After a while, Mito asked, "How did you do it, Maki?"
Maki stretched out her hands, motioning for Mito to look.
"Insects…" Mito muttered thoughtfully. Then she turned to Hitomi. "Hitomi, use your Byakugan to see what's going on inside the Maki."
Hitomi froze, then quickly shook her head, eyes brimming with tears.
Terrifying! She didn't want to see it.
"'Clearing the blockages to allow smooth flow," Mito said, even though she hadn't seen it herself. She could guess. "This third chakra control mode is something only you can do."
She sighed. "It's truly impressive."
"But even so," Mito added sternly, "don't get complacent. You still have much to learn."
"Yes, Grandma Mito. I understand," Maki replied obediently.
"That's good to hear~" Mito said with a smile. "For now, your tasks are to: learn to identify acupuncture points, train chakra control, study the human body, and learn the basics of herbal medicine."
"Herbal medicine is a vital part of medical ninjutsu. Back before the Warring States era, it was actually considered a form of Training."
"Back then, shinobi often fought in the wild. But the wilderness of that time was far more dangerous than today—rarely explored, filled with vicious beasts and poisonous insects."
"That's why ninja had to learn to read the weather, plan routes, and survive in the wild. You had to know which plants were safe to eat, which were poisonous, and which could heal wounds. Over time, major clans developed extensive herbal knowledge—some of it kept secret. The best of them laid the foundation for what became medical ninjutsu."
The Aburame clan, for example, might not specialize in herbs, but their bugs could test unknown plants—and even had healing properties themselves, making them surprisingly versatile.
Among the other clans, the Nara and Akimichi were especially skilled with herbs and made potent secret medicines.
"When Konoha was founded," Mito continued, "the clans shared their secret knowledge. They exchanged techniques and learned from each other. Over the past ten years, medical ninjutsu has grown immensely. Newborn mortality rates have dropped, and the average life expectancy of shinobi has increased. None of this would be possible without advances in medicine."
"Many nameless ninja quietly contributed to these improvements."
"I believe that with continued effort, we'll create even more ways to save lives."
She looked at the girls and smiled. "That's my small hope for you."
Mito's gaze was no longer focused on the clan. To her, Konoha was home—the home she and her husband built. But unlike Hashirama, she allowed herself to be a little selfish and willful.
Naori and Hitomi both nodded seriously.
"Being harmonious is part of the ninja code, but most modern shinobi no longer follow the old rules of secrecy. However, the part of the code that prioritizes missions still remains, though even that is bent depending on the situation. Nowadays, many villages allow mission failure if the circumstances justify it. This isn't the era where failure means death anymore. As for the rest of the rules… you probably don't want to know."
She smiled softly. "The times have improved. And the future will be even better."
Mito's voice grew hopeful. "People will keep moving forward and create a brighter era."
Naori and Hinata listened intently.
But Maki didn't take her words too seriously.
She's carefully planting her beliefs, influencing others without being obvious, Maki thought. Even if she avoids mentioning the villages directly, her message is clear. But I already have my own views. Mito isn't wrong—but if the future turns out like she hopes, that's not necessarily a good thing.
"Ninjutsu, swordsmanship, strategy… they're not so different from what you're learning now," Mito continued. "The only difference is depth. Strategy, for example, is something only jonin are required to master, since they lead genin and chunin in the field and form battle plans."
"Other category's are far more complex. They includes a range of skills: stealth, concealment, medicine, bandaging, poisoning and detox, makeup and cross-dressing, intelligence gathering, sensory training, starvation resistance, and shame-elimination training…"
At that, Mito leaned in with a mischievous glint.
"Do you know what shame-elimination training is?"
All three girls shook their heads.
"There are seduction techniques," Mito added casually. "Want me to teach you? It can boost your feminine charm."
"Isn't that just… not wearing enough clothes?" Maki replied flatly. "No thanks."
Hitomi shook her head vigorously. She wanted no part in it.
Naori, though curious, didn't see the point either.
Mito winked. "You can always learn from me in secret. You'll find it useful."
Maki changed the topic coldly. "Any other 'entertainment' skills?"
"Oh, plenty," Mito said. "Things like incense-making, singing, playing instruments... Before transformation jutsu existed, ninja had to rely on real skills to blend in. If you wanted to disguise yourself as a beggar, you needed a bowl—and actual performance skills to go with it."
"The Uchiha were especially talented in these areas. There was even a saying: 'A Uchiha who can't dance isn't a real Uchiha.'"
Naori blinked.
Is that true? Can all Uchiha dance? I've never seen it… Am I a fake Uchiha?
"But once transformation jutsu became widespread," Mito continued, "those older skills faded out."
"Wouldn't advanced makeup and disguise be harder to detect than transformation?" Maki asked.
"They are," Mito admitted. "But they're a lot more troublesome. Applying makeup takes time. And most ordinary shinobi can't see through a transformation jutsu anyway—only sensor-types or dojutsu users can."
She waved her hand dismissively. "Even so, ANBU still teaches it. They prefer the caution of traditional methods when infiltrating enemy villages."
Multitalented ANBU?
Maki imagined Kakashi in a dress, singing and playing an instrument.
Nope. I'm done imagining.
"Alright, enough chatter," Mito clapped her hands. "Let's return to learning the basics of medical ninjutsu."
And with that, the lesson resumed.
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