After delivering Katō Dan to the medical station, Hinata Haruki returned to his quarters.Today had been a grueling day.
That morning, Haruki had heard that Dan was heading to the battlefield with Tsunade, and he'd immediately had a bad feeling. In the original course of events, Katō Dan had gone to the frontlines with Tsunade, been gravely injured, and died from his wounds. Could that tragedy be about to repeat itself?
Perhaps Haruki's arrival in this world had already disrupted the flow of events—but there were some things even he couldn't change. When Tsunade and her group set out, Haruki had made a point of checking on them. Only a handful of ninja had gone, all of them elite jōnin. The sight had deepened his unease, so he grabbed another water-source detector and decided to follow.
Of course, it didn't take long for the highly trained, stealthy elite jōnin to lose him. But Haruki still found the underground river they had likely been tracking, and followed its course himself. Eventually, he came upon an oasis scarred by signs of intense battle. Rain poured down from the darkened sky, while several Sunagakure ninja scoured the area in a sweeping search.
A sinking feeling gripped Haruki's chest. Something's gone wrong after all… Is Katō Dan still fated to die here in the forest?
Activating his Byakugan, Haruki scanned the drenched woods, desperately searching for Tsunade and the others. At last, he spotted faint traces of blood not yet washed away by the rain. Following the trail through his Byakugan's vision, he found them—just in time. Any later, and the consequences would have been unthinkable…
Back at the camp, Tsunade remained in the medical station, watching over the unconscious Dan.He was still deeply comatose, his face as pale as chalk. The medics had cleaned away the blood, and his tattered combat gear had been replaced with a patient's gown.
Tsunade sat quietly at his side, eyes distant. Whatever was on her mind, she didn't move an inch.
Sunagakure camp, medical station.
Chiyo, Ebizō, and Karura stood grimly around a body covered in a white shroud.
"Dōsa… is dead…" Karura's voice was heavy with grief.
Chiyo shook her head. "Prepare the body properly, and inform the Third Kazekage."
"Dōsa may have fallen, but we managed to take out a number of Konoha's elite this time. That one who could use the Spirit Transformation Technique—that's no small loss to them," Ebizō added in consolation.
Dōsa had been the Third Kazekage's disciple, wielding the Magnet Release kekkei genkai to manipulate gold dust—much like the Kazekage himself, who controlled iron sand. He had been among Sunagakure's most powerful forces. His loss would deal a heavy blow to their strength, and the Kazekage's wrath would be fierce.
If they knew Katō Dan had survived… how would they react?
The next day, word spread that Katō Dan was gravely injured but alive. Friends and comrades came to visit.
Yamanaka Haiichi picked a bouquet of wildflowers on a nearby hill and carefully wrapped them in paper. Akimichi Dingza arrived with an armful of snacks, including his favorite—barbecue-flavored chips—dumping them all in one pile. Nara Shikaku went to the supply corps, found Haruki, and used his own pay to get a basket of canned fruit. Meizuki brought homemade soup. Shibi Aburame… well, he had nothing appropriate to give—bugs didn't count—so he simply joined Haruki early to visit Dan together.
When they entered the medical station, both doctors and patients greeted Haruki warmly. His friends shot him curious glances, making him shift uncomfortably under their stares.
They finally reached the ward, finding a number of jōnin already there to see Dan.
Looks like Katō Dan-sensei is highly respected… He really does have the qualities of a future Hokage. If only he hadn't been injured… Haruki thought.
Dan was still unconscious, but his vital signs had improved. The jōnin quietly discussed the failed mission, and Haruki and his friends picked up the general outline of what had happened. After a short while, the jōnin left to attend to their duties.
The group sat down. The table beside Dan's bed was already piled high with Dingza's snacks, the canned fruit, and the bouquet. Haruki placed his own rice porridge next to Meizuki's soup.
"This time we really fell into Sunagakure's trap…" Shikaku said, his voice heavy with guilt for not noticing the enemy prisoner's deception.
"If I'd realized earlier, we wouldn't have lost eight of our comrades," Haiichi muttered, head bowed. Dingza stayed silent, wearing the same regretful look.
"The blame isn't yours," Haruki said gently. "The Sunagakure prisoner didn't even know the location of their true supply base. He genuinely believed that outpost was the main one. The enemy planned this perfectly. Even if it wasn't your team, anyone else who attacked that site and 'happened' to find such intel would have walked into the same trap. They expected us to go after their main supply depot—that's why their scheme worked."
A voice came from the doorway: "If the mission failed, then we'll just make Sunagakure pay it back! And you didn't lose completely—Sunagakure suffered heavy losses too. Even the Kazekage's own disciple was killed. Hanging your head isn't like you, Tsunade!"
The speaker stepped in—a man with short, silver, wind-swept hair, a Konoha forehead protector, and a ponytail tied at the back. A finely-crafted white short sword was strapped to his back. His chiseled features were sharp and handsome, his eyes bright and steady. He carried himself with quiet strength and composure, looking to be just shy of thirty.
Haruki's eyes widened. That's… Kakashi's father! Hatake Sakumo—the White Fang of Konoha!
Tsunade was also taken aback. "Sakumo-senpai? What are you doing here?"
"Sakumo-sama!" everyone else greeted hurriedly. The White Fang's reputation was no exaggeration.
Sakumo smiled warmly. "Why shouldn't I be here? When I heard Sunagakure was reinforcing and launching aggressive assaults, I came right away. Orochimaru's handling Kirigakure—no issues there."
"Thank you for the support, Sakumo-senpai," Tsunade said with a nod. His presence would ease a great deal of pressure from her shoulders.
The others were excited too—having the White Fang stationed with them meant nightmares for the enemy.
After checking on Dan's condition, Sakumo said, "This kid… surviving wounds like that—he's got some luck. And Tsunade, your medical skills have improved a lot."
Tsunade flushed faintly and glanced meaningfully at Haruki, who was too busy eating Dingza's chips to notice.
"You flatter me," she replied modestly.
"I need to get to my tent—my arrival was rushed, and the assassination squad needs more personnel. We'll discuss the front-line situation once you're back. Best to hold a jōnin meeting tomorrow to plan a counterattack." With a wave, Sakumo departed.
After making sure Dan was stable, the group decided to leave so as not to disturb his rest.
As Haruki stepped outside, Tsunade called after him. "Haruki—wait."
He sighed inwardly. Saving Dan had revealed his medical skills to her… so the trouble was coming after all.
He told the others, "Go on ahead. I'll be back at the supply depot later."
His friends left, exchanging knowing looks. Is Tsunade-sama going to confront him about being assigned to her by the Third Hokage? Will she send him back? They couldn't help but give him sympathetic glances.
"What is it, Tsunade-sama?" Haruki asked, face unreadable.
"Thank you for saving Dan's life. And… for helping the medical station through such a critical time." She bowed deeply.
After seeing Haruki's methods yesterday, Tsunade had quickly realized he was the one who had saved the overwhelmed medical station. His pressure-point bleeding control was far superior to the emergency hemostatic techniques that consumed chakra. His surgical skills were on a completely different level from the average medic. And he possessed other techniques she'd never even heard of. Without him, Dan and many of the wounded in the station might have died.
"There's no need to thank me," Haruki replied flatly. "I just did what I was supposed to do."His pride lay in his medical skill—he wouldn't trade that for anyone's praise. Tsunade had dismissed him before; now she wanted to thank him. His self-respect balked at the gesture. He had no interest in tying himself too closely to her, much less becoming her student.
"Dan is my teacher. I wouldn't just watch him die. And as a Konoha ninja, I wouldn't ignore the wounded in our own medical station." He stopped himself from adding that as a doctor, his ethics wouldn't allow him to turn away from someone in need. That kind of statement—coming from a six-year-old—would only raise more suspicion.
"No matter what you say, you're a hero of Konoha. Your contribution won't be forgotten," Tsunade said sincerely.
"Oh, just give me a pay raise," Haruki said casually. Tsunade's gratitude meant nothing to him. Heroes? They're the ones who end up carved on memorial stones. Money was more practical—his old salary as a surgeon had been far higher than what he earned as a shinobi.
"Haruki, would you consider working in the medical station? You could do a lot of good there," Tsunade asked, genuine concern in her voice.
"Thanks, but I'm fine in the supply corps. Everyone there treats me well. If the medical station needs help, I can assist when I have the time." Polite, but a clear refusal.
Tch. First you send me to the supply corps when I want to join the medical station, and now you want me back? Not happening.
Tsunade sensed his resistance. "Haruki, did your mother teach you your medical skills?"
Haruki didn't answer—she already knew the story. His mother's medical texts had indeed helped him greatly, and her identity as a doctor provided a convenient cover for his abilities, though it didn't completely erase suspicion.
"Your skills are exceptional. Not serving as a medic is a waste," Tsunade pressed. "Wouldn't your mother want you to carry on her work? And… you haven't learned medical ninjutsu yet, have you?"
He shook his head. Yamanaka Nono's medical ninjutsu should be pretty good too…
Tsunade's eyes lit up, excitement flickering in her heart. "Then how about this—I'll teach you medical ninjutsu myself. Haruki, will you become my student? My medical ninjutsu is the best you'll find."
Having seen his talent firsthand, Tsunade wanted nothing more than to pass on her skills to him. This boy was calm, capable, with superb chakra control, advanced techniques, and a broad perspective—a rare genius. With the right guidance, he could take her techniques to new heights.
Jiraiya has that genius student, Minato. Just watch—my own pupil will be every bit his equal! she thought proudly.
Haruki blinked. Whoa… Tsunade wants me as her disciple? Must be my medical skills. Guess she really doesn't know the Third already sent me to her as a 'gifted' student.
He looked her straight in the eye and smiled brightly. Tsunade's own lips curved in satisfaction—he must be agreeing.
"I refuse."