While Orochimaru and Danzo were finalizing their deal, Aoshi also brought his lecture to a close.
"That concludes today's lesson. Starting next week, I will be opening a special medical training class at the Ninja Academy, held once a week," Aoshi said calmly.
"Any students interested in learning Medical Ninjutsu may apply through Teacher Matsuo."
This was still a trial phase, so the special medical training class had not yet been established as a formal course.
After all, the Ninja Academy's primary responsibility was still to cultivate combat-oriented shinobi.
Only if the program produced outstanding results would Medical Ninjutsu be formally incorporated into the Academy curriculum, and even then, it would focus mainly on theoretical instruction.
"Goodbye, Brother Aoshi!" As class was dismissed, Kurenai immediately ran over to him, waving energetically.
Aoshi smiled, reached out, and gently patted her head. "See you next time, Kurenai."
That simple interaction caused the rest of the class to look at her with unmistakable envy.
That was Hirakawa Aoshi, the Hero of the Konoha.
Everyone wished they could interact with him so naturally, yet aside from Kurenai, no one dared to approach.
After all, they had no personal connection with him. For most of them, this lecture had been the first time they had ever seen the living legend in person.
Ignoring the surrounding stares, Aoshi turned and left the classroom.
Almost immediately, Kurenai found herself surrounded.
"Kurenai, how do you know Aoshi-sama?"
"What kind of person is he really?"
"Does Aoshi-sama have a girlfriend?"
Questions poured in nonstop, making it impossible for Rin and Shizune, who had wanted to speak with her, to get close.
It wasn't until Matsuo entered the classroom to resume teaching that everyone reluctantly dispersed.
"I know you're all excited about meeting Aoshi-sama," Matsuo said seriously.
"To be honest, even I feel the same way. But if you don't focus in class, and everyone else graduates while you fail, that would be truly embarrassing."
That sobered them instantly. The Ninja Academy's schedule was relatively relaxed, and before long, dismissal arrived.
On the way home, Kurenai was caught up to by Rin and Shizune—with Obito Uchiha, as always, sticking close to Rin. Asuma walked alongside Kurenai as well.
"Kurenai, wait!" Rin called out. "We have something we want to ask."
She got straight to the point. "What kind of person is Aoshi-sama?"
Before Kurenai could answer, Obito grew flustered. "Rin, why are you so focused on that Hirakawa Aoshi?"
He hadn't even used an honorific, calling Aoshi by name alone. That immediately earned him a sharp rebuke.
"Obito!" Rin scolded. "Aoshi-sama is Konoha's Hero. You shouldn't be so rude!"
Then she explained her reasoning. "Shizune and I both want to learn Medical Ninjutsu, but since we've never interacted with him directly, we only know him through rumors.
Since Kurenai knows him, we wanted to understand his character before deciding whether to join the training class."
Shizune nodded in agreement.
They were both girls, after all. Understanding someone's character beforehand mattered. If he were the type with poor private conduct, they would rather stay far away.
In the shinobi world, children matured early. Such concerns were completely natural.
"I understand," Kurenai said gently. "You can relax. Brother Aoshi is a very good person."
Besides their earlier encounters at the Konoha Hospital, Kurenai had later met Aoshi through her father, Shinku Yuhi, after Aoshi's reputation began to rise.
As a newly promoted Jonin, Shinku naturally possessed political awareness.
From subtle signs, he could tell that Sarutobi Hiruzen had intentions of grooming Aoshi as a future Hokage. Even if that judgment proved wrong, befriending a rising Hero of the Konoha was never a mistake.
Hearing Kurenai's reassurance, Rin and Shizune exchanged relieved glances.
"We're planning to join the medical training class," Rin said. "Kurenai, do you want to come with us?"
Before Kurenai could answer, Obito shot his hand up enthusiastically. "I want to join too! Rin, we can go together!"
"But Obito," Rin said carefully, "shouldn't the Uchiha clan focus on Fire Style and Genjutsu?"
She had done her homework. Medical Ninjutsu required an enormous amount of theoretical study, and Obito's weakest point was theory. Still, being kind-hearted, she hinted rather than stating it outright.
Unfortunately, Obito completely missed the implication.
"Don't worry, Rin!" he declared proudly. "I'm Obito Uchiha. Even if I study Medical Ninjutsu, I won't neglect Fire Style or Genjutsu!"
Seeing his confidence, Rin hesitated to say more.
Shizune and Kurenai covered their mouths and laughed softly.
Only Asuma spoke without mercy. "Forget it. With your grasp of theory, there's no way you'll manage Medical Ninjutsu."
Few remembered that Asuma's mother, Biwako Sarutobi, had been an excellent Medical Ninja. As a child, he himself had tried learning it—only to give up due to lack of talent.
"You bastard, Asuma!" Obito snapped. "It's just theory! I—I can learn it!"
He was bluffing, unwilling to lose face in front of Rin.
Rin gently tried to smooth things over. "I know you're amazing, Obito, but there's no need to force yourself into something you're not suited for."
Instead, that only fueled his stubbornness.
"Once I awaken my Sharingan, I'll master Medical Ninjutsu instantly!"
Blind faith in the Uchiha bloodline.
"Pfft." A soft laugh echoed nearby.
Obito spun around. It was Kakashi, passing by.
"You bastard, Kakashi! What was that just now?" Obito barked.
At the same time, Might Guy's voice rang out. "Kakashi! My eternal rival! Let us engage in a youthful showdown!"
Kakashi glanced at Guy—who was approaching on his hands—and sighed internally.
"Never mind. I have a mission." With a puff of smoke, he vanished.
Guy looked disappointed for half a second, then pumped himself up again. "As expected of my rival! I must not fall behind!"
After the chaos subsided, Rin and Shizune turned back to Kurenai. "So? Will you join us?"
After a moment's thought, Kurenai nodded. "I will."
She had the capacity, the interest, and the time.
Elsewhere, after leaving the Academy, Aoshi headed not to the hospital but to Tsunade's research base.
Seeing her still immersed in the study of White Zetsu cells, he understood her obsession with Wood Release. Anyone in her position would feel the same.
In fact, Aoshi planned to help her awaken it one day. If Yamato could do it, there was no reason Tsunade—Hashirama's granddaughter—couldn't.
As she leaned over her research table, Aoshi stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
He tilted her chin upward and captured her lips in a deep kiss.
Tsunade responded almost immediately.
"What are you waiting for?"
That single sentence lit the fuse.
Aoshi lifted her effortlessly, set her atop the empty research table, and pressed forward, burying his face against her warmth as a faint fragrance filled his senses.
Tsunade clung to his neck, her legs wrapping around him without him even noticing when it happened.
"You're truly incorrigible," she murmured. "This is a research base."
Despite her words, there was no displeasure—only novelty and excitement.
Later, Aoshi carried the exhausted Tsunade toward the cleaning room, preparing to wash
But before they could finish, he pulled her back into another heated round, utterly unable to restrain himself.