The sun slowly peeked its head over the horizon, and the morning glow pierced through the clouds, draping Konoha Village in a sheer orange-red veil.
Taiichi lay bored on his bed. Normally at this time, he would already be training his Kenjutsu by the river. But today, he had just tried to get up for some simple exercises when a patrolling nurse caught him and scolded him back to bed.
Sometimes he really wanted to just use the Healing Jutsu to cure all his wounds, but he knew the gains wouldn't outweigh the losses.
Doing so in combat or wartime was understandable. But in peacetime, any ninja who didn't want an early grave wouldn't use Healing Jutsu to treat such widespread cellular damage.
After all, theoretically, this kind of healing worked by consuming cellular potential to stimulate accelerated cell division and replication, thereby healing wounds. It was literally trading life for time.
Therefore, Taiichi, who wouldn't even over-extract Chakra, could only lie in his hospital bed and kill time.
During this period, nurses came and went frequently, checking on Taiichi as if they had been specifically instructed to prevent him from sneaking out of bed.
Until...
"Taiichi! Haha, you really are here!"
The door was pushed open, and a boisterous Yohei walked in carrying a fruit basket. Following him were Captain Yamaguchi and Saori, who was holding a bouquet of flowers.
"I didn't believe it when Captain Yamaguchi said you were injured this morning. We only separated for a day—how did you get hurt like this?" Yohei looked puzzled. It seemed he still didn't know anything.
Taiichi glanced at Captain Yamaguchi, who shook his head subtly. Taiichi understood immediately; this matter was likely confidential or unsuitable for Genin to know.
"I got caught up in a special mission and ended up like this," Taiichi said helplessly.
"Ah? What kind of mission? Tell me, tell me!" Hearing "special mission," Yohei got even more excited.
Bonk!
Captain Yamaguchi punched Yohei on the head, silencing him instantly.
"What did I tell you before? Confidentiality! Confidentiality! Don't go asking about other ninjas' missions casually," Captain Yamaguchi said sternly.
Yohei wilted like a deflated balloon, drawing circles in the corner.
"Didn't you guys have a mission today? How come you're here so early?" Taiichi changed the subject, not wanting to embarrass Yohei further.
Saori, who had just put the flowers in a vase, finally spoke up. "We took a mission to find a cat today, but we were lucky and found it quickly near where it was lost."
Saori sat on the edge of the bed, straightened the messy quilt, and continued, "We came to see you right after submitting the mission. Are your injuries serious? How long until you can leave the hospital?"
"They said I need to be hospitalized for four days. Once the external wounds are mostly healed, I can leave." Feeling his teammates' concern, Taiichi was happy. "It's good you guys came. Lying here unable to do anything, I'm bored to death."
"You should rest well and make sure there are no lasting effects. These kinds of extensive injuries are most likely to leave chronic problems," Captain Yamaguchi added with concern.
"Sigh, I guess that's all I can do." Taiichi turned to Yohei, who was still drawing circles. "Yohei, there are only two people in the team right now. You'll have to shoulder more responsibility."
"Haha, of course! I was the one who caught the cat today!" Hearing Taiichi, Yohei instantly revived to full health.
He then vividly described the entire cat-catching process to Taiichi—how he cleverly discovered the first clue, and how they set a trap together to catch the kitten...
The team chatted in Taiichi's room like this until a nurse came for rounds and shooed them away.
The room returned to silence, leaving Taiichi alone again. For someone who always had a packed schedule, this idleness was disorienting.
With nothing to do, Taiichi let his thoughts wander. He thought about his past, the future war, but mostly about improving his own strength.
This battle had clarified many things for Taiichi. Rather than researching every single ninjutsu, it was better to specialize in a few highly functional ones.
In the previous battle, Taiichi used the max-level Phoenix Flower Jutsu and Great Breakthrough the most; other elemental jutsu were only used occasionally.
While combat needs dictated this, it was also because he was most proficient with these two jutsu. Seizing the initiative in battle increased the chances of victory, and both enemies this time were ultimately defeated because Taiichi caught them off guard.
Then there was the immense power of Taiichi's ninjutsu. Aside from the boost from his "Potency" talent, it was due to his Nature Transformation mastery, which rivaled that of an average Jonin.
Normally, reaching Lv6 in Nature Transformation was considered Jonin-level mastery.
Of course, having this level of mastery didn't mean one was a Jonin. Ninja rank was a comprehensive evaluation of ability; being high in a single aspect was useless on its own.
Just like the current Taiichi: his Nature Transformations had reached Lv7, but due to his physical fitness and lack of experience, he was at best a Chunin.
That said, Taiichi's Nature Transformation was already at a relatively high level. Previously, practicing ninjutsu drove the improvement and understanding of his Nature Transformations.
But after reaching Lv6, this effect became minimal. Now, Taiichi needed to think of a specific method to improve his Nature Transformations.
Thinking this, Taiichi raised his right hand and slowly gathered Chakra in his palm. due to the pain in his cakra pathways, he couldn't do this too fast. Slowly, a ball of pale blue Chakra formed in his hand.
Taiichi looked around the room and decisively chose to convert the Chakra into Water Nature. Gradually, the pale blue light disappeared, replaced by a fist-sized ball of clear water. This was Nature Transformation.
Staring at the water ball, Taiichi focused his mind, controlling it to rotate and stretch in his hand. Sometimes he reverted it to Chakra and then transformed it back into water. Gradually, Taiichi became engrossed in playing with it, until a panel notification appeared.
> [You continuously practiced Water Nature Transformation. Water Nature Transformation +1]
So this works too! Taiichi realized. Indeed, Nature Transformation wasn't just about practice; it was about comprehension.
The panel had actually given hints long ago. Wasn't his Great Water Prison Jutsu born from an epiphany? That time, his Nature Transformation increased by 1000 points instantly.
With a new goal, Taiichi laughed, no longer bored. He gathered Chakra in his hand again and began to slowly comprehend the changes within.
...
The next day.
"Excuse me, is Matsushita-kun here?" A knock came from the door.
Taiichi frowned and dispersed the Chakra in his hand. Who would come at this time? He couldn't think of anyone.
"Come in."
Two adults and a child entered—it was the Kurama Clan Head, his wife, and little Yakumo Kurama. They were all carrying gifts.
"We heard you were hospitalized, Matsushita-kun, so we came specifically to visit and express our gratitude for your rescue!" The Kurama Clan Head spoke first.
"You are too polite, Clan Head Kurama. I'm sorry, I'm covered in injuries and can't get out of bed to welcome you," Taiichi said politely, though inwardly he thought, Clan people really talk so formally.
"Big Brother Taiichi, I picked these flowers myself! Thank you for saving me!" Yakumo Kurama was quite familiar, breaking free from her mother's hand and running over.
"Yakumo, don't be rude," the Clan Head scolded.
"It's okay. I like Yakumo this way." Seeing Yakumo about to cry, Taiichi rubbed her head and hurried to smooth things over.
Seeing this, the Clan Head let it slide; she was his daughter, after all.
"Matsushita-kun, we came firstly to visit you, and secondly to ask if there is anything you need."
"Your rescue was truly important to my wife and me. But we don't know what you need, and ordinary items can't express our gratitude. So we came specifically to ask for your opinion. Please don't take offense."
Taiichi could feel the sincerity of the couple; they genuinely wanted to thank him.
But Taiichi still refused. "Uncle Kurama—sorry, I'll just call you that—this was my duty as a Konoha ninja. really, there's no need. Besides, Lord Hokage has already rewarded me with an A-rank mission credit."
"Lord Hokage's reward is from the village. But my Kurama clan cannot fail to show our appreciation, or people will say the Kurama clan doesn't know gratitude," the Clan Head said firmly.
"Then... how about this, Uncle Kurama. Could you give me some information on your clan's Genjutsu?" Taiichi asked hesitantly.
"This..." The Clan Head looked troubled. "Matsushita-kun, the Kurama clan's Genjutsu is based on our Kekkei Genkai of controlling the five senses. It would be useless to you."
Realizing the misunderstanding, Taiichi quickly added, "Sorry, Uncle Kurama, I wasn't clear. I just want some general Genjutsu materials, not the Kurama clan's specific techniques."
"Oh? That's no problem at all. I'll arrange for someone to send them over when I get back," the Clan Head agreed readily.
"Thank you so much, Uncle Kurama! I'm really lacking in that area right now. You're helping me out big time!" Taiichi deliberately exaggerated his need to put the Clan Head at ease.
Although, he did genuinely want to learn some Genjutsu. He realized he had powerful spiritual energy but no corresponding means to use it, which was quite a waste.
Thus, both sides were happy. After chatting for a while longer, the Kurama Clan Head took his family and left.
However, the Genjutsu materials Taiichi requested were delivered that very same day.