WEEKLY POWER GOALS 💎🔥 30→2ch | 60→5ch | 100→8ch | 200→15ch | 400→25ch⏰ Resets Monday!
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Chiba wasn't panicked by Orochimaru's attention. He'd anticipated this the moment he decided to save Nawaki.
To change his own destiny, this was an acceptable cost.
"It's like this, Lord Orochimaru," Chiba said, his mind racing. A plausible explanation formed almost instantly. "What I used just now wasn't the Mystical Palm Technique. It was a completely new medical ninjutsu I developed through personal modification."
"Oh?" Orochimaru's interest was visibly piqued. He gave a slight nod, a silent command for Chiba to continue.
"Even the gentlest chakra, when introduced into another's body, triggers a 'rejection' response from their system. That's actually the core principle of the Mystical Palm—stimulating cell activity in the wounded area to promote healing."
"Nawaki's condition was far too critical just now," Chiba explained with a face of utter seriousness, lying through his teeth. "Using the standard Mystical Palm risked outright destroying his already fragile circulatory system."
"So, I had a sudden idea. What if I could control the vibrational frequency of the chakra I channeled into him? Match it perfectly to the natural frequency of the chakra within Nawaki's own body? Perhaps that could bypass the body's 'rejection' response and repair the damage directly."
"I admit," Chiba concluded, "there was a significant element of gambling involved."
Sss…
Orochimaru's tongue flicked out, tracing his lips. He didn't speak. Those vertical, serpentine pupils simply raked over Chiba, up and down, the scrutiny so intense it made the boy's heart pound against his ribs.
Fortunately, the system's modifications to Chiba were exceptionally subtle. After a thorough appraisal, Orochimaru found nothing outwardly amiss.
This… is a genius.
That was Orochimaru's internal verdict on Chiba.
This boy not only possessed a startlingly scientific understanding of the human body's systems, but his control over chakra… it might even surpass that of an elite jōnin like himself.
"Chiba. I am impressed."
Orochimaru's interest was fully engaged now. He cut straight to the point. "You. Would you be willing to become my disciple?"
Become your disciple? So you can turn me into slides for your microscope later?
Chiba didn't even need to think about it. "Lord Orochimaru," he said, opting for a polite refusal, "I don't currently have plans to seek a master. Would you allow me some time to consider it?"
Sss…
Orochimaru heard the unspoken 'no' loud and clear. He chuckled, a dry, rustling sound. "Not just anyone has the qualifications to become Orochimaru's disciple. Consider it well. My offer stands indefinitely."
A wave of murmured astonishment swept through the onlookers. Clearly, none of them understood why Chiba would pass up a chance to forge a connection with the Hokage's lineage.
"So… he really was just trying to save Nawaki?"
"Such noble character… I feel ashamed of my earlier doubts."
"To think we judged a hero with our petty minds…" A wave of heartfelt admiration swept through the onlookers.
Damn it damn it DAMN IT!
Over to the side, Wugang was practically vibrating with jealousy. Lord Orochimaru! That idiot Chiba doesn't know what's good for him! Choose me! Pick me as your disciple!
Once the commotion died down, Chiba didn't even pause to catch his breath. He was already moving, heading straight for the next patient.
Why the hurry? Simple. He was on a shopping spree.
[Ding! Treatment successful. Congratulations, Host, for obtaining… System Error! System Error!]
[Host's Appearance attribute has reached its maximum limit and cannot be increased. Reward changed to: Rooster Length +1!]
"…Huh?!"
Reading the system prompt, Chiba felt a headache coming on. He was already… generously endowed. Any more, and finding a partner in the future would be a logistical nightmare.
[Ding! Treatment successful. Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 'Fire Release: Small Fireball Technique'!]
[Ding! Treatment successful. Congratulations, Host…]
A whole series of treatments later, all Chiba had gotten was a pile of useless junk. A somber truth dawned on him: It wasn't about quantity. It was about quality.
Such formidable chakra control… A talent like this truly is… tantalizing.
Orochimaru finally withdrew his gaze from Chiba, filing the observation away. He'd made up his mind. Once this war was over, he would find a way to make the boy his. One way or another.
"Holy shit, Chiba! You really brought that guy back?!"
When Nohara Hiroshi walked back into the tent, his jaw nearly hit the floor. But an even bigger shock was waiting for him.
"WHAT?!"
"Lord Orochimaru offered to take you as his disciple?! And you actually REFUSED?!"
"A golden opportunity like that, and you just… tossed it aside? If you didn't want it, you could've given it to me!" Hiroshi half-joked, half-complained.
Chiba scratched his head and offered a sheepish grin. "Leader Nohara, I don't have any grand ambitions. I just want to be a good medic-nin. Keep saving lives. That's enough for me."
"You kid…" Hiroshi sighed, gave Chiba's shoulder a firm pat, and said no more before turning to leave.
"You. You're Chiba?"
Not long after, just as Chiba was scanning for his next patient, a haughty voice sounded from his side.
"Hm?"
Chiba frowned slightly and looked up. A man wearing a chūnin flak vest was swaggering towards him.
"I'm Inoue Shin'en. Heard your medical skills are decent. Come with me. My sister needs you to patch her up." The man's tone left no room for argument. Clearly, news of Chiba saving Nawaki had spread to other tents.
This guy…
Inoue Shin'en's arrogant attitude rubbed Chiba entirely the wrong way. But, adhering to a medic's principles, he kept his temper in check. "What's the patient's condition? How severe are the injuries? Is it life-threatening?"
"What's with all the questions? If it wasn't urgent, why would I be looking for you?" Shin'en snapped irritably. "Just follow me. My sister got her face grazed by a kunai. Been waiting forever and not a single medic-nin showed up! Had to come find one myself!"
…Come again?
Chiba's brain short-circuited for a second. "So… aside from that cut on her face, are there any other critical injuries?"
"'Aside from that cut on her face'?!" Shin'en was offended now. "A girl's face got damaged! How is that not serious?!"
For fuck's sake.
Chiba's expression darkened completely. "Inoue Shin'en, was it? I don't have time for your nonsense. Please leave. I have other patients who actually need treatment."
"You… you dare refuse me?!" Shin'en hadn't expected a rejection from some snot-nosed teenager. His voice turned icy. "Do you have any idea what the name 'Inoue Clan' represents here in Konoha?"
Chiba was done. Inoue Clan? Some family that didn't even rate a name-drop in the original plot, not even worthy of being background filler. What the hell was this guy puffing his chest out about?
"I'll say it one more time. Leave. Don't interfere with me treating patients who are actually in need." Chiba's patience had evaporated.
"You little bastard! I was being polite earlier, wasn't I?!" Shin'en's face finally contorted with rage. He pointed a shaking finger at Chiba. "A commoner without even a family name! How dare you speak to me with that attitude?!"
"I believe this young man is correct."
A new voice, calm and measured, cut through the tension. A figure stepped up beside Chiba, his gaze level as he regarded Inoue Shin'en. "If you have no real business here, you should leave. Do not cause a disturbance and hinder others from their duties."
"You—!!" Shin'en's furious retort died in his throat. His eyes had landed on the small, distinctive fan emblem stitched onto the newcomer's chest.
In Konoha, the Inoue Clan had some influence, true. But in the eyes of this clan… they were little more than an insignificant, minor family.
"Y-yes. You are right to correct me, sir. I'll take my leave immediately." Shin'en bowed hastily to the figure and turned to go.
"Wait." The figure's voice stopped him cold. "Shouldn't you apologize to this young man before you depart?"
"Of course, of course, you are absolutely right." Shin'en spun back, bowing again, this time towards Chiba. His demeanor was a complete 180 from his earlier arrogance. "Young man, my attitude was unacceptable earlier. Shin'en offers his apologies." With that, he scurried out of the tent like a whipped dog.
"Well then… you are…?" Chiba turned his head slightly to study the man who had intervened. For a fleeting moment, he saw a shadow of Uchiha Itachi in the other's bearing.
"Hello. My name is Uchiha Fugaku."
The man gave Chiba a slight, respectful bow. His attitude was earnest. "A friend of mine has sustained a rather complicated injury. Would you be willing to take a look?"