Bloodline Disease

Thump, thump...

Thump, thump, thump...

Uchiha Chirori knocked on the gate of the Zenin clan's residence, not far from Naka Shrine.

A moment later, Toji, dressed in a pure white haori, opened the door.

He was still wearing those non-prescription glasses, his expression as gentle as ever, though a hint of confusion flickered in his eyes: "You are... from the Uchiha clan? It is quite late; may I ask what brings you here?"

"My name is Uchiha Chirori. My Lord Toji, I truly apologize for disturbing you in the dead of night."

Uchiha Chirori pressed her hands against her lower abdomen and bowed slightly, keeping her posture humble: "We have injured members within the Uchiha clan who require your treatment. Please rest assured, we will pay triple the standard medical fees."

"It is not a matter of fees." Toji stepped out from the courtyard, "Gospel Hospital accepts patients twenty-four hours a day; why not take the injured there directly?"

"Because... this matter concerns private clan affairs, and we do not wish for it to become common knowledge."

Toji adjusted his frames, "I see. I understand. Please, lead the way."

Soon.

Toji was brought to the Uchiha clan grounds.

A large room was packed with the wounded, the air heavy with a suffocating atmosphere.

Toji immediately set to work.

For burns caused by elemental ninjutsu, he wrapped the wounds in Mystical Palm Technique; for jagged lacerations from ninja blades, he released Earth Grudge Fear from his palms to stitch them shut.

Naturally, he still referred to it as Heavenly Mercy Grudge to the outside world. Compared to the version released from his back, aside from its unsightly appearance, the chakra fluctuations were extremely low, giving off the impression of a harmless, mid-level chunin's skill.

"Thank you, Doctor Toji."

"Many thanks."

"Do come visit us at the Uchiha clan when you have the chance."

The Uchiha who received treatment were grateful and friendly toward Toji.

The Uchiha clan had no medical ninjas of their own.

In the war-torn era where conflict never ceased, they respected ninjas who understood medicine just as much as they feared the strong. To the Uchiha, a ninja with superb medical skills was akin to a second life.

Although peace had arrived, the tradition of respecting medical ninjas had been passed down.

Toji responded to each of them in turn.

At the same time, he secretly took note of one individual: Uchiha Bin.

Interesting. This chakra... are they related by blood?

Under the corridor.

Uchiha Chirori stood with her arms crossed, leaning slightly against a pillar to rest.

Hearing footsteps, she opened her eyes, her blurred vision slowly refocusing.

Recognizing the person approaching, she asked, "My Lord Toji, how is the situation? Has the treatment concluded?"

"Just call me Toji." Toji nodded, "Most of the injuries are quite severe, and many have suffered vision loss; they will need a long period of recovery."

"There is still one person who has not received treatment."

Uchiha Chirori asked instinctively, "Who?"

"You."

"Me?" Uchiha Chirori froze for a moment, then shook her head, "I am not injured. I do not need treatment."

"Please trust my professional judgment." Toji's tone suddenly turned firm, "To see a patient and ignore them is an insult to me."

Uchiha Chirori hesitated for a moment before relenting: "This... very well."

"Please, follow me."

Toji led Uchiha Chirori to the former Gospel Clinic and gestured for her to lie down on the operating table.

"Miss Chirori, judging by your performance along the way, my assessment was correct: you have suffered severe internal injuries."

"Even though you tried your best to hide it, your unsteady gait, your inability to judge distances, and the tremors in your pupils... these are all signs of cerebellar damage."

Hearing this, Uchiha Chirori's pupils constricted, and her breathing faltered for a heartbeat.

Toji raised his hand to perform the Mystical Palm Technique, placing his palm against her temple as gentle chakra flowed into her body.

As he examined and recorded his findings, he spoke: "When I traveled the Ninja World, I encountered users of bloodline ocular techniques. After overexerting their abilities, they displayed the same symptoms as you."

"I have studied this. The foundation of bloodline ocular techniques is ocular power, and ocular power is, in essence, a special chakra released from the brain. Overusing it is equivalent to draining the brain itself."

"One becomes dizzy and loses their sense of balance; the body loses coordination, and even normal movement is affected."

"Your symptoms are far more severe than those of your clansmen who were treated earlier. From this, I can only conclude that Miss Chirori's power is greater, and consequently, the backlash and strain of the ocular technique on your brain are far more intense."

Toji's voice was very gentle.

Uchiha Chirori met his gaze and could feel the unfeigned sincerity in his eyes.

Her tense body finally relaxed.

Toji continued, "This is essentially a chronic bloodline disease; frequent use of ocular techniques causes irreversible damage to the brain."

"However, the human body possesses a certain capacity for self-healing. If you refrain from using any ocular techniques for at least three months, your body will slowly recover, though it may never return to its optimal state."

Uchiha Chirori let out a long sigh of relief. Ignoring her own condition, she asked instead, "Toji, aren't you curious about what happened at Naka Shrine tonight?"

"Not curious. I only do what a doctor is supposed to do."

"Those clansmen who lost their sight had unleashed misguided ocular techniques. To guide them, I had to use my own; it was my first time doing so. Although I am stronger than them, dealing with so many clansmen at once still injured my eyes..."

Chirori spoke to herself, a burning heart hidden beneath her cold, aloof exterior.

Toji listened in silence. After a long while, he withdrew his hand. "Miss Chirori, this treatment is complete. Please follow the medical advice when you return. Come back in a week for the second phase of treatment, which will last about a month, and the therapeutic effect will reach its peak."

"I understand." Uchiha Chirori stood up. "I will have my clansmen deliver triple the treatment fee to the Zenin clan tomorrow."

"The standard fee is sufficient. I only take what I am owed."

Uchiha Chirori walked out of the clinic. The symptoms of blurred vision and double images had vanished, and her steps felt light once again.

Feeling the improvement in her body, she sighed softly:

"Doctor Toji is a good man, and he has his own principles."

"He is worth befriending."

She returned to the clan compound quickly and summoned a young clansman. "Setsuna, has the count been completed?"

"Yes, Lady Chirori." Uchiha Setsuna kept his head bowed, unable to hide his dejection. "Yusuke, Masayuki, Taku... five clansmen are dead. Uchiha Yan is missing. According to the clansman who was closest to her at the time, Lady Yan was severely wounded and fled in the direction of the Forest of Death."

"The elders have already sent people to investigate."

"Uchiha Yan... escaped?"

Chirori's brows furrowed deeply. The worst-case scenario had come to pass.

If clansmen had died in an internal conflict, she could still cover it up and claim it was an internal matter to the Hokage.

But a ninja fleeing meant defection. If an Uchiha became a rogue ninja, it had to be reported, and the person had to be captured.

"Go notify Ayano and have her take another elite squad. Uchiha Yan is heavily injured; she won't be able to go far or move fast."

"You must bring her back before daybreak."