Chapter 58: Deteriorating Health, Re-Examination
That night, Sanbo Motoyoshi gazed at the lavish spread of food before him and sighed softly. "Tonan, when are you going to test your chakra nature to see if you possess the wind element?"
Uchiha Tonan lifted his head, scooped up the remaining rice from his bowl, and murmured through a mouthful, "I already tested. I only have water, earth, fire, and lightning — no wind nature at all."
Motoyoshi blinked, stunned for a moment, then pressed, "Are you absolutely sure?"
Tonan nodded firmly, picking at stray grains with his chopsticks. "I really don't have it."
"If you don't have it, then that's how it is. You can't force chakra nature."
A hollow feeling settled in Motoyoshi's chest. He nodded slowly and hesitantly said, "I went to see the doctor today."
Tonan's expression blanked for a moment. He raised his head slightly, voice even but with an edge of concern: "And what did he say?"
Motoyoshi smiled gently. "He told me everything I needed to hear."
Tonan's face darkened. His chopsticks froze mid-air. He kept quietly picking at the rice, unaware his bowl was already empty.
Motoyoshi sighed inwardly, forcing a smile. "Your bowl's empty… let me fill it again."
Tonan set down his chopsticks and dabbed at his mouth with a napkin. His hand trembled slightly. Suddenly, in a burst of frustration, he swept all the dishes on the table to the floor. His face flushed, veins throbbing in his neck as ragged breaths escaped him. After several moments, he calmed himself and spoke in a measured tone, "I'll find that doctor and settle this."
Motoyoshi frowned, voice low but firm. "Tonan, calm down!"
Tonan pressed his lips together, crouching down. One hand covered his eyes as his body shook. Motoyoshi's own eyes filled with pain. He rolled his wheelchair closer, reached out, and gently stroked Tonan's hair. "Everyone has to face death someday."
Tonan shook his head violently, sobbing, "It's my fault. I'm a curse. I brought this on you. If I hadn't been here, you would've lived a long, healthy life."
Motoyoshi shook his head back, voice steady. "It's not because of you. If you hadn't been here, no one would even know if my body just withered away. In these final days, just stay by my side, alright?"
Tonan nodded, then suddenly grasped Motoyoshi's hand. "You won't die. I'll find a specialist medical-nin to examine you again in a few days. Maybe the last doctor made a mistake. When I met him, I felt he wasn't reliable."
Motoyoshi hesitated. "No need, Tonan. Accept what is. Don't waste money."
"No, he's wrong! He has to be!"
"Alright, alright. Maybe he slipped up. But for now, just stay with me."
In the following days, Tonan never left Motoyoshi's side. Before dawn, he pushed the old man's wheelchair through Konoha's quiet streets. In the afternoons, they sat in the courtyard chatting. At night, Tonan would stay up until midnight, then slip into Motoyoshi's room to watch over him silently. Motoyoshi's condition worsened visibly. Occasionally, he would mutter incoherently, his mind fraying.
One day, Tonan arrived at the Hokage Residence to seek out Sarutobi Hiruzen. As he stepped inside, he spotted Sarutobi Shinnosuke lounging on Hiruzen's desk, sipping tea and chatting.
Seeing Tonan, Shinnosuke quickly stood, eyes warm. "Tonan, what brings you here?"
Tonan bent at the waist to Hiruzen. "Hokage-sama, there's something wrong with Grandpa Motoyoshi. I want to issue a mission — please help me find a medical-nin to examine him."
"Is that so? Ahem ahem," Hiruzen winked subtly at Shinnosuke, who helped Tonan to his feet. With a brotherly grin, he said, "Tonan, no need for a formal mission. I know a top medical-nin right now. Let's meet him — I'm sure he'll give it his all if I ask."
Tonan looked at Shinnosuke's sincere gaze and nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Shinnosuke-senpai."
"Come on, I'll take you."
Putting an arm around Tonan's shoulder, Shinnosuke led him out of the Hokage's office. Hiruzen watched the two leave, exhaling deeply. "These tobacco leaves are truly excellent."
Half an hour later, Tonan and Shinnosuke found the medical-nin. Tonan reported Motoyoshi's condition in detail. The more he heard, the more the medical-nin frowned deeply.
"So, you're saying your grandpa's spirit began to collapse after learning he only has five years left?"
Tonan nodded. "Yes. Grandpa hoped to live long enough to hold a great-grandchild. This news shattered him. Whatever your diagnosis, please tell him the last result was a mistake — that he's healthy and will live a long life. Please." Tonan bowed deeply.
The medical-nin sighed, nodding solemnly. "I understand. Don't worry."
…
In the courtyard, Motoyoshi sat in his wheelchair, basking in the warm sun, drifting into sleep. Suddenly, with a loud bang, the door burst open. Tonan stormed in, pulling the medical-nin behind him. Shinnosuke stayed outside, not wanting to disturb.
"Grandpa, this is Konoha's renowned medical-nin."
Motoyoshi glanced at the doctor and nodded tiredly. "Thank you for coming."
Without delay, the medical-nin began the examination. Minutes passed, his frown deepening.
Noticing this, Motoyoshi weakly asked, "Doctor… can I be saved?"
The medical-nin withdrew his hands and smiled warmly. "What are you saying? Your health is excellent. By my experience, you could easily live to a hundred years."
Motoyoshi's face paled at the words. He forced a smile. "Good… that's good. Thank you."
As the doctor prepared to leave, Tonan hurried after him. "Doctor, I'll see you out."
"Alright."
Together, they left the courtyard.