"Yes… war really is a terrible thing."
Maruboshi Kosuke let out a long sigh, his eyes growing distant as though memories from the past had surfaced.
"It's a good thing you became a Medical Ninja," he continued slowly. "At least you won't have to face that kind of hell again."
In general, Medical Ninja were stationed at Konoha Hospital.
Even if war broke out once more, their role would be to provide rear-line support rather than charge into the battlefield.
Compared to frontline combat ninja, their survival rate was far higher.
Aomizu nodded quietly.
"When I was on the battlefield, I watched my teacher and comrades die because they didn't receive treatment in time," he said in a low voice.
"That's why I decided to become a Medical Ninja."
He paused for a moment, then added honestly,
"…Of course, it's also because my combat talent isn't very good."
Hearing this, Kosuke felt an even deeper sense of sympathy.
Both of them had experienced the pain of losing comrades.
Kosuke placed a hand on Aomizu's shoulder and spoke earnestly.
"Everyone has their own strengths. I believe your teacher and comrades would be proud of what you've become today."
"I hope so."
Aomizu smiled faintly, then straightened his posture.
"But I won't give up on training either. I'll keep working hard to become stronger—so I can better protect the people of the village."
Having grown up in Konoha for eighteen years, Aomizu naturally felt attached to this place.
But in truth, he wasn't some saint who wanted to protect everyone indiscriminately.
He wasn't a so-called Great Love Immortal.
Those words were partly spoken to gain Kosuke's approval—so he could continue learning swordsmanship from him.
Even with the system, abandoning cultivation was impossible.
In the ninja world, strength was the foundation of survival.
In the past, he had no choice.
Now, he wanted to quietly grow stronger—steadily, secretly, and safely.
Kosuke looked at him deeply, then smiled.
"Good child."
"When I'm discharged, you can continue training with me."
"It'll also be a good opportunity for me to see whether your swordsmanship has regressed."
Aomizu's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"Really?"
"Of course."
Kosuke chuckled. "I wouldn't joke about something like that."
Aomizu immediately bowed.
"Thank you, Uncle Kosuke. But for now, you should rest properly."
---
After returning to his office, Aomizu began studying the newly acquired technique.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique.
A B-Rank Water Release Ninjutsu.
It was infamous for having the most hand seals in the ninja world—forty-four in total.
Of course, that was the standard version.
There were simplified variants.
The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, who was unparalleled in Water Release, could perform it with only three hand seals.
Later, Tobirama taught this technique to Maruboshi Kosuke.
Kosuke couldn't match Tobirama's level, but he only needed six hand seals to cast it.
And what Aomizu obtained from the system was precisely this six-seal version.
"So the system rewards techniques based on what the treated person actually mastered…"
This realization deepened Aomizu's understanding of the system.
"And my luck is pretty good."
"The first elemental technique I received is perfectly compatible with me."
Aomizu had already tested his chakra nature—it was Water Release.
Under his instructor's guidance, he had trained in water nature transformation.
Unfortunately, due to his mediocre talent, he had failed repeatedly and never learned a proper Water Release ninjutsu.
Even so, he never stopped training.
Not long ago, he finally succeeded in mastering Water Release nature transformation.
This Water Dragon Bullet arrived at the perfect time.
Of course, even if the system had rewarded him with another elemental technique, he would still be able to use it.
The system directly implanted mastery into his body and mind.
It felt as though he had trained for years.
However, without genuine mastery over the corresponding nature transformation, such techniques would never flow smoothly.
In real combat, even a one-second flaw could determine life or death.
That was why Aomizu felt fortunate.
---
By the end of the day, Aomizu completed five more treatments.
• Two White Orbs
• Three Blue Orbs
The results were immediately reflected.
The two white orbs increased his chakra by 30 points.
The three blue orbs increased his chakra by 200 points.
Adding the previous gains, his total chakra increase for the day reached 320 points.
His current chakra capacity now stood at 820 points.
He had also gained:
• One Genjutsu
• One B-Rank Ninjutsu
For a single day, this progress was incredible.
After work, Aomizu went to his usual training ground on the outskirts of Konoha.
He took a deep breath.
Six hand seals formed smoothly.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!
Water surged from his mouth, twisting and roaring as it formed into a massive water dragon.
Under Aomizu's control, the dragon slammed into a towering tree.
Boom!
The explosion echoed through the forest.
The tree—thick enough that two people couldn't wrap their arms around it—snapped cleanly in half.
Aomizu stared at the result, satisfied.
"This power…"
"I finally have a real killing move."
However, there was a problem.
He couldn't openly use the Water Dragon Bullet.
After all, it was a B-Rank Ninjutsu.
Fortunately, this wasn't a serious issue.
He could simply seek guidance from Kosuke later.
With his Water Release nature, the explanation would be perfectly reasonable.
"But it really lives up to its reputation."
"Just one use almost drained all my chakra."
Aomizu exhaled heavily.
"If this continues, I'll truly become a five-second real man."
Without a target, he decided not to test Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death.
After continuing basic training for a while, he finally returned home.
---
Aomizu was an orphan.
He grew up in the Konoha Orphanage until graduating from the Ninja Academy.
After becoming a ninja, he gained independence.
Several years later, using mission rewards, he bought a small house on the outskirts of Konoha.
With a Genin's income, buying property in the main city was unrealistic.
Renting there also felt unnecessary.
With a ninja's physical ability, crossing Konoha only took a few minutes anyway.
The night passed peacefully.
Morning arrived.
Aomizu went to Konoha Hospital in high spirits.
"Lord Hirakawa, a patient requires your treatment."
He immediately immersed himself in work.
At the same time—
Inside the Senju Clan Compound.
Tsunade was still asleep when Kushina barged into her room.
"Lady Tsunade!"
"Don't forget—you promised to go to Konoha Hospital today to guide Aomizu!"
Tsunade groaned.
"It's barely past nine…"
Even so, she got out of bed.
By the time she arrived at Konoha Hospital, it was already past ten.
Kushina didn't accompany her—she was learning sealing techniques from Mito.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Fukada Minako froze in shock when she saw Tsunade.
It had been over a year since Tsunade last appeared at the hospital.
As the deputy head of the medical department, Minako had been forced to shoulder all responsibilities during her absence.
That position should have belonged to Tsunade.
"Long time no see, Minako."
Tsunade nodded lightly, then got straight to the point.
"Do you know Hirakawa Aomizu?"
---
Tomorrow, judgment would come.
Whether he was worthy—
Would depend entirely on whether he could satisfy Tsunade.