"It's Shūichi and Kakashi!"
Shizune's voice brimmed with delight as she spotted the two figures locked in combat on the cliffside. It had been days since she'd last seen Hoshita Shūichi.
Nearby, Might Guy pumped his fists with fiery determination. "No slacking off! Today's challenge: climb this cliff 500 times! If I fail, I'll spar with Shūichi!"
Sarutobi Asuma, observing the duel, felt a jolt of surprise. "Their speed... incredible."
The way the two moved across the vertical rock face as if it were flat ground, their chakra control honed to perfection, spoke volumes about their skill.
"They're improving too fast."
The thought stirred something in Asuma. Though he could continue training under his clan's tutelage without graduating, school now felt stifling—especially when watching Shūichi and Kakashi, whose progress seemed to accelerate outside the academy.
But then his gaze drifted to Yūhi Kurenai, standing beside him.
Then again... some things are more important than graduation.
High on the cliff, Shūichi and Kakashi finally broke apart, chests heaving, sweat pouring down their faces. Another draw.
But Shūichi knew the truth.
Kakashi had already exhausted part of his stamina earlier. Even with rest, the gap in endurance between them was clear. Without the mental sharpness granted by his "Focus" ability—enhancing his reaction speed and tactical processing—Shūichi doubted he could have kept up.
Kakashi's combat intellect was monstrous, even at this age.
Yet Shūichi felt no discouragement. A draw with Kakashi is proof enough. His training hadn't been wasted, and the "Prodigy" title's effects were undeniable. Still, the encounter reinforced his urgency to improve his physicality.
He didn't need to match legends like Jiraiya or Naruto, but at the very least, he couldn't afford to lag behind Kakashi.
In the ninja world, stamina and chakra reserves become the great dividers in high-level battles. No matter how powerful your techniques are, they're useless without the chakra to fuel them.
Descending the cliff, Shūichi greeted the others. As he reached for his water canteen, Shizune beat him to it, offering her own.
"Thanks," he said, accepting it with a smile.
After he drank, Shizune hesitated before speaking. "Shūichi, about the Memory Palace technique... There are a few points I'd like to discuss. Do you have time?"
"Of course."
The two settled into a lively exchange, Shizune posing questions while Shūichi elaborated. Nearby, Asuma and Kurenai paired up for cliff climbs, Kakashi observed Might Guy's relentless boulder-hopping routine, and the afternoon slipped away in a blur of training.
By dusk, Shūichi bid farewell to the group and met Yakushi Nonō. Together, they carried bags of groceries back to the orphanage.
These visits were becoming rarer as his duties grew, but the orphanage remained a home to him—because it was Nonō's home.
That night, they talked late into the evening. When exhaustion finally claimed them, Shūichi unrolled a futon in Nonō's room, lulled to sleep by the faint, familiar scent of her perfume.
The next morning, refreshed and energized, Shūichi packed his gear and made a detour before meeting his team.
At a specialized supply store, he purchased a full set of surgical instruments.
Medical ninja tools—perfectly reasonable for a healer, right?
This was his solution to mastering the "Ninja Tool Expert" title. Why waste time on nunchaku or staffs when scalpels and forceps could serve dual purposes? Healing and combat proficiency, achieved faster.
When he rejoined Namikaze Minato's team, his new attire drew immediate attention.
Gone was his old jacket, replaced by a sleek black vest modeled after Minato's green flak jacket—but with a key difference. Dozens of custom pockets lined the interior, each designed for precision.
As his teammates stared, Shūichi flicked a finger against one pocket. A scalpel gleamed in his grip.
"You brought surgical tools?" Kurama Sanyō blanched, recognizing the instrument that had dissected their recent training prey.
Shūichi smirked. "Naturally. A medic's tools are as vital as any kunai."
Sanyō scratched his head. "But you can't perform surgery alone..."
"Not yet," Shūichi conceded, tucking the blade away. "But once my chakra reserves grow, Shadow Clones will solve that. Preparedness never hurts."
Minato, ever the pragmatist, cut in. "Save the chatter. We move out now."
He outlined their mission: a two-week patrol along the Land of Fire's western border.
The team voiced their acknowledgment in unison, then set off westward.
By nightfall, they reached the rain-slicked frontier between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain, relieving another squad.
Here, the patrols were denser than at the River Country border—five squads weaving overlapping routes. The reason was simple: the Land of Rain was a cauldron of chaos.
Since the Second Shinobi War, rogue ninja, bandits, and spies from rival villages had infested the region. The war had ravaged the country, leaving it a battleground for the great nations that surrounded it: Fire, Wind, and Earth.
And at the heart of its decay was Hanzo of the Salamander—once a titan, now a recluse, his will eroded, his power withdrawn.
(+20 Chapter ahead)
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