"Kitazawa."
Nono glanced at the clock on the wall.
"Shizune is probably delayed by something. Do you need me to take you to the operating room?"
"As long as it doesn't affect your work."
Kitazawa answered after thinking for a moment.
He had already mastered the Chakra Scalpel. Whether Shizune was here or Nono didn't matter much anymore.
"With your current skill, even without me and Shizune, you can finish the surgery alone."
Nono shook her head.
"You're exaggerating."
Kitazawa replied modestly. "I still have a long way to go before catching up to you two."
"It's not an exaggeration."
Nono smiled warmly.
"Once someone has learned the Chakra Scalpel, they're already qualified to be a Jōnin-rank Medical-ninja."
It wasn't that the requirements for medical ninja were low, quite the opposite. Medical ninjutsu was extremely difficult to learn, so there were very few medical ninja to begin with.
Long ago, under Tsunade's proposal, Konoha decided each four-man squad should include a medical ninja. But even in Naruto and Sasuke's generation of geniuses, they couldn't meet that requirement.
Among the Rookie 12, only Sakura was a true medical ninja.
If even Genin medical ninja were rare, then Jōnin-rank ones were nearly nonexistent.
"My foundation still isn't enough."
Kitazawa waited a moment, no new mission triggered, then replied.
"That's fine," Nono nodded. "Let's go to the operating room."
They entered the surgical room.
"Today's patient received internal organ damage in battle with a taijutsu ninja. We'll need an open-body procedure."
Nono pushed open the door.
A middle-aged man already lay unconscious on the operating table, his wounds treated temporarily. The smell of blood and medicine filled the room.
"Kitazawa, you'll be the lead surgeon this time."
Nono decided after a moment.
"Me?" Kitazawa was stunned.
"Give it a try."
Nono smiled gently. "Once you're proficient, you can hold an official position at Konoha Hospital."
"So that's your real intention, Senpai."
Kitazawa laughed. It also showed how precious medical ninja were.
"If we miss a talent like you, it would be Konoha Hospital's loss."
What she didn't say was, even if something went wrong, Shizune and Tsunade would definitely step in.
Kitazawa had just opened his mouth when four lines of text suddenly appeared before his eyes:
[Genius should earn fame. A medical ninja should be recognized by the whole village.]
[Mission: Complete 9 high-difficulty surgeries as the chief medical ninja.]
[Reward: Forbidden Medical Ninjutsu: Body Activation Jutsu.]
[Accept?]
Kitazawa's eyes widened.
This reward was beyond his expectations. Forbidden jutsu, maybe not always S-rank, but they always had unique effects.
Body Activation Jutsu allowed the body to revive even when torn apart, almost like immortality. But since it was forbidden, of course it had severe drawbacks.
Kitazawa remembered this jutsu came from the movie villain Shinno.
Body Activation used Yang Release to stimulate the body, similar to the Raikage's Lightning Chakra Mode.
Of course, it wasn't as perfect as it sounded.
Kitazawa didn't hesitate. Same logic as always, if you're already willing to risk your life, why worry about side effects? And unlike Shinno, Kitazawa had Tsunade to modify the technique later.
"Nono-senpai," Kitazawa asked, "does this surgery count as high difficulty?"
"Not high, but definitely medium difficulty," she answered.
Kitazawa now knew how annoying this mission would be. But difficult missions always meant better rewards.
They started the surgery.
Less than a second after forming hand seals, Kitazawa's right hand emitted pale green chakra, forming a blade.
One hour later, the surgery ended.
Nono called two nurses to wheel the patient away.
Shizune suddenly ran in.
"You're just in time," Kitazawa wiped his sweat. "Since we're resting, you can teach me a new medical ninjutsu."
"You mastered the Chakra Scalpel?"
Shizune was stunned.
Nono confirmed it.
Shizune twitched at the mouth, two weeks to learn an A-rank medical jutsu? Too fast!
If this continued, he might even surpass her soon. Maybe even learn Yin Seal & Creation Rebirth one day.
"I'll teach you the Mystical Palm Technique today," Shizune said.
It was also A-rank, but even harder than the Chakra Scalpel.
Kitazawa nodded.
Evening.
He did two more surgeries, but they didn't count as high difficulty, no mission progress. After discussing with Nono and Shizune, Kitazawa agreed to become an auxiliary medic at Konoha Hospital.
His real goal was clear, complete high-difficulty operations faster.
He left the hospital and went to the Shinobi Academy.
Around the artificial lake, dozens of Narutos were training using every ounce of strength.
Hinata's Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms had reached ten consecutive strikes.
"Hinata, Naruto, come here."
Kitazawa called out.
"Naruto, cancel the Shadow Clones."
Naruto dismissed them, the memories all rushed back and he nearly went pale.
But the growth was obvious.
"Your summer training ends here. Rest two days for the new term."
"What!? Summer is over!?"
Naruto shouted.
"I still haven't learned Rasengan! I wanted to surprise Sasuke!"
(That line was very Guy-like.)
Hinata remembered her promise to Neji to spar in the new term.
Kitazawa rubbed her head.
"Don't overthink it. When the time comes, there's always a way."
They separated.
Kitazawa stroked his chin, thinking:
He should arrange Hinata vs Neji in the very first combat lesson. Even if she lost, she could always fight again.
But Kitazawa believed she had a higher chance of winning, Neji was still only seven. And Hinata now had both him and Hiashi training her.
August 31st.
The last day of summer, registration day at the academy.
Naruto woke early. He had skipped Guy's morning training because he was excited.
Last year, he had no friends and no expectations. But now, he couldn't wait to meet everyone again.
When he walked into his living room
"Third Hokage Grandpa?"
The Third Hokage was sitting there.
After breakfast, Naruto proudly declared:
"I mastered an A-rank ninjutsu this summer!"
Sarutobi praised him sincerely.
Naruto ran to school and soon spotted Sasuke.
Itachi saw Naruto and immediately left, too dangerous politically to stay near Naruto for long.
Naruto ran to Sasuke.
"I trained so much with Kitazawa-sensei! You won't stand a chance in the Monthly Exam!"
"You don't understand the Uchiha," Sasuke replied coolly. "In front of these Sharingan eyes, only defeat awaits you."
Naruto grinned with sparkling teeth.
"Then let's have a youthful Monthly Exam duel!"