Making inquiries

Shinnō arrived at Konoha Hospital.

The hospital accommodated the widest range of people. Civilians and ninja alike gathered there when they fell ill or were injured, so it was a place where he could learn more about ninja physiology. The hospital's nurses also dealt with more kinds of people every day than anyone else. Even when major incidents occurred and left people injured, the hospital was among the first places to learn what had happened.

Shinnō had considered all this, and since he had also mastered Medical Ninjutsu, he had taken on the role of a miracle doctor. It allowed him to access more data and obtain more intelligence, while his already famous name served as a pass into all sorts of places.

Shinnō's reputation preceded him, and his arrival at Konoha Hospital was met with a warm welcome from the director and the entire hospital. Many doctors and nurses even hid around corners with only their heads peeking out, wanting to see what Shinnō looked like but afraid of offending the miracle doctor. They looked like devoted little fans.

Shinnō's kindly appearance also earned him quite a few points. Every so often, he cast a warm smile toward the doctors and nurses stealing glances at him, making them feel all the closer to him.

After chatting briefly with the director of Konoha Hospital, Shinnō expressed his desire to treat as many patients as possible, and the director was only too happy to oblige.

He personally led Shinnō to the hospital's examination room and had a number of doctors and nurses follow him to learn and help.

Before long, Shinnō had become familiar with the doctors and nurses. He did not immediately begin asking about the intelligence he wanted, instead starting to treat patients.

"Look at this patient. He has pain in the upper left abdomen, pale lips, difficulty breathing, and chills throughout his body. These are usually symptoms of an injured spleen. At this point, we only need to use Medical Ninjutsu to check whether the spleen is damaged and establish the cause. Then we simply use Medical Ninjutsu to repair it and remove the toxins." Shinnō actually began sharing his surgical expertise. All sorts of technical terms spilled from his mouth, while the medical staff beside him listened and learned attentively. A few even took out pen and paper to take notes.

"As expected of Master Shinnō. Incredible! He found the cause so quickly and even provided a treatment."

"If only I had Master Shinnō's skills!"

"I'd be satisfied with just half his skills!"

A chorus of amazement and praise rang out in the hospital.

Shinnō went on to diagnose the next patient, earning more praise and exclamations of amazement. This continued until noon, when he finally ended his medical instruction as lunchtime arrived.

Although there were far fewer patients at the hospital at noon, it was still busy. The hospital had originally planned to treat Shinnō to a meal at a hotel, but he insisted on staying and eating with the doctors and nurses to waste less time and treat more patients. They therefore ordered plenty of food to be delivered to the hospital and had many doctors and nurses join Shinnō for lunch.

This was precisely Shinnō's aim. During the meal, he spoke up:

"Has anything unusual happened here in Konoha? Strange incidents, oddities, astonishing events, and so on. As I travel through the Shinobi World, those are the things I most enjoy hearing about."

"I heard there was an incident involving a man-eating demon over on Commercial Street on New Year's Day. Someone even went missing, and there was quite a lot of blood at the scene."

"I heard about that too. Apparently, they sent out plenty of guards and Anbu Ninja, but they never found it." The doctors and nurses animatedly recounted the hearsay that had already circulated in who knew how many versions.

During a lull, Shinnō pretended to remark casually, "Since coming to Konoha, I've heard a few stories about Uchiha Yefeng. I wonder whether they're true."

"Uchiha Yefeng? I know about him. They say he's a super genius here in Konoha, and he's already the Ninja Academy's top student," a nurse said.

Shinnō was surprised as well. He had assumed Uchiha Yefeng was at least an adult, never expecting him to still be a Ninja Academy student. However, he did not connect him with Ye Feng. After all, Ye Feng was too young. It would have been perfectly reasonable to say he was not even old enough to attend school, let alone be its top student. Still, Shinnō continued his inquiries:

"So he really is a super genius. I'd certainly like to meet him. Does anyone know his address, or where I might find him?"

The doctors and nurses exchanged glances. None knew where Ye Feng often went or exactly where he lived. They could hardly be blamed. Ye Feng did not normally wear Uchiha clan clothing and rarely interacted with others, so very few people knew him.

Only one slightly older doctor spoke up. "Uchiha Yefeng is a member of the Uchiha Clan, so he must live on their clan grounds. It's just that very few people are normally allowed into the Uchiha Clan Compound. Master Shinnō, you could submit a formal request to visit the Uchiha Clan. With your reputation, they probably wouldn't refuse."

That was one option, but Shinnō did not intend to use it. He was after the medicinal ingredients for Uchiha Yefeng's medicinal bath, something most people would not readily hand over to others. Shinnō reckoned he would have to use some unconventional methods, and the disturbance might be considerable. If anyone connected it to his visit, his cover would be blown, and he would no longer be able to stay in Konoha. He still had other things to do there.

Shinnō thought to himself, I'll see if there's another way first. If nothing else works, I'll wait until the Eight Gates Released Formation matter is over, then risk a visit.

There was actually another option: staking out the Ninja Academy. As long as he was discreet enough, he should be able to conceal his purpose.

Having thought of a solution, Shinnō chatted with the doctors and nurses without worry and continued teaching that afternoon. When it was nearly time for the Ninja Academy to finish classes, he found an excuse to leave and went to the academy gates, where he remained hidden in the shadows.

Before long, classes ended at the Ninja Academy. Shinnō emerged from the shadows and approached a female student with a kindly expression.

"Little girl, do you know Uchiha Yefeng?"

As chance would have it, he had asked Inuzuka Clan Fengyu.

"What do you want with him?" Inuzuka Clan Fengyu asked warily.

Shinnō had not expected a little girl to be so vigilant. He hurriedly replied with a cheerful smile:

"I have a favor to ask of Uchiha Yefeng."

"He didn't come to school. He took leave to deal with something." Hearing that it was nothing bad, and since Ye Feng's leave was no secret, Inuzuka Clan Fengyu told Shinnō.

"Then when will he be coming to school?" Shinnō quickly asked.

"I don't know about that. He'll probably come once he's finished what he needs to do."

Hearing that he was on leave left Shinnō at a loss, but he still had time. Surely Uchiha Yefeng could not keep taking leave forever. He thanked Inuzuka Clan Fengyu, then returned to the hospital to continue teaching.