Days passed by one after another.
Gradually.
Kushina has been in Konoha for half a year.
During this time.
Araki repeats almost the same routine every day, and his learning efficiency keeps improving. Under the purification of the green chakra, his physical fitness has been getting better and better.
At this moment.
At Tsunade's residence.
Araki is earnestly reading a book on basic medical theory. He has lost count of how many times he has read this book.
It's almost memorized by heart.
There are just a few details that he's not quite certain about.
After a few more repetitions, he will remember them completely.
These theoretical knowledge have given Araki a deeper understanding and awareness of the meridians, organs, and systems of the human body.
"Today's lesson ends here!"
With Tsunade's gentle voice, another afternoon class comes to a close.
Tsunade doesn't linger in the room for too long and leaves directly. She still has many things to attend to at the Konoha Hospital. The reason she dedicates this time every day is no longer just for Nawaki's sake but for Araki.
Tsunade gradually discovers Araki's talent.
Many things she doesn't ask him, and he doesn't claim to know them, but when she does ask, he can answer almost all of them.
To put it simply...
Tsunade feels that out of about a hundred questions she asks Araki, he can answer around ninety-seven of them.
The accuracy is astonishing!
This truly makes Tsunade realize that Araki has a passion for medicine and also possesses a considerable amount of medical knowledge. He can already be considered a theoretical doctor.
Now, it's time to accumulate experience and put theory into practice.
It's time to learn medical ninjutsu!
Suddenly.
Tsunade stops in her tracks, standing at the doorway. The door to the house hasn't been closed yet.
"Araki, go back and review. Tomorrow, I'll conduct the final assessment. If you pass, we'll begin the study of medical ninjutsu," Tsunade advises.
"Yes!"
Araki closes the book in front of him, slowly closes his eyes, and images of various organ arrangements and sequences appear in his mind.
If there's a problem anywhere, the corresponding solution will surface in his mind.
He feels that he has thoroughly grasped this set of theories.
However...
It took him a whole half year.
This consumed more energy than any course at the ninja academy!
...
"Brother, you're my real brother. I beg you, can you please talk to big sis tomorrow and ask if I can go out and have some fun?"
Nawaki tightly grips Araki's arm. His hair has grown longer than before, and his overall spirit seems even more listless. He has even gained some weight, with fair skin resembling that of a woman.
"No," Araki shakes his head.
"Brother! I haven't been out for half a year! It's been exactly half a year! Do you know how I've been spending my days?" Nawaki's tone reveals a hint of teary-eyed desperation.
"I know!" Araki nods and says, "We're meeting tomorrow, aren't we?"
"But you can go out every day! I can't! I'm suffocating! I'm really suffocating! I'm begging you! You're my big brother from now on! Can you please?" Tears start to stream down Nawaki's face.
"Let's talk about it after you pass the theoretical knowledge."
Araki ruthlessly refuses, stands up directly, and prepares to leave. It's time for his scheduled meeting with Might Dai's youth.
"Brother, spare me. The theoretical knowledge is too difficult. How could I learn it all in half a year? You're like a monster; I seriously suspect that you secretly study after every class. It's just unfair!" Nawaki's emotions are on the verge of breaking down. For the past half year, he has only been able to see his big sister and Araki every day, as if he were in prison, utterly bored.
"You must learn the theoretical knowledge. With these constraints in place, your learning progress is so slow. If you could go out and play freely, who knows when you would learn these things! Remember this entire book is a point!" Araki says while walking toward the exit.
"A point?"
Nawaki's mouth twitches, and his eyes almost blur. He's not in a good state at all.
Such a thick book!
So many words inside!
Could that be just a point?
How enormous must that point be!
Just as Nawaki is about to say something else, Araki has already reached the doorway and leaves, opening the door.
"Don't leave me alone!"
Nawaki's tears flow uncontrollably, and even his snot is close to reaching his mouth. How could he have imagined that in just half a year, he has fallen to the lowest position among the three siblings?
Initially, he was only oppressed by his big sister, but he could find some balance with Araki.
Later, Araki gradually showed astonishing medical talent, memorizing all those complex medical theories in his mind. Every time he faced his big sister's assessment, he calmly and accurately answered three questions.
Gradually...
Nawaki noticed that his big sister's words were becoming more inclined toward Araki, and Araki's actions were also becoming more aligned with his big sister. These two seemed to join forces and oppress him, the younger brother who wanted to go out and have fun.
He's actually three years older than Araki!
However...
Even he himself doesn't know when it started, but the relationship between him and Araki seems to have switched in terms of age. When Araki speaks, he sounds more like his older brother, especially in his tone, which becomes increasingly similar to their big sister's.
"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"
"Araki, just wait for me. When I become the Hokage, I'll definitely confine you too!"
"No one will be able to save you then!"
"Let you experience my current helplessness!"
"Hmph!"
Nawaki clenches his fists tightly, already starting to imagine that scene. When that time comes, the only one who might be able to save Araki is their big sister.
But she won't save him. When they grow up, she won't get involved in their petty fights. Nawaki is confident about that.
Unless Araki becomes his brother-in-law...
A strange thought suddenly pops into Nawaki's mind, but he immediately shakes his head and dismisses this idea, finding it odd even to himself.
It's impossible!
Araki is just his sister's disciple!
How could a disciple be together with their teacher!
Besides...
His big sister is a whopping thirteen years older than Araki, an age gap even greater than Araki's own age. Who would be interested in an older woman!
...
Araki is unaware of what's going on in Nawaki's mind, let alone expecting that half a year would make Nawaki become like this.
At this moment, Araki is about to go home, drop off his backpack, and then, as usual, greet Kushina, following their routine. Afterward, he will have his passionately burning youthful rendezvous with his teacher, Might Dai, just like every night.
However...
Just as Araki reaches the door...
He suddenly hears a series of banging and clattering from inside.
"No, stop! Please, stop!"
At the same time, a struggling female voice reaches his ears through the door, clear and distinct.