Tsunade returned to her tent, still unable to figure things out. She sent an ANBU guard to investigate, and it took him quite a while to come back.
"How's the investigation at the medical station going?" she asked.
"It can now be confirmed that the reason the medical station is still functioning is thanks to a single chūnin. During that time, a Sunagakure spy tried to attack him, but he killed the infiltrator. The spy even attempted to self-destruct to destroy the medical station, but he stopped him. You could say he saved everyone there."
"What does this chūnin look like? Can we match him to anyone?"
"The accounts from the wounded and the doctors are strange. Some say he's a tall man. Others insist it's a short, thin woman. Some claim he's overweight, and there are even people who say it was a six- or seven-year-old child."
It seemed most people had kept their promise not to reveal Haruki's identity. They also didn't know it was Tsunade's ANBU conducting the investigation. The moment they thought of her disciple's request for secrecy, they immediately assumed it was to avoid exactly this kind of probing, so they began making up all sorts of stories.
Unfortunately, a small number told the truth—only no one believed them.
"Have you checked every chūnin?"
"Yes, but so far, nothing."
Tsunade rubbed her temples, still clueless. Who could this person be?
"Starting tomorrow, you'll be stationed at the medical post. That person will probably return—keep watch until they appear. I want to see for myself who's so skilled they can save the medical station, yet refuses to show their face."
"Tsunade-sama, I'm your bodyguard. I should be by your side…" The ANBU hesitated.
"This is for the medical station's safety! We can't allow unknown people to slip in unnoticed!"
"Yes, Tsunade-sama!"
The next day, the fighting remained fierce. Chiyo and Ebizō led Sunagakure's elite forces in another offensive, while Tsunade continued to face them head-on, exchanging fierce blows.
Meanwhile, Hinata Haruki once again made his way to the medical station. Everyone greeted him warmly as he entered. Haruki felt a sense of déjà vu—like in his previous life, when he arrived at work and people would greet him all along the way.
After returning the greetings, he immediately got to work. He created four shadow clones, which sprang into action at once.
"Red-tagged patient—unconscious, in shock. I'm intubating immediately," one shadow clone diagnosed, quickly performing a tracheal intubation. A nearby doctor squeezed the oxygen bag rhythmically to help the patient breathe, watching with admiration as Haruki directly supplied oxygen through the windpipe with practiced precision.
"Red-tagged patient—severe burns over large areas. Inhaled superheated air—airway burns. We need to open the trachea and begin emergency treatment now!" another clone called, directing a nurse to rush the patient into the operating room.
"Yellow-tagged patient—broken ribs, internal injuries. He's yours," a clone instructed as a nurse tagged the man with a yellow band and another doctor rushed over to begin treatment.
Inside the operating room, Haruki's original body was already working on the burn victim. He had cut open the trachea and inserted an oxygen tube to prevent suffocation. Carefully, he began peeling away clothing fused to the charred flesh, piece by piece.
The entire medical station was running in perfect, high-speed order.
Hidden in the shadows, Tsunade's ANBU guard observed the scene with growing shock. This chūnin was, in fact, a six-year-old child—and yet his medical skills were at an elite level.
The guard quickly returned to check the personnel files. First, he searched the genin records—nothing. Then, in the chūnin files, he found a recently updated entry: a boy promoted to chūnin at age five.
Hinata Haruki… and… he's Tsunade-sama's disciple?
The guard was dumbfounded. Seriously, Tsunade-sama? He's your own disciple, and you're pretending not to know? Well, I suppose… who else could have such advanced medical skills? Either you sent him here yourself, or maybe he came without telling you. Maybe there's some hidden reason. But that's not my concern…
He hesitated. This could be complicated. If Haruki has his reasons, telling Tsunade-sama might ruin something. Or maybe she already knows, and they're putting on an act for others—like Suna's spies. After all, the kid did take one out yesterday.
The guard decided to feel out Tsunade's reaction before revealing Haruki's identity. If he said the wrong thing, it could cause more trouble than it solved.
That evening, Haruki left the medical station. Tsunade had just returned to camp after another intense clash with Chiyo.
"Tsunade-sama!" The ANBU knelt before her.
"How's the investigation?" Tsunade leaned back in her chair, exhausted. The last few days had been spent countering Chiyo's poisons, followed by non-stop fighting—it had taken a toll.
"It's basically clear now…"
"Mm." She closed her eyes and nodded faintly.
"The person is indeed a Konoha chūnin."
"Mm. And which one?"
"Uh… Tsunade-sama, I believe you already know who it is." The guard kept his head low, waiting for her response.
"Mm." Her voice was barely above a murmur.
That's it, the guard thought. "Since you know, I'll keep it to myself. No need to interfere with your plans."
"Mm…"
"Then, if you'll excuse me, Tsunade-sama."
"…."
He waited, but Tsunade didn't respond. Looking up, he saw she had fallen asleep in her chair. Shaking his head, he gently draped a blanket over her before leaving.
He had no idea Tsunade had been so exhausted she hadn't heard a word of what he said. She'd simply mumbled back half-asleep—just as she would years later as Hokage, dozing over piles of paperwork.
On the third day, Haruki again spent the morning helping at the medical station. That afternoon, the supply convoy finally arrived, and he rushed out to receive it.
This shipment of medical supplies was abundant, finally resolving the blood plasma shortage in Konoha's forces.
Doctors cheered, embraced one another, and many wept with relief.
It was a great victory on this silent battlefield. Everyone's spirits soared.
Tsunade also arrived, her joy obvious as she watched crates of supplies being unloaded. A full night's rest had restored her vigor, and she looked energized.
The medical staff were overwhelmed with gratitude and admiration for her.
"Tsunade-sama, victory! Konoha, victory! Tsunade-sama, victory!" they chanted again and again.
Tsunade's heart swelled with emotion, though she still didn't know who the chūnin really was.
I wonder how the ANBU's investigation went… Wait—didn't he report back to me yesterday? What did he say? Oh right… I think I fell asleep… She grimaced. Great. And now I've sent him back to Konoha with important documents.
Still, she smiled warmly. Whoever you are, you've done a great service for Konoha. You're a hero.
In the Sunagakure camp, Chiyo and Ebizō's faces darkened as they received the news.
"Damn it! Konoha's supply convoy made it through. Our plan failed. Those shinobi died for nothing!" Chiyo slammed her hand on the table.
"Sister, a single battle's outcome isn't everything," Ebizō said, trying to calm her.
"That accursed slug princess! And it seems our inside man in Konoha has been eliminated!" Chiyo crushed her teacup in her palm.
"Don't worry, sister. I have a plan. Next time I face Tsunade, I'll eliminate this dangerous obstacle once and for all." Ebizō's tone was confident, his eyes glinting with lethal intent.