"Kakashi, you're already a Chūnin, aren't you? I'm sure you've done plenty of missions outside the village.
You must have picked up a few hidden injuries here and there. This is the perfect time to go to the hospital and get checked properly."
"That's right, Kakashi! I think Ryosuke has a point," Rin said, backing Ryosuke's suggestion.
"Kakashi, why don't you come with us?" Rin added, giving Obito a quick, meaningful wink.
Obito blinked in confusion for a moment before he caught on. He turned to Kakashi and joined in.
"Come on, Kakashi, just come with us! If you've got some hidden injury, it'll only hold you back in the future. And with Lady Tsunade there, if you've got any lingering problems, she can sort them out. Who knows—maybe in a few days you'll be a Jōnin!"
Kakashi lowered his head at their combined persuasion. After a moment's silence, he finally spoke.
"You're all such a pain… fine, I'll go."
Ding. Uchiha Sasuke Card points +6.
Ding. Uchiha Sasuke Card points +2.
Congratulations, Host. Uchiha Sasuke Card has met the conditions for a rank-up. Rank up now?
Already?
Ryosuke's attention was instantly drawn to the system's prompt. In his mind, he said, "Rank up."
The original Uchiha Sasuke card glowed gold. Moments later, the light faded, revealing a brand-new golden card. The Sasuke depicted was clearly older—dressed in white, a sword at his waist, and his three-tomoe Sharingan spinning slowly in his eyes, giving off a dangerous, almost alluring edge.
The name on the golden card now read: Uchiha Sasuke (Shippuden).
Uchiha Sasuke Card rank-up successful. Reward: 10 Treasure Draws (guaranteed at least 1 ninja card in 10 draws).
Use Treasure Draw now?
Rank-up successful. Use card now?
Ryosuke immediately equipped the upgraded card, then turned his focus to the 10 treasure draws.
"Draw."
Multiple draws available. Choose: single draws or all at once?
He thought for a moment.
"All at once. Go big or go home."
With that thought, a spinning card materialized before him, followed by a flash of golden light.
Gold?
A golden glow?
Could it be… the legendary jackpot? Was he actually pulling a gold card?
The ten cards dropped down, flipping over one by one.
Congratulations, Host: Tonkotsu Ramen Voucher x1.
Congratulations, Host: Kusanagi Sword x1.
Congratulations, Host: Ninja Tool Pouch x1.
Congratulations, Host: Training Bandages x1.
Congratulations, Host: Ronin Katana x1.
Congratulations, Host: Kunai x50.
Congratulations, Host: Explosive Tags x100.
Congratulations, Host: Medical Bandages x20.
Congratulations, Host: Nohara Rin Card x1.
Congratulations, Host: Golden Growth Card – Yakushi Kabuto x1.
Bonus: For drawing 10 times at once, Host receives a System Storage Space to hold rewards.
Gold.
A growth-type golden card.
Ryosuke's gaze locked on it instantly. The man on the card had short, silver-white hair neatly cut, glasses perched on his nose, a black shirt under a gray vest, and an expression of sharp focus.
It's you—the dream-maker himself, Kabuto.
Yakushi Kabuto was no ordinary shinobi. Even from his first appearances, he was already Orochimaru's trusted right-hand man, skilled in medical ninjutsu, research, and much more.
No bloodline limit, no great clan to back him—just sheer effort, completing all of Orochimaru's experiments and making their results his own.
Later, he would master Sage Mode, becoming a perfect Sage. During the Fourth Great Ninja War, he gave everyone a "dream come true" opportunity, fighting two Uchiha alone.
A true powerhouse of the shinobi world.
At that moment, Rin's voice brought Ryosuke back to reality.
"Ryosuke, have you really decided to become a medical ninja?"
"I have. I'm going to be a medical ninja," he replied, standing and gazing toward the Hokage Rock.
"Wherever the leaves dance, the fire will burn. The shadow of the fire will illuminate the village, and new leaves will sprout once again. We are the new leaves."
Reciting the words aloud, he turned to Rin.
"Rin, how important is a medical ninja to a team?"
"They're essential," she answered without hesitation.
"And if the enemy spots a medical ninja, wouldn't they make them the first target?"
Rin frowned slightly. "They would."
Ryosuke nodded. "Exactly. A medical ninja's role is both special and critical. In the right moment, their skills can pull an entire squad out of danger, turn defeat into victory, and give our comrades the best possible chance to survive."
On a mission, keeping every teammate alive—that's my ninja way."
His words left the others momentarily stunned, their eyes now holding a more complex look.
None of them had expected Ryosuke to have such firm resolve—or a ninja way he was already prepared to dedicate his life to.
"Rin," he asked after a pause, "do you remember the three principles for medical ninja?"
Rin tilted her head in thought, then her eyes lit up in recognition.
"You mean the ones Lady Tsunade announced three days ago in the new compulsory course?"
Ryosuke nodded. "That's right. First—before a teammate's death, a medical ninja must never give up treatment.
Second—a medical ninja must never be on the front lines.
And third—a medical ninja must never be the first to die in their squad."
He let the words hang in the air for a moment before adding, "These three will be my lifelong creed—my guiding light for carrying out my ninja way."
The conviction in his voice was strong enough that even he almost believed it himself.
Of course, with the Academy under the Third Hokage's watch, and with that faint feeling of being observed just moments ago, it didn't hurt to make the speech sound impressive.
He knew there were always ANBU near the Academy—and today, with Kakashi here, they would be watching even closer. After all, Kakashi was the son of Hatake Sakumo.
When he finished, he caught Rin looking at him in a way that could only be called admiration.
Ryosuke allowed himself a small, inward smile. The act had landed perfectly.
[End of Chapter]