Don't Let Him Pass

Seeing the skilled Chakra Scalpel in Hyuga Qingchuan's hand.

Sarutobi Biwako fell silent once more.

She understood that the excuse of insufficient Medical Ninjutsu was no longer enough to stop Hyuga Qingchuan from joining the Medical Corps.

She looked at the young man before her, whose talent was almost monstrous, and forced a reluctant smile onto her face.

"I never expected... Qingchuan's talent for Medical Ninjutsu to be so astounding."

"With Medical Ninjutsu at this level, you are indeed more than qualified to enter the Medical Corps."

Just as a smile appeared on Hyuga Qingchuan's face, her tone suddenly shifted:

"However..."

"The Medical Corps being selected this time will be sent to the front lines."

"On the battlefield, knowing Medical Ninjutsu alone is not enough. Your ability to survive must also keep up."

"In other words, your Taijutsu and Body Flicker Technique must also be first-rate, so you can protect yourself when enemies appear."

"Therefore, this Medical Corps selection will also assess your actual combat ability."

"This is also Lord Hokage's decision," Sarutobi Biwako added firmly.

Previous investigations had shown that Hyuga Qingchuan was utterly ordinary in every other aspect.

Even the Gentle Fist that the Hyuga Clan had studied for years had been a complete disaster for him, let alone anything else.

If Hyuga Qingchuan's Medical Ninjutsu was outstanding in the manner of a genius, then his other Taijutsu and ninjutsu were equally outstanding in the manner of trash.

Thus, Biwako intended to stop Hyuga Qingchuan right here.

Me? Sarutobi Hiruzen looked utterly bewildered.

I required medical ninjas to have top-tier Taijutsu and Body Flicker Techniques?

Did I set the bar that high?

He was just about to clarify.

"Lord Hokage! Isn't that right?"

But Sarutobi Biwako abruptly turned her head, her gaze blazing.

Her eyes locked tightly onto Sarutobi Hiruzen, and the warning within them could not have been clearer.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's throat bobbed as he forcibly swallowed the words that had reached his lips.

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

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

"After all, for the village to train a..."

"No problem! My lords!"

Before Sarutobi Hiruzen could finish, Hyuga Qingchuan cut him off cleanly and agreed without hesitation.

Having mastered both civil and martial arts, one should sell one's talents to the ruler.

The biggest figure in Konoha was right here. This was practically a stage granted by heaven.

He could display his strength and pass the Medical Corps selection assessment at the same time.

Where else could he find such a good opportunity?

Sarutobi Biwako froze, looking at Hyuga Qingchuan uncertainly.

"Qingchuan, the actual combat ability I mentioned refers to abilities such as Taijutsu and the Body Flicker Technique, the ability to fight enemies."

"It does not refer to your clinical treatment abilities."

"I understand!"

Hyuga Qingchuan nodded with complete certainty. "I accept the actual combat assessment."

Seeing how certain he was, Sarutobi Biwako sighed helplessly.

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

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

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

Hyuga Qingchuan bowed, turned, and left.

The moment the door closed, Sarutobi Hiruzen hurried forward.

"Biwako, what is going on?"

Sarutobi Biwako did not answer immediately.

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

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

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

"I do not want him to die pointlessly on the front lines..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the deeply troubled Sarutobi Biwako and suddenly smiled.

"Biwako, you are always too softhearted. No matter how talented someone is, they must endure hardship before they can grow."

He instinctively reached for his pipe to take a puff, then abruptly stopped himself before continuing.

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

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

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

"Even a promising talent needs..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's smile suddenly froze.

"You mean he is a talent selected during this round of medical training?"

"Hasn't he only studied for two months?"

Sarutobi Biwako nodded heavily and said nothing.

A storm surged through Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart.

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

With his eye, he could tell that all four techniques were far from simple, especially the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique and the Chakra Scalpel.

They demanded exceptionally high Chakra control and personal talent.

To master them to a level that shocked Biwako within two months.

His talent could only be described as absurd.

No wonder Biwako valued him so highly.

He suddenly remembered. "Being talented and able to master ninjutsu does not 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 were things even I only suddenly recalled after he brought them up."

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt no joy at those words. Instead, his heart jolted.

"If that is the case, then we need to consider..."

"No! I investigated him."

Sarutobi Biwako stared straight at Sarutobi Hiruzen.

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

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

Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly nodded, then shook his head again.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Knock, knock, knock!

Someone knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

A tall, sturdy-looking man with an honest face entered, wearing clothing marked with the Sarutobi emblem.

"It's Kaito. Sit," Sarutobi Biwa said.

"Alright, thank you, Aunt Biwako!" Sarutobi Kaito said with an honest grin.

"Mhm. Auntie will need to trouble you to assess another doctor later. Is that alright?"

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

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

"Or the combat assessment, you must go all out 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 will definitely pass."

"You silly child." Sarutobi Biwa reproachfully smacked him.

"That applies to everyone else. For him, you can increase the wave intensity. In any case, use every possible means to make him fall into the water."

"The same goes for actual combat. Even if he gets hurt, it does not matter. Auntie is here."

"Biwako."

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