Chapter 23 is here! (Please read it later)
AI Model: gemini-2.0-flash
The future holds infinite possibilities, and Xuan Yi needs to accumulate enough capital in the present to lay the foundation for that future.
The Konoha Hospital allowing students like Shizune to study was, in fact, implementing a concept Lady Tsunade proposed during the Second Ninja World War.
That concept was to have a Medical Ninjutsu practitioner assigned to each squad.
However, this idea was not supported by Jiraiya and Orochimaru, who were also among the Sannin at the time.
This was because there were simply no resources to do such a thing during wartime.
But after the Second Ninja World War ended, Hiruzen Sarutobi began to try it out.
Allowing students still at the Ninja Academy who aspired to become Medical Ninjutsu practitioners to simultaneously study at Konoha Hospital was one of the measures.
Of course, even for Konoha, it would be extremely difficult to assign a Medical Ninjutsu practitioner to every squad.
However, none of this concerned Xuan Yi; he simply enjoyed the convenience of the policy.
As for policies, one should not meddle in affairs outside their position.
Unfortunately, there were no resources for an experimental base.
In reality, Xuan Yi's current knowledge base also couldn't support an experimental base.
Or rather, it couldn't support the human modification or cell transplantation he was so eager to pursue.
"Don't rush, take it slow, accumulate gradually, overdraw a few more times…"
Xuan Yi performed a full body examination on the cadaver, while suppressing his eager heart.
This cadaver was a Ninja, and it had been stitched up many times.
But Xuan Yi was still very careful, dissecting layer by layer, then stitching it back up layer by layer.
This was out of respect for the cadaver, even if the cadaver had once been an enemy.
After half a day in the dissection room, Xuan Yi felt like he couldn't smell anything else when he came out.
Looking at the sun, which hadn't yet set, Xuan Yi took Shizune's hand: "Come, let's go to the hot springs."
"Ah?"
Shizune was startled: "Go to the hot springs now?"
Xuan Yi smiled: "After a day of hard work, of course, we need to relax."
Without another word, he pulled Shizune and ran.
Upon reaching the hot spring house, the two separated.
What, bathing together?
That was, of course, impossible.
It wasn't that co-ed bathing didn't exist, but that the River Crab God wouldn't allow it.
After soaking for half an hour, Xuan Yi's sense of smell returned to normal.
And Shizune, who had just emerged, had a rosy complexion that made one want to pinch her cheeks.
Looking at the darkening sky, Xuan Yi smiled: "Shizune, shall I treat you to some dango?"
"No need, it's too late today."
"I need to go home!"
Saying that, Shizune had already run off.
Xuan Yi sighed helplessly: "Why run so fast? I won't eat you."
Helpless, he could only walk home alone, hands in his pockets.
Meanwhile, Shizune had packed dinner but didn't go home; instead, she went to Lady Tsunade's house.
As expected, Lady Tsunade was drinking alone, with several empty bottles already on the floor.
Sighing softly, Shizune put down the dinner, then collected the empty bottles, and finally said: "Lady Tsunade, please eat dinner first!"
Lady Tsunade plopped down at the table, waiting for Shizune to arrange the dinner, then let go of the wine bottle and began to eat.
At this point, Lady Tsunade was slightly tipsy. She glanced at Shizune and asked: "I didn't see you at noon, did I?"
Shizune quickly replied: "Xuan Yi and I went to Konoha Hospital."
Lady Tsunade took a sip of sake: "Xuan Yi?"
"That brat you mentioned before?"
"Do you like him?"
Shizune immediately blushed: "Lady Tsunade, that's not true."
Lady Tsunade said indifferently: "Good if it's not."
"It's better not to like him, lest you be sad if he dies."
Shizune immediately said: "Lady Tsunade, Xuan Yi is very strong."
Lady Tsunade snorted and pouted: "Isn't he just a Genin brat who just graduated?"
Shizune didn't know how to explain, so she could only say: "Anyway, he's very strong."
"Tch!"
Lady Tsunade pouted, then asked: "How is your Medical Ninjutsu coming along?"
Shizune smiled: "I can use it now."
Lady Tsunade nodded: "Not bad. I'll teach you a new jutsu tomorrow!"
Shizune was delighted: "Yes, Lady Tsunade!"
After dinner, Lady Tsunade walked out with a bottle of sake, but suddenly stopped at the door: "I might leave Konoha. Are you willing to come with me?"
Shizune, who was cleaning up, froze upon hearing this.
...
Xuan Yi naturally didn't know that Lady Tsunade was going to take Shizune away. After dinner, he resumed his study of the Nine Syllable Mantra Hand Seals.
Late at night, this was all he could study.
Time flew by, winter passed, and spring arrived.
Unconsciously, it was already March.
Just as the time for another overdraw was approaching, Xuan Yi, who had just finished a mission and rested for two days, was notified by Yamanaka En of an urgent mission.
It was evening at this time.
Xuan Yi greeted his parents, packed his things, and arrived at the Village entrance.
Sakumo Hatake saw that everyone had arrived and shouted: "Depart!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Xuan Yi followed, leaping up and using the Body Flicker Technique to keep up with the three people in front.
He also clearly felt that this mission was extraordinary.
Because Sakumo Hatake's traveling speed was unusual; it was too fast.
And so, they traveled in silence, surprisingly reaching the border of the Land of Fire in one go before stopping.
"Rest and replenish your stamina!"
Sakumo Hatake ordered.
Xuan Yi and the other two nodded silently, then sat down to eat military rations and drink water.
The consumption was too great.
Especially for Xuan Yi; if he didn't stop to rest, his stamina would be depleted.
After resting for half an hour, Sakumo Hatake finally spoke: "This is a top-secret mission. We cannot leave any of our identification information."
Xuan Yi and the other two were all startled.
Sakumo Hatake took out four masks and distributed them, saying: "The target is the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers."
This made everyone pause again.
Yamanaka En subconsciously asked: "Captain, isn't the Land of Rivers our ally?"
Not long ago, they had just completed a mission to protect the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers.
It seems something has changed!
Xuan Yi secretly guessed.
Assassinating the Daimyo of a country, and one that was ostensibly an ally of the Land of Fire.
If they failed…
Xuan Yi felt that it was probably this mission that led to Sakumo Hatake's suicide.
Facing Yamanaka En's question, Sakumo Hatake simply explained: "The Land of Rivers is indeed an ally of the Land of Fire, but the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers betrayed the alliance; he married the daughter of the Daimyo of the Land of Wind."
"Furthermore, several mines originally planned to be given to the Land of Fire were instead given to a major merchant from the Land of Wind."
Uchiha Namiichi said coldly: "Does that also mean that the missions that originally belonged to the Village were taken by Hidden Sand Village?"
Sakumo Hatake nodded, then said: "The target is the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers. I'll handle this."
"En, you're responsible for the rendezvous!"
Yamanaka En immediately nodded.
Sakumo Hatake took out a stack of explosive tags and handed them to Yamanaka En, then looked at Xuan Yi and Uchiha Namiichi: "Namiichi, Xuan Yi, you two are responsible for attracting the attention of the Daimyo's guards."
"Remember, there's no need to fight head-on."
"I will take care of the Daimyo as quickly as possible, then retreat."
Xuan Yi and Uchiha Namiichi both nodded.
Sakumo Hatake continued: "According to the latest intelligence, the Daimyo's guards, in addition to samurai, include three Ninja squads, but only one Jonin."
"That Jonin will not leave the Daimyo's side, so you don't need to worry."
"However, it's not impossible that Hidden Sand Village has sent Ninja squads to hide in the shadows."
"Therefore, this mission is very dangerous."
"Namiichi, Xuan Yi, you must be very careful."
Xuan Yi and Uchiha Namiichi's expressions became solemn upon hearing this.
The possibility of Hidden Sand Village not sending Ninja squads was very small.
"Captain, I'll go with you!"
Uchiha Namiichi couldn't help but say.
Sakumo Hatake shook his head: "My speed is faster alone."
"Moreover, attracting the enemy's attention is also very important, and Xuan Yi cannot complete this task alone."
Uchiha Namiichi stopped talking.
Xuan Yi didn't speak; he knew his own strength, so he didn't try to be brave.
If he had the Chakra reserves of someone like Senju Tobirama, he would dare to propose completing the task of attracting enemy attention by himself.
But he didn't.