During training, Ino also offered her suggestions for the newly formed Team 10.
"Asuma-sensei, do you think Team 10 is missing anything?"
Missing anything? Not really, is it? I think I'm a bit short on money lately, and the flowers your family sells are just too expensive! Asuma was a bit confused by her question.
Ino asked earnestly, "We're missing a Medical Ninja! Shikamaru got injured when we eliminated the bandits before, and we could only do some simple bandaging. That was against bandits, but what if it's against Ninja? If I get injured, or Shikamaru and Choji get injured, or even if you, Asuma-sensei, get injured in the future, what will we do?"
Asuma looked at her very seriously, "You mean you want to learn Medical Ninjutsu? You want to learn so many things—Water Release, Earth Release, Genjutsu, your clan's Secret Technique, and you still need to do basic Taijutsu training. Even with the Shadow Clone Technique, can you really learn all of that? Strictly speaking, having a Medical Ninja is a matter for Chunin squads. At the Genin level, it's very difficult for you to learn Medical Ninjutsu."
Ino didn't speak, but her determined gaze told him, 'I must learn!' For my dream, for my bonds, to become an excellent Ninja like Tsunade, and for all the chaotic things that will happen later, I must learn! Immediately, right now!
Asuma conceded directly, "Alright, alright, having a Medical Ninja in the squad is indeed very convenient. However, I don't know Medical Ninjutsu. I'll help you contact a Ninja who specializes in Medical Ninjutsu."
"Thank you, Sensei!"
With the Yamanaka Clan's influence, Ino could actually go to Konoha Hospital to find a Medical Ninja to teach her.
However, for a long time, the Yamanaka Clan had fixed its sphere of influence in the intelligence field. After the Third Hokage took power and the responsibilities of various departments within the Village became clearer, the Yamanaka Clan's influence was basically confined to the Analysis Squad.
Aside from the Yamanaka Clan Ninja, Ninja like Aoba Yamashiro and Tobitake Tonbo were all Inoichi's subordinates. The Yamanaka Clan's influence was already significant, and they would not easily venture into areas outside the Analysis Squad.
Similarly, the Nara Clan and the Akimichi Clan were also very cautious. If their reach extended too far, it could easily arouse the suspicion of the Hokage and the Advisors. The Uchiha Clan was a cautionary tale.
Asuma had no such concerns. Let alone the Medical Corps, he could even directly contact the Anbu. His father was the Hokage, what was he afraid of?
Just one day later, Asuma brought Ino to Konoha Hospital and found a Jonin named Kanpo.
Kanpo was the captain of Konoha's Medical Corps, the same age as Asuma, both 27 years old.
After Tsunade left the Village, the Medical Corps became a unit directly under the Hokage. Aside from the Nara Clan providing medicinal ingredients to the Medical Corps, the influence of other Ninja clans here was very small.
If a civilian Ninja wanted to join the Medical Corps, they had to pass a strict assessment. Ninja from Ninja clans received the same treatment. From this perspective, the Third Hokage truly achieved fairness.
Kanpo looked at Ino's academic performance during her time at the academy and said, "Miss Yamanaka, if you wish to learn some Medical Ninjutsu, I personally welcome it. However, considering you still need to carry out Genin missions, you can only be considered an intern. How much you learn during your internship period will depend entirely on yourself."
No salary, no dedicated teacher—Kanpo made it very clear.
Ino was already using her connections to get in and learn. This was a hospital, and work was busy. It was already good enough that they gave her an intern title. She had no reason to refuse.
"Okay, thank you, Director."
"Hmm, I'll have someone show you around." After all, with Asuma's connections, and knowing Ino's background, Kanpo added, "Being a Medical Ninja is very tough. You need to be prepared for hardship."
Considering that Ino might have some of a Ninja clan's young lady's temper, Kanpo put a little thought into it. The person who took Ino to familiarize herself with the environment was a kind and gentle-looking Genin, Yakushi Kabuto!
Despite some mental preparation, Ino's heart still rippled with a hint of surprise when she unexpectedly saw his sunny smile.
Good heavens, this was the junior disciple of the famous 'Traitor Master' and also the 'Dream Weaver Master,' another traitor!
She couldn't defeat Yakushi Kabuto right now.
This guy's strength was already comparable to Kakashi's.
Yakushi Kabuto seemed to notice her surprise.
"Miss Yamanaka seems a bit surprised to see me?"
Ino's imaginary enemies were those who ate from large wooden barrels. Compared to them, Yakushi Kabuto was nothing. She didn't think she was among Yakushi Kabuto's mission targets, and this was just normal interaction, so there was no big problem. She quickly adjusted her mindset.
"Excuse me, Senior, it's really, really..."
She hesitated, her voice faltering.
Yakushi Kabuto seemed to understand. He smiled like a big boy and said, "You think I'm older, don't you? Indeed, I'm already 20 this year and haven't passed the Chunin Exams despite many years of effort. I'm still a Genin, sigh. I really can't compare to geniuses from Ninja clans like you."
He smiled bitterly, seemingly genuinely frustrated about his inability to pass the Chunin Exams.
Ino, being perceptive, asked, "Are the Chunin Exams very difficult? Can Senior tell me about them?"
"Of course, but you're here to learn Medical Ninjutsu today, aren't you?"
"Oh!" Ino made a surprised expression and bowed slightly, expressing her apology.
"Miss Yamanaka is very polite."
"Just call me Ino, Senior."
Strictly speaking, Yakushi Kabuto was also one of the legendary 'Konoha Genin.' This guy never became a Chunin in his life.
Yakushi Kabuto's current status was the same as Ino's: both were interns at Konoha Hospital, with no salary and no teacher. He also had his own Ninja squad and would carry out D-rank missions. According to him, he had participated in the Chunin Exams seven times in four years, unable to pass, and usually just did missions. He had now completed 163 D-rank missions.
Ino was filled with admiration. You actually completed 163 of those chaotic, broken missions? Your endurance is truly astonishing!
Yakushi Kabuto's Medical Ninjutsu was actually not much worse than Tsunade's, but he still disguised himself as a novice. For several days that Ino was at Konoha Hospital, he often sat by and read various medical cases. Sometimes the Chunin would ask him to try his hand, but he would decline, citing his lack of ability.
Yakushi Kabuto looked down on the skill level of these Medical Ninja; he was a true master.
He was more interested in the medical cases accumulated over a long period at Konoha Hospital, constantly drawing nourishment from them and increasing his knowledge base.
Connecting theory with practice, and then researching new theories through practice—Yakushi Kabuto had undoubtedly reached the latter stage.
Ino, being a novice, couldn't compare to a master. Her current task was to learn, speak less and do more, and only speak once she had learned.
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