However, although these genin were courageous, there was indeed a significant gap in their strength.
Often, with just a few punches and kicks, they were knocked to the ground by the Sand shinobi, and among them, Nonou Yakushi's performance was the most outstanding.
She used exquisite ninja tool throwing techniques, not only preventing the Sand shinobi from killing other genin but also forcing him to retreat several steps.
However, this was also thanks to the Sand shinobi being caught off guard, which allowed her to gain an advantage. Once he reacted, Nonou Yakushi's ninja tool throwing lost its effect, and the Sand shinobi closed in on her.
Although Nonou Yakushi knew her close-quarters combat ability was only at the level of an ordinary genin, she did not retreat an inch when facing the charging Sand shinobi, and her expression didn't change at all.
The Sand shinobi seemed to have been angered by Nonou Yakushi's previous actions, and he showed no mercy in his attacks. In just a few moves, Nonou Yakushi's kunai was knocked from her hand.
Seeing that the Sand shinobi's kunai was about to land on her in the next second, Nonou Yakushi's expression finally changed, but it wasn't fear; instead, it was a hint of reluctance, as if she still had attachments to this world.
And at this critical moment, an ice spike suddenly rose from the ground, piercing directly through the Sand shinobi's chest without any obstruction.
His kunai, which had been raised high, now lost its strength and fell directly to the ground.
Nonou Yakushi, who had been knocked to the ground, only reacted when the Sand shinobi's blood splattered on her face. She quickly got up, took another kunai from her ninja tool pouch, and continued to be on guard.
Just then, a figure instantly landed beside her, followed by a thunderous voice:
"You people have disappointed me greatly!"
The genin who had turned and run or were still hiding were startled by the words and turned their heads, only to see that the figure was Kyuushin, with Minato and Nawaki also appearing to have already dealt with their enemies, following beside him.
"Just a mere chunin, like a stray dog, has scared you all like this, and some even ran away. You're disgracing the Konoha shinobi!"
The shinobi who had turned to run showed expressions of guilt upon hearing Kyuushin's words. Some were flushed, and some even had tears welling up in their eyes.
But Kyuushin ignored them and continued to scold:
"This is war, not a game you play in school! If you don't even have the courage to face an enemy, why are you even shinobi? Go home right now!
I'm telling you, even if you're just in logistics, once you're on the battlefield, such attacks will be common. If your mentality doesn't change, you'll die sooner or later, and no one will be able to save you then!
This is the first time, especially for those who ran away. I don't want to see a second time. If it happens again, I will treat you directly as deserters! Do you understand?!"
"Yes! Lord Kyuushin!"
They, of course, knew what 'treated as deserters' meant. According to regulations, deserters could be executed directly without needing approval from a superior. After death, they would not only fail to be enshrined on the Memorial Stone but would also be despised by the entire village.
Hearing Kyuushin say this, the genin shouted loudly, especially those who had just turned and run. They shouted even louder, as in their hearts, they could never accept being treated as deserters.
"You few did well!"
After finishing his scolding, he naturally praised those who had the courage to rush forward and face the enemy. After praising them, Kyuushin used medical ninjutsu to treat the injured genin.
There was no other way; he was the only one in the entire team who knew medical ninjutsu. However, after the treatment was completed, Nonou Yakushi proactively came forward to help with the bandaging.
"You also know medical-related knowledge?" Kyuushin asked.
Nonou Yakushi's performance had already left a deep impression on him, but he hadn't expected her to have this skill as well. He had thought Nonou Yakushi started learning medical ninjutsu later on.
"Yes, Lord Kyuushin, I learned from my teachers at the orphanage."
Nonou Yakushi looked at the medical ninjutsu Kyuushin was performing with envy but still replied.
Kyuushin saw her expression and asked, "You want to learn medical ninjutsu?"
Nonou Yakushi seemed a little flustered, but hearing that Kyuushin wasn't blaming her, she said,
"Yes, Lord Kyuushin, my dream is to become a medical-nin and work in a hospital when I grow up."
Kyuushin nodded. This dream, compared to those unrealistic dreams of becoming Hokage, seemed very real. However, he still asked curiously,
"Why do you have this dream?"
Nonou Yakushi paused her bandaging hands and continued to answer,
"I grew up in the Konoha Orphanage. In the orphanage, many children get sick but don't receive effective treatment, and some even die because of it. So I want to be a doctor, so the children in our orphanage can grow up healthy."
"I remember the village also provides some subsidies to the orphanage, and some ninja clan also donate. Can't that solve this problem now?"
Nonou Yakushi nodded and said, "A lot has been solved, but often the village sends people for centralized treatment, and some children might not make it until then.
And some children are very sensible; they won't say anything even if they're uncomfortable, dragging it out until it becomes a serious illness. Plus, there are many children in the orphanage now, and often it's hard to keep up."
Listening to Nonou Yakushi's gradual explanation, Kyuushin realized that the current orphanage was far from perfect. Although the village allocated funds, the current tumultuous times meant there were simply too many orphans to care for.
The village's funds were not enough and could only barely cover daily food expenses. If a child fell ill, there was no extra money to go to the hospital.
They could only rely on the village arranging doctors to visit irregularly each month for treatment, but often, distant water could not quench a nearby thirst, and many children lost their lives before a doctor could arrive.
That's why Nonou Yakushi had this dream. As a member of the orphanage, becoming a doctor was the best solution.
However, Kyuushin only nodded and didn't say much. Although he did think Nonou Yakushi was a promising talent and wanted to recommend her to Tsunade, it would still require Tsunade's approval. As a disciple, he naturally had no right to make decisions for his sensei.
Minato and Nawaki went to clean up the battlefield, and Kyuushin was responsible for treating the genin. After this attack, Kyuushin had no intention of setting off immediately. He planned to set up camp here for the day and depart tomorrow.
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