Yakushi Nonō, Who Likes Children

"Kiyoshi, there's nothing wrong with you."

Yakushi Nonō reached her conclusion, and the pale green Chakra glowing in her hand faded away.

Hearing this, Kiyoshi said,

"But I heard everyone awakens their Sharingan in both eyes at once."

"Special cases do happen."

"I see."

Kiyoshi lowered his head.

He had already known that answer.

A similar situation had happened to Sasuke in the original story.

During his battle with Haku, one of Sasuke's Sharingan had evolved into a Two-Tomoe Sharingan while the other remained at One-Tomoe, leaving him with mismatched eyes.

Such examples were simply exceedingly rare.

Yakushi Nonō carefully sealed the examination equipment into a Sealing Scroll. From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Kiyoshi's frail figure, his dark eyes fixed on her.

Kiyoshi was unfamiliar with her current appearance. He was more familiar with another version of her.

A white hood and a black nun's habit.

Even casual movements outlined her full, rounded figure.

She had the image of a very mature, saintly mother.

At the same time, Kiyoshi was sorting through other information about Yakushi Nonō.

Captain of the Medical Corps, an exceptionally capable spy in Root's intelligence division.

Even after retiring, her espionage skills had made Shimura Danzō personally seek her out and force her to continue working for Root.

So Kiyoshi had never considered showing off in front of Yakushi Nonō.

He answered whatever she asked.

As for whether Kiyoshi was a spy—

Kumogakure had only been trying to recruit Yotsuki Kiyoshi unilaterally. Kiyoshi Uchiha had not even given them a response.

He had never done anything a spy would do.

Whether he would in the future...

That was a matter for the future.

"By the way, Lady Nonou, was the green Chakra that appeared in your hand just now the same as what Lady Tsunade uses?"

Kiyoshi suddenly looked up, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity.

"That's right. It's medical Chakra. When Konoha's Medical Ninja use it, their Chakra takes on a pale green color."

Yakushi Nonō nodded, a strand of golden hair falling loose as she spoke.

When Medical Ninja used Medical Arts, their Chakra usually turned pale green, with the Mystical Palm Technique being the most typical example.

Seeing Kiyoshi staring at the Sealing Scroll where she had stored her equipment, Yakushi Nonō asked,

"Are you interested in these?"

She knew that Tsunade had examined Kiyoshi's Sharingan.

She guessed that Tsunade had used Medical Arts during the examination, leaving an impression on Kiyoshi.

Kiyoshi's gaze fell on the Sealing Scroll she had just put away as he asked thoughtfully,

"Can I learn these Medical Arts?"

Yakushi Nonō was slightly surprised. Faced with this sudden request, she could not help pausing for a moment.

She looked Kiyoshi over from head to toe. Though the boy before her was very thin, she could tell that his frame was large. With training, he could become a good taijutsu ninja.

"Kiyoshi, you would be better suited to learning taijutsu."

"A taijutsu ninja?"

Mikoto glanced at Kiyoshi. She had heard that he possessed some traits of the Yagura Clan.

Mikoto did not know where those traits showed themselves.

Perhaps he had exceptional talent or abilities beyond ordinary people in certain areas—unexpected capabilities.

"But... there might be clan members with the same condition as me. When that time comes, I could diagnose them just like Lady Nonou and Lady Tsunade."

Kiyoshi did not hide the disappointment in his eyes. He lowered his voice and scratched his head, as though trying to conceal his inner frustration. "So it still won't work..."

For that instant, the corners of his mouth drooped slightly.

It would be a lie to say he was not disappointed. If Nonō would not take him in either, Kiyoshi would have to make other plans.

Art of Speech (White) added a touch more sincerity to Kiyoshi's tone.

Yakushi Nonō's heart stirred slightly.

She had always liked children, especially children who had lost those they depended on.

"Don't rush."

She spoke gently, trying to comfort the pitiful-looking child before her.

"After you graduate from the Ninja Academy, come find me if you pass the Medical Ninja trainee assessment."

Yakushi Nonō said a few more words than usual.

If an adult had come to her, she would only have told them to take the assessment themselves and follow the normal procedures. She would not have involved herself with them.

But from the files provided by Root, Yakushi Nonō knew that Kiyoshi had been an orphan since the age of two.

For years, she had secretly entertained the idea of opening an orphanage after retiring from Root.

Kiyoshi's appearance made that thought even stronger.

"Really?"

Kiyoshi's eyes lit up at once, and a delighted smile appeared on his face.

The faint melancholy he had shown earlier seemed to disperse somewhat.

Yakushi Nonō nodded, a gentle smile on her lips.

"Why would I lie to you?"

Standing nearby, Mikoto could not help looking at Kiyoshi again.

Compared to the other members of the Uchiha Clan, this child was somewhat different.

Tsunade, who had examined him last time, had treated him coldly and had no intention of taking him as a disciple. Yet Yakushi Nonō seemed to be considering doing just that.

And according to Yakushi Nonō, he also had talent in taijutsu.

The current Uchiha Clan had neither Medical Ninja nor ninjas specializing in taijutsu.

After graduating from the Ninja Academy, Uchiha ninja all entered the Konoha Military Police Force, managing village security and carrying out missions outside the village.

She herself had done the same.

"All right, little Kiyoshi. I still have things to do, so we'll stop here for today."

Yakushi Nonō stood up and casually straightened the Sealing Scroll.

Before leaving, her gaze swept over several books resting on a chair.

A studious child.

That was Yakushi Nonō's assessment.

"Yes, thank you, Lady Nonou."

Kiyoshi politely stood up, intending to see Yakushi Nonō off.

Together with Mikoto, he escorted Yakushi Nonō to the boundary between the Uchiha Compound and Konoha's streets.

An ancient gate frame stood there, marking Uchiha territory.

"Go back and train properly."

Leaving those words behind, Mikoto hurried away.

Kiyoshi headed home alone.

The moon shone brightly, with only sparse stars in the sky. It was already night.

Kiyoshi let out a soft breath.

This had gone far more smoothly than he had expected.

Come to think of it, Yakushi Nonō had taught Medical Arts even to orphans who were not Konoha villagers. Why would she not teach him?

Besides, Yakushi Nonō was already considering retirement, so she probably had far fewer reservations.

At present, she had no weaknesses.

Only after becoming the head of an orphanage in the future would Danzo use those orphans as hostages to threaten her into becoming a spy again and infiltrating enemy nations.

"Next, I need to improve my Chakra control as quickly as possible and meet the standard."

The next day, at the Ninja Academy training ground.

"Today's class is a quiz. You need to run fifty laps!"

Instructor Umino Iruka blew his whistle, signaling the students to start running.

"Ah, running again."

"How many? Fifty?"