After parting with Kurenai and Asuma, Sora walked towards the orphanage with Uesugi Min.
"I didn't expect you to agree to go to Kurenai's house for a meal."
Uesugi Min tilted her head, looking at Sora with a smile. "The way Kurenai's mother looked at you, it was like looking at a future son in law."
Sora glanced at her helplessly.
"Don't talk nonsense. It was just normal concern from an elder for a junior."
"Is that so?"
Uesugi Min drew out her tone, clearly not believing it, but she didn't continue teasing. She changed the subject and asked.
"You went to the Hokage Building earlier, right? Was it for some important mission? When you came out, you seemed a little heavy hearted."
Sora was a bit surprised by Uesugi Min's keen observation.
Like Asuma, she also graduated from the Ninja Academy at age 9. Counting it up, she has been a genin for almost three years now.
Sora remembered that Asuma was promoted to chunin at 12, and Kurenai at 13. Uesugi Min's talent was not low to begin with. At this pace, she probably already has strength close to chunin level by now.
Sora pondered slightly, thinking this matter would have to be told to the orphanage group sooner or later, so he nodded.
"Sort of. A very important matter. Let's talk about it together when we get back."
Seeing Sora's serious expression, Uesugi Min also put away her playful attitude and nodded.
...
Returning to the orphanage, because it was the weekend, the sounds of Yumi and Ayumi playing in the yard could be heard from far away.
Miyamoto Ichirō was sitting on the veranda. Seeing Sora and Uesugi Min return together, he raised his hand in slight surprise.
"Brother Sora! Sister Min!"
The two little girls immediately ran over when they saw them.
Sora smiled and patted the two little girls' heads.
Miyamoto Ichirō asked curiously.
"How come you came back with Min today?"
"We ran into each other on the way."
As he said this, Sora looked at everyone. "Actually, there's something I need to tell you all."
Seeing his serious expression, Miyamoto Ichirō and Uesugi Min exchanged a glance. Even Yumi and Ayumi quieted down, looking at Sora curiously.
Sora organized his words and explained about meeting Sarutobi Hiruzen and successfully securing spots for Yumi and Ayumi to join the medical training department after graduation.
He did not mention the subtle transaction and maneuvering between himself and Sarutobi Hiruzen, only stating the result.
As soon as his words fell, the yard fell silent for a moment.
Miyamoto Ichirō was stunned at first, then his face suddenly bloomed with immense joy and relief. He took a long, deep breath, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
"Re... really? Lord Hokage really agreed?"
As the oldest in the orphanage and someone without ninja talent, he understood the cruelty of war far better than the two innocent little girls.
The tense atmosphere pervading the village recently, and the occasional news of some family's child dying in battle, all weighed on his heart like a boulder. He was extremely worried about Yumi and Ayumi's future fate, yet felt powerless.
Hearing this news now, the excitement in his heart was indescribable.
"Yes, Lord Hokage promised it personally."
Sora affirmed with a nod.
"That's great! Truly wonderful!"
Miyamoto Ichirō rubbed his hands excitedly, his eyes even turning slightly red. "This is good, now there's no need to worry..."
Uesugi Min also breathed a sigh of relief, a smile appearing on her face.
"That's great! The medical corps is indeed much safer! Sora, you're really amazing, you actually managed to persuade Lord Hokage!"
Although she is currently a genin, performing only D-rank and a few C-rank missions, and thanks to Asuma hasn't truly faced the bloodshed of the battlefield yet, she has still heard about the dangers at the frontlines.
She felt genuinely happy that such security was obtained for her two younger sisters.
Yumi and Ayumi blinked their big eyes, seemingly not fully understanding what this meant, but seeing their older brother and sister so happy, they also became happy.
"Are we going to be medical ninja in the future?"
Ayumi asked curiously.
"Will we be like sister Nonō?"
Yumi also asked.
Mentioning Nonō, Sora's gaze softened.
"Yes. You will be like her, helping injured people in the hospital, not going to distant and dangerous frontlines."
"Okay! I like helping people!"
"Me too!"
Looking at the two little girls' innocent smiles, the gloom in Sora's heart from his maneuvering with Sarutobi Hiruzen also dissipated somewhat.
'No matter what, this result is good. At least for the next few years, they are safe.'
"However,"
Sora changed the subject, looking at the two little girls.
"Entering the medical training department also requires passing an exam. You need to learn a lot of knowledge, especially chakra control which has very high requirements. You must start working hard from now on."
Yumi and Ayumi immediately puffed out their little chests and promised.
"We will work hard!"
Miyamoto Ichirō also calmed down from his excitement and nodded.
"Right, we should start preparing in advance. I remember... before sister Nonō left, she seemed to have left behind some of her old notes and basic textbooks from when she studied medical ninjutsu. They're in that old box in her former room."
Nonō left in a hurry, but some less important personal items and books were left behind.
"That's great!"
Uesugi Minclapped her hands. "With sister Nonō's notes, learning will definitely be much easier! I'll go find them!"
She was quick to act, immediately running towards the room Nonō used to live in. Miyamoto Ichirō also went to help.
Not long after, the two carried out a small wooden box.
Opening the box, inside were indeed several somewhat worn books and a few scrolls neatly placed. They were labeled "Medical Ninjutsu Basics", "Introduction to Fine Chakra Control", "Illustrated Guide to Common Medicinal Herbs", and so on. There were also some notes in neat handwriting, clearly Nonō's personal insights.
Sora picked up one notebook and flipped through it. The contents were recorded in great detail, progressing from simple to complex, very suitable for beginners.
'Sister... the things you left behind are helping out greatly once again.'
Sora thought silently in his heart, his longing for Nonō increasing a little more. He didn't know where she was now or how she was doing.
He shook off these thoughts and handed the books and notes to Yumi and Ayumi.
"This is your homework from now on. While studying the Ninja Academy curriculum, you must start reading these books, especially practicing chakra control. Understand?"
"Understood!"
The two little girls solemnly took the books, their small faces full of seriousness.
Watching them eagerly begin to flip through those notes bearing Nonō's handwriting, Sora, Uesugi Min, and Miyamoto Ichirō looked at each other and smiled. The yard was filled with an atmosphere of hope.
Miyamoto Ichirō looked at Sora, his eyes full of gratitude.
"Sora, really... thank you. If it weren't for you, we really wouldn't know what to do."
Sora shook his head.
"We are family. No need to say such things. Moreover, this is only temporary security. Ultimately, they still need to work hard themselves to pass the exam."
"Yes! We will supervise their studies!"
Uesugi Min declared, clenching her fist, as if exuding the air of a big sister.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
📖 Like the story? Read 120 chapters ahead!
🔗 patreon.com/atomelectron
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━