Hayate Gekko shook his head. "I don't know him. But the reason we came here is to look for Lady Tsunade."
Shizune hesitated slightly, her expression growing somewhat awkward.
"You wouldn't happen to be here asking Lady Tsunade to heal your injuries, right?"
"Is there any problem with that?"
"Lady Tsunade has already stopped healing people's injuries."
Shizune sighed deeply, as if recalling something painful.
Shiki was momentarily stunned, suddenly remembering that Tsunade currently suffered from hemophobia.
However, since his injury was meridian-related, it probably wouldn't require any procedure that involves blood.
Should he tell Shizune directly that his injury concerns the meridians?
But then how would he explain knowing about Tsunade's current fear of blood?
After all, this secret should still be known only between Shizune and Tsunade, right?
"Please, I beg you to plead with Tsunade-sama! Shiki still has many important matters to accomplish, many dreams to fulfill. Please!"
With these words, Hayate Gekko deeply bowed toward Shizune.
Nobody expected it—Hayate Gekko, who usually either appeared cold or made sarcastic remarks, would become so serious for Shiki's sake.
"This..." Shizune's face displayed a helpless expression.
The hallway suddenly fell silent. The dim sunlight shone onto the floor, seemingly revealing a hint of melancholy.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
A bell chimed from somewhere, suddenly evoking an indescribable emotion.
If even after finding Tsunade his injury couldn't be healed, perhaps that truly would be a tragedy.
"Big sister Shizune, I've also heard that you're an outstanding medical ninja yourself. Could you please check my condition first?"
Shiki spoke clearly. Though making a request,
he showed no hint of coercion or disappointment, nor did he attempt any moral pressure on the person before him.
At the same time, Shiki also displayed a bit of cleverness. This way, he could subtly let Shizune know his condition involved the meridians.
"Me? Of course I can."
Shizune nodded. She had no reason to refuse this child. Only now did she realize—the patient they mentioned was this red-haired boy.
Besides, they were from Konoha.
"Thank you."
Shiki smiled gently at Shizune, without exaggerated enthusiasm or excessive joy—only a genuine feeling of gratitude.
Shizune crouched down and gently set Tonton on the floor.
"Now then, just relax, and don't try to resist my chakra with yours."
"Yes, Shizune-nee-san. That's exactly what a good patient should do."
Shizune smiled too, crouching down and slowly placing her hands over Shiki's chest.
Exactly what kind of injury did this child suffer from?
She felt curious. From outward appearances alone, the boy seemed perfectly healthy.
What seemed more noticeable was his teacher standing beside him, who looked like he really needed treatment.
One thing that surprised her slightly was how little chakra this boy had in his body.
He didn't even meet the standard expected of a Genin.
Yet he had a Jonin instructor, which meant he'd already become a Genin.
"Could he be someone with naturally low chakra reserves?"
After making a preliminary judgment, Shizune closed her eyes slowly and followed the flow of chakra from her hand into Shiki's body, beginning to sense his current meridian condition.
"What?! How could this be!!"
Shizune suddenly opened her eyes wide, disbelief flooding her expression.
She looked at the boy before her, Uzumaki Shiki, but his eyes were still calm as usual.
As if he had no idea how severe his injuries truly were.
Shizune hesitated for a moment, but finally spoke, "I'm really sorry, but I think you're no longer suited to being a Ninja anymore."
She had never seen anyone in such a state. In her memory, she had seen people who overused chakra until their meridians became "burned," yes—but someone like this child here, whose entire meridian system resembled rotten, dried-up wood? That was simply impossible.
For most people, their meridians would fail long before reaching such a point, even threatening their lives.
But this child—his injury was actually an old one, and externally, he looked absolutely fine. Even though his chakra reserves were scarce, there was still some flowing within his meridians.
It was just unbelievable!
But as a medical ninja, no matter how hard this child might find it to accept, she had to inform him.
He was no longer suitable to be a Ninja.
"I don't know how you've managed these past few years since your injury. Perhaps you're extremely clever, always keeping your chakra control within a very precise range. But as a medical ninja, I must say your behavior has been extremely dangerous. If the amount of chakra running through your meridians exceeds the limit again, your chance of death is over ninety percent!"
Yuuma and Seiji stood frozen, stunned by the severity of Uzumaki Shiki's injuries.
But why had he never said anything at all? There were times when he acted like a fool, laughing and joking around like nothing was wrong?
The fading sunlight fell upon Shiki's face as if trying to write a tragedy.
But suddenly, Shiki lifted his head, determination flickering in his eyes.
"I've known the truth for two years already. So what?" To Be Continued.
Chapter 174: Tsunade Appears
So what?
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