Powerful Reinforcements Arrive

After sending Dan Kato to the Medical Station, Riyue returned to his quarters. It had truly been a difficult day. That morning, when Riyue heard that Dan Kato had gone to the front lines with Tsunade, he had felt a sense of foreboding. In the original story, Dan Kato had suffered fatal wounds while fighting on the front lines with Tsunade; could it be that he was destined to encounter that fate this time?

Perhaps Riyue's arrival had interfered with the course of events, but there were some things the current Riyue could not change. When Tsunade and her team departed, Riyue had deliberately gone to take a look. There were only a few people, all elite jonin. Feeling that something was wrong, Riyue decided to take another water detector and follow them.

Naturally, Riyue was soon shaken off by these elite jonin, who were well-trained in concealing their tracks. However, Riyue had also located an underground river and guessed that they were following its path, so he decided to do the same. Eventually, he discovered signs of a fierce battle in an oasis. Nearby, many Hidden Sand ninja were conducting a carpet search, and a heavy rain was falling from the sky.

Riyue felt a sinking sensation; something had indeed gone wrong. Was Dan Kato still destined to die in the woods? Riyue activated his Byakugan and searched desperately through the forest for traces of Tsunade and her team. Only after finding some bloodstains that hadn't been washed away by the rain was he able to track them down. Fortunately, he had arrived in time; otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

After returning to the camp, Tsunade remained at the Medical Station to watch over Dan Kato. He was still in a deep coma, his face pale and devoid of color. The blood on his body had been cleaned away by the medical staff, and his tattered clothes had been replaced with a hospital gown.

Tsunade watched Dan Kato quietly, lost in her own thoughts, remaining by his side the entire time...

Hidden Sand camp, Medical Station.

Chiyo, Ebizo, Kalo, and the others looked on with grim expressions at the body covered by a white sheet on the bed.

"Dosa... is dead..." A wave of grief washed over Kalo.

"Sigh, handle the body properly and notify the Third Kazekage!" Chiyo shook her head.

"Although Dosa has fallen, we managed to take out quite a few of the Leaf's elites this time, including that one who could use the Spirit Transformation Technique," Ebizo consoled.

Dosa was a disciple of the Third Kazekage and possessed the Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai, allowing him to control gold dust. Like the Third Kazekage, who could control iron sand, he was one of the Hidden Sand's most powerful combat assets. Losing such a master left the Hidden Sand members feeling deeply depressed, and the Kazekage would surely be furious.

If only they knew that Dan Kato hadn't died, what would they think?

The next day, upon learning that Dan Kato was in a coma from his severe injuries, everyone rushed to visit him.

Inoichi had gathered a bunch of beautiful wildflowers from a nearby mountain and carefully wrapped them in paper. Choza brought a large amount of snacks, including his favorite barbecue-flavored potato chips. Shikaku had gone to the logistics department to see Riyue, using his own salary to purchase a basket of canned fruit. Mizuki brought soup she had brewed herself to the hospital. Shibi had nothing to give—he couldn't exactly gift bugs—so he simply called for Riyue early to go see Teacher Dan Kato together.

When the group arrived at the Medical Station, everyone inside, whether doctor or patient, greeted Riyue upon seeing him. This made the others stare at Riyue with suspicion, leaving him feeling quite awkward. After finally reaching the ward, they found several jonin already standing there, all there to visit Dan Kato.

It seems Teacher Dan Kato is highly respected; he truly has the potential to be Hokage. If only he hadn't been injured... Riyue sighed inwardly.

Dan Kato was still unconscious, but his vital signs had improved significantly. The jonin were whispering among themselves about the failure of the mission, and everyone gradually learned the general sequence of events. After sitting for a while, the jonin left to attend to their duties.

Riyue and his friends sat down. The table beside the bed was already piled high with Choza's snacks, the canned fruit, and the beautiful wildflowers. Riyue placed the porridge he had cooked and Mizuki's soup to the side.

"To think we fell for the Hidden Sand's trap this time, sigh." Shikaku blamed himself for being careless and failing to realize there was a problem with the prisoner.

"If only I had discovered it sooner, eight of our seniors wouldn't have sacrificed their lives." Inoichi and Choza also hung their heads. For a moment, the atmosphere in the ward felt heavy.

"You can't blame yourselves. The Hidden Sand prisoner didn't even know where the real supply station was. In other words, even he believed that place was the main supply depot. The enemy's plan was flawless. Even if it hadn't been you, if someone else had attacked another small supply station and 'accidentally' obtained that information, we still would have fallen for it. The Hidden Sand counted on us definitely raiding the main supply depot; that's why the scheme worked," Riyue said softly, comforting them.

"This mission failure is actually my fault." A voice came from the doorway.

Everyone turned to look as Tsunade walked in. She had changed into casual clothes and looked at everyone with guilt. "If I hadn't been so impulsive and made a poor judgment call by leading the team to attack the main supply depot, eight of our comrades wouldn't have died, and Dan wouldn't be in a coma." Tsunade looked dejected, her fists clenched tightly.

A voice of great authority came from outside the door: "Since you failed, then go take it back from the Hidden Sand! Besides, you didn't lose this time; the Hidden Sand suffered heavy losses as well, and even the Kazekage's disciple was killed. Being dejected is not how you should be, Tsunade!"

A man walked in. He had flowing, spiky silver hair, wore a Leaf forehead protector with a ponytail at the back, and carried an exquisite white short sword on his back. The man's eyes were sharp and spirited, his facial features as if carved by a knife—resolute and handsome. His presence was steady and restrained; he looked to be under thirty.

Riyue looked at the man and felt a surge of surprise. Kakashi's father! Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of the Leaf!

Tsunade was also surprised to see him. "Senior Sakumo, why are you here?"

"Lord White Fang!" Everyone hurriedly bowed; the reputation of the White Fang of the Leaf was no exaggeration.

Sakumo Hatake smiled slightly and said in a very easygoing manner, "Why couldn't I be here? After learning the news that the Hidden Sand was reinforcing their troops and launching a frantic offensive, I rushed over. Orochimaru is handling the Hidden Mist front; there shouldn't be any problems there."

Tsunade nodded. "Thank you for your support, Senior Sakumo!" With Sakumo Hatake present, Tsunade's pressure would be much lighter.

Everyone was also very excited; with the White Fang of the Leaf guarding the troops, the enemy's nightmare had arrived!

Sakumo Hatake checked on Dan Kato's condition and said, "This kid Dan, to survive such heavy injuries—he's truly lucky. Tsunade, your medical skills have improved significantly."

Tsunade blushed slightly and gave Riyue a meaningful look, but Riyue didn't react, burying his head in eating Choza's potato chips.

"You flatter me, Senior," Tsunade said bashfully.

"I'm heading to the command tent first. I came in a hurry, and the assassination squad needs reinforcements. We can discuss the specific situation on the front lines when you return. It would be best to hold a jonin meeting tomorrow to discuss the plan to counter the Hidden Sand," Sakumo Hatake said, waving at everyone before leaving.

After visiting Dan Kato and seeing that his condition was stable, the group prepared to leave, not wanting to disturb his rest.

As Riyue walked out the door, Tsunade called out to him: "Riyue, wait a moment."

"Hmm?" Riyue felt a bit helpless. To save Dan Kato, he had let Tsunade see his medical skills; the trouble he had been expecting was finally arriving.

He said to the others, "You guys go ahead; I'll head back to the warehouse myself in a bit."

The group left, but they were all wondering what Tsunade wanted to say to Riyue. Could it be that Lady Tsunade knew Riyue was the apprentice the Third Hokage had forced upon her? Would Lady Tsunade send Riyue back? Everyone looked at Riyue with a hint of sympathy.

"Lady Tsunade, is there something you need?" Riyue asked, his expression blank.

"Thank you for saving Dan's life! And I also want to thank you for stepping in to help the Medical Station and getting everyone through the crisis." Tsunade looked at Riyue and bowed deeply to him.

After seeing Riyue's medical techniques yesterday, someone as intelligent as Tsunade immediately understood that Riyue was the one who had saved the Medical Station. His ability to use acupuncture to stop bleeding was far superior to the emergency hemostasis techniques that consumed chakra. His surgical skills were like heaven and earth compared to the average doctor, not to mention his various unheard-of techniques. Only someone with such skills could have saved Dan Kato's life and the overwhelmed, overcrowded Medical Station.

"As for that, there's no need to thank me. There's nothing to thank; I just did what I had to do." Riyue didn't accept Tsunade's gratitude in his heart. Everyone had things they took pride in, and Riyue's pride was his medical skill.

Tsunade had previously looked down on him and dismissed him, and now she was thanking him. How could Riyue's pride allow him to accept it? People had self-respect. Riyue didn't want to get too involved with Tsunade, and he certainly didn't want her to be his master.

"Dan Kato is my teacher; I wouldn't just watch him die. I am a member of the Leaf, so naturally, I wouldn't watch the wounded in the Medical Station die without receiving effective treatment." Riyue wanted to add that he was a doctor, and a doctor's duty was exactly that—his medical ethics wouldn't allow him to stand by and watch. But the words stopped at his lips; a six-year-old doctor was even more monstrous than a six-year-old chunin and would only invite more suspicion.

"Regardless, I must thank you. You are a hero of the Leaf! The Leaf will not forget your contributions." Tsunade straightened up and said to Riyue sincerely.

"Oh, I'd be much happier if you just gave me a raise." Riyue said with complete indifference. Tsunade's gratitude? He didn't want that at all! A hero? Look, everyone called a 'hero' ended up carved onto a stone monument. It was far more practical to get a raise; his salary back when he was a surgeon was so high, compared to the pitiful amount he earned as a ninja now.

"Riyue, would you be willing to come to the Medical Station? You could do a lot of things there." Tsunade asked with concern. It was a waste of talent for someone with Riyue's medical skills not to be in the Medical Station.

"Lady Tsunade, the work at the warehouse is great, and the people in the Logistics Department treat me well. If the Medical Station needs help, I can go over and assist when I have free time." Riyue replied very politely, which was actually a tactful refusal.

Riyue had no intention of agreeing to Tsunade's request. You were the one who told me to go to the warehouse when I wanted to go to the Medical Station, and now you're the one telling me to go to the Medical Station again. Just because you tell me to go, I have to go? You even used the same reason I once begged you with to try and persuade me. Not happening!

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

Didn't I already tell you that before? Riyue thought to himself, remaining silent. His mother's medical books had indeed provided him with a lot of help. Riyue had also used his mother's identity as a doctor to cover for his own medical skills; although it still aroused suspicion in some people, having a reasonable excuse was better than having no reason at all, wasn't it?

Tsunade patiently urged, "Riyue, your medical skills are brilliant; it's a pity not to be a doctor at the Medical Station." Seeing that Riyue didn't answer, Tsunade continued, "Your mother would also want you to carry on her medical legacy, and besides... you haven't learned medical ninjutsu yet, have you?"

Riyue shook his head. Of course he hadn't. Yakushi Nonō's medical ninjutsu must be pretty good, right... he thought.

Tsunade smiled happily, her desire to nurture talent surging. Feeling a bit excited, she asked earnestly, "Then, how about I teach you medical ninjutsu? Riyue, would you be willing to become my disciple? My medical ninjutsu is top-notch, after all."

After witnessing Riyue's talent in medicine, Tsunade had been moved by the idea of taking him as a disciple and passing on all her skills to him. This child was calm, steady, possessed exquisite medical skills, and seemingly had excellent chakra control. Coupled with his various advanced techniques and broad perspective, he was a rare genius. Riyue would definitely be able to carry on her ninjutsu. A good master was hard to find, but a good disciple was even harder.

Tsunade calculated happily in her heart: "Didn't that lecherous bastard Jiraiya take in a genius disciple named Namikaze Minato? Look at him acting all cool and suave in front of me all day. My disciple won't be any worse than Minato!"

Riyue was stunned, thinking: Oh~~~ Tsunade is actually taking the initiative to take me as a disciple? She must have taken a liking to my medical skills, right? So she really doesn't know that I'm the 'cheap' disciple the Third Hokage sent to her?

Riyue raised his head to look Tsunade in the eye and suddenly broke into a brilliant smile. Tsunade smiled back, feeling very satisfied; it seemed Riyue was willing.

"I refuse!"