Naruto hurried along and soon reached Konoha Hospital.
The hospital, once neat and quiet, was now a scene of frantic activity and grim tension.
The wounded filled not only the hospital itself, but also the courtyard and even the streets outside.
Inside, the corridors were packed with injured ninja and the few civilians caught in the fighting. The air was thick with disinfectant, the smell of blood, and stifled groans.
Medical ninja rushed about, their faces exhausted but still focused.
As soon as Naruto entered the hospital, a figure hurried over to meet him.
It was Genma Shiranui, looking somewhat pale, with bandages wrapped around several parts of his body.
As usual, he held a senbon between his lips, but the sharpness in his eyes had given way to a weariness he could barely conceal.
"Lord Naruto, you're here."
Genma Shiranui stopped before Naruto and bowed slightly, his tone unmistakably respectful.
That respect did not stem solely from the formidable strength Naruto had displayed in the decisive battle just moments earlier.
More importantly, Genma Shiranui had once captained the guard unit of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and during the earlier chaotic fighting, he had been close to the main battlefield.
He had heard with his own ears that the blond boy before him was none other than the Fourth Hokage's orphaned son!
That discovery had sent towering waves crashing through his heart.
Shock, realization, guilt, and an indescribable sense of duty had all become intertwined.
Earlier, he had fought Gaara in his possessed form. When Gaara went after Naruto's Shadow Clone, Genma had immediately rushed to support Gekko Hayate, whose old injuries and exhaustion had left him in constant danger, and together they had faced the formidable Baki.
Gekko Hayate was in poor health, and after fighting Baki for