"Oyashiro, how is Sensei holding up?" Akashi asked, his gaze flickering warily towards the subdued Kumo shinobi nearby, a silent promise of retribution hanging heavy in the air.
Oyashiro's brow was furrowed with worry, his crimson eyes darting nervously towards Kuroko's still form. "Hmm, not good, Akashi. Sensei has only clung to life this long thanks to his inherent Uzumaki vitality. Thankfully, I managed to force his expelled blood back into his system, but the internal damage… it's extensive. His organs have sustained significant trauma." The stress of the situation was etched onto Oyashiro's face, the constant effort of maintaining the blood within Kuroko's body clearly taking its toll.
"Damnit, Kuroko-sensei, you won't die! Not today, at least!" Akashi's voice was a low growl, laced with a desperate urgency.
Come on, think, Akashi! There has to be a way to mend him! His mind raced, a frantic whirlwind of medical knowledge, but nothing he recalled seemed sufficient to repair such grievous internal injuries. He possessed a basic understanding of medical ninjutsu, a skill readily available to all Uzumaki shinobi, but not the advanced techniques required to heal ravaged organs. Wait… I might lack the inherent skill, but with these eyes… That's right, the awakened Dojutsu had granted him an extraordinary ability.
"Zone."
With the activation of this singular ability, the world around Akashi seemed to distort and clarify simultaneously. Time stretched and thinned, every detail becoming hyper-defined, every subtle movement of the Kumo shinobi, the almost imperceptible rise and fall of Kuroko's chest, the intricate patterns of the blood on the ground – all stood out with startling clarity. Even Akashi himself was momentarily mesmerized by the profound shift in his perception.
Can't waste time. I need to hurry. This ability is devouring my chakra!
Instantly, Akashi's hands moved with a speed and precision that defied his previous limitations. He began to manipulate his chakra, channeling it into Kuroko's ravaged body, his movements around the wounds exhibiting a perfect finesse and control. Had the legendary Tsunade, the Slug Princess and arguably the greatest medical ninja alive, been present to witness Akashi's technique, she might very well have coughed up blood in envious disbelief.
(Author's notice: Yes, it's a bit over the top, but sometimes you just need that dramatic flair, right?)
"Akashi… how do you possess such incredible chakra control?" Oyashiro asked, his crimson eyes wide with astonishment as he watched Akashi's hands practically dance around Kuroko's injuries, mending and weaving with impossible skill. "And since when did you master medical ninjutsu to this degree?"
"I am Absolute," Akashi stated, his voice resonating with an unwavering certainty. "Nothing is outside my control! If I decree that Kuroko will not die, then it shall be so."
By this point, even the subdued Kumo ninjas were craning their necks, their initial hostility momentarily forgotten in their stunned observation of Akashi's impossible healing.
They had heard tales of Tsunade's miraculous medical prowess, whispers of her ability to snatch individuals from the very jaws of death. Many had dismissed these stories as mere hyperbole, the exaggerated folklore that often permeated the shinobi world. Seeing someone who had been moments away from death seemingly brought back to the brink of life was an astonishing, almost unbelievable spectacle.
"Looks like the Uzumaki Clan really have nurtured a monster!" one Kumo shinobi muttered, his voice hushed with awe and a hint of fear.
"Hmm… we need to relay this information to Lord Third…" another added, his eyes darting nervously towards the retreating Hagaromo.
Though the Kumo ninjas believed they were whispering, their voices, strained with shock, carried clearly in the heightened clarity of Akashi's
"Zone."
"Akashi, are you certain it's wise to let them go?" Oyashiro asked, his concern evident. "Once they report back, you're guaranteed a prominent spot in the bingo books, you know?" While a listing in the bingo books could be seen as a testament to a shinobi's skill, early notoriety often attracted unwanted attention, turning every journey outside the village into a potential gauntlet of bounty hunters and opportunistic rivals.
"Let them come," Akashi replied, his gaze unwavering. After what felt like an eternity but was likely only a few more seconds, Kuroko's grievous wounds were visibly mended, though he would undoubtedly require extensive rest and recuperation.
"cough cough A-akashi? What's… up with your eyes?" Kuroko's voice was weak and raspy as he slowly regained consciousness, his gaze immediately drawn to Akashi's strangely glowing eyes. He had been certain he had crossed into the Pure Land, and Akashi's current appearance did little to dispel his confusion.
"Let's save the explanations for later, Sensei. We're still deep in enemy territory. Here, get on my back." Turning to face the subdued Kumo shinobi, Akashi decided to leave them with a clear message. "I sincerely hope this incident does not escalate into a full-scale war between our villages. Inform the Third Raikage's son B, that I spared A as a gesture of goodwill." The prospect of another major conflict, especially one that could draw in the other Great Nations, was a chilling one, potentially far more devastating than the previous invasion.
Without waiting for a response, Akashi gently lifted the still-weak Kuroko onto his back, and he and Oyashiro began their journey south, towards their rendezvous with the remaining Hagaromo and, ultimately, home.
One Week Later -
A week had passed since Akashi's group had faced the formidable might of Killer B and the enraged Fourth Raikage. By a stroke of luck, or perhaps due to B's intervention, their return journey had been surprisingly uneventful, devoid of any further shinobi encounters. Akashi had a strong suspicion that B, honoring the truce, had ensured their safe passage.
"Haa… we're finally home! I am never going on a mission with you again, Akashi," Oyashiro groaned dramatically as they finally crossed the familiar borders of Uzushiogakure. The entire mission, from the initial ambush to the near-fatal confrontation, had pushed the usually laid-back Chinoike far beyond his comfort zone. The brief unleashing of his Ketsuryūgan during the initial battle had been his only moment of catharsis.
"Haha, you know that's not true, Oyashiro," Akashi chuckled, a weary but relieved smile on his face.
"Sigh… I know, I know. But next time, let's aim for a D-rank mission, like cleaning the village streets or something equally… peaceful."
Akashi highly doubted they would ever be assigned such mundane tasks again, but the thought was undeniably appealing.
Before they could even reach the village gates, a contingent of Anbu materialized before them, their Shinigami masks impassive.
"The Uzukage requests your group's immediate presence at the Kage building."
"Hn, we will go," Akashi nodded, his gaze softening as he looked at the still-unconscious Kuroko on his back. "But can you please escort Kuroko-sensei to the hospital? He still requires extensive medical attention." Without a word, the Anbu swiftly and carefully took Kuroko into their care as Akashi and Oyashiro turned and made their way towards Ashina's office.
Well, Akashi thought, a mixture of apprehension and anticipation swirling within him. It's time to face Gramps.
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End of chapter 28