Soon, Higashino Megumi entered with some documents, and the classroom fell silent; even the obstinate Obito behaved, unable to disturb Rin's studies.
Higashino Megumi glanced at her own son, then at the head‑tilted, pouting Obito, and instantly realized Higashino Shin was once again verbally teasing someone.
She didn't particularly like Obito either, since the boy wasn't there to learn Medical Ninjutsu, but having enrolled, he would be treated normally—if not becoming a Medical Ninja, at least learning some practical first‑aid techniques, which might save a life someday.
The Higashino family holds no real grudge against the Uchiha Clan that villagers often complain about, and they certainly don't discriminate.
The course began quickly; the first two sessions covered medical knowledge and the cultivation methods and techniques of Medical Ninjutsu.
Medical Ninjutsu is like a formula: you can't just learn it and use it; you must also consider the victim's actual condition.
Assessing those conditions relies on one's own knowledge, forming a complete System of Ninjutsu training and application.
The final session was practical; the students packed their notes and followed Higashino Megumi into a specially prepared infirmary.
Inside were four Ninjas injured during training or missions, still awaiting treatment.
They had consented to be in the infirmary, willing to endure a bit of pain to give younger villagers some hands‑on experience.
Having more medical experts in the Village would give everyone a little extra security for their future lives.
Three of the patients were strangers to Higashino Shin, but the remaining one was instantly recognizable; despite not wearing the signature green jumpsuit, his glossy black hair, thick eyebrows and beard gave him away.
He was Konoha's infamous oddball, the eternally‑Genin Might Duy.
Back when he couldn't even summon the System Father, Higashino Shin once thought of asking someone to become his adoptive dad.
Fortunately, he found a Golden Finger in time, so he didn't end up with an extra dad on his head.
Who would voluntarily study that deadly Eight Gates technique?
Not that he looked down on it, but Natural Energy is far more useful than that gimmick.
---
The first three patients had minor injuries—mostly accidental cuts from Sharp Weapons during training or muscle strains. Higashino Megumi first let the trainees assess themselves, then corrected their mistakes based on experience, and had them practice Medical Ninjutsu on the patients.
Finally she reviewed their work, checking for any shortcomings.
Konoha has countless Ninjas, so new injuries appear daily; after a year or so of hospital training, the trainees accumulate plenty of practical experience.
The only trouble was Might Duy, whose body was a patchwork of old and new injuries—severe joint wear, twisted meridians, exhausted muscles, and deformed finger joints.
Even Higashino Megumi, by monitoring his breathing, scent, and faint internal sounds through a stethoscope, could pinpoint which organs were malfunctioning.
For such long‑standing wounds, even a Tokubetsu Jōnin of the medical field has few solutions; she could only teach the trainees how to use gentle Chakra for full‑body conditioning.
She also warned the freshly graduated newbies that diligent cultivation is commendable, but overtraining is dangerous—Might Duy was the best example.
Higashino Shin thought that to heal Might Duy properly, Lady Tsunade herself would have to perform countless surgeries across his entire body.
It wouldn't be a matter of days; it would require simultaneous surgeries and recovery, a process measured in years.
Clearly, that was beyond Might Duy's capacity; he needed to earn a living, train, and simply didn't have the time to rest.
Moreover, Lady Tsunade now suffers from hemophobia and cannot perform surgery, a fact known only to the four‑person Konoha leadership and her two teammates.
Higashino Megumi once told her son that Lady Tsunade hadn't appeared in the hospital for a long time.
Higashino Shin guessed she had probably fled with Shizune and was no longer in Konoha Village.
---
The day's lessons ended, and Higashino Megumi finished work smoothly.
At the hospital entrance, the trainees gradually said goodbye to her.
Although she wasn't the only instructor in the hospital, every teacher who imparted knowledge earned their students' respect.
Even Obito respectfully said, "Teacher Megumi, you've worked hard today."
When it was Higashino Shin's turn, the kid rested his hands behind his head, acting cocky, deliberately tilting his head away and letting out a 'cheeky' sound.
"Obito, that's impolite."
"I know." Facing Rin Nohara's serious expression, Obito immediately switched tone: "Hey, kid, see you later."
Rin's face brightened as she said to Higashino Shin, "Junior Shin, I didn't expect you to master Medical Ninjutsu better than I do; you'll surely become someone like Lady Tsunade someday."
Half of that was sincere praise; the other half was just helping Obito smooth things over.
Smoothing Obito's relations has become Rin's instinct since childhood.
What a considerate and gentle girl—truly the ideal "white moonlight" for a sensitive boy like Obito; no wonder Kizashi later turned into a ruthless demon for him.
"You're flattering me, senior Rin. You're amazing too; go rest soon, goodbye."
"Yeah, goodbye, Teacher Megumi, goodbye."
After Rin finished her farewell, Obito darted away in a flash.
Higashino Megumi smiled and shook her head, saying nothing. Young love's hazy feelings are always beautiful and delicate.
Fortunately, when she was a student, Higashino Jiro wasn't as clingy as Obito, or she would have been scared away and Higashino Shin might never have been born.
Walking home, Higashino Shin curiously asked, "Mom, does that uncle Might Duy often come to the hospital? With his condition, he should have collapsed by now."
"I used to see them in the Village; with their training style, even an iron body can't keep up."
Higashino Megumi sighed, "Yes, that's why your father constantly reminds you not to over‑exert yourself; it sacrifices not only your future but also your lifespan."
"Might Duy's case is special. As you know, he's famous in the Village—a eternally‑Genin who only knows crude taijutsu, isn't very smooth socially, and few want to team up with him."
He can only take simple rookie missions, earning limited income, and he has a son to raise, so the hospital reached a verbal agreement to support him.
He often comes to the hospital as a patient for the trainees to practice on; his body serves as an excellent teaching case for understanding Medical Ninjutsu.
The hospital also pays him per visit, easing his financial pressure, and we give him simple conditioning each time.
It's a win‑win; even if he's weak, he's still a comrade of the Village.
"No wonder he's lasted this long—what a strong father."
"Indeed, we've given him many suggestions and sometimes prescribe gentle medicines, but it seems he uses them all on his son."
Higashino Shin thought, if he didn't love his son so much, he wouldn't have produced a beast capable of opening the Eight Gates and kicking through the Six Paths.
Might Duy is actually decent; at least he passed down a powerful forbidden technique and the essential Ninja way to his son.
What about the other older Genin?
Their talent is limited; they have no secret jutsu, no Ninjutsu, and even if they did, they couldn't use it.
Many keep entering the Chunin Exams year after year, only to be eliminated—just like ancient imperial exams, all for a Chunin title.
Don't think that a Chunin is just a roadside sign; a powerful Ninja can dispatch one with a single Kunai.
In fact, that level is already out of reach for many.
They may have solid fundamentals or plenty of low‑level mission experience, but it's useless.
In the end, a Ninja's battle strength is what truly matters.