Somewhere deep within the Forest of Death, two ninja squads found themselves locked in direct confrontation. The sunlight barely penetrated the dense canopy above, casting shadows that danced across the forest floor as the two sides squared off.
Judging from the headbands they wore, the combatants were clearly distinguished: one squad hailed from Konohagakure, while the other bore the insignia of Kumogakure.
"You are no match for us. Hand over the scroll obediently," the leader of the Cloud ninja sneered, his confidence bolstered by the skirmish that had just taken place.
The three Konoha genin, however, were unyielding. Despite the initial disadvantage, none of them showed any sign of surrender.
"It's not over yet. Let's see who comes out on top," one of the Konoha ninja retorted, his voice steady despite his injuries.
"You won't shed a tear until you see the coffin. If you insist on resisting, don't blame us for getting rough," the Cloud ninja hissed.
Without waiting for a response, the Cloud ninja squad launched a relentless assault. Though not as formidable as Killer B, their combined strength made them lethal for most lower-ranked genin. Each attack was precise, coordinated, and calculated to overwhelm their opponents.
The three Konoha genin fought valiantly, countering with every ounce of skill they possessed. But against the superior teamwork and raw strength of the Cloud ninja, they were inevitably outmatched. Within moments, the three were subdued, their scrolls confiscated by the victorious enemy.
"Tch. Just a Heaven Scroll… what a waste of time," one of the Cloud ninja muttered.
Although the scrolls were of the same type, the Cloud ninja had no intention of returning them. Every scroll they captured decreased the chances of other teams passing the second phase of the exam, effectively thinning the competition for the later stages. A shrewd strategy, albeit ruthless.
After the Cloud ninja disappeared into the forest, a figure emerged from the shadows—quiet, calm, and unassuming. Seisui, the medical ninja, appeared before the injured Konoha trio.
"You're injured. Let me treat you," he said, his voice serene, carrying the quiet authority of someone completely in control.
From the very beginning, Seisui had been observing the battlefield. His goal was simple: treat the injured and collect the System rewards. He had no intention of drawing attention to himself or intervening unless absolutely necessary. This was a calculated approach, consistent with both his duty and the opportunities presented by the System.
Even if some of the weaker genin managed to pass this stage with his help, Seisui knew they would eventually be eliminated in the preliminary rounds of the third phase. The Joint Chunin Exams were designed as a showcase of Konoha's strength to the outside world. Nobles, dignitaries, and wealthy patrons from across the ninja nations were invited to observe, making efficiency and spectacle paramount.
"Wait, it's Doctor Seisui!" one of the trio exclaimed.
At first, they were wary. Any unexpected figure in the Forest of Death could pose a threat. But upon closer inspection, they recognized Seisui. Two days prior, during a routine treatment at Konoha Hospital, this same medical ninja had healed one of them.
Despite their familiarity, Seisui did not recall the encounter. He treated hundreds of patients daily, and only the most significant figures remained etched in his memory. The man noticed this, but it mattered little. He had confidence in Seisui's abilities and reassured his teammates, "Don't worry. Doctor Seisui is highly skilled. We're in good hands."
Seisui knelt beside each of the injured genin, performing swift, precise medical techniques. His hands glowed faintly with chakra as he manipulated their injuries, closing wounds and stabilizing bruised muscles. Within moments, each ninja felt renewed strength coursing through them.
[Completed treatment for Gosuke. Reward: One Blue Orb.]
[Congratulations! 40 points of chakra obtained.]
[Completed treatment for Jin. Reward: One Blue Orb.]
[Congratulations! 40 points of chakra obtained.]
[Completed treatment for Misaki. Reward: One Blue Orb.]
[Congratulations! One Explosive Tag obtained.]
Seisui observed the three carefully. All had reached the strength level of Chunin, and the System had rewarded him generously. It made perfect sense; these were Pakura's subordinates, trained rigorously under the Sunagakure jōnin's guidance. Pakura, a bloodline limit user, wouldn't waste her time training ordinary genin.
"Alright. I won't bother you any further," Seisui said softly. As quickly as he appeared, he vanished, leaving the trio unharmed and grateful.
Despite the vast expanse of the Forest of Death—roughly ten kilometers in radius—Seisui soon encountered another group. By sheer chance, he stumbled upon three Sand ninja, subordinates of Pakura: Jin, Gosuke, and Misaki. That he encountered them so quickly was remarkable given the size of the forest and the dispersion of fewer than ninety genin across the area.
"It's only been a few days, yet you all seem to be in some trouble," Seisui commented, his tone casual but observant.
The trio immediately tensed. They had just survived simultaneous attacks from two enemy squads and were still recovering from their injuries. But when they saw Seisui, their apprehension melted into relief.
"Are you here to steal our scroll?" Gosuke asked cautiously.
Seisui shook his head, a calm smile gracing his face. "No. I am a medical ninja. I cannot tolerate seeing injuries go untreated. My purpose is simply to heal."
With that, he set to work once more. Each of the Sand ninja's injuries was treated with meticulous care, chakra flowing smoothly from his hands to mend cuts, bruises, and fatigue.
[Completed treatment for Gosuke. Reward: One Blue Orb.]
[Congratulations! 40 points of chakra obtained.]
[Completed treatment for Jin. Reward: One Blue Orb.]
[Congratulations! 40 points of chakra obtained.]
[Completed treatment for Misaki. Reward: One Blue Orb.]
[Congratulations! One Explosive Tag obtained.]
Seisui reflected briefly. While the Blue Orb rewards were significant, they were expected given the skill level of the ninjas he treated. The three Sand ninja were no ordinary genin; their training and strength guaranteed higher-tier rewards.
The day drew on. Seisui treated every ninja he encountered, regardless of village affiliation. Most, however, were of insufficient strength to yield more than white orb rewards. Many had sustained injuries from minor encounters with wild beasts or careless missteps within the treacherous terrain of the Forest of Death.
By the end of the first day, Seisui had amassed just over two hundred points of chakra. It was less than he might earn in a single day at Konoha Hospital, but in this context, it was more than satisfactory. The Forest of Death presented both danger and opportunity, and he had navigated it with precision.
News of Seisui's presence spread quickly. By evening, nearly all genin participating in the second phase had heard rumors of a mysterious Konoha medical ninja moving throughout the forest, healing the injured.
"Did you hear? There's a Konoha medical ninja treating people here in the Forest of Death," some whispered.
"Isn't that… cheating?" others asked, suspicious of the fairness.
Rumors clarified quickly: Seisui treated everyone equally—Konoha genin, Cloud genin, Sand genin, and even those from more distant villages.
"He treats everyone, regardless of their origin. That's… surprisingly fair," some admitted grudgingly.
Yet where there was praise, there were also those with darker intentions. Some ninja, intrigued by the system rewards, whispered conspiratorially:
"A medical ninja, huh? Interesting… I think we'll go after his scroll tomorrow."
Seisui, as always, remained unaware of these schemes. Calm, methodical, and focused, he prepared for the next day, ready to face any who dared challenge him—not with brute force, but with the quiet, deadly efficiency that only a true healer could possess.
By the end of the day, one fact was undeniable: Qingshui's presence had altered the dynamics of the Forest of Death. Those who might have sought to prey on others now hesitated. The knowledge that a skilled medical ninja patrolled the area created a sense of security and fear simultaneously.
And so, the legend of Seisui, the wandering medical ninja of Konoha, grew, his reputation cemented through quiet skill, unwavering principle, and the subtle but unmistakable display of power that accompanied his healing hands.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)