The next day.
It was the weekend, so Shigure didn't have to go to school.
Still, he got up early as usual. Even if there were no classes today, he had business at Konoha Hospital.
"With Toujutsu to rely on, analyzing the Mystical Palm Technique at the hospital shouldn't be a problem," Shigure murmured.
Konoha Hospital wasn't some heavily restricted area. While there were guards stationed there, it was just a handful of Chūnin.
No need to overthink it.
After a quick breakfast, Shigure headed out and made his way to the hospital.
But just as he arrived, before even stepping inside, he spotted someone unexpected.
In the small park just outside the hospital, someone was curled up on a bench.
Hinata.
Shigure blinked.
She was lying there asleep, her chest rising and falling gently with each breath.
It was the weekend, sure—but who came to sleep in a park this early in the morning?
Something about it felt off.
"Hinata?"
No response.
He stepped closer and called again, "Hinata!"
Still nothing.
Frowning, Shigure raised his hand and lightly tapped her shoulder.
Hinata stirred.
Her eyes fluttered open groggily, and the first thing she saw was Shigure's face—barely twenty centimeters from hers.
"Ah!"
She let out a startled squeak and shot upright—straight into him.
Luckily, Shigure reacted in time and leaned back to dodge. If not, her forehead might've smashed right into his.
What a reckless little girl.
Was that really necessary?
"You okay?" he asked, still puzzled. "Why are you sleeping here this early in the morning?"
"I... I-it's nothing!" Hinata stammered, quickly averting her eyes.
Her cheeks flushed a deep red as she looked away.
Shigure blinked.
Wait… is she blushing?
At me?
He'd never noticed before—but this wasn't the time to dwell on that.
The real question was, what was she doing here?
"Seriously, why are you out here so early? Don't tell me you've been here all night."
For a moment, Shigure considered the possibility. Could Hinata—eldest daughter of the prestigious Hyūga clan—really have spent the entire night outside?
It didn't make sense.
He sat down beside her.
"You didn't stay out here all night, did you?"
Hinata said nothing. She sat rigidly, hands resting on her knees, back straight like a student bracing for scolding.
Seeing her like that, Shigure sighed.
Do I really look like a teacher or something? She won't even speak...
"Well, if you're not going to talk, then I guess I'll just—"
"N-no! It's not like that!"
Hinata suddenly turned toward him, face turning even redder.
"Then tell me," Shigure said. "Why are you here so early in the morning?"
Hinata lowered her head slightly and replied in a soft voice, "I… had a disagreement with my family. I left home in anger… I didn't really know where to go, and I ended up here."
Disagreement?
Shigure frowned.
Why would Hinata have a falling out with her family?
Ah… that's right.
Hinata's gentle personality doesn't exactly suit the combative, stoic expectations of the Hyūga clan. But she's the eldest daughter—Hiashi probably wants her to inherit the family leadership.
But Hinata clearly isn't built for that path.
"So that's it," Shigure said thoughtfully. "What you want is the opposite of what your family expects from you, right?"
Hinata blinked.
How… how did he know?
For a moment, she wondered—has Shigure been watching me all this time? Her face flushed at the thought.
Shigure continued, "Hinata, rules are rigid. But people aren't. Your nature might not be suited for front-line combat, but who says a ninja who dislikes fighting can't be strong?"
He gave her a small smile.
"Take Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin. She's a medical ninja, but still considered the strongest kunoichi in the entire shinobi world. Her combat ability rivals even the Hokage."
Hinata nodded with determination.
Yes. That's what she wanted to believe in too.
"So go for it," Shigure encouraged. "If people doubt you, just prove them wrong with your own strength."
Then, without thinking, he reached out and gently patted her on the head.
"I believe you can do it."
As he stood up, Shigure felt a bit awkward.
Why did I just say all that?
If it were the old me, I probably wouldn't have gotten involved at all.
Maybe it's the changes lately… Now that I've gained strength, I feel more confident. Talking to characters from the original timeline doesn't feel intimidating anymore.
Just as he was about to leave, Hinata suddenly stood up as well.
"Shigure-kun!"
"Huh?"
He turned around.
Hinata quickly lowered her head, clutching the hem of her shirt tightly in both hands.
"T-that time… thank you for helping me. Nine years ago."
Nine years ago?
Shigure paused, eyes widening slightly.
In a flash, his mind went back to that day—the same scene from the original story. A young Hinata being cornered by a few bullies.
Though technically, those kids hadn't even laid a hand on her yet.
Back then, Shigure had been in a bad mood. A time-traveler with no talent, no status, no future. When he saw those brats harassing someone, he didn't hesitate—he took it out on them, teaching them a harsh lesson without a word.
Even though he had the body of a three-year-old, his adult mind and will had made him dangerous enough to handle the little punks easily.
Afterward, he didn't even speak to Hinata—just turned and walked off.
He'd completely forgotten about that incident… until now.
I didn't even see Naruto there. Guess he shows up after that scene.
"Oh, that?" Shigure said, scratching his head and laughing. "It was nothing."
Before Hinata could say anything else, he leapt away in a flash.
Hinata stared at the spot where he vanished, her hands still clenched at her sides.
"…Shigure-kun… you really have changed. You're so much more confident now. I'm glad."
At the Hospital
Shigure arrived quietly and activated the Transparent Escape Technique, masking both his presence and chakra signature. With this, he didn't have to worry about being detected.
Perfect timing too—he spotted a medical-nin preparing for surgery.
If that's the case, the Mystical Palm Technique would almost certainly be used.
He slipped into the operating room and waited silently in a corner as the medical ninja began the procedure.
The surgery began.
But the first technique Shigure acquired wasn't the Mystical Palm Technique.
[Analysis complete]
[Congratulations! New skill acquired: Chakra Scalpel]
[Additional skill acquired: Chakra Precision Control]
Nice.
Not only did he gain a top-tier medical ninjutsu, but his chakra control also leveled up significantly.
Medical-nin surgeries weren't all that different from traditional ones—except chakra made everything more efficient and accurate.
The operation wrapped up quickly, and the medical-nin followed up by healing the incision with the Mystical Palm Technique.
[Congratulations! New skill acquired: Mystical Palm Technique]
[Chakra Nature Transformation acquired: Yang Release]
Yang Release?
Of course.
The Mystical Palm Technique is rooted in Yang Release—the transformation of chakra that governs vitality and life energy. Without Yang Release, it would be impossible to stimulate healing on a cellular level.
A faint smile tugged at Shigure's lips.
Now he could begin developing his own healing arts—starting from the foundation of medical ninjutsu.
...
TN:
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