"Naruto."
Hinata was the first to stand up, wanting to go and check on Naruto, but she was held back by Sakura and Ino.
"Wait, Hinata, don't disturb Nojuro."
"That's right, that's right, leave it to Ryun."
"But Naruto."
Nojuro Ryun ignored Hinata's anxiety and also paid no mind to Sasuke's tsundere words from earlier.
This guy would only show kindness to others if he felt a sense of approval towards that person.
At this time, Naruto was very weak. If not for Naruto's perseverance that led to him knocking himself out, Sasuke would absolutely not have given Naruto a second glance.
Ryun placed his hand on Naruto's wrist. Perhaps influenced by his past life's culture, he preferred diagnosing patients this way.
Almost the moment his chakra entered Naruto's body, Ryun sensed an immensely powerful and evil chakra, which seemed to chase after him like it had found prey.
Ryun naturally would not provoke the Nine-Tails inside Naruto. His chakra quickly retreated from Naruto's body. He said, "He's fine. His body is freakishly strong."
"You can take a closer look at his injuries. They are already slowly healing."
Sasuke looked carefully and found it was actually true.
He asked, puzzled, "Isn't this guy a dead last? Why does he have such strange power?"
"Perhaps it's precisely because he has strange power but doesn't know how to use it that he became a dead last. Just like you."
Sasuke immediately bristled, glaring angrily at Ryun, wanting to say something more. Ryun's fingers, swift as lightning, tapped Sasuke's forehead.
In an instant, a force of Yin-natured chakra flowed into Sasuke's meridians.
Sasuke was stunned. Then he felt a cold power burst from his head and converge into his eyes. Faint, indistinct tomoe began to appear in his eyes.
Sasuke was ecstatic. He realized he was about to awaken the Sharingan.
But at that moment, Ryun stopped. This made Sasuke glare at Ryun in shock and anger, saying, "Don't stop. Keep going."
"Ow."
The next second, Sasuke was knocked to the ground by Ryun. The girls behind Ryun laughed at this.
Sakura and Ino now only found it amusing to see Sasuke being taught a lesson by Ryun, completely forgetting that not long ago they had seen Sasuke as their idol.
Hinata also came over to check Naruto's condition. Only after confirming he was safe and sound did she let out a sigh of relief.
Sasuke stood up, still wanting to say something, but Ryun pinched the back of his neck and pulled him aside. He said, "That's all I can do. After all, I'm not from the Uchiha Clan. How to awaken your power still depends on you yourself."
If Sasuke hadn't already awakened the Sharingan once before and just forgotten how to use it, Ryun wouldn't even have been able to stimulate his eyes.
"Also, if you talk about this matter, I'll be in trouble. Understand?"
Sasuke was slightly taken aback. He had just been immersed in the thrill of gaining power and hadn't considered Ryun at all.
Now, tilting his head to look at Ryun, for some reason he felt Ryun's face was slowly overlapping with someone else.
No, Ryun was definitely not a bastard like Uchiha Itachi.
"Hmph, don't worry. A man of the Uchiha keeps his word. I'll keep it secret."
"Good."
Ryun patted Sasuke on the shoulder, intending to leave. Sasuke stopped him, using a voice only the two of them could hear. "I want to know why."
"Why I helped you?"
Sasuke nodded.
"Just consider that I've heard too many stories about the Uchiha Clan and feel regretful about your clan's disappearance."
Ryun waved his hand and left, leaving Sasuke alone in the darkness, clenching his fist.
However, not long after, he returned to normal. He walked over, picked up Naruto again, and said calmly, "I'll take him home."
"Eh, I thought you were going to dump this on me," Ryun said, surprised.
Sasuke curled his lip and said, "You should just take care of these three young ladies."
"Sasuke, Ino and I are not young ladies."
"That's right, that's right. We don't need others to take care of us. Sasuke, you're so good at taking care of people. You're more like a young lady."
Ino and Sakura giggled, which left Hinata, who was beside them and wanted to say she would take care of Naruto, no chance to speak for a moment.
Watching Sasuke carry Naruto away until he disappeared, Hinata finally turned her gaze back to the food in front of her and began helping Ryun grill fish.
"Hinata, do you know your physical constitution is very poor?"
Hinata was startled. Looking at Ryun who was smiling in the firelight, she quickly shook her head.
It was unclear whether she meant she didn't know, or that her constitution wasn't poor.
Ryun began explaining on his own. "We ninja all possess Yang Release chakra in our bodies to some extent. It supports the operation of our vitality and even determines how much chakra we have."
"Sakura and Ino both have this kind of chakra, and its quality is good."
"As for you. Unfortunately, you might not be much stronger than an ordinary person."
Hinata looked at Ryun in astonishment. Just moments ago, she had only wanted to brush him off. Now she only wanted to hear more.
"You mean, my current weakness is due to a problem with Yang Release chakra?"
Ryun nodded and said, "This is just my speculation."
"Then. Is there a way to treat it?"
A glimmer of hope flashed in Hinata's eyes.
She didn't regret her position being taken by her sister. She could even accept being branded with the Caged Bird Seal in the future.
But she still wanted to become stronger. That way, she could at least have the power to protect others and become a ninja trusted by everyone.
"I don't know. I'm not even a ninja."
The light on Hinata's face gradually faded. But Ryun reignited her hope with one sentence.
"However, I can try."
Ryun raised his hand. The chakra in his hand gathered into a sphere.
But unlike ordinary blue chakra, Ryun's chakra slowly emitted a white light, though it couldn't be sustained for more than a few seconds.
Of course, this was Ryun pretending. He could maintain Yang Release chakra output continuously, but that would be a bit too shocking.
"As you saw, I used this kind of chakra just now to clear the cold from your bodies."
"If you're willing, Hinata, I will try to use Yang Release chakra to nourish your body. As for how effective it will be, I don't know."
Hinata quietly looked at Ryun. She clearly understood this would surely be a massive undertaking.
Even Sakura and Ino fell quiet, looking at the two of them curiously, wondering why Ryun would go to such great lengths to help Hinata.
"I."
Hinata bit her lip. According to her nature, she definitely wouldn't want to trouble others, especially by owing Ryun such a huge favor.
But she, who desperately wanted to improve her strength and change herself, also didn't want to miss this opportunity.
Seeing Hinata torn and almost on the verge of tears, Ryun finally said, "How about this, Hinata. You be my ninjutsu test subject. If there are any accidents, I won't be responsible. Can you agree to such conditions?"
Hinata looked up sharply. So that was Ryun's idea.
But when she met Ryun's gaze, she felt again that Ryun was deliberately giving her this opportunity.
In the end, Hinata nodded vigorously. She said, "Ryun, I am willing to be your test subject. I will bear all consequences myself."
"I. What should I do?"
Ryun took Hinata by the wrist and had her sit down. He said, "Relax. Right now, what you need to do is eat your fill."
---
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