An Opportunity for Medical Ninjutsu

As the sands of time slowly flowed, Shaye's theoretical knowledge grew ever deeper, and he had devoured nearly every field within his reach. Yet one central dilemma remained like an immovable boulder before him: how could he fundamentally improve this body that had been deficient from birth?

Through studying Earth Release, he had learned how to alter soil structures; through studying Wind Release, he had understood the cutting and propulsion of air currents; through studying Puppet Technique, he had mastered mechanical transmission and precision; through studying Sealing Technique, he had glimpsed the restraint and guidance of energy; and through those obscure Magnet Release materials, he had even touched upon the grand blueprint of microscopic manipulation of matter.

This knowledge was vast and powerful, but it was all like weaponry forged for a giant, while he was merely an infant who struggled even to lift a wooden stick. He possessed dragon-slaying skills, yet lacked the strength to truss a chicken. In the end, every theory ran into the same bottleneck—the energy needed to drive it all: his own meager life energy.

He needed a power that could act directly upon himself, excavate his potential from within, and repair his foundations.

Like a seed, that thought took root and sprouted in his heart, quietly steering his research in a new direction. He began searching through the scrolls his father brought home, the corners of the school library, and even the remains of medical puppets that occasionally appeared in the Maintenance Unit, seeking every scrap of information related to "life," "repair," and "cells."

The clues were scattered and vague, until one day, while flipping through a scroll on the fundamental theory of chakra, he came across a line that had been briefly glossed over: "Medical Ninjutsu is a technique founded upon Yang Release Chakra, supplemented by precise control, which stimulates cellular activity and accelerates division and regeneration to achieve healing effects..."

Yang Release Chakra! Cellular activity! Division and regeneration!

Those words tore through the fog in his mind like lightning!

That was right! Why had he always been thinking of obtaining power from the outside? Why not find a way to repair this body itself from within?! If Medical Ninjutsu could stimulate cellular activity and accelerate division and regeneration, then did that mean it might also fundamentally improve his body, which had been weak from birth and lacked cellular vitality?!

The thought made his entire body tremble with excitement. He immediately began frantically gathering every fragment of medical knowledge he could find. However, Medical Ninjutsu was already a relatively scarce and advanced skill in the Hidden Sand Village. Very little material had spread beyond its circles, and most of it was profound and difficult to understand.

His path of self-study seemed to have reached its end. He needed someone to guide him.

A name naturally surfaced in his mind—Elder Chiyo!

Whether it was her top-tier mastery of Medical Ninjutsu in the Hidden Sand Village or the legend that she had developed the life-restoring forbidden technique One's Own Life Reincarnation, both proved that she was one of those who had gone the furthest down this path. Moreover, she seemed to have always held a rare appreciation for him.

His mind made up, Shaye did not hesitate. He once again arrived outside Elder Chiyo's home. This time, he did not encounter Sasori. Chiyo herself opened the door.

When Chiyo saw the child standing at her door, pale-faced yet with exceptionally bright and determined eyes, she was slightly surprised. "Shaye? What brings you here? Did you run into a problem with Puppet Technique?" She assumed he had come because of the scrolls she had given him earlier.

Shaye took a deep breath, bowed respectfully, then raised his head and looked directly into Chiyo's eyes. "Grandma Chiyo, I didn't come to ask about Puppet Technique this time. I want to ask you to teach me Medical Ninjutsu."

"Medical Ninjutsu?" Chiyo was genuinely stunned. She looked Shaye's frail body up and down, her brows knitting slightly. "Child, Medical Ninjutsu demands extremely high chakra control, and... it also requires considerable physical energy as support. You..." She did not finish, but her meaning was obvious—his physical condition was not suited to this path.

"I know my body is weak, and that I have very little chakra." Shaye's voice was calm, but it carried an unquestionable seriousness. "That is precisely why I need to learn Medical Ninjutsu. What I want to change is this body itself."

He paused, then continued, "I have studied some theory. The core of Medical Ninjutsu lies in ultimate chakra control and fine manipulation of life energy. The amount of chakra may determine the scale and duration of healing, but the precision of control determines whether the most delicate repairs can be performed. And I..."

Shaye extended his right hand, spreading his five fingers. He did not refine much chakra, because that would have been meaningless. He simply focused all of his will on that hand, displaying his unparalleled control.

At his fingertips, no chakra light shone. Yet at a completely synchronized frequency, without the slightest tremor, his fingers slowly, steadily bent one by one by mere millimeters, then straightened, bent again, and straightened again... The movements were as slow as a film in slow motion, but they possessed mechanical absolute precision and stability. This was not even chakra control—it was the ultimate control of his own body, achieved purely through powerful mental will!

Chiyo's gaze instantly froze! With her keen eyes, she immediately saw the terrifying control hidden behind those seemingly simple movements! Such absolute command over one's own muscles and nerves was precisely the talent most needed—and most difficult to possess—for becoming a top medical ninja! Many jonin possessed enormous reserves of chakra, yet might not have such exquisite control!

Seeing Chiyo's expression, Shaye knew she understood. He lowered his hand and said sincerely, "Grandma Chiyo, I know I may never be able to use profound Medical Ninjutsu like you to save others. But I only ask to learn the most basic methods and understand how life energy works. Perhaps... I can find a path to repair my own foundations. Please give me a chance."

Silence enveloped the doorway.

Chiyo looked deeply at the child, at the wisdom and persistence in his eyes that did not belong to someone his age, and at the immense longing hidden beneath his calm. She recalled his concentration while studying puppets and his unusual way of thinking.

After a long while, she slowly, slowly let out a breath. A complicated glimmer passed through her eyes—surprise, scrutiny, and finally, the faintest hint of expectation.

"Very well." She turned and took a relatively new scroll from a rack inside the room, then handed it to Shaye.

"This is the cultivation method for the most basic Healing Technique. It does not even count as true Medical Ninjutsu. It can only accelerate the healing of the most minor external wounds and is useless against internal injuries or improving one's constitution." Chiyo's voice returned to calm. "But it is the most basic exercise in chakra control, as well as the first brick on the path to Medical Ninjutsu. It will allow you to begin sensing how chakra can be used on living beings."

"Thank you, Grandma Chiyo!" Shaye solemnly accepted the scroll with both hands, as though receiving a priceless treasure.

"Remember," Chiyo said, her expression turning stern, "manipulating life energy is far more complicated and dangerous than manipulating puppets or earth. The slightest mistake can damage yourself instead. Without my permission, you must never attempt anything more complex. Do you understand?"

"Yes! I understand!" Shaye nodded vigorously.

Leaving Chiyo's home with the scroll containing the Healing Technique, Shaye felt as though it weighed a thousand pounds in his hands. This was not merely a technique—it was a key, one that might unlock a path toward remaking himself.

Though the road ahead remained long, he had finally touched upon a direction.

(End of Chapter)