Medical Ninja

Yue had been missing for more than two months, and he had lingered at the border for some time afterward. Naturally, Fuma Tianxiang had been sick with worry over him.

Although it had previously been uncertain whether Yue was still alive, the outside world had practically assumed that he had been killed.

Now that she saw her son appear "miraculously" before her again, her reaction was hardly surprising.

Besides, Fuma Tianxiang had always retained a girlish side to her personality.

Seeing that he could not comfort her, Yue simply let her cry her heart out. It took a long while before she gradually calmed down.

Not long after, just as he followed his mother into the courtyard, Ryuga and Yoshitaka, his two little companions, came rushing over in a flurry.

Neither of them had gone to greet him at the village entrance. Yue guessed that had been Ryuga's Father's decision.

After all, because of his earlier involvement with Amegakure, he was still somewhat "sensitive" in the eyes of the higher-ups.

Moreover, the Anbu sent to silence him had died at the border. Everyone knew the "truth" behind that matter.

Now that Ryuga's Father had allowed his son Ryuga to associate with him, it showed that the fallout from the previous incident had indeed passed.

Although Ryuga had learned from his father's scattered remarks about the higher-ups' attitude toward Yue and some of the "schemes" entangled in the matter, his own attitude toward Yue had always been sincere.

He was genuinely happy that Yue had returned safely to the village.

It was also because of his relationship with Yue that Ryuga's Father, as a member of Grass Flower, had been able to pull strings in secret.

Ryuga asked how Yue had escaped after being taken away by a member of the Akatsuki Organization, and what had happened during that time... He did not ask with any ulterior motive, merely out of curiosity.

But Yue brushed it all off with vague answers.

In any case, Yue's return meant that their little team was complete again.

Ryuga even suggested going to a restaurant in the village, inviting their other classmates, and holding a celebration for Yue.

Yue politely declined. He did not like lively gatherings.

Ryuga was somewhat disappointed.

What Yue did not know was that after Ryuga and Yoshitaka returned from Amegakure during his absence, they had often run into their other classmates and praised Yue to everyone they met.

When someone spread rumors that Yue had died, Ryuga had immediately stepped forward to refute them.

He had even gotten into a conflict with one classmate over it.

The other students of their year had been quite shocked... After all, Ryuga and Yoshitaka used to dislike Yue. Now, they had practically become his supporters.

Ryuga and Yoshitaka only sat at the house for a short while before leaving, unwilling to disturb the warm time of reunion between mother and son.

After all, they were on the same team. Since Yue had returned, they would still have to continue carrying out missions under their teacher, Shishiro.

While Yue had been away, Ryuga and Yoshitaka had completed several easy low-level missions and gained some experience.

After seeing the two of them off, Yue returned to the house and found his mother, who had regained her usual composure, smiling as she said, "Yue... become a Medical Ninja. Mom still thinks the safest thing would be for you to stay in the village."

"No."

Yue saw through his mother's intentions and shook his head directly.

"Ah?"

His mother was a little surprised.

Yue himself had once told her that he wanted to become a Medical Ninja.

Compared with combat-oriented ninja, it was also much safer.

Naturally, Fuma Tianxiang did not know how much Yue's mindset and thoughts had changed.

A few months ago, becoming a Medical Ninja had indeed seemed like the best choice to Yue.

But now that he better understood the village's environment and the complexity of its power struggles, he felt that hiding "behind the lines" was useless.

It would not help him lay the groundwork for his upcoming plans either.

"I believe that if Yue became a Medical Ninja, he would definitely excel at it too!"

Tianxiang said unwillingly.

Yue yawned. "I suddenly don't have much interest in being a Medical Ninja..."

"Are you looking down on Medical Ninja?"

His mother was somewhat angry. "No matter what kind of ninja one is, reaching the very top is extremely difficult. Medical Ninja are no exception. A powerful Medical Ninja is in no way inferior to other types of ninja, and in some respects, they are even stronger... Everyone simply develops in different directions. That does not mean there is any fundamental difference between them."

Hearing that, Yue instinctively thought of Tsunade.

"I understand," Yue replied.

His mother was not truly angry. She simply did not want him putting himself in danger again.

"But just like we discussed before, the village may not necessarily let me become a Medical Ninja. Besides, Medical Ninja place the greatest emphasis on talent. It is not something you can become just because you want to. Even if you help me, Mom, and I have the potential, I would still need to study a huge amount of specialized knowledge... It really is troublesome."

"Most importantly, becoming a Medical Ninja might not be difficult, but growing into an outstanding Medical Ninja is extremely hard..."

"Compared to that, following the same path as Father suits me better."

To become a Medical Ninja, one had to possess talents different from those required to use ordinary ninjutsu. Its distinctiveness was quite obvious. The precise control and application of Chakra required were already almost abnormal in the eyes of ordinary ninja.

Even the methods and nature of Chakra usage differed from the norm.

It truly was not something just anyone could learn.

"Sigh... Are you really not going to consider it? Even if the village disagrees, you should at least try."

His mother deflated, speaking resentfully.

Yue looked at her. "How about this? I'll learn a little first. If it doesn't work out... then forget it."

"Yay!"

The moment her son relented, the woman's expression changed at once. She broke into a smile and cheered.

"..."

Naturally, he had no intention of becoming a Medical Ninja, but that did not prevent him from learning some knowledge related to Medical Ninjutsu.

Learning about and absorbing more types of ninjutsu would also broaden his way of thinking.

If he really managed to master one or two Medical Ninjutsu in the future, that would not be bad either.

Perhaps at certain times, they could produce unexpected results.

As a Medical Ninja, Fuma Tianxiang's skill level was only average, but teaching a complete novice like him would be no problem at all.

Yue had only changed his tune to soothe his mother's worries about him.

Soon afterward, Fuma Tianxiang hurried into her room, brought out book after book, and began introducing them to Yue.

Apparently, reading and understanding the knowledge in those books would be the first lesson he had to learn.

The sight of all those books immediately gave Yue a headache.

He had not read this many books even during all his years at the Ninja Academy...

By evening, Fuma Ryoma finally returned.

The moment he got home, Fuma Ryoma did not eat first. Instead, he called Yue alone into a room and began a private talk between father and son.

He left his wife hanging to the side.

"The two elders of Grass Flower?"

"Yes."

"Ryuga's Father took you to meet them?"

"Yes."

"So, from today onward, we've officially joined the Grass Flower faction." After hearing his father recount his experience meeting the higher-ups, Yue fell into thought.

His father and the others had first reported the details of the border conflict. Then, through Ryuga's Father's introduction, he had met the leader of Grass Flower.

After the other party gave him a roundabout warning, Ryoma understood the implication and pledged allegiance.

"Just as I thought... If nothing unexpected happens, given your merits this time, Father, Grass Flower should arrange a good position for you next." Yue spoke softly. "Anyone of value will be recruited... That is the most ordinary tactic."

"But if you want to climb higher, you still have to rely on yourself."

"Father, there are still some lower-ranking ninja in the village like you, people with no background who have been overlooked by Grass Flower and Grass Seed. Now that you have the glow of 'merit' around you, interact with them more and build good relationships."

"Alright."

"They did not question you about that Anbu who was killed?"

"No."

"Heh..."

Yue gave a cold laugh.