Riyue had also used his mother's identity as a doctor to explain away some of his medical skills. It still aroused suspicion in some people, but having a plausible explanation was better than having none at all, wasn't it?

Tsunade patiently urged him, "Riyue, your medical skills are excellent. It'd be a shame not to work as a doctor at the Medical Station." When Riyue didn't answer, Tsunade continued, "Your mother would want you to pass on her medical skills, too. And... you haven't learned Medical Ninjutsu yet, have you?"

Riyue shook his head. Of course he hadn't learned it. Yakushi Nonō must be pretty good at Medical Ninjutsu...

Tsunade smiled happily, excited at the thought of such talent. She asked earnestly, "Then how about I teach you Medical Ninjutsu? Riyue, would you be willing to become my student? I'm very good at Medical Ninjutsu."

After seeing Riyue's medical talent, Tsunade had wanted to take him as her student and pass on everything she knew. The child was composed, steady, and highly skilled in medicine. His chakra control also seemed excellent. He had all sorts of impressive techniques and a broad perspective. He was a rare genius, and could definitely carry on her ninjutsu. A good teacher was hard to find, but a good student was even harder.

Tsunade happily thought, Didn't that lecher Jiraiya take on a genius student, Namikaze Minato? Look at how he struts around showing off in front of me every day. My student will be every bit as good as Minato!

Riyue was stunned. Oh... Tsunade actually wants to take me as her student? She must have noticed my medical skills. So she really doesn't know that I'm the student the Third Hokage assigned her?

Riyue lifted his head and met Tsunade's eyes, then suddenly gave her a radiant smile. Tsunade smiled too, pleased. It looked like Riyue was willing.

"I'm not willing!"