Ryu remained in a state of suspended confusion, his young face unable to fully process the intense emotional exchange he had just witnessed.
Yuki moved toward him, her hands resting gently on his shoulders. "Ryu," she announced, her voice warm, "Dan here has decided to adopt you. He wants you to be his grandson."
The announcement hit Ryu with the force of an unexpected explosion. Adoption? Me? The notion was absurd, a concept meant for the child he appeared to be, not the grown man trapped within this small, terminally ill vessel. He felt a wave of internal chaos at the suggestion of making long-term commitments when all his focus was on curing his condition.
He hesitantly voiced the most critical question. "Why would someone be willing to adopt a child who is terminally sick, knowing that his time on this earth is limited?"
Dan's eyes, still soft from the emotional climax of the last chapter, held a deep, familiar sorrow. "Because," he murmured, "the value of a life isn't measured by its length, but by the fire it burns. And you deserve a chance to burn brightly with a family, for as long as you can."
Yuki stepped in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Dan is not a stranger to you. He is the brother of your late grandmother, Tsuki."
Brother of my late grandmother, Tsuki... The revelation was immediate and overwhelming. Suddenly, the distinct color of their eyes, the shared name, and the inexplicable pull he felt across the dining hall all clicked into perfect place. There was no doubt; they were family.
"My grandmother?" Ryu asked again, the word tasting unfamiliar on his tongue.
Dan nodded, his sad smile now tinged with genuine warmth. "She was an incredible woman. I see so much of her intelligence and spirit in you."
Ryu hadn't made any long-term plans beyond survival, and this sudden, sincere offer for adoption shook him to his core. He needed a moment to reset.
After a few seconds of silent calculation, his confusion dissolved into sharp focus. This is the tactical opening I need. Ryu recognized the value of the moment: they were emotionally invested and desperate for a 'yes.' This adoption isn't an obligation; it's the ultimate leverage to gain immediate, uninterrupted access to Konoha's best medical data and facilities.
Ryu took a deep breath, replacing his bafflement with a stern, serious expression. He turned to face the adults and asked, "Do I have a say in this arrangement?"
Both Dan and Yuki were taken aback. Any other orphan would be jumping with joy, but Ryu showed no sign of happiness. Yuki recovered first. "Why would you ask that, Ryu?"
Ryu allowed a small, knowing smile to grace his lips. "I will agree to be adopted by Mr. Dan only on one condition."
"Condition? What condition?" Yuki and Dan exclaimed in simultaneous surprise.
Ryu laid out his demand: "I want you to take me to Leaf Central Hospital every day. I know there must be a library there where I can find medical books and read them without any disturbance."
Dan and Yuki exchanged glances, their surprise turning to respect. "Every day?" Dan asked, his voice soft. "That's quite a commitment to reading, Ryu."
Ryu continued, his eyes unwavering. "If you agree to this, then I will go with Mr. Dan." He knew the hospital offered the necessary information, resources, and privacy required to cultivate and synthesize the cure he had planned.
Yuki spoke gently, "Ryu, I understand your thirst for knowledge, but spending all your time in a hospital library... are you sure this is what you want your days to be like?"
Dan pondered the strange request for a while before asking directly, "Why, Ryu? With the time you have, why spend it reading books instead of playing and enjoying life?"
Ryu returned a confident smile and replied with an ancient maxim: "Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles, you will never be defeated."
The quote, spoken by a six-year-old, rendered Dan and Yuki momentarily speechless. He had quoted Sun Tzu, a military strategist from his old world. He couldn't reveal he was planning to synthesize his cure, so he could only use wisdom and resolve to secure his access to the hospital's resources.
Ryu pressed his advantage. "I want to know more about my illness and find a cure. I understand that you see me as a mere child, but I am not going to give up without a fight."
Dan leaned forward, his eyes intense. "And what if you don't find a cure, Ryu? What then?"
Ryu met his gaze unflinchingly. "Then at least I'll know I tried everything. Isn't that what being a ninja is all about? Never giving up, no matter the odds?"
Ninja, you just came out of your nappies, kid, Yuki and Dan thought, utterly astonished. Not even many battle-hardened ninjas possessed such profound resolve. They were filled with admiration, a deep belief that if he were not terminally ill, this boy would do great things.
"Ahem, hem," Ryu cleared his throat, pulling them from their stunned thoughts.
Yuki was the first to give in. "I am okay with it if Dan agrees."
Ryu turned to Dan, whose expression quickly shifted from awe to acceptance. "It is okay with me too," Dan confirmed.
A brilliant, mischievous grin spread across Ryu's face. "I guess I will have to call you Grandpa from now on."
Dan's breath caught in his throat, a well of emotion rising at the simple, familial word. "Grandpa," he repeated, testing the word. "I... I'd like that very much, Ryu."
Dan and Yuki shared a knowing smile, silently celebrating the breakthrough.
Yuki turned to Dan. "Come tomorrow morning. I will have all his belongings packed by then. Since you are family, we can bypass most of the formal procedures. I will personally vouch for you on the adoption papers. Everything will be smooth."
Dan nodded, his eyes never leaving Ryu. "Thank you, Yuki. For everything." He turned to Ryu, his voice gentle. "I'll see you tomorrow, then."
The next morning, the orphanage buzzed with whispers as the news of Ryu's adoption spread. A melancholy sadness lingered, especially among the staff like the cook and the caretaker, who had grown fond of Ryu. Even the bully, Kaito, was in silent shock.
By the time Dan showed up, Ryu had already said his goodbyes, expressing genuine gratitude to the staff, particularly Yuki.
"Mother Yuki," Ryu said, his voice thick with emotion. "I... thank you. For everything."
As he and Dan were about to depart, Kaito's desperate shout echoed down the hallway. Hearing his name, Ryu turned to face Kaito, whose eyes were heavy with sadness.
"Even if they didn't choose me," Kaito choked out, tears mixing with snot, "I'll train! I will become a great ninja, like my father, and defend this village!" He took a gasping, ragged breath. "Please… Please watch me. Don't you dare die!"
The sudden, vulnerable emotional breakdown from the resident bully shocked everyone.
Ryu's eyes softened. He saw not the tormentor, but a scared, abandoned child desperate for approval.
Ryu smiled, his determination unlimited. "I will not die," he declared. Then, with a fierce conviction that demanded attention, he added, "And I will become someone all ninjas can only dream of becoming."
He stepped forward toward the crying boy, holding out his hand. "I will become someone the Five Great Kage will one day stand in line to shake hands with. You better shake this hand now, Kaito, as you may not get this chance in the future."
Kaito stared at the outstretched hand, tears still streaming down his face. For a moment, he hesitated, years of resentment warring with the newfound respect. Then, slowly, he reached out and grasped Ryu's hand.
A collective shiver ran through the onlookers, including Dan. The scene was awe-inspiring and deeply emotional. The cook wiped her eyes; the caretaker composed herself. Yuki and Dan's faces were filled with a mixture of pride, respect, and utter certainty about the boy's future.
Dan stepped forward, placing a gentle, guiding hand on Ryu's shoulder. "Ready to go, kiddo?" he asked softly.
Ryu looked up at him, then back at the orphanage that had been his home for so long. "Yes," he said, his voice steady, his focus already on the hospital library. "I'm ready."
With that promise, Ryu and Dan embarked on their new beginning, departing the orphanage together.