"Seriously ill? What's her name?"
Shigure asked sharply.
Mei Terumī walked to her desk, rummaged through a pile of folders, and pulled one out before handing it to him.
"Ameyuri Ringo — a rare Lightning Release prodigy of the Hidden Mist."
Shigure opened the file and scanned the contents. The name sounded familiar, but when he saw the attached photo, his eyes widened.
So it's her…
Ameyuri Ringo — one of the famed Second Generation Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, wielder of the twin blades Kiba, infused with lightning.
Name: Ameyuri Ringo
Age: 14
Gender: Female
Shigure raised an eyebrow. "She's just a girl?"
He looked up. "Can I see her?"
Mei Terumī nodded. "Of course."
The two made their way to the Kirigakure Hospital. On the way, Mei stopped briefly to check on Chōjūrō, who was still bedridden. His injuries weren't critical, but he wouldn't be walking for a few days.
Beside his bed stood Zabuza and Haku.
"Don't worry," Shigure told them.
"By tomorrow, you'll be back in the Hidden Mist."
Haku bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Lord Shigure."
Zabuza crossed his arms and nodded approvingly.
"Haku, you're now under Lord Shigure's protection. Serve him well from now on."
Haku tilted his head in confusion. Why was Lord Zabuza saying this all of a sudden?
But Zabuza knew the truth. Shigure's position within the village was no longer that of an ordinary shinobi.
He was Kirigakure's only Jinchūriki, the host of both the Three-Tails and the Six-Tails — and he had the Mizukage's full trust.
It was clear who the next true power of the Hidden Mist would be.
Better to stand beside him now than kneel later.
Adding flowers to embroidery is easy, Zabuza thought grimly, but offering warmth in the snow — that's what earns loyalty.
After visiting Chōjūrō, Shigure followed a medic to another ward.
"Ameyuri Ringo is inside, Lord Shigure. Please go in," the shinobi said, opening the door for him.
Shigure stepped inside. The faint, sterile scent of medicine hung thick in the air.
He rubbed his nose lightly and approached the bed. A weak voice drifted out from under the covers.
"…Is it time for treatment again? I'll get up."
The voice was soft — fragile, yet clear — and for a moment, Shigure hesitated.
Lying before him was a girl with long, disheveled hair and a face pale as snow. She looked nothing like the fierce swordswoman he remembered from the stories.
Still… she was strikingly beautiful.
The frailty of her illness only made her seem more delicate — almost unreal.
As she sat up, the loose fabric of her hospital gown shifted, revealing the needle mark near her ribs.
Shigure blinked, momentarily startled by the unintended sight.
Ameyuri Ringo turned her head — their eyes met.
She froze.
"W–why is it a man? Who are you?"
Her face turned red as she hastily pulled her gown tighter.
"Don't be alarmed," Shigure said quickly. "I'm a Hidden Mist shinobi — Shigure. The Mizukage asked me to examine your condition. I know a bit of Medical Ninjutsu, and I might be able to cure you."
Ringo's eyes widened in surprise. "You… can really heal me?"
There was genuine hope in her tone — the kind of hope someone only showed after too long in despair.
Shigure gave a small smile. "Let's find out. First, I'll need to examine you."
Ringo lowered her gaze, her cheeks still flushed.
"E–examine… where?" she asked softly.
"Uh—just give me your hand!"
Shigure said quickly, trying to suppress his own awkwardness. That earlier moment had been a complete accident — not something he'd intended at all.
'Great Sage, analyze.'
[Great Sage: Analyzing…]
[Analysis complete.]
[Target: Ameyuri Ringo]
[Condition: Cellular decay due to unknown causes. Estimated lifespan — 365 days.]
"One year left to live?" Shigure muttered.
[Great Sage: If the target engages in combat or uses excessive chakra, cellular decay will accelerate — reducing lifespan further.]
So if Ameyuri Ringo continued fighting — if she ever became one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist again — she would die even faster.
It was eerily similar to Kimimaro's condition.
'How is her natural talent?'
[Great Sage: Exceptionally gifted in Lightning Release. Compared to the host's Lightning Release, the target's aptitude is superior.]
Shigure wasn't surprised. He hadn't practiced Lightning Release much himself. Still, for the Great Sage to describe her as "exceptionally gifted" meant her potential was truly rare.
Unfortunately, her body wouldn't let that talent bloom.
'Calculate possible treatment methods.'
[Great Sage: Insufficient medical data. Unable to calculate precisely. Forced calculation — estimated time required: 3 years.]
"Three years?" Shigure frowned. "She'd be long dead by then."
'Is it because my medical knowledge is too limited?'
[Great Sage: Affirmative.]
'Then how do I increase it quickly? Should I study medical texts from the library?'
[Great Sage: Optimal solution — use Gluttony to absorb one or more skilled Medical Ninja. Their accumulated data will accelerate comprehension.]
[Alternative — analyze medical texts from the Hidden Mist archives. Estimated calculation time reduced to one year.]
"One year…" Shigure sighed softly. Even that was far too long. Ameyuri Ringo didn't have a year to spare.
Hearing the sigh, Ringo's hopeful expression dimmed.
"So… there's no way?"
Shigure's eyes flicked back to her, and he quickly shook his head.
"No — there is a way."
Her dull eyes brightened instantly. "Really?"
"Really," Shigure said firmly.
"Your name is Shigure, right? Lord Shigure, if you can save me… I'll do anything for you."
Her voice trembled slightly, and her cheeks turned pink.
Shigure scratched his head helplessly. Great. First impressions ruined. That's going to stick.
"All right," he said with a small smile.
"I'll hold you to that. Don't worry — I won't let you die that easily."
He stood and turned toward the door.
"I'm going to discuss a treatment plan with Lady Mizukage."
"Thank you… Lord Shigure," Ringo whispered.
Outside the ward, Mei Terumī was waiting. Her sharp gaze immediately caught Shigure's serious expression.
"How was it? Do you really have a way to save her?"
Shigure didn't answer at first. His thoughts raced.
Devour two Medical Ninja? It would work — but that meant killing innocent people. And while Shigure wasn't exactly a saint, he wasn't that ruthless either.
If he tried to master the knowledge himself, it would take far too long.
That left only one other option — someone else. Someone who could treat an illness even beyond conventional Medical Ninjutsu.
Looking up, Shigure met Mei's eyes.
"I can't cure her," he admitted. "But there's someone in the shinobi world who might."
Mei folded her arms. "You mean to ask for help? Who could possibly succeed where even our best medics failed?"
Shigure's expression turned resolute.
"One of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha — Tsunade."
...
TN:
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