"Why isn't Shisui here?" Haneul scanned the crowd. Most of his friends were here, with the notable exception of Shisui Uchiha. Given his personality, it was strange for him not to show up.
"Shisui hasn't trained with us for the past two days," Asuma Sarutobi said with some concern. "Maybe something happened."
"Obito, do you know anything?" Kakashi Hatake asked. Ever since Haneul had started learning from Maruboshi Kosuke, it was Shisui who sparred with Kakashi. In terms of pure swordsmanship, Kakashi still had the edge, but Shisui was by no means weak, far surpassing his peers.
"He's been at home lately," Obito Uchiha said after a moment's thought.
"It's our turn!" Kurenai Yuhi waved. "Haneul, what do you want to eat?"
Haneul snapped back to the present and looked at the menu on the wall. Remembering Naruto Uzumaki's favorite, he said, "Chashu and pork rib ramen."
"I'll have the same," Kurenai followed up immediately.
"Rin, what do you want?" Obito enthusiastically recommended, "I think the tonkotsu ramen is good."
"Then I'll have the tonkotsu ramen," Rin Nohara said, undecided and not wanting to refuse.
"Mister, two bowls of tonkotsu ramen!" Obito shouted impatiently.
Kakashi, used to ignoring him, simply ordered a vegetable ramen for himself.
"Good choice," Kushina Uzumaki commented, glancing over. "Kids should eat more vegetables."
"Should we order vegetable ramen too, then?" Minato Namikaze asked with a smile.
"We're not kids! Let's get large bowls of the chashu and pork rib ramen!" Kushina declared boldly.
"Sister Kushina is so interesting," Kurenai said, her eyes lighting up.
"Don't learn from her," Haneul whispered. He really didn't want Kurenai to turn into a violent big-sister type in the future.
"Mhm," Kurenai nodded, then asked, "How did you get to know her?"
"My master introduced us," Haneul said, picking up two pairs of chopsticks.
Kurenai was taken aback for a moment, then a look of understanding crossed her face. Haneul's teacher was Tsunade, and Minato's was Jiraiya. As fellow Sannin, it was natural for them to be in contact. As for Kushina, it was obvious she and Minato were very close.
"Here," Haneul handed her a pair of chopsticks.
"Thank you," Kurenai said with a bright smile.
Haneul glanced at Kushina. As her relationship with the Nine-Tails had improved, she hadn't lost control in a long time. Perhaps that was why she was allowed out of the village, much earlier than in the original story. After all, for her to become best friends with Mikoto Uchiha, she couldn't have been confined within a barrier the whole time. Haneul grew thoughtful. Isn't it about time for that great filial son, Itachi Uchiha, to be born?
"Coming right up!" Teuchi said, placing a bowl of ramen down. "One chashu and pork rib ramen for you, customer."
"Thanks, Uncle Teuchi," Haneul said, picking up his chopsticks and slurping down the noodles in one go. As he chewed, he noted that it was indeed delicious.
"So good! This is the taste of youth!" Might Guy exclaimed from nearby, looking completely intoxicated by the flavor. Haneul was half-afraid he was about to rip his shirt off.
He looked away and opened his Trait System. After a month of hard work, he had acquired two new traits.
[A-Rank Ninjutsu Trait: Konoha-Style: Willow]
Activation Condition: Successfully execute the technique.
Effect: The technique automatically reaches 'Proficient' level.
This was thanks to his talent in kenjutsu and Yin Release; otherwise, it wouldn't have been so fast. Of course, another reason was that Konoha-Style: Willow was not as difficult to learn as Monstrous Strength.
[D-Rank Talent Trait: Water Style Genin]
Activation Condition: Possess three Water Style Ninjutsu Traits.
Effect: The power of all Water Style ninjutsu is increased by 30%.
Note: Learning more Water Style ninjutsu can lead to an evolution into the C-Rank Trait: Water Style Chunin.
The second trait was similar to his previous 'Wind Style Genin,' so there were no surprises. The three water jutsu he had learned, besides Water Trumpet, were Water Style: Water Fang Bullet and Water Style: Water Body Flicker Technique.
"Ah!" Kurenai put down her chopsticks with a look of pure bliss. "That was so satisfying!"
"If you like it, we can come here more often," Haneul said, handing her a napkin.
"Mhm!" Kurenai said, wiping her mouth.
"Youth is so energetic," Minato remarked with a chuckle.
"What? Are you calling me old?" Kushina's threatening voice came from beside him.
"That's not what I meant," Minato shivered, quickly trying to explain.
"Haneul, we're leaving now," Kushina's face changed in an instant as she smiled. "Come visit with Lady Tsunade when you have time."
"Okay," Haneul replied. It had been a while since he and Tsunade had been to her place, but going there usually just meant more gambling. Especially with that big fox, the Nine-Tails, whose gambling addiction was comparable to Tsunade's. Although his luck was slightly better, it was only marginal. He was the epitome of "all passion, no skill."
After finishing their ramen, the group went their separate ways.
"Are we going to Uncle Kosuke's place?" Kurenai asked, happily skipping alongside Haneul.
"I'm going to the Konoha Hospital," he said after a moment's thought. He had already learned Konoha-Style: Willow, so there was no need to bother Maruboshi Kosuke anymore. Kurenai, however, still had a long way to go with her Water Style.
"Okay," Kurenai said, a little disappointed, but she didn't act spoiled.
The two of them stopped at an intersection. "Wait, your hair is a bit messy," Haneul said, stepping forward to fix a strand of hair by her ear. At such a close distance, Kurenai looked at him and felt her heart race. Her face turned slightly red, and she suppressed her emotions, saying in a very ladylike manner, "Thank you."
"It's nothing," Haneul said, retracting his hand. "See you tonight."
"Mhm," Kurenai turned away and breathed a sigh of relief. Haneul is so handsome, she thought.
Konoha Hospital.
Haneul was welcomed by a host of older-sister nurses. It had been a while since his last visit. After finally escaping their clutches, he arrived at Nonō Yakushi's office.
"Haneul?" Nonō was surprised to see him.
"Director," Haneul took the initiative to ask, "is there anything I can help with today?" He had many jutsu to learn, but medical ninjutsu was a top priority. After all, he was Tsunade's student and couldn't bring shame to her name.
"Of course," Nonō smiled. "I have a surgery later. You can be my assistant."
"No problem," Haneul said seriously. "Mission accepted."
"Here is the patient's file," Nonō said with a gentle laugh that made her seem even kinder.
"Yugao Uzuki?" Haneul was taken aback when he saw the name.
"Do you know her?" Nonō asked curiously.
"No," Haneul shook his head. "I was just surprised that the patient is so young, only five years old."
Yugao Uzuki, in the original story, was Hayate Gekko's girlfriend. She was a skilled Special Jonin whose specialty was Konoha-Style Kenjutsu.
"It's about time. Let's head to the operating room," Nonō said, glancing at the clock on the wall.
"Mhm," Haneul changed into a white medical uniform.
"She's about your age. Remember to comfort her a bit," Nonō said as they walked. "She's been crying a lot."
"A broken bone does hurt," Haneul said with empathy.
"Lady Nonō," a young man greeted them at the door of the operating room.
"We're about to operate on your daughter now," Nonō said gently. "She'll be fine soon."
"Thank you, Lady Nonō!" the man said gratefully. But when he noticed Haneul, he was taken aback. "Why is there such a young medical ninja?" his voice held a trace of concern.
"This is Haneul," Nonō introduced. "He is Lady Tsunade's student."
"So it's him!" the man said, grasping Haneul's hand. "We're counting on you!"
"I'll do my best," Haneul said, marveling at the high status of medical ninja. No ninja would needlessly offend one. In fact, this was also due to the scarcity of medical ninja in the world. Konoha had a relatively large number because of Tsunade; the other villages were in a pitiful state.
Haneul entered the operating room and heard a soft whimpering. He looked at the hospital bed and saw an adorable little girl with purple hair, her face stained with tears. "Hello, my name is Haneul," he said, walking over and patting her head.
Yugao Uzuki looked up at him, dazed.
"It won't hurt anymore soon," Haneul said. He glanced at Nonō, and with her permission, formed hand seals. A pale green chakra flowed out, covering Yugao's leg. The pain-blocking jutsu made her eyes widen.
"It really doesn't hurt anymore!" Yugao's tears turned to laughter. "Thank you, big brother!"
"You can just call me Haneul," he said quickly. "No need for 'big brother'."
Yugao tilted her head, not quite understanding. He's handsome, but a bit strange.
"Close your eyes," Haneul said, seeing that Nonō had begun the surgery.
"Mhm," Yugao obediently complied. Haneul patted her head again before getting up to assist.
An hour later, the surgery was over. He looked at Yugao and saw she had fallen asleep. "Let her sleep," Nonō said, walking out. Haneul followed her. "The surgery was a success," she said with a smile. "You can accompany her to the ward."
"Thank you, Lady Nonō!" the young man said, then added, "And thank you, Little Haneul. We were a lot of trouble."
Please drop the "little"! Haneul thought, but maintained his professionalism. "It's my duty."
The day at the hospital passed quickly. Haneul had gained a lot of proficiency, and while he was still far from 'Mastered,' he wasn't worried. At the end of his shift, he ran into the young man again. "Haneul," he said, "are you free now? My daughter is awake and wants to thank you in person."
Haneul thought for a moment and went with him.
"Big brother!" Yugao called out happily when she saw him.
Haneul wanted to correct her but decided against it. He walked over and, hey, patted her on the head. "How are you feeling?"
"A little uncomfortable, but it doesn't hurt anymore," Yugao said, then paused. "Big brother is really..."
"A miracle worker!" her father supplied.
"Right!" Yugao quickly agreed.
"I'm still far from that," Haneul smiled. "Rest well, and you'll recover in a few days."
After a bit more small talk, he left. He was about to head straight home but suddenly thought of Shisui Uchiha. After a moment's consideration, he walked towards the Uchiha clan compound. In the original story, the Uchiha clan had been moved to the edge of the village, but that hadn't happened yet; their compound was relatively central. Most ninja avoided the area because they would be looked down upon, but Haneul was different. He had treated many Uchiha ninja at the hospital, and as Tsunade's student, he was a rare exception to their prejudice.
He got the address and headed to Shisui's house. Before he even arrived, he heard the continuous sound of something cutting through the air. It was a familiar sound—the sound of a sword being swung. He looked up. Shisui was training in front of his house with a ninja sword.
"Shisui," Haneul called out from a distance.
"Haneul?" Shisui turned his head.
Haneul was taken aback. His eyes were blood red, with a single black tomoe in each. It was the Sharingan.
"Sorry," Shisui said, realizing, and quickly deactivated it.
"When did you awaken them?" Haneul asked, walking over.
"Just two days ago," Shisui said grimly. His expression was gloomier than usual.
Haneul was thoughtful. The awakening of the Sharingan always required a strong emotional stimulus. Shisui was no exception; something must have happened.
"Haneul, what did you need me for?" Shisui asked calmly.
"You haven't been training with the others lately, so I came to check on you," Haneul explained.
"In another two days," Shisui said after some thought. He had just awakened his eyes and hadn't fully controlled the power boost yet; he needed time to adapt.
"Mhm," Haneul nodded, then asked, "Want to spar?"
"Now?" Shisui was a bit surprised.
"I'm curious about the Uchiha clan's Sharingan," Haneul said with a light laugh. "Obito is always saying that once he awakens his, he'll be able to beat me and Kakashi."
"Brother Obito exaggerates a bit," Shisui said, scratching his head. "Awakening the eyes does make you stronger, but not invincible."
"So... want to spar?" Haneul asked again.
"Let's do it!" Shisui's spirits lifted. As a genius, he had his pride. He had lost to Haneul last time and had been wanting a rematch ever since.
-------
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