Katsuyu, the Slug Sage, split into two smaller forms that climbed onto Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy to begin healing them.
As the healing light enveloped them, the unconscious Kakashi's expression gradually relaxed. The same happened with Guy. The burn marks on their skin also began to fade significantly.
Seeing this, Asuma Sarutobi approached with a worried look and said, "Just wait for the old man to scold you!"
"And I'm on the old man's side this time. Even for a sparring match, there was no need to be so extreme. Looking at Kakashi's condition, he won't recover for months."
"There's nothing to worry about." Naraku gave Asuma a strange look and reminded him, "Don't forget, I'm a medical-nin. With Kakashi's condition, he'll only need about a month."
"It's not about how long recovery takes. The point is that you guys went too far. Also, what kind of medical-nin are you? Is there any medical-nin so skilled in combat?"
Asuma rolled his eyes. He was a professional combat shinobi, but he was no match for the medical-nin standing before him.
Kurenai Yuhi nodded, agreeing with her boyfriend's assessment.
"No? How could there not be?" Naraku asked with surprise. "Have you forgotten who my teacher is? Lady Tsunade is incredibly powerful!"
At this, Kurenai and Asuma fell silent.
Naraku turned to Guy and asked, "How are you feeling? If something doesn't feel right in your body, tell me."
"Hehehehehaha..."
Guy laughed happily, seemingly unconcerned about the burns and physical strain on his body. "I'm fine! Nothing to worry about!"
As he spoke, he gave Naraku a thumbs-up. "Naraku, you're amazing! Be sure to call me for the next battle! My blood is boiling now—this is the power of youth!"
Looking at Guy's grinning face, Naraku couldn't help but laugh along with him.
Shikaku Nara observed the two of them, as well as the unconscious Kakashi, and couldn't help but sigh.
"None of these three have any sense of restraint. We're going to be busy dealing with the aftermath."
"Hahaha, I'm just glad everyone is okay."
Chōza Akimichi patted Shikaku's shoulder and laughed loudly.
"By the way, Naraku, why aren't the fires in the training ground dying out?"
Hiashi Hyūga, who wasn't particularly close to him, pointed at the ruined training ground where flames still burned and asked curiously, "If it's difficult to explain, never mind."
"Oh, that."
Naraku smiled, waving his hand casually. "Don't worry, they'll probably stop burning after a while."
Naraku had made great progress in developing his Mera-Mera abilities but hadn't yet mastered them completely.
Even so, with Naraku's talent for Fire Style, the combination of his Mera-Mera power and Fire Style jutsu caused his flames to be not only hotter and more difficult to extinguish but also more destructive.
This explains why both Kakashi and Guy had so many burns on their bodies.
Noticing everyone's curiosity, Naraku continued explaining: "Perhaps it's because I have ean xceptional talent for Fire Style that my jutsu has become increasingly powerful."
Though his explanation was somewhat vague, no one pressed for more details.
After all, when it came to one's own abilities, few shinobi were willing to reveal all their secrets.
Next, everyone chatted while watching Katsuyu treat Kakashi and Guy.
"The stretchers are here! The stretchers are coming!"
While everyone was talking, a group of young shinobi came running back hurriedly, carrying stretchers.
Looking at the children gasping for breath, Naraku didn't hesitate to direct them to place Kakashi onto one of the stretchers.
Guy, however, insisted he wasn't seriously injured and didn't need a stretcher, but Naraku overruled him. Though Guy's injuries might not have been as severe as Kakashi's, he had depleted a significant amount of his physical energy.
"Just lie down. Are you the doctor or am I the doctor?"
With no choice left, Guy obediently lay on the stretcher.
Rock Lee and his teammates gathered around him worriedly. Facing his students' concerns, Guy assured them he was fine.
"Huh? What is this? So scary..."
Naruto Uzumaki suddenly noticed Katsuyu attached to Kakashi and Guy and shouted in surprise.
"THWACK!"
Naraku lightly slapped Naruto on the head and told him to behave. "Lower your voice and show respect to Lady Katsuyu. Even the Hokage wouldn't act disrespectfully in front of the Slug Sage!"
"Huh?"
Naruto scratched his head in confusion, not understanding what this meant.
But he quickly put the matter aside and looked at Naraku with shining eyes. Though he wanted to say something, he couldn't find the right words.
"What are you standing there for? Carry the stretchers and follow me to the hospital."
"Oh, right."
All the adults present watched as the children enthusiastically lifted the stretchers and walked ahead with their heads held high.
"I have matters to attend to in my clan, so I'll take my leave. Everyone, take care."
Hiashi bade farewell in his formal manner and watched as the others departed.
"I have some business to handle, so I'll be going."
"Let's go together."
"I'm starving—let's get something to eat."
The Ino-Shika-Chō trio also left soon after, but Asuma and Kurenai stayed, following the group to the hospital.
Along the way, Katsuyu had nearly finished healing the two men's injuries, and now Naraku took over their care.
"I'll be taking my leave then, young Naraku."
Katsuyu said goodbye gently and was about to return to Shikkotsu Forest when Naraku stopped her.
"Has Lady Tsunade summoned you recently?"
"Tsunade? No, she hasn't summoned me in quite some time."
"I see..."
With a puff of smoke, the Slug Sage disappeared. Naraku pinched his chin thoughtfully. He had hoped to learn about Tsunade's recent situation from Katsuyu.
It made sense, though. If it wasn't wartime, even if Tsunade encountered someone needing medical attention during her travels, she could handle it herself. There would be no need to summon Katsuyu.
It seemed that if he wanted to see his teacher, he would have to wait until the Konoha crisis plan was set in motion.
With this thought, Naraku returned to the hospital ward.
"Guy, you need to stay in the hospital. You can leave after three days."
Naraku could tell what the restless Guy was planning and immediately pointed at him, ordering him to lie down peacefully.
Then he stood before Kakashi's bed, where the Copy Ninja still lay unconscious.
After examination, Naraku confirmed his earlier assessment: Kakashi would need to remain in the hospital for at least a month before making a full recovery.
Thinking about it now, it was no wonder everyone thought he had gone too far.
But the same applied to Kakashi. Didn't he realize his own limitations, yet still insisted on pushing himself to the brink?
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