"Ichizō, that's enough!"
The moment Shimura Ichizō uttered that mocking remark—that even if Uchiha Yuan's injuries healed, he might end up crippled—Sarutobi Shin'nosuke snapped, his voice sharp with anger.
Ichizō gave a cold chuckle and said, "Shin'nosuke, are you trying to hide the medical-nin's diagnosis from our 'hero'?"
"Enough!" Shin'nosuke barked, clearly irritated.
Turning back toward Uchiha Yuan, he sighed helplessly. "Captain En, just focus on recovering. The medical team only said there's a possibility of lasting damage.
Don't forget, we still have Lord Orochimaru and Lady Tsunade—with them here, even if your condition doesn't fully recover, they'll find a way to heal you."
Uchiha Yuan remained calm, his expression unchanging. "Lord Shin'nosuke, don't worry. I understand my own body better than anyone else. I won't be shaken by certain people's noise."
"Hmph."
Ichizō's face darkened, his eyes gleaming with undisguised malice.
Then, with a cold smile, he said, "Boy, take care of yourself. In your current state, even a mere genin could easily end your life on the battlefield."
With that parting jab, Shimura Ichizō turned and strode out of the tent.
A moment later, Sarutobi Shin'nosuke also took his leave.
Now, only Yamanaka Kono, Akimichi Umi, Inuzuka Yamazuki, and a few others remained.
Kono frowned, worry etched on his face. "Lord En, we may need to be cautious from now on. What Captain Shimura just said sounded a lot like a threat."
Akimichi Umi blinked in confusion. "What do you mean by that, Kono?"
Uchiha Yuan answered for him. "He means Shimura Ichizō might send a genin to assassinate me."
"What!"
Umi's eyes widened in disbelief. "How could Captain Shimura dare do that? To send someone to kill a comrade of the village—doesn't he fear being exposed?"
Yamanaka Kono sighed. "That's exactly why he'd send a genin. A low-level ninja can be easily manipulated with a genjutsu—or if caught, the blame can just be pinned on the Cloud-nin. After all, they're the ones most eager to see Lord En dead right now."
Moonlight Ryūka looked unconvinced. "Kono, aren't you being a little too paranoid? Captain Shimura wouldn't stoop that low. Lord En is a hero revered by everyone in camp."
Inuzuka Yamazuki turned to En. "Lord En, what do you think of Kono's theory?"
Uchiha Yuan smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Kono. Shimura Ichizō isn't foolish enough to send someone after me—though I don't doubt that he wants to.
His words were meant to intimidate me, to keep me anxious and off balance."
"Besides, the Cloud-nin are vengeful by nature. If they want to settle the score, they really might send someone to assassinate me. That's threat enough on its own."
"I understand," Yamanaka Kono said quickly. "Even so, I'll increase the security detail around here."
"There's no need," En said, waving his hand. "Treat me like any other wounded ninja—just another patient recovering in the medical tent."
At that, Akimichi Umi spoke hesitantly. "Lord En, are you worried you might not regain your strength? Please don't let that weigh on you. The medics only said it was possible you'd lose your ability to fight. If you rest and recover properly, you'll get your power back."
Everyone present had seen the medical report on Uchiha Yuan's condition—and they had been shaken by it. His injuries were even worse than what they'd witnessed firsthand.
They couldn't imagine surviving such damage themselves without falling into despair.
Yet when En had heard his own diagnosis, his expression hadn't wavered in the slightest. His calm composure had seemed almost inhuman.
Akimichi Umi assumed that his poise came from the Uchiha clan's pride—that he was forcing himself not to show weakness—so he tried to comfort him.
Uchiha Yuan looked slowly around the tent, meeting each of their concerned gazes. His heart warmed slightly.
He smiled. "You don't have to worry about me. I'll be fine. A true strong man doesn't bow to hardship."
As his steady gaze swept over them, Yamanaka Kono and the others felt their earlier anxiety fade, replaced by quiet resolve.
After a few more words, they excused themselves, leaving the tent in calm silence.
Moments later, Pharmacist Nono entered, carrying a syringe filled with emerald-green liquid. She injected it into En's arm.
Uchiha Yuan's eyes flickered. With his heightened spiritual perception, he could see the medicine flowing through his body, mending damaged tissue bit by bit.
"What is this medicine? The healing effect is incredible."
"This is a treatment serum developed by Lady Tsunade," Nono explained. "It's based on a secret formula of the Senju clan, capable of accelerating physical regeneration.
It's extremely rare—we only have sixty doses in the entire camp, and we've already used seven on you."
Then she looked at him curiously, her gaze lingering.
En noticed and asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Pharmacist Nono smiled faintly. "I was just thinking… perhaps others believe you're pretending not to care about the medical report, but I can tell—you truly don't.
It's as if you're completely certain you'll recover your full strength. That kind of confidence is… unusual."
Uchiha Yuan chuckled softly. "Doctor, curiosity isn't always a virtue. Everyone has their secrets."
She smiled again. "Aren't you afraid I'll tell someone?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Would you?"
Their eyes met in silence. Though she instinctively remained alert, she sensed no hostility from him—only calm trust.
"…Thank you for your confidence in me, Lord En. I won't speak of it."
Uchiha Yuan nodded with a gentle smile. "Thank you."
"I'll take my leave then. Please rest well."
With that, Nono departed, leaving the tent quiet once more.
Uchiha Yuan shifted his posture, sitting cross-legged on the bed, palms open and facing upward. His hands formed a complex, mysterious seal.
A golden light flared between his brows, a glowing sigil emerging at his forehead.
Then, brilliant chakra like liquid gold poured from his body, enveloping him completely.
His body, like parched earth meeting spring rain, absorbed the surging life force hungrily. His cells reawakened, rejuvenating and multiplying.
As the medic assigned to him, Nono would soon notice any change in his condition.
That was why he had reached an unspoken understanding with her earlier—
she would keep silent about anything unusual that happened to Uchiha Yuan's body.
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