Don't Let Him Pass

Watching the Chakra Scalpel move with practiced ease in Hyuga Seisen's hand.

Sarutobi Biwako fell silent once more.

She understood that the excuse of insufficient medical ninjutsu was no longer enough to stop Hyuga Seisen from joining the medical corps.

Looking at the youth before her, whose talent was almost monstrous, she forced a strained smile onto her face.

"I never expected... Seisen's talent for medical ninjutsu to be this astounding."

"With medical ninjutsu at this level, he is indeed more than qualified to join the medical corps."

A smile had just appeared on Hyuga Seisen's face when she abruptly changed tack.

"However..."

"The medical corps being selected this time will be heading to the front lines."

"On the battlefield, knowing medical ninjutsu alone isn't enough. Your ability to survive must keep up as well."

"In other words, your taijutsu and Body Flicker Technique must also be outstanding, so you can protect yourself when enemies approach."

"Therefore, this medical corps selection will also assess your combat ability."

"This is also the Hokage's intention," Sarutobi Biwako added decisively.

Previous investigations showed that Hyuga Seisen was utterly ordinary in every other regard.

He had even been thoroughly defeated in the Gentle Fist that the Hyuga Clan had studied for years, to say nothing of anything else.

If Hyuga Seisen's medical ninjutsu was outstanding to a genius-like degree, then his other taijutsu and ninjutsu were likewise outstandingly worthless.

Thus, Biwako intended to stop Hyuga Seisen right here.

Me? Hiruzen Sarutobi looked utterly bewildered.

I required medical ninja to have top-tier taijutsu and Body Flicker Techniques?

Had I set the bar that high?

He was just about to speak up and clarify.

"Lord Hokage! Isn't that right?"

Sarutobi Biwako suddenly turned her head, her gaze sharp as a blade.

Her eyes locked tightly onto Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the warning in them was impossible to miss.

Hiruzen Sarutobi swallowed hard and forcibly swallowed back the words at the tip of his tongue.

Following his wife's lead, he said, "Ah... yes, yes, Seisen."

"This is also for the sake of your safety."

"After all, the village spends resources to cultivate a..."

"No problem, my lords!"

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could finish, Hyuga Seisen cut him off cleanly and readily agreed.

Having mastered both literary and martial arts, he would offer his talents to the ruler.

Konoha's biggest boss was standing right here. This was simply a heaven-sent stage for him to show what he could do.

He could display his strength while also passing the medical corps selection examination.

Where else could he find such a good opportunity?

Sarutobi Biwako froze, looking at Hyuga Seisen uncertainly.

"Seisen, the combat ability I just mentioned refers to abilities such as taijutsu and the Body Flicker Technique, the ability to fight enemies."

"It doesn't refer to your clinical treatment abilities."

"I understand!"

Hyuga Seisen nodded with absolute certainty. "I accept the combat ability assessment."

Seeing how resolute he was, Sarutobi Biwako sighed helplessly.

"...Fine, but the selection has already ended."

"Arranging another assessment will take some preparation. Go wait by the river downstairs. The official assessment will begin in half an hour."

"Yes, thank you, Lady Biwako! Lord Hokage! Goodbye!"

Hyuga Seisen bowed, then turned and left.

The moment the door closed, Hiruzen Sarutobi hurried forward.

"Biwako, what is going on?"

Sarutobi Biwako did not answer right away.

She first called to the guard outside the door. "Go. Bring Sarutobi Kaito here."

Only then did she slowly walk over and sit on the sofa, rubbing her brow wearily.

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"That kid's talent... is the best I have ever seen."

"I don't want him to die pointlessly on the front lines..."

Seeing Sarutobi Biwako's troubled expression, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly smiled.

"You are always so softhearted, Biwako. No matter how gifted someone is, they still have to weather storms before they can grow."

He instinctively reached for his pipe to take a puff, then stopped himself and continued.

"Take the White Fang's son, Kakashi! He is also a once-in-a-century genius, yet I still sent him out to gain experience..."

"He is the promising talent I was just about to tell you about, the one selected this time."

The more Sarutobi Biwako listened, the more irritated she became, and she cut Hiruzen Sarutobi off.

"Even a promising talent needs..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile suddenly froze.

"You mean he was selected as a talent for this medical training?"

"Hasn't he only been studying for two months?"

Sarutobi Biwako nodded heavily and said nothing.

A storm surged through Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.

Though he was not a medical ninja, his knowledge was broad.

With his eye for such things, he could tell that none of the four techniques were simple, especially the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique and the Chakra Scalpel.

They demanded extremely high chakra control and personal talent.

To master them to a degree that could shock Biwako within two months...

His talent could only be described as utterly absurd.

No wonder Biwako valued him so highly.

He suddenly remembered. "Being talented and capable of mastering ninjutsu doesn't mean one can become a doctor. Extensive medical knowledge is equally..."

Sarutobi Biwako cut him off.

"That is where his genius lies. Not only has he mastered the ninjutsu, his medical knowledge is also comprehensive and solid."

"Some obscure points of knowledge, even I only suddenly remembered after hearing him bring them up."

Hearing that, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not feel delighted. Instead, his heart gave a jolt.

"If that is the case, then we must consider..."

"No! I investigated him."

Sarutobi Biwako stared directly at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"His records from growing up in Konoha are entirely clean, and the Hyuga Clan has not left behind any bloodlines in other countries."

"Besides, if you were the enemy, would you truly be willing to send someone with such extraordinary talent to an enemy nation just to obtain that little intelligence?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly nodded, then shook his head again.

For a time, neither of them spoke.

Knock, knock, knock!

Someone knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

A broad, tall man with an honest-looking face entered, dressed in clothing marked with the Sarutobi insignia.

"So it's Kaito. Sit!" Sarutobi Biwako greeted him.

"Okay, thank you, Aunt Biwako!" Sarutobi Kaito said with an honest smile.

"Mm. Auntie will need to trouble you to assess another doctor later. No problem, right?"

"No problem. I'll do whatever Auntie asks me to."

"Then during the assessment later, whether it is the water-walking portion..."

"Or the combat assessment, you must give it your all and find a way to keep him from passing. Understood?"

"But Auntie!" Sarutobi Kaito scratched his head. "For the water-walking portion, didn't you tell me not to make the waves too strong?"

"If his chakra control is good, then he'll definitely pass."

"You silly child." Sarutobi Biwako gave him a reproachful pat.

"That was for everyone else. For him, you can increase the strength of the waves. In any case, use every possible method to make him fall into the water."

"The same goes for combat. Even if he gets hurt, it doesn't matter. Auntie is here."

"Biwako."

The more Hiruzen Sarutobi listened, the more outrageous it sounded, and he hurriedly interrupted.

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