chapter 2 part 2
"Hidden Mist... they're truly formidable opponents." Kazematsuri Takuya urgently treated the unconscious, seriously wounded individual, signaling Tsukasa Kaede and the other Medical Ninja to treat the remaining one.
Even from the most utilitarian perspective, Ninja who survive near-death experiences undergo significant changes in temperament, becoming calmer in the face of unexpected situations and more motivated to improve their strength. Every veteran holds immense value.
Everyone present was worried. If a full-scale War were to erupt again between a weakened Konoha and a nearly full-strength Hidden Mist, there was no telling how many more would die.
"The Third Hokage will probably seek peace, sacrificing some interests in exchange for Hidden Mist's peace... In his eyes, this is the most advantageous choice for the Hidden Leaf Village, which possesses deep reserves and the fastest recovery speed."
Tsukasa Kaede recalled future events, such as Kushina Uzumaki nearly being abducted, and Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga being sacrificed.
Immediately, he lowered his head to examine the wounded: "There's a penetrating wound in the lower-left abdomen, with irregular edges, suspected to be caused by a Kunai. There's a laceration about 3 centimeters deep on the outer side of the right thigh, and swelling around the left shoulder... The injured person's breathing is rapid, pulse is weak, and Consciousness is starting to blur."
The other Medical Ninja quickly said, "Then I'll use a Chakra Scalpel on his leg—"
"No, you need to conserve more Chakra. Use the Mystical Palm Technique to prioritize healing the abdomen. If I'm not mistaken, the liver or intestines are likely injured here, which is the most dangerous. The Mystical Palm Technique Jutsu already consumes a great deal of Chakra."
As for the veins in the right thigh, Tsukasa Kaede directly got to work, peeling back the flesh, completely ignoring the gruesome feel, and skillfully pulled out the blood vessels, tying a neat square knot: "This way, he'll last a bit longer."
That Medical Ninja treated the abdominal wound while staring in astonishment.
In this era, medical techniques were not as advanced as in Naruto and Sasuke's time. Systematization, institutionalization, and standardized procedures were incomplete, and people, with fixed mindsets, prioritized using Chakra and various medicines to solve problems.
"As for the blurring Consciousness... Captain Takuya, I recall you only carry one dose of that extremely precious adrenaline, right? I suggest prioritizing its injection for the injured person on your side," Tsukasa Kaede said.
"What? What about him? Both of them are my Comrades! Are we supposed to abandon one? Damn it..." The young Genin completely broke down, desperately clutching his head and weeping.
"Calm down. We Medical Ninja will never abandon any Comrade. I remember your name is Feizhu Qingting, right?"
Under the shocked and numb gazes of everyone present, Tsukasa Kaede fiercely kicked the injured person's inner thigh several times.
Bang bang bang! He successfully crushed the injured person's pubic bone, and the nearly unconscious man indeed let out a pig-like shriek, an effect far surpassing an adrenaline shot.
As for what to do about a shattered pubic bone, or whether fiercely kicking that spot would cause other types of problems...
Tsukasa Kaede didn't care about that. He was only responsible for saving lives, and due to his physical condition, he often adopted the most Chakra-efficient treatment methods.
Tsukasa Kaede rigorously fulfilled his sacred duty as a Medical Ninja. After the treatment was complete, looking at his Comrade, who instinctively tried to cover his lower body even in his dazed state, a slight sense of satisfaction arose within him.
"How wonderful, so full of vitality. I've saved another Comrade," Tsukasa Kaede said, moved by his own actions.
Kazematsuri Takuya wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled. As one of the few who had partnered with Tsukasa Kaede, he had naturally developed a certain adaptability to Tsukasa Kaede's methods.
"This way, both Comrades will have a chance to survive. However, we must remain vigilant. Although this place is a long distance from the border, there's no telling if enemies might infiltrate. This has happened many times, even..."
Even, enemies might deliberately let injured Comrades escape to lure out Konoha's Medical Ninja and kill them opportunistically.
Killing one Medical Ninja was equivalent to depleting more of Konoha's resources, making it the most cost-effective target.
Feizhu Qingting looked at his Comrade, now out of danger, then gazed at Tsukasa Kaede with reverence before speaking to Kazematsuri Takuya: "Captain Kazematsuri, I don't have absolute confidence in safely escorting two seriously injured individuals back to the Village by myself. Could I request your assistance?"
"No, we also have to execute Lord Ryoma's orders. Unless Lady Tsunade, as the overall Captain, personally orders the cancellation of the Mission," Kazematsuri Takuya shook his head.
Currently, the Medical Unit's system was incredibly crude, even chaotic.
Kazematsuri Takuya, and Tsukasa Kaede, who had left the Village on two previous occasions, had primarily followed Jiraiya and participated in the battles in the Hidden Rain Village region.
Last year, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru all took action together, but suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Hanzo the Salamander, the leader of the Hidden Rain Village. They earned the title of "Sannin" from Hanzo, but they did force Hanzo to retreat, effectively ending the War between Konoha and the Hidden Rain Village.
Tsunade and Orochimaru successfully returned to the Village to participate in battles on other fronts, but Jiraiya did not return, and no one knew where he had gone.
Many people were puzzled, even discontent—unless he had died in battle, why didn't he hurry back to the Village to join the War? What could be more important than War? Many Comrades were dying every day! As of today, over a year had passed, and Jiraiya was still missing without a trace. During wartime, for a general on their side to perform such a mysterious action was truly preposterous in the eyes of ordinary people.
Tsukasa Kaede mentally calculated the Timeline, confirming that at this time, Jiraiya must have stayed in the Land of Rain, carefully teaching the 10-year-old Nagato Uzumaki.
Interpreted from Jiraiya's perspective, teaching the Child of Prophecy was indeed far more important than participating in the Ninja World War. No matter how many ordinary people died, it wasn't as important as nurturing the Child of Prophecy.
"Madara awakened the Rinnegan during the Second Great Ninja War and should still be hiding in the Mountain Graveyard in the Land of Iron, searching for a suitable successor."
Too many hidden dangers were sown during the Second Great Ninja War. Nagato was one such case, and Obito's Corruption during the Third Great Ninja War also stemmed from the Second Great Ninja War.
Suddenly, Tsukasa Kaede spoke: "We do have orders, and we cannot defy them, but encountering an unexpected situation is a different matter."
"What unexpected situation?"
"This *is* an unexpected situation... For a Genin like you to be attacked and still slowly walk this far with two Comrades is, in itself, an unexpected situation."
Tsukasa Kaede moved sideways, positioning himself to protect the others from all directions.
Kazematsuri Takuya's face showed an "I knew it" expression as he vigilantly scanned his surroundings.
Rustle!
"So, we were discovered after all, but our objective has been achieved. You Medical Ninja have used up quite a bit of Chakra, haven't you? Medical Ninja are far more valuable to hunt than regular Ninja."
Three Hidden Mist Ninja spread out, surrounding Tsukasa Kaede and the others.
Infiltrating deep into the Land of Fire's territory was undoubtedly a huge risk, and losing personnel was inevitable. But if there was a chance to kill a few more Medical Ninja and then finish off the ones they deliberately let escape earlier, such a risk was absolutely worth it.
"Three Medical Ninja... Although I didn't encounter the Hyuga Clan members I was hoping for, it wasn't a wasted trip."
The leading Hidden Mist Ninja pulled out a Kunai and said, "Konoha Ninja, remember this: the one who kills you is Ao, a Jonin from the Hidden Mist Village. Don't forget that even in the Pure Land."
(end of chapter)